FORM OF SUPPORT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.9
EXHIBIT A—SUPPORT AGREEMENT
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FORM OF SUPPORT AGREEMENT
THIS SUPPORT AGREEMENT is entered into as of •, 2006, between API Nanotronics Corp., formerly known as Rubincon Ventures Inc., a Delaware corporation (“RVI”), and RVI Sub, Inc., an Ontario corporation (“RVI Sub”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, pursuant to a Combination Agreement dated effective as of May 5, 2006, by and between RVI and API Electronics Group Corp. (“API”) (such agreement, as it may be amended or restated, is hereinafter referred to as the “Combination Agreement”), the parties agreed that on the Effective Date (as defined in the Combination Agreement), RVI and RVI Sub would execute and deliver a Support Agreement containing the terms and conditions set forth in Exhibit C to the Combination Agreement together with such other terms and conditions as may be agreed to by the parties to the Combination Agreement acting reasonably;
AND WHEREAS, pursuant to an arrangement (the “Arrangement”) effected by Articles of Arrangement dated •, 2006 filed pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (or any successor or other corporate statute by which API may in the future be governed) (the “Act”) each issued and outstanding common share of API (an “API Common Share”) was exchanged either for ten (10) Exchangeable Shares of RVI Sub (the “Exchangeable Shares”) or at the option of the holder of such API Common Share, ten (10) common shares of RVI (“RVI Common Stock”);
AND WHEREAS, the Articles of Incorporation of RVI Sub set forth the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions (collectively, the “Exchangeable Share Provisions”) attaching to the Exchangeable Shares;
AND WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to make appropriate provision and to establish a procedure whereby RVI will take certain actions and make certain payments and deliveries necessary to ensure that RVI Sub will be able to make certain payments and to deliver or cause to be delivered shares of RVI Common Stock in satisfaction of the obligations of RVI Sub under the Exchangeable Share Provisions with respect to the payment and satisfaction of dividends, Liquidation Amounts, Retraction Prices and Redemption Prices, all in accordance with the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective covenants and agreements provided in this agreement and for other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged), the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
1.1 Defined Terms
Each term denoted herein by initial capital letters and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning attributed thereto in the Exchangeable Share Provisions, unless the context requires otherwise.
1.2 Interpretation Not Affected by Headings, Etc.
The division of this agreement into articles, sections and paragraphs and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this agreement.
1.3 Number, Gender, Etc.
Words importing the singular number only shall include the plural and vice versa. Words importing the use of any gender shall include all genders.
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1.4 Date for Any Action
If any date on which any action is required to be taken under this agreement is not a Business Day, such action shall be required to be taken on the next succeeding Business Day.
ARTICLE II
COVENANTS OF RVI AND RVI SUB
2.1 Covenants of RVI Regarding Exchangeable Shares
So long as any Exchangeable Shares are outstanding, RVI will:
(a) not declare or pay any dividend on RVI Common Stock unless (i) RVI Sub will have sufficient assets, funds and other property available to enable the due declaration and the due and punctual payment in accordance with applicable law of an equivalent dividend on the Exchangeable Shares and (ii) subsection 2.1 (b) shall have been complied with in connection with such dividend;
(b) cause RVI Sub to declare simultaneously with the declaration of any dividend on RVI Common Stock an equivalent dividend on the Exchangeable Shares and, when such dividend is paid on RVI Common Stock, cause RVI Sub to pay simultaneously therewith such equivalent dividend on the Exchangeable Shares, in each case in accordance with the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
(c) advise RVI Sub sufficiently in advance of the declaration by RVI of any dividend on RVI Common Stock and take all such other actions as are necessary, in cooperation with RVI Sub, to ensure that the respective declaration date, record date and payment date for a dividend on the Exchangeable Shares shall be the same as the record date, declaration date and payment date for the corresponding dividend on RVI Common Stock and that such dividend on the Exchangeable Shares will correspond with any requirement of the principal stock exchange on which the Exchangeable Shares are listed, if any;
(d) ensure that the record date for any dividend declared on RVI Common Stock is not less than ten Business Days after the declaration date for such dividend;
(e) take all such actions and do all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit RVI Sub, in accordance with applicable law, to pay and otherwise perform its obligations with respect to the satisfaction of the Liquidation Amount in respect of each issued and outstanding Exchangeable Share upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of RVI Sub or any other distribution of the assets of RVI Sub for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, including without limitation all such actions and all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit RVI Sub to cause to be delivered shares of RVI Common Stock to the holders of Exchangeable Shares in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
(f) take all such actions and do all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit RVI Sub, in accordance with applicable law, to pay and otherwise perform its obligations with respect to the satisfaction of the Retraction Price and the Redemption Price, including without limitation all such actions and all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit RVI Sub to cause to be delivered shares of RVI Common Stock to the holders of Exchangeable Shares, upon the retraction or redemption of the Exchangeable Shares in accordance with the provisions of Article 6 or Article 7 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions, as the case may be;
(g) not exercise its vote as a direct or indirect shareholder to initiate the voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of RVI Sub nor take any action that, or omit to take any action the omission of which is designed to result in the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of RVI Sub or (ii) would result in a meeting or vote of the shareholders of RVI Sub to consider any matter on which the holders of Exchangeable Shares would be entitled to vote as shareholders of RVI Sub, other than a meeting as described in clause (d) of the definition of “Automatic Redemption Date” in the Exchangeable Share Provisions; and
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(h) use its best efforts to take all such actions and do all such things as are necessary to ensure that there is no meeting or vote of the shareholders of RVI Sub to consider any matter on which the holders of Exchangeable Shares would be entitled to vote as shareholders of RVI Sub, other than a meeting as described in clause (d) of the definition of “Automatic Redemption Date” in the Exchangeable Share Provisions.
2.2 Segregation of Funds
RVI will cause RVI Sub to deposit a sufficient amount of funds in a separate account and segregate a sufficient amount of such assets and other property as is necessary to enable RVI Sub to pay or otherwise satisfy the applicable dividends, Liquidation Amount, Retraction Price or Redemption Price, in each case for the benefit of holders from time to time of the Exchangeable Shares, and RVI Sub will use such funds, assets and other property so segregated exclusively for the payment of dividends and the payment or other satisfaction of the Liquidation Amount, the Retraction Price or the Redemption Price, as applicable, net of any corresponding withholding tax obligations and for the remittance of such withholding tax obligations.
2.3 Reservation of Shares of RVI Common Stock
RVI hereby represents, warrants and covenants that it has irrevocably reserved for issuance and will at all times keep available, free from pre-emptive and other rights, out of its authorized and unissued capital stock such number of shares of RVI Common Stock (or other shares or securities into which RVI Common Stock may be reclassified or changed as contemplated by section 2.7 hereof) (i) as is equal to the sum of (A) the number of Exchangeable Shares issued and outstanding from time to time and (B) the number of Exchangeable Shares issuable upon the exercise of all rights to acquire Exchangeable Shares outstanding from time to time and (ii) as are now and may hereafter be required to enable and permit RVI Sub to meet its obligations hereunder, under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement, under the Exchangeable Share Provisions and under any other security or commitment pursuant to the Arrangement with respect to which RVI may now or hereafter be required to issue shares of RVI Common Stock.
2.4 Notification of Certain Events
In order to assist RVI to comply with its obligations hereunder, RVI Sub will give RVI notice of each of the following events at the time set forth below:
(a) immediately, in the event of any determination by the Board of Directors of RVI Sub to take any action which would require a vote of the holders of Exchangeable Shares for approval;
(b) immediately, upon the earlier of (i) receipt by RVI Sub of notice of, and (ii) RVI Sub otherwise becoming aware of, any threatened or instituted claim, suit, petition or other proceedings with respect to the involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of RVI Sub or to effect any other distribution of the assets of RVI Sub among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs;
(c) immediately, upon receipt by RVI Sub of a Retraction Request (as defined in the Exchangeable Share Provisions);
(d) at least 45 days prior to any Automatic Redemption Date determined by the Board of Directors of RVI Sub in accordance with clause (b) of the definition of Automatic Redemption Date in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
(e) as soon as practicable upon the issuance by RVI Sub of any Exchangeable Shares or rights to acquire Exchangeable Shares; and
(f) in the event of any determination by the Board of Directors of RVI Sub to institute voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up proceedings with respect to RVI Sub or to effect any other distribution of the assets of RVI Sub among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, at least 30 days prior to the proposed effective date of such liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or other distribution.
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2.5 Delivery of Shares of RVI Common Stock
In furtherance of its obligations hereunder, upon notice of any event which requires RVI Sub to cause to be delivered shares of RVI Common Stock to any holder of Exchangeable Shares, RVI shall forthwith issue and deliver the requisite shares of RVI Common Stock to or to the order of the former holder of the surrendered Exchangeable Shares, as RVI Sub shall direct. All such shares of RVI Common Stock shall be duly issued as fully paid and non-assessable and shall be free and clear of any lien, claim, encumbrance, security interest or adverse claim or interest.
2.6 Qualification of Shares of RVI Common Stock
RVI covenants that if any shares of RVI Common Stock (or other shares or securities into which RVI Common Stock may be reclassified or changed as contemplated by Section 2.7 hereof) to be issued and delivered hereunder (including for greater certainty, pursuant to the Exchangeable Share Provisions, or pursuant to the Exchange Put Right, the Exchange Right or the Automatic Exchange Rights (all as defined in the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement)) require registration or qualification with or approval of or the filing of any document including any prospectus or similar document, the taking of any proceeding with or the obtaining of any order, ruling or consent from any governmental or regulatory authority under any Canadian or United States federal, provincial or state law or regulation or pursuant to the rules and regulations of any regulatory authority, or the fulfillment of any other legal requirement (collectively, the “Applicable Laws”) before such shares (or other shares or securities into which RVI Common Stock may be reclassified or changed as contemplated by Section 2.7 hereof) may be issued and delivered by RVI to the initial holder thereof (other than RVI Sub) or in order that such shares may be freely traded thereafter (other than any restrictions on transfer by reason of a holder being a “control person” of RVI for purposes of Canadian federal or provincial securities law or an “affiliate” of RVI for purposes of United States federal or state securities law), RVI will in good faith expeditiously take all such actions and do all such things as are necessary to cause such shares of RVI Common Stock (or other shares or securities into which RVI Common Stock may be reclassified or changed as contemplated by Section 2.7 hereof) to be and remain duly registered, qualified or approved. RVI represents and warrants that it has in good faith taken all actions and done all things as are necessary under Applicable Laws as they exist on the date hereof to cause the shares of RVI Common Stock (or other shares or securities into which RVI Common Stock may be reclassified or changed as contemplated by Section 2.7 hereof) to be issued and delivered hereunder (including, for greater certainty, pursuant to the Exchangeable Share Provisions, or pursuant to the Exchange Put Right, the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights) to be freely tradeable thereafter (other than restrictions on transfer by reason of a holder being a “control person” of RVI for the purposes of Canadian federal and provincial securities law or an “affiliate” of RVI for purposes of United States federal or state securities law). RVI will in good faith expeditiously take all such actions and do all such things as are necessary to cause all shares of RVI Common Stock (or other shares or securities into which RVI Common Stock may be reclassified or changed as contemplated by Section 2.7 hereof) to be delivered hereunder (including, for greater certainty, pursuant to Exchangeable Share Provisions, or pursuant to the Exchange Put Right, the Exchange Right or the Automatic Exchange Rights) to be listed, quoted, posted or eligible for trading on all stock exchanges and quotation systems on which such shares are listed, quoted, posted or eligible for trading at such time.
2.7 Equivalence
(a) | RVI will not: |
(i) issue or distribute shares of RVI Common Stock (or securities exchangeable for or convertible into or carrying rights to acquire shares of RVI Common Stock) to the holders of all or substantially all of the then outstanding shares of RVI Common Stock by way of stock dividend or other distribution; or
(ii) issue or distribute rights, options or warrants to the holders of all or substantially all of the then outstanding shares of RVI Common Stock entitling them to subscribe for or to purchase shares of RVI Common Stock (or securities exchangeable for or convertible into or carrying rights to acquire shares of RVI Common Stock); or
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(iii) | issue or distribute to the holders of all or substantially all of the then outstanding shares of RVI Common Stock (A) shares or securities of RVI of any class other than RVI Common Stock (other than shares convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying rights to acquire shares of RVI Common Stock), (B) rights, options or warrants other than those referred to in subsection 2.7 (a) (ii) above, (C) evidences of indebtedness of RVI or (D) assets of RVI; |
unless
(iv) | one or both of RVI and RVI Sub is permitted under applicable law to issue or distribute the economic equivalent on a per share basis of such rights, options, warrants, securities, shares, evidences of indebtedness or other assets to the holders of the Exchangeable Shares; and |
(v) | one or both of RVI and RVI Sub shall issue or distribute the economic equivalent on a per share basis of such rights, options, warrants, securities, shares, evidences of indebtedness or other assets simultaneously to the holders of the Exchangeable Shares. |
(b) | RVI will not: |
(i) | subdivide, redivide or change the then outstanding shares of RVI Common Stock into a greater number of shares of RVI Common Stock; or |
(ii) | reduce, combine or consolidate or change the then outstanding shares of RVI Common Stock into a lesser number of shares of RVI Common Stock; or |
(iii) | reclassify or otherwise change the shares of RVI Common Stock or effect an amalgamation, merger, reorganization or other transaction involving or affecting the shares of RVI Common Stock; |
unless
(iv) | RVI Sub is permitted under applicable law to simultaneously make the same or an economically equivalent change to, or in the rights of the holders of, the Exchangeable Shares; and |
(v) | the same or an economically equivalent change is simultaneously made to, or in the rights of the holders of, the Exchangeable Shares. |
RVI will ensure that the record date for any event referred to in section 2.7 (a) or 2.7 (b) above, or (if no record date is applicable for such event) the effective date for any such event, is not less than 10 Business Days after the date on which such event is declared or announced by RVI (with simultaneous notice thereof to be given by RVI to RVI Sub).
2.8 Tender Offers, Etc.
In the event that a tender offer, share exchange offer, issuer bid, take-over bid or similar transaction with respect to RVI Common Stock (an “Offer”) is proposed by RVI or is proposed to RVI or its shareholders and is recommended by the Board of Directors of RVI, or is otherwise effected or to be effected with the consent or approval of the Board of Directors of RVI, RVI shall, in good faith, take all such actions and do all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit holders of Exchangeable Shares to participate in such Offer to the same extent and on an equivalent basis as the holders of shares of RVI Common Stock, without discrimination, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, RVI will use its good faith efforts expeditiously to (and shall, in the case of a transaction proposed by RVI or where RVI is a participant in the negotiation thereof) ensure that holders of Exchangeable Shares may participate in all such Offers without being required to retract Exchangeable Shares as against RVI Sub (or, if so required, to ensure that any such retraction shall be effective only upon, and shall be conditional upon, the closing of the Offer and only to the extent necessary to tender or deposit to the Offer).
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2.9 Ownership of Outstanding Shares
Without the prior approval of RVI Sub and the prior approval of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares given in accordance with Section 10.2 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions, RVI covenants and agrees in favor of RVI Sub that, as long as any outstanding Exchangeable Shares are owned by any person or entity other than RVI or any of its subsidiaries, RVI, alone or together with any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of RVI, will be and remain the beneficial owner of all issued and outstanding securities of RVI Sub other than Exchangeable Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, RVI shall not be in violation of this Section if any person or group of persons acting jointly or in concert acquires RVI Common Stock pursuant to any merger of RVI pursuant to which RVI was not the surviving corporation.
2.10 RVI Not to Vote Exchangeable Shares
RVI covenants and agrees that it will appoint and cause to be appointed proxy holders with respect to all Exchangeable Shares held by RVI and its subsidiaries for the sole purpose of attending each meeting of holders of Exchangeable Shares in order to be counted as part of the quorum for each such meeting. RVI further covenants and agrees that it will not, and will cause its subsidiaries not to, exercise any voting rights which may be exercisable by holders of Exchangeable Shares from time to time pursuant to the Exchangeable Share Provisions or pursuant to the provisions of the Act with respect to any Exchangeable Shares held by it or by its subsidiaries in respect of any matter considered at any meeting of holders of Exchangeable Shares.
2.11 Due Performance
On and after the Effective Date, RVI shall duly and timely perform all of its obligations provided for in connection with the Plan of Arrangement and the Articles of Incorporation of RVI Sub, including any obligations that may arise upon the exercise of RVI’s rights under the Exchangeable Share Provisions.
ARTICLE III
GENERAL
3.1 Term
This agreement shall come into force and be effective as of the date hereof and shall terminate and be of no further force and effect at such time as no Exchangeable Shares (or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying rights to acquire Exchangeable Shares) are held by any party other than RVI and any of its subsidiaries.
3.2 Changes in Capital of RVI and RVI Sub
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 3.4 hereof, at all times after the occurrence of any event effected pursuant to section 2.7 or 2.8 hereof, as a result of which either RVI Common Stock or the Exchangeable Shares or both are in any way changed, this agreement shall forthwith be amended and modified as necessary in order that it shall apply with full force and effect, mutatis mutandis, to all new securities into which RVI Common Stock or the Exchangeable Shares or both are so changed, and the parties hereto shall as soon as possible execute and deliver an agreement in writing giving effect to and evidencing such necessary amendments and modifications.
3.3 Severability
If any provision of this agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and this agreement shall be carried out as nearly as possible in accordance with its original terms and conditions.
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3.4 Amendments, Modifications, Etc.
This agreement may not be amended, modified or waived except by an agreement in writing executed by RVI Sub and RVI and approved by the holders of the Exchangeable Shares in accordance with Section 10.2 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions.
3.5 Ministerial Amendments
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 3.4, the parties to this agreement may in writing, at any time and from time to time, without the approval of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares, amend or modify this agreement for the purposes of:
(a) adding to the covenants of either or both parties for the protection of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares;
(b) making such amendments or modifications not inconsistent with this agreement as may be necessary or desirable with respect to matters or questions which, in the opinion of the board of directors of each of RVI Sub and RVI, it may be expedient to make, provided that each such board of directors shall be of the opinion that such amendments or modifications will not be prejudicial to the interests of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares; or
(c) making such changes or corrections which, on the advice of counsel to RVI Sub and RVI, are required for the purpose of curing or correcting any ambiguity or defect or inconsistent provision or clerical omission or mistake or manifest error; provided that the boards of directors of each of RVI Sub and RVI shall be of the opinion that such changes or corrections will not be prejudicial to the interests of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares.
3.6 Meeting to Consider Amendments
RVI Sub, at the request of RVI, shall call a meeting or meetings of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares for the purpose of considering any proposed amendment or modification requiring approval of such shareholders. Any such meeting or meetings shall be called and held in accordance with the by-laws of RVI Sub, the Exchangeable Share Provisions and all Applicable Laws.
3.7 Amendments Only in Writing
No amendment to or modification or waiver of any of the provisions of this agreement otherwise permitted hereunder shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by both of the parties hereto.
3.8 Inurement
This agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and the holders, from time to time, of Exchangeable Shares and each of their respective heirs, successors and assigns.
3.9 Notices to Parties
All notices and other communications between the parties shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given if delivered personally or by confirmed telecopy to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for either such party as shall be specified in like notice):
(a) | if to RVI: |
API Nanotronics Corp.
000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx X0X 0X0
Attention: Xx. Xxxxxxx XxXxxxxx
Fax: (000) 000-0000
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(b) | if to RVI Sub to: |
RVI, Sub Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx X0X 0X0
Attention: Xx. Xxxxxxx XxXxxxxx
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Any notice or other communication given personally shall be deemed to have been given and received upon delivery thereof and if given by telecopy shall be deemed to have been given and received on the date of confirmed receipt thereof, unless such day is not a Business Day, in which case it shall be deemed to have been given and received upon the immediately following Business Day.
3.10 Counterparts
This agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
3.11 Jurisdiction
This agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
3.12 Attornment
RVI agrees that any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this agreement may be instituted in the courts of the Province of Ontario, waives any objection which it may have now or hereafter to the venue of any such action or proceeding, irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of such courts in any such action or proceeding, agrees to be bound by any judgment of such courts and not to seek, and hereby waives, any review of the merits of any such judgment by the courts of any other jurisdiction and hereby appoints RVI Sub at its registered office in the Province of Ontario as RVI’s attorney for service of process.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, RVI and RVI Sub have caused this agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunder duly authorized, all as of the date first written above.
API NANOTRONICS CORP. | ||
Per: |
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RVI SUB, INC. | ||
Per: |
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