EXHIBIT 2.3
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
dated as of February 26, 1999
by and among
HOSPITALITY DESIGN & SUPPLY, INC.,
ERF CALIFORNIA, INC.,
ECONOMY RESTAURANT FIXTURES, INC.
and
the STOCKHOLDERS named herein
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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1. THE MERGER.................................................................................... 1
1.1 Delivery and Filing of Articles of Merger............................................... 1
1.2 Effective Time of the Merger............................................................ 1
1.3 Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and Board of Directors of Surviving Corporation.... 2
1.4 Effect of Merger........................................................................ 2
2. CONVERSION OF STOCK........................................................................... 3
2.1 Manner of Conversion.................................................................... 3
2.2 Other Companies......................................................................... 4
3. DELIVERY OF STOCK............................................................................. 4
3.1 Delivery of HDS Stock................................................................... 4
3.2 Delivery of COMPANY Stock............................................................... 4
4. PRE-CLOSING AND CLOSING....................................................................... 4
4.1 Pre-Closing............................................................................. 4
4.2 Closing................................................................................. 5
4.3 No Assurances........................................................................... 5
5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY AND STOCKHOLDERS................................... 6
(A) Representations and Warranties of COMPANY and STOCKHOLDERS................................... 6
5.1 Due Organization....................................................................... 6
5.2 Authority and Validity................................................................. 7
5.3 Capital Stock of the COMPANY........................................................... 7
5.4 Transactions in Capital Stock.......................................................... 7
5.5 No Bonus Shares........................................................................ 7
5.6 Subsidiaries........................................................................... 8
5.7 Predecessor Status; etc................................................................ 8
5.8 Spin-off by the COMPANY................................................................ 8
5.9 Financial Statements................................................................... 8
5.10 Liabilities and Obligations............................................................ 9
5.11 Accounts and Notes Receivable.......................................................... 9
5.12 Permits and Intangibles................................................................ 10
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5.13 Environmental Matters.................................................................. 10
5.14 Real and Personal Property............................................................. 11
5.15 Significant Customers; Material Contracts and Commitments.............................. 11
5.16 Title to Real Property................................................................. 12
5.17 Insurance.............................................................................. 12
5.18 Compensation; Employment Agreements.................................................... 13
5.19 Employee Plans......................................................................... 13
5.20 Compliance with ERISA.................................................................. 14
5.21 Conformity with Law.................................................................... 16
5.22 Taxes.................................................................................. 17
5.23 No Violations.......................................................................... 19
5.24 Government Contracts................................................................... 20
5.25 Absence of Changes..................................................................... 20
5.26 Deposit Accounts; Powers of Attorney................................................... 21
5.27 Relations with Governments............................................................. 21
(B) Representations and Warranties of STOCKHOLDERS............................................... 21
5.28 Authority; Validity; Ownership......................................................... 22
5.29 Preemptive Rights...................................................................... 22
6. REPRESENTATIONS OF HDS....................................................................... 22
6.1 Due Organization....................................................................... 22
6.2 HDS Stock.............................................................................. 23
6.3 Authority and Validity................................................................. 23
6.4 Capital Stock of HDS................................................................... 23
6.5 No Side Agreements..................................................................... 24
6.6 Subsidiaries........................................................................... 24
6.7 Business; Financial Information........................................................ 24
6.8 Conformity with Law.................................................................... 25
6.9 No Violations.......................................................................... 25
6.10 Intentionally Omitted.................................................................. 25
7. COVENANTS PRIOR TO CLOSING................................................................... 26
7.1 Access and Cooperation; Due Diligence.................................................. 26
7.2 Conduct of Business Pending Closing.................................................... 27
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7.3 Prohibited Activities.................................................................. 27
7.4 No Shop................................................................................ 29
7.5 Notice to Bargaining Agents............................................................ 29
7.6 Termination of Plans................................................................... 29
7.7 HDS Prohibited Activities.............................................................. 29
7.8 Notification of Certain Matters........................................................ 29
7.9 Amendment of Schedules................................................................. 30
7.10 Cooperation in Preparation of Registration Statement................................... 31
7.11 Examination of Final Financial Statements.............................................. 31
7.12 Maximum Working Capital Deficit and Advances to STOCKHOLDERS........................... 31
7.13 Other Agreement Terms.................................................................. 32
7.14 Employment Matters..................................................................... 32
8. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF STOCKHOLDERS AND COMPANY.............................. 32
8.1 Representations and Warranties; Performance of Obligations............................. 32
8.2 Satisfaction........................................................................... 33
8.3 No Litigation.......................................................................... 33
8.4 Stockholders' Release.................................................................. 33
8.5 Opinion of Counsel..................................................................... 33
8.6 Director Indemnification............................................................... 34
8.7 Registration Statement................................................................. 34
8.8 Consents and Approvals................................................................. 34
8.9 Good Standing Certificates............................................................. 34
8.10 No Waivers............................................................................. 34
8.11 No Material Adverse Change............................................................. 34
8.12 Employment Agreements.................................................................. 34
8.13 Consulting Agreements.................................................................. 34
9. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF HDS.................................................. 35
9.1 Representations and Warranties; Performance of Obligations............................ 35
9.2 No Litigation......................................................................... 35
9.3 Financial Statements.................................................................. 35
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9.4 No Material Adverse Effect............................................................ 35
9.5 STOCKHOLDERS' Release................................................................. 35
9.6 Satisfaction.......................................................................... 36
9.7 Termination of Related Party Agreements............................................... 36
9.8 Opinion of COMPANY Counsel............................................................ 36
9.9 Consents and Approvals................................................................ 36
9.10 Good Standing Certificates............................................................ 36
9.11 Registration Statement................................................................ 37
9.12 Employment Agreements................................................................. 37
9.13 Consulting Agreements................................................................. 37
9.14 Intentionally Omitted................................................................. 37
9.15 Repayment of Indebtedness............................................................. 37
9.16 FIRPTA Certificate.................................................................... 37
9.17 Insurance............................................................................. 37
10. POST-CLOSING COVENANTS AND SPECIAL TAX MATTERS.............................................. 37
10.1 Intentionally Omitted................................................................. 37
10.2 Disclosure............................................................................ 37
10.3 Cooperation in Tax Return Preparation................................................. 37
10.4 Tax Return Preparation and Filing..................................................... 38
10.5 Tax Treatment of Transaction.......................................................... 39
10.6 Special Definitions Related to Tax Matters............................................ 39
10.7 Directors............................................................................. 40
10.8 Release from Guarantees............................................................... 40
10.9 Preservation of Plans................................................................. 40
10.10 HDS Stock Options..................................................................... 41
10.11 Section 338(h)(10) Election........................................................... 41
11. INDEMNIFICATION............................................................................. 42
11.1 General Indemnification by the STOCKHOLDERS........................................... 42
11.2 Indemnification by HDS................................................................ 42
11.3 Third Person Claims................................................................... 43
11.4 Exclusive Remedy...................................................................... 45
11.5 Limitations on Indemnification........................................................ 45
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11.6 Special Tax Indemnity Provisions...................................................... 46
11.7 Special Contest Rights Related to Tax Matters......................................... 47
11.8 Special Notification Requirements Regarding Tax Disputes.............................. 48
11.9 Refunds............................................................................... 48
11.10 Optional Payment With Shares.......................................................... 48
12. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT.................................................................... 48
12.1 Termination........................................................................... 48
12.2 Liabilities in Event of Termination................................................... 49
13. NONCOMPETITION.............................................................................. 49
13.1 Prohibited Activities................................................................. 49
13.2 Damages............................................................................... 50
13.3 Reasonable Restraint.................................................................. 51
13.4 Severability; Reformation............................................................. 51
13.5 Independent Covenant.................................................................. 51
13.6 Materiality........................................................................... 51
14. NONDISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION................................................... 52
14.1 STOCKHOLDERS.......................................................................... 52
14.2 HDS................................................................................... 52
14.3 Damages............................................................................... 53
14.4 Survival.............................................................................. 53
15. TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS....................................................................... 53
15.1 Transfer Restrictions................................................................. 53
15.2 Permitted Transferees................................................................. 53
16. FEDERAL SECURITIES ACT REPRESENTATIONS...................................................... 54
16.1 No Registration Rights................................................................ 54
16.2 Compliance with Law................................................................... 54
16.3 Accredited Investors; Economic Risk; Sophistication................................... 54
17. REGISTRATION RIGHTS......................................................................... 55
17.1 Piggyback Registration Rights......................................................... 55
17.2 Demand Registration Rights............................................................ 55
17.3 Registration Procedures............................................................... 56
17.4 Underwriting Agreement................................................................ 56
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17.5 HDS Stock............................................................................. 57
17.6 Availability of Rule 144.............................................................. 57
17.7 Survival.............................................................................. 57
18. GENERAL..................................................................................... 57
18.1 Cooperation........................................................................... 57
18.2 Successors and Assigns................................................................ 57
18.3 Entire Agreement...................................................................... 58
18.4 Counterparts.......................................................................... 58
18.5 Brokers and Agents.................................................................... 58
18.6 Expenses.............................................................................. 58
18.7 Notices............................................................................... 58
18.8 Governing Law; Forum.................................................................. 59
18.9 Survival of Representations and Warranties............................................ 59
18.10 Exercise of Rights and Remedies....................................................... 60
18.11 Time.................................................................................. 60
18.12 Reformation and Severability.......................................................... 60
18.13 Remedies Cumulative................................................................... 60
18.14 Construction.......................................................................... 60
18.15 Captions.............................................................................. 00
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XXXXXXXXX and ANNEXES
Annex I -- Consideration to Founding Company Stockholders
Annex II -- Stockholders and Stock Ownership of the COMPANY
Annex III -- Stockholders and Stock Ownership of HDS
Annex IV -- Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of HDS
Annex V -- Form of Opinion of Howard, Rice, Nemerovski, Canady, Xxxx &
Rabkin, A Professional Corporation
Annex VI -- Form of Opinion of COMPANY Counsel
Annex VII -- Form of Director Indemnification Agreement
Annex VIII -- Form of Employment Agreement
Annex IX -- Form of Consulting Agreement
Annex X -- Leases
Annex XI -- Stockholder Release
Schedule 5.1 -- Qualifications to Do Business
Schedule 5.3 -- Capital Stock of the COMPANY
Schedule 5.4 -- Transactions in Capital Stock; Options & Warrants to Acquire
Capital Stock
Schedule 5.5 -- Stock Issued Pursuant to Awards, Grants and Bonuses
Schedule 5.6 -- Subsidiaries; Capitalization of Subsidiaries
Schedule 5.7 -- Names of Predecessor Companies
Schedule 5.8 -- Sales or Spin-offs of Significant Assets
Schedule 5.9 -- Financial Statements
Schedule 5.10 -- Significant Liabilities and Obligations
Schedule 5.11 -- Accounts and Notes Receivable
Schedule 5.12 -- Licenses, Franchises, Permits and Other Governmental
Authorizations
Schedule 5.13 -- Environmental Matters
Schedule 5.14 -- Real Property, Leases and Significant Personal Property
Schedule 5.15 -- Significant Customers and Material Contracts
Schedule 5.17 -- Insurance Policies and Claims
Schedule 5.18 -- Officers, Directors and Key Employees, Employment Agreements;
Compensation
Schedule 5.19 -- Employee Benefit Plans
Schedule 5.20 -- Compliance with ERISA
Schedule 5.21 -- Violations of Law, Regulations or Orders
Schedule 5.22 -- Taxes
Schedule 5.23 -- Violations of Charter Documents and Material Defaults
Schedule 5.24 -- Governmental Contracts Subject to Price Redetermination or
Renegotiation
Schedule 5.25 -- Changes Since Balance Sheet Date
Schedule 5.26 -- Bank Accounts; Powers of Attorney
Schedule 5.28 -- Encumbrances on the COMPANY Stock
Schedule 6.4 -- Authorized Capital
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Schedule 6.5 -- HDS Side Agreements
Schedule 6.6 -- HDS's Subsidiaries
Schedule 6.7 -- HDS's Financial Statements
Schedule 6.9 -- No Violations
Schedule 7.2 -- Exceptions to Conducting Business in the Ordinary Course
Between Balance Sheet Date and Closing Date
Schedule 7.3 -- Prohibited Activities
Schedule 7.6 -- Plans to be Terminated by the Pricing Date
Schedule 7.7 -- Exceptions to Restrictions on HDS
Schedule 8.12 -- Employment Agreements
Schedule 8.13 -- Consulting Agreements
Schedule 8.14 -- Leases
Schedule 9.7 -- Termination of Related Party Agreements
Schedule 10.9 -- Preserved Plans
Schedule 10.10 -- Stock Options
Schedule 13.1 -- Prohibited Activities
Schedule 16.3 -- Non-Accredited Investors
Schedule 18.5 -- Brokers and Agents
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TABLE OF DEFINITIONS
Defined Term Section
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accredited investor 16.2
Affiliate 10.6(a)
Agreement Preamble
Articles of Merger 1.1
Balance Sheet Date 5.9
Cash Consideration Annex I
Charter Documents 5.1
Closing 4.2
Closing Date 4.2
COBRA 5.20(v)
Code Whereas
COMPANY Preamble
COMPANY Affiliates 5.8
COMPANY Financial Statements 5.9
COMPANY Stock 2.1
Constituent Corporations Whereas
Consulting Agreement 8.13
controlled group 5.20
December 31, 1998 COMPANY 5.9
Balance Sheet
December 31, 1998 COMPANY Financial 5.9
Statements
Defined Benefit Plan 5.19(iv)
Delaware GCL 1.4
Effective IPO Price Annex I
Effective Time of the Merger 1.2
Election Period 11.3(i)
Employment Agreement 8.12
Environmental Laws 5.13
ERISA 5.19
Expiration Date 5(A)
Founding Companies Whereas
group health plans 5.20(v)
HDS Preamble
HDS Charter Documents 6.1
HDS Material Adverse Effect 6.1
HDS Material Documents 6.9
HDS Stock 2.1
HDS's Subsidiaries 6.1
Xxxxxx Xxxx 4.1
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Indemnification Threshold 11.5(i)
Indemnified Party 11.3
Indemnifying Party 11.3
Interim Period 10.6(b)
IPO 4.1
Material Adverse Effect 5.1
Material Contracts 5.15
Material Leases 5.14
Merger Whereas
Minimum IPO Price Annex I
multi-employer pension plan 5.20
1933 Act 5(A)
1934 Act 5(A)
Nondisturbance Agreements 9.18
Other Agreements Whereas
Other Companies Whereas
PBGC 5.19(x)
Plans 5.19
Post-Closing Period 10.6(d)
Pre-Closing 4.1
Pre-Closing Period 10.6(c)
Pricing Date 4.1
Purchase Price Annex I
Qualified Plans 5.19(iii)
Registration Statement 4.3
reportable events 5.20(iii)
SEC 8.2
significant customers 5.15
Stockholder Release 9.5
STOCKHOLDERS Preamble
Surviving Corporation 1.2
Tax 10.6(e)
Tax Data 10.3
Tax Documentation 10.3
Tax Returns 10.6(f)
Taxing Authority 10.6(g)
Territory 13.1(i)
Third Party Claim 11.3(i)
Third Person 11.3
Transfer Taxes 17.6
Underwriters 4.3
Underwriting Agreement 8.7
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (the "Agreement") is made as
of February 26, 1999, by and among HOSPITALITY DESIGN & SUPPLY, INC., a
Delaware corporation ("HDS"), ERF CALIFORNIA, INC., a California corporation and
a wholly owned subsidiary of HDS ("ERF"), ECONOMY RESTAURANT FIXTURES, INC., a
California corporation (the "COMPANY"), and the stockholders of the COMPANY
listed on Annex II (the "STOCKHOLDERS"). The STOCKHOLDERS are all the
stockholders of the COMPANY.
WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of HDS, ERF and the COMPANY
(which together are herein collectively referred to as "Constituent
Corporations") deem it advisable and in the best interests of the Constituent
Corporations and their respective stockholders that ERF merge with and into the
COMPANY pursuant to this Agreement and the applicable provisions of the laws of
the State of California (such transaction is sometimes herein called the
"Merger");
WHEREAS, HDS is entering into other separate agreements (the "Other
Agreements") substantially similar to this Agreement, each of which is entitled
"Agreement and Plan of Reorganization," with each of the entities other than the
Company listed in Part II of Annex I (collectively, the "Other Companies") in
order to acquire additional companies in the commercial kitchen design and/or
supply industry (the Other Companies, together with the COMPANY, are
collectively referred to herein as the "Founding Companies"); and
WHEREAS, HDS desires to engage certain principal shareholders and other
employees of Company as employees of HDS who will continue to work at HDS upon
consummation of the transactions described herein, and each of the principal
shareholders desires to enter into such employment arrangements with HDS upon
terms and conditions more fully described below; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
agreements, representations, warranties, provisions and covenants herein
contained, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. THE MERGER.
1.1 Delivery and Filing of Articles of Merger. The Constituent
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Corporations will cause a Certificate of Merger or Articles of Merger in
mutually agreeable form with respect to the Merger (the "Articles of Merger") to
be signed, verified, delivered to and filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of California on or before the Closing Date (as defined in Section 4.2).
1.2 Effective Time of the Merger. The "Effective Time of the Merger"
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shall be on the Closing Date, as defined in Section 4.2, and simultaneous with
the closing of the IPO,
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as defined in Section 4.1. At the Effective Time of the Merger, the ERF shall be
merged with and into the COMPANY in accordance with the Articles of Merger, and
the separate existence of ERF shall cease. The COMPANY shall be the surviving
party in the Merger and is herein sometimes referred to as the "Surviving
Corporation." The Merger will be effected in a single transaction.
1.3 Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and Board of Directors of
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Surviving Corporation. At the Effective Time of the Merger:
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(i) the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation shall be
amended and restated at and as of the Effective Time to read as did the Articles
of Incorporation of ERF immediately prior to the Effective Time, except that the
name of the Surviving Corporation shall remain unchanged;
(ii) the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation shall be amended and
restated at and as of the Effective Time to read as did the Bylaws of ERF
immediately prior to the Effective Time, except that the name of the Surviving
Corporation shall remain unchanged;
(iii) the Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation shall consist
of those persons who constituted the Board of Directors of ERF immediately prior
to the Merger, who shall hold office subject to the provisions of the laws of
the State of California and of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation until such persons' successors and assigns are duly
elected and qualified; and
(iv) the officers of the Surviving Corporation shall be the persons who
were officers of ERF immediately prior to the Merger, who shall hold office,
subject to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation and the Employment Agreements (as defined in Section
8.12), until such officers' successors are duly elected and qualified.
1.4 Effect of Merger. At the Effective Time of the Merger, the effect
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of the Merger shall be as provided in the applicable provisions of the
California Corporations Code. At the Effective Time of the Merger, the separate
existence of ERF shall cease and, in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, the Surviving Corporation shall possess all the rights, privileges,
immunities and franchises of a public, as well as of a private, nature, and all
property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due on whatever account,
including subscriptions to shares, all taxes, including those due and owing and
those accrued, and all other choses in action, and all and every other interest
of or belonging to or due to the COMPANY and ERF shall be taken and deemed to be
transferred to, and vested in, the Surviving Corporation without further act or
deed. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Surviving Corporation shall
thenceforth be responsible and liable for all the liabilities and obligations of
the COMPANY and ERF and the Surviving Corporation shall be substituted for the
COMPANY or ERF with respect to any claim existing, or action or proceeding
pending, by or against the COMPANY or ERF. Neither the rights of creditors nor
any liens upon the property of the COMPANY or ERF shall be
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impaired by the Merger, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the COMPANY and
ERF shall attach to the Surviving Corporation, and may be enforced against such
Surviving Corporation to the same extent as if said debts, liabilities and
duties had been incurred or contracted by such Surviving Corporation.
2. CONVERSION OF STOCK.
2.1 Manner of Conversion. The manner of converting the outstanding
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shares of capital stock of the COMPANY ("COMPANY Stock") into outstanding shares
of common stock of HDS ("HDS Stock") and cash shall be as follows:
As of the Effective Time of the Merger:
(i) all of the shares of COMPANY Stock issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, shall be converted into
the right to receive (1) that number of shares of HDS Stock determined as set
forth in Part I of Annex I hereto and (2) the amount of cash determined as set
forth in Part I of Annex I hereto, such shares and cash to be subject to offset
as provided in Section 7.12 and distributed to STOCKHOLDERS as provided in Part
I of Annex I hereto;
(ii) all shares of COMPANY Stock that are held by COMPANY as treasury
stock or by any COMPANY Subsidiary shall be cancelled and retired and no
consideration shall be delivered or paid in exchange therefor; and
(iii) each share of common stock of ERF shall be converted into one
share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation.
In addition, (a) on the 90th day after the Closing Date, as defined in
Section 4.2, (or the first business day after such 90th day if the 90th day is
not a business day), HDS shall pay to the Stockholders an amount equal to the
amount of the excess of (i) the net income of the COMPANY for the period from
January 1, 1999 through the Closing Date over (ii) an amount equal to 3% times
the total revenues of the COMPANY for the period from January 1, 1999 through
the Closing Date, and (b) on May 31, 2000, HDS shall pay to the STOCKHOLDERS an
amount equal to 3% times the total revenues of the COMPANY for the period from
January 1, 1999 through the Closing Date. The amounts of net income and
revenues referred to in (a) and (b) above shall be amounts determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as consistently applied
with the preparation of the December 31, 1998 Company Financial Statements. If
HDS and the STOCKHOLDERS do not agree on the amount to be so paid, such amount
shall be conclusively determined by Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, LLP, and the STOCKHOLDERS
and HDS each will bear one-half of the fees of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, LLP, for making
such determination. The amounts so due under (a) and (b) above shall be paid in
the form of HDS' check to the STOCKHOLDERS, and one-half of each such amount
shall be paid to each of the STOCKHOLDERS.
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At the Effective Time of the Merger, HDS shall have no class of
capital stock authorized, issued or outstanding which, as a class, shall have
any rights or preferences senior to the shares of HDS Stock received by the
STOCKHOLDERS, including, without limitation, any rights or preferences as to
dividends or as to the assets of HDS upon liquidation or dissolution or as to
voting rights, except for any series of Preferred Stock that will be converted
into HDS Stock on the Closing Date (as defined below).
2.2 Other Companies. Part II to Annex I sets forth the aggregate
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consideration into which shares of outstanding stock of each Founding Company
will be converted on the Closing Date, or, if applicable, payable with respect
to such shares of outstanding stock on the Closing Date, before offsets.
3. DELIVERY OF STOCK.
3.1 Delivery of HDS Stock. At or immediately after the Effective Time of
_____________________
the Merger:
(i) the STOCKHOLDERS, as the holders of all outstanding certificates
representing shares of COMPANY Stock, shall, upon surrender of such
certificates, be entitled to receive the number of shares of HDS Stock and the
amount of cash calculated pursuant to Section 2.1 above; and
(ii) until the certificates representing COMPANY Stock have been
surrendered by the STOCKHOLDERS and replaced by the HDS Stock, the certificates
for COMPANY Stock shall, for all corporate purposes, be deemed to evidence the
ownership of the number of shares of HDS Stock and cash which such STOCKHOLDER
is entitled to receive as a result of the Merger, as set forth in Section 2.1,
notwithstanding the number of shares of COMPANY Stock such certificates
represent.
3.2 Delivery of COMPANY Stock. The STOCKHOLDERS shall deliver to HDS at
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Pre-Closing (as defined below in Section 4.1) the certificates representing
COMPANY Stock, duly endorsed in blank by the STOCKHOLDERS, or accompanied by
blank stock powers, and with all necessary transfer tax and other revenue
stamps, acquired at the STOCKHOLDERS' expense, affixed and cancelled. The
STOCKHOLDERS agree promptly to cure any deficiencies with respect to the
endorsement of the certificates or other documents of conveyance with respect to
such COMPANY Stock or with respect to the stock powers accompanying any COMPANY
Stock.
4. PRE-CLOSING AND CLOSING.
4.1 Pre-Closing. On the date (the "Pricing Date") on which the public of
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price of the shares of HDS Stock in the initial public offering of HDS Stock
(the "IPO") is determined, the parties shall deliver to Howard, Rice,
Nemerovski, Canady, Xxxx & Xxxxxx, A Professional Corporation ("Xxxxxx Xxxx")
all documents necessary to effect (i) the Merger (including, at HDS's election,
the filing with the appropriate state authorities of the Articles of Merger and
any similar document to become effective on the
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Closing Date (as defined below)), (ii) the conversion of shares of ERF Stock
into shares of stock of the Surviving Corporation and (iii) the delivery of
shares of HDS Stock to STOCKHOLDERS (such delivery to Xxxxxx, Xxxx is herein
referred to as the "Pre-Closing"); provided, that the actual Merger, the
conversion of shares of ERF Stock into shares of stock of the Surviving
Corporation and the delivery of shares of HDS Stock shall not take place until
the Closing Date as herein provided. The Pre-Closing shall take place at the
offices of Xxxxxx, Rice at Three Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx 00000.
4.2 Closing. On the date when the closing with respect to the IPO
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occurs (the"Closing Date"), the Articles of Merger shall be filed with the
appropriate state authorities, or if already filed shall become effective, and
the conversion of shares of ERF Stock into shares of stock of the Surviving
Corporation, the delivery of shares of HDS Stock, and the transfer of funds, by
wire transfer, in an amount equal to the cash portion of the consideration which
the STOCKHOLDERS shall be entitled to receive pursuant to the Merger, as set
forth in Section 2.1, shall occur and be deemed to be completed (such
consummation and delivery is herein referred to as the "Closing"). After the
Pre-Closing and until the Closing Date, no party may withdraw, terminate or
rescind any delivery made at the Pre-Closing unless this Agreement is
terminated as provided in Section 12. All documents delivered at the
Pre-Closing shall be held by Xxxxxx Xxxx for final delivery on the Closing Date
as directed by the parties and their counsel at the Pre-Closing, provided only
that the Articles of Merger and any similar document may be filed to become
effective on the Closing Date. Should the Agreement be terminated as provided in
Section 12 prior to the Closing Date, the parties shall take all steps necessary
to rescind any such filings, Xxxxxx Xxxx shall return all documents delivered at
the Pre-Closing to the parties who delivered the same, all such deliveries at
the Pre-Closing will be rescinded and a nullity, the Merger shall not become
effective, the shares of COMPANY Stock will not be converted into cash and HDS
Stock, the shares of ERF Stock will not be converted into shares of stock of the
Surviving Corporation, and shares of HDS Stock will not be delivered to
STOCKHOLDERS. If HDS proposes to file any Articles of Merger or any similar
document prior to the Closing, the documents delivered at Pre-Closing shall
include documents required to rescind, prior to the Closing, any filing of the
Articles of Merger and any similar document.
4.3 No Assurances. The COMPANY and the STOCKHOLDERS acknowledge and
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agree that (i) there exists no firm commitment, binding agreement, or promise or
other assurance of any kind, whether express or implied, oral or written, that
any Registration Statement filed in connection with the IPO (the "Registration
Statement") will become effective or that the IPO pursuant thereto will occur at
a particular price or within a particular range of prices or will occur at all;
(ii) none of HDS, ERF or their respective officers, directors, agents or
representatives nor any prospective underwriters in the IPO (the "Underwriters")
shall have any liability to the COMPANY, the STOCKHOLDERS or any other person
affiliated or associated with the COMPANY for any failure of the Registration
Statement to become effective, or of the IPO to occur at a particular price or
within a particular range of prices or to occur at all;
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and (iii) the decision of the STOCKHOLDERS to enter into this Agreement, or to
vote in favor of or consent to the proposed Merger, has been made independent
of, and without reliance upon, any statements, opinions or other communications
of, or due diligence investigations which have been or will be made or performed
by any prospective Underwriter, relative to HDS, ERF or the prospective IPO. The
Underwriters shall have no obligation to the STOCKHOLDERS with respect to any
disclosure contained in the Registration Statement, except as may be set forth
in the Underwriting Agreement.
5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY AND STOCKHOLDERS.
(A) Representations and Warranties of COMPANY and STOCKHOLDERS.
----------------------------------------------------------
The COMPANY and each of the STOCKHOLDERS jointly and severally represent and
warrant that all of the following representations and warranties in this Section
5(A) are true at the date of this Agreement and, subject to Section 7.9 hereof,
shall be true at the time of Pre-Closing and the Closing Date, and that such
representations and warranties shall survive the Closing Date for a period of
two (2) years (the last day of such period is herein called the "Expiration
Date"), except that (i) the warranties and representations set forth in Sections
5.13, 5.19 and 5.20 hereof shall survive until such date as the limitations
period has run for each act, inaction, fact, event or circumstance which
constitutes a breach thereof, which date shall be deemed to be the Expiration
Date for Sections 5.13, 5.19 and 5.20, (ii) the warranties and representations
set forth in Section 5.22 hereof shall survive until such date as the
limitations period has run for all tax periods ended on or prior to the Closing
Date, which date shall be deemed to be the Expiration Date for Section 5.22, and
(iii) solely for purposes of Section 11.1(iv) hereof, all warranties and
representations shall survive until such date as the limitations period has run
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), and all other applicable
Federal or state securities laws, which date shall be deemed to be the
Expiration Date for purposes of Section 11.1(iv) hereof.
5.1 Due Organization. The COMPANY is a corporation duly organized,
----------------
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its
incorporation, and is duly authorized and qualified to do business under all
applicable laws, regulations, ordinances and orders of public authorities to
carry on its business in the places and in the manner as now conducted except
(i) as disclosed on Schedule 5.1 or (ii) where the cumulative effect of all
failures to be so authorized or qualified would not have a material adverse
effect on the business, operations, properties, assets or financial condition,
of the COMPANY (a "Material Adverse Effect"). Schedule 5.1 contains a list of
all jurisdictions in which the COMPANY is authorized or qualified to do
business. True, complete and correct copies of the Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws, each as amended, of the COMPANY (collectively, the "Charter Documents"),
certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the COMPANY, are all
attached hereto as part of Schedule 5.1. A true, complete and correct copy of
each Articles of Incorporation, as amended, included in the Charter Documents,
certified by the Secretary of State or other appropriate authority of the state
of incorporation of the COMPANY, as applicable, shall be delivered to HDS at the
Pre-
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Closing. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.1, the minute books of the
COMPANY, as heretofore made available to HDS, are correct and complete in all
material respects.
5.2 Authority and Validity. The representatives of the COMPANY executing
----------------------
this Agreement have the authority to enter into and bind the COMPANY to the
terms of this Agreement and any other agreements contemplated by this Agreement
to which the COMPANY is or is contemplated to be a party. The COMPANY has the
full legal right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement, any other
agreements contemplated by this Agreement, to which the COMPANY is or is
contemplated to be a party, and the Merger. All corporate action necessary for
the authorization, execution, delivery and performance by the COMPANY of the
Agreement, and also any other agreements contemplated by this Agreement to which
the COMPANY is or is contemplated to be a party, has been taken. Assuming due
authorization, execution and delivery by HDS, this Agreement and any other
agreements contemplated by this Agreement to which the COMPANY is or is
contemplated to be a party are or will be legal, valid and binding obligations
of the COMPANY, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as
may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting
creditors' rights generally and except that the availability of equitable
remedies is subject to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding
therefor may be brought.
5.3 Capital Stock of the COMPANY. The authorized capital stock of
----------------------------
the COMPANY is as set forth in Schedule 5.3. All of the issued and outstanding
shares of the capital stock of the COMPANY are owned by the STOCKHOLDERS and in
the amounts set forth in Annex II and further, except as set forth on Schedule
5.3, are owned free and clear of all liens, security interests, pledges,
charges, voting trusts, restrictions, encumbrances and claims of every kind. All
of the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of the COMPANY have
been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable, are
owned of record and beneficially by the STOCKHOLDERS and further, such shares
were offered, issued, sold and delivered by the COMPANY in compliance with all
applicable state and federal laws concerning the issuance of securities.
Further, none of such shares were issued in violation of the preemptive rights
of any past or present stockholder.
5.4 Transactions in Capital Stock. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.4,
-----------------------------
the COMPANY has not acquired any COMPANY Stock since January 1, 1993. Except as
set forth on Schedule 5.4, no option, warrant, call, conversion right or
commitment of any kind exists which obligates the COMPANY to issue any
authorized but unissued capital stock. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.4, the
COMPANY has no obligation (contingent or otherwise) to purchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire any of its equity securities or any interests therein or to
pay any dividend or make any distribution in respect thereof. Except as set
forth on Schedule 5.4, there has been no transaction or action taken with
respect to the equity ownership of the COMPANY, in contemplation of the
transactions described in this Agreement.
5.5 No Bonus Shares. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.5, since
---------------
January 1, 1995 none of the shares of COMPANY Stock was issued for less than the
fair market value
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thereof at the time of issuance or was issued in exchange for consideration
other than cash.
5.6 Subsidiaries. The COMPANY has no subsidiaries or affiliated
------------
companies. In this Agreement, a "Subsidiary" means any corporation more than
fifty percent (50%) of whose outstanding voting securities are, or any
partnership, joint venture or other entity more than fifty percent (50%) of
whose total equity interest is directly or indirectly, owned by the COMPANY.
Except as set forth in Schedule 5.6 attached hereto, the COMPANY does not
presently own, of record or beneficially, or control, directly or indirectly,
any capital stock, securities convertible into capital stock or any other equity
interest in any corporation, association or business entity nor is the COMPANY,
directly or indirectly, a participant in any joint venture, partnership or other
non-corporate entity.
5.7 Predecessor Status; etc. Set forth in Schedule 5.7 is a listing of
------------------------
names under which the COMPANY has done business during the last five years and
all names of all predecessor companies for the past five years of the COMPANY,
including the names of any entities from whom the COMPANY previously acquired
material assets. Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.7, the COMPANY has not been
a subsidiary or division of another corporation or a part of an acquisition
which was later rescinded.
5.8 Spin-off by the COMPANY. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.8,
-----------------------
there has not been any sale, spin-off or split-up of any material assets of the
COMPANY or any other person or entity that directly, or indirectly through one
or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common
control with, the COMPANY ("COMPANY Affiliates") other than in the ordinary
course of business, within the preceding two years.
5.9 Financial Statements. Attached hereto as Schedule 5.9 to this
--------------------
Agreement are copies of the following financial statements (the "COMPANY
Financial Statements") of the COMPANY: (i) the COMPANY's balance sheet as of
December 31, 1998 and statements of income, cash flows and retained earnings for
the twelve month period ended December 31, 1998 (such Balance Sheet as of
December 31, 1998 is herein sometimes referred to as the "December 31, 1998
COMPANY Balance Sheet," the December 31, 1998 COMPANY Balance Sheet and such
statements of income, cash flows and retained earnings for the twelve months
ended December 31, 1998 are herein sometimes referred to as December 31, 1998
COMPANY Financial Statements, and December 31, 1998 is herein sometimes referred
to as the "Balance Sheet Date") and (ii) the COMPANY's balance sheets as of
December 31, 1997 and statements of income, cash flows and retained earnings for
the year ended December 31, 1997. To the knowledge of the Company, such
Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods
indicated (except as noted). Such balance sheets as of December 31, 1998 and
1997 present fairly the financial position of the COMPANY as of the dates
indicated thereon, and such Statements of Income, Cash Flows and Retained
Earnings present fairly the results of their respective operations for the
periods indicated thereon.
-8-
5.10 Liabilities and Obligations. Schedule 5.10 is an accurate list with
---------------------------
respect to the COMPANY of:
(i) all liabilities as of December 31, 1998;
(ii) in the case of any supplement or amendment pursuant to Section
7.9, all liabilities which were incurred after the date of this Agreement and
were incurred other than in the ordinary course of business or which exceed
$20,000 (individually or in the aggregate) if (and only if) such liabilities
would either be accrued on the balance sheet of the COMPANY in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied if such balance
sheet were being prepared immediately prior to Closing or if such liabilities
represent liabilities of the nature described in Section 5.13, Section 5.19,
Section 5.20 and/or Section 5.22 (excluding items that are both not known to the
COMPANY and not covered by any of such sections because of knowledge
qualifications contained in one or more of such sections); and
(iii) in the case of any supplement or amendment pursuant to Section
7.9, all liabilities which were incurred after the date of this Agreement and
were incurred other than in the ordinary course of business or which exceed
$100,000 (in the aggregate) and are not otherwise described in the immediately
preceding subclause (ii).
Any reference to "all liabilities" in the preceding subclauses (i) through (iii)
inclusive shall mean, in each such instance, all liabilities of the COMPANY of
any kind, character or description, whether accrued, absolute, secured or
unsecured, contingent or otherwise. In the case of those liabilities which are
contingent, Schedule 5.10 includes a reasonable estimate of the maximum amount
which may be payable. For each such contingent liability, the COMPANY has
provided to HDS the following information:
(a) a summary description of the liability together with the
following:
(1) copies of all relevant documentation relating thereto;
(2) amounts claimed and any other action or relief sought;
and
(3) name of claimant and all other parties to the claim,
suit or proceeding;
(b) the name of each court or agency before which such claim,
suit or proceeding is pending; and
(c) the date such claim, suit or proceeding was instituted.
5.11 Accounts and Notes Receivable. Schedule 5.11 is an accurate list of
-----------------------------
the accounts and notes receivable of the COMPANY as of the Balance Sheet Date,
including any such amounts which are not reflected in the December 31, 1998
COMPANY Balance Sheet, and including receivables from and advances to employees
and the
-9-
STOCKHOLDERS. Except to the extent to be reflected on Schedule 5.11,
such accounts and notes are collectible in the amount to be shown on Schedule
5.11, net of reserves reflected in the December 31, 1998 COMPANY Balance Sheet.
5.12 Permits and Intangibles. The COMPANY holds all licenses, franchises,
-----------------------
permits and other governmental authorizations including permits, titles
(including motor vehicle titles and current registrations), licenses,
franchises, certificates, trademarks, trade names, patents, patent applications
and copyrights, the absence of which, either singly or in the aggregate, would
have a Material Adverse Effect. Schedule 5.12 is an accurate list and summary
description of all such licenses, franchises, permits and other governmental
authorizations, provided that, with respect to copyrights, Schedule 5.12 may
include only those copyrights which are registered. To the knowledge of the
COMPANY, the licenses, franchises, permits and other governmental authorizations
listed on Schedule 5.12 are valid, and the COMPANY has not received any notice
that any governmental authority intends to cancel, terminate or not renew any
such license, franchise, permit or other governmental authorization. The COMPANY
has conducted and is conducting its business in compliance with the
requirements, standards, criteria and conditions set forth in applicable
permits, licenses, orders, approvals, variances, rules and regulations and is
not in violation of any of the foregoing except where all such non-compliances
and violations in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Except
as specifically provided in Schedule 5.12, the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement will not result in a default under or a breach or violation of, or
have a Material Adverse Effect upon the rights and benefits afforded to the
COMPANY by, such licenses, franchises, permits or government authorizations,
either singly or in the aggregate.
5.13 Environmental Matters. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.13, and
---------------------
except to the extent that noncompliance with any Environmental Law (as defined
below), either singly or in the aggregate, does not have a Material Adverse
Effect, (i) the COMPANY has complied with and is in compliance with all federal,
state, local and foreign statutes (civil and criminal), laws, ordinances,
regulations, rules, notices, permits, judgments, orders and decrees applicable
to it or any of its properties, assets, operations and businesses relating to
environmental protection (collectively "Environmental Laws") including, without
limitation, Environmental Laws relating to protection of the air, water or land
or to the generation, storage, use, handling, transportation, treatment or
disposal of Solid Wastes, Hazardous Wastes or Hazardous Substances (as such
terms are defined in any applicable Environmental Law); (ii) the COMPANY has
obtained and complied with all necessary permits and other approvals necessary
to treat, transport, store, dispose of or otherwise handle Solid Wastes,
Hazardous Wastes or Hazardous Substances and has reported, to the extent
required by all Environmental Laws, all past and present sites owned and
operated by the COMPANY where Solid Wastes, Hazardous Wastes or Hazardous
Substances have been treated, stored, used, disposed of or otherwise handled;
(iii) there have been no releases (as defined in Environmental Laws) at, from,
under, in or on any property owned or operated by the COMPANY except as
permitted by Environmental Laws; (iv) to the knowledge of the COMPANY there is
no on-site or off-site location to which the COMPANY has transported or disposed
of Solid Wastes,
-10-
Hazardous Wastes or Hazardous Substances or arranged for the transportation of
Solid Wastes, Hazardous Wastes or Hazardous Substances, which site is the
subject of any federal, state, local or foreign enforcement action or any other
investigation which could lead to any claim against the COMPANY or HDS for any
clean-up cost, remedial work, damage to natural resources or personal injury,
including, but not limited to, any claim under the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended; and (v) the
COMPANY has no contingent liability in connection with any release of any Solid
Waste, Hazardous Waste or Hazardous Substance into the environment. Schedule
5.13 lists all releases of Hazardous Wastes or Hazardous Substances by the
COMPANY.
5.14 Real and Personal Property. Schedule 5.14 hereto contains an
--------------------------
accurate list of (x) all real and personal property included (or that will be
included) on the December 31, 1998 COMPANY Balance Sheet, (y) all other real and
personal property of the COMPANY with a value in excess of $50,000 (i) as of the
Balance Sheet Date and (ii) acquired since the Balance Sheet Date, and (z) all
leases for real and personal property to which the COMPANY is a party involving
real or personal property having a value in excess of $50,000 ("Material
Leases"), including true, complete and correct copies of all Material Leases,
and including an indication as to which real and personal property is currently
owned, or was formerly owned, by the STOCKHOLDERS or business or personal
affiliates of the COMPANY or the STOCKHOLDERS. All machinery and equipment of
the COMPANY listed on Schedule 5.14 is in good working order and condition,
ordinary wear and tear excepted, except (i) as disclosed in Schedule 5.14 or
(ii) where the cumulative effect of all failures to be in good working order and
condition would not have a Material Adverse Effect. All Material Leases are in
full force and effect and constitute valid and binding agreements of the COMPANY
and to the knowledge of the COMPANY, constitute valid and binding agreements on
the other parties thereto (and their successors) in accordance with their
respective terms. All fixed assets used by the COMPANY that are material to the
operation of their respective businesses are either owned by the COMPANY or
leased under an agreement set forth on Schedule 5.14. The Company has provided
to HDS true, complete and correct copies of all Material Leases and all title
reports and title insurance policies received or owned by the COMPANY with
respect to the real property listed on Schedule 5.14. The COMPANY has also
provided in Schedule 5.14 a summary description of all plans or projects that
involve the opening of new operations, expansion of any existing operations or
the acquisition of any real property or existing businesses, with respect to
which the COMPANY has made any expenditure in the two-year period prior to the
date of the Agreement in excess of $50,000, or which if pursued by the COMPANY
would require additional expenditures of capital in excess of $50,000. Except as
set forth on Schedule 5.14 and except for liens excepted in Section 7.3(vi)(1)
and (3), there are no liens against the COMPANY's real and personal properties.
5.15 Significant Customers; Material Contracts and Commitments. Schedule
---------------------------------------------------------
5.15 contains an accurate list of (i) all customers representing five percent
(5%) or more of the COMPANY's revenues for the twelve months ended on the
Balance Sheet Date, or
-11-
who have paid to the COMPANY $100,000 or more over any four consecutive
fiscal quarters in the two years ended on the Balance Sheet Date (collectively,
"significant customers") and (ii) all contracts, indentures and other
instruments requiring payment or performance by the COMPANY in an amount or with
a value in excess of $50,000 ("Material Contracts") to which the COMPANY is a
party or by which the COMPANY or any of its properties are bound (including, but
not limited to, contracts with significant customers, joint venture or
partnership agreements, contracts with any labor organizations, loan agreements,
indemnity or guaranty agreements, bonds, mortgages, options to purchase land,
leases, liens, pledges or other security agreements) (a) as of the Balance Sheet
Date and (b) entered into since the Balance Sheet Date, and in each case has
delivered true, complete and correct copies of such agreements to HDS, except
that leases set forth on Schedule 5.14 need not be set forth on Schedule 5.15.
Except to the extent set forth on Schedule 5.15, (i) none of the COMPANY's
significant customers has cancelled or substantially reduced or, to the
knowledge of the COMPANY, is currently attempting or threatening to cancel any
Material Contract or substantially reduce utilization of the services provided
by the COMPANY, and (ii) no Stockholder or any affiliate of any Stockholder is a
party to any such Material Contract. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.15, the
COMPANY has not been the subject of any election in respect of union
representation of employees and is not bound by or subject to (and none of its
respective assets or properties is bound by or subject to) any arrangement with
any labor union. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.15, no employees of the
COMPANY are represented by any labor union or covered by any collective
bargaining agreement and no campaign to establish such representation has ever
occurred or, to the knowledge of the COMPANY, is in progress. There is no
pending or, to the COMPANY's knowledge, threatened labor dispute involving the
COMPANY and any group of its employees, nor has the COMPANY experienced any
labor interruptions over the past three years, and the COMPANY considers its
relationship with its respective employees to be good.
5.16 Title to Real Property. The COMPANY has good and insurable title
----------------------
to the real property owned and used its business, including that reflected on
Schedule 5.14, subject to no mortgage, pledge, lien, conditional sales
agreement, encumbrance or charge, except for:
(i) liens set forth on Schedules 5.10 and 5.15 securing specified
liabilities (with respect to which no material default exists);
(ii) liens for current taxes not yet payable and assessments not in
default;
(iii) easements for utilities serving the property only; and
(iv) easements, covenants and restrictions and other exceptions to
title shown of record in the office of the County Clerk in which the properties,
assets and leasehold estates are located which do not adversely affect the
current use of the property.
5.17 Insurance. Schedule 5.17 sets forth an accurate list as of the
---------
Balance Sheet Date of all insurance policies carried by the COMPANY. Except as
set forth on Schedule
-12-
5.17, the Company has delivered to HDS an accurate list (attached to Schedule
5.17) of all insurance loss runs or worker's compensation claims received for
the past three policy years. The Company has provided HDS with true, complete
and correct copies of all policies currently in effect. Such insurance policies
are currently in full force and effect and shall remain in full force and effect
through the Closing Date. No insurance carried by the COMPANY has been cancelled
by the insurance company, and the COMPANY has not been denied coverage, during
the five year period ending on the Balance Sheet Date.
5.18 Compensation; Employment Agreements. Schedule 5.18 sets forth an
-----------------------------------
accurate schedule showing all officers, directors and key employees of the
COMPANY listing all employment agreements with such officers, directors and key
employees and the rate of compensation (and the portions thereof attributable to
salary, bonus and other compensation, respectively) of each of such persons as
of (i) the Balance Sheet Date and (ii) the date hereof. The COMPANY has provided
to HDS true, complete and correct copies of any employment agreements for
persons listed on Schedule 5.18. Since the Balance Sheet Date there have been no
increases in the compensation, bonus, sales commissions or fee arrangements
payable or to become payable by the COMPANY to any officer, director,
stockholder, employee, consultant or agent, except as listed on Schedule 5.18.
5.19 Employee Plans. Schedule 5.19 sets forth complete and accurate
--------------
lists of all employee benefit plans, all employee welfare benefit plans, all
employee pension benefit plans, all multi-employer plans and all multi-employer
welfare arrangements (as defined in Sections 3(3), (1), (2), (37) and (40),
respectively, of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
("ERISA")), which are currently maintained and/or sponsored by the COMPANY, or
to which the COMPANY currently contributes, or has an obligation to contribute
in the future (including, without limitation, benefit plans or arrangements that
are not subject to ERISA, such as employment agreements and any other agreements
containing "golden parachute" provisions and deferred compensation agreements),
together with a classification of employees covered thereby (collectively, the
"Plans"). Schedule 5.19 also sets forth all of the Plans that have been
terminated within the past six years. The COMPANY has heretofore delivered to
HDS correct and complete copies of each of the following:
(i) each Plan and all amendments thereto; the trust agreement and/or
insurance contracts, if any, forming a part of such Plan and all amendments
thereto; and the resolutions and agreements, if any by which the COMPANY adopted
such Plan;
(ii) all written, and descriptions of all oral, employment,
termination, and severance agreements, contracts, arrangements and
understandings listed in Schedule 5.19;
(iii) sample benefit distribution forms that pertain to all Plans that
are intended to qualify (the "Qualified Plans") under Section 401(a) of the
Code;
-13-
(iv) the most recent actuarial report and the most recent executed
Form PBGC-1 with respect to each Plan that is a defined benefit pension plan as
defined in Section 414(j) of the Code (a "Defined Benefit Plan");
(v) Forms 5500 or, as applicable Forms 5500-C/R, filed with respect
to the three most recent plan years of each Plan, and all schedules thereto;
(vi) the most recent determination letter issued by the Internal
Revenue Service regarding the qualified status of each Qualified Plan;
(vii) the most recent accountant's report, if any, with respect to
each Plan;
(viii) the most recent summary plan description, and any subsequent
summaries of material modifications, with respect to each Plan;
(ix) the bond required by Section 412 of ERISA, if any; and
(x) all documents required to be filed with the Internal Revenue
Service, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the "PBGC"), or distributed
to participants and beneficiaries in connection with the termination of any
Qualified Plan listed on Schedule 5.19 as terminated.
5.20 Compliance with ERISA. Except for the Plans, the COMPANY does not
---------------------
maintain or sponsor, or is a contributing employer to, a pension, profit-
sharing, deferred compensation, stock option, employee stock purchase or other
employee benefit plan, employee welfare benefit plan, or any other arrangement
with their respective employees, whether or not subject to ERISA. All Plans are
in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of ERISA
and the regulations issued thereunder, the Code and the regulations issued
thereunder, as well as with all other applicable laws, and have been
administered, operated and managed in all material respects in accordance with
their governing documents, if any. All Qualified Plans are qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Code and have been determined by the Internal Revenue
Service to be so qualified or application for determination letters have been
timely submitted to the Internal Revenue Service and nothing has occurred since
the date of each Qualified Plan's most recent determination letter that would
adversely affect such Qualified Plan's tax-qualified status. To the extent that
any Qualified Plans have not been amended to comply with applicable law, the
remedial amendment period permitting retroactive amendment of such Qualified
Plans has not expired and will not expire within one hundred twenty (120) days
after the Closing Date. All reports and other documents required to be filed
with any governmental agency or distributed to plan participants or
beneficiaries (including, but not limited to, annual reports, summary annual
reports, actuarial reports, PBGC-1 Forms, audits or tax returns) have been
timely filed or distributed. None of: (i) the STOCKHOLDERS; (ii) any Plan; or
(iii) the COMPANY has engaged in any transaction prohibited under the provisions
of Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA. No Plan has incurred an
accumulated funding deficiency, as defined in Section 412(a) of the Code and
Section 302(1) of ERISA; and no circumstances exist pursuant to which the
-14-
COMPANY could have any direct or indirect liability whatsoever (including being
subject to any statutory lien to secure payment of any such liability), to the
PBGC under Title IV of ERISA or to the Internal Revenue Service for any excise
tax or penalty with respect to any plan now or hereafter maintained or
contributed to by the COMPANY or any member of a "controlled group" (as defined
in Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA) that includes the COMPANY; and neither the
COMPANY nor any member of a "controlled group" (as defined above) that includes
the COMPANY currently has (or at the Closing Date will have) any obligation
whatsoever to contribute to any "multi-employer pension plan" (as defined in
ERISA Section 4001(a)(14)), nor has any withdrawal liability whatsoever (whether
or not yet assessed) arising under or capable of assertion under Title IV of
ERISA (including, but not limited to, Sections 4201, 4202, 4203, 4204, or 4205
thereof) been incurred by any Plan. Further, except as set forth in Schedule
5.20:
(i) there have been no terminations, partial terminations or
discontinuance of contributions to any Qualified Plan without a determination by
the Internal Revenue Service that such action does not adversely affect the tax-
qualified status of such Qualified Plan;
(ii) no Plan which is subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA
has been terminated;
(iii) there have been no "reportable events" (as defined in Section
4043 of ERISA) with respect to any Plan which were not properly reported;
(iv) the valuation of assets of any Qualified Plan, as of the Closing
Date, shall equal or exceed the actuarial present value of all accrued pension
benefits under any such Qualified Plan in accordance with the assumptions
contained in the Regulations of the PBGC governing the funding of terminated
Defined Benefit Plans;
(v) with respect to Plans which qualify as "group health plans"
under Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code and Section 607(l) of ERISA and
related regulations (relating to the benefit continuation rights imposed by
"COBRA"), the COMPANY has complied (and on the Closing Date will have complied)
in all material respects with all reporting, disclosure, notice, election and
other benefit continuation requirements imposed thereunder as and when
applicable to such plans, and the COMPANY has not incurred (and will not incur)
any direct or indirect liability and is not (and will not be) subject to any
loss, assessment, excise tax penalty, loss of federal income tax deduction or
other sanction, arising on account of or in respect of any direct or indirect
failure by the COMPANY, at any time prior to the Closing Date, to comply with
any federal or state group health care plan benefit continuation requirement,
which is capable of being assessed or asserted before or after the Closing Date
directly or indirectly against the COMPANY or the STOCKHOLDERS with respect to
such group health plans;
(vi) the COMPANY is not now nor has it been within the past six years
a member of a "controlled group" as defined in ERISA Section 4001(a)(14);
-15-
(vii) there is no pending litigation, arbitration, or disputed claim,
settlement or adjudication proceeding, and to the knowledge of the COMPANY,
there is no threatened litigation, arbitration or disputed claim, settlement or
adjudication proceeding, audit or any governmental or other proceeding, audit or
investigation with respect to any Plan, or with respect to any fiduciary,
administrator, or sponsor thereof (in their capacities as such), or any party in
interest thereof;
(viii) the Financial Statements as of the Balance Sheet Date reflect
the approximate total pension, medical and other benefit expense for all Plans,
and no material funding changes or irregularities are reflected thereon which
would cause such Financial Statements to be not representative of prior periods;
(ix) the COMPANY has not incurred liability under Section 4062 of
ERISA;
(x) each Qualified Plan that is listed as terminated on Schedule
5.19 was terminated in compliance with all applicable requirements of ERISA and
the Code;
(xi) except for any Qualified Plan that is categorized on Schedule
5.19 as having been merged with another Qualified Plan, no Qualified Plan of the
COMPANY has been merged during the six years immediately before the Closing
Date;
(xii) each Qualified Plan that is categorized on Schedule 5.19 as
having been merged was merged in compliance with all applicable requirements of
ERISA and the Code;
(xiii) apart from health benefits provided to former employees under
Section 4980B of the Code and Part 6 of Title I(B) of ERISA or other comparable
laws, the COMPANY has no obligation to provide health or medical benefits to
anyone other than its active employees;
(xiv) the COMPANY does not sponsor, contribute to, or have any
obligation to contribute to any voluntary employees beneficiary association, as
described in Section 501(c)(9) of the Code; and
(xv) except as set forth in Schedule 5.19, the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby will not result in any obligation to pay any
employee of the COMPANY severance or termination benefits so long as such
employee remains employed by the COMPANY after the Closing.
5.21 Conformity with Law. Except to the extent set forth on
-------------------
Schedule 5.21, the COMPANY is not in violation of any law or regulation or any
order of any court or federal, state, municipal or other governmental
department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality having
jurisdiction over any of them which (either singly or in the aggregate) would
have a Material Adverse Effect; and except to the extent set forth in Schedule
5.10, there are no claims, actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the
-16-
knowledge of the COMPANY, threatened, against or affecting the COMPANY, at law
or in equity, or before or by any federal, state, municipal or other
governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality
having jurisdiction over any of them which (either singly or in the aggregate)
would have a Material Adverse Effect, and no notice of any such claim, action,
suit or proceeding, whether pending or threatened, has been received by the
COMPANY. The COMPANY has conducted and is conducting its business in compliance
with the requirements, standards, criteria and conditions set forth in
applicable federal, state and local statutes, ordinances, orders, approvals,
variances, rules and regulations and is not in violation of any of the foregoing
which (either singly or in the aggregate) would have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.22 Taxes. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.22,
-----
(i) All Tax Returns (as defined in Section 10.6(f)) required to have
been filed by or with respect to the COMPANY with any Taxing Authority (as
defined in Section 10.6(g)) have been duly filed, and each such Tax Return
accurately, correctly and completely reflects the income, franchise or other Tax
liability and all other information, including the tax basis and recovery
periods for assets, required to be reported thereon. The COMPANY has furnished
or made available to HDS complete and accurate copies of all income and
franchise tax returns, and any amendments thereto, filed by the COMPANY for all
taxable years ending on or after December 31, 1995. All Taxes (whether or not
shown on any Tax Return and whether or not assessed) owed by the COMPANY have
been paid. No Tax payment has been made by the COMPANY to any Taxing Authority
which is inconsistent with the prior practice of the COMPANY, and no Tax payment
has been made by the COMPANY which is in excess of that which is in good faith
determined to be due and owing at the time of such payment.
(ii) The COMPANY is not and has not since January 1, 1995 been a
member of any affiliated, combined, consolidated, unitary or similar group.
(iii) The provisions for Taxes due by the COMPANY (as opposed to any
reserve for deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between
book and Tax income) in the COMPANY Financial Statements are sufficient for, and
adequate to cover, all unpaid Taxes.
(iv) The COMPANY is not a party to any current agreement extending
the time within which to file any Tax Return. No claim has ever been made by any
Taxing Authority in a jurisdiction in which the COMPANY does not file Tax
Returns that it is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.
(v) The COMPANY has withheld and paid all Taxes required to have
been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee,
creditor, independent contractor or other third party.
(vi) To the best of its knowledge, the COMPANY does not expect any
Taxing Authority to assess any additional Taxes against or in respect of it for
any past
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period. There is no dispute or claim concerning any Tax liability either (i)
claimed or raised by any Taxing Authority or (ii) otherwise known to the
COMPANY. No issues have been raised in any examination by any Taxing Authority
with respect to the COMPANY which, by application of similar principles,
reasonably could be expected to result in a proposed deficiency for any other
period not so examined. Schedule 5.22 attached hereto lists all federal, state,
local and foreign income Tax Returns filed by or with respect to the COMPANY for
all taxable periods ended on or after December 31, 1994, indicates those Tax
Returns, if any, that have been audited, and indicates those Tax Returns that
currently are the subject of audit. The COMPANY has delivered to HDS complete
and correct copies of all federal, state, local and foreign income Tax Returns
filed by, and all Tax examination reports and statements of deficiencies
assessed against or agreed to by, the COMPANY since December 31, 1995.
(vii) The COMPANY has not waived any statute of limitations in respect
of Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to any Tax assessment
or deficiency.
(viii) The COMPANY has not made any payments, is not obligated to make
any payments, and is not a party to any agreement that under certain
circumstances could require it to make any payments, that would not be
deductible by reason of the application of Section 280G of the Code.
(ix) The COMPANY is not a party to and has no ongoing liability under
any Tax allocation or sharing agreement.
(x) None of the assets of the COMPANY constitutes tax-exempt bond
financed property or tax-exempt use property, within the meaning of Section 168
of the Code. The COMPANY is not a party to any "safe harbor lease" that is
subject to the provisions of Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code as
in effect prior to the Tax Reform Act of 1986, or to any "long-term contract"
within the meaning of Section 460 of the Code.
(xi) The COMPANY is not a party to any joint venture, partnership or
other arrangement that is treated as a partnership for federal income Tax
purposes.
(xii) There are no accounting method changes of the COMPANY that could
give rise to an adjustment under Section 481 of the Code for periods after the
Closing Date.
(xiii) The COMPANY has not received any written ruling of a Taxing
Authority related to Taxes or entered into any written and legally binding
agreement with a Taxing Authority relating to Taxes.
(xiv) The COMPANY has substantial authority for the treatment of, or
has disclosed (in accordance with Section 6662(d)(2)(B)(ii) of the Code) on its
federal income Tax Returns, all positions taken on its relevant federal income
Tax Returns that
-18-
could give rise to a substantial understatement of federal income Tax within the
meaning of Section 6662(d) of the Code.
(xv) The COMPANY does not have any liability for Taxes of any Person
other than the COMPANY (i) under Section 1.1502-6 of the Treasury regulations
(or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), (ii) as a transferee
or successor, (iii) by contract or (iv) otherwise.
(xvi) No consent has been filed relating to the COMPANY pursuant to
Section 341(f) of the Code, nor has the COMPANY made any tax election that would
materially increase the amount of Taxes payable by the COMPANY, as compared to
the amount of Taxes that would be payable in the absence of such tax election,
in any Post-Closing Period (as defined in Section 10.6(d)).
(xvii) The COMPANY made an election to be classified as an S
Corporation for its partial taxable year beginning on April 1,1990 under Section
1362(a) of the Code and corresponding provisions of the laws of the state in
which it is subject to tax, and has qualified as an S Corporation at all times
since such date. The COMPANY does not own any subsidiary which is a qualified
Subchapter S subsidiary within the meaning of Section 1361(b)(3) of the Code.
(xviii) The fair market value of the sum of (i) all dividends paid and
distributions made on or after January 1, 1998 and through the date of this
Agreement in respect of COMPANY Stock and (ii) all consideration paid by the
COMPANY on or after January 1, 1998 and through the date of this Agreement in
connection with all direct and indirect redemptions, purchases and other
acquisitions of COMPANY Stock is not greater than $997,585.
(xix) The book value of the COMPANY's inventory as of and on the
Closing Date for financial statement and tax purposes will be determined using
the same methodology as was used in determining the book value of the Company's
inventory on the December 31, 1998 COMPANY Balance Sheet.
Certain of the defined terms used in this Section 5.22 have the meaning
ascribed to them in Section 10.
5.23 No Violations. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.23, neither the
-------------
COMPANY nor, to the knowledge of the COMPANY, any other party thereto is (i) in
violation of any Charter Document or (ii) in default under any Material Lease or
Material Contract; and, except as set forth in the schedules and documents
attached to this Agreement, (a) the transactions contemplated hereby will not
have a Material Adverse Effect on the rights and benefits of the COMPANY under
the Material Leases and Material Contracts, either singly or in the aggregate,
and (b) except as set forth on Schedule 5.23, the execution of this Agreement
and the performance of the obligations hereunder and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby will not result in any violation or breach or
constitute a default under any of the terms or provisions of
-19-
the Charter Documents, Material Leases, Material Contracts, any judgment,
decree, order or award of any court, governmental body or arbitrator, or any
law, rule or regulation applicable to COMPANY. Except as set forth in Schedule
5.23, none of the Material Leases or Material Contracts requires notice to, or
the consent or approval of, any third party with respect to any of the
transactions contemplated hereby in order to remain in full force and effect,
nor does this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby give rise
to any right to termination, cancellation or acceleration or loss of any right
or benefit under any Material Lease or Material Contract.
5.24 Government Contracts. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.24, the
--------------------
COMPANY is not now a party to any governmental contracts subject to price
redetermination or renegotiation.
5.25 Absence of Changes. Since the Balance Sheet Date, except as set
------------------
forth on Schedule 5.25, there has not been with respect to the COMPANY:
(i) any event or circumstance (either singly or in the aggregate)
which would constitute a Material Adverse Effect;
(ii) any change in its authorized capital, or securities outstanding,
or ownership interests or any grant of any options, warrants, calls, conversion
rights or commitments;
(iii) any declaration or payment of any dividend or distribution in
respect of its capital stock or any direct or indirect redemption, purchase or
other acquisition of any of its capital stock;
(iv) any increase of more than five percent (5%) in the compensation,
bonus, sales commissions or fee arrangement payable or to become payable by it
to any of its respective officers, directors, stockholders, employees,
consultants or agents, except for ordinary and customary bonuses and salary
increases for employees (other than the STOCKHOLDERS) in accordance with past
practice;
(v) any work interruptions, labor grievances or claims filed, or any
similar event or condition of any character that would have a Material Adverse
Effect;
(vi) any distribution, sale or transfer, or any agreement to sell or
transfer any material assets, property or rights of its business to any person,
including, without limitation, the STOCKHOLDERS and their affiliates, other than
distributions, sales or transfers in the ordinary course of business to persons
other than the STOCKHOLDERS and their affiliates;
(vii) any cancellation, or agreement to cancel, any indebtedness or
other obligation owing to it, including without limitation any indebtedness or
obligation of any STOCKHOLDERS or any affiliate thereof, provided that it may
--------
negotiate and adjust bills in the course of good faith disputes with customers
in a manner consistent with past
-20-
practice, provided, further, that such adjustments shall not be deemed
-------- -------
to be included in Schedule 5.11 unless specifically listed thereon;
(viii) any plan, agreement or arrangement granting any preferential
rights to purchase or acquire any interest in any of its assets, property or
rights or requiring consent of any party to the transfer and assignment of any
such assets, property or rights;
(ix) any purchase or acquisition of, or agreement, plan or
arrangement to purchase or acquire any property, rights or assets outside of the
ordinary course of business;
(x) any waiver of any of its material rights or claims;
(xi) any transaction by it outside the ordinary course of its
business; or
(xii) any cancellation or termination of a Material Contract.
5.26 Deposit Accounts; Powers of Attorney. The COMPANY has delivered
------------------------------------
to HDS anaccurate schedule (Schedule 5.26) as of the date of the Agreement, of:
(i) the name of each financial institution in which the COMPANY has
accounts or safe deposit boxes;
(ii) the names in which the accounts or boxes are held;
(iii) the type of account and account number; and
(iv) the name of each person authorized to draw thereon or have
access thereto.
Schedule 5.26 also sets forth the name of each person, corporation, firm
or other entity holding a general or special power of attorney from the COMPANY
and a description of the terms of such power.
5.27 Relations with Governments. The COMPANY has not made, offered or
--------------------------
agreed to offer anything of value to any governmental official, political party
or candidate for government office which would cause the COMPANY to be in
violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or any law
of similar effect.
(B) Representations and Warranties of STOCKHOLDERS. Each STOCKHOLDER
----------------------------------------------
severally (and not jointly) represents and warrants that the representations and
warranties set forth in this Section 5(B) are true as of the date of this
Agreement and, subject to Section 7.9 hereof, shall be true at the time of Pre-
Closing and on the Closing Date, and that such representations and warranties
survive the Closing Date until the Expiration Date.
-21-
5.28 Authority; Validity; Ownership. Such STOCKHOLDER has the full legal
------------------------------
right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and any other agreements
contemplated by this Agreement to which such STOCKHOLDER is or is contemplated
to be a party. Assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by HDS and
ERF, this Agreement and any other agreements contemplated by this Agreement to
which such STOCKHOLDER is or is contemplated to be a party are or will be legal,
valid and binding obligations of each STOCKHOLDER, enforceable in accordance
with their respective terms, except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally. Such
STOCKHOLDER owns beneficially and of record all of the shares of the COMPANY
Stock identified on Annex II as being owned by such STOCKHOLDER, and, except as
set forth on Schedule 5.28 hereto, such COMPANY Stock is owned free and clear of
all liens, encumbrances and claims of every kind.
5.29 Preemptive Rights. Such STOCKHOLDER does not have, or hereby waives,
-----------------
any preemptive or other right to acquire shares of COMPANY Stock or HDS Stock
that such STOCKHOLDER has or may have had other than rights of any STOCKHOLDER
to acquire HDS Stock pursuant to (i) this Agreement or (ii) any option granted
by HDS.
6. REPRESENTATIONS OF HDS.
HDS represents and warrants that all of the following representations
and warranties are true at the date of this Agreement and shall be true at the
time of Pre-Closing and the Closing Date and that such representations and
warranties shall survive the Closing Date until the Expiration Date, except that
(i) the warranties and representations set forth in Section 6.10 shall survive
until such date as the limitations period has run for all tax periods ended on
or prior to the Closing Date, which date shall be deemed to be the Expiration
Date for Section 6.10; and (ii) solely for purposes of Section 11.2(iv) hereof,
and solely to the extent that in connection with the IPO the STOCKHOLDERS
actually incur liability under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, or any other federal
or state securities laws, the representations and warranties set forth herein
shall survive until the expiration of any applicable limitations period.
6.1 Due Organization. HDS and each of the subsidiaries of HDS ("HDS's
----------------
Subsidiaries") set forth in Schedule 6.6 is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its
incorporation, and is duly authorized and qualified under all applicable laws,
regulations, ordinances and orders of public authorities to carry on its
business in the places and in the manner as now conducted except for where the
cumulative effect of all failures to be so authorized or qualified would not
have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, affairs, properties,
assets or condition (financial or otherwise), of HDS and HDS's Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole (an "HDS Material Adverse Effect"). True, complete and correct
copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws each as amended, of
HDS and HDS's Subsidiaries (collectively, the "HDS Charter Documents"),
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of HDS, are attached hereto
as Annex IV. A true, complete and
-22-
correct copy of the Certificate of Incorporation each as amended, of HDS and
each of HDS's Subsidiaries, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware, shall be delivered at the Pre-Closing.
6.2 HDS Stock. The HDS Stock to be delivered to the STOCKHOLDERS on the
---------
Closing Date shall constitute valid and legally issued shares of HDS, fully paid
and nonassessable, and except as set forth in this Agreement, will be owned free
and clear of all liens, security interests, pledges, charges, voting trusts,
restrictions, encumbrances and claims of every kind created by HDS, and will be
legally equivalent in all respects to the HDS Stock issued and outstanding as of
the date hereof. Except for any series of Preferred Stock that will be
converted into HDS Stock on the Closing Date, HDS has no series or class of
capital stock authorized, issued or outstanding which, as a series or class, has
any rights or preferences senior to the shares of the HDS stock to be delivered
to the STOCKHOLDERS on the Closing Date, including, without limitation, any
rights or preferences as to dividends or as to the assets of HDS upon
liquidation or dissolution or as to redemption, pre-emptive or voting rights.
The shares of HDS Stock to be issued to the STOCKHOLDERS pursuant to this
Agreement will not be registered under the 0000 Xxx.
6.3 Authority and Validity. The representatives of HDS and ERF executing
----------------------
this Agreement and any other agreements contemplated by this Agreement have the
corporate authority to enter into and bind HDS and ERF, respectively, to the
terms of this Agreement and any other agreements contemplated by this Agreement
to which HDS or ERF is or is contemplated to be a party. HDS and ERF have the
full legal right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement, any other
agreements contemplated by this Agreement to which HDS or ERF is or is
contemplated to be a party, and the Merger. All corporate action necessary for
the authorization, execution, delivery and performance by HDS and ERF of this
Agreement, and also any other agreements contemplated by this Agreement to which
HDS or ERF is contemplated to be a party, has been taken. Assuming due
authorization, execution and delivery by the COMPANY and the STOCKHOLDERS, as
applicable, this Agreement and any other agreements contemplated by this
Agreement to which HDS or ERF is or is contemplated to be a party are or will be
legal, valid and binding obligations of HDS or ERF, enforceable against HDS and
ERF, respectively, in accordance with their respective terms, except as may be
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting
creditors' rights generally, and except that the availability of equitable
remedies is subject to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding
therefor may be brought.
6.4 Capital Stock of HDS. Immediately prior to the Closing, the
--------------------
authorized capital stock of HDS will be as set forth in Schedule 6.4. All of the
issued and outstanding shares of HDS are owned beneficially and of record by the
persons set forth on Annex III. All issued and outstanding shares of HDS stock
are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. There are no
obligations of HDS to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of HDS
stock. Except as described in the Registration Statement, there are no options,
warrants, equity securities, calls, rights, commitments or agreements of any
character to which HDS or any of its subsidiaries are
-23-
a party or by which they are bound obligating HDS or any of its subsidiaries to
issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional
shares of capital stock of HDS or any of its subsidiaries or obligating HDS or
any of its subsidiaries to grant, extend, accelerate the vesting of or enter
into any such option, warrant, equity security, call, right, commitment or
agreement. To the knowledge of HDS, as of the Closing Date, none of the
stockholders set forth on Annex III will be a party to or subject to any voting
trust, proxy or other agreement or understanding with respect to the shares of
capital stock of HDS owned by such stockholder. All of the shares of HDS Stock
to be issued to the STOCKHOLDERS in accordance herewith will be duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. All of the shares of HDS Stock
issued to persons set forth on Annex III and, based on the representations of
STOCKHOLDERS contained in this Agreement and in the documents delivered to HDS
pursuant hereto, to STOCKHOLDERS pursuant to this Agreement, were or will be
offered, issued, sold and delivered by HDS in compliance with all applicable
state and federal laws concerning the issuance of securities and none of such
shares were or will be issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any past
or present stockholder. On the Closing Date the capitalization of HDS will be as
set forth in the Registration Statement.
6.5 No Side Agreements. Except as set forth in Schedule 6.5, HDS and
------------------
ERF have not entered into any material agreement with any of the Founding
Companies or any of the stockholders of the Founding Companies other than the
Other Agreements and the agreements contemplated by each of the Other
Agreements, including the employment agreements referred to therein. HDS and ERF
have identified to the COMPANY, and at the request of the COMPANY will provide
it with copies of, all material agreements entered into between (i) HDS, ERF and
their affiliates and (ii) HDS or ERF and the Founding Companies or any
stockholders of the Founding Companies. Further, HDS will make available to the
COMPANY copies of any of the foregoing agreements entered into between the date
hereof and the Closing Date promptly after such agreements are entered into.
Each of the Other Agreements is in a form substantially similar to this
Agreement.
6.6 Subsidiaries. Except for those companies set forth on Schedule 6.6,
------------
HDS does not presently own, of record or beneficially, or control, directly or
indirectly, any capital stock, securities convertible into capital stock or any
other equity interest in any corporation, association or business entity. HDS is
not, directly or indirectly, a participant in any joint venture, partnership or
other non-corporate entity.
6.7 Business; Financial Information. Neither HDS nor ERF have conducted
-------------------------------
any business since the date of its inception, except in connection with this
Agreement, the Other Agreements and the contemplated IPO of HDS Stock. HDS was
formed in 1998, and has historical financial statements only for the partial
year ended December 31, 1998. Attached hereto as Schedule 6.7 are HDS's
financial statements for such partial year. Such HDS financial statements have
been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and
present fairly the financial position of HDS as of the dates indicated thereon,
and such financial statements present fairly the results of HDS's operations for
the periods indicated thereon. HDS and ERF have no material liabilities,
-24-
accrued or contingent, other than those incurred in connection with this
Agreement, the Other Agreements and the agreements contemplated thereby, the
agreements to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement, and the
contemplated IPO of HDS Stock.
6.8 Conformity with Law. HDS (including HDS's Subsidiaries) is not in
-------------------
violation of any law or regulation or any order of any court or federal, state,
municipal or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or
instrumentality having jurisdiction over either of them which (either singly or
in the aggregate) would have an HDS Material Adverse Effect. There are no
claims, actions, suits or proceedings, pending or, to the knowledge of HDS
(including HDS's Subsidiaries), threatened, against or affecting HDS (including
HDS's Subsidiaries), at law or in equity, or before or by any federal, state,
municipal or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or
instrumentality having jurisdiction over any of them and no notice of any claim,
action, suit or proceeding, whether pending or threatened, has been received by
HDS or any of HDS's Subsidiaries. HDS (including HDS's Subsidiaries) has
conducted and is conducting its business in compliance with the requirements,
standards, criteria and conditions set forth in applicable Federal, state and
local statutes, ordinances, orders, approvals, variances, rules and regulations
and is not in violation of any of the foregoing which would have an HDS Material
Adverse Effect.
6.9 No Violations. HDS (including HDS's Subsidiaries) is not (i) in
-------------
violation of any HDS Charter Document or (ii) in default under any material
lease, instrument, agreement, license, or permit to which it is a party or by
which its properties are bound (the "HDS Material Documents"); and, except as
set forth in the Registration Statement, (a) the rights and benefits of HDS
(including HDS's Subsidiaries) under the HDS Material Documents will not be
materially and adversely affected by the transactions contemplated hereby and
(b) the execution of this Agreement and the performance of the obligations
hereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not
result in any violation or breach or constitute a default under any of the terms
or provisions of the HDS Material Documents, the HDS Charter Documents, any
judgment, decree, order or award of any court, governmental body or arbitrator,
or any law, rule or regulation applicable to HDS or any of HDS's Subsidiaries.
Except as set forth in Schedule 6.9, none of the HDS Material Documents requires
notice to, or the consent or approval of, any third party with respect to any of
the transactions contemplated hereby in order to remain in full force and
effect, nor does this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby
give rise to any right to termination, cancellation or acceleration or loss of
any right or benefit. The minute books of HDS and each of HDS's subsidiaries as
heretofore made available to the COMPANY are true and correct.
6.10 Intentionally Omitted.
---------------------
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7. COVENANTS PRIOR TO CLOSING.
7.1 Access and Cooperation; Due Diligence.
-------------------------------------
(i) Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, the
COMPANY will afford to the officers and authorized representatives of HDS
access to all of the COMPANY's key employees, sites, properties, books and
records and will furnish HDS with such additional financial and operating
data and other information as to the business and properties of the COMPANY
as HDS may from time to time reasonably request. The COMPANY will cooperate
with HDS, its representatives, auditors and counsel in the preparation of
any documents or other material which may be required by this Agreement.
The COMPANY shall provide reasonable access to the COMPANY's key employees,
books, records and other financial data to all Other Companies and their
representatives, auditors and counsel; provided that, the COMPANY will not
-------- ----
be required to disclose competitively-sensitive information to such Other
Companies. HDS, the STOCKHOLDERS and the COMPANY will treat all information
obtained in connection with the negotiation and performance of this
Agreement or the due diligence investigations conducted with respect to the
Other Companies as confidential in accordance with the provisions of
Section 14 hereof and will not use such information for any purpose other
than for the evaluation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
In addition, HDS will cause each of the Other Companies to enter into a
provision similar to this Section 7.1 requiring each such Other Company to
keep confidential any information obtained by such Other Company and to not
use such information for any purpose other than for the evaluation of the
transactions contemplated by the applicable Other Agreement. All Other
Companies shall be third-party beneficiaries with respect to the covenant
of the COMPANY and the STOCKHOLDERS restricting the use of information
received by the COMPANY and such STOCKHOLDERS, and the COMPANY shall be a
third-party beneficiary with respect to the covenant of the Other Companies
and their respective shareholders restricting the use of COMPANY
information received by such Other Companies and shareholders.
(ii) Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, HDS
will afford to the officers and authorized representatives of the COMPANY
access to all of HDS's (including HDS's Subsidiaries') sites, properties,
books and records (including without limitation the records, reports and
other communications regarding the COMPANY to HDS by the auditors engaged
by HDS to review and audit the COMPANY) and will furnish the COMPANY with
such additional financial and operating data and other information as to
the business and properties of HDS (including HDS's Subsidiaries) as the
COMPANY may from time to time reasonably request. HDS will cooperate with
the COMPANY, its representatives, engineers, auditors and counsel in the
preparation of any documents or other material which may be required by
this Agreement. The COMPANY will cause all information obtained in
connection with the negotiation and performance of this Agreement to be
treated as confidential in accordance with the provisions of Section 14
hereof.
-26-
7.2 Conduct of Business Pending Closing. Between the date of this
-----------------------------------
Agreement and the Closing Date, the COMPANY will, except as set forth in
Schedule 7.2:
(i) carry on its business in substantially the same manner as it has
heretofore, maintain inventory at levels substantially equivalent to those
maintained during the 12 months ended December 31, 1998, and not introduce any
material new method of management, operation or accounting;
(ii) maintain its properties, facilities, equipment and other assets,
including those held under leases, in as good working order and condition as at
present, ordinary wear and tear excepted;
(iii) perform all of its material obligations under agreements to
which it is a party relating to or affecting its assets, properties or rights;
(iv) subject to Section 7.6, keep in full force and effect present
insurance policies or other comparable insurance coverage;
(v) use best efforts to maintain and preserve its business
organization intact, retain its present employees and maintain its
relationships with suppliers, customers and others having business
relations with it;
(vi) maintain compliance with all permits, laws, rules and
regulations, consent orders, and all other orders of applicable courts,
regulatory agencies and similar governmental authorities applicable to the
COMPANY; and
(vii) maintain compliance with all present debt and lease instruments
and not enter into new or amended debt or lease instruments involving payments
by the COMPANY over $50,000 (individually or in the aggregate), without the
knowledge and consent of HDS (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld).
7.3 Prohibited Activities. Except as disclosed in Schedule 7.3, between
---------------------
the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, the COMPANY has not and,
without the prior written consent of HDS, will not:
(i) make any change in its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws;
(ii) issue any securities, options, warrants, calls, conversion
rights or commitments relating to its securities of any kind other than in
connection with the exercise of options or warrants listed on Schedule 5.4;
(iii) declare or pay any dividend, or make any distribution in respect
of its stock whether now or hereafter outstanding, or purchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire or retire for value any shares of its stock;
(iv) enter into any contract (including any contract to provide
services to customers) or commitment or incur or agree to incur any liability or
make any capital
-27-
expenditures, except if (x) it is in the ordinary course of business (consistent
with past practice) or (y) when aggregated with all other such contracts,
commitments, liabilities and capital expenditures not in the normal course of
business consistent with past practice, it involves an amount not in excess of
$100,000;
(v) increase the compensation payable or to become payable to any
officer, director, STOCKHOLDER, employee or agent, or make any bonus or
management fee payment to any such person, except (x) bonuses to employees
(other than the STOCKHOLDERS or their affiliates) consistent with past practice
and (y) increases in salaries and commission rates payable to employees (other
than to STOCKHOLDERS and their affiliates), provided that neither the salary nor
any commission rate payable to any employee may increase to more than one
hundred five percent (105%) of such employee's current salary or commission
rate, whichever is applicable;
(vi) create, assume or permit to exist any mortgage, pledge or other
lien or encumbrance upon any assets or properties whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, except (1) with respect to purchase money liens incurred in connection
with the acquisition of equipment with an aggregate cost not in excess of
$50,000 necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the COMPANY,
or (2) liens set forth on Schedule 5.14 hereto or (3) liens for taxes either not
yet due or materialmen's, mechanics', workers', repairmen's, employees' or other
like liens arising in the ordinary course of business ;
(vii) sell, assign, lease or otherwise transfer or dispose of any
property or equipment except in the ordinary course of business;
(viii) negotiate for the acquisition of any business or the start-up of
any new business;
(ix) merge or consolidate or agree to merge or consolidate with or
into any other corporation;
(x) waive any material rights or claims of the COMPANY, provided that
--------
the COMPANY may negotiate and adjust bills in the course of good faith disputes
with customers in a manner consistent with past practice, provided, further,
-------- -------
that such adjustments shall not be deemed to be included in Schedule 5.11
unless specifically listed thereon;
(xi) commit a material breach or amend or terminate any Material
Contract, or material permit, license or other right of the COMPANY, or make or
terminate any election involving Taxes which would in any way adversely affect
the Tax liability of the COMPANY (or HDS following the Merger) in any taxable
period; or
(xii) enter into any other transaction outside the ordinary course of
its business or prohibited hereunder.
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7.4 No Shop. None of the STOCKHOLDERS, the COMPANY or any agent, officer,
-------
director or any representative of any of the foregoing will, during the period
commencing on the date of this Agreement and ending with the earlier to occur of
the Closing Date or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its
terms, directly or indirectly: (i) solicit or initiate, either directly or
indirectly, the submission of proposals or offers from any person for, (ii)
participate in any discussions pertaining to or (iii) furnish any information to
any person other than HDS or the Founding Companies relating to, any acquisition
or purchase of all or a material amount of the assets of, or any equity interest
in, the COMPANY or a merger, consolidation or business combination of the
COMPANY.
7.5 Notice to Bargaining Agents. Prior to the Closing Date, the COMPANY
---------------------------
shall satisfy any requirement for notice of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement under applicable collective bargaining agreements, and shall
provide HDS with proof that any required notice has been sent.
7.6 Termination of Plans. Prior to the Pricing Date, the COMPANY shall
--------------------
terminate all Plans listed on Schedule 7.6.
7.7 HDS Prohibited Activities. Between the date of this Agreement and the
-------------------------
Closing Date, except as set forth on Schedule 7.7, HDS will not:
(i) issue any securities, options, warrants, calls, conversion
rights or commitments relating to its securities of any kind;
(ii) make any changes in its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws
other than one or more amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation to
accomplish a split or reverse split of the HDS Stock (provided that in the event
of any such split or reverse split, the number of shares of HDS Stock to be
delivered to the STOCKHOLDERS, and to the stockholders of the Other Companies,
and the Minimum IPO Price, as set forth on Annex I, will be adjusted
accordingly) or to increase the authorized capital stock of HDS to an amount not
to exceed 40,000,000 shares of common stock and 5,000,000 shares of preferred
stock;
(iii) hire or appoint any officer or director or increase the
compensation payable or to become payable to any officer or director; or
(iv) acquire or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating with, or
by purchasing a substantial equity interest in or substantial portion of the
assets of, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership,
association or other business organization or division, or otherwise acquire or
agree to acquire any assets which are material, individually or in the
aggregate, to HDS and the HDS Subsidiaries.
7.8 Notification of Certain Matters. The STOCKHOLDERS and the COMPANY
-------------------------------
shall give prompt notice to HDS of (i) the occurrence or non-occurrence of any
event the occurrence or non-occurrence of which would be likely to cause any
representation or
-29-
warranty of the COMPANY or the STOCKHOLDERS contained herein to be untrue or
inaccurate in any material respect at or prior to the Closing and (ii) any
material failure of any STOCKHOLDER or the COMPANY to comply with or satisfy any
covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by such person
hereunder. HDS shall give prompt notice to the COMPANY of (i) the occurrence or
non-occurrence of any event the occurrence or non-occurrence of which would be
likely to cause any representation or warranty of HDS contained herein to be
untrue or inaccurate in any material respect at or prior to the Closing and (ii)
any material failure of HDS to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or
agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it hereunder. The delivery of any
notice pursuant to this Section 7.8 shall not be deemed to (i) modify the
representations or warranties hereunder of the party delivering such notice,
which modification may only be made pursuant to Section 7.9, (ii) modify the
conditions set forth in Sections 8 and 9, or (iii) limit or otherwise affect the
remedies available hereunder to the party receiving such notice.
7.9 Amendment of Schedules. Each party hereto agrees that, with respect
----------------------
to the representations and warranties of such party contained in this Agreement,
such party shall have the continuing obligation until the Pre-Closing to
supplement or amend promptly the Schedules hereto with respect to any matter
hereafter arising or discovered which, if existing or known at the date of this
Agreement, would have been required to be set forth or described in the
Schedules; provided, however, that supplements and amendments to Schedules 5.10,
-------- -------
5.11 and 5.14 shall only have to be delivered at the Pre-Closing Date, unless
such Schedule is to be amended to reflect an event occurring other than in the
ordinary course of business. In the event that the COMPANY amends or
supplements a Schedule pursuant to this Section 7.9 in any material respect, and
HDS does not consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) to the
effectiveness of such amendment or supplement at or before the Pre-Closing, this
Agreement shall be deemed terminated by mutual consent as set forth in Section
12.1(i) hereof. In the event that HDS amends or supplements a Schedule pursuant
to this Section 7.9 in any material respect and a majority of the Founding
Companies do not consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) to
the effectiveness of such amendment or supplement at or before the Pre-Closing,
this Agreement shall be deemed terminated by mutual consent as set forth in
Section 12.1(i) hereof. For all purposes of this Agreement, including without
limitation for purposes of determining whether the conditions set forth in
Sections 8.1 and 9.1 have been fulfilled, the Schedules hereto shall be deemed
to be the Schedules as amended or supplemented pursuant to this Section 7.9. In
the event that one of the Other Companies amends or supplements a Schedule
pursuant to Section 7.9 of one of the Other Agreements in any material respect,
or any Other Agreement is amended in any material respect with respect to any of
the terms described in Section 7.13 below, HDS shall give the COMPANY notice
promptly after it has knowledge thereof. If HDS and a majority of the Other
Companies, excluding such other Company effecting the amendment or supplement,
do not consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) to the
effectiveness of such amendment or supplement, at or before the Pre-Closing,
this Agreement shall be deemed terminated by mutual consent as set forth in
Section 12.1(i) hereof. For purposes of this Section 7.9, HDS shall be deemed
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to have given its consent to the effectiveness of any amendment or supplement to
a Schedule if HDS does not notify the COMPANY of its disapproval within 48 hours
after HDS is notified of such amendment or supplement, and the COMPANY and each
Other Company shall be deemed to have given its consent to the effectiveness of
any amendment or supplement to a Schedule if the COMPANY or such Other Company,
as applicable, does not notify HDS of its disapproval within 48 hours after the
COMPANY or such Other Company, as applicable, is notified of such amendment or
supplement. Except as otherwise provided herein, no amendment of or supplement
to a Schedule shall be made after the Pre-Closing.
7.10 Cooperation in Preparation of Registration Statement. The COMPANY and
----------------------------------------------------
STOCKHOLDERS shall furnish or cause to be furnished to HDS and the Underwriters
all of the information concerning the COMPANY or the STOCKHOLDERS reasonably
requested by HDS and the Underwriters, and will cooperate with HDS and the
Underwriters in the preparation of the Registration Statement and the prospectus
included therein (including audited financial statements prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles). HDS has delivered to the
COMPANY and the STOCKHOLDERS a copy of the current draft of the Registration
Statement as of the date of this Agreement and shall promptly deliver to the
COMPANY and the STOCKHOLDERS prior to filing a copy of the initial filing
thereof and each amendment thereto. The COMPANY and the STOCKHOLDERS agree
promptly to advise HDS if at any time during the period in which a prospectus
relating to the offering is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, any
information contained in the prospectus concerning the COMPANY or the
STOCKHOLDERS becomes incorrect or incomplete in any material respect, and to
provide the information needed to correct such inaccuracy.
7.11 Examination of Final Financial Statements. To the extent that
-----------------------------------------
financial statements of the COMPANY for any quarter subsequent to the Balance
Sheet Date are required to be included in the Registration Statement, the
COMPANY shall provide, and HDS shall have had sufficient time to review, the
unaudited balance sheet and statements of income, cash flows and retained
earnings of the COMPANY as of the end of such quarter, disclosing no material
adverse change in the financial condition or results of operations of the
COMPANY. Such financial statements, which shall be deemed to be Financial
Statements (as described in Section 5.9), shall have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis
throughout the periods indicated (except as noted therein). To the extent such
Financial Statements shall be included or reflected in the Registration
Statement, any events or circumstances reflected therein which might constitute
a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the COMPANY shall be deemed to have
been waived by HDS and HDS shall have no rights in respect of such Material
Adverse Effect.
7.12 Maximum Working Capital Deficit and Advances to STOCKHOLDERS. As
------------------------------------------------------------
of the Closing Date, the COMPANY will have an adjusted working capital (defined
for this purpose as cash plus receivables net of receivables reserves less short
term liabilities, excluding the short-term portion of long-term debt) deficit
not in excess of $950,000. As used in the preceding sentence, the terms "cash,"
"receivables,"
-31-
"receivables reserves," "short-term liabilities" and "short-term portion of
long-term debt" all will have the same meaning as in generally accepted
accounting principles, as applied in the preparation of the COMPANY Financial
Statements. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 7.1 and 7.2 above, the
COMPANY may make demand loans to the STOCKHOLDERS in respect of tax payments
required of them based on the COMPANY'S income for 1998, provided the aggregate
amount of such loans shall not exceed $1,000,000. The amount of such loans shall
be included within the definition of "receivables" for the purpose of this
Section 7.12, and the COMPANY shall give prompt written notice to HDS of the
making of any such loan. The amount of such loans shall be repaid on the Closing
Date and may, at HDS' election, be repaid by HDS' offsetting the amount of such
loans to each of the STOCKHOLDERS against the amount of cash due to such
STOCKHOLDER on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 2.1. The amount of such
loans shall not be reflected in an amendment of Schedule 5.11 and such loans
shall be repaid as provided in this Section 7.12 rather than pursuant to Section
9.15, provided that any such loans as to which HDS has not received written
notice shall be repaid in accordance with Section 9.15.
7.13 Other Agreement Terms. HDS represents and warrants to the
---------------------
STOCKHOLDERS that in none of the Other Agreements (i) is the survival period
provided in Section 5(A) for representations and warranties in Section 5 less
than two (2) years after the Closing Date, (ii) is the period of prohibited
activities provided in the first sentence of Section 13.1 less than four (4)
years from the Closing Date, (iii) is the Indemnification Threshold in Section
11.5(i) higher than 1.5% of the aggregate value of cash and HDS Stock payable at
closing to the stockholders of the respective Other Company.
7.14 Employment Matters. HDS shall offer to enter into three (3) year
------------------
employment agreements in substantially the form of the Employment Agreement (as
defined in Section 8.12) with each of Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxx
Xxxxxx and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, at respective annual salaries in amounts previously
agreed between the COMPANY and HDS.
8. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF STOCKHOLDERS AND COMPANY.
The obligations of STOCKHOLDERS and the COMPANY with respect to actions
to be taken on the Pricing Date are subject to the satisfaction or waiver on or
prior to the Pricing Date of all of the following conditions. The obligations
of the STOCKHOLDERS and the COMPANY with respect to actions to be taken on the
Closing Date are subject to the satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the
Closing Date of the conditions set forth in Sections 8.1, 8.7 and 8.11.
8.1 Representations and Warranties; Performance of Obligations. All
----------------------------------------------------------
representations and warranties of HDS and ERF contained in Section 6 shall be
true and correct in all material respects as of the Pricing Date and the Closing
Date with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been
made as of that date; each
-32-
and all of the terms, covenants and conditions of this Agreement to be complied
with and performed by HDS and ERF on or before the Pricing Date and the Closing
Date shall have been duly complied with and performed in all material respects;
and a certificate to the foregoing effect dated the Pricing Date and the Closing
Date signed by the President or any Vice President of HDS and certified by the
Secretary or Assistant Secretary of HDS shall have been delivered to the
STOCKHOLDERS.
8.2 Satisfaction. All actions, proceedings, instruments and documents
------------
required to carry out this Agreement or incidental hereto and all other related
legal matters shall be satisfactory to the COMPANY and its counsel. The
STOCKHOLDERS and the COMPANY shall be satisfied that the Registration Statement
and the prospectus forming a part thereof, including any amendments thereof or
supplement thereto, shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact,
or omit to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided that the
--------
condition contained in this sentence shall be deemed satisfied if (i) HDS shall
have made available to the COMPANY copies of the draft (or changed pages of such
draft) of the Registration Statement prior to the initial filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), each amendment thereto prior to
the effectiveness thereof with the SEC and of any amendment or supplement
thereto after the effectiveness thereof (including any prospectus filed pursuant
to Rule 424 under the 0000 Xxx) and (ii) the COMPANY or STOCKHOLDERS shall have
failed to inform HDS in writing prior to the filing or the effectiveness
thereof, as the case may be, of the existence of an untrue statement of a
material fact or the omission of such a statement of a material fact or other
matter with which they are not satisfied, provided, however, that for the period
-------- -------
commencing 72 hours prior to any such filing or effectiveness, HDS can make such
draft or changed pages available by facsimile.
8.3 No Litigation. No action or proceeding before a court or any other
-------------
governmental agency or body shall have been instituted or threatened to restrain
or prohibit the Merger or the offering and sale by HDS of HDS Stock pursuant to
the Registration Statement and no governmental agency or body shall have taken
any other action or made any request of the COMPANY as a result of which the
management of the COMPANY deems it inadvisable to proceed with the transactions
hereunder.
8.4 Stockholders' Release. Each stockholder of HDS immediately prior to
---------------------
the Closing Date who is an officer or director of HDS shall have delivered to
the COMPANY an instrument dated the Closing Date releasing HDS from any and all
claims of such stockholder against HDS and obligations of HDS to such
stockholder other than obligations arising in connection with this Agreement,
the Other Agreements, any employment agreements between such stockholder and
HDS, any options to purchase HDS Stock granted by HDS to such stockholder and
any right to the issuance of the shares of HDS Stock set forth in Annex III
hereto.
8.5 Opinion of Counsel. The COMPANY shall have received an opinion from
------------------
counsel for HDS, dated the Closing Date, in the form annexed hereto as Annex V.
-33-
8.6 Director Indemnification. HDS shall have obtained directors and
------------------------
officers liability insurance from a reputable insurance company in type and
amount as is customary for companies similarly situated, and HDS shall have
entered into an indemnification agreement with each STOCKHOLDER, if any, who
will become a director of HDS, such indemnification agreement to be
substantially in the form attached as Annex VII.
8.7 Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall have been
----------------------
declared effective by the SEC and the underwriters named therein shall have
agreed to acquire on a firm commitment basis such shares of HDS Stock, subject
to the conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement (the "Underwriting
Agreement"), on terms such that the Effective IPO Price (as defined in Annex I)
is equal to or greater than the Minimum IPO Price (as defined in Annex I).
8.8 Consents and Approvals. All necessary consents of and filings with
----------------------
any governmental authority or agency relating to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated herein shall have been obtained and made, no action or
proceeding shall have been instituted or threatened to restrain or prohibit the
Merger, and no governmental agency or body shall have taken any other action or
made any request of the COMPANY as a result of which the COMPANY deems it
inadvisable to proceed with the transactions hereunder.
8.9 Good Standing Certificates. HDS shall have delivered to the COMPANY a
--------------------------
certificate, dated as of a date no later than ten days prior to the Pricing
Date, duly issued by the Delaware Secretary of State and the Secretary of State
of each state in which HDS is authorized to do business, showing that HDS is in
good standing and authorized to do business and that all state franchise and/or
income tax returns and taxes for HDS, for all periods prior to the Closing, have
been filed and paid.
8.10 No Waivers. HDS shall not have waived any closing condition under
----------
any Other Agreement, unless such condition does not constitute a Material
Adverse Effect (as defined in such Other Agreement) on the Other Company party
to such Other Agreement.
8.11 No Material Adverse Change. No event or circumstance shall have
--------------------------
occurred which would constitute an HDS Material Adverse Effect; and the COMPANY
shall have received a certificate signed by HDS dated the Pricing Date and the
Closing Date to such effect.
8.12 Employment Agreements. Each of the persons listed on Schedule 8.12
---------------------
shall have entered into an employment agreement with HDS substantially in the
form of Annex VIII (each an "Employment Agreement").
8.13 Consulting Agreements. Each of the persons listed on Schedule 8.13
---------------------
shall have entered into a consulting agreement with HDS substantially in the
form of Annex IX (each a "consulting Agreement").
-34-
9. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF HDS.
The obligations of HDS with respect to actions to be taken on the
Pricing Date are subject to the satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the
Pricing Date of all of the following conditions. The obligations of HDS with
respect to actions to be taken on the Closing Date are subject to the
satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the Closing Date of the conditions set
forth in Sections 9.1, 9.3, 9.4 and 9.11.
9.1 Representations and Warranties; Performance of Obligations. All the
----------------------------------------------------------
representations and warranties of the STOCKHOLDERS and the COMPANY contained in
this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the
Pricing Date and the Closing Date with the same effect as though such
representations and warranties had been made on and as of such date; each and
all of the terms, covenants and conditions of this Agreement to be complied with
or performed by the STOCKHOLDERS and the COMPANY on or before the Pricing Date
or the Closing Date, as the case may be, shall have been duly performed or
complied with in all material respects; and the STOCKHOLDERS shall have
delivered to HDS a certificate dated the Pricing Date and the Closing Date
signed by them and certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the
COMPANY to such effect.
9.2 No Litigation. No action or proceeding before a court or any other
-------------
governmental agency or body shall have been instituted or threatened to restrain
or prohibit the Merger or the offering and sale by HDS of HDS Stock pursuant to
the Registration Statement, and no governmental agency or body shall have taken
any other action or made any request of HDS as a result of which the management
of HDS deems it inadvisable to proceed with the transactions hereunder.
9.3 Financial Statements. Prior to the Closing Date, HDS shall have had
--------------------
sufficient time to review the unaudited consolidated balance sheets of the
COMPANY for the fiscal quarters beginning after the Balance Sheet Date, and the
unaudited consolidated statement of income, cash flows and retained earnings of
the COMPANY for the fiscal quarters beginning after the Balance Sheet Date, and
the same shall not disclose any material adverse change in the financial
condition of the COMPANY or the results of its operations from the December 31,
1998 COMPANY Financial Statements, provided however that an increase in the
COMPANY's adjusted working capital deficit above the amount of such deficit on
December 31, 1998 will not in and of itself constitute a material adverse change
in the financial condition of the COMPANY if the amount of such deficit does not
exceed the amount provided in Section 7.12.
9.4 No Material Adverse Effect. No event or circumstance shall have
--------------------------
occurred which would constitute a Material Adverse Effect; and HDS shall have
received a certificate signed by the STOCKHOLDERS dated the Pricing Date to such
effect.
9.5 STOCKHOLDERS' Release. The STOCKHOLDERS shall have delivered to HDS
---------------------
immediately prior to the Pricing Date an instrument substantially in the form of
Annex XI (each a "Stockholder Release") dated the Pricing Date releasing the
-35-
COMPANY effective upon the Closing, from any and all claims of the STOCKHOLDERS
against the COMPANY and obligations of the COMPANY to the STOCKHOLDERS, except
for (i) items specifically identified in the Stockholder Release, (ii)
continuing obligations to the STOCKHOLDERS relating to their employment by the
Surviving Corporation and (iii) indemnity and contribution obligations of the
COMPANY or its successors to an officer or director of the COMPANY prior to the
Merger.
9.6 Satisfaction. All actions, proceedings, instruments and documents
------------
required to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
incidental hereto and all other related legal matters shall have been approved
by counsel to HDS.
9.7 Termination of Related Party Agreements. All existing agreements
---------------------------------------
between the COMPANY and the STOCKHOLDERS or business or personal affiliates of
the COMPANY or the STOCKHOLDERS, other than those set forth on Schedule 9.7,
shall have been cancelled.between
9.8 Opinion of COMPANY Counsel. HDS shall have received an opinion dated
--------------------------
the Pricing Date of Pillsbury, Madison & Sutro LLP, counsel to the COMPANY,
substantially in the form annexed hereto as Annex VI, and the Underwriters shall
have received a copy of the same opinion addressed to them.
9.9 Consents and Approvals. All necessary consents of and filings with
----------------------
any governmental authority or agency relating to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated herein shall have been obtained and made; the COMPANY
shall have obtained and delivered to HDS such additional consents to the Merger
as HDS may reasonably request, including, without limitation, HDS's receipt on
or prior to the Pricing Date of (a) consents of third parties to those Material
Contracts and Material Leases listed on Schedule 5.23 pursuant to the last
sentence of Section 5.23 and (b) those licenses, franchises, permits or
governmental authorizations set forth on Schedule 5.12 pursuant to the last
sentence of Section 5.12, or assurances reasonably acceptable to it that such
consents, licenses, franchises, permits or governmental authorizations will be
received on the Closing Date or that the failure to receive such consents,
licenses, franchises, permits or governmental authorizations on the Closing Date
will not adversely affect its ability to conduct the business of the COMPANY as
conducted prior to the Closing Date; no action or proceeding shall have been
instituted or threatened to restrain or prohibit the Merger; and no governmental
agency or body shall have taken any other action or made any request of HDS as a
result of which HDS deems it inadvisable to proceed with the transactions
hereunder.
9.10 Good Standing Certificates. The COMPANY shall have delivered to HDS a
--------------------------
certificate, dated as of a date no later than ten days prior to the Pricing
Date, duly issued by the appropriate governmental authority in the COMPANY's
state of incorporation and in each state in which the COMPANY is authorized to
do business, showing the COMPANY is validly existing, and where applicable, in
good standing and authorized to
-36-
do business and that all state franchise and/or income tax returns and taxes due
by the COMPANY for all periods prior to the Pre-Closing have been filed and
paid.
9.11 Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall have been
----------------------
declared effective by the SEC.
9.12 Employment Agreements. Each of the persons listed on Schedule 8.12
---------------------
shall have entered into an Employment Agreement with HDS.
9.13 Consulting Agreements. Each of the STOCKHOLDERS listed on Schedule
---------------------
8.13 shall have entered into a Consulting Agreement with HDS.
9.14 Intentionally Omitted
9.15 Repayment of Indebtedness. On or before the Closing Date, the
-------------------------
STOCKHOLDERS shall have repaid the COMPANY in full all amounts owing by the
STOCKHOLDERS to the COMPANY.
9.16 FIRPTA Certificate. The COMPANY and each STOCKHOLDER shall have
------------------
delivered to HDS a certificate to the effect that the COMPANY or such
STOCKHOLDER, as applicable, is not a "foreign person" pursuant to Section
1.1445-2(b) of the Treasury regulations.
9.17 Insurance. HDS shall be designated as an additional named insured
---------
on all of the COMPANY's insurance policies.
10. POST-CLOSING COVENANTS AND SPECIAL TAX MATTERS.
10.1 Intentionally Omitted.
---------------------
10.2 Disclosure. If, subsequent to the Pricing Date and prior to the
----------
25th day after the date of the final prospectus of HDS utilized in connection
with the IPO, the COMPANY or the STOCKHOLDERS become aware of any fact or
circumstance which would change (or, if after the Closing Date, would have
changed) a representation or warranty of COMPANY or STOCKHOLDERS in this
Agreement or would affect any document delivered pursuant hereto in any material
respect, the COMPANY and the STOCKHOLDERS shall promptly give notice of such
fact or circumstance to HDS.
10.3 Cooperation in Tax Return Preparation. Each party hereto shall at
-------------------------------------
its own expense cooperate with each other and make available to each other such
Tax data and other information as may be reasonably required in connection with
(i) the preparation or filing of any Tax Return, election, consent or
certification, or any claim for refund, (ii) any determinations of liability for
Taxes, or (iii) an audit, examination or other proceeding with respect to Taxes
("Tax Data"). Such cooperation shall include, without limitation, making their
respective employees and independent auditors reasonably available on a mutually
convenient basis for all reasonable purposes, including, without limitation, to
provide explanations and background information and to permit the copying
-37-
of books, records, schedules, workpapers, notices, revenue agent reports,
settlement or closing agreements and other documents containing the Tax Data
("Tax Documentation"). The Tax Data and the Tax Documentation shall be retained
until one year after the expiration of all applicable statutes of limitations
(including extensions thereof); provided, however, that in the event an audit,
-------- -------
examination, investigation or other proceeding has been instituted prior to the
expiration of an applicable statute of limitations, the Tax Data and Tax
Documentation relating thereto shall be retained until there is a final
determination thereof (and the time for any appeal has expired).
10.4 Tax Return Preparation and Filing.
---------------------------------
(i) HDS will be responsible for preparing and filing (or causing the
preparation and filing of) all income Tax Returns with respect to HDS. The
parties hereto acknowledge that the Closing Date shall be the last day of a
taxable period of the COMPANY pursuant to Code Section 381 and the regulations
promulgated thereunder.
(ii) STOCKHOLDERS will be responsible for preparing and filing (or
causing the preparation and filing of) all income Tax Returns with respect to
the COMPANY for any taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date. HDS and
the STOCKHOLDERS shall (a) with respect to such income Tax Returns, determine
the income, gain, expenses, losses, deductions, and credits of the COMPANY in a
manner consistent with prior practice and in a manner that apportions such
income, gain, expenses, loss, deductions and credits equitably from period to
period and (b) prepare such Tax Returns in a manner consistent with prior years,
in each case as determined in the good faith judgment of the preparer of such
returns; provided, however, that in all events such Tax Returns shall be
prepared in a manner consistent with applicable laws. The COMPANY shall provide
the cash necessary to pay such Taxes, if any, shown to be due from the Company
on any such Tax Returns filed after the Closing Date, but without prejudice to
the right of HDS or the COMPANY to seek indemnification for such Taxes from the
STOCKHOLDERS pursuant to Section 11.6, if applicable.
(iii) In order to appropriately apportion any Taxes relating to a
taxable period that includes (but that would not, but for this section, close
on) the Closing Date, the parties hereto will, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, elect with the relevant taxing authority to treat for all
purposes the Closing Date as the last day of a taxable period of the COMPANY,
and such taxable period shall be treated as a Pre-Closing Period (as defined in
Section 10.6(c)) for purposes of this Agreement. In any case where applicable
law does not permit the COMPANY to treat the Closing Date as the last day of a
taxable period, then for purposes of this Agreement, the portion of each such
Tax that is attributable to the operations of the COMPANY for such Interim
Period shall be (i) in the case of a Tax that is not based on income or gross
receipts, the total amount of such Tax for the period in question multiplied by
a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the Pre-Closing
Period portion of such Interim Period, and the denominator of which is the total
number of days in such Interim Period, and (ii) in the case of a Tax that is
based on income or gross receipts, the Tax that would be due with respect to the
Interim Period, if such Interim Period constituted an entire taxable period.
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(iv) The STOCKHOLDERS represent and warrant to HDS that the COMPANY
is entitled to receive rebates in respect of sales made during the period from
January 1, 1999 through the Closing Date of approximately 3% of its revenues
during such period, which rebate amounts are currently expected to be paid to
HDS as the COMPANY's successor on or before May 31, 2000. The STOCKHOLDERS will
cause, in accordance with Section 10.4(ii) of this Agreement, (x) the COMPANY to
include an amount in respect of such anticipated rebates that is not less than
3% of the COMPANY'S revenues during the period from January 1, 1999 through the
Closing Date as income in the Company's Tax Returns for the short taxable period
commencing January 1, 1999 and ending as of, or on, the Closing Date, and (y)
the COMPANY to include an amount as income on the COMPANY's Tax Returns for the
short taxable period commencing January 1, 1999 and ending as of, or on, the
Closing Date that is not less than the aggregate amount of distributions made to
the STOCKHOLDERS as set forth on Schedule 7.3.
10.5 Tax Treatment of Transaction. Each of the parties agrees for tax
----------------------------
purposes to treat the merger of ERF with and into the COMPANY pursuant to this
Agreement as an acquisition of stock of the COMPANY by HDS in a taxable
transaction, subject to Section 10.11 of this Agreement.
10.6 Special Definitions Related to Tax Matters. For all purposes of this
------------------------------------------
Agreement related to any Tax matters (including Section 5.22):
(a) "Affiliate" of a person or entity shall mean a person or
entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common
control with that person or entity .
(b) "Interim Period" shall mean any taxable period commencing
prior to the Closing Date and ending after the Closing Date.
(c) "Pre-Closing Period" shall mean (i) any taxable period that
begins before the Closing Date and ends on or before the Closing Date and (ii)
the portion of any Interim Period through and including the Closing Date.
(d) "Post-Closing Period" means any taxable period that begins
after the Closing Date, and, with respect to any Interim Period, the portion of
such Interim Period commencing immediately after the Closing Date.
(e) "Tax" means any federal, state, local, or foreign income,
gross receipts, ad valorem, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance,
stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental (including taxes
under Section 59A), customs duties, capital stock, net worth, franchise,
profits, withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability,
real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration, value
added, workers compensation, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, or other
tax of any kind whatsoever imposed by any federal, state, local or foreign
government or any agency or political subdivision of any such government,
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including any interest, penalty, or addition thereto, without regard to whether
such tax is disputed or not or arose before, on or after the Closing Date.
(f) "Tax Returns" means all reports, elections, declarations,
claims for refund, estimates, information statements and returns (including
any schedules and attachments thereto) relating to, or required to be filed
in connection with, any Taxes pursuant to the statutes, rules and
regulations of any federal, state, local or foreign government taxing
authority.
(g) "Taxing Authority" means any governmental agency, board,
bureau, body, department or authority of any United States federal, state
or local jurisdiction, having or purporting to have jurisdiction with
respect to any Tax.
10.7 Directors. The persons named in the Registration Statement shall be
---------
appointed as directors of HDS on or before the Closing Date. After giving
effect to the election of the directors named in the Registration Statement, the
number of directors of HDS shall not be more than 13, and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx shall
be one of the directors so elected.
10.8 Release from Guarantees. HDS shall use its best efforts to have the
-----------------------
STOCKHOLDERS released from any and all guarantees of any obligations of the
COMPANY that they personally guaranteed for the benefit of the COMPANY. HDS
hereby agrees, effective as of the Closing, to assume the STOCKHOLDERS'
obligations under all such guarantees and to indemnify the STOCKHOLDERS against
any and all claims made by lenders, lessors or other obligees of the Company
under any such guarantee which arise as a result of HDS' failure to cause such
guarantee to be released on or prior to the Closing. Without limiting the
foregoing, within 90 days after the Closing Date HDS (a) shall (i) terminate the
Company's existing credit facility with Union Bank of California and repay the
outstanding balance due thereunder and replace the existing standby letters of
credit in favor of Allied Buying Group and International Foodservice Equipment
Distributors, Inc. or (ii) secure the release of the Stockholders from their
guarantees of the outstanding balance due under such credit facility and under
such letters of credit.
10.9 Preservation of Plans. Until the end of the first full calendar year
---------------------
following the Closing Date, HDS will maintain in full force and effect each Plan
listed in Schedule 10.9, and with respect to any such Plan that is a Qualified
Plan, will continue to make contributions to such Plan at or above the level
currently provided thereunder; provided, however, that in lieu of maintaining a
Plan listed on Schedule 10.9 HDS may establish a replacement Plan providing
equivalent or better benefits, provided that if the cost of providing equivalent
benefits should, in the good faith judgment of HDS, become commercially
unreasonable, the replacement plan established by HDS may have benefits that
are, in the good faith judgment of HDS, as close to the equivalent as can be
obtained at commercially reasonable cost. There are no intended third party
beneficiaries of this Section 10.9, and after the Closing Date it can be waived
or modified by HDS and
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STOCKHOLDERS (or their successors) shown as owning two-thirds of Company
Stock on Annex II.
10.10 HDS Stock Options. HDS shall prior to the Closing Date adopt an
-----------------
employee stock option plan providing for the grant of options to employees of
HDS as described in the Registration Statement. Effective as of the Closing
Date, HDS shall grant stock options under such plan to employees of the COMPANY
(i) having an exercise price equal to 90% of the Effective IPO Price and (ii)
having an aggregate exercise price equal to $652,500, in the amounts and to the
employees specified on Schedule 10.10. In granting additional options under such
plan for a period of three years after the Closing Date to former employees of
the Company, the Board of Directors of HDS or the committee administering such
plan, as the case may be, shall receive recommendations from Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx as to the employees to receive such options and the
relative size of the awards to the respective employees, and to the extent
deemed reasonable by the Board of Directors or committee such recommendations
shall be accepted.
10.11 Section 338(h)(10) Election
---------------------------
(a) Election. The COMPANY and the STOCKHOLDERS will join
--------
with HDS in making a timely and effective election under Section 338(h)(10) of
the Code (and any corresponding election under state, local and foreign law)
with respect to the acquisition of stock pursuant to this Agreement (the
"Section 338 Election"). At the Closing, the STOCKHOLDERS (and where
appropriate, the STOCKHOLDERS' spouses) and HDS shall execute IRS Form 8023,
which will be completed to the extent reasonably practicable. Within 90 days
after the Closing Date, HDS shall deliver to STOCKHOLDERS a completed IRS Form
8023 (along with any required schedules and/or attachments) with respect to the
acquisition of stock pursuant to this Agreement. Each of the STOCKHOLDERS
consents to the filing of such Form 8023 by HDS.
(b) Cooperation. STOCKHOLDERS shall cooperate fully with HDS
-----------
and make available to HDS such data and other information as may be reasonably
required by HDS in order to prepare and timely file the forms and other required
statements or schedules in connection with the Section 338 Election. In the
event any dispute involving the Section 338 Election arises and is not resolved
prior to the due date of the Form 8023, HDS shall be entitled to file the Form
8023, subject to Section 10.11(c), in a manner which HDS determines to be
reasonable under the circumstances.
(c) Allocation Rules. For purposes of the Section 338 Election
----------------
and otherwise allocating the Section 338 Consideration, the parties hereto agree
that (i) the fair market value of the COMPANY's inventory on the Closing Date
shall be equal to the COMPANY's book value in such inventory on such date, and
(ii) the aggregate fair market value of the remaining assets of the COMPANY
other than intangibles (including goodwill), on such date shall not exceed the
book value of such assets on such date by more than $50,000, and (iii) no Form
8023 shall be filed by HDS pursuant to this Section 10.11 that does not reflect
the foregoing.
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11. INDEMNIFICATION.
The STOCKHOLDERS and HDS each make the following covenants that are
applicable to them, respectively:
11.1 General Indemnification by the STOCKHOLDERS. The STOCKHOLDERS
-------------------------------------------
covenant and agree that they, jointly and severally (except with respect to
Sections 5.28 through 5.29, which shall be several), will indemnify, defend,
protect and hold harmless HDS and the COMPANY, at all times from and after the
date of this Agreement until the Expiration Date as defined in Section 5 above,
from and against all claims, damages, actions, suits, proceedings, demands,
assessments, adjustments, costs and expenses (including specifically, but
without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses of investigation)
incurred by HDS and the COMPANY as a result of or arising from (i) any breach of
the representations and warranties of the STOCKHOLDERS or the COMPANY set forth
herein or on the schedules or certificates delivered in connection herewith
(other than the representations and warranties provided in Section 5.22, for
which Section 11.6 provides special indemnity provisions); (ii) any
nonfulfillment of any agreement on the part of the STOCKHOLDERS or the COMPANY
under this Agreement; (iii) any liability not disclosed to HDS whether known,
unknown, contingent or otherwise at the time of Closing, arising out of any
acts, events, omissions or transactions occurring prior to the date of Closing;
and (iv) any liability under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or other Federal or
state law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, (x) arising out of or based
upon any untrue statement of a material fact relating to the COMPANY or the
STOCKHOLDERS that is provided to HDS or its counsel by the COMPANY or the
STOCKHOLDERS and contained in any preliminary prospectus relating to the IPO,
the Registration Statement or any prospectus forming a part thereof, or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or (y) arising out of or based upon any
omission to state therein a material fact relating to the COMPANY or the
STOCKHOLDERS that is required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, and not provided to HDS or its counsel by the
COMPANY or the STOCKHOLDERS; provided, however, that such indemnity shall
-------- -------
not inure to the benefit of HDS, the COMPANY or the Surviving Corporation
to the extent that such untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) was made
in, or omission (or alleged omission) occurred in, any preliminary prospectus
and the STOCKHOLDERS provided, in writing, corrected information to HDS counsel
and to HDS for inclusion in the final prospectus, and such information was not
so included.
11.2 Indemnification by HDS. HDS covenants and agrees that it will
----------------------
indemnify,defend, protect and hold harmless the COMPANY and the STOCKHOLDERS, at
all times from and after the date of this Agreement until the Expiration Date,
from and against all claims, damages, actions, suits, proceedings, demands,
assessments, adjustments, costs and expenses (including specifically, but
without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses of investigation)
incurred by the COMPANY and the STOCKHOLDERS as a result of or arising from (i)
any breach by HDS of its representations and warranties set forth herein or on
the schedules or certificates attached
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hereto; (ii) any nonfulfillment of any agreement on the part of HDS under this
Agreement; (iii) any liabilities which the COMPANY or the STOCKHOLDERS may incur
due to HDS's failure to be responsible for the liabilities and obligations of
the COMPANY as provided in Section 1 hereof (except to the extent that HDS has
claims against the STOCKHOLDERS by reason of such liabilities); or (iv) any
liability under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or other Federal or state law or
regulation, at common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact relating to HDS or any
of the Founding Companies other than the COMPANY (with respect to information
furnished to HDS by the COMPANY) contained in any preliminary prospectus, the
Registration Statement or any prospectus forming a part thereof, or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or arising out of or based upon any
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact relating to HDS or
any of the Founding Companies other than the COMPANY that is required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
11.3 Third Person Claims.
-------------------
(i) Promptly after any party hereto (herein the "Indemnified Party")
has received notice of or has knowledge of any claim by a person not a party to
this Agreement ("Third Person"), or the commencement of any action or proceeding
by a Third Person (such claim or commencement of such action or proceeding being
a "Third Party Claim") that could give rise to a right of indemnification under
this Agreement, the Indemnified Party shall, as a condition precedent to a claim
with respect thereto being made against any party obligated to provide
indemnification pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2 hereof (herein the
"Indemnifying Party"), give the Indemnifying Party written notice of such Third
Party Claim describing in reasonable detail the nature of such Third Party
Claim, a copy of all papers served with respect to that Third Party Claim (if
any), an estimate of the amount of damages attributable to the Third Party Claim
to the extent feasible (which estimate shall not be conclusive of the final
amount of such claim) and the basis for the Indemnified Party's request for
indemnification under this Agreement; provided, however, that the failure of the
-------- -------
Indemnified Party to give timely notice hereunder shall relieve the Indemnifying
Party of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement to the extent, but
only to the extent that, such failure materially prejudices the Indemnifying
Party's ability to defend such claim. Within fifteen (15) days after receipt of
such notice (the "Election Period"), the Indemnifying Party shall notify the
Indemnified Party (a) whether the Indemnifying Party disputes its potential
liability to the Indemnified Party under this Section 11 with respect to that
Third Party Claim and (b) if the Indemnifying Party does not dispute its
potential liability to the Indemnified Party with respect to that Third Party
Claim, whether the Indemnifying Party desires, at the sole cost and expense of
the Indemnifying Party, to defend the Indemnified Party against that Third Party
Claim.
(ii) If the Indemnifying Party does not dispute its potential
liability to the Indemnified Party and notifies the Indemnified Party within the
Election Period that the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of the
Third Party Claim through counsel of its own choosing which is acceptable to the
Indemnified Party, then the
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Indemnifying Party shall have the right to defend, at its sole cost and expense,
that Third Party Claim by all appropriate proceedings, which proceedings shall
be prosecuted diligently by the Indemnifying Party to a final conclusion or
settled at the discretion of the Indemnifying Party in accordance with this
Section 11.3(ii) and the Indemnified Party will furnish the Indemnifying Party
with all information in its possession with respect to that Third Party Claim
and otherwise cooperate with the Indemnifying Party in the defense of that Third
Party Claim; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall not enter
-------- -------
into any settlement with respect to any Third Party Claim that purports to limit
the activities of, or otherwise restrict in any way, any Indemnified Party or
any affiliate of any Indemnified Party without the prior consent of that
Indemnified Party (which consent may be withheld in the sole discretion of that
Indemnified Party). The Indemnified Party is hereby authorized, at the sole cost
and expense of the Indemnifying Party, to file, during the Election Period, any
motion, answer or other pleadings that the Indemnified Party shall deem
necessary or appropriate to protect its interests or those of the Indemnifying
Party. The Indemnified Party may participate in, but not control, any defense or
settlement of any Third Party Claim controlled by the Indemnifying Party
pursuant to this Section 11.3(ii) and will bear its own costs and expenses with
respect to that participation; provided, however, that if the named parties to
-------- -------
any such action (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying
Party and the Indemnified Party, and the Indemnified Party has been advised by
counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are
different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Party, then
the Indemnified Party may employ separate counsel at the expense of the
Indemnifying Party, and, on its written notification of that employment, the
Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume or continue the defense of
such action on behalf of the Indemnified Party.
(iii) If the Indemnifying Party (a) within the Election Period (1)
disputes its potential liability to the Indemnified Party under this Section 11,
(2) elects not to defend the Indemnified Party pursuant to Section 11.3(ii) or
(3) fails to notify the Indemnified Party that the Indemnifying Party elects to
defend the Indemnified Party pursuant to Section 11.3(ii) or (b) elects to
defend the Indemnified Party pursuant to Section 11.3(ii) but fails diligently
and promptly to prosecute or settle the Third Party Claim, then the Indemnified
Party shall have the right to defend, at the sole cost and expense of the
Indemnifying Party (if the Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification
hereunder), the Third Party Claim by all appropriate proceedings, which
proceedings shall be promptly and vigorously prosecuted by the Indemnified Party
to a final conclusion or settled. The Indemnified Party shall have full control
of such defense and proceedings. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the
Indemnifying Party has delivered a written notice to the Indemnified Party to
the effect that the Indemnifying Party disputes its potential liability to the
Indemnified Party under this Section 11 and if such dispute is resolved in favor
of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not be required to bear
the costs and expenses of the Indemnified Party's defense pursuant to this
Section 11.3 or of the Indemnifying Party's participation therein at the
Indemnified Party's request. The Indemnifying Party may participate in, but not
control, any defense or settlement controlled by the Indemnified Party pursuant
to this Section 11.3(iii), and the
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Indemnifying Party shall bear its own costs and expenses with respect to
such participation.
(iv) The parties hereto will make appropriate adjustments for any Tax
benefits, Tax detriments or insurance proceeds in determining the amount of any
indemnification obligation under this Section 11, provided that no Indemnifying
Party shall be obligated to seek any payment pursuant to the terms of any
insurance policy. All indemnification payments under this Section 11 shall be
deemed adjustments to the Merger consideration provided for herein.
11.4 Exclusive Remedy. The indemnification provided for in this Section 11
----------------
shall be the exclusive remedy in any action seeking damages or any other form of
monetary relief brought by any party to this Agreement against another party,
provided that nothing herein shall be construed to limit the right of a party,
in a proper case, to seek injunctive relief for a breach of this Agreement.
11.5 Limitations on Indemnification.
------------------------------
(i) The first amounts otherwise payable by one or more STOCKHOLDERS
(whether jointly and severally or severally) pursuant to Sections 11.1 and 11.3
to HDS and the COMPANY will be offset and reduced (but not below zero) by the
Indemnification Threshold. The "Indemnification Threshold" is an amount equal to
one and one-half percent (1.5%) of the sum of (a) the aggregate amount of Cash
Consideration (as defined in Annex I) for all STOCKHOLDERS and (b) the aggregate
value of all HDS Stock received by all STOCKHOLDERS on the Closing Date pursuant
to Section 2.1 of this Agreement. All such amounts otherwise payable by one or
more STOCKHOLDERS in excess of the Indemnification Threshold shall be paid
without offset or reduction pursuant to this Section 11.5(i). Notwithstanding
the foregoing, this Section 11.5(i) shall not apply to claims for
indemnification pursuant to Section 11.6. For purposes of determining the
Indemnification Threshold pursuant to this Section 11.5(i), the HDS Stock shall
be valued at the Effective IPO Price, as defined in Annex I. Claims paid
directly by the STOCKHOLDERS (or third parties on behalf of the STOCKHOLDERS)
shall be excluded for purposes of calculating the Indemnification Threshold.
(ii) The first amounts otherwise payable by HDS pursuant to Sections
11.2 and 11.3 to STOCKHOLDERS and the COMPANY will be offset and reduced (but
not below zero) by an amount equal to the Indemnification Threshold. All such
amounts otherwise payable by HDS in excess of the Indemnification Threshold
shall be paid without offset or reduction pursuant to this Section 11.5(ii).
This Section 11.5(ii) shall not apply to claims for indemnification for breach
of Section 2.1 or Section 10.8.
(iii) Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement, in no event
shall any STOCKHOLDER be liable under this Agreement, including this Section 11,
for an amount which exceeds the sum of (a) the amount of Cash Consideration
received by such STOCKHOLDER on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 2.1, (b)
the net proceeds to
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such STOCKHOLDER from the sale of such STOCKHOLDER's HDS Stock received
pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof prior to the date that the indemnity obligation
of such STOCKHOLDER is paid and (c) the value of the shares of HDS Stock
received by such STOCKHOLDER on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 2.1 that
have not been sold by such STOCKHOLDER prior to the date that the indemnity
obligation of such STOCKHOLDER is paid, valued at the closing price per share on
the trading day prior to the date the indemnification obligation is paid.
11.6 Special Tax Indemnity Provisions.
--------------------------------
(i) From and after the Closing Date, the STOCKHOLDERS, jointly and
severally, shall indemnify and save HDS and the COMPANY harmless from any and
all Taxes (including without limitation any obligation to contribute to the
payment of a Tax determined on a consolidated, combined or unitary basis with
respect to a group of corporations that includes or included the COMPANY) which
are (a) imposed on any member (other than the COMPANY) of the consolidated,
unitary or combined group which includes or included the COMPANY or (b) imposed
on the COMPANY in respect of its income, business, property or operations or for
which the COMPANY may otherwise be liable (1) for any Pre-Closing Period, (2)
resulting by reason of the several liability of the COMPANY pursuant to Treasury
Regulations section 1.1502-6 or any analogous state, local or foreign law or
regulation or by reason of the COMPANY having been a member of any consolidated,
combined or unitary group on or prior to the Closing Date, (3) resulting from
the COMPANY ceasing to be a member of any affiliated group (within the meaning
of Section 1504(a) of the Code), (4) in respect of any Post-Closing Period,
attributable to events, transactions, sales, deposits, services or rentals
occurring, received or performed in a Pre-Closing Period, (5) in respect of any
Post-Closing Period, attributable to any change in accounting method employed by
the COMPANY during any of the four previous taxable years, (6) in respect of any
Post-Closing Period, attributable to any items of income or gain of an entity
treated as a partnership reported by the COMPANY as a partner, to the extent
such items are properly attributable to periods of the "partnership" ending on
or before the Closing Date, (7) attributable to any discharge of indebtedness
that may result from any capital contributions by STOCKHOLDERS (or an affiliate
of STOCKHOLDERS) to the COMPANY of any intercompany indebtedness owed by the
COMPANY to any STOCKHOLDER (or an affiliate of any STOCKHOLDER), or (8) by
reason of any Section 338(h)(10) Election.
(ii) From and after the Closing Date, STOCKHOLDERS shall, jointly and
severally, indemnify and save HDS and the COMPANY harmless from any liability
imposed on HDS or the COMPANY (or any affiliate of such companies) attributable
to any breach of a warranty or representation made by STOCKHOLDERS in Section
5.22.
(iii) From and after the Closing Date, and except as expressly
provided otherwise in this Section 11.6, HDS and the COMPANY shall indemnify and
hold harmless STOCKHOLDERS with respect to any Taxes imposed on HDS or the
COMPANY with respect to any Post-Closing Period.
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(iv) To the extent any party to this Agreement is entitled to
indemnification from another party under this Section 11.6, such claim for
indemnification shall include the right to recover any losses, damages,
liabilities, expenses and costs related thereto, including, without limitation,
reasonable attorney's and expert witness fees and other costs of investigating
or attempting to avoid the same or oppose the imposition thereof, together with
interest thereon at the reference rate in effect from time to time at Bank of
America, NT&SA, or its successor, compounded quarterly from the date incurred.
(v) Except to the extent expressly provided to the contrary in this
Section 11.6, the general procedures regarding notice and pursuit of
indemnification claims set forth in Sections 11.1 through 11.5 shall apply to
all claims for indemnification made under this Section 11.6. Notwithstanding the
immediately preceding sentence and any provision of Section 11 to the contrary,
if a claim for indemnification involves any matter covered in this Section 11.6,
then the contest provisions of Section 11.7, as applicable, shall control
regarding the defense and handling of any such third-party claim that could give
rise to an indemnification obligation on the part of one party to another. In
addition, and notwithstanding anything else in Section 11 to the contrary, the
party with the right to control a contest has the right to choose counsel of its
choice regarding such contest. Furthermore, there shall be no limit on (a) the
time period during which a claim for indemnification may be made under this
Section 11.6(i) or (b) the minimum or maximum amount of indemnity payments that
may be recovered pursuant to this Section 11.6 (other than (1) each party's
obligation to make claims for indemnification promptly and without undue delay
and (2) the aggregate limit for all indemnity payments imposed on a STOCKHOLDER
provided in Section 11.5(iii)).
(vi) All amounts paid pursuant to this Section 11.6 by one party to
another party (other than interest payments) shall be treated by such parties
as an adjustment to the value of the merger consideration provided pursuant to
this Agreement.
11.7 Special Contest Rights Related to Tax Matters.
-------------------------------------------------
(i) The STOCKHOLDERS shall have the sole right (but not the
obligation) to control, defend, settle, compromise or prosecute in any manner
any audit, examination, investigation, hearing or other proceeding with respect
to any Tax Return of the COMPANY involving only Pre-Closing Periods.
(ii) Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Section
11.7, HDS shall have the sole right (but not the obligation) to control, defend,
settle, compromise, or prosecute in any manner an audit, examination,
investigation, hearing or other proceeding with respect to any Tax Return
of the COMPANY; provided, however, that any liability for Taxes or Tax
-------- -------
issues related to an Interim Period may not be settled or compromised without
the consent of the STOCKHOLDERS, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed. In addition, (i) HDS shall keep the STOCKHOLDERS duly
informed of any proceedings in connection with an Interim Period and (ii) the
STOCKHOLDERS shall be entitled to receive copies of all
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correspondence and documents relating to such proceedings and may, at their
option, observe such proceedings (including any associated meetings or
conferences).
11.8 Special Notification Requirements Regarding Tax Disputes. HDS and
--------------------------------------------------------
the COMPANY shall promptly forward to the STOCKHOLDERS all written notifications
and other written communications from any Tax Authority received by HDS or the
COMPANY relating to any Pre-Closing Period of the COMPANY, and HDS and the
COMPANY shall execute or cause to be executed any power of attorney or other
document or take such actions as requested by the STOCKHOLDERS to enable the
STOCKHOLDERS to take any action STOCKHOLDERS deem appropriate with respect to
any proceedings relating thereto.
11.9 Refunds. A party receiving a refund, credit or similar offset (or
-------
the benefit thereof) with respect to a Tax effectively paid by another party
shall immediately pay an amount equal to such refund, credit, offset or benefit
(including any interest thereon) to the party that effectively paid the Tax with
respect to which the refund, credit, offset or benefit relates. A party entitled
to a deduction on account of a Tax effectively paid by another party shall pay
an amount equal to any Taxes saved by reason of such deduction to the party that
effectively bore the economic cost of the Tax with respect to which such
deduction relates, such amount to be paid immediately after such saving is
realized.
11.10 Optional Payment With Shares. Any STOCKHOLDER may make any payment
----------------------------
to HDS required by this Section 11 by tendering shares of HDS Stock obtained by
such STOCKHOLDER pursuant to Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement, with shares so
tendered being valued at the closing price per share on the trading day prior to
the date the indemnification obligation is paid. No STOCKHOLDER will be entitled
to make payment with any other shares of HDS Stock.
12. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT.
12.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to
-----------
the Closing Date solely:
(i) by mutual consent of the boards of directors of HDS and the
COMPANY;
(ii) at or before the Pre-Closing, by STOCKHOLDERS holding a majority
of each class of COMPANY Stock, by the COMPANY, or by HDS, if the Pre-Closing
has not been completed by June 30, 1999, time being of the essence, unless the
failure to complete the Pre-Closing is due to the willful failure of the party
seeking to terminate this Agreement to perform any of its obligations under this
Agreement to the extent required to be performed by it prior to or on the
Pricing Date;
(iii) at or before the Pre-Closing, by STOCKHOLDERS holding a majority
of each class of COMPANY Stock or by the COMPANY if a material breach or default
shall be made by HDS, or by HDS if a material breach or default shall be made by
-48-
one or more STOCKHOLDERS or the COMPANY, in the observance or in the due and
timely performance of any of the covenants, agreements or conditions contained
herein, and such default shall not have been cured and shall not reasonably be
expected to be cured on or before the Pricing Date;
(iv) at or before the Pre-Closing pursuant to Section 7.9 hereof;
(v) after the Pre-Closing and before the Closing Date, by
STOCKHOLDERS holding a majority of each class of COMPANY Stock, by the COMPANY,
or by HDS, if the Underwriting Agreement is terminated;
(vi) after the Pre-Closing and before the Closing Date, by STOCKHOLDERS
holding a majority of each class of COMPANY Stock if the Minimum IPO Price (as
defined in Annex I) is not attained at the time of the IPO; or
(vii) after the Pre-Closing and before the Closing Date, by STOCKHOLDERS
holding a majority of each class of COMPANY Stock, by the COMPANY, or by HDS, if
the Closing Date does not occur within ten (10) days after the Pricing Date,
time being of the essence.
12.2 Liabilities in Event of Termination. In the event of termination of
-----------------------------------
this Agreement as provided in this Section there shall be no liability or
obligation on the part of any party hereto except to the extent that such
liability is based on the breach by a party of any of its representations,
warranties or covenants set forth in this Agreement, provided however, that
there shall be no liability for a breach of representation or warranty if such
representation or warranty was made in good faith and with no reason to know
such representation or warranty was not true at the time made.
13. NONCOMPETITION.
13.1 Prohibited Activities. Except as set forth on Schedule 13.1, the
---------------------
STOCKHOLDERS will not, for a period of four (4) years following the Closing Date
(except that (v) below shall apply to the period ending at the Closing if this
Agreement is not terminated prior to the Closing and June 30, 1999 if this
Agreement is terminated prior to the Closing), for any reason whatsoever,
directly or indirectly, for themselves or on behalf of or in conjunction with
any other person, persons, company, partnership, corporation or business of
whatever nature:
(i) engage, as an officer, director, shareholder, owner, partner, joint
venturer, or in a managerial capacity, whether as an employee, independent
contractor, consultant or advisor, or as a sales representative, in any business
selling any products or services in direct competition with HDS or any of the
subsidiaries thereof, within one hundred (100) miles of where the COMPANY
conducted business prior to the effectiveness of the Merger (the "Territory");
-49-
(ii) contact or solicit any person who is, at that time, an employee of
HDS (including the subsidiaries thereof) in a managerial capacity for the
purpose or with the intent of enticing such employee away from or out of the
employ of HDS (including the subsidiaries thereof), provided that any
--------
STOCKHOLDER shall be permitted to solicit and hire any member of his or her
immediate family;
(iii) contact any person or entity which is, at that time, or which
has been, within one (1) year prior to that time, a customer of HDS (including
the subsidiaries thereof), or any affiliate of such a person or entity, for the
purpose of soliciting or selling products or services in direct competition with
HDS;
(iv) contact any prospective acquisition candidate, on any STOCKHOLDER's
own behalf or on behalf of any competitor within the Territory in the commercial
kitchen design and/or supply business, which candidate was either called upon by
HDS (including the subsidiaries thereof) or for which HDS (or any subsidiary
thereof) made an acquisition analysis, for the purpose of acquiring such entity,
provided that no STOCKHOLDER shall be charged with a violation of this Section
--------
unless and until such STOCKHOLDER shall have knowledge or notice that such
prospective acquisition candidate was called upon, or that an acquisition
analysis was made, for the purpose of acquiring such entity;
(v) engage, directly or indirectly, through any intermediary or
otherwise, in any conversations or negotiations with any Other Company regarding
a possible business combination between or among them; provided that such
-------- ----
prohibition shall not preclude the COMPANY from conducting business in the
ordinary course with any other company or from having business combination
discussions with any other party subject to the provisions in this Agreement; or
(vi) except in furtherance of HDS's business, disclose customers,
whether in existence or proposed, of the COMPANY to any person, firm,
partnership, corporation or business for any reason or purpose whatsoever
excluding disclosure to HDS or any of HDS's Subsidiaries.
Notwithstanding the above, the foregoing covenant shall not be deemed to
prohibit any STOCKHOLDER from acquiring as an investment not more than three
percent (3%) of the capital stock of any business whose stock is traded on a
national securities exchange or over-the-counter, or having an ownership
interest in a mutual fund or being a passive member or limited partner of a
venture fund that has as a portfolio investment an equity interest in a
competing business.
13.2 Damages. Because of the difficulty of measuring economic losses to
-------
HDS as a result of a breach of the foregoing covenant, and because of the
immediate and irreparable damage that could be caused to HDS for which it would
have no other adequate remedy, each STOCKHOLDER agrees that the foregoing
covenant may be enforced by HDS, in the event of breach by such STOCKHOLDER, by
injunctions and restraining orders.
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13.3 Reasonable Restraint. It is agreed by the parties hereto that the
--------------------
foregoing covenants in this Section 13 impose a reasonable restraint on the
STOCKHOLDERS in light of the activities and business of HDS (including the
subsidiaries thereof) on the date of the execution of this Agreement and the
current plans of HDS; but it is also the intent of HDS and the STOCKHOLDERS that
such covenants be construed and enforced in accordance with the changing
activities and business of HDS (including the subsidiaries thereof) throughout
the term of this covenant.
It is further agreed by the parties hereto that, in the event that any
STOCKHOLDER who has entered into an Employment Agreement shall thereafter cease
to be employed thereunder, and such STOCKHOLDER shall enter into a business or
pursue other activities not in competition with HDS and/or any subsidiary
thereof, or similar activities or business in locations the operation of which,
under such circumstances, does not violate clause (i) of Section 13.1, and in
any event such new business, activities or location are not in violation of this
Section 13 or of such STOCKHOLDER's obligations under this Section 13, if any,
such STOCKHOLDER shall not be chargeable with a violation of this Section 13 if
HDS and/or any subsidiary thereof shall thereafter enter the same, similar or a
competitive (i) business, (ii) course of activities or (iii) location, as
applicable.
13.4 Severability; Reformation. The covenants in this Section 13 are
-------------------------
severable and separate, and the unenforceability of any specific covenant shall
not affect the provisions of any other covenant. Moreover, in the event any
court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that the scope, time or
territorial restrictions set forth are unreasonable, then it is the intention of
the parties that such restrictions be enforced to the fullest extent which the
court deems reasonable, and the Agreement shall thereby be reformed.
13.5 Independent Covenant. All of the covenants in this Section 13 shall
--------------------
be construed as an agreement independent of any other provision in this
Agreement, and the existence of any claim or cause of action of any STOCKHOLDER
against HDS (including the subsidiaries thereof), whether predicated on this
Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by HDS
of such covenants. It is specifically agreed that the period of four (4) years
stated at the beginning of this Section 13, during which the agreements and
covenants of each STOCKHOLDER made in this Section 13 shall be effective, shall
be computed by excluding from such computation any time during which such
STOCKHOLDER is in violation of any provision of this Section 13. The covenants
contained in this Section 13 shall not be affected by any breach of any other
provision hereof by any party hereto and shall have no effect if the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not consummated.
13.6 Materiality. The COMPANY and the STOCKHOLDERS hereby agree that the
-----------
covenants in this Section 13 are a material and substantial part of this
transaction.
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14. NONDISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
14.1 STOCKHOLDERS. The STOCKHOLDERS recognize and acknowledge that they
------------
had in the past, currently have, and in the future may possibly have, access to
certain confidential information of the COMPANY, the Other Companies and/or HDS,
such as lists of customers, operational policies, and pricing and cost policies
that are valuable, special and unique assets of the COMPANY's, the Other
Companies' and/or HDS's respective businesses. The STOCKHOLDERS agree that they
will not disclose such confidential information to any person, firm,
corporation, association or other entity for any purpose or reason whatsoever,
except (a) to authorized representatives of HDS, (b) following the Closing, as
required in the course of performing their duties for HDS, and (c) to counsel
and other advisers; provided that such advisers (other than counsel) agree to
-------- ----
the confidentiality provisions of this Section 14.1; provided, further, that
-------- -------
confidential information shall not include (i) such information which becomes
known to the public generally through no fault of the STOCKHOLDERS, (ii)
information required to be disclosed by law or the order of any governmental
authority under color of law; provided that prior to disclosing any information
-------- ----
pursuant to this clause (ii), the STOCKHOLDERS shall, if possible, give prior
written notice thereof to HDS and provide HDS with the opportunity to contest
such disclosure, or (iii) information as to which the disclosing party
reasonably believes that disclosure is required in connection with the defense
of a lawsuit against the COMPANY, the Other Companies and/or HDS. In the event
of a breach or threatened breach by any of the STOCKHOLDERS of the provisions of
this section, HDS shall be entitled to an injunction restraining such
STOCKHOLDERS from disclosing, in whole or in part, such confidential
information. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting HDS from pursuing
any other available remedy for such breach or threatened breach, including the
recovery of damages.
14.2 HDS. HDS recognizes and acknowledges that it had in the past and
---
currently has access to certain confidential information of the COMPANY, such as
lists of customers, operational policies, and pricing and cost policies that are
valuable, special and unique assets of the COMPANY's business. HDS agrees that,
prior to the Closing, it will not disclose such confidential information to any
person, firm, corporation, association or other entity for any purpose or reason
whatsoever, except (a) to authorized representatives of the COMPANY, (b) to
counsel and other advisers, provided that such advisers (other than counsel)
--------
agree to the confidentiality provisions of this Section 14.2 and (c) to the
Other Companies and their representatives pursuant to Section 7.1(i), unless (i)
such information becomes known to the public generally through no fault of HDS
(ii) disclosure is required by law or the order of any governmental authority
under color of law, provided that prior to disclosing any information pursuant
--------
to this clause (ii), HDS shall, if possible, give prior written notice thereof
to the COMPANY and the STOCKHOLDERS and provide the COMPANY and the STOCKHOLDERS
with the opportunity to contest such disclosure, or (iii) the disclosing party
reasonably believes that disclosure is required in connection with the defense
of a lawsuit against the COMPANY and/or STOCKHOLDERS. In the event of a breach
or threatened breach by HDS of the provisions of this section, the COMPANY and
the STOCKHOLDERS shall
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be entitled to an injunction restraining HDS from disclosing, in whole or in
part, such confidential information. Nothing herein shall be construed as
prohibiting the COMPANY and the STOCKHOLDERS from pursuing any other available
remedy for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages.
14.3 Damages. Because of the difficulty of measuring economic losses as a
-------
result of the breach of the foregoing covenants in Section 14.1 and 14.2, and
because of the immediate and irreparable damage that would be caused for which
they would have no other adequate remedy, the parties hereto agree that, in the
event of a breach by any of them of the foregoing covenants, the covenant may be
enforced against the other parties by injunctions and restraining orders.
14.4 Survival. The obligations of the parties under this Article 14 shall
--------
survive the termination of this Agreement.
15. TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS.
15.1 Transfer Restrictions. Except for transfers as set forth in Section
---------------------
15.2 below to persons or entities who agree to be bound by the restrictions set
forth in this Section 15.1, for a period of one year from the Closing Date, none
of the STOCKHOLDERS shall (i) sell, assign, exchange, transfer, encumber,
pledge, distribute, appoint, or otherwise dispose of (a) any shares of HDS Stock
received by the STOCKHOLDERS in the Merger, or (b) any interest (including,
without limitation, an option to buy or sell) in any such shares of HDS Stock,
in whole or in part, and no such attempted transfer shall be treated as
effective for any purpose; or (ii) engage in any transaction, whether or not
with respect to any shares of HDS Stock or any interest therein, the intent or
effect of which is to reduce the risk of owning the shares of HDS Stock acquired
pursuant to Section 2 hereof (including, by way of example and not limitation,
engaging in put, call, short-sale, straddle or similar market transactions). The
certificates evidencing the HDS Stock delivered to the STOCKHOLDERS pursuant to
Section 3 of this Agreement will bear a legend substantially in the form set
forth below and contain such other information as HDS may deem necessary or
appropriate:
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE SOLD, ASSIGNED,
EXCHANGED, TRANSFERRED, ENCUMBERED, PLEDGED, DISTRIBUTED, APPOINTED OR OTHERWISE
DISPOSED OF, AND THE ISSUER SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO GIVE EFFECT TO ANY
ATTEMPTED SALE, ASSIGNMENT, EXCHANGE, TRANSFER, ENCUMBRANCE, PLEDGE,
DISTRIBUTION, APPOINTMENT OR OTHER DISPOSITION PRIOR TO THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF
THE CLOSING DATE. UPON THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF THE HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE,
THE ISSUER AGREES TO REMOVE THIS RESTRICTIVE LEGEND (AND ANY STOP ORDER PLACED
WITH THE TRANSFER AGENT) AFTER THE DATE SPECIFIED ABOVE.
15.2 Permitted Transferees. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.1
---------------------
a STOCKHOLDER shall have the right to transfer some or all of the shares of
HDS stock
-53-
to any one or more of the following, provided that the transferee agrees to be
bound (in a form satisfactory to HDS and its counsel) by the terms and
conditions of this Agreement with respect to any further transfer of such
shares: (a) any family member of a STOCKHOLDER (including, without limitation,
any transfer to a custodian under any gift to minors statute), with family
members being defined as any spouse, sibling, lineal descendant or ancestor of a
STOCKHOLDER, (b) any trust which is for the benefit of one or more family
members of a STOCKHOLDER and (c) any corporation, partnership, limited liability
company or other entity (x) of which a majority of the interests therein by
value is owned by the STOCKHOLDER and members of the STOCKHOLDER's family, and
(y) which is and continues to be controlled by the STOCKHOLDER and members of
the STOCKHOLDER'S family for the period set forth in Section 15.1.
16. FEDERAL SECURITIES ACT REPRESENTATIONS.
16.1 No Registration Rights. The STOCKHOLDERS acknowledge that the shares
----------------------
of HDS Stock to be delivered to the STOCKHOLDERS pursuant tothis Agreement have
not been and will not be registered under the 1933 Act and therefore may not be
resold without compliance with the 1933 Act. The HDS Stock to be acquired by
such STOCKHOLDERS pursuant to this Agreement is being acquired solely for their
own respective accounts, for investment purposes only, and with no present
intention of distributing, selling or otherwise disposing of it in connection
with a distribution.
16.2 Compliance with Law. The STOCKHOLDERS covenant, warrant and represent
-------------------
that none of the shares of HDS Stock issued to such STOCKHOLDERS will be
offered, sold, assigned, pledged, hypothecated, transferred or otherwise
disposed of except after full compliance with all of the applicable provisions
of the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC. All the HDS Stock
shall bear the following legend in addition to the legend required under Section
15 of this Agreement:
THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AS AMENDED (THE "1933 ACT") AND MAY ONLY BE SOLD OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IF THE HOLDER HEREOF COMPLIES WITH THE 1933 ACT AND
APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS.
16.3 Accredited Investors; Economic Risk; Sophistication. Except as
---------------------------------------------------
disclosed in Schedule 16.3, each STOCKHOLDER represents and warrants that such
STOCKHOLDER is an "accredited investor," as that term is defined in Regulation D
promulgated by the SEC under the 1933 Act. The STOCKHOLDERS are able to bear the
economic risk of an investment in the HDS Stock acquired pursuant to this
Agreement and can afford to sustain a total loss of such investment and have
such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that they are
capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the proposed investment in the HDS
Stock. The STOCKHOLDERS or their respective purchaser representatives have
received all information they deemed material and had an adequate opportunity to
ask questions and receive answers from the officers of HDS concerning any and
all matters relating to the
-54-
transactions described herein including, without limitation, the background and
experience of the current and proposed officers and directors of HDS, the plans
for the operations of the business of HDS, the business, operations and
financial condition of the Founding Companies other than the COMPANY, and any
plans for additional acquisitions and the like. All STOCKHOLDERS who are not
"accredited investors" have been represented by qualified purchaser
representatives.
17. REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
17.1 Piggyback Registration Rights. At any time following one year after
-----------------------------
the Closing Date, whenever HDS proposes to register any HDS Stock for its own or
others' account under the 1933 Act for a public offering, other than (i)
registrations of shares to be used as consideration for acquisitions of
additional businesses by HDS and (ii) registrations relating to employee benefit
plans, HDS shall give each of the STOCKHOLDERS prompt written notice of its
intent to do so. Upon the written request of any of the STOCKHOLDERS given
within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice, HDS shall cause to be
included in such registration all of the HDS Stock issued pursuant to this
Agreement which any such STOCKHOLDER requests. In addition, if HDS is advised in
writing in good faith by any managing underwriter of an underwritten offering
of the securities being offered pursuant to any registration statement under
this Section 17.1 that the number of shares to be sold by persons other than HDS
is greater than the number of such shares which can be offered without adversely
affecting the offering, HDS may reduce the number of shares offered for the
accounts of such persons to a number deemed satisfactory by such managing
underwriter; provided that such reduction shall be made first by reducing the
-------- ----
number of shares to be sold by persons other than HDS, the stockholders named on
Annex III hereto, the stockholders of the Founding Companies (the "Founding
Stockholders"), and any person or persons who have required such registration
pursuant to "demand" registration rights granted by HDS; thereafter, if a
further reduction is required, it shall be made first by reducing the number of
shares to be sold by the stockholders named on Annex III hereto and the Founding
Stockholders, with such further reduction being made so that to the extent any
shares can be sold by stockholders named in Annex III hereto and the Founding
Stockholders, each such stockholder will be permitted to sell a number of shares
proportionate to the number of shares of HDS Stock owned by such stockholder
immediately after the Closing, provided that if any stockholder does not wish to
sell all shares such stockholder is permitted to sell, the opportunity to sell
additional shares shall be reallocated in the same manner to those stockholders
named in Annex III hereto and the Founding Stockholders who wish to sell more
shares until no more shares can be sold by such stockholders.
17.2 Demand Registration Rights. At any time after the date one year after
--------------------------
the Closing Date, Founding Stockholders holding shares of HDS Stock issued
pursuant to this Agreement and the Other Agreements which shares have (i) not
been previously registered or sold, (ii) which are not entitled to be sold under
Rule 144(k) (or any similar or successor provision) and (iii) which have an
aggregate market value in excess of $5 million (based on the average closing
price on the five days prior to the date of such request) may request in writing
that HDS file a registration statement under the 1933 Act
-55-
covering such shares of HDS Stock then held by such Founding Stockholders (a
"Demand Registration"); provided that the aggregate value of HDS Stock proposed
to be sold under such registration statement is not less than $5 million (based
on the average closing price on the five days prior to the date of such
request). Within ten (10) days of the receipt of such request, HDS shall give
written notice of such request to all other Founding Stockholders and shall, as
soon as practicable, file and use its best efforts to cause to become effective
a registration statement covering all such shares. HDS will use its best efforts
to keep such Demand Registration current and effective for one hundred twenty
(120) days (or such shorter period during which holders shall have sold all HDS
Stock which they requested to be registered). HDS shall be obligated to effect
only two (2) Demand Registrations for all Founding Stockholders, and the second
request may not be made until at least one (1) year after the effective date of
the registration statement for the first Demand Registration, provided that the
first Demand Registration remained effective for the full time provided by the
preceding sentence.
Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph, following such a demand a
majority of the COMPANY's disinterested directors (i.e, directors who have not
---
demanded or elected to sell shares in any such public offering) may postpone the
filing of the registration statement for a period of up to thirty (30) days.
If at the time of any request by the Founding Stockholders for a
Demand Registration HDS has fixed plans to file within sixty (60) days after
such request a registration statement covering the sale of any of its
securities, no registration of the Founding Stockholders' HDS Stock shall be
filed under this Section 17.2 until ninety (90) days after the effective date of
such registration unless HDS is no longer proceeding diligently to effect such
registration; provided that HDS shall provide the Founding Stockholders the
--------
right to participate in such public offering pursuant to, and subject to,
Section 17.1 hereof.
17.3 Registration Procedures. All expenses incurred in connection with
-----------------------
the registrations under this Article 17 (including all registration, filing,
qualification, legal, printer and accounting fees, but excluding underwriting
commissions and discounts) shall be borne by HDS. In connection with
registrations under Sections 17.1 and 17.2, HDS shall (i) prepare and file with
the SEC as soon as reasonably practicable, a registration statement with respect
to the HDS Stock and use its best efforts to cause such registration to promptly
become and remain effective for a period of at least one hundred twenty (120)
days (or such shorter period during which holders shall have sold all HDS Stock
which they requested to be registered); (ii) use its best efforts to register
and qualify the HDS Stock covered by such registration statement under
applicable state securities laws as the holders shall reasonably request for the
distribution for the HDS Stock; and (iii) take such other actions as are
reasonable and necessary to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the
regulations thereunder.
17.4 Underwriting Agreement. In connection with each registration pursuant
----------------------
to Sections 17.1 and 17.2 covering an underwritten registered public offering,
HDS and each participating holder agree to enter into a written agreement with
the managing
-56-
underwriters in such form and containing such provisions as are customary in the
securities business for such an arrangement between such managing underwriters
and companies of HDS's size and investment stature, including indemnification.
In a registration under Section 17.1, the managing underwriters shall be
selected by HDS (or, if required by a "demand" registration right of a
stockholder requiring such registration, by such requiring stockholder), and in
a registration under Section 17.2, may be selected by the holders of a majority
of the shares that have demanded to be included in such registration pursuant to
Section 17.2, provided the managing underwriters so selected by such majority
are reasonably acceptable to HDS.
17.5 HDS Stock. For the purposes of this Section 17, HDS Stock issued
---------
pursuant to this Agreement shall include shares issued as a stock dividend or
stock split, or otherwise distributed by HDS to its stockholders without
consideration, in respect of shares of HDS Stock previously issued pursuant to
this Agreement.
17.6 Availability of Rule 144. HDS shall not be obligated to register
------------------------
shares of HDS Stock held by any STOCKHOLDER at any time when the resale
provisions of Rule 144 (or any similar or successor provision) promulgated under
the 1933 Act are available to enable such STOCKHOLDER to sell all shares of HDS
Stock issued pursuant to this Agreement and then held by such STOCKHOLDER within
a consecutive 90 day period.
17.7 Survival. The provisions of this Section 17 shall survive the Pre-
Closing and closing Date until December 31, 2002.
18. GENERAL.
18.1 Cooperation. The COMPANY, STOCKHOLDERS and HDS shall each (i) attempt
in good faith (without being required to incur unreasonable expense) to cause
all conditions to actions to be taken on the Pricing Date and the Closing Date
to be satisfied, and (ii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the other on the
Pricing Date and Closing Date, and at such other times and places as shall be
reasonably agreed to, such additional instruments, and take such additional
actions as can be taken without unreasonable expense, as any other may
reasonably request for the purpose of carrying out this Agreement. The COMPANY
will cooperate and use its reasonable efforts to have the present officers,
directors and employees of the COMPANY cooperate with HDS on and after the
Closing Date in furnishing information, evidence, testimony and other assistance
in connection with any Tax Return filing obligations, actions, proceedings,
arrangements or disputes of any nature with respect to matters pertaining to all
periods prior to the Closing Date .
18.2 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement and the rights of the parties
----------------------
hereunder may not be assigned (except by operation of law) and shall be binding
upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, the successors of
HDS, and the heirs and legal representatives of the STOCKHOLDERS.
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18.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the schedules, exhibits
----------------
and annexes attached hereto) and the documents delivered pursuant hereto
constitute the entire agreement and understanding among the STOCKHOLDERS, the
COMPANY, HDS and ERF and supersede any prior agreement and understanding
relating to the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement, upon
execution, constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the parties hereto
enforceable in accordance with its terms. Except as otherwise stated herein,
this Agreement and the Annexes hereto may be modified or amended only by a
written instrument executed by the STOCKHOLDERS, the COMPANY, HDS and ERF,
acting through their respective officers, duly authorized by their respective
Boards of Directors. Any disclosure made on any Schedule delivered pursuant
hereto shall be deemed to have been disclosed for purposes of any other Schedule
required hereby.
18.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two (2)
------------
or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which
together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
18.5 Brokers and Agents. Except as disclosed on Schedule 17.5, each party
------------------
represents and warrants that it employed no broker or agent in connection with
this transaction and agrees to indemnify the other against all loss, cost,
damages or expense arising out of claims for fees or commission of brokers
employed or alleged to have been employed by such indemnifying party.
18.6 Expenses. Whether or not the transactions herein contemplated shall be
--------
consummated, (i) HDS will pay the fees, expenses and disbursements of HDS, ERF
and their agents, representatives, accountants and counsel incurred in
connection with the subject matter of this Agreement and any amendments thereto,
including all costs and expenses incurred in the performance and compliance with
all conditions to be performed by HDS and ERF under this Agreement, including
the fees and expenses of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, LLP, and Howard, Rice, and the costs
of preparing the Registration Statement, and (ii) prior to the Closing, the
COMPANY will pay the fees, expenses and disbursements of their counsel and
accountants for the STOCKHOLDERS and the COMPANY incurred in connection with the
subject matter of this Agreement or the Registration Statement. The STOCKHOLDERS
shall pay all sales, use, transfer, real property transfer, recording, gains,
stock transfer and other similar taxes and fees ("Transfer Taxes") incurred in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The
STOCKHOLDERS shall file all necessary documentation and Tax Returns with respect
to such Transfer Taxes. In addition, each STOCKHOLDER acknowledges that he, and
not the COMPANY, HDS or ERF, will pay all taxes due upon receipt of the
consideration payable to such STOCKHOLDER pursuant to Section 2 hereof.
18.7 Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted
-------
hereunder shall be effective upon receipt (or refusal of receipt) and shall be
in writing and delivered by depositing the same in United States mail, addressed
to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with
return receipt requested, by
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delivering the same in person to such party or to an officer or agent of such
party or by facsimile transmission (followed by delivery by United States mail).
(a) If mailed to HDS or ERF addressed to such entity at:
Hospitality Design & Supply, Inc.
X.X. Xxx 0000
Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Chief Executive Officer
Fax: (000) 000-0000
with copies to:
Howard, Rice, Nemerovski, Canady, Xxxx & Xxxxxx,
A Professional Corporation
0 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
Fax: (000) 000-0000
(b) If mailed to the STOCKHOLDERS, addressed to them at their
addresses set forth on Annex II, with copies to such counsel, if any, as is
set forth with respect to each STOCKHOLDER on such Annex II; if mailed to
the COMPANY, addressed to it at its address set forth on Annex II marked
"Personal and Confidential" with copies to the COMPANY's counsel as set
forth on Annex II, provided that notice to the COMPANY shall only be for
--------
notices or communications required or permitted hereunder prior to the
Effective Time of the Merger; or to such other address or counsel as any
party hereto shall specify pursuant to this Section 18.7 from time to time.
18.8 Governing Law; Forum. This Agreement shall be governed by and
--------------------
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving
effect to laws concerning choice of law or conflicts of law. All disputes
arising out of this Agreement or the obligations of the parties hereunder,
including disputes that may arise following termination of this Agreement, shall
be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the California State
courts of the City and County of San Francisco, California (or, if there is
federal jurisdiction, then the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the United
States District Court having jurisdiction over the City and County of San
Francisco). Each party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consents to the
personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue of said courts and any objection
that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding
in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an
inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same.
18.9 Survival of Representations and Warranties. The representations,
------------------------------------------
warranties, covenants and agreements of the parties made herein, or in writing
delivered pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall survive the
consummation of the
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transactions contemplated hereby and any examination on behalf of the parties
until the applicable Expiration Date.
18.10 Exercise of Rights and Remedies. Except as otherwise provided herein,
-------------------------------
no delay of or omission in the exercise of any right, power or remedy accruing
to any party as a result of any breach or default by any other party under this
Agreement shall impair any such right, power, or remedy, nor shall it be
construed as a waiver of or acquiescence in any such breach or default, or of
any similar breach or default occurring later; nor shall any waiver of any
single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default
occurring before or after that waiver.
18.11 Time. Time is of the essence with respect to this Agreement.
----
18.12 Reformation and Severability. In case any provision of this Agreement
----------------------------
shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall, to the extent possible, be
modified in such manner as to be valid, legal and enforceable but so as to most
nearly retain the intent of the parties, and if such modification is not
possible, such provision shall be severed from this Agreement, and in either
case the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of
this Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
18.13 Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided in Section 11, no
-------------------
right, remedy or election given by any term of this Agreement shall be deemed
exclusive but each shall be cumulative with all other rights, remedies and
elections available at law or in equity.
18.14 Construction. This Agreement has been negotiated among HDS, the
------------
COMPANY, the STOCKHOLDERS and their respective legal counsel, and legal or
equitable principles that might require the construction of this Agreement or
any provision of this Agreement against the party drafting this Agreement will
not apply in any construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
18.15 Captions. The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience
--------
only, shall not constitute a part of this Agreement or be used to construe or
interpret any provision hereof.
[THE REST OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the day and year first above written.
HOSPITALITY DESIGN & SUPPLY, INC.
By /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Chief Executive Officer
ERF CALIFORNIA, INC.
By /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Chief Executive Officer
STOCKHOLDERS:
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------------
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Trustee of the Rothkopf
Revocable Trust
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------------
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Trustee of the Rothkopf
Revocable Trust
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
/s/ XxxxxXxx Xxxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------------
Xxxxx Xxx Xxxxxxxxx
ECONOMY RESTAURANT FIXTURES, INC.
By /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title: President
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ANNEX I
CONSIDERATION TO FOUNDING COMPANY STOCKHOLDERS
Part I
A. Aggregate consideration to be paid to STOCKHOLDERS:
1. COMPANY Stock will be converted into 343,678 shares of common stock of
HDS and $10,825,862 in cash.
2. The STOCKHOLDERS and the COMPANY will not be obligated to consummate the
Merger if the initial public offering price per share when the
Registration Statement goes effective (the "Effective IPO Price") is
less than $10.00 per share (the "Minimum IPO Price").
3. The amount of cash paid to STOCKHOLDERS will be offset and reduced by
the amount of any receivables from STOCKHOLDERS.
B. Consideration to be paid to each STOCKHOLDER:
Percentage
STOCKHOLDER Shares of Common Stock Cash Before Allocation of Any
of HDS Offsets & Offsets and
Reductions/1/ Reductions/2/
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx and Xxxxx 171,839 $ 5,412,931 50%
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Trustee and 171,839 $ 5,412,931 50%
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Trustee of
the Rothkopf Revocable Trust
------------------ ------------------ ---------------------
TOTALS: 343,678 $ 10,825,862 100%
---------------------------
/1/ For purposes of Section 11.5(i) and 11.5(iii) of the Agreement, the
term "Cash Consideration" means, as to each STOCKHOLDER, the Cash Before Offsets
and Reductions shown for such STOCKHOLDER in this column.
/2/Excluding offsets and reductions pursuant to Part I, paragraph A.3. of
this Annex I.
