AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND COMBINATION among CLAYTON ACQUISITION CORPORATION, WHEELING-PITTSBURGH CORPORATION, WALES MERGER CORPORATION, ESMARK INCORPORATED, and CLAYTON MERGER, INC. Dated as of March 16, 2007
Exhibit
2.1
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND COMBINATION
among
XXXXXXX ACQUISITION CORPORATION,
WHEELING-PITTSBURGH CORPORATION,
WALES MERGER CORPORATION,
ESMARK INCORPORATED,
and
XXXXXXX MERGER, INC.
Dated as of March 16, 2007
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ARTICLE I |
THE COMBINATION | 2 | ||||
1.1 |
The Combination | 2 | ||||
1.2 |
Closing | 2 | ||||
1.3 |
Certificates of Incorporation and By-laws | 2 | ||||
1.4 |
Directors and Officers | 3 | ||||
ARTICLE II |
EFFECT OF THE COMBINATION ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES; STOCK OPTIONS | 4 | ||||
2.1 |
Conversion of Capital Stock | 4 | ||||
2.2 |
WPC Stockholder Election and Allocation Procedures | 7 | ||||
2.3 |
Esmark Stockholder Exchange | 9 | ||||
2.4 |
Non-Electing WPC Stockholders and Esmark Stockholder Exchange | |||||
Procedures | 9 | |||||
2.5 |
Retirement of NewCo Common Stock Issued Prior to the Effective Time | 11 | ||||
2.6 |
No Fractional Shares | 11 | ||||
2.7 |
Withholding Taxes | 11 | ||||
2.8 |
Stock Options; Restricted Stock | 12 | ||||
2.9 |
Adjustments | 14 | ||||
2.10 |
Dissenting Shares | 14 | ||||
ARTICLE III |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF WPC | 15 | ||||
3.1 |
Organization, Standing and Power | 15 | ||||
3.2 |
Capitalization | 16 | ||||
3.3 |
Authority; Noncontravention; Voting Requirements | 17 | ||||
3.4 |
Governmental Approvals | 19 | ||||
3.5 |
WPC SEC Documents; Undisclosed Liabilities | 19 | ||||
3.6 |
Absence of Certain Changes or Events | 21 | ||||
3.7 |
Legal Proceedings | 22 | ||||
3.8 |
Compliance with Laws; Permits | 22 | ||||
3.9 |
Information Supplied | 23 | ||||
3.10 |
Tax Matters | 23 |
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3.11 |
Employee Benefits and Labor Matters | 26 | ||||
3.12 |
Environmental Matters | 28 | ||||
3.13 |
Contracts | 30 | ||||
3.14 |
Title to Properties | 32 | ||||
3.15 |
Intellectual Property | 32 | ||||
3.16 |
Insurance | 35 | ||||
3.17 |
Opinion of Financial Advisor | 35 | ||||
3.18 |
Brokers and Other Advisors | 35 | ||||
3.19 |
State Takeover Statutes | 35 | ||||
ARTICLE IV |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ESMARK | 36 | ||||
4.1 |
Organization, Standing and Power | 36 | ||||
4.2 |
Capitalization | 37 | ||||
4.3 |
Authority; Noncontravention | 38 | ||||
4.4 |
Governmental Approvals | 39 | ||||
4.5 |
Esmark Financial Statements; Undisclosed Liabilities | 39 | ||||
4.6 |
Absence of Certain Changes or Events | 40 | ||||
4.7 |
Legal Proceedings | 40 | ||||
4.8 |
Compliance with Laws; Permits | 40 | ||||
4.9 |
Information Supplied | 41 | ||||
4.10 |
Tax Matters | 42 | ||||
4.11 |
Employee Benefits and Labor Matters | 44 | ||||
4.12 |
Environmental Matters | 46 | ||||
4.13 |
Contracts | 46 | ||||
4.14 |
Title to Properties | 48 | ||||
4.15 |
Intellectual Property | 48 | ||||
4.16 |
Insurance | 50 | ||||
4.17 |
Brokers and Other Advisors | 50 | ||||
4.18 |
Internal Accounting Controls | 50 | ||||
ARTICLE V |
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS | 51 |
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5.1 |
Preparation of the Form S-4 and the Proxy Statement; WPC Stockholders Meeting; Esmark Stockholder Approval | 51 | ||||
5.2 |
Conduct of Business | 52 | ||||
5.3 |
No Solicitation by WPC, Etc | 59 | ||||
5.4 |
Reasonable Commercial Efforts | 63 | ||||
5.5 |
Public Announcements | 64 | ||||
5.6 |
Access to Information; Confidentiality | 65 | ||||
5.7 |
Notification of Certain Matters | 66 | ||||
5.8 |
Indemnification and Insurance | 66 | ||||
5.9 |
Securityholder Litigation | 68 | ||||
5.10 |
Fees and Expenses | 68 | ||||
5.11 |
Affiliates | 69 | ||||
5.12 |
Reorganization Treatment | 69 | ||||
5.13 |
Rule 16b-3 | 69 | ||||
5.14 |
Credit Agreements | 69 | ||||
5.15 |
Letters of the Accountants | 70 | ||||
5.16 |
Stock Exchange Listing | 70 | ||||
5.17 |
NewCo Matters | 70 | ||||
5.18 |
Employee Benefits | 70 | ||||
5.19 |
VEBA Registration Rights Agreement | 72 | ||||
5.20 |
Ancillary Agreements | 72 | ||||
5.21 |
Additional Esmark Equity | 72 | ||||
ARTICLE VI |
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT | 72 | ||||
6.1 |
Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Combination | 72 | ||||
6.2 |
Conditions to Obligations of Esmark | 73 | ||||
6.3 |
Conditions to Obligation of WPC | 74 | ||||
ARTICLE VII |
TERMINATION | 75 | ||||
7.1 |
Termination | 75 | ||||
7.2 |
Effect of Termination | 77 |
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ARTICLE VIII |
MISCELLANEOUS | 77 | ||||
8.1 |
Amendment or Supplement | 77 | ||||
8.2 |
Extension of Time, Waiver, Etc | 77 | ||||
8.3 |
Assignment | 78 | ||||
8.4 |
Counterparts | 78 | ||||
8.5 |
Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries | 78 | ||||
8.6 |
Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial | 78 | ||||
8.7 |
Specific Enforcement | 78 | ||||
8.8 |
Notices | 79 | ||||
8.9 |
Severability | 80 | ||||
8.10 |
Definitions | 80 | ||||
8.11 |
Interpretation | 89 |
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND COMBINATION (this “Agreement”), dated as of
March 16, 2007, among Xxxxxxx Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation formed by Esmark
(“NewCo”), Wheeling-Pittsburgh Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“WPC”), Wales
Merger Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“WPC Merger Sub”) and wholly owned subsidiary
of NewCo, Esmark Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (“Esmark”), and Xxxxxxx Merger, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation (“Esmark Merger Sub”) and wholly owned subsidiary of NewCo. Certain
terms used in this Agreement are used as defined in Section 8.10.
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of the parties hereto (WPC acting with the recommendation of
the Special Committee for approval) have unanimously approved this Agreement and deem it advisable
and in the best interests of their respective corporations and stockholders that WPC and Esmark
enter into a strategic business combination to advance the long-term business interests of WPC and
Esmark; and
WHEREAS, such strategic business combination of WPC and Esmark will be effected pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement by means of separate transactions, the consummation of each of which is
a condition to the consummation of the other, in which WPC Merger Sub will merge with and into WPC
(the “WPC Merger”), and Esmark Merger Sub will merge with and into Esmark (the “Esmark
Merger”), whereupon WPC and Esmark will each become a wholly owned subsidiary of NewCo, and the
stockholders of WPC and the stockholders of Esmark will become stockholders of NewCo (the
“Combination”); and
WHEREAS, on or before the completion of the Combination, NewCo will change its name to
“Esmark Incorporated”; and
WHEREAS, as an inducement and a condition to WPC entering into this Agreement, certain
stockholders of Esmark have entered into a Voting Agreement with WPC (the “Voting
Agreement”), dated as of the date hereof pursuant to which each such stockholder has, among
other things, agreed to vote or consent in writing with respect to such shares of Esmark Common
Stock and/or Esmark Preferred Stock owned thereby in favor of the transactions contemplated herein
in connection with the Esmark Stockholder Approval (as defined below), in each case upon the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth in the Voting Agreement; and
WHEREAS, for Federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the Combination shall qualify
either (i) as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Code”), or
(ii) as an integrated series of transfers under Section 351 of the Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective representations,
warranties, covenants, and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be
legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
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ARTICLE I
THE COMBINATION
THE COMBINATION
1.1 The Combination.
(a) The WPC Merger. At the Effective Time, WPC Merger Sub shall be merged with and
into WPC in accordance with the DGCL and upon the terms set forth in this Agreement, and the
separate existence of WPC Merger Sub will cease and WPC shall be the surviving corporation. As a
result of the WPC Merger, WPC shall become a wholly owned direct subsidiary of NewCo.
(b) The Esmark Merger. At the Effective Time, Esmark Merger Sub shall be merged with
and into Esmark in accordance with the DGCL and upon the terms set forth in this Agreement, and the
separate existence of Esmark Merger Sub will cease and Esmark shall be the surviving corporation
under the name “Esmark Steel Service Group, Inc.” or such other name as NewCo may determine
in it sole discretion. As a result of the Esmark Merger, Esmark shall become a wholly owned direct
subsidiary of NewCo.
(c) The Certificates of Merger; Effective Time. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement: (i) a certificate of merger in such form as is required in
order to effect the WPC Merger under the relevant provisions of the DGCL, and (ii) a certificate of
merger in such form as is required in order to effect the Esmark Merger under the relevant
provisions of the DGCL (collectively, the “Certificates of Merger”) shall each be duly
prepared, executed and acknowledged by the appropriate party or parties and thereafter delivered to
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware for filing as provided in the DGCL, as soon as
practicable on or prior to the Closing Date. The Combination, including the WPC Merger and the
Esmark Merger, shall become effective upon the filing of the Certificates of Merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such time thereafter as is provided in the
Certificates of Merger (the “Effective Time”).
1.2 Closing. The closing of the Combination (the “Closing”) shall take place
at 10:00 a.m. (Pittsburgh local time) on a date to be specified by the parties (the “Closing
Date”), which date shall be no later than the second Business Day after satisfaction or waiver
of the conditions set forth in Article VI (other than those conditions that by their nature are to
be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of those conditions at such
time), at the offices of McGuireWoods LLP, Dominion Tower, 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000, unless another date or place is agreed to in writing by the parties
hereto.
1.3 Certificates of Incorporation and By-laws.
(a) On or immediately before the Closing Date, NewCo shall amend and restate its certificate
of incorporation and by-laws to conform with the certificate of incorporation and by-laws set forth
in Exhibit A attached hereto.
(b) At the Effective Time, the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of WPC Merger Sub as
in effect immediately prior to the WPC Merger (substantially in the form
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attached hereto as Exhibit B or as the same may be amended pursuant to mutual consent
of NewCo, WPC Merger Sub and WPC prior to the Effective Time) shall become the certificate of
incorporation and by-laws of WPC as the surviving corporation of the WPC Merger; and
(c) At the Effective Time, the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of Esmark Merger Sub
(substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C) as in effect immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall become the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of Esmark as the
surviving corporation of the Esmark Merger.
1.4 Directors and Officers.
(a) NewCo:
(i) At the Effective Time, the directors of NewCo shall be comprised of
thirteen (13) directors, consisting of all eleven (11) directors of WPC as of the
date hereof and two (2) designees of Esmark, or such replacements as may be approved
by Esmark and WPC prior to the Closing Date, until their respective successors are
duly elected or appointed and qualified or their earlier death, resignation or
removal in accordance with the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of NewCo.
(ii) At the Effective Time, the officers of NewCo shall be those persons
identified on Exhibit D. Such officers shall hold such offices until their
respective successors are duly appointed and qualified or their earlier death,
resignation or removal in accordance with the certificate of incorporation and
by-laws of NewCo.
(b) WPC:
(i) The directors of WPC Merger Sub shall be the directors of WPC as the
surviving corporation of the WPC Merger. Such directors shall serve as directors of
WPC until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified or
their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the certificate of
incorporation and by-laws of WPC as in effect beginning at the Effective Time.
(ii) The officers of WPC shall continue to be the officers of WPC as the
surviving corporation of the WPC Merger. Such officers shall hold such offices
until their respective successors are duly appointed and qualified of their earlier
death, resignation or removal in accordance with the certificate of incorporation
and by-laws of WPC as in effect beginning at the Effective Time.
(c) Esmark:
(i) The directors of Esmark Merger Sub shall be the directors of Esmark as the
surviving corporation of the Esmark Merger. Such directors shall serve as directors
of Esmark until their respective successors are duly elected or
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appointed and qualified or their earlier death, resignation or removal in
accordance with the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of Esmark as in effect
beginning at the Effective Time.
(ii) The officers of Esmark shall continue to be the officers of Esmark as the
surviving corporation of the Esmark Merger. Such officers shall hold such offices
until their respective successors are duly appointed and qualified of their earlier
death, resignation or removal in accordance with the certificate of incorporation
and by-laws of Esmark as in effect beginning at the Effective Time.
ARTICLE II
EFFECT OF THE COMBINATION ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE
CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES;
STOCK OPTIONS
EFFECT OF THE COMBINATION ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE
CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES;
STOCK OPTIONS
2.1 Conversion of Capital Stock. As of the Effective Time, by virtue of the
Combination, including the WPC Merger and the Esmark Merger, and without any action on the part of
the holder of any shares of WPC Common Stock, Esmark Common Stock, Esmark Preferred Stock or
capital stock of NewCo, WPC Merger Sub or Esmark Merger Sub:
(a) Conversion of WPC Merger Sub Shares. The issued and outstanding shares of the
capital stock of WPC Merger Sub shall be converted into and become 1,000 fully paid and
nonassessable shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of WPC, as the surviving
corporation of the WPC Merger.
(b) Conversion of Esmark Merger Sub Shares. The issued and outstanding shares of the
capital stock of Esmark Merger Sub shall be converted into and become 1,000 fully paid and
nonassessable shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Esmark, as the surviving
corporation of the Esmark Merger.
(c) Conversion of the Esmark Shares. Subject to Section 2.10, stockholders of Esmark
shall be entitled to receive the following (the “Esmark Merger Consideration”):
(i) Each issued and outstanding share of Esmark Common Stock (each, an
“Esmark Common Share”), other than Esmark Common Shares issued and held in
the treasury of Esmark, shall be converted into and shall become, by virtue of the
Esmark Merger and without any further action by the holder thereof, the right to
receive the Esmark Exchange Amount of shares of common stock, par value $0.001, of
NewCo (“NewCo Common Stock”); and
(ii) Each issued and outstanding share of Esmark Preferred Stock shall be
converted into and shall become by virtue of the Esmark Merger and without any
further action by the holder thereof, the right to receive the number of shares of
NewCo Common Stock equal to the product of (x) the Esmark Exchange Amount and (y)
the Series A Conversion Amount.
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(d) For purposes of this Agreement:
“Esmark Exchange Amount” means the number of shares equal to the quotient obtained by
dividing (i) the sum of (A) 17,500,000 (a fixed amount through the Effective Time, subject to
Section 2.9(b)) and (B) the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the Additional Esmark Equity by (y)
$20.00 by (ii) the total number of shares of Esmark Common Stock outstanding as of the Effective
Time (including the aggregate number of shares of Esmark Common Stock into which the Esmark
Preferred Stock is convertible at the Series A Conversion Amount).
“Series A Conversion Amount” means the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the
“Liquidation Value” (as defined in the Series A Certificate of Designation and determined as of the
Closing Date in accordance with such Series A Certificate of Designation) of such share of Esmark
Preferred Stock plus the amount of all accrued and unpaid dividends on such share of Esmark
Preferred Stock as of the Closing Date, by (ii) the “Conversion Price” (as defined in the
Series A Certificate of Designation and determined as of the Closing Date in accordance with such
Series A Certificate of Designation).
“Series A Certificate of Designation” means the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Designation of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of Esmark Incorporated, dated May 9, 2005, as
amended on July 28, 2006 and January 10, 2007 and as may be further amended from time to time in
accordance with the terms thereof.
“Additional Esmark Equity” means the aggregate cash proceeds in U.S. dollars (net of
underwriting discounts, commissions and expenses, as reasonably determined by Esmark and WPC)
received by Esmark or its Subsidiaries after the date hereof and prior to the Effective Time, in
connection with the issuance of shares of Esmark Common Stock or Esmark Preferred Stock.
Not less than ten (10) days prior to the Closing, Esmark shall prepare and deliver to WPC for
its review the Esmark Closing Balance Sheet and a detailed report setting forth Esmark’s
calculation of the Additional Esmark Equity, together with such supporting documentation as WPC may
reasonably request. Esmark and WPC shall mutually agree on the final calculation of the Additional
Esmark Equity not less than seven (7) days prior to the Closing. If Esmark and WPC cannot mutually
agree on the final calculation of the Additional Esmark Equity, the dispute shall be referred to
Ernst & Young LLP (the “Arbiter”), as an arbitrator to finally resolve, as soon as
practicable, the final amount of the Additional Esmark Equity. The Arbiter shall select as a
resolution the position of either Esmark or WPC as the final amount of Additional Esmark Equity
(based solely on the presentations and supporting material provided by Esmark and WPC and not
pursuant to any independent review) and may not impose an alternative resolution. All
determinations by the Arbiter shall be final, conclusive and binding with respect to the Additional
Esmark Equity in the absence of fraud or manifest error.
(e) Conversion of the WPC Shares. Subject to Sections 2.2(g) and 2.2(h) hereof, each
issued and outstanding share of WPC Common Stock (each, a “WPC Common Share”), other than
WPC Common Shares issued and held in the treasury of WPC as of the
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Effective Time, shall be converted into the right to receive, subject to the election of the
WPC Stockholder thereof, the following (the “WPC Merger Consideration”):
(i) one share of NewCo Common Stock (the “Stock Consideration”) (the
ratio of 1 to 1 being referred to herein as the “WPC Exchange Ratio”); or
(ii) (A) one share of NewCo Common Stock and (B) one non-transferable right to
subscribe for and purchase a newly issued share of NewCo Common Stock (each, a
“Purchase Right”) for each WPC Common Share held by such WPC Stockholder.
Each Purchase Right shall entitle the WPC Stockholder thereof to purchase from NewCo
one share of NewCo Common Stock at a price of $19.00 per share (the
“Subscription Price”) (collectively, the “Rights Consideration”).
Purchase Rights shall be exercisable, in whole or in part by the holders thereof,
for ten (10) days following the Effective Time (the “Rights Option Period”),
provided, that the NewCo Board of Directors may extend such period with the consent
of the FMA Stockholders; or
(iii) (A) one share of NewCo Common Stock and (B) one non-transferable right to
require NewCo to repurchase such newly issued share of NewCo Common Stock at a
purchase price of $20.00 per share (each, a “Put Right”). Each Put Right
shall entitle the WPC Stockholder thereof to sell to NewCo one share of NewCo Common
Stock at a price of $20.00 per share (the “Put Price”) (collectively, the
“Put Consideration”). Put Rights shall be exercisable, in whole or in part
by the holders thereof, if at all, during the Rights Option Period.
(f) Cancellation of Shares.
(i) Each WPC Common Share issued and held in the treasury of WPC or owned of
record by Esmark Merger Sub or any indirect subsidiary thereof immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall automatically be canceled and retired without any
conversion thereof, and no consideration shall be exchangeable therefor.
(ii) Each Esmark Common Share issued and held in the treasury of Esmark or
owned of record by WPC Merger Sub or any indirect subsidiary thereof immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall automatically be canceled and retired without any
conversion thereof, and no consideration shall be exchangeable therefor.
(g) Creditor Reserved Shares. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Combination,
the right of any creditor of WPC to receive a Creditor Reserved Share shall be converted into the
right to receive one share of NewCo Common Stock.
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2.2 WPC Stockholder Election and Allocation Procedures.
(a) Paying Agent, Exchange Agent; Exchange Fund. Not less than three (3) Business
Days prior to the mailing of the Proxy Statement, WPC and Esmark shall jointly designate a bank or
trust company to act as paying agent and exchange agent hereunder (the “Exchange Agent”)
for the purpose of paying cash with respect to WPC Common Shares over which the election to receive
the Put Consideration has been made and exercised and exchanging WPC Common Shares, Esmark Common
Shares, and shares of Esmark Preferred Stock for shares of NewCo Common Stock. When and as needed,
NewCo shall deposit with the Exchange Agent, for exchange in accordance with this Article II, funds
payable and certificates representing the shares of NewCo Common Stock issuable pursuant to Section
2.1 in exchange for outstanding shares of WPC Common Shares, Esmark Common Shares, and shares of
Esmark Preferred Stock (such funds, together with shares of NewCo Common Stock, any dividends or
other distributions with respect to such shares of NewCo Common Stock with a record date after the
Effective Time, being hereinafter referred to as the “Exchange Fund”).
(b) WPC Exchange. Each WPC Stockholder shall be entitled to, subject to the
allocation and election procedures set forth in this Section 2.2:
(i) elect to receive the WPC Merger Consideration entirely in shares of NewCo
Common Stock (a “Stock Election”); or
(ii) elect to receive the WPC Merger Consideration entirely in shares of NewCo
Common Stock and Purchase Rights (a “Rights Election”); or
(iii) elect to receive the WPC Merger Consideration in shares of NewCo Common
Stock and Put Rights (a “Put Election”; and any Stock Election, Rights
Election or Put Election, shall be referred to herein as an “Election”).
Each WPC Common Share for which an Election is not properly or timely made (each a
“Non-Electing WPC Share”) shall be converted into the right to receive the Stock
Consideration.
(c) Form of Election. All such Elections shall be made on a form furnished by NewCo
for that purpose (a “Form of Election”) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
each of WPC and Esmark. The Form of Election shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and
risk of loss and title to any certificates of WPC Common Shares (the “WPC Certificates”)
shall pass only upon proper delivery of the Form of Election and any WPC Certificates. As soon as
practicable after the Form S-4 is declared effective by the SEC, WPC shall mail or cause to be
mailed the Form of Election (along with the Proxy Statement) to all persons who are record holders
of WPC Common Shares as of the record date for the WPC Stockholders Meeting. The Form of Election
shall be used by each WPC Stockholder (or, in the case of nominee record holders, the beneficial
owner through proper instructions and documentation) who wishes to make an Election for any and all
WPC Common Shares held by such holder.
(d) Election Procedure. An Election shall have been properly made only if the
Exchange Agent shall have received at its designated office, by 5:00 p.m., Pittsburgh local
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time, on the date of the WPC Stockholders Meeting (the “Election Date”) (i) a Form of
Election properly completed and signed and accompanied by (x) Certificates representing the WPC
Common Shares to which such Form of Election relates, duly endorsed in blank or otherwise in form
acceptable for transfer on the books of WPC, (y) by an appropriate guarantee of delivery of such
WPC Certificates as set forth in such Form of Election from a firm that is an “eligible guarantor
institution” (as defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act), or (z) such other documentation
reasonably acceptable to the Exchange Agent to effect the Election; provided that such WPC
Certificates are in fact delivered to the Exchange Agent by the time set forth in such guarantee of
delivery) and (ii) any additional and customary documents required by the procedures set forth in
the Form of Election. After an Election is validly made with respect to any WPC Common Shares, no
further registration of transfers of such shares shall be made on the stock transfer books of WPC,
unless and until such Election is properly revoked.
(e) Revocation of Election. Any Election may be revoked with respect to all or a
portion of the WPC Common Shares subject thereto by the record holder who submitted the applicable
Form of Election by written notice received by the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., Pittsburgh
local time, on the Election Date. In addition, all Elections shall automatically be revoked if
this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Article VII. If an Election is revoked with
respect to WPC Common Shares represented by the WPC Certificates, the WPC Certificates representing
such shares shall be promptly returned to the holder that submitted the same to the Exchange Agent.
(f) Determinations. The determination of the Exchange Agent (or the joint
determination of WPC and Esmark, in the event that the Exchange Agent declines to make any such
determination) shall be conclusive and binding as to whether or not an Election has been properly
made or revoked pursuant to this Section 2.2 and as to when Elections were received by the Exchange
Agent. The Exchange Agent (or WPC and Esmark jointly, in the event that the Exchange Agent
declines to make the applicable computation) shall also make all computations as to the proration
contemplated by Sections 2.2(g) and 2.2(h), and absent manifest error this computation shall be
conclusive and binding.
(g) Put Election Cap. Notwithstanding the Elections made pursuant to Section 2.2(b),
the number of WPC Common Shares eligible to be converted into the right to receive the Put Election
shall not exceed 7,500,000 (the “Put Election Cap”). If the aggregate number of WPC Common
Shares with respect to which Put Elections have been properly made (each, a “Put Electing
Share”) would exceed the Put Election Cap, then the number of Put Electing Shares that each WPC
Stockholder who properly made a Put Election and entitled to receive the Put Consideration shall be
reduced so as to be equivalent to the product obtained by multiplying (x) the number of Put
Electing Shares of such WPC Stockholder by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the Put
Election Cap and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of all Put Electing Shares. The
remaining number of such WPC Stockholder’s Put Electing Shares no longer entitled to the Put
Election shall be converted into the right to receive the Stock Consideration.
(h) Purchase Rights Cap. Notwithstanding the Elections made pursuant to Section
2.2(b), in no event shall the aggregate number of shares for which a Rights Election has
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been made pursuant to this Agreement exceed 10,526,316 (the “Purchase Rights Cap”).
If the aggregate number of all Rights Elections (each, a “Rights Electing Share”) that have
been made exceeds the Purchase Rights Cap, then the number of Rights Electing Shares that each WPC
Stockholder who properly made a Rights Election is entitled to receive shall be reduced so as to be
equivalent to the product obtained by multiplying (x) the number of Rights Elections made by such
WPC Stockholder by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the Rights Election Cap and the
denominator of which is the aggregate number of all Rights Electing Shares. The remaining number
of such WPC Stockholder’s Rights Electing Shares no longer entitled to the Rights Election shall be
converted into the right to receive the Stock Consideration.
2.3 Esmark Stockholder Exchange. Certificates that immediately prior to the Effective
Time represented shares of Esmark Common Stock or Esmark Preferred Stock (the “Esmark
Certificates” and, together with the WPC Certificates, the “Certificates”) shall be
exchanged in accordance with Section 2.4.
2.4 Non-Electing WPC Stockholders and Esmark Stockholder Exchange Procedures.
(a) As soon as reasonably practicable after the Election Date, the Exchange Agent shall send a
letter of transmittal and instructions to effect the surrender of the Certificates to (x) each
record holder, as of the Effective Time, of Non-Electing WPC Shares (such holders,
“Non-Electing WPC Holders”) and (y) each record holder, as of the Effective Time, of shares
of Esmark Common Stock and/or Esmark Preferred Stock.
(b) Each holder of Certificates theretofore evidencing shares of WPC Common Stock, Esmark
Common Stock or Esmark Preferred Stock, upon proper surrender thereof to the Exchange Agent
together and in accordance with the applicable transmittal form (if such certificate was not
surrendered to the Exchange Agent before the Effective Time pursuant to Section 2.2(d)), shall be
entitled to receive in exchange therefor the Esmark Merger Consideration or the WPC Merger
Consideration deliverable in respect of the shares evidenced by the Certificates so surrendered.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Exchange Agent nor any party hereto shall be liable to a
holder of Certificates for any amount which may be required to be paid to a public official
pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.
(c) All shares of NewCo Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Combination shall be deemed
issued and outstanding as of the Effective Time. No dividends or other distributions with respect
to NewCo Common Stock with a record date after the Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of
any unsurrendered Certificate with respect to the shares of NewCo Common Stock that the holder
thereof has the right to receive upon the surrender thereof until the holder of such Certificate
shall surrender such Certificate in accordance with this Article II. Following surrender of any
Certificate in accordance with this Article II, there shall be paid to the record holder thereof,
without interest, (i) promptly following the time of such surrender, the amount of dividends or
other distributions, payable with respect to that number of whole shares of NewCo Common Stock
issuable in exchange for such Certificate pursuant to this Article II, with a record date after the
Effective Time and paid with respect to NewCo Common Stock prior to such surrender, and (ii) at the
appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends
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or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time but prior to such surrender
and a payment date subsequent to such surrender payable with respect to such whole shares of NewCo
Common Stock.
(d) All shares of NewCo Common Stock and/or cash issued upon the surrender for exchange of
Certificates in accordance with the terms of this Article II (including any dividends or other
distributions paid pursuant to Section 2.4(c)) shall be deemed to have been issued (and paid) in
full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the shares of WPC Common Stock, Esmark Common Stock
or Esmark Preferred Stock, previously represented by such Certificates, and at the Effective Time,
the stock transfer books of WPC and Esmark shall be closed and thereafter there shall be no further
registration of transfers on the stock transfer books of WPC or Esmark of their respective shares
that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. From and after the Effective Time,
the holders of Certificates that evidenced ownership of shares of WPC Common Stock, Esmark Common
Stock or Esmark Preferred Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to
have any rights with respect to such shares, except as otherwise provided for herein or by
applicable Law.
(e) If any Esmark Merger Consideration or WPC Merger Consideration is to be delivered to a
person other than the person in whose name the Certificates surrendered in exchange therefor are
registered, it shall be a condition to the issuance of such Esmark Merger Consideration or WPC
Merger Consideration that the Certificates so surrendered shall be properly endorsed or accompanied
by appropriate stock powers and otherwise in proper form for transfer, that such transfer otherwise
be proper and that the person requesting such transfer pay to the Exchange Agent any transfer or
other taxes payable by reason of the foregoing or establish to the satisfaction of the Exchange
Agent that such taxes have been paid or are not required to be paid.
(f) In the event any certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of
an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed,
NewCo will issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate the certificate
evidencing shares of NewCo Common Stock deliverable in respect thereof, as determined in accordance
with this Article II. When authorizing such issue of the certificate of shares of NewCo Common
Stock in exchange therefor, the Board of Directors of NewCo may, in its discretion and as a
condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed
certificate to give NewCo a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that
may be made against NewCo with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or
destroyed.
(g) Any portion of the Exchange Fund that remains undistributed to the holders of the
Certificates for one hundred eighty (180) days after the Effective Time shall be delivered to
NewCo, upon demand, and any holders of Certificates who have not theretofore complied with this
Article II shall thereafter look only to NewCo for payment of their claim for the Esmark Merger
Consideration or the WPC Merger Consideration and any dividends or other distributions with respect
to shares of NewCo Common Stock in accordance with this Article II. If any Certificate shall not
have been surrendered immediately prior to such date on which any Esmark Merger Consideration or
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distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.4(c)) would otherwise escheat to or become
property of any Governmental Authority, any such Merger Consideration (and all dividends or other
distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.4(c)) shall become, to the extent permitted by
applicable Law, the property of NewCo, free and clear of all claims or interest of any Person
previously entitled thereto.
(h) The Exchange Agent shall invest any cash included in the Exchange Fund, as directed by
NewCo. Any interest and other income resulting from such investments shall be the property of, and
shall be paid to, NewCo.
(i) Any WPC Stockholder that properly makes the Put Election and receives a Put Right which is
properly exercised during the Rights Option Period, will be paid in cash the Put Price per share as
soon as reasonably practicable but no sooner than ten (10) days after the last day of the Rights
Option Period.
2.5 Retirement of NewCo Common Stock Issued Prior to the Effective Time. NewCo shall
not issue any shares of NewCo Common Stock prior to the Effective Time other than shares issued to
any person or entity approved by both WPC and Esmark and on terms consistent with the following
sentence. Any shares of NewCo Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be re-acquired by NewCo, and cancelled and retired, immediately prior to or at
the Effective Time.
2.6 No Fractional Shares. Neither certificates nor scrip for fractional shares of
NewCo Common Stock will be issued in the Combination, but in lieu thereof each holder of WPC Common
Stock and each holder of Esmark Common Stock otherwise entitled to a fraction of a share of NewCo
Common Stock (after aggregating all fractional shares of NewCo Common Stock that would otherwise be
received by such holder) will be entitled hereunder to receive a cash payment, without interest,
determined by multiplying such fractional share by $20.00. No such fractional share interest shall
entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a stockholder of NewCo.
2.7 Withholding Taxes. NewCo and the Exchange Agent shall be entitled to deduct and
withhold from the consideration otherwise payable to a holder of shares of WPC Common Stock, Esmark
Common Stock or Esmark Preferred Stock pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as may be required
to be deducted and withheld with respect to the making of such payment under the Code, or under any
provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law. To the extent amounts are so withheld and paid over
to the appropriate taxing authority, NewCo and the Exchange Agent shall be treated as though they
withheld from the type of consideration from which withholding is required, an appropriate amount
otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of shares of WPC Common Stock, Esmark
Common Stock or Esmark Preferred Stock in order to provide for such withholding obligation and such
withheld amounts shall be treated for the purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the
former holder of the shares of WPC Common Stock, Esmark Common Stock or Esmark Preferred Stock. If
withholding is required with respect to any shares of XxxXx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, XxxXx and the Exchange
Agent shall be treated as having sold such consideration for an amount of cash equal
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to the fair market value of such consideration at the time of such deemed sale and paid such
cash proceeds to the appropriate taxing authority.
2.8 Stock Options; Restricted Stock.
(a) Before the Closing, the Board of Directors of WPC (or, if appropriate, any committee of
the Board of Directors of WPC administering the WPC Stock Plans) shall adopt such resolutions or
take such other actions as may be required to effect the following:
(i) adjust the terms of all outstanding options to purchase WPC Common Shares
(the “WPC Stock Options”) granted under the 2003 Management Stock Incentive
Plan (the “WPC Stock Incentive Plan”), whether vested or unvested, as
necessary to provide that, at the Effective Time, each WPC Stock Option outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be amended and converted into an
option to acquire, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under the WPC
Stock Options, the number of shares of NewCo Common Stock (rounded down to the
nearest whole share) determined by multiplying the number of WPC Common Shares
subject to such WPC Stock Option by the WPC Exchange Ratio, at a price per share of
NewCo Common Stock equal to (A) the aggregate exercise price for the WPC Common
Shares otherwise purchasable pursuant to such WPC Stock Option divided by (B) the
aggregate number of shares of NewCo Common Stock deemed purchasable pursuant to such
WPC Stock Option (each, as so adjusted, a “WPC Adjusted Option”), provided
that such exercise price shall be rounded up to the nearest whole cent;
(ii) adjust the terms of all outstanding restricted stock unit awards (the
“WPC Stock Unit Awards”) granted under the WPC Stock Incentive Plan as
necessary to provide that, at the Effective Time, each WPC Stock Unit Award
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into an
award, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under the WPC Stock Unit
Award, of restricted stock units for shares of NewCo Common Stock (rounded down to
the nearest whole share) determined by multiplying the number of WPC Common Shares
subject to such WPC Stock Unit Award by the WPC Exchange Ratio (each, as so
adjusted, an “Adjusted WPC Stock Unit Award”); provided, that the Board of
Directors of NewCo, or any applicable committee of such Board, shall, if and to the
extent it deems necessary or appropriate, adjust the levels of any performance
criteria or goals applicable to vesting or such other terms of the Adjusted WPC
Stock Unit Award, in its discretion, to reflect the impact of the transactions
contemplated hereby, if any; and
(iii) make such other changes to the WPC Stock Plans as WPC and Esmark may
mutually agree are appropriate to give effect to the Combination, subject to the
applicable provisions of the relevant plan.
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(b) Before the Closing, the Board of Directors of Esmark shall adopt such
resolutions or take such other actions as may be required to effect the following:
(i) adjust the terms of any outstanding rights to receive the Earn-Out Shares
and warrants to purchase shares of Esmark (each an “Esmark Derivative”),
whether vested or unvested, as necessary to provide that, at the Effective Time,
each Esmark Derivative outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be
amended and converted into a right to acquire, on the same terms and conditions as
were applicable under such Esmark Derivative, the number of shares of NewCo Common
Stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share) determined by multiplying the number
of shares subject to such Esmark Derivative by the Esmark Exchange Amount, at a
price per share of NewCo Common Stock equal to (A) the aggregate exercise price for
the Esmark Common Shares otherwise purchasable pursuant to such Esmark Derivative
divided by (B) the aggregate number of shares of NewCo Common Stock deemed
purchasable pursuant to such Esmark Derivative (each, as so adjusted, an “Esmark
Adjusted Derivative”), provided that such exercise price shall be rounded to the
nearest whole cent; and
(ii) make such other changes to the Esmark Derivative(s) as WPC and Esmark may
mutually agree are appropriate to give effect to the Combination.
(c) The adjustments provided herein with respect to any WPC Stock Options or Esmark
Derivatives that are “incentive stock options” as defined in Section 422 of the Code shall be and
are intended to be effected in a manner which is consistent with Section 424(a) of the Code.
(d) At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Combination and without the need of any further
corporate action, NewCo shall assume each WPC Stock Option, WPC Stock Unit Award, and Esmark
Derivative (collectively, the “Derivative Securities”) in accordance with the terms under
which it was issued and any applicable agreement by which it is evidenced. At or prior to the
Effective Time, NewCo shall take all corporate action necessary to reserve for issuance a
sufficient number of shares of NewCo Common Stock for delivery upon exercise of the Derivative
Securities assumed by it in accordance with this Section 2.8. As soon as practicable after the
Effective Time, NewCo shall file a registration statement on Form S-3 or Form S-8, as the case may
be (or any successor or other appropriate forms), or another appropriate form with respect to the
shares of NewCo Common Stock subject to such Derivative Securities, and shall use its commercially
reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement (and maintain the
current status of the prospectus or prospectuses contained therein) for so long as such Derivative
Securities remain outstanding.
(e) As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, NewCo shall deliver to each holder of
Derivative Securities appropriate notices setting forth such holder’s rights pursuant thereto and
such Derivative Security shall continue in effect on the same terms and
conditions, after giving effect to the Combination and subject to the adjustments required by
this Section 2.8.
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(f) Except as otherwise contemplated by this Section 2.8 and except to the extent
required under the respective terms of the Derivative Securities, all restrictions or limitations
on transfer and vesting with respect to the Derivative Securities awarded under the Stock Plans or
any other plan, program or arrangement of WPC or Esmark or any of their respective Subsidiaries, to
the extent that such restrictions or limitations shall not have already lapsed, shall remain in
full force and effect with respect to such Derivative Securities after giving effect to the
Combination and the assumption by NewCo as set forth above.
2.9 Adjustments.
(a) To the WPC Merger Consideration. Notwithstanding any provision of this Article II
to the contrary (but without in any way limiting the covenants in Section 5.2(a)), if between the
date of this Agreement and the Effective Time the outstanding shares of WPC Common Stock shall have
been changed into a different number of shares or a different class by reason of the occurrence or
record date of any stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split,
combination, exchange of shares or similar transaction, the WPC Exchange Ratio, the ratio of shares
issuable per share of WPC Common Stock under Section 2.1(e)(ii)(A), the Subscription Price, the per
share cash consideration for the Put Consideration, the Put Election Cap and the Purchase Rights
Cap shall each be appropriately adjusted to reflect such stock dividend, subdivision,
reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, exchange of shares or similar transaction.
(b) To the Esmark Exchange Amount. Notwithstanding any provision of this Article II
to the contrary (but without in any way limiting the covenants in Section 5.2(b)), if between the
date of this Agreement and the Effective Time the outstanding shares of Esmark Common Stock or
Esmark Preferred Stock shall have been changed into a different number of shares or a different
class by reason of the occurrence or record date of any stock dividend, subdivision,
reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, exchange of shares or similar transaction,
the Esmark Exchange Amount shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect such stock dividend,
subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, exchange of shares or similar
transaction.
2.10 Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding Section 2.1(c), shares of Esmark Common Stock
or Esmark Preferred Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and held by a holder
who has not voted in favor of the Esmark Merger or consented thereto in writing and who has
demanded appraisal for such shares in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL shall not be
converted into a right to receive the Esmark Merger Consideration, unless such holder fails to
perfect, withdraws or otherwise loses its right to appraisal. If, after the Effective Time, such
holder fails to perfect, withdraws or loses its right to appraisal, such shares of Esmark Common
Stock or Esmark Preferred Stock shall be treated as if they had been converted as of the Effective
Time into a right to receive the Esmark Merger Consideration. In connection with the Esmark
Merger, if the approval of the stockholders of Esmark entitled to notice and to vote thereon is
obtained under Section 228 of the DGCL, such written consent shall be obtained not less than
twenty-five (25) days prior to the Effective Time and the notice required under Section 262(d)(2)
shall be mailed to stockholders of Esmark then-entitled to appraisal rights not more than two (2)
days after obtaining such consent.
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ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF WPC
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF WPC
WPC hereby represents and warrants to Esmark, Esmark Merger Sub, WPC Merger Sub and NewCo,
that except as set forth in the disclosure schedule delivered by WPC to Esmark simultaneously with
the execution of this Agreement (the “WPC Disclosure Schedule”) (with specific reference to
the Section or subsection of this Agreement to which the information stated in such disclosure
relates; provided, that disclosure of any fact or item in any section or subsection of the WPC
Disclosure Schedule shall, should the existence of such fact or item be relevant to any other
section or subsection, be deemed to be disclosed with respect to that other section or subsection
so long as the relevance of such disclosure to such other section or subsection is reasonably
apparent from the nature of such disclosure); and provided, further, that with respect to any
representations and warranties made as to the Joint Ventures (other than Mountain State Carbon,
LLC), such representations and warranties shall be deemed qualified by Knowledge:
3.1 Organization, Standing and Power.
(a) Each of WPC and its Subsidiaries and each Joint Venture is a corporation, limited
liability company or other legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the Laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated and has all requisite corporate or other
power and authority necessary to own or lease all of its properties and assets and to carry on its
business as it is now being conducted and as currently proposed by its management to be conducted
except where its failure, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to
have a WPC Material Adverse Effect. Each of WPC and its Subsidiaries and each Joint Venture is duly
licensed or qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the
nature of the business conducted by it or the character or location of the properties and assets
owned or leased by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except where the failure to
be so licensed, qualified or in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and
would not reasonably be expected to have a WPC Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this
Agreement, “Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to any party, any material adverse
effect on, or change, event, occurrence or state of facts materially adverse to, (i) the business,
properties, assets, liabilities (contingent or otherwise), results of operation or condition
(financial or otherwise) of such party and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, other than (A) any
effect, change, event, occurrence or state of facts relating to the economy in general, (B) any
effect, change, event, occurrence or state of facts relating to the steel industry specifically
and, in each case under clauses (A) and (B), not specifically relating to (or disproportionately
affecting) such party, (C) changes in GAAP (or any interpretations thereof by a Governmental
Authority or quasi-Governmental Authority, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board), or
(D) compliance with the terms of, or the taking of any action required by, this Agreement (provided
that the exclusion set forth in this clause (D) shall not apply to Sections 3.3(c), 3.4, 4.3(c) and
4.4), or (ii) such party’s ability to, in a timely manner, perform its obligations under this
Agreement or consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. For purposes of this Agreement, a “WPC Material Adverse Effect”
shall mean a Material Adverse Effect with respect to WPC, other than (X) any increase or decrease
in trading price or trading volume of the WPC Common Stock or (Y) any Material Adverse Effect
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of WPC directly attributable to an officer and/or director of WPC who is also an officer
or director of Esmark or its Affiliates.
(b) Section 3.1(b) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule lists each Subsidiary of WPC and each Joint
Venture, together with the jurisdiction of organization of each such Subsidiary and Joint Venture.
All the outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity interests in, each Subsidiary of
WPC and in each Joint Venture have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
nonassessable. All shares of capital stock of, or other equity interests in, each Joint Venture,
which are beneficially owned by WPC, are owned directly by Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation
(“WPSC”). Except as set forth in Section 3.1(b) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule, all such
outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity interests in, each Subsidiary of WPC, and
all shares of capital stock of, or other equity interests in, each Joint Venture which are held
directly by WPSC, are owned directly or indirectly by WPC free and clear of all liens, pledges,
charges, mortgages, encumbrances, adverse rights or claims and security interests of any kind or
nature whatsoever (including any restriction on the right to vote or transfer the same, except for
such transfer restrictions of general applicability as may be provided under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Securities
Act”), and the “blue sky” laws of the various States of the United States) (collectively,
“Liens”). Except as set forth in Section 3.1(b) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule, (i) neither
WPC nor any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Joint Ventures owns, directly or indirectly, any
capital stock, voting securities or equity interests in any Person and (ii) to the extent WPC, any
of its Subsidiaries or a Joint Venture owns, directly or indirectly, any capital stock, voting
securities or equity interests in any Person, all such capital stock, voting securities and equity
interests are owned beneficially and of record by WPC or such Subsidiary or Joint Venture, free and
clear of all Liens.
(c) WPC has delivered to Esmark correct and complete copies of its certificate of
incorporation and by-laws (the “WPC Charter Documents”) and correct and complete copies of
the certificates of incorporation and by-laws (or comparable organizational documents) of each of
its Subsidiaries (the “WPC Subsidiary Documents”) and of each Joint Venture (the “Joint
Venture Documents”), in each case as amended to the date of this Agreement. All such WPC
Charter Documents, WPC Subsidiary Documents and Joint Venture Documents are in full force and
effect and neither WPC, nor any of its Subsidiaries, or any Joint Venture, is in violation of any
of their respective provisions.
3.2 Capitalization.
(a) The authorized capital stock of WPC consists of 80,000,000 shares of common stock, par
value $0.01 per share (the “WPC Common Stock”) and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock,
par value $0.001 per share (“WPC Preferred Stock”). At the close of business on
February 28, 2007, (i) 15,287,293 shares of WPC Common Stock were issued and outstanding
(excluding WPC Common Shares held by WPC in its treasury), (ii) 6,666 shares of WPC Common Stock
were held by WPC in its treasury, (iii) 940,566 shares of WPC Common Stock were reserved for
issuance under WPC Stock Plans (of which 19,221 shares of WPC Common Stock were subject to
outstanding WPC Stock Options granted under the WPC Stock Incentive Plan and 318,310 shares of WPC
Common Stock were subject to outstanding WPC Stock Unit
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Awards), (iv) 16,469 shares of WPC Common Stock (each, a “Creditor Reserved
Share”) were reserved for distribution to creditors pending resolution of certain disputed
claims, and (v) no shares of WPC Preferred Stock were issued or outstanding or held in WPC’s
treasury.
All outstanding WPC Common Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully
paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights enforceable against WPC. Included in Section
3.2(a) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule is a correct and complete list, as of the date hereof, of all
outstanding options or other rights to purchase or receive WPC Common Shares granted under the WPC
Stock Incentive Plan or otherwise, and, for each such option or other right, the number of WPC
Common Shares subject thereto, the terms of vesting, the grant and expiration dates and exercise
price thereof and the name of the holder thereof. Except as set forth on Section 3.2(a) of the WPC
Disclosure Schedule, since December 31, 2006, WPC has not issued any shares of its capital stock,
voting securities or equity interests, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or
exercisable for any shares of its capital stock, voting securities or equity interests, other than
pursuant to the outstanding options or other rights referred to above in this Section 3.2(a).
Except (A) as set forth above in this Section 3.2(a), or (B) as otherwise expressly permitted by
Section 5.2, as of the date of this Agreement, there are not, and as of the Effective Time there
will not be, any shares of capital stock, voting securities or equity interests of WPC issued and
outstanding or any subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, convertible or exchangeable securities,
rights, commitments or agreements of any character providing for the issuance of any shares of
capital stock, voting securities or equity interests of WPC, including any representing the right
to purchase or otherwise receive any WPC Common Stock.
(b) Except as described in the preceding subsection (a) and Section 3.2(b) of the WPC
Disclosure Schedule, neither WPC nor any of its Subsidiaries has issued or is bound by any
outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, convertible or exchangeable securities,
rights, commitments or agreements of any character providing for the issuance or disposition of any
shares of capital stock, voting securities or equity interests of any Subsidiary of WPC. There are
no outstanding obligations of WPC or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire any shares of capital stock, voting securities or equity interests (or any options,
warrants or other rights to acquire any shares of capital stock, voting securities or equity
interests) of WPC or any of its Subsidiaries.
3.3 Authority; Noncontravention; Voting Requirements.
(a) WPC has all necessary corporate or other power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement and, subject to obtaining the WPC Stockholder Approval, to perform its obligations
hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and
performance by WPC of this Agreement, and the consummation by WPC of the transactions contemplated
hereby, have been duly authorized and approved by its Boards of Directors, and except for obtaining
the WPC Stockholder Approval for the adoption of this Agreement, no other corporate or other action
on the part of WPC is necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by WPC of this
Agreement and the consummation by WPC of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has
been duly executed and delivered by WPC and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery
hereof by WPC and
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the other parties hereto, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of WPC,
enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except that such enforceability (i) may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other
similar laws of general application affecting or relating to the enforcement of creditors’ rights
generally and (ii) is subject to general principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding
at law or in equity (the “Bankruptcy and Equity Exception”).
(b) (i) The Special Committee, at a meeting duly called and held, has (A) unanimously
determined that the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, including the Combination, are in
the best interests of WPC and the stockholders of WPC and (B) recommended that the full Board of
Directors approve the transactions contemplated hereby; and (ii) WPC’s Board of Directors (with
and without the members of the Board that are employees of WPC recusing themselves), at a
meeting duly called and held, has (A) approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, including the Combination, (B) resolved to recommend, subject to
Section 5.3, that stockholders of WPC adopt this Agreement, and (C) determined that this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Combination, are in the best interests of
WPC and the stockholders of WPC.
(c) Except as set forth in Section 3.3(c) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule, none of the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by WPC, the consummation by WPC of the transactions
contemplated hereby or the compliance by WPC with any of the terms or provisions hereof, will (i)
conflict with or violate any provision of the WPC Charter Documents, the WPC Subsidiary Documents
or the Joint Venture Documents, (ii) result in the loss of any benefit under, constitute a default
(or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, result
in the termination or a right of termination or cancellation under, accelerate the performance
required by, or trigger any put or call rights, rights of first refusal or any consent rights
under, the Joint Venture Documents or (iii) assuming that the authorizations, consents and
approvals referred to in Section 3.4 and the WPC Stockholder Approval are obtained and the filings
referred to in Section 3.4 are made, (x) violate any Law, judgment, writ or injunction of any
Governmental Authority applicable to WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture or any of
their respective properties or assets, (y) violate, conflict with, result in the loss of any
benefit under, constitute a default (or an event which, with
notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) under, result in the termination
of or a right of termination or cancellation under, accelerate the performance required by, or
result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the respective properties or assets of, WPC, any of
its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of (i) any
loan or credit agreement, debenture, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license,
lease, contract or other agreement, instrument or obligation (each, a “Contract”), other
than any of the Joint Venture Documents, or (ii) any Permit, to which WPC, any of its Subsidiaries
or any Joint Venture is a party, or by which any of them or any of their respective properties or
assets may be bound or affected, except, in the case of clause (y), for such violations, conflicts,
losses, defaults, terminations, cancellations, accelerations or Liens as, individually or in the
aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a WPC Material Adverse Effect.
(d) The affirmative vote (in person or by proxy) of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding WPC Common Shares at the WPC Stockholders Meeting or any adjournment or
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postponement thereof in favor of the adoption of this Agreement (the “WPC Stockholder
Approval”) is the only vote or approval of the holders of any class or series of capital stock
of WPC or any of its Subsidiaries which is necessary to adopt this Agreement and approve the
transactions contemplated hereby.
3.4 Governmental Approvals. Except for (i) the filing by WPC with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) of a proxy statement relating to the WPC Stockholders
Meeting (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Proxy Statement”) and other
filings required under, and compliance with other applicable requirements of, the Securities Act,
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules of The New York Stock Exchange or The Nasdaq
Stock Market, (ii) the filing of the Certificates of Merger with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware pursuant to the DGCL, (iii) filings required under, and compliance with other
applicable requirements of, the HSR Act, no consents or approvals of, or filings, declarations or
registrations with, any Governmental Authority are necessary for the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement by WPC and the consummation by WPC of the transactions contemplated
hereby, other than such other consents, approvals, filings, declarations or registrations that, if
not obtained, made or given, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to
impair in any material respect the ability of WPC to perform its obligations hereunder, or prevent
or materially impede, interfere with, hinder or delay the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
3.5 WPC SEC Documents; Undisclosed Liabilities.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 3.5(a) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule, WPC has filed and
furnished all required reports, schedules, forms, prospectuses, and registration, proxy and other
statements with the SEC since August 1, 2003 (collectively and together with all documents filed on
a voluntary basis on Form 8-K, and in each case including all exhibits and schedules thereto and
documents incorporated by reference therein, the “WPC SEC Documents”). None of WPC’s Subsidiaries is required to file periodic reports with
the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act. As of their respective effective dates (in the case of WPC
SEC Documents that are registration statements filed pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Act) and as of their respective SEC filing dates (in the case of all other WPC SEC Documents), all
of the WPC SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange
Act, the Securities Act and the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, as the case may be, applicable to such
WPC SEC Documents, and none of the WPC SEC Documents as of such respective dates contained any
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. Except to the extent that information contained in any WPC
SEC Document has been revised or superseded by a later-filed WPC SEC Document, none of the WPC SEC
Documents contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
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(b) The consolidated financial statements of WPC included in the WPC SEC Documents comply
as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules
and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP
(except, in the case of unaudited quarterly statements, as indicated in the notes thereto) applied
on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto
or, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q) and fairly present in all
material respects the consolidated financial position of WPC and its consolidated Subsidiaries as
of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the
periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited quarterly statements, to normal year-end
audit adjustments, none of which has been or will be, individually or in the aggregate, material to
WPC and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole).
(c) WPC and, to the Knowledge of WPC, each of its executive officers and directors are in
compliance with, and have complied, in all material respects with (i) the applicable provisions of
the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 and the related rules and regulations promulgated under such act or
the Exchange Act and (ii) the applicable listing and corporate governance rules and regulations of
The Nasdaq Stock Market. WPC has previously disclosed to Esmark all of the information required to
be disclosed by WPC’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer to the Board of Directors
of WPC or its audit committee pursuant to the certification requirements relating to Annual Reports
on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
(d) WPC has established and maintains internal controls over financial reporting and
disclosure controls and procedures (as such terms are defined in Rule 13a-15 and Rule 15d-15 under
the Exchange Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material
information relating to WPC, including its consolidated Subsidiaries, required to be disclosed by
WPC in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is
accumulated and communicated to WPC’s principal executive officer and its principal financial
officer to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure; and such disclosure controls and
procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by WPC in the reports
that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported
within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. WPC’s principal executive officer and its
principal financial officer have disclosed, based on their most recent evaluation, to WPC’s
auditors and the audit committee of the Board of Directors of WPC (x) all significant deficiencies
in the design or operation of internal controls which are reasonably likely to adversely affect in
any material respect WPC’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have
identified for WPC’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls and (y) any fraud,
whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in
WPC’s internal controls. The principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of WPC
have made all certifications required by the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, the Exchange Act and any
related rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC with respect to the WPC SEC Documents, and the
statements contained in such certifications are complete and correct.
(e) Except as set forth in Section 3.5(e) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule, WPC is in compliance
in all material respects with the provisions of Section 13(b) of the
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Xxxxxxxx Xxx. Except as set forth in the WPC SEC Documents filed by WPC and publicly
available prior to the date of this Agreement (the “Filed WPC SEC Documents”) or for events
(or series of related matters) as to which the amounts involved do not exceed $120,000 and which
are not or will not be included in WPC’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2006, since the filing of such annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, no
event has occurred that would be required to be reported pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K
promulgated by the SEC.
(f) None of WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture has any liabilities or
obligations of any nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, whether known or
unknown) required to be reflected or reserved against on a consolidated balance sheet of WPC
prepared in accordance with GAAP or the notes thereto or, in the case of any Joint Venture whose
financial results are equity accounted by WPC, on a consolidated balance sheet of such Joint
Venture prepared in accordance with GAAP or the notes thereto, except liabilities (i) as and to the
extent reflected or reserved against on the audited balance sheet of WPC and its Subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2006 (the “Balance Sheet Date”) (including the notes thereto) included in the
Filed WPC SEC Documents or (ii) incurred after the Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and
would not reasonably be expected to have a WPC Material Adverse Effect.
(g) Except as and to the extent set forth in Section 3.5(g) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule,
none of WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture is a party to, or
has any commitment to become a party to, any joint venture, off-balance sheet partnership or
any similar Contract (including any Contract or arrangement relating to any transaction or
relationship between or among WPC and any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any
unconsolidated Affiliate, including any structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose
entity or Person, on the other hand, or any “off-balance sheet arrangements” (as defined in Item
303(a) of Regulation S-K of the SEC)), where the result, purpose or effect of such Contract is to
avoid disclosure of any material transaction involving, or material liabilities of, WPC or any of
its Subsidiaries in WPC’s or such Subsidiary’s published financial statements or any WPC SEC
Documents.
3.6 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since the Balance Sheet Date there have not
been any events, changes, occurrences or state of facts that, individually or in the aggregate,
have had or would reasonably be expected to have a WPC Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed
in the Filed WPC SEC Documents, since the Balance Sheet Date (a) WPC, its Subsidiaries and the
Joint Ventures have carried on and operated their respective businesses in all material respects in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (b) none of WPC, any of its
Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture has taken any action described in Section 5.2(a) hereof that, if
taken after the date hereof and prior to the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of
Esmark, would violate such provision. Without limiting the foregoing, except as disclosed in the
Filed WPC SEC Documents, since the Balance Sheet Date there has not occurred any damage,
destruction or loss (whether or not covered by insurance) of any material asset of WPC or any of
its Subsidiaries which materially affects the use thereof.
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3.7 Legal Proceedings. Except as set forth in Section 3.7 of the WPC Disclosure
Schedule, there is no pending or, to the Knowledge of WPC, threatened, legal, administrative,
arbitral or other proceeding, claim, suit or action against, or governmental or regulatory
investigation of, WPC, any of its Subsidiaries, any Joint Venture or, to the Knowledge of WPC, any
of their respective officers, directors, stockholders or members (in each case, in their capacity
as such) that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a
WPC Material Adverse Effect, and there is no injunction, order, judgment, ruling or decree imposed
(or, to the Knowledge of WPC, threatened to be imposed) upon WPC, any of its Subsidiaries, any
Joint Venture or, to the Knowledge of WPC, any of their respective officers, directors,
stockholders or members (in each case, in their capacity as such) or the assets of WPC, any of its
Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture, by or before any Governmental Authority that, individually or in
the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a WPC Material Adverse Effect.
3.8 Compliance with Laws; Permits.
(a) WPC and its Subsidiaries and the Joint Ventures are in compliance in all material respects
with all laws (including common law), statutes, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, decrees and
orders of Governmental Authorities (collectively, “Laws”) applicable to WPC or any of its
Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture, any of their properties or other assets or any
of their businesses or operations. WPC and each of its Subsidiaries and each Joint Venture
hold all licenses, franchises, permits, certificates, approvals and authorizations from
Governmental Authorities, or required by Governmental Authorities to be obtained, in each case
necessary for the lawful conduct of their respective businesses (collectively, “Permits”),
except where the failure to hold such a Permit would not have a WPC Material Adverse Effect. Except
as set forth in Section 3.8(a) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule, WPC, its Subsidiaries and the Joint
Ventures are in compliance in all material respects with the terms of all Permits. Except as set
forth in Section 3.8(a) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule, since December 31, 2004, none of WPC, any
of its Subsidiaries, or any Joint Venture has received written notice to the effect that a
Governmental Authority (a) claimed or alleged that WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint
Venture was not in compliance with all Laws applicable to WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint
Venture, any of their properties or other assets or any of their businesses or operations or (b)
was considering the amendment, termination, revocation or cancellation of any Permit.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 3.8(b) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule or as would not have,
individually or in the aggregate, a WPC Material Adverse Effect, none of WPC, any of its
Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture, or, to the Knowledge of WPC, any of their respective directors,
officers, agents, employees or representatives (in each case acting in their capacities as such)
has any reasonable basis for believing that, in the past five (5) years, any of the foregoing
Persons has (i) used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful
expenses relating to political activity, (ii) directly or indirectly paid or delivered any fee,
commission or other sum of money or item of property, however characterized, to any finder, agent
or other party acting on behalf of or under the auspices of a governmental official or Governmental
Authority, in the United States or any other country, that was illegal under any applicable law,
(iii) made any payment to any customer or supplier, or to any officer, director, partner, employee
or agent of any such customer or supplier, for the unlawful sharing of fees to
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any such customer or supplier or any such officer, director, partner, employee or agent
for the unlawful rebating of charges, (iv) engaged in any other unlawful reciprocal practice, or
made any other unlawful payment or given any other unlawful consideration to any such customer or
supplier or any such officer, director, partner, employee or agent, (v) taken any action or made
any omission in violation of any applicable law governing imports into or exports from the United
States or any foreign country, or relating to economic sanctions or embargoes, corrupt practices,
money laundering, or compliance with unsanctioned foreign boycotts, including without limitation,
the Arms Export Control Act, the Trading with the Enemy Act, the International Emergency Economic
Powers Act, the Export Administration Act, the 1930 Tariff Act and other U.S. customs laws, the
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the Export Administration Regulations, the International Traffic in
Arms Regulations, the Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulations, the U.S. Customs Regulations,
or any regulation, ruling, rule, order, decision, writ, judgment, injunction, or decree of any
Governmental Authority issued pursuant thereto.
3.9 Information Supplied. Subject to the accuracy of the representations and
warranties of Esmark set forth in Section 4.9, none of the information supplied (or to be
supplied) in writing by or on behalf of WPC specifically for inclusion or incorporation by
reference in (a) the registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the SEC by NewCo in
connection with the issuance of shares of NewCo Common Stock in the Combination (as amended or
supplemented from time to time, the “Form S-4”) will, at the time the Form S-4, or any
amendments or supplements thereto, are filed with the SEC or at the time it becomes effective under
the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, and (b) the Proxy Statement
will, on the date it is first mailed to stockholders of WPC, and at the time of the WPC
Stockholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light
of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, WPC
makes no representation or warranty with respect to any information supplied by or on behalf of
Esmark, Esmark Merger Sub, WPC Merger Sub or NewCo for inclusion or incorporation by reference in
any of the foregoing documents.
3.10 Tax Matters.
(a) WPC, each of its Subsidiaries and each Joint Venture has timely filed, or has caused to be
timely filed on its behalf (taking into account any extension of time within which to file), all
material Tax Returns required to be filed by it, and all such filed Tax Returns are correct and
complete in all material respects. All Taxes shown to be due on such Tax Returns, and all material
Taxes otherwise required to be paid by WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture, have been
timely paid.
(b) The unpaid Taxes of WPC, its Subsidiaries and the Joint Ventures (i) did not, as of the
most recent fiscal month end, exceed the reserve for Tax liability (rather than any reserve for
deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) set forth on
the face of the most recent balance sheet (rather than any notes thereto) and (ii) will not exceed
that reserve as adjusted for operations and transactions through the Closing
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Date in accordance with the past custom and practice of WPC, its Subsidiaries and the
Joint Ventures in filing their Tax Returns.
(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.10(c) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule, neither WPC nor
any of its Subsidiaries nor any Joint Venture has any obligation under any agreement (either with
any person or any taxing authority) with respect to Taxes.
(d) Neither WPC nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any Joint Venture has constituted either a
“distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section
355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution of stock qualifying for tax-free treatment under
Section 355 of the Code since the effective date of Section 355(e) of the Code.
(e) Neither WPC nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any Joint Venture has (i) been a member of an
affiliated group of corporations within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code filing a
consolidated federal income Tax Return, other than the affiliated group of which WPC is the common
parent or (ii) any liability for the Taxes of any Person (other than WPC, any of its Subsidiaries
or any Joint Venture).
(f) To the Knowledge of WPC, no audit or other administrative or court proceedings are pending
with any taxing authority with respect to any income or other material Taxes of WPC, any of its
Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture, and no written notice thereof has been received by WPC, any of
its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture and, none is threatened. No issue has been raised by any
taxing authority in any presently ongoing Tax audit that could be material and adverse to WPC, any
of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture for any period after the Effective Time. Neither WPC nor
any of its Subsidiaries nor any Joint Venture has any outstanding agreements, waivers or
arrangements extending the statutory period of limitations applicable to any claim for, or the
period for the collection or assessment of, any income or other material Taxes.
(g) To the Knowledge of WPC, it has not received any written claim from any Governmental
Authority in a jurisdiction where WPC or any of its Subsidiaries does not file Tax Returns that
WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture is or may be subject to taxation in that
jurisdiction that could give rise to material Taxes.
(h) WPC has made available to Esmark correct and complete copies of (i) all income and
franchise Tax Returns of WPC, its Subsidiaries and the Joint Ventures for the preceding three (3)
taxable years and (ii) any audit report issued within the last three (3) years (or otherwise with
respect to any audit or proceeding in progress) relating to income or franchise Taxes of WPC, any
of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture.
(i) No Liens for Taxes exist with respect to any properties or other assets of WPC, any of its
Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture, except for Permitted Liens.
(j) All material Taxes required to be withheld by WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint
Venture have been withheld and have been or will be duly and timely paid to the proper taxing
authority.
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(k) WPC is not, has not been and will not be a “United States real property holding
corporation” within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code at any time during the five-year period
ending at the Effective Time.
(l) Neither WPC nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any Joint Venture has taken any action, has
failed to take any action or has any Knowledge of any fact or circumstance that would prevent the
Combination from qualifying either (i) as a reorganization under Section 368 of the Code, or (ii)
as an integrated series of transfers under Section 351 of the Code.
(m) Neither WPC, nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any Joint Venture is a party to any
agreement, contract, arrangement, or plan that has resulted or would result, separately or in the
aggregate, in the payment of any “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of
the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax law).
(n) Neither WPC, nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any Joint Venture will be required to include
any item of income in, or exclude any item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period
(or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any:
(i) change in method of accounting for a taxable period ending on or prior to
the Closing Date;
(ii) “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any
corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax law) executed on
or prior to the Closing Date;
(iii) intercompany transactions or any excess loss account described in
Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar
provision of state, local or foreign Tax law);
(iv) installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the
Closing Date; or
(v) prepaid amount received on or prior to the Closing Date.
(o) For purposes of this Agreement, (i) “Taxes” shall mean taxes of any kind
(including those measured by or referred to as income, franchise, gross receipts, sales, use, ad
valorem, profits, license, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation,
premium, value added, property, windfall profits, customs, duties or similar fees, assessments or
charges of any kind whatsoever) together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax or
additional amounts imposed by any taxing authority with respect thereto, domestic or foreign and
shall include any transferee successor liability in respect of taxes (whether by Contract or
otherwise) and any several liability in respect of any tax as a result of being a member of any
affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary or similar group and (ii) “Tax Returns” shall
mean any return, report, claim for refund, estimate, information return or statement or other
similar document relating to or required to be filed with any taxing authority
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with respect to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any
amendment thereof.
3.11 Employee Benefits and Labor Matters.
(a) Section 3.11(a) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule sets forth a correct and complete list of:
(i) all “employee benefit plans” (as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”)) and (ii) all written employment or other
compensation agreements, which provide annual salaries or wages exceeding $150,000 or provide for
severance benefits exceeding 25% of base salary or wages or a term exceeding three (3) months, or
bonus or other incentive compensation, stock purchase, equity or equity-based compensation,
deferred compensation, change in control, severance, pension benefit, welfare benefit, sick leave,
vacation, salary continuation, health, life insurance and educational assistance plans, policies,
agreements or arrangements with respect to which WPC or any of its Subsidiaries has any obligation
or liability, contingent or otherwise, for current or former employees, individual consultants or
directors of WPC or any of its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “WPC Plans”). Section
3.11(a) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule separately sets forth each WPC Plan which is subject to
Title IV of ERISA or is a “multiemployer plan”, as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA (a
“Multiemployer Plan”), or is or has been subject to Sections 4063 or 4064 of ERISA.
(b) Correct and complete copies of the following documents with respect to each of the WPC
Plans (other than a Multiemployer Plan) have been delivered or made available to Esmark by WPC to
the extent applicable: (i) any plans and related trust documents, insurance Contracts or other
funding arrangements, and all amendments thereto; (ii) the most recent Forms 5500 and all schedules
thereto, (iii) the most recent actuarial report, if any; (iv) the most recent IRS determination
letter; (v) the most recent summary plan descriptions; and (vi) written summaries of all
non-written WPC Plans.
(c) WPC Plans have been maintained, in all material respects, in accordance with their terms
and with all applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Laws. To the extent any
representation in this Section 3.11 applies to a Multiemployer Plan, such representation is only
made to the extent of the Knowledge of WPC or its Subsidiaries.
(d) WPC Plans intended to qualify under Section 401 or other tax-favored treatment under of
Subchapter B of Chapter 1 of Subtitle A of the Code are so qualified, and any trusts intended to be
exempt from federal income taxation under the Code are so exempt. Nothing has occurred with respect
to the operation of WPC Plans that could cause the loss of such qualification or exemption, or the
imposition of any material liability, penalty or tax under ERISA or the Code.
(e) All contributions required to have been made by WPC or any of its Subsidiaries (without
regard to any waivers granted under Section 412 of the Code), have been timely made, and no
accumulated funding deficiencies exist in any of the WPC Plans subject to Title IV of ERISA or
Section 412 of the Code.
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(f) There are no pending material actions, claims or lawsuits arising from or relating to
the WPC Plans (other than routine benefit claims), nor does WPC have any Knowledge of facts that
could form the basis for any such claim or lawsuit.
(g) Except as set forth in Section 3.11(g) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule, neither the
execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby will (i) result in any payment becoming due to any employee, (ii) increase any benefits
otherwise payable under any WPC Plan, (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or
vesting of any such benefits under any such plan, or (iv) require any contributions or payments to
fund any obligations under any WPC Plan.
(h) Any individual who performs services for WPC or any of its Subsidiaries (other than
through a Contract with an organization other than such individual) and who is not treated as an
employee of WPC or any of its Subsidiaries for U.S. federal income tax purposes by WPC is not an
employee for such purposes.
(i) WPC has previously provided to Esmark a list of each material collective bargaining or
other labor union Contract applicable to Persons employed by WPC or any of its Subsidiaries to
which WPC or any of its Subsidiaries is a party (each a “WPC Collective Bargaining
Agreement”). As of the date of this Agreement, except as set forth on Section 3.11(i) of the
WPC Disclosure Schedules, no WPC Collective Bargaining Agreement is being negotiated or
renegotiated by WPC or any of its Subsidiaries.
(j) Except as set forth in Section 3.11(j) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule and as related to
the execution, performance and consummation of this Agreement, there are no (i) strikes, work
stoppages, slowdowns, lockouts or arbitrations, (ii) material grievances or other labor disputes
pending or, to the Knowledge of WPC or any of its Subsidiaries, threatened against or involving WPC
or any of its Subsidiaries involving any employee of WPC or any of its Subsidiaries or (iii)
complaints, charges or claims against WPC or any of its Subsidiaries pending or, to the Knowledge
of WPC, threatened that could be brought or filed with any Governmental Authority or arbitrator
based on, arising out of, in connection with, or otherwise relating to the employment or
termination of employment or failure to employ by WPC or any of its Subsidiaries, of any
individual. There are no unfair labor practice charges pending or, to the Knowledge of WPC or any
of its Subsidiaries, threatened by or on behalf of any employee or former employee of WPC or any of
its Subsidiaries.
(k) WPC and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all Laws relating to the employment of
labor, including all such Laws relating to wages, hours, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining
Notification Act and any similar state or local “mass layoff” or “plant closing” law
(“WARN”), collective bargaining, discrimination, civil rights, safety and health, workers’
compensation and the collection and payment of withholding and/or social security taxes and any
similar tax, except for immaterial non-compliance. There will not have been any “mass layoff” or
“plant closing” (as defined by WARN) with respect to WPC or any of its Subsidiaries within the six
(6) months prior to the Closing.
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(l) Except as set forth in Section 3.11(l) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule, neither WPC
nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any Contract, agreement, plan or other arrangement that,
individually or collectively, could give rise to the payment of any amount
which would not be deductible by reason of Section 162(m) or Section 280G of the Code or would
be subject to withholding under Section 4999 of the Code.
3.12 Environmental Matters.
(a) Except for those matters set forth in Section 3.12(a) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule or
that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a
WPC Material Adverse Effect, (A) each of WPC and its Subsidiaries is, and since August 1, 2003 has
been, in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, (B) there is no investigation, suit,
claim, action or proceeding relating to or arising under Environmental Laws that is pending or, to
the Knowledge of WPC, threatened against WPC or any of its Subsidiaries or any real property
currently or, to the Knowledge of WPC, formerly owned, operated or leased by WPC or any of its
Subsidiaries, (C) neither WPC nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice of or entered
into or assumed by Contract or operation of Law or otherwise, any obligation, liability, order,
settlement, judgment, injunction or decree relating to or arising under Environmental Laws and (D)
no facts, circumstances or conditions exist with respect to WPC or any of its Subsidiaries or any
property currently (or, to the Knowledge of WPC, formerly) owned, operated or leased by WPC or any
of its Subsidiaries or any property to or at which WPC or any of its Subsidiaries transported or
arranged for the disposal or treatment of Hazardous Materials that would reasonably be expected to
result in WPC or any of its Subsidiaries incurring Environmental Liabilities.
(b) Except for those matters set forth in Section 3.12(b) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule, to
the Knowledge of WPC, no facts, circumstances or conditions exist with respect to the Joint
Ventures or any real property currently or formerly owned or operated by the Joint Ventures, or to
or at which the Joint Ventures transported or arranged for disposal or treatment of Hazardous
Materials, including any failure to comply with, any pending or threatened investigation, suit,
claim, action or proceeding arising under, or any obligation, liability, order, settlement
judgment, injunction or decree, or notice of any of them, relating to Environmental Laws, that
would reasonably be expected to result in WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture
incurring Environmental Liabilities, that, individually or in the aggregate, would have a WPC
Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Except as set forth on Section 3.12(c) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule, WPC and its
Subsidiaries have not received written notice of any claims or liabilities related to occupational
exposure to coal, or coal-related materials, including, but not limited to, claims for “black lung”
disease, which are not covered by insurance or would reasonably be expected to result in WPC and
its Subsidiaries incurring liabilities, that, individually or in the aggregate, would have a WPC
Material Adverse Effect.
(d) For purposes of this Agreement:
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(i) “Environmental Laws” means all Laws relating in any way to the
environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the presence,
management or Release of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials, or to human
health and safety, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.), the Hazardous
Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. § 5101 et seq.), the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.),
the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.), the Clean Air Act
(42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.), the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. §
300f et seq.), the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. § 2601
et seq.), and the Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 U.S.C. §
651 et seq.), each of their state and local counterparts or
equivalents, each of their foreign and international equivalents, and any transfer
of ownership notification or approval statute, as each has been amended and the
regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.
(ii) “Environmental Liabilities” means, with respect to any Person, all
liabilities, obligations, responsibilities, remedial actions, losses, damages,
punitive damages, consequential damages, treble damages, costs and expenses
(including all reasonable fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel, experts and
consultants and costs of investigation and feasibility studies), fines, penalties,
sanctions and interest incurred as a result of any claim or demand by any other
Person or in response to any violation of Environmental Law, whether known or
unknown, accrued or contingent, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express
warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute, to the extent based upon,
related to, or arising under or pursuant to any Environmental Law, environmental
permit, order or agreement with any Governmental Authority or other Person, which
relates to any environmental, health or safety condition, violation of Environmental
Law or a Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials.
(iii) “Hazardous Materials” means any material, substance or waste that
is regulated, classified, or otherwise characterized under or pursuant to any
Environmental Law as “hazardous”, “toxic”, a “pollutant”, a “contaminant”,
“radioactive” or words of similar meaning or effect, including petroleum and its
by-products, asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls.
(iv) “Release” means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting,
emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing of or
migrating into or through the environment or any natural or man-made structure.
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3.13 Contracts.
(a) Set forth in Section 3.13(a) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule is a list of each of the
following Contracts to which WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture is a party:
(i) any Contract that would be required to be filed as an exhibit to a
Registration Statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act and an Annual Report on
Form 10-K under the Exchange Act if such registration statement or report was filed
by WPC with the SEC on the date hereof;
(ii) any Contract that purports to limit, curtail or restrict the ability of
WPC, any of its existing or future Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any Joint Venture
to compete in any geographic area or line of business or restrict the Persons to
whom WPC, any of its existing or future Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any Joint
Venture may sell products or deliver services;
(iii) any partnership agreement, and all Joint Venture Documents;
(iv) any Contract for the acquisition, sale or lease of material properties or
assets (by merger, purchase or sale of stock or assets or otherwise) (A) entered
into since August 1, 2003 or (B) currently in effect, which requires ongoing
performance or imposes ongoing obligations, in each case excluding purchase orders
for inventory entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(v) any (A) material Contract with any Governmental Authority or (B) contract
with any director or officer of WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any
Joint Venture;
(vi) any loan or credit agreement, mortgage, indenture, note or other Contract
or instrument evidencing indebtedness for borrowed money by WPC, any of its
Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture or any Contract or instrument pursuant to which
indebtedness for borrowed money may be incurred or is guaranteed by WPC, any of its
Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture;
(vii) any financial derivatives master agreement or confirmation, or futures
account opening agreements and/or brokerage statements, evidencing financial hedging
or similar trading activities;
(viii) any voting agreement or registration rights agreement;
(ix) any mortgage, pledge, security agreement, deed of trust or other Contract
granting a Lien on any material property or assets of WPC, any of its Subsidiaries
or any Joint Venture;
(x) any customer, client or supply Contract (other than a purchase order
received in the ordinary course of business) that involved consideration in
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fiscal year 2006 in excess of $2,000,000 or that is reasonably likely to
involve consideration in fiscal year 2007 in excess of $2,000,000;
(xi) any Contract (other than customer, client or supply Contracts or purchase
orders received in the ordinary course of business) that involves consideration
(whether or not measured in cash) of greater than $2,000,000;
(xii) any collective bargaining agreements;
(xiii) any agreement pursuant to which it has agreed to a “standstill” or
similar obligation;
(xiv) to the extent material to the business or financial condition of WPC and
its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, any (A) lease or rental Contract, (B) product
design or development Contract, (C) consulting Contract, (D) indemnification
Contract, (E) license or royalty Contract, (F) merchandising, sales representative
or distribution Contract or (G) Contract granting a right of first refusal or first
negotiation; and
(xv) any commitment or agreement to enter into any of the foregoing; (the
Contracts and other documents required to be listed on Section 3.13(a) of the WPC
Disclosure Schedule, together with any and all other Contracts of such type entered
into in accordance with Section 5.2(a), each a “WPC Material Contract”). WPC
has heretofore made available to Esmark correct and complete copies of each Material
Contract or summaries in the case of customer Material Contracts in existence as of
the date hereof, together with any and all amendments and supplements thereto and
material “side letters” and similar documentation relating thereto.
(b) Except as separately identified in Section 3.13(b) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule, (i)
each of the Material Contracts is valid, binding and in full force and effect and is enforceable in
accordance with its terms by WPC, its Subsidiaries and the Joint Venture party thereto, subject to
the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception; (ii) no approval, consent or waiver of any Person is needed in
order that any Material Contract continue in full force and effect following the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby; (iii) none of WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint
Venture is in default under any Material Contract, nor to the Knowledge of WPC does any condition
exist that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default thereunder by WPC and
its Subsidiaries and the Joint Ventures party thereto,
except for such defaults as, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not
reasonably be expected to have a WPC Material Adverse Effect; (iv) to the Knowledge of WPC, no
other party to any Material Contract is in default thereunder, nor does any condition exist that
with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default by any such other party thereunder,
except for such defaults as, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not
reasonably be expected to have a WPC Material Adverse Effect; and (v) none of WPC, any of its
Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture has received any notice of termination or cancellation under any
Material Contract, received any notice of breach or default in any material respect
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under any
Material Contract which breach has not been cured, or granted to any third party any rights,
adverse or otherwise, that would constitute a breach of any Material Contract.
3.14 Title to Properties. Each of WPC and its Subsidiaries, and each Joint Venture
(i) has good and valid title to all properties and other assets and good, marketable, indefeasible
and insurable fee simple title to all real property assets (A) which are reflected on the most
recent consolidated balance sheet of WPC included in the Filed WPC SEC Documents as being owned by
WPC or one of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture (or acquired after the date thereof) and (B)
which pertain to the Joint Ventures and are set forth in Section 3.14 of the WPC Disclosure
Schedule, and which are, individually or in the aggregate, material to WPC’s business or financial
condition on a consolidated basis (except properties sold or otherwise disposed of since the date
thereof in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and not in violation of
this Agreement), free and clear of all Liens except (w) Permitted Liens, (x) statutory Liens
securing payments not yet due, (y) security interests, mortgages and pledges that are disclosed in
the Filed WPC SEC Documents that secure indebtedness that is reflected in the most recent
consolidated financial statements of WPC included in the Filed WPC SEC Documents and (z) such other
imperfections or irregularities of title or other Liens that, individually or in the aggregate, do
not and would not reasonably be expected to materially affect the use of the properties or assets
subject thereto or otherwise materially impair business operations as presently conducted or as
currently proposed by WPC’s management to be conducted, and (ii) is the lessee or sublessee of all
leasehold estates and leasehold interests (A) reflected in the Filed WPC SEC Documents (or acquired
after the date thereof) and (B) set forth in Section 3.14 of the WPC Disclosure Schedule, which
are, individually or in the aggregate, material to WPC’s business or financial condition on a
consolidated basis (other than any such leaseholds whose scheduled terms have expired subsequent to
the date of such Filed WPC SEC Documents). WPC and each of its Subsidiaries enjoys peaceful and
undisturbed possession under all such leases in all material respects. No Joint Venture owns any
interest in any material real property other than as set forth in Section 3.14 of the WPC
Disclosure Schedule.
3.15 Intellectual Property.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement:
(i) “WPC Intellectual Property” means all Intellectual Property Rights
used in or necessary for the conduct of the business of WPC, any of its Subsidiaries
or any Joint Venture, or owned or held for use by WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or
any Joint Venture.
(ii) “WPC Technology” means all Technology used in or necessary for the
conduct of the business of WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture, or
owned or held for use by WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture.
(iii) “Intellectual Property Rights” shall mean all of the rights
arising from or in respect of the following, whether protected, created or arising
under the Laws of the United States or any foreign jurisdiction: (A) patents, patent
applications, any reissues, reexaminations, divisionals, continuations,
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continuations-in-part and extensions thereof (collectively, “Patents”); (B)
trademarks, service marks, trade names (whether registered or unregistered), service
names, industrial designs, brand names, brand marks, trade dress rights, Internet
domain names, identifying symbols, logos, emblems, signs or insignia, and including
all goodwill associated with the foregoing (collectively, “Marks”); (C)
copyrights, whether registered or unregistered (including copyrights in computer
software programs), mask work rights and registrations and applications therefor
(collectively, “Copyrights”); (D) confidential and proprietary information,
or non-public processes, designs, specifications, technology, know-how, techniques,
formulas, inventions, concepts, trade secrets, discoveries, ideas and technical data
and information, in each case excluding any rights in respect of any of the
foregoing that comprise or are protected by Copyrights or Patents (collectively,
“Trade Secrets”); and (E) all applications, registrations and permits
related to any of the foregoing clauses (A) through (D).
(iv) “Software” means computer programs, including any and all software
implementations of algorithms, models and methodologies whether in source code,
object code or other form, databases and compilations, including any and all data
and collections of data, descriptions, flow-charts and other work product used to
design, plan, organize and develop any of the foregoing and all documentation,
including user manuals and training materials related to any of the foregoing.
(v) “Technology” means, collectively, all designs, formulas,
algorithms, procedures, techniques, ideas, know-how, Software (whether in source
code, object code or human readable form), databases and data collections, Internet
websites and web content, tools, inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and
whether or not reduced to practice), invention disclosures, developments, creations,
improvements, works of authorship, other similar materials and all recordings,
graphs, drawings, reports, analyses, other writings and any other embodiment of the
above, in any form or media, whether or not specifically listed herein, and all
related technology, documentation and other materials used in, incorporated in,
embodied in or displayed by any of the foregoing, or used or useful in the design,
development, reproduction, maintenance or modification of any of the foregoing.
(b) Section 3.15(b) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule sets forth (i) an accurate and complete
list of all material Patents, registered Marks, pending applications for registrations
of any Marks and any unregistered Marks, registered Copyrights and pending applications for
registration of any Copyrights owned or filed by WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture
and (ii) the jurisdictions in which each such material Intellectual Property right has been issued
or registered or in which any application for such issuance and registration has been filed.
(c) Except for the Intellectual Property Rights and Technology owned by WPC, any of its
Subsidiaries or the Joint Ventures as set forth in Section 3.15(c) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule,
WPC and/or one of its Subsidiaries is the sole and exclusive owner of, or
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has valid and continuing
rights to use, sell and license, all of WPC Intellectual Property and WPC Technology. To the
Knowledge of WPC, and except as would not reasonably be expected to have a WPC Material Adverse
Effect, the use, practice or other commercial exploitation of WPC Intellectual Property by WPC, any
of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture and the manufacturing, licensing, marketing, importation,
offer for sale, sale or use of WPC Technology, and the operation of WPC’s, and its Subsidiaries’
businesses and the Joint Ventures’ businesses do not infringe, constitute an unauthorized use of or
misappropriate any Intellectual Property Rights of any third Person. Except as set forth in Section
3.15(c) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule, none of WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture
(i) has received any written or oral notice claiming that the use, practice or other commercial
exploitation of WPC Intellectual Property by WPC or any of its Subsidiaries or the Joint Ventures
or the manufacturing, licensing, marketing, importation, offer for sale, sale or use of WPC
Technology, or the operation of WPC’s, its Subsidiaries’ and the Joint Ventures’ businesses
infringes, constitutes an unauthorized use of or misappropriates any Intellectual Property Rights
of any third Person, or (ii) is a party to or the subject of any pending or, to the Knowledge of
WPC, threatened suit, action, investigation or proceeding which involves a claim (A) against WPC,
any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture, of infringement, unauthorized use, or violation of
any Intellectual Property Rights of any Person, or challenging the ownership, use, validity or
enforceability of any WPC Intellectual Property or (B) contesting the right of WPC, any of its
Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture to use, sell, exercise, license, transfer or dispose of any WPC
Intellectual Property or WPC Technology, or any products, processes or materials covered thereby in
any manner. None of WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture has received written notice
of any such threatened claim.
(d) To the Knowledge of WPC, no Person (including employees and former employees of WPC, any
of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture) is infringing, violating, misappropriating or otherwise
misusing any WPC Intellectual Property, and none of WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint
Venture has made any such claims against any Person (including employees and former employees of
WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture).
(e) WPC, its Subsidiaries and the Joint Ventures have taken all reasonably necessary and
appropriate steps to protect and preserve the confidentiality of all Trade Secrets and any other
confidential information of WPC, its Subsidiaries and the Joint Ventures.
(f) WPC, its Subsidiaries and the Joint Ventures own, lease or license all Software, hardware,
databases, computer equipment and other information technology (collectively, “Computer
Systems”) that are necessary for the operations of the businesses of WPC, its Subsidiaries and
the Joint Ventures. Except as would not reasonably be expected to
have a WPC Material Adverse Effect, the (i) Computer Systems used by WPC, its Subsidiaries and
each Joint Venture have functioned consistently and accurately since being installed and (ii) data
storage and transmittal capability, functionality and performance of each item of the Computer
Systems and the Computer Systems as a whole are reasonably satisfactory for WPC’s, its
Subsidiaries’ and each Joint Venture’s businesses as presently conducted. The Computer Systems used
by WPC, its Subsidiaries and each Joint Venture have not failed to any material extent and the data
which they process has not been corrupted. WPC, its Subsidiaries and each Joint Venture have taken
all reasonable steps in accordance with ordinary industry standards to
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preserve the availability,
security and integrity of the Computer Systems and the data and information stored on the Computer
Systems.
3.16 Insurance. Section 3.16 of the WPC Disclosure Schedule sets forth a correct and
complete list of all material insurance policies (including information on the premiums payable in
connection therewith and the scope and amount of the coverage provided thereunder) maintained by
WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture (the “WPC Policies”). The WPC Policies
(i) have been issued by insurers which, to the Knowledge of WPC, are reputable and financially
sound, (ii) provide coverage for the operations conducted by WPC and its Subsidiaries and the Joint
Ventures of a scope and coverage consistent with customary practice in the industries in which WPC
and its Subsidiaries and the Joint Ventures operate and (iii) are in full force and effect. None of
WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture is in material breach or default, and none of
WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture have taken any action or failed to take any
action which, with notice or the lapse of time, would constitute such a breach or default, or
permit termination or modification, of any of the WPC Policies. No notice of cancellation or
termination has been received by WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture with respect to
any of the WPC Policies.
3.17 Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Special Committee has received the opinion of
UBS Investment Bank (the “WPC Financial Advisor”), a written copy of which will be provided
to Esmark as soon as practicable after the date hereof, solely for informational purposes, to the
effect that, as of the date hereof, and based upon and subject to various assumptions made,
procedures followed, matters considered and limitations described in the opinion, the WPC Merger
Consideration is fair from a financial point of view to the holders of WPC Common Shares (the
“Fairness Opinion”). WPC has been authorized by the WPC Financial Advisor to permit the
inclusion of the Fairness Opinion in its entirety and/or references thereto or descriptions thereof
in the Proxy Statement, subject to prior written consent of the WPC Financial Advisor with respect
to form and substance.
3.18 Brokers and Other Advisors. Except for the WPC Financial Advisor, the fees and
expenses of which will be paid by WPC, no broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other
Person is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s or other similar fee or
commission, or the reimbursement of expenses, in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of WPC or any of its Subsidiaries.
3.19 State Takeover Statutes. No “fair price”, “moratorium”, “control share
acquisition” or other similar antitakeover statute or regulation enacted under state or federal
laws in the United States (with the exception of Section 203 of the DGCL) contemplated by this
Agreement with respect to WPC applicable to WPC is applicable to the Combination or the other
transactions. The action of the Board of Directors of WPC in approving this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby is sufficient to render inapplicable to this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby the restrictions on “business combinations” (as defined in Section
203 of the DGCL) as set forth in Section 203 of the DGCL.
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ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ESMARK
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ESMARK
Esmark hereby represents and warrants to WPC, that except as set forth in the disclosure
schedule delivered by Esmark to WPC simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement (the
“Esmark Disclosure Schedule”) (with specific reference to the Section or subsection of this
Agreement to which the information stated in such disclosure relates; provided, that disclosure of
any fact or item in any section or subsection of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule shall, should the
existence of such fact or item be relevant to any other section or subsection, be deemed to be
disclosed with respect to that other section or subsection so long as the relevance of such
disclosure to such other section or subsection is reasonably apparent from the nature of such
disclosure):
4.1 Organization, Standing and Power.
(a) Each of Esmark and its Subsidiaries is a corporation, limited liability company or other
entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction in
which it is incorporated and has all requisite corporate or other power and authority necessary to
own or lease all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being
conducted and as currently proposed by its management to be conducted except where its failure,
individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect on Esmark (an “Esmark Material Adverse Effect”). Each of Esmark and its
Subsidiaries is duly licensed or qualified to do business and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the character or location of
the properties and assets owned or leased by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary,
except where the failure to be so licensed, qualified or in good standing, individually or in the
aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have an Esmark Material Adverse
Effect.
(b) Section 4.1(b) of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule lists all Subsidiaries of Esmark together
with the jurisdiction of organization of each such Subsidiary. Except as set forth in Section
4.1(b) of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule, all the outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other
equity interests in, each Subsidiary of Esmark have been duly authorized and validly issued and are
fully paid and nonassessable and are owned directly or indirectly by Esmark free and clear of all
Liens. Except as set forth in Section 4.1(b) of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule, (i) neither Esmark
nor any Subsidiary of Esmark owns, directly or indirectly, any capital stock, voting securities or
equity interests in any Person and (ii) to the extent Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries owns,
directly or indirectly, any capital stock, voting securities or equity interests in any Person, all
such capital stock, voting securities and equity
interests are owned beneficially and of record by Esmark or such Subsidiary of Esmark, free
and clear of all Liens.
(c) Esmark has delivered to WPC (i) correct and complete copies of its certificate of
incorporation and by-laws (the “Esmark Charter Documents”) and (ii) correct and complete
copies of the certificates of incorporation and by-laws (or comparable organizational documents) of
each Subsidiary of Esmark (the “Esmark Subsidiary Documents”), in each case as
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amended to
the date of this Agreement. All such Esmark Charter Documents and Esmark Subsidiary Documents are
in full force and effect and neither Esmark nor any Subsidiary of Esmark is in violation of any of
their respective provisions.
(d) NewCo owns, beneficially or of record, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and
outstanding shares of capital stock of Esmark Merger Sub and WPC Merger Sub. Each of NewCo, Esmark
Merger Sub and WPC Merger Sub is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware with all requisite corporate power and authority
to enter into this Agreement and perform its respective obligations hereunder. There are no issued
and outstanding shares of NewCo. All of the issued and outstanding shares of each Esmark Merger
Sub and WPC Merger Sub have been validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable with no
personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof. There are no outstanding rights, options,
warrants, conversion rights or agreements for the purchase or acquisition from, or the sale or
issuance by, any of NewCo, Esmark Merger Sub or WPC Merger Sub of any shares of their respective
shares of its capital stock, other than this Agreement. Since their respective dates of
organization, none of NewCo, Esmark Merger Sub and WPC Merger Sub have conducted any business
activities, except such as are related to this Agreement and the performance of their respective
obligations hereunder.
4.2 Capitalization.
(a) The authorized capital stock of Esmark consists of 500,000 shares of common stock, no par
value (the “Esmark Common Stock”) and 250,000 shares of Series A convertible preferred
stock, $1.00 par value (“Esmark Preferred Stock”). At the close of business on February
28, 2007, (i) 143,052.18525 shares of Esmark Common Stock, (ii) 175,760.43836 shares of Esmark
Preferred Stock; and (iii) warrants to purchase 7,371.79488 shares of Esmark Common Stock were
issued and outstanding. Also, there exist rights to the issuance of up to 8,988.85381 earn out
shares in connection with Esmark’s acquisition of North American Steel Ltd. and Premier Resource
Group, LLC (the “Earn-Out Shares”). Except as set forth above in this Section 4.2(a), as
of the date of this Agreement there are no shares of capital stock, voting securities or equity
interests of Esmark issued and outstanding or any subscriptions, options, warrants, calls,
convertible or exchangeable securities, rights, commitments or agreements of any character
providing for the issuance of any shares of capital stock, voting securities or equity interests of
Esmark, including any representing the right to purchase or otherwise receive any Esmark Common
Stock.
(b) Except as described in the preceding subsection (a) and Section 4.2 of the Esmark
Disclosure Schedule, none of Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries has issued or is bound by any
outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, convertible or exchangeable securities,
rights, commitments or agreements of any character providing for the issuance or disposition
of any shares of capital stock, voting securities or equity interests of any Subsidiary of Esmark.
Except as described in Section 4.2 of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule, there are no outstanding
obligations of Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any
shares of capital stock, voting securities or equity interests (or any options, warrants or other
rights to acquire any shares of capital stock, voting securities or equity interests) of Esmark or
any of its Subsidiaries.
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4.3 Authority; Noncontravention.
(a) Esmark has all necessary corporate or other power and authority to execute and deliver
this Agreement and, subject to obtaining the Esmark Stockholder Approval, to perform its
obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution,
delivery and performance by Esmark of this Agreement, and the consummation by Esmark of the
transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly authorized and approved by its Boards of
Directors, and except for obtaining the Esmark Stockholder Approval for the adoption of this
Agreement, no other corporate or other action on the part of Esmark is necessary to authorize the
execution, delivery and performance by Esmark of this Agreement and the consummation by it of the
transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Esmark
and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by WPC and the other parties hereto,
constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Esmark, enforceable against it in accordance
with its terms, subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception.
(b) Esmark’s Board of Directors, at a meeting duly called and held, has (i) approved and
declared advisable this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the
Combination and (ii) resolved to recommend that the stockholders of Esmark adopt this Agreement.
(c) Except as set forth in Section 4.3(c) of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule, none of the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Esmark, the consummation by Esmark, of the transactions
contemplated hereby or the compliance by Esmark, with any of the terms or provisions hereof, will
(i) conflict with or violate any provision of the Esmark Charter Documents or the Esmark Subsidiary
Documents, or (ii) assuming that the authorizations, consents and approvals referred to in Section
4.4 and are obtained and the filings referred to in Section 4.4 are made, (x) violate any Law,
judgment, writ or injunction of any Governmental Authority applicable to Esmark or any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets, or (y) violate, conflict with, result
in the loss of any benefit under, constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of
time, or both, would constitute a default) under, result in the termination of or a right of
termination or cancellation under, accelerate the performance required by, or result in the
creation of any Lien upon any of the respective properties or assets of Esmark or any of its
Subsidiaries under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract to which Esmark or
any of its Subsidiaries is a party, or by which any of them or any of their respective properties
or assets may be bound or affected, except for such violations, conflicts, losses, defaults,
terminations, cancellations, accelerations or Liens as, individually or in the aggregate, would not
reasonably be expected to have an Esmark Material Adverse Effect.
(d) The approval of the holders of (i) a majority of the outstanding Esmark Common Shares on
an as converted basis (i.e., assuming conversion of the Esmark Preferred Stock), and (ii) a
majority of the outstanding shares of Esmark Preferred Stock (the “Esmark Stockholder
Approval”) is the only approval of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of
Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries which is necessary to adopt this Agreement and approve the
transactions contemplated hereby, and assuming compliance by all signatories to the Voting
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Agreement with the material terms thereof, the approval of such signing holders of Esmark Preferred
Stock and Esmark Common Stock shall constitute the Esmark Stockholder Approval.
4.4 Governmental Approvals. Except for (i) the Form S-4 and filings required under,
and compliance with applicable requirements of, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules
of The Nasdaq Stock Exchange or The New York Stock Exchange, (ii) the filing of the Certificates of
Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the DGCL and (iii) filings
required under, and compliance with other applicable requirements of, the HSR Act, no consents or
approvals of, or filings, declarations or registrations with, any Governmental Authority are
necessary for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Esmark or its
Subsidiaries or the consummation by Esmark or its Subsidiaries of the transactions contemplated
hereby, other than such other consents, approvals, filings, declarations or registrations that, if
not obtained, made or given, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to
impair in any material respect the ability of Esmark, to perform its obligations hereunder, or
prevent or materially impede, interfere with, hinder or delay the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
4.5 Esmark Financial Statements; Undisclosed Liabilities.
(a) Esmark has delivered to WPC copies of the audited consolidated balance sheets of Esmark
and its Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2004 and 2005 and the related audited consolidated
statements of income and of cash flows of Esmark and its Subsidiaries for the years then ended, as
well as the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Esmark and its Subsidiaries as at September 30,
2006 and the related unaudited consolidated schedule of income and of cash flows for the nine (9)
months then ended (such documents, including the related notes and schedules thereto, are referred
to herein as the “Esmark Financial Statements”). The Esmark Financial Statements have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as indicated in the notes thereto or as set forth on
Section 4.5(a) to the Esmark Disclosure Schedule) applied on a consistent basis during the periods
involved and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of Esmark
and its Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of operations and cash
flows for the periods then ended.
(b) Except as and to the extent set forth in Section 4.5(b) of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule,
neither Esmark nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations of any nature
(whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, whether known or unknown) required to be
reflected or reserved against on a consolidated balance sheet of Esmark and its Subsidiaries or the
notes thereto, except liabilities (i) as and to the extent reflected or reserved against on the
audited consolidated balance sheet of Esmark and its Subsidiaries as of the Balance Sheet Date
(including the notes thereto) included in the Esmark Financial Statements or (ii) incurred after
the Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have an Esmark Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Except as and to the extent set forth in Section 4.5(c) of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule,
neither Esmark nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, or has any commitment to become a party
to, any joint venture, off-balance sheet partnership or any similar
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Contract (including any
Contract or arrangement relating to any transaction or relationship between or among Esmark and any
of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any unconsolidated Affiliate, including any structured
finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity or Person, on the other hand, or any
“off-balance sheet arrangements” (as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K of the SEC)), where
the result, purpose or effect of such Contract is to avoid disclosure of any material transaction
involving, or material liabilities of, Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries in the Esmark Financial
Statements.
4.6 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since the Balance Sheet Date, there have
not been any events, changes, occurrences or state of facts that, individually or in the aggregate,
have had or would reasonably be expected to have an Esmark Material Adverse Effect. Except as set
forth in Section 4.6 of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule, since the Balance Sheet Date, (a) Esmark
and its Subsidiaries have carried on and operated their respective businesses in all material
respects in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (b) neither Esmark
nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken any action described in Section 5.2(b) that, if taken after
the date hereof and prior to the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of WPC, would
violate such provision. Without limiting the foregoing, since the Balance Sheet Date, there has
not occurred any damage, destruction or loss (whether or not covered by insurance) of any material
asset of Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries which materially affects the use thereof.
4.7 Legal Proceedings. Except as set forth in Section 4.7 of the Esmark Disclosure
Schedule: (a) there is no pending or, to the Knowledge of Esmark, threatened, legal,
administrative, arbitral or other proceeding, claim, suit or action against, or governmental or
regulatory investigation of, Esmark, any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Knowledge of Esmark, any of
their respective officers, directors, stockholders or members (in each case, in their capacity as
such) that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have an
Esmark Material Adverse Effect; and (b) there is no injunction, order, judgment, ruling or decree
imposed (or, to the Knowledge of Esmark, threatened to be imposed) upon Esmark, any of its
Subsidiaries or, to the Knowledge of Esmark, any of their respective officers, directors,
stockholders or members (in each case, in their capacity as such) or the assets of Esmark or any of
its Subsidiaries, by or before any Governmental Authority that, individually or in the aggregate,
has had or would reasonably be expected to have an Esmark Material Adverse Effect.
4.8 Compliance with Laws; Permits.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 4.8(a) of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule, Esmark and its
Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all Laws applicable to Esmark or any
of its Subsidiaries, any of their properties or other assets or any of their businesses or
operations. Esmark and each of its Subsidiaries hold all Permits to be obtained, in each case
necessary for the lawful conduct of their respective businesses, except where the failure to hold
such a Permit would not have an Esmark Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in Section
4.8(a) of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule, Esmark and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all
material respects with the terms of all Permits. Except as set forth in Section 4.8(a) of the
Esmark Disclosure Schedule, since December 31, 2004, neither Esmark, nor any of its Subsidiaries
has received written notice to the effect that a Governmental Authority (a) claimed or alleged that
Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries was not in compliance with all Laws applicable
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to Esmark or any
of its Subsidiaries, any of their properties or other assets or any of their businesses or
operations or (b) was considering the amendment, termination, revocation or cancellation of any
Permit.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 4.8(b) of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule or as would not
have, individually or in the aggregate, an Esmark Material Adverse Effect, neither Esmark nor any
of its Subsidiaries, or, to the Knowledge of Esmark, any of their respective directors, officers,
agents, employees or representatives (in each case acting in their capacities as such) has any
reasonable basis for believing that, in the past five (5) years, any of the foregoing Persons has
(i) used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses
relating to political activity, (ii) directly or indirectly paid or delivered any fee, commission
or other sum of money or item of property, however characterized, to any finder, agent or other
party acting on behalf of or under the auspices of a governmental official or Governmental
Authority, in the United States or any other country, that was illegal under any applicable law,
(iii) made any payment to any customer or supplier, or to any officer, director, partner, employee
or agent of any such customer or supplier, for the unlawful sharing of fees to any such customer or
supplier or any such officer, director, partner, employee or agent for the unlawful rebating of
charges, (iv) engaged in any other unlawful reciprocal practice, or made any other unlawful
payment or given any other unlawful consideration to any such customer or supplier or any such
officer, director, partner, employee or agent, (v) taken any action or made any omission in
violation of any applicable law governing imports into or exports from the United States or any
foreign country, or relating to economic sanctions or embargoes, corrupt practices, money
laundering, or compliance with unsanctioned foreign boycotts, including without limitation, the
Arms Export Control Act, the Trading with the Enemy Act, the International Emergency Economic
Powers Act, the Export Administration Act, the 1930 Tariff Act and other U.S. customs laws, the
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the Export Administration Regulations, the International Traffic in
Arms Regulations, the Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulations, the U.S. Customs Regulations,
or any regulation, ruling, rule, order, decision, writ, judgment, injunction, or decree of any
Governmental Authority issued pursuant thereto.
4.9 Information Supplied. Subject to the accuracy of the representations and
warranties of WPC set forth in Section 3.9, none of the information supplied (or to be supplied) in
writing by or on behalf of Esmark specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (a)
the Form S-4 will, at the time the Form S-4 or any amendments or supplements thereto are filed with
the SEC by NewCo or at the time it becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they are made, not misleading, and (b) the Proxy Statement will, on the date it is first mailed to
stockholders of WPC, and at the time of the WPC Stockholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light
of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
neither Esmark nor any of its Subsidiaries makes any representation or warranty with respect to any
information supplied by or on behalf of WPC for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Form
S-4 or any other documents filed with the SEC.
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4.10 Tax Matters.
(a) Esmark and each of its Subsidiaries has timely filed, or has caused to be timely filed on
its behalf (taking into account any extension of time within which to file), all material Tax
Returns required to be filed by it, and all such filed Tax Returns are correct and complete in all
material respects. All Taxes shown to be due on such Tax Returns, and all material Taxes otherwise
required to be paid by Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries have been timely paid.
(b) The unpaid Taxes of Esmark and its Subsidiaries (i) did not, as of the most recent fiscal
month end, exceed the reserve for Tax liability (rather than any reserve for deferred Taxes
established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) set forth on the face of the
most recent balance sheet (rather than any notes thereto) and (ii) will not exceed that reserve as
adjusted for operations and transactions through the Closing Date in accordance with the past
custom and practice of Esmark and its Subsidiaries in filing their Tax Returns.
(c) Neither Esmark nor any of its Subsidiaries has any obligation under any agreement (either
with any person or any taxing authority) with respect to Taxes.
(d) Neither Esmark nor any of its Subsidiaries has constituted either a “distributing
corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code)
in a distribution of stock qualifying for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code since
the effective date of Section 355(e) of the Code.
(e) Neither Esmark nor any of its Subsidiaries has (i) been a member of an affiliated group of
corporations within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code filing a consolidated federal income
Tax Return, other than the affiliated group of which Esmark is the common company or (ii) any
liability for the Taxes of any Person (other than Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries).
(f) Except as set forth in Section 4.10(f) of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule, to the Knowledge
of Esmark, no audit or other administrative or court proceedings are pending with any taxing
authority with respect to any income or other material Taxes of Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries,
and no written notice thereof has been received by Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries and, none is
threatened. No issue has been raised by any taxing authority in any presently ongoing Tax audit
that could be material and adverse to Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries for any period after the
Effective Time. Neither Esmark nor any of its Subsidiaries has any outstanding agreements, waivers
or arrangements extending the statutory period of limitations applicable to any claim for, or the
period for the collection or assessment of, any income or other material Taxes.
(g) To the Knowledge of Esmark, it has not received any written claim from any Governmental
Authority in a jurisdiction where Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries does not file Tax Returns that
Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries is or may be subject to taxation in that jurisdiction that could
give rise to material Taxes.
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(h) Esmark has made available to WPC correct and complete copies of (i) all income and
franchise Tax Returns of Esmark and its Subsidiaries for the preceding three (3) taxable years and
(ii) any audit report issued within the last three (3) years (or otherwise with respect to any
audit or proceeding in progress) relating to income or franchise Taxes of Esmark or any of its
Subsidiaries.
(i) No Liens for Taxes exist with respect to any properties or other assets of Esmark or any
of its Subsidiaries, except for Permitted Liens.
(j) All material Taxes required to be withheld by Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries have been
withheld and have been or will be duly and timely paid to the proper taxing authority.
(k) Neither Esmark nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken any action, has failed to take any
action or has any Knowledge of any fact or circumstance that would prevent the Combination from
qualifying either (i) as a reorganization under Section 368 of the Code, or (ii) as an integrated
series of transfers under Section 351 of the Code.
(l) Neither Esmark nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any agreement, contract,
arrangement, or plan that has resulted or would result, separately or in the aggregate, in the
payment of any “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code (or any
corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax law).
(m) Neither Esmark nor any of its Subsidiaries will be required to include any item of income
in, or exclude any item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion
thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any:
(i) change in method of accounting for a taxable period ending on or prior to
the Closing Date;
(ii) “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any
corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax law) executed on
or prior to the Closing Date;
(iii) intercompany transactions or any excess loss account described in
Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar
provision of state, local or foreign Tax law);
(iv) installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the
Closing Date; or
(v) prepaid amount received on or prior to the Closing Date.
4.11 Employee Benefits and Labor Matters.
(a) Section 4.11(a) of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule sets forth a correct and complete list
of: (i) all “employee benefit plans” (as defined in Section 3(3) of the ERISA) and
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(ii) all written
employment or other compensation agreements, which provide annual salaries or wages exceeding
$150,000 or provide for severance benefits exceeding 25% of base salary or wages or a term
exceeding three (3) months, or bonus or other incentive compensation, stock purchase, equity or
equity-based compensation, deferred compensation, change in control, severance, pension benefit,
welfare benefit, sick leave, vacation, salary continuation, health, life insurance and educational
assistance plans, policies, agreements or arrangements with respect to which Esmark or any of its
Subsidiaries has any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, for current or former
employees, individual consultants or directors of Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries (collectively,
the “Esmark Plans”). Section 4.11(a) of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule separately sets
forth each Esmark Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA or is a Multiemployer Plan, or is or
has been subject to Sections 4063 or 4064 of ERISA.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 4.11(b) of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule, correct and
complete copies of the following documents with respect to each of the Esmark Plans (other than a
Multiemployer Plan) have been delivered or made available to WPC by Esmark to the extent
applicable: (i) any plans and related trust documents, insurance Contracts or other funding
arrangements, and all amendments thereto; (ii) the most recent Forms 5500 and all schedules
thereto, (iii) the most recent actuarial report, if any; (iv) the most recent IRS determination
letter; (v) the most recent summary plan descriptions; and (vi) written summaries of all
non-written Esmark Plans.
(c) The Esmark Plans have been maintained, in all material respects, in accordance with their
terms and with all applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Laws. To the extent any
representation in this Section 4.11(c) applies to a Multiemployer Plan, such representation is only
made to the extent of the Knowledge of Esmark.
(d) The Esmark Plans intended to qualify under Section 401 or other tax-favored treatment
under of Subchapter B of Chapter 1 of Subtitle A of the Code are so qualified, and any trusts
intended to be exempt from federal income taxation under the Code are so exempt. Nothing has
occurred with respect to the operation of the Esmark Plans that could cause the loss of such
qualification or exemption, or the imposition of any material liability, penalty or tax under ERISA
or the Code.
(e) Except as set forth in Section 4.11(e) of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule, all
contributions required to have been made under any of the Esmark Plans or by law (without regard to
any waivers granted under Section 412 of the Code), have been timely made, and no accumulated
funding deficiencies exist in any of the Esmark Plans subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412
of the Code.
(f) There are no pending material actions, claims or lawsuits arising from or relating to the
Esmark Plans (other than routine benefit claims), nor does Esmark have any Knowledge of facts that
could form the basis for any such claim or lawsuit.
(g) Except as set forth in Section 4.11(g) of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule, neither the
execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby will (i) result in any payment becoming due to any employee, (ii) increase
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any benefits
otherwise payable under any Esmark Plan, (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or
vesting of any such benefits under any such plan, or (iv) require any contributions or payments to
fund any obligations under any Esmark Plan.
(h) Any individual who performs services for Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries (other than
through a Contract with an organization other than such individual) and who is not treated as an
employee of Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries for U.S. federal income tax purposes by Esmark is not
an employee for such purposes.
(i) Esmark has previously provided to WPC a list of each material collective bargaining or
other labor union Contract applicable to Persons employed by Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries to
which Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries is a party (each an “Esmark Collective Bargaining
Agreement”). As of the date of this Agreement, except as set forth on Section 4.11(i) of the
Esmark Disclosure Schedules, no Esmark Collective Bargaining Agreement is being negotiated or
renegotiated by Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries.
(j) Except as set forth in Section 4.11(j) of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule and as related to
the execution, performance and consummation of this Agreement, there are no (i) strikes, work
stoppages, slowdowns, lockouts or arbitrations, (ii) material grievances or other labor disputes
pending or, to the Knowledge of Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries, threatened against or involving
Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries involving any employee of Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries or
(iii) complaints, charges or claims against Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries pending or, to the
Knowledge of Esmark, threatened that could be brought or filed with any Governmental Authority or
arbitrator based on, arising out of, in connection with, or otherwise relating to the employment or
termination of employment or failure to employ by Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries, of any
individual. There are no unfair labor practice charges pending or, to the Knowledge of Esmark or
any of its Subsidiaries, threatened by or on behalf of any employee or former employee of Esmark or
any of its Subsidiaries.
(k) Esmark and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all Laws relating to the employment of
labor, including all such Laws relating to wages, hours, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining
Notification Act and any similar state or local WARN, collective bargaining, discrimination, civil
rights, safety and health, workers’ compensation and the collection and payment of withholding
and/or social security taxes and any similar tax, except for immaterial non-compliance. There will
not have been any “mass layoff” or “plant closing” (as defined by WARN) with respect to Esmark or
any of its Subsidiaries within the six (6) months prior to the Closing.
(l) Neither Esmark nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any Contract, agreement, plan or
other arrangement that, individually or collectively, could give rise to the payment of any amount
which would not be deductible by reason of Section 162(m) or Section 280G of the Code or would be
subject to withholding under Section 4999 of the Code.
4.12 Environmental Matters. Except as set forth in Section 4.12 of the Esmark
Disclosure Schedule and those matters that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and
would not reasonably be expected to have an Esmark Material Adverse Effect, (A) each of
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Esmark and
its Subsidiaries is, and since December 31, 2004 has been, in compliance with all applicable
Environmental Laws, (B) there is no investigation, suit, claim, action or proceeding relating to or
arising under Environmental Laws that is pending or, to the Knowledge of Esmark, threatened against
Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries or any real property currently or, to the Knowledge of Esmark,
formerly owned, operated or leased by Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries, (C) neither Esmark nor any
of its Subsidiaries has received any notice of or entered into or assumed by Contract or operation
of Law or otherwise, any obligation, liability, order, settlement, judgment, injunction or decree
relating to or arising under Environmental Laws, and (D) no facts, circumstances or conditions
exist with respect to Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries or any property currently (or, to the
Knowledge of Esmark, formerly) owned, operated or leased by Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries or
any property to or at which Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries transported or arranged for the
disposal or treatment of Hazardous Materials that would reasonably be expected to result in Esmark
and its Subsidiaries incurring Environmental Liabilities.
4.13 Contracts.
(a) Set forth in Section 4.13(a) of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule is a list of each of the
following Contracts to which Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries is a party:
(i) any Contract that purports to limit, curtail or restrict the ability of
Esmark or any of its existing or future Subsidiaries or Affiliates to compete in any
geographic area or line of business or restrict the Persons to whom Esmark or any of
its existing or future Subsidiaries or Affiliates may sell products or deliver
services;
(ii) any partnership or joint venture agreement;
(iii) any Contract for the acquisition, sale or lease of material properties or
assets (by merger, purchase or sale of stock or assets or otherwise) (A) entered
into since August 1, 2003 or (B) currently in effect, which requires ongoing
performance or imposes ongoing obligations, in each case excluding purchase orders
for inventory entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(iv) any (A) material Contract with any Governmental Authority or (B) contract
with any director or officer of Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates;
(v) any loan or credit agreement, mortgage, indenture, note or other Contract
or instrument evidencing indebtedness for borrowed money by Esmark or any of its
Subsidiaries or any Contract or instrument pursuant to which indebtedness for
borrowed money may be incurred or is guaranteed by Esmark or any of its
Subsidiaries;
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(vi) any financial derivatives master agreement or confirmation, or
futures account opening agreements and/or brokerage statements, evidencing financial
hedging or similar trading activities;
(vii) any voting agreement or registration rights agreement;
(viii) any mortgage, pledge, security agreement, deed of trust or other
Contract granting a Lien on any material property or assets of Esmark or any of its
Subsidiaries;
(ix) any customer, client or supply Contract (other than a purchase order
received in the ordinary course of business) that involved consideration in fiscal
year 2006 in excess of $2,000,000 or that is reasonably likely to involve
consideration in fiscal year 2007 in excess of $2,000,000;
(x) any Contract (other than customer, client or supply Contracts or purchase
orders received in the ordinary course of business) that involves consideration
(whether or not measured in cash) of greater than $2,000,000;
(xi) any collective bargaining agreements;
(xii) any “standstill” or similar agreement;
(xiii) to the extent material to the business or financial condition of Esmark
and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, any (A) lease or rental Contract, (B)
product design or development Contract, (C) consulting Contract, (D) indemnification
Contract, (E) license or royalty Contract, (F) merchandising, sales representative
or distribution Contract or (G) Contract granting a right of first refusal or first
negotiation; and
(xiv) any commitment or agreement to enter into any of the foregoing (the
Contracts and other documents required to be listed on Section 4.13(a) of the Esmark
Disclosure Schedule, together with any and all other Contracts of such type entered
into in accordance with Section 5.2(b), each an “Esmark Material Contract”). Esmark
has heretofore made available to WPC correct and complete copies of each Esmark
Material Contract in existence as of the date hereof, together with any and all
amendments and supplements thereto and material “side letters” and similar
documentation relating thereto.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 4.13(b) of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule, (i) each of the
Esmark Material Contracts is valid, binding and in full force and effect and is enforceable in
accordance with its terms by Esmark and its Subsidiaries party thereto, subject to the Bankruptcy
and Equity Exception; (ii) no approval, consent or waiver of any Person is needed in order that any
Esmark Material Contract continue in full force and effect following the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby; (iii) none of Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries is in default
under any Esmark Material Contract, nor to the Knowledge of Esmark does any condition exist that,
with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default
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thereunder by Esmark and its Subsidiaries party thereto, except for such defaults as,
individually
or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have an Esmark Material
Adverse Effect; (iv) to the Knowledge of Esmark, no other party to any Esmark Contract is in
default thereunder, nor does any condition exist that with notice or lapse of time or both would
constitute a default by any such other party thereunder, except for such defaults as, individually
or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have an Esmark Material
Adverse Effect; and (v) none of Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice of
termination or cancellation under any Esmark Material Contract, received any notice of breach or
default in any material respect under any Esmark Material Contract which breach has not been cured,
or granted to any third party any rights, adverse or otherwise, that would constitute a breach of
any Esmark Material Contract.
4.14 Title to Properties. Each of Esmark and its Subsidiaries (i) has good and valid
title to all properties and other assets and good, marketable, indefeasible and insurable fee
simple title to all real property assets which are reflected in the Esmark Financial Statements as
being owned by Esmark or one of its Subsidiaries (or acquired after the date thereof) and which
are, individually or in the aggregate, material to Esmark’s businesses or financial condition on a
consolidated basis (except properties sold or otherwise disposed of since the date thereof in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and not in violation of this Agreement),
free and clear of all Liens except (w) Permitted Liens, (x) statutory Liens securing payments not
yet due, (y) security interests, mortgages and pledges that secure indebtedness that is reflected
in the Esmark Financial Statements and (z) such other imperfections or irregularities of title or
other Liens that, individually or in the aggregate, do not and would not reasonably be expected to
materially affect the use of the properties or assets subject thereto or otherwise materially
impair business operations as presently conducted or as currently proposed by Esmark management to
be conducted, and (ii) is the lessee or sublessee of all leasehold estates and leasehold interests
(or acquired after the date thereof) which are, individually or in the aggregate, material to
Esmark business or financial condition on a consolidated basis. Each of Esmark and its Subsidiaries
enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession under all such leases in all material respects.
4.15 Intellectual Property.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement:
(i) “Esmark Intellectual Property” means all Intellectual Property
Rights used in or necessary for the conduct of the business of Esmark or any of its
Subsidiaries, or owned or held for use by Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries.
(ii) “Esmark Technology” means all Technology used in or necessary for
the conduct of the business of Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries, or owned or held
for use by Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries.
(b) Section 4.15(b) of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule sets forth (i) an accurate and complete
list of all material Patents, registered Marks, pending applications for registrations of any Marks
and any unregistered Marks, registered Copyrights and pending applications for registration of any
Copyrights owned or filed by Esmark or any of its
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Subsidiaries and (ii) the jurisdictions in which
each such material Intellectual Property right has been issued or registered or in which any
application for such issuance and registration has been filed.
(c) Except for the Intellectual Property Rights and Technology owned by Esmark or any of its
Subsidiaries as set forth in Section 4.15(c) of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule, Esmark and/or one
of its Subsidiaries is the sole and exclusive owner of, or has valid and continuing rights to use,
sell and license, all of the Esmark Intellectual Property and the Esmark Technology. To the
Knowledge of Esmark, and except as would not reasonably be expected to have an Esmark Material
Adverse Effect, the use, practice or other commercial exploitation of the Esmark Intellectual
Property by Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries and the manufacturing, licensing, marketing,
importation, offer for sale, sale or use of the Esmark Technology, and the operation of Esmark and
its Subsidiaries’ businesses do not infringe, constitute an unauthorized use of or misappropriate
any Intellectual Property Rights of any third Person. Except as set forth in Section 4.15(c) of
the Esmark Disclosure Schedule, none of Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries (i) has received any
written or oral notice claiming that the use, practice or other commercial exploitation of the
Esmark Intellectual Property and the Esmark Technology by Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries or the
manufacturing, licensing, marketing, importation, offer for sale, sale or use of the Esmark
Technology, or the operation of Esmark and its Subsidiaries’ businesses infringes, constitutes an
unauthorized use of or misappropriates any Intellectual Property Rights of any third Person, or
(ii) is a party to or the subject of any pending or, to the Knowledge of Esmark, threatened suit,
action, investigation or proceeding which involves a claim (A) against Esmark or any of its
Subsidiaries, of infringement, unauthorized use, or violation of any Intellectual Property Rights
of any Person, or challenging the ownership, use, validity or enforceability of any Esmark
Intellectual Property, or (B) contesting the right of Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries to use,
sell, exercise, license, transfer or dispose of any Esmark Intellectual Property or the Esmark
Technology, or any products, processes or materials covered thereby in any manner. Neither Esmark
nor any Esmark Subsidiary has received written notice of any such threatened claim.
(d) To the Knowledge of Esmark, no Person (including employees and former employees of Esmark
or any of its Subsidiaries) is infringing, violating, misappropriating or otherwise misusing any
Esmark Intellectual Property, and neither Esmark, nor any of its Subsidiaries has made any such
claims against any Person (including employees and former employees of Esmark or any of its
Subsidiaries).
(e) Esmark and its Subsidiaries have taken all reasonably necessary and appropriate steps to
protect and preserve the confidentiality of all Trade Secrets and any other confidential
information of Esmark or its Subsidiaries.
(f) Esmark and its Subsidiaries own, lease or license all Computer Systems that are necessary
for the operations of the businesses of Esmark and its Subsidiaries as each is presently conducted.
Except as would not reasonably be expected to have an Esmark Material Adverse Effect, the (i)
Computer Systems used by Esmark and its Subsidiaries have functioned consistently and accurately
since being installed, and (ii) data storage and transmittal capability, functionality and
performance of each item of the Computer Systems and the Computer Systems
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as a whole are reasonably
satisfactory for Esmark and its Subsidiaries’ businesses as presently conducted. The Computer
Systems used by Esmark and its Subsidiaries have not failed to any
material extent and the data which they process has not been corrupted. Esmark and its
Subsidiaries have taken all reasonable steps in accordance with industry standards to preserve the
availability, security and integrity of the Computer Systems and the data and information stored on
the Computer Systems.
4.16 Insurance. Section 4.16 of the Esmark Disclosure Schedule sets forth a correct
and complete list of all material insurance policies (including information on the premiums payable
in connection therewith and the scope and amount of the coverage provided thereunder) maintained by
Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries (the “Esmark Policies”). Esmark Policies (i) have been
issued by insurers which, to the Knowledge of Esmark, are reputable and financially sound, (ii)
provide coverage for the operations conducted by Esmark and its Subsidiaries of a scope and
coverage consistent with customary practice in the industries in which Esmark and its Subsidiaries
operate and (iii) are in full force and effect. Neither Esmark, nor any of its Subsidiaries is in
material breach or default, and none of Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries have taken any action or
failed to take any action which, with notice or the lapse of time, would constitute such a breach
or default, or permit termination or modification, of any of the Esmark Policies. No notice of
cancellation or termination has been received by Esmark with respect to any of the Esmark Policies.
The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not, in and of itself, cause the
revocation, cancellation or termination of any Esmark Policy.
4.17 Brokers and Other Advisors. Except for JPMorgan Securities, Inc. and Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx & Associates, Inc., the fees and expenses of which will be paid by Esmark, no broker,
investment banker, financial advisor or other Person is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s,
financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Esmark or any of its
Subsidiaries.
4.18 Internal Accounting Controls. Except as set forth in Section 4.18 of the Esmark
Disclosure Schedule, Esmark and each of its Subsidiaries maintains accurate books and records in
all material respects reflecting its material assets and material liabilities, and maintains
internal accounting controls which provide reasonable assurance that (i) material transactions are
executed in accordance with management’s authorization, (ii) material transactions are recorded as
necessary to permit preparation of the financial statements of Esmark or any Subsidiary and to
maintain accountability for Esmark and each such Subsidiary’s material assets, (iii) access to
Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries’ material assets is permitted only in accordance with
management’s authorization and (iv) the reporting of Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries’ material
assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals.
ARTICLE V
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
5.1 Preparation of the Form S-4 and the Proxy Statement; WPC Stockholders Meeting; Esmark
Stockholder Approval.
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(a) As soon as practicable following the date of this Agreement, WPC and Esmark shall prepare
and WPC shall file with the SEC the Proxy Statement and WPC and Esmark shall prepare and NewCo
shall file with the SEC the Form S-4, in which the Proxy Statement will be included as a
prospectus. Each of WPC and Esmark shall use its reasonable
best efforts to have the Form S-4 declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as
practicable after such filing and to keep the Form S-4 effective for so long as necessary to
consummate the Combination. WPC shall, subject to Section 5.3, use its reasonable best efforts to
cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to the stockholders of WPC as promptly as practicable after
the Form S-4 is declared effective under the Securities Act. NewCo shall also take any action
(other than qualifying to do business in any jurisdiction in which it is not now so qualified or
filing a general consent to service of process) required to be taken under any applicable state
securities Laws in connection with the issuance of shares of NewCo Common Stock in the Combination.
No filing of, or amendment or supplement to, the Form S-4 shall be made by NewCo, and no filing
of, or amendment or supplement to, the Proxy Statement, shall be made by WPC, in each case, without
providing the other party a reasonable opportunity to review and comment thereon. If at any time
prior to the Effective Time any information relating to WPC, Esmark or any of their respective
Affiliates, directors or officers, should be discovered by WPC or Esmark which should be set forth
in an amendment or supplement to either the Form S-4 or the Proxy Statement, so that either such
document would not include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading, the party which discovers such information shall promptly notify the other parties
hereto and an appropriate amendment or supplement describing such information shall be promptly
filed with the SEC and, to the extent required by Law, disseminated to the stockholders of WPC.
The parties shall notify each other promptly of the receipt of any comments from the SEC or the
staff of the SEC and of any request by the SEC or the staff of the SEC for amendments or
supplements to the Proxy Statement or the Form S-4 or for additional information and shall supply
each other with copies of (i) all correspondence between it or any of its Representatives, on the
one hand, and the SEC or the staff of the SEC, on the other hand, with respect to the Proxy
Statement, the Form S-4 or the Combination and (ii) all orders of the SEC relating to the Form S-4.
(b) WPC shall, as soon as practicable following the date of this Agreement, establish a record
date for, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its stockholders (the “WPC
Stockholders Meeting”) for the purpose of obtaining WPC Stockholder Approval. Subject to
Section 5.3(c), WPC shall, through the Special Committee and its Board of Directors, recommend to
its stockholders adoption of this Agreement (the “WPC Board Recommendation”). The Proxy
Statement shall include a copy of the Fairness Opinion and (subject to Section 5.3(c) the WPC Board
Recommendation). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, WPC’s obligations pursuant to
the first sentence of this Section 5.1(b) shall not be affected by (i) the commencement, public
proposal, public disclosure or communication to WPC of any Takeover Proposal or (ii) any WPC
Adverse Recommendation Change. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, WPC shall not be required to hold the WPC Stockholders Meeting if this Agreement is
terminated in accordance with its terms.
(c) Subject to Section 2.10, Esmark shall, no later than the date of the WPC Stockholders
Meeting or such other date as the parties may agree, duly submit to its stockholders
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this Agreement
for the purpose of obtaining Esmark Stockholder Approval at a meeting of the stockholders of
Esmark, duly called and held (the “Esmark Stockholders Meeting”) or in an action by written
consent of the stockholders of Esmark, in each case, in accordance with the DGCL and the Esmark
Charter Documents. Esmark shall, through its Board of Directors, recommend to its stockholders the
approval and adoption of this Agreement and shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to solicit such approval by its stockholders in accordance
with the DGCL and the Esmark Charter Documents. Esmark shall comply with Section 262(d)(1) or (2)
of the DGCL, as applicable, with respect to notifying its stockholders of the availability of
appraisal rights. As promptly as practicable after obtaining the Esmark Stockholder Approval, but
in no event later than two (2) days prior to the Closing Date, Esmark shall notify each of its
stockholders who is entitled to appraisal rights of the approval of the Esmark Merger and that
appraisal rights are available, pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL.
5.2 Conduct of Business.
(a) WPC. Except with the prior written consent of Esmark, for the matters set forth
in Schedule 5.2(a), as expressly permitted by this Agreement, or as required by applicable Law,
during the period from the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, WPC shall, and shall
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (w) conduct its business in the ordinary course consistent with
past practice, (x) comply in all material respects with all applicable Laws and the requirements of
all Material Contracts, (y) use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain and preserve intact its
business organization and the goodwill of those having business relationships with it and retain
the services of its present officers and key employees, in each case, to the end that its goodwill
and ongoing business shall be unimpaired at the Effective Time, and (z) keep in full force and
effect all material WPC Policies, other than changes to such WPC Policies made in the ordinary
course of business. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except with the prior
written consent of Esmark, for the matters set forth in Schedule 5.2(a) as expressly permitted by
this Agreement or as required by applicable Law, during the period from the date of this Agreement
to the Effective Time, WPC shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries or, to the
fullest extent permitted under the Joint Venture Documents, any of the Joint Ventures to:
(i) (A) issue, sell, grant, dispose of, pledge or otherwise encumber any shares
of its capital stock, voting securities or equity interests, or any securities or
rights convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or evidencing the right to
subscribe for any shares of its capital stock, voting securities or equity
interests, or any rights, warrants, options, calls, commitments or any other
agreements of any character to purchase or acquire any shares of its capital stock,
voting securities or equity interests or any securities or rights convertible into,
exchangeable or exercisable for, or evidencing the right to subscribe for, any
shares of its capital stock, voting securities or equity interests, provided that
(x) WPC may issue WPC Common Shares upon the exercise of WPC Stock Options or the
vesting of WPC Stock Unit Awards granted under the WPC Stock Incentive Plan that are
outstanding on the date of this Agreement and in accordance with the terms thereof
or pursuant to WPC’s profit sharing plan with its employees or agreement with VEBA,
or pursuant to WPC’s 401(k) plans set
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forth in Section 3.11(a) of the WPC Disclosure
Schedule, each in existence as of the date hereof and copies of which have been
provided to Esmark and (y) capital stock, voting securities or equity interests of
WPC’s Subsidiaries may be (1) issued to WPC or a direct or indirect wholly owned
Subsidiary of WPC and (2) pledged to the extent required under WPC’s existing credit
agreement listed in Section 3.13(a) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule; (B) redeem,
purchase or otherwise acquire any of its outstanding shares of capital stock, voting
securities or equity interests, or any rights, warrants, options, calls, commitments
or any other agreements of any character to acquire any shares of its capital stock,
voting securities or equity interests; (C) declare, set aside for payment or pay any
dividend on, or make any other distribution in respect of, any shares of its capital
stock or otherwise make any payments to its stockholders in their capacity as such
(other than dividends by a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of WPC to its
parent); (D) split, combine, subdivide or reclassify any shares of its capital
stock; or (E) amend (including by reducing an exercise price or extending a term) or
waive any of its rights under, or accelerate the vesting under, any provision of the
WPC Stock Plans or any agreement evidencing any outstanding WPC Stock Option or
other right to acquire capital stock of WPC or any restricted stock purchase
agreement or any similar or related Contract;
(ii) incur or assume any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any
indebtedness (or enter into a “keep well” or similar agreement) or issue or sell any
debt securities or options, warrants, calls or other rights to acquire any debt
securities of WPC, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Joint Ventures, other than
(A) borrowings by WPC in the ordinary course of business in amounts not in excess of
$475,000,000 in the aggregate outstanding at any time under WPC’s existing credit
agreements listed in Section 3.13(a) of the WPC Disclosure Schedule and guarantees
of such borrowings issued by WPC’s Subsidiaries to the extent required under the
terms of such credit facilities, (B) borrowings from WPC by a direct or indirect
wholly owned Subsidiary of WPC in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice and (C) borrowings by any of the Joint Ventures in the ordinary course
of business for which there is no guarantee of by, or recourse against, WPC or any
of its Subsidiaries;
(iii) except as set forth in Schedule 5.2(a) , sell, transfer, lease, mortgage,
encumber or otherwise dispose of or subject to any Lien (including pursuant to a
sale-leaseback transaction or an asset securitization transaction) any of its
properties or assets (including securities of Subsidiaries) with a fair market value
in excess of $15,000,000 in the aggregate to any Person, except (A) sales of
inventory in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (B)
pursuant to Contracts in force at the date of this Agreement and listed in Schedule
5.2(a) , correct and complete copies of which have been made available to Esmark,
(C) dispositions of obsolete or worthless assets or (D) transfers among WPC and its
wholly owned Subsidiaries;
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(iv) make any capital expenditure or expenditures which (A) involves the
purchase of real property or (B) is in excess of $2,000,000 in the aggregate, except
for capital expenditures (1) required to address an emergency (of which WPC shall
promptly notify Esmark), (2) subject to the prior written approval of, and in
consultation with, Esmark, and (3) provided for in the relevant period in WPC’s
Capital Spending Detail 2005 — 2009, as previously provided by WPC to Esmark;
(v) directly or indirectly acquire (A) by merging or consolidating with, or by
purchasing all of or a substantial equity interest in, or by any other manner, any
Person or division, business or equity interest of any Person or (B) any assets,
except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or that do
not have a purchase price in excess of $500,000 in the aggregate;
(vi) except for investments or working capital loans required under the limited
liability company agreement of Mountain State Carbon, LLC, make any investment (by
contribution to capital, property transfers, purchase of securities or otherwise)
in, or loan or advance (other than travel and similar advances to its employees in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) to, any Person other
than a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of WPC or a Joint Venture, which
WPC controls, in the ordinary course of business;
(vii) (A) enter into, terminate or amend any Material Contract, or, other than
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, any other Contract
that is material to WPC and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (B) enter into or
extend the term or scope of any Contract that purports to restrict WPC, any Joint
Venture or any existing or future Subsidiary or Affiliate of WPC, from engaging in
any line of business or in any geographic area, (C) enter into any Contract that
would be breached by, or require the consent of any third party in order to continue
in full force following, consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or (D)
release any Person from, or modify or waive any provision of, any confidentiality,
standstill or similar agreement;
(viii) (A) increase in any manner the compensation of any of its directors,
officers or employees or enter into, establish, amend or terminate any employment,
consulting, retention, change in control, collective bargaining, bonus or other
incentive compensation, profit sharing, health or other welfare, stock option or
other equity (or equity-based), pension, retirement, vacation, severance, deferred
compensation or other compensation or benefit plan, policy, agreement, trust, fund
or arrangement with, for or in respect of, any stockholder, director, officer, other
employee, consultant or Affiliate or (B) amend or otherwise modify benefits under
any WPC Plan, grant any awards under any WPC Plan (including the grant of stock
options, stock appreciation rights, stock-based or stock-related awards, performance
units, restricted stock units or restricted stock, or the removal of existing
restrictions in any Contract or WPC Plan or awards made thereunder), accelerate the
payment or vesting of benefits or amounts payable or
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to become payable under any WPC
Plan as in effect on the date hereof, or terminate or establish any WPC Plan, other
than, in the case of clause (A) or (B), (x) as required pursuant to applicable Law
or the terms of the agreements set forth in Schedule 5.2(a) (correct and complete
copies of which have been made available to Esmark) and (y) increases in salaries,
wages and benefits of employees (other than officers) made in the ordinary course of
business and in amounts and in a manner consistent with past practice;
(ix) except as set forth on Schedule 5.2(a) , make or change any material
election concerning Taxes or Tax Returns, file any amended Tax Return, enter into
any closing agreement with respect to Taxes, settle any material Tax claim or
assessment or surrender any right to claim a refund of Taxes or obtain any Tax
ruling;
(x) make any changes in financial or tax accounting methods, principles or
practices (or change an annual accounting period), except insofar as may be required
by a change in GAAP or applicable Law;
(xi) amend the WPC Charter Documents or the WPC Subsidiary Documents;
(xii) adopt a plan or agreement of complete or partial liquidation,
dissolution, restructuring, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other
reorganization (other than transactions exclusively between wholly owned
Subsidiaries of WPC);
(xiii) approve any transaction, or any third party becoming an “interested
stockholder”, under Section 203 of the DGCL;
(xiv) except as set forth in Schedule 5.2(a), pay, discharge, settle or satisfy
any claims, liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted,
contingent or otherwise), other than the payment, discharge, settlement or
satisfaction in accordance with their terms of liabilities, claims or obligations
reflected or reserved against in the most recent consolidated financial statements
(or the notes thereto) of WPC included in the Filed WPC SEC Documents or incurred
since the date of such financial statements in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice;
(xv) issue any broadly distributed written communication of a general nature to
employees (including general communications relating to benefits and compensation)
or customers without the prior approval of Esmark, except for communications in the
ordinary course of business that do not relate to the transactions contemplated
hereby;
(xvi) except as set forth in Schedule 5.2(a), settle or compromise any
litigation, proceeding or investigation material to WPC and its Subsidiaries taken
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as a whole (this covenant being in addition to WPC’s agreement set forth in Section
5.9 hereof); or
(xvii) agree, in writing or otherwise, to take any of the foregoing actions.
(b) Esmark. Except with the prior written consent of WPC acting with the approval of
the Special Committee, for the matters set forth in Schedule 5.2(b), as expressly permitted by this
Agreement or as required by applicable Law, during the period from the date of this Agreement until
the Effective Time, Esmark shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (w) conduct its
business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice, (x) comply in all
material respects with all applicable Laws and the requirements of all Material Contracts, (y)
use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain and preserve intact its business organization and
the goodwill of those having business relationships with it and retain the services of its present
officers and key employees, in each case, to the end that its goodwill and ongoing business shall
be unimpaired at the Effective Time, and (z) keep in full force and effect all material Esmark
Policies, other than changes to such Esmark Policies made in the ordinary course of business.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except with the prior written consent of WPC
acting with the approval of the Special Committee, for the matters set forth in Schedule 5.2(b), as
expressly permitted by this Agreement or as required by applicable Law, during the period from the
date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, Esmark shall not, and shall not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to:
(i) (A) issue, sell, grant, dispose of, pledge or otherwise encumber any shares of its capital stock, voting securities or equity interests, or any
securities or rights convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or
evidencing the right to subscribe for any shares of its capital stock, voting
securities or equity interests, or any rights, warrants, options, calls, commitments
or any other agreements of any character to purchase or acquire any shares of its
capital stock, voting securities or equity interests or any securities or rights
convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or evidencing the right to
subscribe for, any shares of its capital stock, voting securities or equity
interests, (B) redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any of its outstanding shares
of capital stock, voting securities or equity interests, or any rights, warrants,
options, calls, commitments or any other agreements of any character to acquire any shares of its capital stock, voting securities or equity interests; (C) declare, set
aside for payment or pay any dividend on, or make any other distribution in respect
of, any shares of its capital stock or otherwise make any payments to its
stockholders in their capacity as such (other than dividends by a direct or indirect
wholly owned Subsidiary of Esmark to its parent and dividends of cash by Esmark
consistent with Esmark’s obligations under Section 6.3(d)); (D) split, combine,
subdivide or reclassify any shares of its capital stock; or (E) amend (including by
reducing an exercise price or extending a term) or waive any of its rights under, or
accelerate the vesting under any agreement evidencing any Esmark Derivatives or
other rights to acquire capital stock of Esmark or any restricted stock purchase
agreement or any similar or related Contract;
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(ii) incur or assume any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any
indebtedness (or enter into a “keep well” or similar agreement) or issue or sell any
debt securities or options, warrants, calls or other rights to acquire any debt
securities of Esmark, other than borrowings by Esmark in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice;
(iii) sell, transfer, lease, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of or
subject to any Lien (including pursuant to a sale-leaseback transaction or an asset
securitization transaction) any of its properties or assets (including securities of
Subsidiaries) with a fair market value in excess of $15,000,000 in the aggregate to
any Person, except (A) sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, (B) pursuant to Contracts in force at the date
of this Agreement and listed on Schedule 5.2(b), correct and complete copies of
which have been made available to WPC, (C) dispositions of obsolete or worthless
assets or (D) transfers among Esmark and its wholly owned Subsidiaries;
(iv) except as set forth in Schedule 5.2(b), make any capital expenditure or
expenditures which (A) involves the purchase of real property or (B) is in excess of
$2,000,000 in the aggregate;
(v) directly or indirectly acquire (A) by merging or consolidating with, or by
purchasing all of or a substantial equity interest in, or by any other manner, any
Person or division, business or equity interest of any Person or (B) any assets,
except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or that do
not have a purchase price in excess of $500,000 in the aggregate;
(vi) make any investment (by contribution to capital, property transfers,
purchase of securities or otherwise) in, or loan or advance (other than travel and
similar advances to its employees in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice) to, any Person other than a direct or indirect wholly owned
Subsidiary of Esmark in the ordinary course of business;
(vii) (A) enter into, terminate or amend any Esmark Material Contract, or,
other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, any
other Contract that is material to Esmark and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
(B) enter into or extend the term or scope of any Contract that purports to restrict
Esmark or any existing or future Subsidiary or Affiliate of Esmark, from engaging in
any line of business or in any geographic area, (C) enter into any Contract that
would be breached by, or require the consent of any third party in order to continue
in full force following, consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or (D)
release any Person from, or modify or waive any provision of, any confidentiality,
standstill or similar agreement;
(viii) (A) increase in any manner the compensation of any of its directors,
officers or employees or enter into, establish, amend or terminate any employment,
consulting, retention, change in control, collective bargaining, bonus
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or other
incentive compensation, profit sharing, health or other welfare, stock option or
other equity (or equity-based), pension, retirement, vacation, severance, deferred
compensation or other compensation or benefit plan, policy, agreement, trust, fund
or arrangement with, for or in respect of, any stockholder, director, officer, other
employee, consultant or Affiliate or (B) amend or otherwise modify benefits under
any Esmark Plan, grant any awards under any Esmark Plan (including the grant of
stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock-based or stock-related awards,
performance units, restricted stock units or restricted stock, or the removal of
existing restrictions in any Contract or Esmark Plan or awards made thereunder),
accelerate the payment or vesting of benefits or amounts payable or to become
payable under any Esmark Plan as in effect on the date hereof, or terminate or
establish any Esmark Plan, other than, in the case of clause
(A) or (B), (x) as required pursuant to applicable law or the terms of the
agreements set forth on Schedule 5.2(b) (correct and complete copies of which have
been made available to WPC) and (y) increases in salaries, wages and benefits of
employees (other than officers) made in the ordinary course of business and in
amounts and in a manner consistent with past practice;
(ix) make or change any material election concerning Taxes or Tax Returns, file
any amended Tax Return, enter into any closing agreement with respect to Taxes,
settle any material Tax claim or assessment or surrender any right to claim a refund
of Taxes or obtain any Tax ruling;
(x) make any changes in financial or tax accounting methods, principles or
practices (or change an annual accounting period), except insofar as may be required
by a change in GAAP or applicable Law;
(xi) amend the Esmark Charter Documents;
(xii) adopt a plan or agreement of complete or partial liquidation,
dissolution, restructuring, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other
reorganization (other than transactions exclusively between wholly owned
Subsidiaries of Esmark);
(xiii) pay, discharge, settle or satisfy any claims, liabilities or obligations
(absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other than the
payment, discharge, settlement or satisfaction in accordance with their terms of
liabilities, claims or obligations reflected or reserved against in the most recent
Esmark Financial Statements (or the notes thereto) or incurred since the date of
such financial statements in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice;
(xiv) issue any broadly distributed communication of a general nature to
employees (including general communications relating to benefits and compensation)
or customers without the prior approval of WPC, except for
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communications in the
ordinary course of business that do not relate to the transactions contemplated
hereby;
(xv) settle or compromise any litigation, proceeding or investigation material
to Esmark and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(xvi) use the proceeds from any Additional Esmark Equity except (A) for
expenditures made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
and (B) in compliance with the covenants set forth in this Section 5.2(b) and
(xvii) agree, in writing or otherwise, to take any of the foregoing actions.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, (i) subject to any
applicable Laws, Esmark may sell, redeem, dividend or otherwise dispose of any WPC
Common Shares (including the cash equivalent thereof) owned by Esmark or its Subsidiaries; and
(ii) prior to the Closing, Esmark shall be permitted to eliminate some or all of the Earn-Out
Shares by issuing shares of Esmark Common Stock to the holders of the Earn-Out Shares in amounts
not to exceed the total number of possible shares due each such holder, respectively, or in the
aggregate, not to exceed the total amount of all such Earn-Out Shares set forth in Section 4.2(a).
5.3 No Solicitation by WPC, Etc.
(a) WPC shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and WPC and its Subsidiaries’ respective
directors, officers, employees, investment bankers, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants,
agents and other representatives (collectively, “Representatives”) to, immediately cease
and cause to be terminated any discussions or negotiations with any Person conducted heretofore
with respect to a Takeover Proposal, and request the prompt return or the destruction of all copies
of confidential information previously provided to such Persons by WPC, its Subsidiaries or
Representatives. WPC shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and Representatives not to,
directly or indirectly (i) solicit, initiate, cause, knowingly facilitate or knowingly encourage
(including by way of furnishing information) any Takeover Proposal or any inquiry that constitutes,
or may reasonably be expected to lead to, any Takeover Proposal, (ii) other than solely to inform a
third party of the provisions of this Section 5.3, participate in any discussions or negotiations
with any third party regarding any Takeover Proposal, (iii) accept a Takeover Proposal or enter
into any agreement related to any Takeover Proposal or (iv) enter into any agreement that would
require WPC to abandon the Combination or terminate this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Special Committee and/or the Board of Directors of WPC
receives an unsolicited, bona fide written Takeover Proposal made after the date hereof in
circumstances not involving a breach of this Agreement or any standstill agreement, and the Special
Committee determines in good faith (after receiving the advice of a financial advisor of national
recognized reputation) that such Takeover Proposal constitutes or is reasonably likely to
constitute a Superior Proposal, and with respect to which the Special Committee determines in
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good
faith (after considering applicable Law and after consulting with and receiving the advice of
outside counsel) that the taking of the actions specified in clauses (A) or (B) of this Section
5.3(a) below (or the Special Committee making a recommendation or report to the Board of WPC with
respect to the taking of such actions) is reasonably necessary in order for the Special Committee
and/or the Board of WPC to comply with its fiduciary duties to the stockholders of WPC under
applicable Law, then WPC may, at any time prior to obtaining WPC Stockholder Approval (but in no
event after obtaining WPC Stockholder Approval) and after providing Esmark not less than 24 hours
written notice of its intention to take such actions, (A) furnish information with respect to WPC
and its Subsidiaries to the Person making such Takeover Proposal (and its Representatives), but
only after such Person enters into a customary confidentiality agreement with WPC (which
confidentiality agreement must be no less favorable to WPC (i.e., no less restrictive with respect
to the conduct of such Person) than the Confidentiality Agreement), provided that (1) such
confidentiality agreement may not include any provision calling for an exclusive right to negotiate
with WPC and may not restrict WPC from complying with this Section 5.3, and (2) concurrently with
its delivery to such Person, WPC delivers to Esmark all such information not previously provided to
Esmark, and (B)
participate in discussions and negotiations with such Person regarding such Takeover Proposal.
Without limiting the foregoing, it is understood that any violation of the foregoing restrictions
by WPC’s Subsidiaries or Representatives shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section 5.3 by WPC.
To the fullest extent permitted under the Joint Venture Documents, WPC shall cause the Joint
Ventures, their Subsidiaries and the Joint Ventures’ and their Subsidiaries’ Representatives to
comply with this Section 5.3. WPC shall provide Esmark with a correct and complete copy of any
confidentiality agreement entered into pursuant to this paragraph within 24 hours of the execution
thereof.
(b) In addition to the other obligations of WPC set forth in this Section 5.3, WPC shall
promptly advise Esmark, orally and in writing, and in no event later than 24 hours after receipt,
if any proposal, offer, inquiry or other contact is received by, any information is requested from,
or any discussions or negotiations are sought to be initiated or continued with, WPC in respect of
any Takeover Proposal, and shall, in any such notice to Esmark, indicate the identity of the Person
making such proposal, offer, inquiry or other contact and the terms and conditions of any proposals
or offers or the nature of any inquiries or contacts (and shall include with such notice copies of
any written materials received from or on behalf of such Person relating to such proposal, offer,
inquiry or request), and thereafter shall promptly keep Esmark reasonably informed of all material
developments affecting the status and terms of any such proposals, offers, inquiries or requests
(and WPC shall provide Esmark with copies of any additional written materials received that relate
to such proposals, offers, inquiries or requests) and of the status of any such discussions or
negotiations.
(c) Except as expressly permitted by this Section 5.3(c), neither the Board of Directors of
WPC nor any committee thereof shall (i) withdraw or modify, or propose publicly to withdraw or
modify, in a manner adverse to Esmark, the WPC Board Recommendation or the approval or declaration
of advisability by such Board of Directors of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby (including the Combination), (ii) adopt, approve or recommend, or propose publicly to adopt,
approve or recommend, any Takeover Proposal (any action described in clauses (i) or (ii) being
referred to as a “WPC Adverse Recommendation
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Change”) or (iii) cause or authorize WPC or
any of its Subsidiaries to enter into, any letter of intent, agreement in principle, memorandum of
understanding, merger, acquisition, purchase or joint venture agreement or other agreement related
to any Takeover Proposal (other than a confidentiality agreement in accordance with Section 5.3(a))
(each, a “WPC Acquisition Agreement”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, any time prior to
obtaining the WPC Stockholder Approval, the Special Committee, pursuant to its charter, and/or the
Board of Directors of WPC may make a WPC Adverse Recommendation Change and, only upon termination
of this Agreement in accordance with Section 7.1(d)(ii), enter into a definitive WPC Acquisition
Agreement, (x) following receipt of any Takeover Proposal made after the date hereof with respect
to which the Special Committee or Board of Directors of WPC determines in good faith (after
receiving the advice of a financial advisor of nationally recognized reputation and of its outside
counsel) constitutes a Superior Proposal or (y) if an Esmark Material Adverse Effect has occurred,
and, in the case of either (x) or (y), the Board of Directors of WPC determines in good faith
(after receiving the advice of its outside counsel) that it is reasonably necessary to do so in
order to comply with its fiduciary duties to the stockholders of WPC under applicable Law;
provided, however, that no WPC Adverse Recommendation Change may be made and no WPC Acquisition
Agreement may be entered into in response to a Superior Proposal until after the
fifth (5th) calendar day following Esmark’s receipt of written notice (unless at the time such
notice is otherwise required to be given there are less than five (5) calendar days prior to the
WPC Stockholders Meeting, in which case WPC shall provide as much notice as is reasonably
practicable) from WPC (a “WPC Adverse Recommendation Notice”) advising Esmark that the Special
Committee or the Board of Directors of WPC intends to make such WPC Adverse Recommendation Change
or WPC intends to enter into such WPC Acquisition Agreement and providing a description of the
material terms of such Superior Proposal or any other basis for making such WPC Adverse
Recommendation Change or entering into such WPC Acquisition Agreement, the most current version of
the WPC Acquisition Agreement, if any, and any other information required by Section 5.3(b) (it
being understood and agreed that any amendment to the financial terms or other material terms of
such Superior Proposal shall require a new WPC Adverse Recommendation Notice and a new five (5)
calendar day period (unless at the time such notice is otherwise required to be given there are
less than five (5) calendar days prior to the WPC Stockholders Meeting, in which case WPC shall
provide as much notice as is reasonably practicable)). In determining whether to make a WPC Adverse
Recommendation Change or to authorize and approve the entry by WPC or its Subsidiaries into a WPC
Acquisition Agreement in response to a Superior Proposal, the Special Committee or the Board of
Directors of WPC shall take into account any changes to the terms of this Agreement proposed by
Esmark (in response to a WPC Adverse Recommendation Notice or otherwise) in determining whether
such third party Takeover Proposal still constitutes a Superior Proposal (and WPC shall have
negotiated in good faith with Esmark during such five (5) calendar day period (to the extent Esmark
desires to negotiate) with respect to such changes to the terms of this Agreement proposed by
Esmark).
(d) For purposes of this Agreement:
“Takeover Proposal” means any inquiry, proposal or offer from any Person or “group”
(as defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), other than Esmark and its Subsidiaries, relating
to any (A) direct or indirect acquisition (whether in a single transaction or a series of
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related
transactions) of assets of WPC and its Subsidiaries (including securities of Subsidiaries) equal to
20% or more of WPC’s consolidated assets or to which 20% or more of WPC’s revenues or earnings on a
consolidated basis are attributable, (B) direct or indirect acquisition (whether in a single
transaction or a series of related transactions) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of
Section 13 under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of any class of equity securities of WPC, (C)
tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any Person or “group” (as
defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) beneficially owning 20% or more of any class of
equity securities of WPC or (D) merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination,
recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving WPC or any of its
Subsidiaries; in each case, other than the transactions contemplated hereby.
“Superior Proposal” means a bona fide written offer, obtained after the date hereof
and not in breach of this Agreement or any standstill agreement, to acquire, directly or
indirectly, for consideration consisting of cash and/or securities, more than 50% of the equity
securities of WPC or all or substantially all of the assets of WPC and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis, made by a third party, (i) which is not subject to a financing contingency,
(ii) which is otherwise on terms and conditions which the Special Committee and the Board of
Directors of WPC determines in its good faith judgment (after consultation with outside counsel and a financial
advisor of national reputation) to be more favorable to WPC’s stockholders from a financial point
of view than the Combination and the other transactions contemplated hereby, taking into account at
the time of determination any changes to the terms of this Agreement that as of that time had been
agreed to by Esmark in writing, and (iii) which is reasonably capable of being completed, taking
into account any approval requirements and all other financial, legal, regulatory and other aspects
of such proposal.
(e) Nothing in this Section 5.3 shall prohibit the Special Committee or the Board of Directors
of WPC from taking and disclosing to WPC’s stockholders a position contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a),
Rule 14d-9 or Item 1012(a) of Regulation M-A promulgated under the Exchange Act if such Board
determines in good faith, after consultation with outside counsel, that there is a reasonable
likelihood that failure to so disclose such position would constitute a violation of applicable
Law. For purposes of this Agreement (including Article VII), (i) a factually accurate public
statement by WPC that merely describes WPC’s receipt of a Takeover Proposal and the operation of
this Agreement with respect thereto shall not be deemed a withdrawal or modification, or proposal
by the Board of Directors of WPC to withdraw or modify, such Board’s recommendation of this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, or an approval or recommendation with respect to
such Takeover Proposal and (ii) any “stop, look and listen” communication by the Special Committee
or the Board of Directors to the stockholders of WPC pursuant to Rule 14d-9(f) under the Exchange
Act or any similar communication to the stockholders shall not constitute a WPC Adverse
Recommendation Change, provided that, in no event will WPC, the Board of Directors of WPC or any
committee thereof (A) recommend that the stockholders of WPC tender their shares in connection with
any such tender or exchange offer (or otherwise approve or recommend any Takeover Proposal) or (B)
withdraw or modify WPC Board Recommendation, in each case other than in accordance with Section
5.3.
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5.4 Reasonable Commercial Efforts.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including Section 5.4(d)), each of
the parties hereto shall cooperate with the other parties and use (and shall cause their respective
Subsidiaries to use) their respective reasonable commercial efforts to promptly (i) take, or cause
to be taken, all actions, and do, or cause to be done, all things, necessary, proper or advisable
to cause the conditions to Closing to be satisfied as promptly as practicable and to consummate and
make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the transactions contemplated hereby,
including preparing and filing promptly and fully all documentation to effect all necessary
filings, notices, petitions, statements, registrations, submissions of information, applications
and other documents (including any required or recommended filings under applicable Antitrust
Laws), and (ii) obtain all approvals, consents, registrations, permits, authorizations and other
confirmations from any Governmental Authority or third party necessary, proper or advisable to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. For purposes hereof, “Antitrust Laws”
means the Xxxxxxx Act, as amended, the NewCo Act, as amended, the HSR Act, the Federal Trade
Commission Act, as amended, and all other applicable Laws issued by a Governmental Authority that
are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of
monopolization or restraint of trade or lessening of competition through merger or acquisition.
(b) In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, (i) each party hereto agrees to
make an appropriate filing of a Notification and Report Form pursuant to the HSR Act with respect
to the transactions contemplated hereby as promptly as practicable and in any event within ten (10)
Business Days of the date hereof and to supply as promptly as practicable any additional
information and documentary material that may be requested pursuant to the HSR Act and use its
reasonable commercial efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all other actions consistent with this
Section 5.4 necessary to cause the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods
under the HSR Act as soon as practicable; and (ii) WPC and Esmark shall each use its reasonable
commercial efforts to (x) take all action necessary to ensure that no state takeover statute or
similar Law is or becomes applicable to any of the transactions contemplated hereby and (y) if any
state takeover statute or similar Law becomes applicable to any of the transactions contemplated
hereby, take all action necessary to ensure that the transactions contemplated hereby may be
consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise
minimize the effect of such Law on the transactions contemplated hereby.
(c) Each of the parties hereto shall use its reasonable commercial efforts to (i) cooperate in
all respects with each other in connection with any filing or submission with a Governmental
Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (including, to the extent
permitted by applicable Laws relating to the exchange of information, providing copies of all such
documents to the outside antitrust counsel of the other parties prior to the submission of the
filing or application and considering all reasonable additions, deletions or changes suggested in
connection therewith) and in connection with any investigation or other inquiry by or before a
Governmental Authority relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, including any proceeding
initiated by a private party, and (ii) keep the other party informed in all material respects and
on a reasonably timely basis of any material communication received by
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such party from, or given by such party to, the Federal Trade Commission, the Antitrust
Division of the Department of Justice, or any other Governmental Authority and of any material
communication received or given in connection with any proceeding by a private party, in each case
regarding any of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(d) In furtherance and not in limitation of the covenants of the parties contained in this
Section 5.4, each of the parties hereto shall use its reasonable commercial efforts to resolve such
objections, if any, as may be asserted by a Governmental Authority or other Person with respect to
the transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this
Agreement, neither Esmark nor WPC shall, without prior written consent of the other, commit to any
divestiture transaction or agree to any restriction on its business, and nothing in this Section
5.4 shall (i) limit any applicable rights a party may have to terminate this Agreement pursuant to
Section 7.1 so long as such party has up to then complied in all material respects with its
obligations under this Section 5.4, (ii) require Esmark or WPC to offer, accept or agree to (A)
dispose or hold separate any part of their respective businesses, operations, assets or product
lines (or a combination of Esmark’s and WPC’s respective businesses, operations, assets or product
lines), (B) not compete in any geographic area or line of business, and/or (C) restrict the manner
in which, or whether, NewCo, WPC, Esmark or any of their Affiliates may carry on business in any
part of the world or (iii) require any party to this Agreement to contest or otherwise resist any
administrative or judicial action or proceeding, including any proceeding by a private party,
challenging any of the transactions contemplated hereby as violative of any Antitrust Law.
5.5 Public Announcements. The initial press release with respect to the execution of
this Agreement shall be a joint press release to be reasonably agreed upon by WPC and Esmark.
Thereafter, WPC and Esmark shall consult with each other before issuing, and shall give each other
reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon, any press release or other public announcement
(to the extent not previously issued or made in accordance with this Agreement) with respect to
this Agreement, the Combination or the other transactions contemplated hereby, and shall not issue
or cause the publication of any such press release or other public announcement prior to such
consultation, except as may be required by Law or by any applicable listing agreement with a
national securities exchange as determined in the good faith judgment of the party proposing to
make such release.
5.6 Access to Information; Confidentiality.
(a) Subject to applicable Laws relating to the exchange of information, WPC, on the one hand,
and Esmark, on the other hand, shall, and shall cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to,
afford WPC and Esmark, respectively, and their respective Representatives, reasonable access during
normal business hours to all of WPC’s, and Esmark and their respective Subsidiaries’ and the Joint
Ventures’ properties, commitments, books, Contracts, records and correspondence (in each case,
whether in physical or electronic form), officers, employees, accountants, counsel, financial
advisors and other Representatives and WPC and Esmark shall furnish promptly to each other (i) a
copy of each report, schedule and other document filed or submitted by WPC or Esmark, as
applicable, pursuant to the requirements of Federal or state securities Laws (and WPC shall deliver
to Esmark a copy of each report, schedule and other
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document proposed to be filed or submitted by WPC pursuant to the requirements of Federal
securities Laws as promptly as practicable prior to such filing) and a copy of any communication
(including “comment letters”) received by WPC or Esmark, as applicable, from the SEC concerning
compliance with securities Laws and (ii) all other information concerning WPC or Esmark, as
applicable, and their respective Subsidiaries’ and the Joint Ventures’ businesses, properties and
personnel as the other may reasonably request, other than the portion of any minutes regarding the
deliberations of the WPC Board of Directors or the Board of Directors of Esmark (or any committee
thereof) in connection with entering into this Agreement or pursuing other strategic alternatives
and any materials provided to the WPC Board of Directors or the Board of Directors of Esmark in
connection therewith. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither WPC nor Esmark shall be obligated to
provide such access or information if it determines, in its reasonable best judgment, that doing so
would violate applicable Law or a Contract or obligation of confidentiality owing to a third party
or jeopardize the protection of an attorney-client privilege in a pending or threatened litigation
or governmental investigation. WPC or Esmark, as applicable, shall use reasonable commercial
efforts to obtain waivers of any of the foregoing confidentiality obligations and WPC and Esmark
shall use reasonable best efforts to enter into appropriate joint defense agreements to preserve
attorney-client privilege. Except for disclosures permitted by the terms of the Confidentiality
Agreement, dated as of July 10, 2005, between Xxxxxxxx Group, L.L.C. and WPC (as it may be amended
from time to time, the “Confidentiality Agreement”), WPC and Esmark, respectively, and
their respective Representatives shall hold information received from each other pursuant to this
Section 5.6 in confidence in accordance with the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement.
(b) Subject to the conditions in Section 5.6(a), (i) access for Esmark and its
Representatives, on the one hand, and WPC, on the other hand, shall include access to all material
environmentally related audits, studies, reports, analyses and results of investigations performed
with respect to the currently or previously owned, leased or operated properties of WPC or any of
its Subsidiaries or WPC and Esmark, respectively, and their respective Representatives shall have
the right to conduct (or cause an environmental consultant to conduct) Phase I Environmental Site
Assessments and compliance audits at any real property owned, operated or leased by WPC or any of
its Subsidiaries, respectively, subject to any restrictions imposed in current leases, and WPC and
Esmark, respectively, shall cooperate in connection therewith.
(c) No investigation, or information received, pursuant to this Section 5.6 will modify any of
the representations and warranties of the parties hereto.
5.7 Notification of Certain Matters. WPC shall give prompt notice to Esmark, and
Esmark shall give prompt notice to WPC, of (i) any notice or other communication received by such
party from any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or
from any Person alleging that the consent of such Person is or may be required in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby, if the subject matter of such communication or the failure of
such party to obtain such consent could be material to NewCo, WPC or Esmark, (ii) any actions,
suits, claims, investigations or proceedings commenced or, to such party’s Knowledge, threatened
against, relating to or involving or otherwise affecting such party or any of its Subsidiaries
which relate to the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) the
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discovery of any fact or circumstance that, or the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event
the occurrence or non-occurrence of which, would cause any representation or warranty made by such
party contained in this Agreement (A) that is qualified as to materiality or Material Adverse
Effect to be untrue and (B) that is not so qualified to be untrue in any material respect, and (iv)
any material failure of such party to comply with or satisfy any covenant or agreement to be
complied with or satisfied by it hereunder; provided, however, that the delivery of any notice
pursuant to this Section 5.7 shall not (x) cure any breach of, or non-compliance with, any other
provision of this Agreement or (y) limit the remedies available to the party receiving such notice.
5.8 Indemnification and Insurance.
(a) WPC shall, and from and after the Effective Time NewCo shall, (i) indemnify and hold
harmless each individual who at the Effective Time is, or at any time prior to the Effective Time
was, a director or officer of WPC or of a Subsidiary of WPC (each, a “WPC Indemnitee”) with
respect to all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, judgments, fines, penalties, costs (including
amounts paid in settlement or compromise) and expenses (including fees and expenses of legal
counsel) in connection with any claim, suit, action, proceeding or investigation (whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative), whenever asserted, based on or arising out of, in whole
or in part, acts or omissions by a WPC Indemnitee in the WPC Indemnitee’s capacity as a director,
officer, employee or agent of WPC or such Subsidiary or taken at the request of WPC or such
Subsidiary (including in connection with serving at the request of WPC or such Subsidiary as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another Person (including any employee benefit plan)), at,
or at any time prior to, the Effective Time (including in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby), to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law and provided under the
WPC Charter Documents or any existing agreements with such WPC Indemnitee, and (ii) assume all
obligations of WPC and such Subsidiaries to the WPC Indemnitees in respect of indemnification and
exculpation from liabilities for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time as
provided in the WPC Charter Documents. Without limiting the foregoing, NewCo, from and after the
Effective Time, shall cause the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of WPC to contain
provisions no less favorable to the WPC Indemnitees with respect to limitation of liabilities of
directors and officers and indemnification than are set forth as of the date of this Agreement in
the WPC Charter Documents, which provisions shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified in
a manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder of the WPC Indemnitees. In addition,
from and after the Effective Time, NewCo shall, and NewCo shall cause WPC to, pay any expenses
(including fees and expenses of legal counsel) of any WPC Indemnitee under this Section 5.8
(including in connection with enforcing the indemnity and other obligations provided for in this
Section 5.8) as incurred to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, provided that the
person to whom expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to repay such advances to the extent
required by applicable Law.
(b) Esmark shall, and from and after the Effective Time NewCo shall, (i) indemnify and hold
harmless each individual who at the Effective Time is, or at any time prior to the Effective Time
was, a director or officer of Esmark or of a Subsidiary of Esmark (each, an “Esmark
Indemnitee” and, together with the WPC Indemnitees, the “Indemnitees”) with respect to
all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, judgments, fines, penalties, costs (including amounts
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paid in settlement or compromise) and expenses (including fees and expenses of legal counsel)
in connection with any claim, suit, action, proceeding or investigation (whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative), whenever asserted, based on or arising out of, in whole or in
part, acts or omissions by an Esmark Indemnitee in the Esmark Indemnitee’s capacity as a director,
officer, employee or agent of Esmark or such Subsidiary or taken at the request of Esmark or such
Subsidiary (including in connection with serving at the request of Esmark or such Subsidiary as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another Person (including any employee benefit plan)), at,
or at any time prior to, the Effective Time (including in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby), to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law and provided under the
Esmark Charter Documents or any existing agreements with such Esmark Indemnitee, and (ii) assume
all obligations of Esmark and such Subsidiaries to the Esmark Indemnitees in respect of
indemnification and exculpation from liabilities for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the
Effective Time as provided in the Esmark Charter Documents. Without limiting the foregoing, NewCo,
from and after the Effective Time, shall cause the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of
Esmark to contain provisions no less favorable to the Esmark Indemnitees with respect to limitation
of liabilities of directors and officers and indemnification than are set forth as of the date of
this Agreement in the Esmark Charter Documents, which provisions shall not be amended, repealed or
otherwise modified in a manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder of the Esmark
Indemnitees. In addition, from and after the Effective Time, NewCo shall, and NewCo shall cause
Esmark to, pay any expenses (including fees and expenses of legal counsel) of any Esmark Indemnitee
under this Section 5.8 (including in connection with enforcing the indemnity and other obligations
provided for in this Section 5.8) as incurred to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law,
provided that the person to whom expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to repay such
advances to the extent required by applicable Law.
(c) For a period of at least six (6) years from the Effective Time, NewCo shall cause to be
maintained in effect standard policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in amount
and scope at least as favorable as existing policies for WPC and Esmark respectively, including
coverage with respect to claims arising from facts or events that occurred on or prior to the
Effective Time; or if WPC or Esmark do not obtain such tail policies prior to the Effective Time,
then each of WPC and Esmark shall maintain in effect for six (6) years from the Effective Time
their current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance covering acts or omissions occurring at
or prior to the Effective Time with respect to those persons who are currently covered by such
directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies on terms with respect to such coverage, and
in amount, not less favorable to such individuals than those of such policy in effect on the date
hereof (or NewCo may cause WPC and Esmark to substitute therefor policies, issued by reputable
insurers, of at least the same coverage with respect to matters occurring prior to the Effective
Time); provided, however, that, if the aggregate annual premiums for the insurance specified in
this Section 5.8(c) shall exceed 250% of the current aggregate annual premium paid by WPC or
Esmark, then NewCo shall provide or cause to be provided a policy for the applicable individuals
with the best coverage as shall then be available at an annual premium of 250% of the current
aggregate annual premium.
(d) The provisions of this Section 5.8 are (i) intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be
enforceable by, each Indemnitee, his or her heirs and his or her representatives and
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(ii) in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other rights to indemnification or
contribution that any such Person may have by contract or otherwise. The obligations of WPC, Esmark
and NewCo under this Section 5.8 shall not be terminated or modified in such a manner as to
adversely affect the rights of any Indemnitee to whom this Section 5.8 applies unless (x) such
termination or modification is required by applicable Law or (y) the affected Indemnitee shall have
consented in writing to such termination or modification (it being expressly agreed that the
Indemnitees to whom this Section 5.8 applies shall be third party beneficiaries of this Section
5.8).
5.9 Securityholder Litigation. WPC shall give Esmark and NewCo the opportunity to
participate in the defense or settlement of any securityholder litigation against WPC and/or its
directors relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and no such settlement shall be agreed
to without Esmark’s prior written consent if the aggregate of all such settlements is in excess of
$5,000,000 exclusive of insurance proceeds or would materially impair the ability of WPC to
consummate any of the transactions contemplated hereunder.
5.10 Fees and Expenses. Except as set forth in this Section 5.10, all fees and
expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, the Combination and the other transactions
contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such fees or expenses, whether or not the
Combination is consummated; provided, however, that (a) WPC and Esmark shall share equally all fees
and expenses, other than attorneys’ fees, incurred in relation to the printing and filing of the
Proxy Statement (including any related preliminary materials) and the Form S-4 (including financial
statements and exhibits) and any amendments or supplements; (b) upon termination of this Agreement
by WPC pursuant to Section 7.1(d)(ii), WPC shall reimburse Esmark for all actual out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by Esmark relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement prior to
termination (including, but not limited to, fees and expenses of Esmark’s counsel, accountants and
financial advisors), up to a maximum aggregate amount of $2,000,000.00; and (c) upon termination of
this Agreement under Section 7.1, WPC shall reimburse, to the extent it has not already done so,
Esmark for all of its fees and expenses in connection with the proxy solicitation for the WPC 2006
annual meeting so long as such reimbursement is permitted under Delaware law and the amounts do not
exceed those which have been presented to the Special Committee prior to the date hereof or which
are otherwise agreed to in writing by the Special Committee.
5.11 Affiliates. As soon as practicable after the date hereof, each of WPC and Esmark
will provide the other with a list identifying all Persons who will be, in its reasonable judgment
after review by its counsel, at the time this Agreement is submitted for adoption by the
stockholders of WPC, “affiliates” of it for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities Act and
applicable SEC rules and regulations. Each of WPC and Esmark shall use its reasonable commercial
efforts to cause each such Person to deliver to the other at least thirty (30) days prior to the
Closing a written agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E. NewCo shall
be entitled to place appropriate legends on the certificates evidencing any NewCo Common Stock to
be received by such Rule 145 affiliates pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and to issue
appropriate stop transfer instructions to the transfer agent for NewCo Common Stock, consistent
with the terms of the affiliate agreements.
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5.12 Reorganization Treatment. WPC and Esmark shall each execute and deliver to
Xxxxxxxx Ingersoll & Rooney PC, counsel to the Special Committee, and McGuireWoods LLP, counsel to
Esmark, certificates in such form and at such time or times as reasonably requested by each such
law firm in connection with its delivery of the tax opinion referred to in Section 6.2 or 6.3, as
the case may be. Prior to the Effective Time, neither WPC nor Esmark shall take or cause to be
taken any action which would cause to be untrue any of the representations in such certificates.
5.13 Rule 16b-3.
(a) Prior to the Effective Time, WPC and Esmark shall take such steps as may be reasonably
requested by any party hereto to cause dispositions of WPC equity securities (including derivative
securities) pursuant to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by each individual who is a
director or officer of WPC to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act in
accordance with that certain No-Action Letter dated January 12, 1999 issued by the SEC regarding
such matters (the “No-Action Letter”).
(b) Prior to the Effective Time, Esmark shall take such steps as may be reasonably requested
by any party hereto to cause acquisitions of Esmark equity securities (including derivative
securities) pursuant to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by each individual who
shall be a director or officer of Esmark immediately following the Effective Time to be exempt
under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act in accordance with the No-Action Letter.
5.14 Credit Agreements. WPC shall reasonably cooperate with Esmark in taking all
commercially reasonable actions related to the Credit Agreements, including, but not limited to,
negotiating with the Emergency Steel Loan Guarantee Board (the “ESLGB”) and the lenders
under the Credit Agreements to (i) obtain the consent of the ESLGB and the lenders to the
Combination; and (ii) ensure that the guarantees of the ESLGB remain in place after the Effective
Time.
5.15 Letters of the Accountants.
(a) WPC shall use its reasonable efforts to cause to be delivered to Esmark a letter from
WPC’s independent accountants dated a date on or prior to (but no more than two (2) Business Days
prior to) the date on which the Form S-4 shall become effective addressed to WPC and Esmark, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Esmark and customary in scope and substance for
comfort letters delivered by independent public accountants in connection with registration
statements similar to the Form S-4; provided that the failure of such a letter to be delivered by
WPC’s independent accountants shall not result in a failure of a condition to the Closing
(including Section 6.2(b)).
(b) Esmark shall use its reasonable efforts to cause to be delivered to WPC a letter from
Esmark’ independent accountants dated a date on or prior to (but no more than two (2) Business Days
prior to) the date on which the Form S-4 shall become effective addressed to WPC and Esmark, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to WPC and customary in
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scope and substance for comfort letters delivered by independent public accountants in
connection with registration statements similar to the Form S-4; provided that the failure of such
a letter to be delivered by Esmark’s independent accounts shall not result in a failure of a
condition to the Closing (including Section 6.3(b)).
5.16 Stock Exchange Listing. NewCo shall use its reasonable commercial efforts to
cause the shares of NewCo Common Stock to be issued in the Combination to be approved for listing
on The Nasdaq Stock Market or The New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance,
prior to the Closing Date.
5.17 NewCo Matters. As soon as is practicable after the execution and delivery of
this Agreement, the parties hereto will take all action necessary or appropriate to cause NewCo’s
directors and officers to consist of those persons identified in Section 1.4(a).
5.18 Employee Benefits.
(a) WPC Affected Employees:
(i) For a period of at least one year following the Effective Time, NewCo shall
cause WPC to provide to non-represented employees of WPC and its Subsidiaries
immediately prior to the Effective Time who remain employed with WPC, Esmark, NewCo
or any of their Subsidiaries (the “WPC Affected Employees”), compensation
and employee benefits no less favorable in the aggregate than those provided
pursuant to WPC’s and its Subsidiaries’ compensation and employee benefit policies,
plans and programs immediately prior to the Effective Time.
(ii) At and following the Effective Time, NewCo shall credit all service by the
WPC Affected Employees with WPC and its Subsidiaries (and any predecessor entities)
prior to the Effective Time to be taken into account for purposes of eligibility and
vesting (but not benefit accruals) under any compensation and benefit plans
(including any equity-based plans), programs, practices and policies of NewCo (the
“Benefit Plans”) in which the WPC Affected Employees may participate.
(iii) From and after the Effective Time, with respect to all WPC Affected
Employees participating in the Benefit Plans, NewCo shall use reasonable commercial
efforts to (i) cause, to the extent such conditions would not apply or would have
been waived under the WPC Plans, to be waived any pre-existing condition limitations
and any waiting period limitations under employee welfare benefit plans, policies or
practices of NewCo in which the WPC Affected Employees participate and (ii) cause to
be credited any deductibles, co-payment amounts and out-of-pocket expenses incurred
by such employees and their beneficiaries and dependents during the portion of the
calendar year prior to participation in the Benefit Plans provided by NewCo.
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(b) Esmark Affected Employees:
(i) For a period of at least one year following the Effective Time, NewCo shall
cause Esmark to provide to non-represented employees of Esmark and its Subsidiaries
immediately prior to the Effective Time who remain employed with Esmark, WPC, NewCo
or any of their Subsidiaries (the “Esmark Affected Employees”), compensation
and employee benefits no less favorable in the aggregate than those provided
pursuant to Esmark’s and its Subsidiaries’ compensation and employee benefit
policies, plans and programs immediately prior to the Effective Time.
(ii) At and following the Effective Time, NewCo shall credit all service by the
Esmark Affected Employees with Esmark and its Subsidiaries (and any predecessor
entities) prior to the Effective Time to be taken into account for purposes of
eligibility and vesting (but not benefit accruals) under the Benefit Plans in which
the Esmark Affected Employees may participate.
(iii) From and after the Effective Time, with respect to all Esmark Affected
Employees participating in the Benefit Plans, NewCo shall use reasonable commercial
efforts to (i) cause, to the extent such conditions would not apply or would have
been waived under the Esmark Plans, to be waived any pre-existing condition
limitations and any waiting period limitations under employee welfare benefit plans,
policies or practices of NewCo in which the Esmark Affected Employees participate
and (ii) cause to be credited any deductibles, co-payment amounts and out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by such employees and their beneficiaries and dependents during
the portion of the calendar year prior to participation in the Benefit Plans
provided by NewCo.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, nothing contained in this Section 5.18 in and of itself
shall constitute an amendment to any WPC Plan or Esmark Plan that is a welfare benefit plan that is
governed by ERISA, and any amendments to such plans to give effect to the provisions of this
Section 5.18 shall be in compliance with the terms of such plans and applicable Laws.
5.19 VEBA Registration Rights Agreement. NewCo shall use reasonable commercial
efforts to offer VEBA, as of the Closing Date, registration rights in respect of the shares of
NewCo Common Stock to be issued to VEBA in the Combination, on terms no less favorable to VEBA than
those contained in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 1, 2003, between WPC and VEBA.
5.20 Ancillary Agreements. Each of the parties hereto shall use reasonable commercial
efforts to cause NewCo, and NewCo agrees, to negotiate, execute and deliver on or prior to the
Closing Date: (i) a standby purchase agreement with the current stockholders of Esmark that are
Funds managed by Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC (the “FMA Stockholders”) providing for the
FMA Stockholders to act as the “standby” purchaser(s) of that number of shares of NewCo Common
Stock, if any, by which the aggregate number of shares of NewCo
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Common Stock issued on the exercise of Purchase Rights by stockholders of WPC is less than the
Purchase Rights Cap, at a price equal to the Subscription Price and that, in the event fewer than
2,631,579 shares are required to be purchased by the FMA Stockholders as “standby” purchaser(s),
granting the FMA Stockholders the right to acquire from NewCo a number of additional shares of
NewCo Common Stock equal to such shortfall at the Subscription Price, and having such other terms
and conditions mutually agreeable to the parties to such agreement (the “Standby
Agreement”); and (ii) a registration rights agreement with the FMA Stockholders (and such other
current stockholders of Esmark as the parties shall agree) providing for the registration under the
Securities Act (and other applicable securities laws) of sales of the shares of NewCo Common Stock
or other securities of NewCo acquired by the FMA Stockholders (and such other persons) pursuant to
this Agreement or the Standby Agreement or in any related transaction or otherwise held by the FMA
Stockholders (or such other persons) after the Effective Time and having such other terms and
conditions mutually agreeable to the parties to such agreement (the “FMA Registration Rights
Agreement”).
5.21 Additional Esmark Equity. Esmark agrees that: (a) the Additional Esmark Equity
shall not exceed $100,000,000 without the consent of WPC acting though the Special Committee; and
(b) any such offering(s) shall be completed by May 15, 2007.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
6.1 Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Combination. The respective
obligations of each party hereto to effect the Combination shall be subject to the satisfaction (or
waiver, if permissible under applicable Law) on or prior to the Closing Date of the following
conditions:
(a) Stockholder Approval. This Agreement and the WPC Merger shall have been approved
and adopted by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the WPC Common Shares outstanding
entitled to vote thereon in accordance with applicable Law and the WPC Charter Documents, and this
Agreement and the Esmark Merger shall have been approved and adopted by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding Esmark Common Shares in accordance with applicable Law and
the Esmark Charter Documents;
(b) Antitrust. The waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the
Combination under the HSR Act shall have been terminated or shall have expired;
(c) No Injunctions or Restraints. No Law, injunction, judgment or ruling enacted,
promulgated, issued, entered, amended or enforced by any Governmental Authority or arbitrator
(collectively, “Restraints”) shall be in effect enjoining, restraining, preventing or prohibiting
consummation of the Combination or making the consummation of the Combination illegal;
(d) Form S-4. The Form S-4 shall have become effective under the Securities Act and
no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Form S-4 shall have been issued and no
proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the SEC;
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(e) Stock Listing. The shares of NewCo Common Stock deliverable to the
stockholders of WPC as contemplated by this Agreement shall have been approved for listing on The
Nasdaq Stock Market or The New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance;
(f) Standby Agreement. NewCo and the FMA Stockholders shall have entered into the
Standby Agreement;
(g) Additional Esmark Equity. No dispute pursuant to Section 2.2(d) shall exist
regarding the amount of the Additional Esmark Equity.
6.2 Conditions to Obligations of Esmark. The obligations of Esmark to effect the
Combination are further subject to the satisfaction (or waiver, if permissible under applicable
Law) on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of WPC
contained in this Agreement that are qualified as to materiality or WPC Material Adverse Effect
shall be true and correct, and the representations and warranties of WPC contained in this
Agreement that are not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each
case as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing
Date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date,
in which case as of such earlier date, and Esmark shall have received a certificate signed on
behalf of WPC by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of WPC to such effect;
(b) Performance of Obligations of WPC. WPC shall have performed in all material
respects all obligations required to be performed by them under this Agreement at or prior to the
Closing Date, and Esmark shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of WPC by the chief
executive officer and the chief financial officer of WPC to such effect;
(c) No Restraint. No Restraint that would reasonably be expected to result, directly
or indirectly, in any of the effects referred to in Section 6.1(c) shall be in effect;
(d) Tax Opinion. Esmark shall have received from McGuireWoods LLP, tax counsel to
Esmark, an opinion dated as of the Closing Date stating that the Combination should be treated for
United States Federal income tax purposes as either (i) a “reorganization” within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code, or (ii) as an integrated series of transfers under Section 351 of the
Code. In rendering such opinion, McGuireWoods LLP may rely upon the representations and covenants
contained in the certificates of WPC, referred to in Section 5.12;
(e) Credit Agreements. The ESLGB and the other parties to the Credit Agreements shall
have consented to the Combination and the transactions contemplated thereby, and the guarantees of
the ESLGB under the Credit Agreements shall remain in full force and effect after the Effective
Time;
(f) FMA Registration Rights Agreement. NewCo and the FMA Stockholders shall have
entered into the FMA Registration Rights Agreement.
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(g) Consents. WPC shall have obtained or caused to have been obtained all
consents set forth in Schedule 6.2(g).
6.3 Conditions to Obligation of WPC. The obligation of WPC to effect the Combination
is further subject to the satisfaction (or waiver, if permissible under applicable Law) on or prior
to the Closing Date of the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of Esmark
contained in this Agreement that are qualified as to materiality or Esmark Material Adverse Effect
shall be true and correct, and the representations and warranties of Esmark contained in this
Agreement that are not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each
case as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing
Date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date,
in which case as of such earlier date, and WPC shall have received a certificate signed on behalf
of Esmark by an executive officer of Esmark to such effect;
(b) Performance of Obligations of Esmark and NewCo. Esmark, Esmark Merger Sub, WPC
Merger Sub and NewCo shall have performed in all material respects all obligations required to be
performed by them under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date, and WPC shall have received
a certificate signed on behalf of Esmark by an executive officer of Esmark to such effect; and
(c) Tax Opinion. WPC shall have received from Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx PC, tax
counsel to the Special Committee, an opinion dated as of the Closing Date and stating that the
Combination should be treated for United States Federal income tax purposes as either (i) a
“reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, or (ii) as an integrated series
of transfers under Section 351 of the Code. In rendering such opinion, Xxxxxxxx Ingersoll & Rooney
PC may rely upon representations and covenants contained in the certificates of WPC, referred to in
Section 5.12.
(d) Working Capital. The Net Working Capital of Esmark shall equal or exceed
$100,000,000 plus the amount of any Additional Esmark Equity as of the end of business on the
Closing Date reduced by the amount of the Additional Esmark Equity that is approved for use in
writing by WPC acting through the Special Committee. For purposes of this Agreement “Net Working
Capital” means the amount of the excess of Esmark’s current assets (not including the amount of
cash from any Additional Equity) over its current liabilities, as calculated in accordance with
GAAP consistently applied.
(e) Appraisal Rights. As of the Effective Time, holders of not more than five percent
(5%) of the outstanding Esmark Common Stock (calculated in accordance with Section 2.1(d) above)
shall have perfected appraisal rights under Section 262 of the DGCL.
(f) Consents. Esmark shall have obtained or caused to have been obtained all consents
set forth in Schedule 6.3(f).
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ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION
TERMINATION
7.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated
hereby abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time:
(a) Mutual Consent. By the mutual written consent of WPC and Esmark duly authorized
by each of their respective Boards of Directors; or
(b) by either of WPC or Esmark:
(i) if the Combination shall not have been consummated on or before the
Walk-Away Date; provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under
this Section 7.1(b)(i) shall not be available to a party if the failure of the
Combination to have been consummated on or before the Walk-Away Date was primarily
due to the failure of such party to perform any of its obligations under this
Agreement;
(ii) if any Restraint having the effect set forth in Section 6.1(c) shall be in
effect and shall have become final and nonappealable; or
(iii) if WPC Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained at the WPC
Stockholders Meeting duly convened therefor or at any adjournment or postponement
thereof; provided, however, that the right of WPC to terminate this Agreement under
this Section 7.1(b)(iii) shall not be available to it if it has failed to comply in
all material respects with its obligations under Section 5.1 or 5.3; or
(c) by Esmark:
(i) if WPC shall have breached or failed to perform any of its representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement, which breach or
failure (A) would (if it occurred or was continuing as of the Closing Date) give
rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 6.2(a) or 6.2(b) and (B) is
incapable of being cured, or is not cured, by WPC within thirty (30) calendar days
following receipt of written notice from Esmark of such breach or failure, except
where the failure of such condition would not, in the aggregate, have a WPC Material
Adverse Effect or materially impair the ability of WPC to consummate the
transactions contemplated herein;
(ii) if any Restraint having the effect of granting or implementing any relief
referred to Section 6.1(c) shall be in effect and shall have become final and
nonappealable;
(iii) if (A) a WPC Adverse Recommendation Change shall have occurred or (B) the
Board of Directors of WPC (x) shall not have rejected any Takeover Proposal within
seven (7) days after the making thereof (including, for these purposes, by taking no
position with respect to the acceptance by WPC’s
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stockholders of a tender offer or exchange offer, which shall constitute a
failure to reject such Takeover Proposal) or (y) shall have failed to reconfirm
publicly the WPC Board Recommendation within three (3) days after receipt of a
written request from Esmark that it do so; or
(iv) if there shall have occurred any events or changes that, individually or
in the aggregate, have had or would reasonably be expected to have a WPC Material
Adverse Effect.
(d) by WPC:
(i) if Esmark shall have breached or failed to perform any of its
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement,
which breach or failure (A) would (if it occurred or was continuing as of the
Closing Date) give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 6.3(a) or
6.3(b) and (B) is incapable of being cured, or is not cured, by Esmark within thirty
(30) calendar days following receipt of written notice from WPC of such breach or
failure, except where the failure of such condition would not, in the aggregate,
have an Esmark Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the ability of the
Esmark to consummate the transactions contemplated herein;
(ii) prior to WPC obtaining WPC Stockholder Approval, if WPC (A) has materially
complied with its obligations under Sections 5.1 and 5.3 and (B) concurrently enters
into a definitive WPC Acquisition Agreement providing for a Superior Proposal,
provided that WPC may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section
7.1(d)(ii) until at least five (5) calendar days have passed since the date of the
most recent WPC Adverse Recommendation Notice;
(iii) if there shall have occurred any events or changes that, individually or
in the aggregate, have had or would reasonably be expected to have an Esmark
Material Adverse Effect; or
(iv) If Esmark Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained at the Esmark
Stockholders Meeting duly convened therefor or at any adjournment or postponement
thereof (or by a duly authorized stockholder consent) in accordance with Section
5.1(c) hereof; provided, however, that the right of WPC to terminate this Agreement
under this Section 7.1(d)(iv) shall not be available to it if it has failed to
comply in all material respects with its obligations under Section 5.1 or 5.3
7.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of this Agreement as
provided in Section 7.1, written notice thereof shall be given to the other party or parties,
specifying the provision hereof pursuant to which such termination is made, and this Agreement
shall forthwith become null and void (other than the provisions of the first sentence of Section
3.18, the last sentence of Section 5.6(a), Sections 5.9, 5.10, and 7.2, and Article VIII, all of
which shall survive termination of this Agreement), and there shall be no liability on the part of
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Esmark, WPC or their respective directors, officers and Affiliates, except that nothing shall
relieve any party from liability for fraud or any willful breach of this Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
MISCELLANEOUS
8.1 Amendment or Supplement. At any time prior to the Effective Time, this Agreement
may be amended or supplemented in any and all respects, whether before or after receipt of WPC
Stockholder Approval and the Esmark Stockholder Approval, by written agreement of the parties
hereto, by action taken by their respective Boards of Directors; provided, however, that following
approval of the transactions contemplated hereby by the stockholders of WPC and the stockholders of
Esmark, there shall be no amendment or change to the provisions hereof which by Law would require
further approval by the stockholders of WPC or the stockholders of Esmark without such approval.
8.2 Extension of Time, Waiver, Etc. At any time prior to the Effective Time, any
party may, subject to applicable Law, (a) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and
warranties of any other party hereto, (b) extend the time for the performance of any of the
obligations or acts of any other party hereto or (c) waive compliance by the other party with any
of the agreements contained herein or, except as otherwise provided herein, waive any of such
party’s conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no failure or delay by WPC, Esmark, or NewCo in
exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial
exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right
hereunder. Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be
valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party.
8.3 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or
obligations hereunder shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of Law or otherwise, by
any of the parties without the prior written consent of the other parties, Subject to the preceding
sentence, this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the
parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Any purported assignment not
permitted under this Section 8.3 shall be null and void.
8.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (each of which shall
be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
agreement) and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the
parties and delivered to the other parties.
8.5 Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement, the WPC
Disclosure Schedule, the Esmark Disclosure Schedule and the Confidentiality Agreement (a)
constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both
written and oral, among the parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof and
thereof and (b) except for the provisions of Section 5.9, are not intended to and shall not confer
upon any Person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder.
8.6 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.
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(a) This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of
the State of Delaware, applicable to contracts executed in and to be performed entirely within that
State.
(b) All actions and proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard
and determined in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware or any federal court sitting in the
State of Delaware, and the parties hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction
of such courts (and, in the case of appeals, appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such
action or proceeding and irrevocably waive the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance
of any such action or proceeding. The consents to jurisdiction set forth in this paragraph shall
not constitute general consents to service of process in the State of Delaware and shall have no
effect for any purpose except as provided in this paragraph and shall not be deemed to confer
rights on any Person other than the parties hereto. The parties hereto agree that a final judgment
in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by
suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by applicable law.
(c) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury
in any legal proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement.
8.7 Specific Enforcement. The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in
the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their
specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be
entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce
specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in the Chancery Court of the State of
Delaware or any federal court sitting in the State of Delaware, without bond or other security
being required, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in
equity.
8.8 Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, facsimiled (which is
confirmed) or sent by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) to the parties at the
following addresses:
If to Esmark,
Esmark Incorporated
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Esmark Incorporated
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
McGuireWoods LLP
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
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Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esquire
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
If to WPC,
Wheeling-Pittsburgh Corporation
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Wheeling-Pittsburgh Corporation
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
If to the Special Committee,
Independent Committee of the Board of Directors of
Wheeling-Pittsburgh Corporation
c/o
Wheeling-Pittsburgh Corporation
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx Xxxx, Chairman
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Independent Committee of the Board of Directors of
Wheeling-Pittsburgh Corporation
c/o
Wheeling-Pittsburgh Corporation
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx Xxxx, Chairman
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to counsel to the Special Committee:
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx PC
One Oxford Centre, 20th Floor
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
One Oxford Centre, 20th Floor
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esquire
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esquire
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esquire
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
or such other address or facsimile number as such party may hereafter specify by like notice to the
other parties hereto. All such notices, requests and other communications shall be deemed received
on the date of receipt by the recipient thereof if received prior to 5:00 P.M. in the place of
receipt and such day is a business day in the place of receipt. Otherwise, any such notice,
request or communication shall be deemed not to have been received until the next succeeding
business day in the place of receipt.
8.9 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is determined by a
court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule
of law or public policy, all other terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement shall
nevertheless remain in full force and effect. Upon such determination that any term or other
provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in
good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely
as
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possible to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in an acceptable manner to the end
that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent possible.
8.10 Definitions.
(a) As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings ascribed thereto below:
“Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly,
controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For this purpose,
“control” (including, with its correlative meanings, “controlled by” and “under
common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or
cause the direction of management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of
securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise; provided,
however, that for purposes of this Agreement, in no event shall WPC or any of its Subsidiaries or
Joint Ventures (prior to the Effective Time) be considered an Affiliate of Esmark or any of its
Subsidiaries, and in no event shall Esmark or any of its Subsidiaries (prior to the Effective Time)
be considered an Affiliate of WPC or any of its Subsidiaries or Joint Ventures.
“Arbiter” means an accounting firm that has material relationship with any of the
parties.
“Business Day” means a day except a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which the SEC
or banks in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania are authorized or required by Law to be closed.
“Credit Agreements” means (i) the $250,000,000 Senior Secured Term Loan Agreement,
dated July 31, 2003, by WPC and a bank group led by Royal Bank of Canada as administrative agent,
which is guaranteed in part by the ESLGB and the West Virginia Housing Development Fund and is due
August 1, 2014, as amended, and (ii) the Amended and Restated $225,000,000 Senior Secured Revolving
Credit Facility, dated July 8, 2005, by Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation and a bank group
arranged by Royal Bank of Canada and General Electric Capital Corporation and due July 8, 2009.
“DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
“Esmark Closing Balance Sheet” means the estimated closing balance sheet of Esmark
prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied and consistent with Esmark’s historical
accounting practices and calculated through the Effective Time.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
“Governmental Authority” means any government, court, regulatory or administrative
agency, commission or authority or other governmental instrumentality, federal, state or local,
domestic, foreign or multinational.
“HSR Act” means the Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.
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“Joint Ventures” refers collectively to Wheeling-Nisshin, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, Ohio Coatings WPC, an Ohio corporation, Feralloy-Wheeling Specialty Processing WPC, a
Delaware corporation and Mountain State Carbon LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and
“Joint Venture” refers to any of the foregoing entities.
“Knowledge” of any Person that is not an individual means, with respect to any matter
in question, the actual knowledge of such Person’s executive officers, and all other officers and
managers having responsibility relating to the applicable matter. Additionally, references herein
as to whether WPC has “Knowledge” or other words or phrases of similar meaning with respect to a
given fact, circumstance or matter, such Knowledge of WPC shall include the Knowledge of the
persons set forth on Schedule 8.10 hereto.
“Permitted Liens” means (i) any Liens for taxes not yet due or which are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (ii) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’,
materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other similar Liens, (iii) pledges or deposits in connection with
workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation, (iv)
easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar encumbrances incurred in the ordinary
course of business that, in the aggregate, are not material in amount and that do not, in any case,
materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto, (v) statutory landlords’ Liens
and Liens granted to landlords under any lease and (vi) any purchase money security interests;
“Person” means an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, a
partnership, an association, a trust or any other entity, including a Governmental Authority.
“Special Committee” means the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of WPC,
established on December 5, 2006 with respect to consideration of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
“Subsidiary” when used with respect to any party, means any corporation, limited
liability company, partnership, association, trust or other entity the accounts of which would be
consolidated with those of such party in such party’s consolidated financial statements if such
financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as any other corporation,
limited liability company, partnership, association, trust or other entity of which securities or
other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary
voting power (or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests)
are, as of such date, owned by such party or one or more Subsidiaries of such party or by such
party and one or more Subsidiaries of such party.
“VEBA” means Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation Retiree Benefits Plan Trust.
“Walk-Away Date” means October 31, 2007.
“WPC Stock Plans” means WPC’s 2003 Management Restricted Stock Plan and the WPC Stock
Incentive Plan.
“WPC Stockholder” means a record holder of WPC Common Stock on the record date fixed
for the WPC Stockholders Meeting.
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The following terms are defined in the Sections indicated:
Defined Term: | Section: | |
Additional Esmark Equity |
2.1(d) | |
Adjusted WPC Stock Unit Award |
2.8(a)(ii) | |
Agreement |
Preamble | |
Antitrust Laws |
5.4(a) | |
Arbiter |
2.1(d) | |
Balance Sheet Date |
3.5(f) | |
Bankruptcy and Equity Exception |
3.3(a) | |
Benefit Plans |
5.18(a)(ii) | |
Certificates |
2.3 | |
Certificates of Merger |
1.1(c) | |
Closing |
1.2 | |
Closing Date |
1.2 | |
Code |
Recitals | |
Combination |
Recitals | |
Computer Systems |
3.15(f) | |
Confidentiality Agreement |
5.6(a) | |
Contract |
3.3(c) | |
Copyrights |
3.15(a)(iii) | |
Creditor Reserved Share |
3.2(a) |
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Defined Term: | Section: | |
Derivative Securities |
2.8(d) | |
Earn-Out Shares |
4.2(a) | |
Effective Time |
1.1(c) | |
Election |
2.2(b)(iii) | |
Election Date |
2.2(d) | |
Environmental Laws |
3.12(d)(i) | |
Environmental Liabilities |
3.12(d)(ii) | |
ERISA |
3.11(a) | |
ESLGB |
5.14 | |
Esmark |
Preamble | |
Esmark Adjusted Derivative |
2.8(b)(i) | |
Esmark Affected Employees |
5.18(b)(i) | |
Esmark Certificates |
2.3 | |
Esmark Charter Documents |
4.1(c) | |
Esmark Collective Bargaining Agreement |
4.11(i) | |
Esmark Common Share |
2.1(c)(i) | |
Esmark Common Stock |
4.2(a) | |
Esmark Derivative |
2.8(b)(i) | |
Esmark Disclosure Schedule |
Article IV | |
Esmark Exchange Amount |
2.1(d) | |
Esmark Financial Statements |
4.5(a) | |
Esmark Indemnitee |
5.8(b) |
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Defined Term: | Section: | |
Esmark Intellectual Property |
4.15(a)(i) | |
Esmark Material Adverse Effect |
4.1(a) | |
Esmark Material Contract |
4.13(a)(xiv) | |
Esmark Merger |
Recitals | |
Esmark Merger Consideration |
2.1(c) | |
Esmark Merger Sub |
Preamble | |
Esmark Minimum Equity |
6.3(d) | |
Esmark Plans |
4.11(a) | |
Esmark Policies |
4.16 | |
Esmark Preferred Stock |
4.2(a) | |
Esmark Stockholder Approval |
4.3(d) | |
Esmark Stockholder Meeting |
5.1(c) | |
Esmark Subsidiary Documents |
4.1 (c) | |
Esmark Technology |
4.15(a)(ii) | |
Exchange Act |
3.4 | |
Exchange Agent |
2.2(a) | |
Exchange Fund |
2.2(a) | |
Fairness Opinion |
3.17 | |
Filed WPC SEC Documents |
3.5(e) | |
FMA Registration Rights Agreement |
5.20 |
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Defined Term: | Section: | |
FMA Stockholders |
5.20 | |
Form of Election |
2.2(c) | |
Form S-4 |
3.9 | |
Hazardous Materials |
3.12(d)(iii) | |
Indemnitees |
5.8(b) | |
Intellectual Property Rights |
3.15 (a)(iii) | |
Joint Venture Documents |
3.1(c) | |
Laws |
3.8(a) | |
Liens |
3.1(b) | |
Marks |
3.15(a)(iii) | |
Material Adverse Effect |
3.1(a) | |
Multiemployer Plan |
3.11(a) | |
Net Working Capital |
6.3(d) | |
NewCo |
Preamble | |
NewCo Common Stock |
2.1(c)(i) | |
No-Action Letter |
5.13(a) | |
Non-Electing WPC Holders |
2.4(a) | |
Non-Electing WPC Share |
2.2(b) | |
Patents |
3.15(a)(iii) | |
Permits |
3.8(a) | |
Proxy Statement |
3.4 | |
Purchase Right |
2.1(e)(ii) |
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Defined Term: | Section: | |
Purchase Rights Cap |
2.2(h) | |
Put Consideration |
2.1(e)(iii) | |
Put Electing Share |
2.2(g) | |
Put Election |
2.2(b)(iii) | |
Put Election Cap |
2.2(g) | |
Put Price |
2.1(e)(iii) | |
Put Right |
2.1(e)(iii) | |
Release |
3.12(d)(iv) | |
Representatives |
5.3(a) | |
Restraints |
6.1(c) | |
Rights Consideration |
2.1(e)(ii) | |
Rights Electing Share |
2.2(h) | |
Rights Election |
2.2(b)(ii) | |
Rights Option Period |
2.1(e)(ii) | |
SEC |
3.4 | |
Securities Act |
3.1(b) | |
Series A Certificate of Designation |
2.1(d) | |
Series A Conversion Amount |
2.1(d) | |
Software |
3.15(a)(iv) | |
Standby Agreement |
5.20 | |
Stock Consideration |
2.1(e)(i) | |
Stock Election |
2.2(b)(i) |
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Defined Term: | Section: | |
Subscription Price |
2.1(e)(ii) | |
Superior Proposal |
5.3(d) | |
Takeover Proposal |
5.3(d) | |
Tax Returns |
3.10(o) | |
Taxes |
3.10(o) | |
Technology |
3.15(a)(v) | |
Trade Secrets |
3.15(a)(iii) | |
Voting Agreement |
Recitals | |
WARN |
3.11(k) | |
WPC |
Preamble | |
WPC Acquisition Agreement |
5.3(c) | |
WPC Adjusted Option |
2.8(a)(i) | |
WPC Adverse Recommendation Change |
5.3(c) | |
WPC Adverse Recommendation Notice |
5.3(c) | |
WPC Affected Employees |
5.18(a)(i) | |
WPC Board Recommendation |
5.1(b) | |
WPC Certificates |
2.2(c) | |
WPC Charter Documents |
3.1(c) | |
WPC Collective Bargaining Agreement |
3.11(i) | |
WPC Common Share |
2.1(e) | |
WPC Common Stock |
3.2(a) | |
WPC Disclosure Schedule |
Article III |
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Defined Term: | Section: | |
WPC Exchange Ratio |
2.1(e)(i) | |
WPC Financial Advisor |
3.17 | |
WPC Indemnitee |
5.8(a) | |
WPC Intellectual Property |
3.15(a)(i) | |
WPC Material Adverse Effect |
3.1(a) | |
WPC Material Contract |
3.13(a)(xv) | |
WPC Merger |
Recitals | |
WPC Merger Consideration |
2.1(e) | |
WPC Merger Sub |
Preamble | |
WPC Plans |
3.11(a) | |
WPC Policies |
3.16 | |
WPC Preferred Stock |
3.2(a) | |
WPC SEC Documents |
3.5(a) | |
WPC Stock Incentive Plan |
2.8(a)(i) | |
WPC Stock Options |
2.8(a)(i) | |
WPC Stock Unit Awards |
2.8(a)(ii) | |
WPC Stockholder Approval |
3.3(d) | |
WPC Stockholders Meeting |
5.1(b) | |
WPC Subsidiary Documents |
3.1(c) | |
WPC Technology |
3.15(a)(ii) | |
WPSC |
3.1(b) |
8.11 Interpretation.
(a) When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article, a Section, Exhibit or Schedule,
such reference shall be to an Article of, a Section of, or an Exhibit or
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Schedule to, this
Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of contents and headings contained in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used
in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”. The
words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement
shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.
All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or
other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. The definitions
contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such
terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such term. Any
agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument
that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time
amended, modified or supplemented, including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver
or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor statutes and
references to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein. References to a Person
are also to its permitted successors and assigns.
(b) The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this
Agreement and, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this
Agreement shall be construed as jointly drafted by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden
of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision
of this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and
delivered as of the date first above written.
XXXXXXX ACQUISITION CORPORATION |
WHEELING-PITTSBURGH CORPORATION |
||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx | ||||
Name: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | Name: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx | ||||
Title: | President | Title: | Executive Vice President | ||||
ESMARK INCORPORATED |
|||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | ||||||
Name: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | ||||||
Title: | Chairman and CEO | ||||||
WALES MERGER CORPORATION |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Title: | President | |||
XXXXXXX MERGER, INC. |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Title: | President |
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TABLE OF SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS
Exhibits
EXHIBIT A
|
NewCo Charter Documents | |
EXHIBIT B
|
WPC Merger Sub Charter Documents | |
EXHIBIT C
|
Esmark Merger Sub Charter Documents | |
EXHIBIT D
|
Officers of NewCo | |
EXHIBIT E
|
Form of Affiliate Agreement |
Schedules
Schedule 5.2(a)
|
Conduct of Business (WPC) | |
Schedule 5.2(b)
|
Conduct of Business (Esmark) | |
Schedule 6.2(g)
|
WPC Consents | |
Schedule 6.3(f)
|
Esmark Consents | |
Schedule 8.10
|
Knowledge |
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WPC Disclosure Schedules
Section 3.1(b)
|
Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures | |
Section 3.2(a)
|
Outstanding Options or Rights for WPC Common Shares | |
Section 3.2(b)
|
Outstanding Subscriptions, Options, Warrants, Etc. | |
Section 3.3(c)
|
Noncontravention | |
Section 3.5(a)
|
WPC SEC Documents; Undisclosed Liabilities | |
Section 3.5(e)
|
WPC SEC Documents; Undisclosed Liabilities | |
Section 3.5(g)
|
WPC SEC Documents; Undisclosed Liabilities | |
Section 3.7
|
Legal Proceedings | |
Section 3.8(a)
|
Compliance with Laws | |
Section 3.8(b)
|
Unlawful Payments | |
Section 3.10(c)
|
Tax Agreements | |
Section 3.11(a)
|
Employee Benefit Plans and Agreements | |
Section 3.11(g)
|
Vesting or Acceleration of Employee Benefits | |
Section 3.11(i)
|
Collective Bargaining Agreements | |
Section 3.11(j)
|
Labor Matters | |
Section 3.11(l)
|
Nondeductible Employee Agreements | |
Section 3.12(a)
|
Noncompliance with Environmental Laws | |
Section 3.12(b)
|
Joint Ventures Relating to Hazardous Materials | |
Section 3.12(c)
|
Coal Exposure Claims or Liabilities | |
Section 3.13(a)
|
Material Contracts | |
Section 3.13(b)
|
Exceptions to Material Contracts | |
Section 3.14
|
Title to Properties in Joint Ventures | |
Section 3.15(b)
|
Intellectual Property | |
Section 3.15(c)
|
Partial Ownership of Intellectual Property Rights | |
Section 3.16
|
Insurance |
Execution Version
Agreement and Plan of Merger
Agreement and Plan of Merger
92
Esmark Disclosure Schedules
Section 4.1(b)
|
Subsidiaries | |
Section 4.2
|
Outstanding Subscriptions, Options, Warrants, Etc. | |
Section 4.3(c)
|
Noncontravention | |
Section 4.5(b)
|
Undisclosed Liabilities | |
Section 4.5(c)
|
Esmark Financial Statements; Undisclosed Liabilities | |
Section 4.6
|
Absence of Certain Changes of Events | |
Section 4.7
|
Legal Proceedings | |
Section 4.8(a)
|
Compliance with Laws | |
Section 4.8(b)
|
Unlawful Payments | |
Section 4.10(f)
|
Tax Matters | |
Section 4.11(a)
|
Employee Benefit Plans and Agreements | |
Section 4.11(b)
|
Employee Benefit Plan Related Documents Exceptions | |
Section 4.11(e)
|
Contributions to Employee Benefit Plans Exceptions | |
Section 4.11(g)
|
Acceleration and Vesting of Employee Benefits | |
Section 4.11(i)
|
Collective Bargaining Agreements | |
Section 4.11(j)
|
Labor Matters | |
Section 4.12
|
Noncompliance with Environmental Laws | |
Section 4.13(a)
|
Material Contracts | |
Section 4.13(b)
|
Exceptions to Material Contracts | |
Section 4.15(b)
|
Intellectual Property | |
Section 4.15(c)
|
Partial Ownership of Intellectual Property Rights | |
Section 4.16
|
Insurance | |
Section 4.18
|
Internal Accounting Controls |
Execution Version
Agreement and Plan of Merger
Agreement and Plan of Merger
93