AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION BY AND AMONG TRIPLECROWN ACQUISITION CORP., CULLEN AGRICULTURAL HOLDING CORP., CAT MERGER SUB, INC., CULLEN AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. and CULLEN INC HOLDINGS LIMITED DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2009
Exhibit
2.1
BY AND
AMONG
CULLEN
AGRICULTURAL HOLDING CORP.,
CAT
MERGER SUB, INC.,
CULLEN
AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
and
CULLEN
INC HOLDINGS LIMITED
DATED AS
OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2009
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THIS
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION is made and entered into as of September 4,
2009, by and among Triplecrown Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), Cullen Agricultural
Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent
(“Holdco”), CAT Merger
Sub, Inc., a Georgia corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco (“Merger Sub”), Cullen
Agricultural Technologies, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Company”), and Cullen Inc
Holdings Limited, a New Zealand limited company and the sole stockholder of the
Company ( “Stockholder”).
RECITALS
A. Upon
the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement (as defined in Section
1.3) and in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
(the “DGCL”) and the
Georgia Corporate Code (“GCC” and together with the
DGCL, the “Applicable
Corporate Law”) and other applicable law, Parent and Company intend to
enter into a business combination transaction by means of (i) a merger of Parent
with and into Holdco, with Holdco surviving the merger and becoming the public
company through the automatic conversion of all the issued and outstanding
securities of Parent into a like type and numberof securities of Holdco as
provided herein (the “Parent
Merger”) and (ii) a merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company, with
the Company surviving the merger and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of
Holdco through an exchange of all the issued and outstanding capital stock of
the Company for shares of common stock of Holdco as provided herein (the “Company Merger” and, together
with the Parent Merger, the “Mergers”).
B. The
boards of directors of each of Parent, Holdco, Merger Sub, the Company and the
Stockholder have determined that the Mergers are fair to, and in the best
interests of, their respective companies and their respective
stockholders.
C. The
parties intend for the Mergers to qualify as Tax-free transactions pursuant to
Section 351, Section 368(a)(1)(A) and Section 368(a)(2)(E) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, promises and representations set
forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows
(defined terms used in this Agreement are listed alphabetically in Article IX,
together with the Section and, if applicable, paragraph number in which the
definition of each such term is located):
ARTICLE
I
THE
MERGERS
1.1 The Parent
Merger. At the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.3) and
subject to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the
applicable provisions of the DGCL, Parent shall be merged with and into Holdco,
the separate corporate existence of Parent shall cease and Holdco shall continue
as the public corporation. Holdco as the surviving public corporation after the
Parent Merger is hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “Surviving
Pubco.”
1.2 The Company
Merger. At the Effective Time and subject to and upon the
terms and conditions of this Agreement and the applicable provisions of the GCC,
Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company, the separate corporate
existence of Merger Sub shall cease and the Company shall continue as the
surviving entity of the Company Merger. The Company as the surviving entity
after the Company Merger is hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “Surviving
Subsidiary.”
1.3 Effective Time;
Closing. Subject to the conditions of this Agreement, as soon
as practicable on or after the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined), the
parties hereto shall cause (a) the Parent Merger to be consummated by filing a
Certificate of Merger (the “Parent Certificate of
Merger”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in
accordance with the applicable provisions of Delaware law and (b) the Company
Merger to be consummated by filing an Articles of Merger with the Secretary of
State of the State of Georgia in accordance with the applicable provisions of
Georgia law (the “Company
Articles of Merger”) (the time of the later of such filings, or such
later time as may be agreed in writing by Company and Parent
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and
specified in the Parent Certificate of Merger and the Company Articles of
Merger, being the “Effective
Time”). The term “Agreement” as used herein
refers to this Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, as the same may be amended
from time to time, and all schedules hereto (including the Company Schedule and
the Parent Schedule, as defined in the preambles to Articles II and III hereof,
respectively). Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated pursuant to
Section 8.1, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
(the “Closing”), other
than the filing of the Parent Certificate of Merger and the Company Articles of
Merger, shall take place at the offices of Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, counsel to Parent
and Holdco, 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000 at a time and
date to be specified by the parties, which shall be no later than the second
business day after the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in
Article VI, or at such other time, date and location as the parties hereto agree
in writing (the “Closing
Date”). Closing signatures may be transmitted by facsimile or emailed
“.pdf” file.
1.4 Effect of the
Mergers. At the Effective Time, (a) the effect of the Parent
Merger shall be as provided in this Agreement and the Applicable Corporate Law
and other laws and (b) the effect of the Company Merger shall be as provided in
this Agreement and the Applicable Corporate Law and other laws. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time (c)
all the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of Parent and Holdco
shall vest in Surviving Pubco, and all debts, liabilities and duties of Parent
and Holdco shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of Surviving Pubco and
(d) all the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company
and Merger Sub shall vest in the Surviving Subsidiary, and all debts,
liabilities and duties of the Company and Merger Sub shall become the debts,
liabilities and duties of the Surviving Subsidiary.
1.5 Governing
Documents. At the Effective Time,
(a) the
Certificate of Incorporation of Holdco in the form of Exhibit A hereto shall become
the Certificate of Incorporation of Surviving Pubco;
(b) the
Bylaws of Holdco in the form of Exhibit B hereto shall become
the Bylaws of Surviving Pubco;
(c) the
Articles of Incorporation of Merger Sub in the form of Exhibit C shall become the
Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Subsidiary; and
(d) the
Bylaws of Merger Sub in the form of Exhibit D shall become the
Bylaws of the Surviving Subsidiary.
1.6 Effect on
Securities. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, at the Effective Time, by virtue of the Mergers and this Agreement
and without any action on the part of Parent, Holdco or the Company or the
holders of any of the securities of Parent or the Company, the following shall
occur:
(a) Conversion of Parent Common
Stock. Each share of common stock, par value $.0001, of Parent
(“Parent Common Stock”)
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be
automatically converted into one share of common stock, par value $.0001, of
Holdco (“Holdco Common
Stock”) and the holders thereof shall cease to have any further rights as
holders of capital stock of Parent. Immediately following the Parent Merger,
each certificate that evidenced Parent Common Stock immediately prior to the
Parent Merger (“Parent
Certificate”) shall represent the applicable number of shares of Holdco
Common Stock into which the Parent Common Stock represented thereby have been
converted.
(b) Conversion of Parent
Warrants. Each outstanding warrant to purchase a share of
Parent Common Stock (“Parent
Warrant”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall remain outstanding immediately following the Effective Time but shall be
deemed to have been converted and to represent a warrant (“Holdco Warrants”) to purchase
one share of Holdco Common Stock on the same terms existing under the Parent
Warrant immediately prior to the Effective Time, subject to the changes
contemplated by Section 5.1(c). Immediately following the Parent Merger, each
certificate that evidenced Parent Warrants immediately prior to the Parent
Merger (“Parent Warrant
Certificate”) shall represent the applicable number of Holdco Warrants
into which the Parent Warrants represented thereby have been
converted.
(c) Cancellation of Holdco Capital
Stock. Each share of capital stock of Holdco issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be
canceled.
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(d)
Conversion of Company Common
Stock; Issuance to Holdco. At the Effective Time, all of the
outstanding shares of the common stock of the Company, no par value (“Company Common Stock”), shall
be automatically converted into an aggregate of 15,881,148 shares of Holdco
Common Stock (“Transaction
Shares”). Subject to Section 1.12,
below, certificates representing the Transaction Shares shall be issued to the
Stockholder upon surrender of the certificates representing all of the
outstanding Company Common Stock (“Company Certificates”).
Immediately following the conversion contemplated by this Section, 100 shares of
the Company, as the Surviving Subsidiary, shall be issued to
Holdco.
(e) Cancellation of Merger Sub Capital
Stock. At the Effective Time, each share of common stock, par
value $.0001 per share, of Merger Sub (the “Merger Sub Common Stock”)
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be
cancelled.
(f) Adjustments to Exchange
Ratios. The numbers of shares of Holdco Common Stock that the
holders of the Parent Common Stock and the Stockholder are entitled to receive
as a result of the Mergers shall be equitably adjusted to reflect appropriately
the effect of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend (including
any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into Parent Common Stock
or Company Common Stock), extraordinary cash dividends, reorganization,
recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or other
like change with respect to Parent Common Stock or Company Common Stock
occurring on or after the date hereof and prior to the Effective
Time.
1.7 Surrender of Company
Certificates.
(a) Exchange
Procedures. Upon surrender of Company Certificates at the
Closing, the Stockholder shall receive certificates representing the Transaction
Shares into which the Company Common Stock shall be converted at the Effective
Time, less the Escrow Shares, and the Company Certificates so surrendered shall
forthwith be canceled. Until so surrendered after the Effective Time for the
Transaction Shares, outstanding Company Certificates will be deemed, from and
after the Effective Time, to evidence no rights.
(b) Distributions With Respect to
Unexchanged Shares. No dividends or other distributions
declared or made after the date of this Agreement with respect to Holdco Common
Stock with a record date after the Effective Time will be paid to the holders of
any unsurrendered Company Certificates with respect to the Transaction Shares to
be issued upon surrender thereof until the holders of record of such Company
Certificates shall surrender such certificates. Subject to applicable law,
following surrender of any such Company Certificates, Holdco shall promptly
deliver to the record holders thereof, without interest, the certificates
representing the Transaction Shares issued in exchange therefor and the amount
of any such dividends or other distributions with a record date after the
Effective Time theretofore paid with respect to such Transaction
Shares.
(c) Transfers of
Ownership. If certificates representing Transaction Shares are
to be issued in a name other than that in which the Company Certificates
surrendered in exchange therefor are registered, it will be a condition of the
issuance thereof that the Company Certificates so surrendered will be properly
endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the persons
requesting such exchange will have paid to Holdco or any agent designated by it
any transfer or other Taxes required by reason of the issuance of certificates
representing Transaction Shares in any name other than that of the registered
holder of the Company Certificates surrendered, or established to the
satisfaction of Holdco or any agent designated by it that such Tax has been paid
or is not payable.
(d) Required
Withholding. Parent and Holdco shall each be entitled to
deduct and withhold from any consideration payable or otherwise deliverable
pursuant to this Agreement to any holder or former holder of Company Common
Stock such amounts as are required to be deducted or withheld therefrom under
the Code or under any provision of state, local or foreign Tax law or under any
other applicable legal requirement. To the extent such amounts are so deducted
or withheld, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes under this Agreement
as having been paid to the Person to whom such amounts would otherwise have been
paid.
(e) No Further Ownership Rights in
Company Common Stock. All shares of Holdco Common Stock issued
to the Stockholder in accordance with the terms hereof shall be deemed to have
been issued in consideration of the Stockholder transferring all ownership
rights pertaining to the Company Common Stock and there shall be no further
registration of transfers on the records of the Surviving Subsidiary of
Company
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Common
Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after
the Effective Time, Company Certificates are presented to the Surviving
Subsidiary for any reason, they shall be canceled and exchanged as provided in
this Article I.
1.8 No
Liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement, no party hereto shall be liable to a holder of shares of Parent
Common Stock or Company Common Stock for any amount properly paid to a public
official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar
law.
1.9 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed
Certificates. In the event that any Company Certificates shall
have been lost, stolen or destroyed, Holdco shall issue in exchange for such
lost, stolen or destroyed Company Certificates, upon the making of an affidavit
of that fact by the holder thereof, the certificates representing the
Transaction Shares that the Company Common Stock formerly represented by such
Company Certificates were converted into and any dividends or distributions
payable pursuant to Section 1.7(b); provided, however, that, as a condition
precedent to the issuance of such certificates representing Transaction Shares
and other distributions, the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed Company
Certificates shall indemnify Holdco against any claim that may be made against
the Surviving Pubco or Surviving Subsidiary with respect to the Company
Certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
1.10
Tax
Consequences. It is intended by the parties hereto that the
Mergers shall constitute Tax-free transactions pursuant to Section 351, Section
368(a)(1)(A) and Section 368(a)(2)(E) of the Code and the United States Income
Tax Regulations (“Regulations”). The parties
hereto adopt this Agreement as a “plan or reorganization” for the Merger within
the meaning of Section 1.368-2(g) and 1.368(a) of the Regulations.
1.11
Taking of Necessary Action;
Further Action. If, at any time after the Effective Time, any
further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this
Agreement and to vest the Surviving Subsidiary with full right, title and
possession to all assets, property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of
the Company, the Company and Holdco and their respective officers and directors
will take all such lawful and necessary action.
1.12
Escrow. As
the sole remedy for the indemnity obligations set forth in Article VII, at the
Closing, the Stockholder shall deposit in escrow 1,588,114 of the Transaction
Shares (“Escrow
Shares”), all in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Escrow
Agreement to be entered into at the Closing between Holdco, the Company, the
Stockholder and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Continental”), as Escrow
Agent, in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit E (the “Escrow Agreement”). The
Escrow Agreement shall provide that on the 30th day
after the date Holdco has filed with the SEC its Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ending December 31, 2010 but, in any event, no later than April 16,
2011 (the “Escrow Termination
Date”), the Escrow Agent shall release the Escrow Shares, less that
number of Escrow Shares applied in satisfaction of or reserved with respect to
indemnification claims made prior to such date, to the Stockholder. Any Escrow
Shares held with respect to any unresolved claim for indemnification and not
applied as indemnification with respect to such claim upon its resolution shall
be delivered to such Persons promptly upon such resolution. While in escrow, the
Escrow Shares shall be deemed to be issued and outstanding and the Stockholder
shall have the right to (i) vote the Escrow Shares at any meeting of the
stockholders of Holdco or (ii) receive dividends or distributions paid or made
on the Escrow Shares.
1.13
New Zealand Income Tax Xxx
0000. To reflect that the conversion of the Company Common
Stock constitutes a disposal of shares for the purposes of the financial
arrangements rules in the Income Tax Xxx 0000 (New Zealand), the parties agree
solely for the purposes of those rules that the consideration received by the
Stockholder for that disposal (including, but not limited to, the Transaction
Shares as provided in Section 1.6(d) and any Holdco Common Stock issued to the
Stockholder pursuant to the Holdco Plan) is the lowest price that the parties
would have agreed upon with respect to the Company Common Stock at the time this
Agreement was executed on the basis of payment in full at the time at which the
first right in the Company Common Stock is to be transferred and on that basis
no income or expenditure arises under those rules.
1.14
Rule
145. All shares of Holdco Common Stock issued pursuant to this
Agreement will be subject to certain resale restrictions under Rule 145
promulgated under the Securities Act and all certificates representing such
shares shall bear an appropriate restrictive legend.
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1.15
Stockholder
Matters.
(a) By
its execution of this Agreement, the Stockholder, as the holder of all of the
outstanding capital stock of the Company entitled to vote, hereby approves the
adoption of this Agreement, approves the Mergers and the related transactions
and authorizes the Company, its directors and officers to take all actions
necessary for the consummation of the Mergers and the other transactions
contemplated hereby pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and its
Exhibits.
(b) The
Stockholder hereby represents and warrants as follows: (i) all Holdco Common
Stock to be acquired by it pursuant to this Agreement will be acquired for its
account and not with a view towards distribution thereof other than, with
respect to transfers to its stockholders; (ii) it understands that it must bear
the economic risk of the investment in the Holdco Common Stock; (iii) it has had
both the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the officers and
directors of Parent and Holdco and all persons acting on Parent’s and Holdco’s
behalf concerning the business and operations of Parent and Holdco and to obtain
any additional information to the extent Parent or Holdco possesses or may
possess such information or can acquire it without unreasonable effort or
expense necessary to verify the accuracy of such information; and (iv) it has
had access to the Parent SEC Reports (as defined in Section 3.7) filed prior to
the date of this Agreement. The Stockholder acknowledges and represents that it
is either (A) an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a)
promulgated under the Securities Act or (B) a Person possessing sufficient
knowledge and experience in financial and business matters to enable it to
evaluate the merits and risks of an investment in Holdco. The Stockholder
understands that the certificates representing the Holdco Common Stock to be
received by it will bear legends to the effect that the Holdco Common Stock may
not be transferred except upon compliance with (x) the registration requirements
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or an
exemption therefrom, and (y) the provisions of this Agreement.
(c) The
Stockholder represents and warrants that the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by the Stockholder does not, and the performance of its obligations
hereunder will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of,
or filing with or notification to, any court, administrative agency, commission,
governmental or regulatory authority, domestic or foreign (a “Governmental Entity”), except
(i) for applicable requirements, if any, of the Securities, the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), state
securities laws (“Blue Sky
Laws”), and the rules and regulations thereunder, and (ii) where the
failure to obtain such consents, approvals, authorizations or permits, or to
make such filings or notifications, would not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in Section
10.2(a)) on the Stockholder or the Company or, after the Closing, the Surviving
Pubco or the Surviving Subsidiary, or prevent consummation of the Mergers or
otherwise prevent the parties hereto from performing their obligations under
this Agreement.
(d) The
Stockholder represents and warrants it owns shares of Company Common Stock
listed on Schedule 2.3(a) free and clear of all Liens (as defined in Section
10.2(e)).
1.16
Committee for Purposes of
Escrow Agreement. Prior to the Closing, the Board of Directors
of Parent shall appoint a committee consisting of one or more of its then
members to act on behalf of Holdco, as the Surviving Pubco, to take all
necessary actions and make all decisions pursuant to the Escrow Agreement
regarding Parent’s and Holdco’s right to indemnification pursuant to Article VII
hereof. In the event of a vacancy in such committee, the board of directors of
Parent or, after the consummation of the Mergers, the board of directors of
Holdco, shall appoint as a successor a Person who was a director of Parent prior
to the Closing Date or some other Person who would qualify as an “independent”
director of Holdco and who has not had any relationship with the Company prior
to the Closing. Such committee is intended to be the “Committee” referred to in
Article VII hereof and the Escrow Agreement.
1.17
Sale
Restriction. The Stockholder shall not, prior to the first
anniversary of the Closing, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of an interest
in any of the shares of Holdco Common Stock received as a result of the Mergers
other than as permitted pursuant to the Lock-Up Agreement in the form of Exhibit F hereto to be
executed by the Stockholder simultaneously herewith.
1.18
Holdco, as the Surviving Pubco, shall implement an Incentive Stock Option Plan
(the “Holdco Plan”) in
the form of Exhibit G
hereto. The Holdco Plan shall provide that an aggregate of 12.5% of
the
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shares of
Holdco Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date (after giving
effect to any conversions, surrenders and repurchases of Parent or Holdco Common
Stock in connection with the Mergers and the approval by the Parent Stockholder
thereof) shall be reserved for issuance pursuant to the Holdco
Plan.
ARTICLE
II
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES REGARDING
THE
COMPANY AND THE STOCKHOLDER
Subject
to the exceptions set forth in Schedule 2 attached hereto
(the “Company
Schedule”), the Company and the Stockholder jointly and severally
represent and warrant to, and covenant with, Parent, Holdco and Merger Sub as
follows (as used in this Article II, and elsewhere in this Agreement, the term
“Company” includes the Subsidiaries, as hereinafter defined, unless the context
clearly otherwise indicates):
2.1 Organization and
Qualification.
(a) Each
of the Company and the Stockholder is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the law of the jurisdiction of its
formation. The Company has the requisite power and authority to own, lease and
operate its assets and properties and to carry on its business as it is now
being or currently planned by the Company to be conducted. The Company is in
possession of all franchises, grants, authorizations, licenses, permits,
easements, consents, certificates, approvals and orders (“Approvals”) necessary to own,
lease and operate the properties it purports to own, operate or lease and to
carry on its business as it is now being conducted, except where the failure to
have such Approvals could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Complete and correct
copies of the articles or certificate of incorporation and bylaws (or other
comparable governing instruments with different names) (collectively referred to
herein as “Charter
Documents”) of each of the Company and the Stockholder, as amended and
currently in effect, have been heretofore made available to Parent or Parent’s
counsel. Neither the Company nor the Stockholder is in violation of any of the
material provisions of its Charter Documents.
(b) The
Company is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing in
each jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned, leased or
operated by it or the nature of its activities makes such qualification or
licensing necessary, except for such failures to be so duly qualified or
licensed and in good standing that could not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Each
jurisdiction in which the Company is so qualified or licensed is listed in Schedule
2.1.
(c)
Copies of the minute books and records of the Company have been made available
to Parent or Parent’s counsel.
(d)
Copies of the equity ownership and transfer records of the Company have been
made available to Parent or Parent’s counsel.
2.2 Subsidiaries.
(a) The
Company has no direct or indirect subsidiaries or participations in joint
ventures or other entities other than those listed in Schedule 2.2 and, as the
context permits, those contemplated to be formed as specifically provided in the
business section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (as defined hereinafter) (the
“Subsidiaries”). The
Company owns all of the outstanding equity securities of the Subsidiaries, free
and clear of all Liens, either directly or indirectly through one or more
Subsidiaries. Except for the Subsidiaries, the Company does not own, directly or
indirectly, any ownership, equity, profits or voting interest in any Person or
has any agreement or commitment to purchase any such interest, and has not
agreed and is not obligated to make nor is bound by any written, oral or other
agreement, contract, subcontract, lease, binding understanding, instrument,
note, option, warranty, purchase order, license, sublicense, insurance policy,
benefit plan, commitment or undertaking of any nature, as of the date hereof or
as may hereafter be in effect under which it may become obligated to make, any
future investment in or capital contribution to any other
entity.
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(b) Each
Subsidiary that is a corporation is duly incorporated, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation (as listed in Schedule 2.2) and has the
requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and
properties and to carry on its business as it is now being or currently planned
by the Company to be conducted. Each Subsidiary that is a limited liability
company is duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of its state of organization or formation (as listed in Schedule 2.2) and has the
requisite power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and
properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Each
Subsidiary is in possession of all Approvals necessary to own, lease and operate
the properties it purports to own, operate or lease and to carry on its business
as it is now being conducted, except where the failure to have such Approvals
could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company or such Subsidiary. Complete and correct
copies of the Charter Documents of each Subsidiary, as amended and currently in
effect, have been heretofore delivered to Parent or Parent’s counsel. No
Subsidiary is in violation of any of the material provisions of its Charter
Documents.
(c) Each
Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign corporation
or foreign limited liability company and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned, leased or operated by
it or the nature of its activities makes such qualification or licensing
necessary, except for such failures to be so duly qualified or licensed and in
good standing that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or such Subsidiary.
Each jurisdiction in which each Subsidiary is so qualified or licensed is listed
in Schedule
2.2.
(d)
Copies of the minute books and records of each Subsidiary have been heretofore
made available to Parent or Parent’s counsel.
2.3 Capitalization.
(a) The
authorized capital stock of the Company consist of 100,000 shares of Company
Common Stock and no preferred stock. As of the date of this Agreement, 100
shares of Company Common Stock are issued and outstanding, all of which are
validly issued. The Stockholder is the sole owner of all of the outstanding
Company Common Stock. Schedule
2.3(a) hereto contains a list of all Persons who hold options to purchase
shares of Company Common Stock, the number of shares purchasable under such
option, the vesting schedule relating to such option, the expiration date of
such option and the per-share exercise price of such option. Except as set forth
in Schedule 2.3(a)
hereto, as of the date of this Agreement, no shares of Company Common Stock are
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options or other rights.
There are no commitments or agreements of any character to which the Company is
bound obligating the Company to accelerate the vesting of any option to purchase
Company Common Stock as a result of the Company Merger. All outstanding shares
of Company Common Stock and options to acquire Company Common Stock have been
issued and granted in compliance with (x) all applicable securities laws and (in
all material respects) other applicable laws and regulations, and (y) all
requirements set forth in any applicable Company Contracts (as defined in
Section 2.19). The Company has heretofore delivered to Parent or Parent’s
counsel true and accurate copies of the forms of documents used for the issuance
of options to acquire Company Common Stock.
(b)
Except as set forth in Schedule 2.3(a) hereto or as
set forth in Section 2.3(a) hereof, there are no subscriptions, options,
warrants, equity securities, partnership interests or similar ownership
interests, calls, rights (including preemptive rights), commitments or
agreements of any character to which the Company is a party or by which it is
bound obligating the Company to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued,
delivered or sold, or repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or cause the
repurchase, redemption or acquisition of, any shares of capital stock or other
ownership interests of the Company or obligating the Company to grant, extend,
accelerate the vesting of or enter into any such subscription, option, warrant,
equity security, call, right, commitment or agreement.
(c)
Except as contemplated by this Agreement and except as set forth in Schedule 2.3(c) hereto, there
are no registration rights, and there is no voting trust, proxy, rights plan,
antitakeover plan or other agreement or understanding to which the Company is a
party or by which the Company is bound with respect to any ownership interest or
equity security of any class of the Company.
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(d)
No shares of capital stock of the Company are unvested or subject to a
repurchase option, risk of forfeiture or other condition under any applicable
agreement with the Company.
(e) The
authorized and outstanding capital stock of each Subsidiary is set forth in
Schedule 2.3(d) hereto.
The Company owns all of the outstanding equity securities of each Subsidiary,
free and clear of all Liens, either directly or indirectly through one or more
other Subsidiaries. There are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights
to purchase securities of any Subsidiary.
2.4 Authority Relative to this
Agreement. Each of the Company and the Stockholder has all
necessary power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
perform its obligations hereunder and, to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby (including the Company Merger). The execution and delivery
of this Agreement and the consummation by each of the Company and the
Stockholder of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the Company
Merger) have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary action on the
part of the Company and the Stockholder (including the approval by its board of
directors and stockholders, subject in all cases to the satisfaction of the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the conditions set forth in
Article VI), and no other proceedings on the part of the Company or the
Stockholder or its respective directors, officers or stockholders are necessary
to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby pursuant to Applicable Corporate Law and the terms and conditions of this
Agreement. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by
each of the Company and the Stockholder and, assuming the due authorization,
execution and delivery thereof by the other parties hereto, constitutes the
legal and binding obligation of each of the Company and the Stockholder,
enforceable against the Company and the Stockholder in accordance with its
terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and
by general principles of equity.
2.5 No Conflict; Required Filings and
Consents. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.5
hereto:
(a) The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of the Company and the
Stockholder do not, and the performance of this Agreement by each of the Company
and the Stockholder shall not, (i) conflict with or violate the Company’s or the
Stockholder’s Charter Documents, (ii) conflict with or violate any Legal
Requirements (as defined in Section 10.2(b)), (iii) result in any breach of or
constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both
would become a default) under, or materially impair the Company’s rights or
alter the rights or obligations of any third party under, or give to others any
rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in
the creation of a Lien on any of the properties or assets of the Company
pursuant to any Company Contracts or (iv) except as contemplated by the Farm
Purchase Agreement (as defined hereinafter), the IP Transfer Agreement (as
defined hereinafter) and the transactions contemplated thereunder, result in the
triggering, acceleration or increase of any payment to any Person pursuant to
any Company Contract, including any “change in control” or similar provision of
any Company Contract, except, with respect to clauses (ii), (iii) or (iv), for
any such conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults, triggerings, accelerations,
increases or other occurrences that would not, individually and in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
(b) The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of the Company and the
Stockholder does not, and the performance of its obligations hereunder will not,
require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or
notification to, any Governmental Entity or other third party (including,
without limitation, lenders and lessors), except (i) for applicable
requirements, if any, of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or Blue Sky Laws,
and the rules and regulations thereunder, and appropriate documents received
from or filed with the relevant authorities of other jurisdictions in which the
Company is licensed or qualified to do business, (ii) for the filing of any
notifications required under the Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Antitrust Improvements Act of
1976, as amended (the “HSR
Act”), and the expiration of the required waiting period thereunder,(iii)
the consents, approvals, authorizations and permits described in Schedule 2.5(b) (“Governmental and Third Party
Consents”) and (iv) where the failure to obtain such consents, approvals,
authorizations or permits, or to make such filings or notifications, would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company or the Stockholder or, after the Closing, the
Surviving Pubco or Surviving Subsidiary, or prevent consummation of the Company
Merger or otherwise prevent the parties hereto from performing their obligations
under this Agreement.
9
2.6 Compliance. The
Company has all necessary licenses and registrations in each state and other
jurisdiction where the Company’s current business activities require such
licensing and registration and is in good standing with respect to such licenses
and registrations except where the failure, individually or in the aggregate, is
not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. The
Company has complied with and is not in violation of any Legal Requirements with
respect to the conduct of its business as currently conducted except for
failures to comply or violations which, individually or in the aggregate, have
not had and are not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company. The businesses and activities of the Company have not been and are not
being conducted in violation of any Legal Requirements except where the failure,
individually or in the aggregate, is not reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.6, no written
notice of non-compliance with any Legal Requirements has been received by the
Company (and neither the Company nor the Stockholder has any knowledge of any
such notice delivered to any other Person).
2.7 Financial
Statements.
(a) The
Company has provided to Parent a correct and complete copies of the audited
consolidatedfinancial statements (including any related notes thereto) of the
Company and its Subsidiaries for the period from the Company’s inception through
and including August 18, 2009 (the “Audited Financial
Statements”). The Audited Financial Statements were prepared in
accordance with the published rules and regulations of any applicable
Governmental Entity and with generally accepted accounting principles of the
United States (“U.S.
GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved
(except as may be indicated in the notes thereto), and each fairly presents in
all material respects the financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries
at the respective dates thereof and the results of their operations and cash
flows for the periods indicated.
(b)
[Reserved]
(c) The
books of account, minute books and transfer ledgers and other similar books and
records of the Company and its Subsidiaries have been maintained in accordance
with good business practice, are complete and accurate in all material respects
and there have been no material transactions that are required to be set forth
therein and which have not been so set forth.
(d)
Except as otherwise noted in the Audited Financial Statements, the accounts and
notes receivable of the Company and its Subsidiaries reflected on the balance
sheets included in the Audited Financial Statements: (i) arose from bona fide
sales transactions in the ordinary course of business and are payable on
ordinary trade terms, (ii) are legal, valid and binding obligations of the
respective debtors enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as such
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or other similar laws
affecting creditors’ rights generally, and by general equitable principles,
(iii) are not subject to any valid set-off or counterclaim except to the extent
set forth in such balance sheet contained therein, (iv) are collectible in the
ordinary course of business in the aggregate recorded amounts thereof, net of
any applicable reserve reflected in such balance sheet referenced above, and (v)
are not the subject of any actions or proceedings brought by or on behalf of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
2.8 No Undisclosed
Liabilities. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.8 hereto and as
contemplated by the Farm Purchase Agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereunder, the Company and its Subsidiaries have no liabilities (absolute,
accrued, contingent or otherwise) of a nature required to be disclosed on a
balance sheet or in the related notes to financial statements that are,
individually or in the aggregate, material to the business, results of
operations or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries, except:
(i) liabilities provided for in or otherwise disclosed in the balance sheet
included in the Audited Financial Statements or in the notes thereto and (ii)
liabilities incurred in a commercially reasonable manner and arising since
September 1, 2009, none of which, individually or in the aggregate, would have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
2.9 Absence of Certain Changes or
Events. Since September 1, 2009, there has not been: (i) any
Material Adverse Effect on the Company, (ii) any declaration, setting aside or
payment of any dividend on, or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or
property) in respect of, any of the Company’s equity interests, or any purchase,
redemption or other acquisition by the Company of any of the Company’s equity
interests or
10
any other
securities or any options, warrants, calls or rights to acquire any such shares
or other securities, (iii) any split, combination or reclassification of any of
the Company’s equity interests, (iv) any granting by the Company of any increase
in compensation or fringe benefits, or any payment by the Company of any bonus,
or any granting by the Company of any increase in severance or termination pay
or any entry by the Company into any currently effective employment, severance,
termination or indemnification agreement or any agreement the benefits of which
are contingent or the terms of which are materially altered upon the occurrence
of a transaction involving the Company of the nature contemplated hereby, (v)
except as contemplated by the IP Transfer Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereunder, entry by the Company into any licensing or other
agreement with regard to the acquisition or disposition of any Intellectual
Property (as defined in Section 2.18 hereof) or consent with respect to any
licensing agreement filed or required to be filed by the Company with respect to
any Governmental Entity, (vi) any material change by the Company in its
accounting methods, principles or practices except as required by concurrent
changes in U.S. GAAP, (vii) any change in the auditors of the Company, (viii)
except for the Capital Raise (as defined hereinafter), any issuance of equity
interests of the Company, (ix) any revaluation by the Company of any of its
assets, including, without limitation, writing down the value of capitalized
inventory or writing off notes or accounts receivable or any sale of assets of
the Company that is not commercially reasonable, or (x) any agreement, whether
written or oral, to do any of the foregoing. To the knowledge of the
Stockholder, no event has occurred and no circumstances exist as of the date of
this Agreement that would reasonably be deemed likely to prevent or prohibit the
Stockholder from consummating the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
2.10
Litigation. There
are no claims, suits, actions or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company or the Stockholder, threatened against the Company before any court,
governmental department, commission, agency, instrumentality or authority, or
any arbitrator. There are no claims, suits, actions or proceedings pending or,
to the knowledge of the Company or the Stockholder, threatened against the
Stockholder before any court, governmental department, commission, agency,
instrumentality or authority, or any arbitrator that would be reasonably likely
to prevent or prohibit the Stockholder from consummating the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
2.11
Employee Benefit
Plans.
(a) Schedule 2.11(a) lists all
employee compensation, incentive, fringe or benefit plans, programs, policies,
commitments or other arrangements (whether or not set forth in a written
document) covering any active or former employee, director or consultant of the
Company, or any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is under
common control with the Company, with respect to which the Company has liability
(individually, a “Plan,” and, collectively, the
“Plans”). All Plans
have been maintained and administered in all material respects in compliance
with their respective terms and with the requirements prescribed by any and all
statutes, orders, rules and regulations which are applicable to such Plans, and
all liabilities with respect to the Plans have been properly reflected in the
financial statements and records of the Company. No suit, action or other
litigation (excluding claims for benefits incurred in the ordinary course of
Plan activities) has been brought, or, to the knowledge of the Company, is
threatened, against or with respect to any Plan. There are no audits, inquiries
or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or the Stockholder,
threatened by any governmental agency with respect to any Plan. All
contributions, reserves or premium payments required to be made or accrued as of
the date hereof to the Plans have been timely made or accrued. The Company does
not have any plan or commitment to establish any new Plan, to modify any Plan
(except to the extent required by law or to conform any such Plan to the
requirements of any applicable law, in each case as previously disclosed to
Parent in writing, or as required by this Agreement), or to enter into any new
Plan. Except as disclosed in Schedule 2.11(a), each Plan
can be amended, terminated or otherwise discontinued after the Closing in
accordance with its terms, without liability to Surviving Pubco or Surviving
Subsidiary (other than ordinary administration expenses and expenses for
benefits accrued but not yet paid).
(b)
Except as disclosed in Schedule 2.11(b) hereto,
neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby will (i) result in any payment (including
severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute, bonus or otherwise)
becoming due to any stockholder, director or employee of the Company under any
Plan or otherwise, (ii) materially increase any benefits otherwise payable under
any Plan, or (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting
of any such benefits.
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2.12
Labor
Matters.
(a)
Except as set forth on Schedule 2.12(a), the Company
is not a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other labor union
contract applicable to persons employed by the Company nor does the Company or
the Stockholder know of any activities or proceedings of any labor union to
organize any such employees. There are no pending grievances or similar
proceedings involving the Company and any of its employees subject to a
collective bargaining agreement or other labor union contract and there are no
continuing obligations of the Company pursuant to the resolution of any such
proceeding that is no longer pending.
(b)
Except as provided for in the collective bargaining agreements and labor union
contracts set forth on Schedule 2.12(b), each
employee and consultant of the Company is terminable “at will” subject to
applicable notice periods as set forth by law or in the employment agreement and
there are no agreements or understandings between the Company and any of its
employees or consultants that their employment or services will be for any
particular period. The Company is not aware that any of its officers or key
employees intends to terminate his or her employment with the Company. The
Company is in compliance in all material respects and, to the Company’s and the
Stockholder’s knowledge, each of its employees and consultants is in compliance
in all material respects, with the terms of the respective employment and
consulting agreements between the Company and such individuals. There are not,
and there have not been, any oral or informal arrangements, commitments or
promises between the Company and any employees or consultants of the Company
that have not been documented as part of the formal written agreements between
any such individuals and the Company that have been made available to
Parent.
(c) The
Company is in compliance in all material respects with all Legal Requirements
applicable to its employees, respecting employment, employment practices, terms
and conditions of employment and wages and hours and is not liable for any
arrears of wages or penalties with respect thereto. The Company’s obligations to
provide statutory severance pay to its employees are fully funded or accrued on
the Audited Financial Statements and neither the Company nor the Stockholder has
any knowledge of any circumstance that could give rise to any valid claim by a
current or former employee of the Company for compensation on termination of
employment (beyond the statutory severance pay to which employees are entitled).
All amounts that the Company is legally or contractually required either (x) to
deduct from its employees’ salaries or to transfer to such employees’ pension or
provident, life insurance, incapacity insurance, continuing education fund or
other similar funds or (y) to withhold from its employees’ salaries and benefits
and to pay to any Governmental Entity as required by applicable Legal
Requirements have, in each case, been duly deducted, transferred, withheld and
paid, and the Company does not have any outstanding obligation to make any such
deduction, transfer, withholding or payment. There are no pending, or to the
Company’s and the Stockholder’s knowledge, threatened or reasonably anticipated
claims or actions against the Company by any employee in connection with such
employee’s employment or termination of employment by the Company.
(d) No
employee or former employee of the Company is owed any wages, benefits or other
compensation for past services (other than wages, benefits and compensation
accrued in the ordinary course of business during the current pay period and any
accrued benefits for services, which by their terms or under applicable law, are
payable in the future, such as accrued vacation, recreation leave and severance
pay).
2.13
Restrictions on Business
Activities. Except as disclosed in Schedule 2.13 hereto, there
is no agreement, commitment, judgment, injunction, order or decree binding upon
the Company or its assets or to which the Company is a party which has or could
reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or materially impairing
any current business practice or operation of the Company, any acquisition of
property by the Company, or the conduct of business by the Company as currently
conducted, other than such effects, individually or in the aggregate, which have
not had and could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
on the Company.
2.14
Title to
Property.
(a) All
real property owned by the Company (including improvements and fixtures thereon,
easements and rights of way) is shown or reflected on the balance sheet of the
Company included in the Audited Financial Statements. The Company has good,
valid and marketable fee simple title to the real property owned by it, and
except as set forth in the Audited Financial Statements or on Schedule 2.14(a) hereto, all
of such
12
real
property is held free and clear of (i) all leases, licenses and other rights to
occupy or use such real property and (ii) all Liens, rights of way, easements,
restrictions, exceptions, variances, reservations, covenants or other title
defects or limitations of any kind, other than liens for Taxes not yet due and
payable and such liens or other imperfections of title, if any, as do not
materially detract from the value of or materially interfere with the present
use of the property affected thereby. Schedule 2.14(a) hereto also
contains a list of all options or other contracts under which the Company has a
right to acquire or the obligation to sell any interest in real
property.
(b) All
leases of real property held by the Company, and all personal property and other
property and assets of the Company owned, used or held for use in connection
with the business of the Company (the “Personal Property”) are shown
or reflected on the balance sheet included in the Audited Financial Statements
to the extent required by U.S. GAAP, as of the dates of such Audited Financial
Statements, other than those entered into or acquired on or after the date of
the Audited Financial Statements in a commercially reasonable manner. Schedule 2.14(b) hereto
contains a list of all leases of real property and leases of Personal Property
held by the Company. The Company has good and marketable title to the Personal
Property owned by it, and all such Personal Property is in each case held free
and clear of all Liens, except for Liens disclosed in the Audited Financial
Statements or in Schedule
2.14(b) hereto, none of which Liens is reasonably expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on such property or
on the present or contemplated use of such property in the businesses of the
Company.
(c) All
leases pursuant to which the Company leases from others are valid and effective
in accordance with their respective terms, and there is not, under any of such
leases, any existing material default or event of default of the Company or, to
the Company’s knowledge, any other party (or any event which with notice or
lapse of time, or both, would constitute a material default), except where the
lack of such validity and effectiveness or the existence of such default or
event of default could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company.
(d) The
Company is in possession of, or has valid and effective rights to, all
properties, assets and rights (including Intellectual Property) required, in all
material respects for the effective conduct of its business, as it is currently
operated.
2.15
Taxes.
(a) Definition of
Taxes. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Tax” or “Taxes” refers to any and all
federal, state, local and foreign taxes, including, without limitation, gross
receipts, income, profits, sales, use, occupation, value added, ad valorem,
transfer, franchise, withholding, payroll, recapture, employment, excise and
property taxes, assessments, governmental charges and duties together with all
interest, penalties and additions imposed with respect to any such amounts and
any obligations under any agreements or arrangements with any other Person with
respect to any such amounts and including any liability of a predecessor entity
for any such amounts.
(b) Tax Returns and
Audits. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.15
hereto:
(i) The
Company has timely filed all federal, state, local and foreign returns,
estimates, information statements and reports relating to Taxes (“Returns”) required to be
filed by the Company with any Tax authority prior to the date hereof, except
such Returns that are not material to the Company. All such Returns are true,
correct and complete in all material respects. The Company has paid all Taxes
shown to be due and payable on such Returns.
(ii) All
Taxes that the Company is required by law to withhold or collect have been duly
withheld or collected, and have been timely paid over to the proper governmental
authorities to the extent due and payable.
(iii) The
Company has not been delinquent in the payment of any Tax (except for Taxes
being contested in good faith for which adequate reserves have been established,
all of which are listed on Schedule 2.15(b) hereto) nor
is there any Tax deficiency outstanding, proposed or assessed against the
Company, nor has the Company executed any unexpired waiver of any statute of
limitations on or extending the period for the assessment or collection of any
Tax. The Company has complied with all
13
Legal
Requirements with respect to payments made to third parties and the withholding
of any payment of withheld Taxes and has timely withheld from employee wages and
other payments and timely paid over in full to the proper Taxing authorities all
amounts required to be so withheld and paid over for all periods.
(iv) To
the knowledge of the Company and the Stockholder, no audit or other examination
of any Return of the Company by any Tax authority is presently in progress, nor
has the Company been notified of any request for such an audit or other
examination.
(v) No
adjustment relating to any Returns filed by the Company has been proposed in
writing, formally or informally, by any Tax authority to the Company or any
representative thereof.
(vi) The
Company has no liability for any unpaid Taxes which have not been accrued for or
reserved on the Company’s balance sheets included in the Audited Financial
Statements, whether asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise, other than
any liability for unpaid Taxes that may have accrued since the end of the most
recent fiscal year (or the Company’s inception, if more recent) in connection
with the operation of the business of the Company in a commercially reasonable
manner.
(vii)
Neither the Company nor the Stockholder has taken any action and does not know
of any fact, agreement, plan or other circumstance that is reasonably likely to
prevent the Mergers from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code.
2.16
Environmental
Matters.
(a)
Except as disclosed in Schedule 2.16 hereto: (i) the
Company has complied with all applicable Environmental Laws (as defined below);
(ii) the properties currently operated by the Company (including soils,
groundwater, surface water, air, buildings or other structures) and, to the
knowledge of the Stockholder and the Company, the property that is subject to
the Farm Purchase Agreement (as defined in Section 4.2) are not contaminated
with any Hazardous Substances (as defined below); (iii) the properties formerly
owned, operated or constructed by the Company were not contaminated with
Hazardous Substances during the period of ownership, operation or construction
by the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, during any prior period; (iv) the
Company is not subject to liability for any Hazardous Substance disposal or
contamination on any third party or public property (whether above, on or below
ground or in the atmosphere or water); (v) the Company has not been associated
with any release or threat of release of any Hazardous Substance; (vi) the
Company has not received any notice, demand, letter, claim or request for
information alleging that the Company may be in violation of or liable under any
Environmental Law; and (vii) the Company is not subject to any orders, decrees,
injunctions or other arrangements with any Governmental Entity or subject to any
indemnity or other agreement with any third party relating to liability under
any Environmental Law or relating to Hazardous Substances.
(b) As
used in this Agreement, the term “Environmental Law” means any
federal, state, local or foreign law, regulation, order, decree, permit,
authorization, opinion, common law or agency requirement relating to: (A) the
protection, investigation or restoration of the environment, health and safety,
or natural resources; (B) the handling, use, presence, disposal, release or
threatened release of any Hazardous Substance or (C) noise, odor, wetlands,
pollution, contamination or any injury or threat of injury to persons or
property.
(c) As
used in this Agreement, the term “Hazardous Substance” means
any substance that is: (i) listed, classified or regulated pursuant to any
Environmental Law; (ii) any petroleum product or by-product, asbestos-containing
material, lead-containing paint or plumbing, polychlorinated biphenyls,
radioactive materials or radon; or (iii) any other substance which is the
subject of regulatory action by any Governmental Entity pursuant to any
Environmental Law.
(d) Schedule 2.16(d) sets forth
all environmental studies and investigations completed with respect to the
Company and/or its Subsidiaries or their respective properties, assets or
operations. All such written reports and material documentation relating to any
such study or investigation has been provided by the Company to
Parent.
14
2.17
Brokers; Third Party
Expenses. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.17 hereto, neither
the Company nor the Stockholder has incurred, nor will it incur, directly or
indirectly, any liability for brokerage, finders’ fees, agent’s commissions or
any similar charges in connection with this Agreement or any transactions
contemplated hereby.
2.18
Intellectual
Property.
(a) Schedule 2.18 hereto contains
a complete descriptive overview of the material Intellectual Property necessary
in all material respects for the operation of the Company’s business as
currently proposed in the business section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. To
the Company’s and the Stockholder’s knowledge, all Company Intellectual Property
is (i) owned solely by the Company or (ii) sole ownership will be irrevocably
and unconditionally assigned and transferred to the Company at Closing pursuant
to the Deed of Assignment Relating to Intellectual Property (“IP Transfer Agreement”) in
the form of Exhibit H
hereto (which is being executed concurrently with this Agreement). The IP
Transfer Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company and has been duly and
validly executed and delivered by each party thereto and, to the knowledge of
the Stockholder and the Company, comprises the binding obligation of each party
thereto. No director, officer, consultant, agent, employee, equity holder or
other party affiliated with the Company or any affiliate thereof (collectively,
the “Company Related
Parties”) has any right or claim to such Company Intellectual Property.
Except as described on Schedule 2.18, none of the
Company Intellectual Property was developed under the terms of any agreement
with any third party or using the assets or resources of any other party that
would give such third party any right or claim to any ownership or economic or
pecuniary interest in such Company Intellectual Property (“Third Party IP Rights”),
including any agreement or understanding with any existing or prior employer or
client of any of the Company Related Parties or any government or educational
agency, institution or other body. All Third Party IP Rights are being waived or
transferred to the Company, effective as of Closing, pursuant to the IP Transfer
Agreement.
(b) For
the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the following
definitions:
(i)
“Intellectual Property”
shall mean any or all of the following and all worldwide common law and
statutory rights in, arising out of, or associated therewith: (i) patents and
applications therefor and all reissues, divisions, renewals, extensions,
provisionals, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof (“Patents”); (ii) inventions
(whether patentable or not), invention disclosures, improvements, trade secrets,
proprietary information, know how, systems, processes, plans, procedures,
approaches, technology, technical data and customer lists, and all documentation
relating to any of the foregoing; (iii) copyrights, copyright registrations and
applications therefor, and all other rights corresponding thereto throughout the
world (“Copyrights”);
(iv) software and software programs; (v) the registered domain names
“xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx” and “xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx”; (vi) industrial designs and any
registrations and applications therefor; (vii) trade names, logos, common law
trademarks and service marks, trademark and service xxxx registrations and
applications therefor (collectively, “Trademarks”); (viii) all
databases and data collections and all rights therein; (ix) all moral and
economic rights of authors and inventors, however denominated; and (x) any
similar or equivalent rights to any of the foregoing (as
applicable).
(ii)
“Company Intellectual
Property” shall mean the Intellectual Property known to the Company as
necessary to implement the subject matter which is described in Schedule 2.18 hereto for the
conduct of the Company’s business and operations as currently conducted or as
otherwise proposed in the business section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and
such Intellectual Property as otherwise owned by the Company.
(iii)
“Registered Intellectual
Property” means all Intellectual Property that is the subject of an
application, certificate, filing, registration or other document issued, filed
with, or recorded by any government or other legal authority.
(iv)
“Company Registered
Intellectual Property” means all of the Registered Intellectual Property
owned by, or filed in the name of, the Company.
(v)
“Company Products”
means all current products or service offerings of the Company.
15
(c)
Except as contemplated by the IP Transfer Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereunder, no Company Intellectual Property or Company Product is
subject to any material proceeding or outstanding decree, order, judgment,
contract, license, agreement or stipulation restricting in any manner the use,
transfer or licensing thereof by the Company, or which may affect the validity,
use or enforceability of such Company Intellectual Property or Company Product,
which in any such case could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company.
(d)
Giving effect to the IP Transfer Agreement, the Company owns and has good and
exclusive title to each material item of Company Intellectual Property owned by
it free and clear of any Liens and the Company is the exclusive owner of all
material registered Trademarks and Copyrights used in connection with the
operation or conduct of the business of the Company including the sale of any
products or the provision of any services by the Company.
(e) To
the Company’s and the Stockholder’s knowledge, the Company Intellectual Property
does not currently infringe or misappropriate the Intellectual Property of any
third party or constitute unfair competition or trade practices under the laws
of any jurisdiction. The Company has not received any claims or threats from
third parties alleging any such infringement, misappropriation or unfair
competition or trade practices.
2.19
Agreements, Contracts and
Commitments.
(a) Schedule 2.19 hereto sets
forth a complete and accurate list of all Material Company Contracts (as
hereinafter defined), specifying the parties thereto. For purposes of this
Agreement, (i) the term “Company Contracts” shall mean
all contracts, agreements, leases, mortgages, indentures, notes, bonds,
licenses, permits, franchises, purchase orders, sales orders, and other
understandings, commitments and obligations (including, without limitation,
outstanding offers and proposals) of any kind, whether written or oral, to which
the Company is a party or by or to which any of the properties or assets of the
Company may be bound, subject or affected (including without limitation notes or
other instruments payable to the Company) and (ii) the term “Material Company Contracts”
shall mean (x) each Company Contract (A) providing for payments (present or
future) to the Company in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate, (B) any Company
Contract relating to Company Intellectual Property, (C) any Company Contract
relating to land purchasable by the Company or (D) under or in respect of which
the Company presently has any liability or obligation of any nature whatsoever
(absolute, contingent or otherwise) in excess of $100,000, (y) each Company
Contract that otherwise is or may be material to the businesses, operations,
assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Company, and (z)
the limitations of subclause (x) and subclause (y) notwithstanding, each of the
following Company Contracts:
(i) any
mortgage, indenture, note, installment obligation or other instrument, agreement
or arrangement for or relating to any borrowing of money by or from the Company
and by or to any officer, director, shareholder or holder of derivative
securities of the Company (“Insider”);
(ii) any
mortgage, indenture, note, installment obligation or other instrument, agreement
or arrangement for or relating to any borrowing of money from an Insider by the
Company;
(iii) any
guaranty, direct or indirect, by the Company, a Subsidiary or any Insider of the
Company of any obligation for borrowings, or otherwise, excluding endorsements
made for collection in a commercially reasonable manner;
(iv) any
Company Contract of employment or management;
(v) any
Company Contract made other than in a commercially reasonable manner or (x)
providing for the grant of any preferential rights to purchase or lease any
asset of the Company or (y) providing for any right (exclusive or non-exclusive)
to sell or distribute, or otherwise relating to the sale or distribution of, any
product or service of the Company;
(vi) any
obligation to register any shares of the capital stock or other securities of
the Company with any Governmental Entity;
(vii) any
obligation to make payments, contingent or otherwise, arising out of the prior
acquisition of the business, assets or stock of other Persons;
16
(viii)
any collective bargaining agreement with any labor union;
(ix) any
lease or similar arrangement for the use by the Company of real property or
Personal Property where the annual lease payments are greater than $100,000
(other than any lease of vehicles, office equipment or operating equipment made
in a commercially reasonable manner);
(x) any
Company Contract granting or purporting to grant, or otherwise in any way
relating to, any mineral rights or any other interest (including, without
limitation, a leasehold interest) in real property;
(xi) any
Company Contract to which any Insider of the Company, or any entity owned or
controlled by an Insider, is a party; and
(xii) any
offer or proposal which, if accepted, would constitute any of the
foregoing.
(b) Each
Material Company Contract was entered into at arms’ length and in a commercially
reasonable manner, is in full force and effect and, to the Company’s knowledge,
is valid and binding upon and enforceable against each of the parties thereto,
except insofar as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’
rights generally or by principles governing the availability of equitable
remedies. To the Company’s and the Stockholder’s knowledge, no other party to a
Material Company Contract is the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency
proceeding. True, correct and complete copies of all Material Company Contracts
(or written summaries in the case of oral Material Company Contracts) have been
heretofore delivered to Parent or Parent’s counsel.
(c)
Except as set forth in Schedule 2.19, neither the
Company nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any other party thereto is in breach of
or in default under, and no event has occurred which with notice or lapse of
time or both would become a breach of or default under, any Material Company
Contract, and no party to any Material Company Contract has given any written
notice of any claim of any such breach, default or event, which, individually or
in the aggregate, are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company. Each Material Company Contract that has not expired by its terms is in
full force and effect.
2.20
Insurance. Schedule 2.20 sets forth the
Company’s insurance policies and fidelity and surety bonds covering the assets,
business, equipment, properties, operations, employees, officers and directors
(collectively, the “Insurance
Policies”). The insurances provided by such Insurance Policies are
adequate in amount and scope as required to be maintained by Material Company
Contracts.
2.21
Governmental
Actions/Filings.
(a)
Except as set forth in Schedule 2.21(a) and as
contemplated by the Farm Purchase Agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereunder, the Company has been granted and holds, and has made, all
Governmental Actions/Filings (as defined below) (including, without limitation,
Governmental Actions/Filings required for emission or discharge of effluents and
pollutants into the air and the water) necessary to the conduct by the Company
of its business as presently conducted or used or held for use by the Company,
and true, complete and correct copies of which have heretofore been delivered to
Parent. Each such Governmental Action/Filing is in full force and effect and,
except as disclosed in Schedule 2.21(a) hereto, will
not expire prior to December 31, 2009 and the Company is in material compliance
with all of its obligations with respect thereto. No event has occurred and is
continuing which requires or permits, or after notice or lapse of time or both
would require or permit, and consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or any ancillary documents will not require or permit (with or
without notice or lapse of time, or both), any modification or termination of
any such Governmental Actions/Filings except such events which, either
individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect upon
the Company. Except
as set forth in Schedule
2.21(a) and as contemplated by the Farm Purchase Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereunder, no Governmental Action/Filing is necessary
to be obtained, secured or made by the Company to enable it to continue to
conduct its businesses and operations and use its properties and assets after
the Closing in a manner which is consistent with current practice.
(b)
Except as set forth in Schedule 2.21(b) and as
contemplated by the Farm Purchase Agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereunder, no Governmental Action/Filing is necessary to be obtained, secured
or made by the Company to enable it to continue to conduct its businesses and
operations and use its properties after the Closing in a manner which is
consistent with current practice.
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(c) For
purposes of this Agreement, the term “Governmental Action/Filing”
shall mean any franchise, license, certificate of compliance, authorization,
consent, order, permit, approval, consent or other action of, or any filing,
registration or qualification with, any federal, state, municipal, foreign or
other governmental, administrative or judicial body, agency or
authority.
(d) As of
the date of this Agreement, no state agency or the Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”) have held that the products or services offered by the
Company constitute a “security” under federal or state securities laws and the
Company is not currently a party to any action or proceeding asserting that any
product or service offered by the Company is a “security” and to the Company’s
knowledge, no such action or proceeding is currently threatened.
2.22
Interested Party
Transactions. Except as set forth in the Schedule 2.22 hereto, no
employee, director, officer or stockholder of the Company or a member of his or
her immediate family is indebted to the Company, nor is the Company indebted (or
committed to make loans or extend or guarantee credit) to any of such Persons,
other than (i) for payment of salary for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement
for reasonable expenses incurred on behalf of the Company, and (iii) for other
employee benefits made generally available to all employees. Except as set forth
in Schedule 2.22, to
the Company’s and the Stockholder’s knowledge, none of such individuals has any
direct or indirect ownership interest in any Person with whom the Company is
affiliated or with whom the Company has a contractual relationship, or in any
Person that competes with the Company, except that each employee, stockholder,
officer or director of the Company and members of their respective immediate
families may own less than 5% of the outstanding stock in publicly traded
companies that may compete with the Company. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.22, to the
knowledge of the Company and the Stockholder, no officer, director or
stockholder or any member of their immediate families is, directly or
indirectly, interested in any Material Company Contract with the Company (other
than such contracts as relate to any such Person’s ownership of capital stock or
other securities of the Company or such Person’s employment with the
Company).
2.23
Board of Director and Certain
Stockholder Approvals. The board of directors of the Company
(including any required committee or subgroup thereof) and the Stockholder (and
the voting shareholders of the Stockholder) have, as of the date of this
Agreement, duly approved, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby.
2.24
No Illegal or Improper
Transactions. To the knowledge of the Company and the
Stockholder, neither the Company or the Stockholder, nor any officer, director,
stockholder, employee, agent or Affiliate thereof on the Company’s or the
Stockholder’s behalf, has offered, paid or agreed to pay to any Person
(including any governmental official) or solicited, received or agreed to
receive from any such Person, directly or indirectly, any money or anything of
value for the purpose or with the intent of (a) obtaining or maintaining
business for the Company, (b) facilitating the purchase or sale of any product
or service, or (c) avoiding the imposition of any fine or penalty, in any manner
which is in violation of any applicable ordinance, regulation or law, the effect
of which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to be
materially adverse to the business, assets, prospects or financial condition of
the Company, taken as a whole. To the Company’s and the Stockholder’s knowledge,
no employee of the Company has provided or is providing information to any law
enforcement agency regarding the commission or possible commission of any crime
or the violation or possible violation of any applicable law. Neither the
Company or the Stockholder, nor any officer, director, employee, stockholder,
contractor, subcontractor or agent of the Company, has discharged, demoted,
suspended, threatened, harassed or in any other manner discriminated against an
employee of the Company in the terms and conditions of employment because of any
act of such employee described in 18 U.S.C. § 1514A(a).
2.25
Representations and Warranties
Complete. The representations and warranties of the Company
and the Stockholder included in this Agreement and any list, statement, document
or information set forth in, or attached to, any Schedule provided pursuant to
this Agreement or delivered hereunder, are true and complete in all material
respects and do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements contained therein not misleading, under the circumstance under which
they were made.
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2.26
Survival of Representations
and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the
Company and the Stockholder set forth in this Agreement shall survive the
Closing as set forth in Article VII.
ARTICLE
III
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT
Subject
to the exceptions set forth in Schedule 3 attached hereto
(the “Parent
Schedule”), Parent represents and warrants to, and covenants with, the
Company and the Stockholder as follows:
3.1 Organization and
Qualification.
(a)
Parent is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Delaware and has the requisite corporate power
and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to carry
on its business as it is now being or currently planned by Parent to be
conducted. Parent is in possession of all Approvals necessary to own, lease and
operate the properties it purports to own, operate or lease and to carry on its
business as it is now being or currently planned by Parent to be conducted,
except where the failure to have such Approvals could not, individually or in
the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on
Parent. Complete and correct copies of the Charter Documents of Parent, as
amended and currently in effect, have been heretofore delivered to the Company.
Parent is not in violation of any of the provisions of Parent’s Charter
Documents.
(b)
Parent is duly qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign corporation and
is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of the properties
owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of its activities makes such
qualification or licensing necessary, except for such failures to be so duly
qualified or licensed and in good standing that could not, individually or in
the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on
Parent.
3.2 Subsidiaries.
(a)
Except for Holdco, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, and Merger Sub,
which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco, Parent has no direct or indirect
Subsidiaries and does not own, directly or indirectly, any ownership, equity,
profits or voting interest in any Person or have any agreement or commitment to
purchase any such interest, and Parent has not agreed and is not obligated to
make nor is bound by any written, oral or other agreement, contract,
subcontract, lease, binding understanding, instrument, note, option, warranty,
purchase order, license, sublicense, insurance policy, benefit plan, commitment
or undertaking of any nature, as of the date hereof or as may hereafter be in
effect under which it may become obligated to make, any future investment in or
capital contribution to any other entity.
(b)
Holdco is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing
under the law of the State of Delaware and has the requisite corporate power and
authority to own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to carry on
its business as it is now being or currently planned by Parent to be conducted.
Complete and correct copies of the Charter Documents of Holdco, as amended and
currently in effect, have been delivered to the Company or its counsel. Holdco
is not in violation of any of the material provisions of its Charter
Documents.
(c)
Merger Sub is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good
standing under the law of the State of Georgia and has the requisite corporate
power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to
carry on its business as it is now being or currently planned by Parent to be
conducted. Complete and correct copies of the Charter Documents of Merger Sub,
as amended and currently in effect, have been delivered to the Company or its
counsel. Merger Sub is not in violation of any of the material provisions of its
Charter Documents.
(d) Each
of Holdco and Merger Sub (together, the “Parent Subsidiaries”) has no
assets or properties of any kind, does not now conduct and has never conducted
any business, and has and will have at the Closing no obligations or liabilities
of any nature whatsoever except such obligations and liabilities as are imposed
under this Agreement.
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3.3 Capitalization.
(a) As of
the date of this Agreement, the authorized capital stock of Parent consists of
160,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, par value $.0001 per share (“Parent Preferred Stock”), of
which 69,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock and no shares of Parent Preferred
Stock are issued and outstanding, all of which are validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable.
(b)
Except as set forth in Schedule 3.3(b), (i) no
shares of Parent Common Stock or Parent Preferred Stock are reserved for
issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options to purchase Parent Common
Stock or Parent Preferred Stock granted to employees of Parent or other parties
(“Parent Stock
Options”) and there are no outstanding Parent Stock Options; (ii) no
shares of Parent Common Stock or Parent Preferred Stock are reserved for
issuance upon the exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase Parent Common
Stock or Parent Preferred Stock; and (iii) no shares of Parent Common Stock or
Parent Preferred Stock are reserved for issuance upon the conversion of the
Parent Preferred Stock or any outstanding convertible notes, debentures or
securities (“Parent
Convertible Securities”). All shares of Parent Common Stock and Parent
Preferred Stock subject to issuance as aforesaid, upon issuance on the terms and
conditions specified in the instrument pursuant to which they are issuable, will
be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. All
outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock and all outstanding Parent Warrants
have been issued and granted in compliance with (x) all applicable securities
laws and (in all material respects) other applicable laws and regulations, and
(y) all requirements set forth in any applicable Parent Contracts (as defined in
Section 3.19). Parent has heretofore delivered to the Company true, complete and
accurate copies of the Parent Warrants, including any and all documents and
agreements relating thereto.
(c) The
shares of Holdco Common Stock to be issued by Holdco in connection with the
Mergers, upon issuance in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be
duly authorized and validly issued and such shares of Holdco Common Stock will
be fully paid and nonassessable.
(d)
Except as set forth in Schedule 3.3(d) or as
contemplated by this Agreement or the Parent SEC Reports (as defined in Section
3.7), there are no registrations rights, and there is no voting trust, proxy,
rights plan, antitakeover plan or other agreements or understandings to which
the Parent or Holdco is a party or by which the Parent or Holdco is bound with
respect to any equity security of any class of the Parent or
Holdco.
(e)
Except as set forth on Schedule 3.3(e), there are no
subscriptions, options, warrants, equity securities, partnership interests or
similar ownership interests, calls, rights (including preemptive rights),
commitments or agreements of any character to which Holdco is a party or by
which it is bound obligating Holdco to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be
issued, delivered or sold, or repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or cause
the repurchase, redemption or acquisition of, any shares of capital stock or
ownership interests of Holdco or obligating Holdco to grant, extend, accelerate
the vesting of or enter into any such subscription, option, warrant, equity
security, call, right, commitment or agreement.
(f)
Except as provided for in this Agreement or as set forth in Schedule 3.3(f), as a result
of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, no shares of
capital stock, warrants, options or other securities of the Parent or Holdco are
issuable and no rights in connection with any shares, warrants, options or other
securities of the Parent or Holdco accelerate or otherwise become triggered
(whether as to vesting, exercisability, convertibility or
otherwise).
3.4 Authority Relative to this
Agreement. Each of Parent and the Parent Subsidiaries has full
corporate power or other and authority to: (i) execute, deliver and perform this
Agreement, and each ancillary document that Parent or Parent Subsidiaries have
executed or delivered or is to execute or deliver pursuant to this Agreement,
and (ii) carry out Parent’s and the Parent Subsidiaries’ obligations hereunder
and thereunder and, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
(including the Parent Merger). The execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Parent and Parent Subsidiaries and the consummation by Parent and the Parent
Subsidiaries of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the Merger) have
been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action on
the part of Parent and the Parent Subsidiaries (including the approval by their
respective boards of directors or similar body), and no other corporate or other
proceedings on the part of Parent or the Parent Subsidiaries are necessary to
authorize this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby,
other than the Parent Stockholder Approval (as defined in Section
20
5.1(a)).
This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Parent and
each of the Parent Subsidiaries and, assuming the due authorization, execution
and delivery thereof by the other parties hereto, constitutes the legal and
binding obligation of each of Parent and the Parent Subsidiaries, enforceable
against Parent and the Parent Subsidiaries in accordance with its terms, except
as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar
laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general
principles of equity.
3.5 No Conflict; Required Filings and
Consents.
(a) The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent and the Parent Subsidiaries
do not, and the performance of this Agreement by Parent and the Parent
Subsidiaries shall not: (i) conflict with or violate Parent’s or Parent
Subsidiaries’ Charter Documents, (ii) conflict with or violate any Legal
Requirements, (iii) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an event
that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or
materially impair Parent’s or the Parent Subsidiaries’ rights or alter the
rights or obligations of any third party under, or give to others any rights of
termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the
creation of a Lien on any of the properties or assets of Parent pursuant to, any
Parent Contracts or (iv) result in the triggering, acceleration or increase of
any payment to any Person pursuant to any Parent Contract, including any “change
in control” or similar provision of any Parent Contracts except, with respect to
clauses (ii), (iii) or (iv), for any such conflicts, violations, breaches,
defaults or other occurrences that would not, individually and in the aggregate,
have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent.
(b) The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent and the Parent Subsidiaries
do not, and the performance of their respective obligations hereunder will not,
require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or
notification to, any Governmental Entity or third party, except (i) for
applicable requirements, if any, of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, Blue
Sky Laws, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and appropriate documents
with the relevant authorities of other jurisdictions in which Parent or any
Parent Subsidiary is qualified to do business, (ii) for the filing of any
notifications required under the HSR Act and the expiration of the required
waiting period thereunder, (iii) the qualification of Holdco as a foreign
corporation in those jurisdictions in which the business of Holdco makes such
qualification necessary, and (iv) where the failure to obtain such consents,
approvals, authorizations or permits, or to make such filings or notifications,
would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on Parent, or after the Closing, the Surviving Pubco or
the Surviving Subsidiary, or prevent consummation of the Parent Merger or
otherwise prevent the parties hereto from performing their obligations under
this Agreement.
3.6 Compliance. Each
of Parent and the Parent Subsidiaries has complied with, and is not in violation
of, any Legal Requirements with respect to the conduct of its business, or the
ownership or operation of its business, except where the failure, individually
or in the aggregate, is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect
on Parent or the Parent Subsidiaries. The business and activities of Parent and
the Parent Subsidiaries have not been and are not being conducted in violation
of any Legal Requirements, except where the failure, individually or in the
aggregate, is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent
or the Parent Subsidiaries. Neither Parent nor any Parent Subsidiary is in
default or violation of any term, condition or provision of its Charter
Documents. No written notice of non-compliance with any Legal Requirements has
been received by Parent or any Parent Subsidiary.
3.7 SEC Filings; Financial
Statements.
(a)
Parent has made available to the Company and the Stockholder a correct and
complete copy of each report, registration statement and definitive proxy
statement filed by Parent with the SEC (the “Parent SEC Reports”), which
are all the forms, reports and documents required to be filed by Parent with the
SEC prior to the date of this Agreement. All Parent SEC Reports required to be
filed by Parent since its inception were filed in a timely manner. As of their
respective dates the Parent SEC Reports: (i) were prepared in accordance and
complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or
the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC
thereunder applicable to such Parent SEC Reports, and (ii) did not at the time
they were filed (and if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of
this Agreement then on the date of such filing and as so amended or superseded)
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
21
statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. Except to the extent set forth in the preceding sentence, Parent
makes no representation or warranty whatsoever concerning any Parent SEC Report
as of any time other than the date or period with respect to which it was
filed.
(b)
Except as set forth in Schedule 3.7(b), each set of
financial statements (including, in each case, any related notes thereto)
contained in Parent SEC Reports, including each Parent SEC Report filed after
the date hereof until the Closing, complied or will comply as to form in all
material respects with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with
respect thereto, was or will be prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP applied on
a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as may be indicated
in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited statements, do not contain
footnotes as permitted by Form 10-Q of the Exchange Act) and each fairly
presents or will fairly present in all material respects the financial position
of Parent at the respective dates thereof and the results of its operations and
cash flows for the periods indicated, except that the unaudited interim
financial statements were, are or will be subject to normal adjustments which
were not or are not expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent taken
as a whole.
3.8 No Undisclosed
Liabilities. Parent has no liabilities (absolute, accrued,
contingent or otherwise) of a nature required to be disclosed on a balance sheet
or in the related notes to the financial statements included in Parent SEC
Reports that are, individually or in the aggregate, material to the business,
results of operations or financial condition of Parent, except (i) liabilities
provided for in or otherwise disclosed in Parent SEC Reports filed prior to the
date hereof, and (ii) liabilities incurred since June 30, 2009 in the ordinary
course of business, none of which would have a Material Adverse Effect on
Parent.
3.9 Absence of Certain Changes or
Events. Except as set forth in Parent SEC Reports filed prior
to the date of this Agreement, and except as contemplated by this Agreement,
since June 30, 2009, there has not been: (i) any Material Adverse Effect on
Parent, (ii) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend on, or
other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect of, any of
Parent’s capital stock, or any purchase, redemption or other acquisition by
Parent of any of Parent’s capital stock or any other securities of Parent or any
options, warrants, calls or rights to acquire any such shares or other
securities, (iii) any split, combination or reclassification of any of Parent’s
capital stock, (iv) any granting by Parent of any increase in compensation or
fringe benefits, except for normal increases of cash compensation in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or any payment by
Parent of any bonus, except for bonuses made in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, or any granting by Parent of any increase in
severance or termination pay or any entry by Parent into any currently effective
employment, severance, termination or indemnification agreement or any agreement
the benefits of which are contingent or the terms of which are materially
altered upon the occurrence of a transaction involving Parent of the nature
contemplated hereby, (v) entry by Parent into any licensing or other agreement
with regard to the acquisition or disposition of any Intellectual Property other
than licenses in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
or any amendment or consent with respect to any licensing agreement filed or
required to be filed by Parent with respect to any Governmental Entity, (vi) any
material change by Parent in its accounting methods, principles or practices,
except as required by concurrent changes in U.S. GAAP, (vii) any change in the
auditors of Parent, (viii) any issuance of capital stock of Parent, (ix) any
revaluation by Parent of any of its assets, including, without limitation,
writing down the value of capitalized inventory or writing off notes or accounts
receivable or any sale of assets of Parent other than in the ordinary course of
business, or (x) any agreement, whether written or oral, to do any of the
foregoing.
3.10
Litigation. There
are no claims, suits, actions or proceedings pending or to Parent’s knowledge,
threatened against Parent, before any court, governmental department,
commission, agency, instrumentality or authority, or any
arbitrator.
3.11
Employee Benefit
Plans. Except as may be contemplated by the Holdco Plan (as
defined in Section 5.1(a)), Parent does not maintain, and has no liability
under, any employee compensation, incentive, fringe or benefit plans, programs,
policies, commitments or other arrangements (whether or not set forth in a
written document) covering any active or former employee, director or consultant
of Parent, or any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is under
common control with Parent, with respect to which Parent has liability, and
neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of
the
22
transactions
contemplated hereby will (i) result in any payment (including severance,
unemployment compensation, golden parachute, bonus or otherwise) becoming due to
any stockholder, director or employee of Parent, or (ii) result in the
acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such
benefits.
3.12
Labor
Matters. Parent is not a party to any collective bargaining
agreement or other labor union contract applicable to persons employed by Parent
and Parent does not know of any activities or proceedings of any labor union to
organize any such employees. Parent has no employees and has had no employees
since inception.
3.13
Business
Activities. Since its organization, Parent has not conducted
any business activities other than activities directed toward the accomplishment
of a business combination. Except as set forth in the Parent Charter Documents,
there is no agreement, commitment, judgment, injunction, order or decree binding
upon Parent or to which Parent is a party which has or could reasonably be
expected to have the effect of prohibiting or materially impairing any business
practice of Parent, any acquisition of property by Parent or the conduct of
business by Parent as currently conducted other than such effects, individually
or in the aggregate, which have not had and could not reasonably be expected to
have, a Material Adverse Effect on Parent.
3.14
Title to
Property. Parent does not own or lease any real property or
personal property. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.14, there are no
options or other contracts under which Parent has a right or obligation to
acquire or lease any interest in real property or personal
property.
3.15
Taxes. Except as
set forth in Schedule
3.15 hereto:
(a)
Parent has timely filed all Returns required to be filed by Parent with any Tax
authority prior to the date hereof, except such Returns which are not material
to Parent. All such Returns are true, correct and complete in all material
respects. Parent has paid all Taxes shown to be due on such
Returns.
(b) All
Taxes that Parent is required by law to withhold or collect have been duly
withheld or collected, and have been timely paid over to the proper governmental
authorities to the extent due and payable.
(c)
Parent has not been delinquent in the payment of any Tax that has not been
accrued for in Parent’s books and records of account for the period for which
such Tax relates nor is there any Tax deficiency outstanding, proposed or
assessed against Parent, nor has Parent executed any unexpired waiver of any
statute of limitations on or extending the period for the assessment or
collection of any Tax.
(d) No
audit or other examination of any Return of Parent by any Tax authority is
presently in progress, nor has Parent been notified of any request for such an
audit or other examination.
(e) No
adjustment relating to any Returns filed by Parent has been proposed in writing,
formally or informally, by any Tax authority to Parent or any representative
thereof.
(f)
Parent has no liability for any unpaid Taxes which have not been accrued for or
reserved on Parent’s balance sheets included in the audited financial statements
for the most recent fiscal year ended, whether asserted or unasserted,
contingent or otherwise, other than any liability for unpaid Taxes that may have
accrued since the end of the most recent fiscal year in connection with the
operation of the business of Parent in the ordinary course of business, none of
which is material to the business, results of operations or financial condition
of Parent.
(g)
Parent and the Parent Subsidiaries have not taken any action and do not know of
any fact, agreement, plan or other circumstances that is reasonably likely to
prevent the Mergers from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code.
3.16
Environmental
Matters. Except for such matters that, individually or in the
aggregate, are not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i)
Parent has complied with all applicable Environmental Laws; (ii) Parent is not
subject to liability for any Hazardous Substance disposal or contamination on
any third party property; (iii) Parent has not been associated with any release
or threat of release of any Hazardous Substance; (iv) Parent has not received
any notice, demand, letter, claim or request for information alleging that
Parent may be in violation of or liable under any Environmental Law; and (v)
Parent is not subject to any
23
orders,
decrees, injunctions or other arrangements with any Governmental Entity or
subject to any indemnity or other agreement with any third party relating to
liability under any Environmental Law or relating to Hazardous
Substances.
3.17
Brokers. Except as
set forth in Schedule
3.17, Parent has not incurred, nor will it incur, directly or indirectly,
any liability for brokerage or finders’ fees or agent’s commissions or any
similar charges in connection with this Agreement or any transaction
contemplated hereby.
3.18
Intellectual
Property. Parent does not own, license or otherwise have any
right, title or interest in any material Intellectual Property or Registered
Intellectual Property except non-exclusive rights to the name
“Triplecrown.”
3.19
Agreements, Contracts and
Commitments.
(a)
Except as set forth in the Parent SEC Reports filed prior to the date of this
Agreement, other than confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, there are
no contracts, agreements, leases, mortgages, indentures, notes, bonds, liens,
license, permit, franchise, purchase orders, sales orders or other
understandings, commitments or obligations (including without limitation
outstanding offers or proposals) of any kind, whether written or oral, to which
Parent is a party or by or to which any of the properties or assets of Parent
may be bound, subject or affected, which either (a) creates or imposes a
liability greater than $100,000, or (b) may not be cancelled by Parent on less
than 30 days’ or less prior notice (“Parent Contracts”). All
Parent Contracts are listed in Schedule 3.19 other than
those that are exhibits to the Parent SEC Reports.
(b)
Except as set forth in the Parent SEC Reports filed prior to the date of this
Agreement, each Parent Contract was entered into at arms’ length and in the
ordinary course, is in full force and effect and is valid and binding upon and
enforceable against each of the parties thereto. True, correct and complete
copies of all Parent Contracts (or written summaries in the case of oral Parent
Contracts) and of all outstanding offers or proposals of Parent have been
heretofore made available to the Company.
(c)
Neither Parent nor, to the knowledge of Parent, any other party thereto is in
breach of or in default under, and no event has occurred which with notice or
lapse of time or both would become a breach of or default under, any Parent
Contract, and no party to any Parent Contract has given any written notice of
any claim of any such breach, default or event, which, individually or in the
aggregate, are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent.
Each agreement, contract or commitment to which Parent is a party or by which it
is bound that has not expired by its terms is in full force and effect, except
where such failure to be in full force and effect is not reasonably likely to
have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent.
3.20
Insurance. Except
for directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, Parent does not maintain any
Insurance Policies.
3.21
Interested Party
Transactions. Except as set forth in the Parent SEC Reports
filed prior to the date of this Agreement: (a) no employee, officer, director or
stockholder of Parent or a member of his or her immediate family is indebted to
Parent nor is Parent indebted (or committed to make loans or extend or guarantee
credit) to any of them, other than reimbursement for reasonable expenses
incurred on behalf of Parent; (b) to Parent’s knowledge, none of such
individuals has any direct or indirect ownership interest in any Person with
whom Parent is affiliated or with whom Parent has a material contractual
relationship, or any Person that competes with Parent, except that each
employee, stockholder, officer or director of Parent and members of their
respective immediate families may own less than 5% of the outstanding stock in
publicly traded companies that may compete with Parent; and (c) to Parent’s
knowledge, no officer, director or stockholder or any member of their immediate
families is, directly or indirectly, interested in any material contract with
Parent (other than such contracts as relate to any such individual ownership of
capital stock or other securities of Parent).
3.22
Indebtedness. Parent
has no indebtedness for borrowed money, except as set forth on Schedule 3.22.
3.23
NYSE Amex
Listing. Parent Common Stock is currently listed on the NYSE
Amex. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.23, there is no
action or proceeding pending or, to Parent's knowledge, threatened
against
24
Parent by
the NYSE Amex or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. with respect
to any intention by such entities to prohibit or terminate the listing of Parent
Common Stock on the NYSE Amex.
3.24
Board
Approval. The uninterested members of the Board of Directors
of Parent and each Parent Subsidiary (including any required committee or
subgroup of the Board of Directors of Parent and each Parent Subsidiary) has, as
of the date of this Agreement, unanimously (i) declared the advisability of the
Mergers and approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby,
and (ii) determined that the Mergers are in the best interests of the
stockholders of Parent and each Parent Subsidiary.
3.25
Trust
Fund. As of the date hereof, Parent has no less than
$536,930,000 invested in United States Government securities in a trust account
administered by Continental (the “Trust Fund”). At Closing,
Holdco and/or Parent will be required to pay monies from the Trust Fund (i) as
deferred underwriters’ compensation in connection with Parent’s initial public
offering, (ii) for income Tax or other Tax obligations generated by the Trust
Fund prior to Closing, (iii) reimbursement of expenses to directors, officers
and founding stockholders of Parent, (iv) in connection with the actions,
agreements and financings undertaken under Section 4.3, (v) to third parties
(e.g., professionals, printers, etc.) who have rendered services to Parent in
connection with its operations and efforts to effect a business combination,
including the Mergers and (vi) for the cost and expenses incurred by the
Stockholder, the Company or any Subsidiary, or on behalf of the Stockholder, the
Company or any Subsidiary, in the connection with the preparation, negotiation,
execution and performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereunder as set forth in Schedule 5.20. The balance of
the funds will be released to Holdco to pay Parent stockholders who properly
exercise their conversion rights and for working capital and general corporate
purposes of Holdco and the Company. To the extent funds remain after
satisfaction of the foregoing items (i) through (vi) and the payment to
converting stockholders of Parent, such funds will be used to make the
reimbursements as contemplated by Section 4.2(b).
3.26
Governmental
Filings. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.26, Parent has
been granted and holds, and has made, all Governmental Actions/Filings necessary
to the conduct by Parent of its business (as presently conducted) or used or
held for use by Parent, and true, complete and correct copies of which have
heretofore been delivered to the Company. Each such Governmental Action/Filing
is in full force and effect and, except as disclosed in Schedule 3.26, will not
expire prior to December 31, 2009, and Parent is in material compliance with all
of its obligations with respect thereto. No event has occurred and is continuing
which requires or permits, or after notice or lapse of time or both would
require or permit, and consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or any ancillary documents will not require or permit (with or without
notice or lapse of time, or both), any modification or termination of any such
Governmental Actions/Filings except such events which, either individually or in
the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect upon
Parent.
3.27
Representations and Warranties
Complete. The representations and warranties of Parent
included in this Agreement and any list, statement, document or information set
forth in, or attached to, any Schedule provided pursuant to this Agreement or
delivered hereunder, are true and complete in all material respects and do not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements contained
therein not misleading, under the circumstance under which they were
made.
3.28
Survival of Representations
and Warranties. The representations and warranties of Parent
set forth in this Agreement shall survive until the Closing.
3.29
Regulatory Agreements;
Investment Company Act. There are no written agreements,
memoranda of understanding, commitment letters, or cease and desist orders, to
which Parent or any Parent Subsidiary is a party, on the one hand, and any
Governmental Entity is a party or addressee, on the other hand. Parent is not an
“investment company” or a Person directly or indirectly controlled by or acting
on behalf of an “investment company”, in each case within the meaning of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
25
ARTICLE
IV
CONDUCT
PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE TIME
4.1 Conduct of Business by the Company
and Parent. Subject to the other Sections of this Article IV,
during the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the
earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the
Closing, each of the Company, Parent and the Parent Subsidiaries shall, except
to the extent that the other party shall otherwise consent in writing, carry on
its business in the usual, regular and ordinary course consistent with past
practices, in the case of Parent and the Parent Subsidiaries, or in a
commercially reasonable manner, in the case of the Company, and in compliance
with all applicable laws and regulations (except where noncompliance would not
have a Material Adverse Effect), pay its debts and Taxes when due subject to
good faith disputes over such debts or Taxes, pay or perform other material
obligations when due, and use its commercially reasonable best efforts
consistent with past practices and policies, in the case of Parent and the
Parent Subsidiaries, or in a commercially reasonable manner, in the case of the
Company, to (i) preserve substantially intact its present business organization,
(ii) keep available the services of its present officers and employees and (iii)
preserve its relationships with customers, suppliers, distributors, licensors,
licensees, and others with which it has significant business dealings. In
addition, except as required or permitted by the terms of this Agreement,
without the prior written consent of the other party, during the period from the
date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of
this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the Closing, each of the Company, Parent
and the Parent Subsidiaries shall not do any of the following (and the
Stockholder shall cause the Company not to do any of the
following):
(a) Waive
any stock repurchase rights, accelerate, amend or (except as specifically
provided for herein) change the period of exercisability of options or
restricted stock, or reprice options granted under any employee, consultant,
director or other stock plans or authorize cash payments in exchange for any
options granted under any of such plans;
(b) Grant
any severance or termination pay to any officer or employee except pursuant to
applicable law, written agreements outstanding, or policies existing on the date
hereof and as previously or concurrently disclosed in writing or made available
to the other party, or adopt any new severance plan, or amend or modify or alter
in any manner any severance plan, agreement or arrangement existing on the date
hereof;
(c)
Except as contemplated by the IP Transfer Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereunder, transfer or license to any Person or otherwise extend,
amend or modify any material rights to any Intellectual Property of the Company
or Parent, as applicable, or enter into grants to transfer or license to any
Person future patent rights, other than in a commercially reasonable manner
provided that in no event shall the Company or Parent license on an exclusive
basis or sell any Intellectual Property of the Company or Parent as
applicable;
(d)
Declare, set aside or pay any dividends on or make any other distributions
(whether in cash, stock, equity securities or property) in respect of any
capital stock or split, combine or reclassify any capital stock or issue or
authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in
substitution for any capital stock;
(e)
Purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of
capital stock or other equity securities or ownership interests of such party
including repurchases of unvested shares at cost in connection with the
termination of the relationship with any employee or consultant pursuant to
agreements in effect on the date hereof;
(f)
Except for the offering on commercially reasonable terms by the Company of
securities, debt or other equity of the Company to raise capital in furtherance
of its business plan as described in the business section of the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus (the “Capital Raise”), issue,
deliver, sell, authorize, pledge or otherwise encumber, or agree to any of the
foregoing with respect to, any shares of capital stock or other equity
securities or ownership interests or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable for shares of capital stock or other equity securities or ownership
interests, or subscriptions, rights, warrants or options to acquire any shares
of capital stock or other equity securities or ownership interests or any
securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or other
equity securities or other ownership interests, or enter into
26
other
agreements or commitments of any character obligating it to issue any such
shares, equity securities or other ownership interests or convertible or
exchangeable securities;
(g) Amend
its Charter Documents;
(h)
Except as contemplated by the Farm Purchase Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereunder, acquire or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating
with, or by purchasing any equity interest in or a portion of the assets of, or
by any other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership, association
or other business organization or division thereof, or otherwise acquire or
agree to acquire any assets which are material, individually or in the
aggregate, to the business of Parent or the Company as applicable, or enter into
any joint ventures, strategic partnerships or alliances or other arrangements
that provide for exclusivity of territory or otherwise restrict such party’s
ability to compete or to offer or sell any products or services. For purposes of
this paragraph, “material” includes the requirement that, as a result of such
transaction, financial statements of the acquired, merged or consolidated entity
be included in the business section of the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus);
(i)
Except as contemplated by the IP Transfer Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereunder, sell, lease, license, encumber or otherwise dispose of
any properties or assets, except (A) sales of inventory in a commercially
reasonable manner, and (B) the sale, lease or disposition (other than through
licensing) of property or assets that are not material, individually or in the
aggregate, to the business of such party;
(j)
Except as contemplated by the Capital Raise, incur any indebtedness for borrowed
money in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate or guarantee any such indebtedness
of another Person or Persons in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate, issue or
sell any debt securities or options, warrants, calls or other rights to acquire
any debt securities of such party, enter into any “keep well” or other agreement
to maintain any financial statement condition or enter into any arrangement
having the economic effect of any of the foregoing;
(k) Adopt
or amend any employee benefit plan, policy or arrangement, any employee stock
purchase or employee stock option plan, or enter into any employment contract or
collective bargaining agreement (other than offer letters and letter agreements
entered into in a commercially reasonable manner with employees who are
terminable “at will”), pay any special bonus or special remuneration to any
director or employee, or increase the salaries or wage rates or fringe benefits
(including rights to severance or indemnification) of its directors, officers,
employees or consultants, except in a commercially reasonable
manner;
(l)
Except as contemplated by the Farm Purchase Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereunder, pay, discharge, settle or satisfy any claims,
liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted,
contingent or otherwise), or litigation (whether or not commenced prior to the
date of this Agreement) other than the payment, discharge, settlement or
satisfaction, in a commercially reasonable manner or in accordance with their
terms, or liabilities recognized or disclosed in the Audited Financial
Statements or in the most recent financial statements included in the Parent SEC
Reports filed prior to the date of this Agreement, as applicable, or incurred
since the date of such financial statements, or waive the benefits of, agree to
modify in any manner, terminate, release any Person from or knowingly fail to
enforce any confidentiality or similar agreement to which the Company is a party
or of which the Company is a beneficiary or to which Parent is a party or of
which Parent is a beneficiary, as applicable;
(m)
Except in a commercially reasonable manner, modify, amend or terminate any
Material Company Contract or Parent Contract, as applicable, or waive, delay the
exercise of, release or assign any material rights or claims
thereunder;
(n)
Except as required by U.S. GAAP, revalue any of its assets or make any change in
accounting methods, principles or practices;
(o)
Except as contemplated by the Farm Purchase Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereunder and except in a commercially reasonable manner, incur or
enter into any agreement, contract or commitment requiring such party to pay in
excess of $200,000 in any 12 month period;
(p)
Engage in any action that could reasonably be expected to cause the Mergers to
fail to qualify as a Tax-free transactions pursuant to Section 351, Section
368(a)(1)(A) and Section 368(a)(2)(E) of the Code;
27
(q)
Settle any litigation where the consideration given is other than monetary or to
which an Insider, or any officer, director, shareholder or holder of derivative
securities of Parent, as applicable, is a party;
(r) Make
or rescind any Tax elections that, individually or in the aggregate, could be
reasonably likely to adversely affect in any material respect the Tax liability
or Tax attributes of such party, settle or compromise any material income Tax
liability or, except as required by applicable law, materially change any method
of accounting for Tax purposes or prepare or file any Return in a manner
inconsistent with past practice;
(s) Form,
establish or acquire any subsidiary except as contemplated by this Agreement
and/or as specifically described in the business section of the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus;
(t)
Permit any Person to exercise any of its discretionary rights under any Plan to
provide for the automatic acceleration of any outstanding options, the
termination of any outstanding repurchase rights or the termination of any
cancellation rights issued pursuant to such plans;
(u)
Except as contemplated by the Farm Purchase Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereunder, make capital expenditures except in accordance with
prudent business and operational practices;
(v) Make
or omit to take any action which would be reasonably anticipated to have a
Material Adverse Effect;
(w) Enter
into any transaction with or distribute or advance any assets or property to any
of its officers, directors, partners, stockholders, managers, members or other
Affiliates other than the payment of salary and benefits in a commercially
reasonable manner; or
(x) Agree
in writing or otherwise agree, commit or resolve to take any of the actions
described in Section 4.1 (a) through (w) above.
In
addition, the Stockholder shall not do any of the foregoing with respect to
itself to the extent it prevents the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Capital Raise shall be
consummated during the period commencing on the date of effectiveness of the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus and ending on the earlier of the date of consummation
of the Mergers or the termination of this Agreement.
4.2 Exercise of Certain
Contracts.
(a) On or
prior to September 15, 2009, the Parent, the Stockholder and the Company shall
use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain an extension of the closing date
of the agreement by and among the Parent, the Company's Subsidiary, Natural
Diary, Inc., and Xxxxxxxx LLC, dated as of June 27, 2009 (the “Farm Purchase Agreement”), to
purchase certain land and other assets (collectively, the “Xxxxxxxx Farm”), to October
22, 2009.
(b) If
the parties are unable to obtain such an extension, the Company and/or the
Stockholder shall cause the Company’s Subsidiary, Natural Dairy, Inc. (or a
subsidiary thereof), to exercise the right to purchase the Xxxxxxxx Farm on or
prior to September 15, 2009 and shall supply all amounts then due under the Farm
Purchase Agreement (“Purchase
Cost”). The Company shall cause Natural Dairy, Inc. (or a subsidiary
thereof) to hold and maintain the Xxxxxxxx Farm on behalf of the Surviving
Company pending the Closing of the Company Merger. At the time of the
consummation of the Company Merger, the party or parties that funded the amount
of the Purchase Cost shall have such amount repaid to it from amounts in the
Trust Fund, if any, or if no such amounts are available at Closing after giving
effect to all other items required to be paid as described in Section 5.20, such
amounts shall be repaid as soon as practicable by Holdco (and in no event later
than 90 days after the issuance of such note) and Holdco shall issue to such
parties a promissory note evidencing such obligation and paying simple interest
at 8% per annum.
(c) If
the Mergers are not consummated for any reason, the Company shall repay to
Parent all amounts paid by Parent to Xxxxxxxx LLC pursuant to the Farm Purchase
Agreement on or prior to the date of final distribution of the Trust
Fund.
28
(d)
Except as set forth herein, from and after the date hereof, the Farm Purchase
Agreement shall not be amended or modified without the prior written consent of
each of the Company and Parent. Upon consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the Farm Purchase Agreement, Parent shall have all inspection
and information rights reasonably necessary to ensure the Xxxxxxxx Farm is
properly maintained and operated prior to the consummation of the Company
Merger.
4.3 Purchases of Parent Common Stock and
Warrants. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
in this Agreement, from and after the date of this Agreement until the Closing,
for purposes of achieving approval of the Mergers and the related transactions
by the stockholders of Parent, Parent and its Affiliates may, and shall be
permitted to, seek, negotiate and enter into arrangements for the purchase,
redemption, tender or assignment of currently outstanding shares of Parent
Common Stock and/or Parent Warrants, declare lawful dividends to be effective
immediately following the Effective Time or enter into similar or related
arrangements and engage in related undertakings that would be consummated at,
prior to or immediately following Closing and which may utilize a portion of the
funds held in the Trust Fund and/or released from the Trust Fund upon
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder. The parties to this
Agreement and/or their Affiliates may secure a bridge loan or loans or similar
credit facilities to finance the foregoing activities, in which case, the
obligations to the lenders under such facilities shall be repaid at Closing from
amounts in the Trust Fund or from amounts held by Holdco.
4.4 Exclusivity.
(a) From
the date hereof until the earlier of (x) the termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 8.1 or (y) October 22, 2009, the Company and the Stockholder
shall not, and the Company and the Stockholder shall each use commercially
reasonable best efforts to cause each of its officers, directors, employees,
stockholders, representatives and agents not to, directly or indirectly, (i)
encourage, solicit, initiate, engage or participate in negotiations with any
Person (other than the Parent) concerning any Acquisition Transaction or (ii)
take any other action intended or designed to facilitate the efforts of any
Person (other than Parent) relating to a possible Acquisition Transaction. For
purposes of this Agreement, the term “Acquisition Transaction”
shall mean any of the following involving the Company or any Subsidiary: (i) any
merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or other similar
transaction (excluding the transactions contemplated by this Agreement); or (ii)
any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of any of the assets of
the Company or Subsidiaries (other than in a commercially reasonable manner) or
any shares of the capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary in a single
transaction or series of transactions (excluding the Capital Raise and the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement).
(b) In
the event that there is an unsolicited proposal for or an unsolicited indication
of a serious interest in entering into, an Acquisition Transaction, communicated
to the Company or the Stockholder (or any of the Stockholder’s officers,
directors, employees or stockholders) or any of their respective representatives
or agents, such party shall promptly give written notice of same to the
Parent.
ARTICLE
V
ADDITIONAL
AGREEMENTS
5.1 Proxy Statement/Prospectus; Special
Meeting.
(a) As
soon as is reasonably practicable after receipt by Parent from the Company of
all financial and other information relating to the Company as Parent may
reasonably request for its preparation, Parent shall prepare and file with the
SEC under the Securities Act, and with all other applicable regulatory bodies, a
registration statement on Form S-4 with respect to the shares of Holdco Common
Stock into which Parent’s outstanding common stock will be converted in
connection with the Mergers (the “Registration Statement”),
which shall include proxy materials for the purpose of soliciting proxies from
holders of Parent Common Stock to vote, at a meeting of the holders of Parent
Common Stock to be called for such purpose (the “Special Meeting”), in favor
of (i) the amendments to Parent’s amended and restated certificate of
incorporation necessary to allow Parent to complete the Mergers as contemplated
hereby and in compliance with the DGCL and GCL, (ii) the adoption of this
Agreement and the approval of the Mergers (“Parent Stockholder
Approval”), (iii) increasing the authorized number of shares of capital
stock of Surviving Pubco to 200,000,000 shares of common stock and 1,000,000
shares of preferred stock, (iv) the effective modifications
29
to the
public corporation’s certificate of incorporation resulting from the adoption of
Holdco’s certificate of incorporation as the certificate of incorporation of the
Surviving Pubco, and (v) an adjournment proposal, if necessary, to adjourn the
Special Meeting if, based on the tabulated vote count, Parent and Holdco are not
authorized to proceed with the Mergers. The Registration Statement shall also
include such information as necessary for its use as contemplated by Section
5.1(c) below. Such proxy materials shall be in the form of a proxy
statement/prospectus to be used for the purpose of soliciting proxies from
holders of Parent Common Stock for the matters to be acted upon at the Special
Meeting and also for the purpose of issuing Holdco Common Stock as contemplated
hereby and permitted by Law (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”).
The Company shall furnish to Parent all information concerning the Company (and
its Subsidiaries and the Stockholder) as Parent may reasonably request in
connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement. The Company and
its counsel shall be given an opportunity to review and comment on the
Registration Statement prior to its filing with the SEC. Parent, with the
assistance of the Company and its counsel, shall promptly respond to any SEC
comments on the Registration Statement and shall otherwise use commercially
reasonable best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to be declared
effective by the SEC as promptly as practicable. Parent shall also take any and
all actions required to satisfy the requirements of the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act.
(b) As
soon as practicable following the declaration of effectiveness of the
Registration Statement by the SEC, Parent shall distribute the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus to the holders of Parent Common Stock and, pursuant
thereto, shall call the Special Meeting in accordance with the DGCL and, subject
to the other provisions of this Agreement, solicit proxies from such holders to
vote in favor of the adoption of this Agreement and the approval of the Merger
and the other matters presented to the stockholders of Parent for approval or
adoption at the Special Meeting, including, without limitation, the matters
described in Section 5.1(a).
(c) As
soon as practicable following the declaration of effectiveness of the
Registration Statement by the SEC, Parent shall distribute the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus to the holders of Parent Warrants and, pursuant thereto,
shall call a special meeting of the holders of the Parent Warrants in accordance
with the DGCL (“Warrantholders
Meeting”) and, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, solicit
proxies from such holders of the Parent Warrants to vote in favor of the
adoption (“Warrantholders
Approval”) of the Warrant Amendment Agreement between Holdco, as the
Surviving Pubco, Parent and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company in
the form of Exhibit I
hereto (“Warrant Amendment
Agreement”), which, if adopted, shall increase the exercise price of the
Holdco Warrants to $12.00 per share, extend the duration of each Holdco Warrant
by one additional year and increase the redemption price of the Holdco Warrants
to $17.00.
(d)
Parent shall comply with all applicable provisions of and rules under the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act and all applicable provisions of the DGCL in
the preparation, filing and distribution of the Registration Statement and the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the solicitation of proxies thereunder, and the
calling and holding of the Special Meeting and Warrantholders Meeting. Without
limiting the foregoing, Parent shall ensure that the Proxy Statement/Prospectus
does not, as of the date on which the Registration Statement is declared
effective, and as of the date of the Special Meeting and Warrantholders Meeting,
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading (provided that Parent shall not be
responsible for the accuracy or completeness of any information relating to the
Company or any other information furnished by the Company for inclusion in the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus). Each of the Company and the Stockholder represents
and warrants that the information relating to the Company and the Stockholder
supplied by the Company or the Stockholder for inclusion in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus will not as of the date on which the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) is first
distributed to stockholders of Parent or at the time of the Special Meeting or
Warrantholders Meeting contain any statement which, at such time and in light of
the circumstances under which it is made, is false or misleading with respect to
any material fact, or omits to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statement therein not false or
misleading.
(e)
Parent, acting through its board of directors, shall include in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus the recommendation of its board of directors that the
holders of Parent Common Stock vote in favor of the adoption of this Agreement
and the approval of the Mergers and that the holders of the Parent Warrants vote
in
30
favor of
the adoption of the Warrant Amendment Agreement and shall otherwise use
commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain the Parent Stockholder Approval
and Warrantholders Approval.
5.2 Directors and Officers of Surviving
Pubco and Surviving Subsidiary After Merger. The Parties shall
take all necessary action so that the persons listed in Schedule 5.2 are elected to
the positions of officers and directors of Surviving Pubco and Surviving
Subsidiary, as set forth therein, to serve in such positions effective
immediately after the Closing. If any Person listed in Schedule 5.2 is unable to
serve, the party appointing such Person shall designate a successor; provided
that, if such designation is to be made after the Closing, any successor to a
Person designated by Parent shall be made by the person serving as Chief
Executive Officer of Parent immediately prior to Closing.
5.3 HSR Act. If
required pursuant to the HSR Act, as promptly as practicable after the date of
this Agreement, Parent and the Company shall each prepare and file the
notification required of it thereunder in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and shall promptly and in good faith respond to
all information requested of it by the Federal Trade Commission and Department
of Justice in connection with such notification and otherwise cooperate in good
faith with each other and such Governmental Entities. Parent and the Company
shall (a) promptly inform the other of any communication to or from the Federal
Trade Commission, the Department of Justice or any other Governmental Entity
regarding the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (b) give the other
prompt notice of the commencement of any action, suit, litigation, arbitration,
proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Entity with respect to
such transactions and (c) keep the other reasonably informed as to the status of
any such action, suit, litigation, arbitration, proceeding or investigation.
Filing fees with respect to the notifications required under the HSR Act shall
be paid by the Company.
5.4 Other Actions.
(a) As
promptly as practicable after execution of this Agreement, Parent will prepare
and file a Current Report on Form 8-K pursuant to the Exchange Act to report the
execution of this Agreement (“Signing Form 8-K”), which the
Company shall have the right to review and comment upon prior to filing. Any
language included in the Signing Form 8-K that reflects the Company’s comments,
as well as any text as to which the Company has not commented upon being given a
reasonable opportunity to comment, shall, notwithstanding the provisions of
Sections 5.6 and 5.7, be deemed to have been approved by the Company and the
Stockholder and may henceforth be used by Parent in other filings made by it
with the SEC and in other documents distributed by Parent in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement without further review or consent of
the Stockholder or the Company. Promptly after the execution of this Agreement,
Parent and the Company shall also issue a mutually agreed upon press release
pursuant to Section 5.7 announcing the execution of this Agreement (the “Signing Press
Release”).
(b) At
least five (5) days prior to Closing, Parent shall prepare a draft Form 8-K
announcing the Closing, together with, or incorporating by reference, the
financial statements prepared by the Company and its accountant, and such other
information that may be required to be disclosed with respect to the Mergers in
any report or form to be filed with the SEC (“Closing Form 8-K”), which
shall be in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company. Prior to Closing,
Parent and the Company shall prepare a press release announcing the consummation
of the Mergers hereunder (“Closing Press Release”).
Concurrently with the Closing, Surviving Pubco shall distribute the Closing
Press Release. Concurrently with the Closing, or as soon as practicable
thereafter, Surviving Pubco shall file the Closing Form 8-K with the
Commission.
5.5 Required
Information. In connection with the preparation of the Signing
Form 8-K, the Signing Press Release, the Registration Statement, the Closing
Form 8-K and the Closing Press Release, or any other statement, filing notice or
application made by or on behalf of Parent, Surviving Pubco and/or the Company
to any Government Entity or other third party in connection with Mergers and the
other transactions contemplated hereby, and for such other reasonable purposes,
the Company and the Stockholder, on the one hand, and Parent, on the other hand,
shall, upon request by the other, furnish the other with all information
concerning themselves, their respective directors, officers, managers, members
and stockholders (including the directors and officers of Surviving Pubco and
Surviving Subsidiary to be appointed or elected effective as of the Closing
pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof) and such other matters as may be reasonably
necessary or advisable in connection with the Mergers. Each party warrants and
represents to the other party that all such
31
information
shall be true and correct in all material respects and will not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements contained therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
5.6 Confidentiality; Access to
Information.
(a) Confidentiality. Any
confidentiality agreement previously executed by the parties shall be superseded
in its entirety by the provisions of this Agreement. Each party agrees to
maintain in confidence any non-public information received from the other party,
and to use such non-public information only for purposes of consummating the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Such confidentiality obligations
will not apply to (i) information which was known to the one party or their
respective agents prior to receipt from the other party; (ii) information which
is or becomes generally known to the public through no fault of the party
receiving the information; (iii) information acquired by a party or their
respective agents from a third party who was not bound to an obligation of
confidentiality; and (iv) disclosure required by law or at the order of any
Governmental Entity having jurisdiction over such party (including, without
limitation, any rules or regulations of the SEC or the Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority). In the event this Agreement is terminated as provided in
Article VIII hereof, each party (i) will destroy or return or cause to be
destroyed or returned to the other all documents and other material obtained
from the other in connection with the Mergers contemplated hereby, and (ii) will
use its commercially reasonable best efforts to delete from its computer systems
all documents and other material obtained from the other in connection with the
Mergers contemplated hereby.
(b) Access to
Information.
(i) The
Company and the Stockholder will afford Parent and its financial advisors,
accountants, counsel and other representatives reasonable access during normal
business hours, upon reasonable notice, to the properties, books, records and
personnel of the Company during the period prior to the Closing to obtain all
information concerning the business, including proposed business and operations
and the status of business development efforts, properties, results of
operations and personnel of the Company, as Parent may reasonably request. No
information or knowledge obtained by Parent in any investigation pursuant to
this Section 5.6(b) will affect or be deemed to modify any representation or
warranty contained herein or the conditions to the obligations of the parties to
consummate the Mergers.
(ii)
Parent will afford the Company, the Stockholder and their financial advisors,
underwriters, accountants, counsel and other representatives reasonable access
during normal business hours, upon reasonable notice, to the properties, books,
records and personnel of Parent during the period prior to the Closing to obtain
all information concerning the business, including properties, results of
operations and personnel of Parent, as the Company or the Stockholder may
reasonably request. No information or knowledge obtained by the Company in any
investigation pursuant to this Section 5.6(b) will affect or be deemed to modify
any representation or warranty contained herein or the conditions to the
obligations of the parties to consummate the Mergers.
5.7 Public
Disclosure. From the date of this Agreement until Closing or
termination, the parties shall cooperate in good faith to jointly prepare all
press releases and public announcements pertaining to this Agreement and the
transactions governed by it, and no party shall issue or otherwise make any
public announcement or communication pertaining to this Agreement or the
transaction without the prior consent of Parent (in the case of the Company and
the Stockholder) or the Company or the Stockholder (in the case of Parent),
except as required by any legal requirement or by the rules and regulations of,
or pursuant to any agreement of a stock exchange or trading system. Each party
will not unreasonably withhold approval from the others with respect to any
press release or public announcement. If any party determines with the advice of
counsel that it is required to make this Agreement and the terms of the
transaction public or otherwise issue a press release or make public disclosure
with respect thereto, it shall, at a reasonable time before making any public
disclosure, consult with the other party regarding such disclosure, seek such
confidential treatment for such terms or portions of this Agreement or the
transaction as may be reasonably requested by the other party and disclose only
such information as is legally compelled to be disclosed. This provision will
not apply to communications by any party to its counsel, accountants and other
professional advisors.
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5.8 Commercially Reasonable Best
Efforts. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Agreement, each of the parties agrees to use its commercially
reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do,
or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in
doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make
effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the Mergers and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including using commercially
reasonable best efforts to accomplish the following: (i) the taking of all
reasonable acts necessary to cause the conditions precedent set forth in Article
VI to be satisfied, (ii) the obtaining of all necessary actions, waivers,
consents, approvals, orders and authorizations from Governmental Entities and
third parties and the making of all necessary registrations, declarations and
filings (including registrations, declarations and filings with Governmental
Entities, if any) and the taking of all reasonable steps as may be necessary to
avoid any suit, claim, action, investigation or proceeding by any Governmental
Entity, (iii) the obtaining of all consents, approvals or waivers from third
parties required as a result of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement,
including the consents referred to in Schedule 2.5 of the Company
Schedule, (iv) the defending of any suits, claims, actions, investigations or
proceedings, whether judicial or administrative, challenging this Agreement or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including seeking to
have any stay or temporary restraining order entered by any court or other
Governmental Entity vacated or reversed and (v) the execution or delivery of any
additional instruments reasonably necessary to consummate the transactions
contemplated by, and to fully carry out the purposes of, this Agreement. In
connection with and without limiting the foregoing, Parent and its board of
directors and the Company and its board of directors and the Stockholder shall,
if any state takeover statute or similar statute or regulation is or becomes
applicable to the Mergers, this Agreement or any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, use its commercially reasonable best efforts to
enable the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement to
be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated by this
Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, nothing in this
Agreement shall be deemed to require Parent, the Company or the Stockholder to
agree to any divestiture by itself or any of its Affiliates of shares of capital
stock or of any business, assets or property, or the imposition of any material
limitation on the ability of any of them to conduct their business or to own or
exercise control of such assets, properties and stock.
5.9 Tax-Free
Transactions. Neither Parent nor the Company nor the Members
shall take any action prior to or following the Mergers that could reasonably be
expected to cause the Mergers to fail to qualify as Tax-free transactions
pursuant to Section 351, Section 368(a)(1)(A) and Section 368(a)(2)(E) of the
Code and the Regulations thereunder.
5.10
Certain
Claims. As additional consideration for the issuance of Holdco
Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement, the Stockholder hereby releases and
forever discharges, effective as of the Closing Date, the Company and its
directors, officers, managers, employees and agents, from any and all rights,
claims, demands, judgments, obligations, liabilities and damages, whether
accrued or unaccrued, asserted or unasserted, and whether known or unknown
arising out of or resulting from the Stockholder’s (i) status as a holder of an
equity interest in the Company; and (ii) service, management, consulting or
other similar agreement entered into with the Company prior to Closing to the
extent that the basis for claims under any such agreement that survives the
Closing arise prior to the Closing, provided, however, the foregoing shall not
release any obligations of Surviving Pubco set forth in this Agreement or any of
the other documents executed in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby.
5.11
No Securities
Transactions. Neither the Company or the Stockholder nor any
of their Affiliates, directly or indirectly, shall engage in any transactions
involving the securities of Parent prior to the time of the making of a public
announcement of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of the
Company and the Stockholder shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts
to require each of its officers, directors, stockholder and employees, and shall
use commercially reasonable best efforts to require each of its agents,
advisors, contractors, associates, clients, customers and representatives, to
comply with the foregoing requirement.
5.12
No Claim Against Trust
Fund. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, the
Company and the Stockholder acknowledge that they have read Parent’s final
prospectus dated October 22, 2007 and understand that Parent has established the
Trust Fund for the benefit of Parent’s public stockholders and that Parent may
disburse monies from the Trust Fund only (a) to Parent in limited amounts for
its working capital
33
requirements
and Tax obligations, (b) to Parent’s public stockholders in the event they elect
to convert their shares into cash in accordance with Parent’s Charter Documents
and/or the liquidation of Parent or (c) to Parent concurrently with, or after it
consummates, a business combination. The Company and the Stockholder further
acknowledge that, if the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or, upon
termination of this Agreement, another business combination, are not consummated
by October 22, 2009, Parent will be obligated to return to its stockholders the
amounts being held in the Trust Fund. Accordingly, the Company and the
Stockholder, for themselves and their subsidiaries, affiliated entities,
directors, officers, managers, members, employees, stockholders,
representatives, advisors and all other associates and Affiliates, hereby waive
all rights, title, interest or claim of any kind against Parent to collect from
the Trust Fund any monies that may be owed to them by Parent for any reason
whatsoever, including but not limited to a breach of this Agreement by Parent or
any negotiations, agreements or understandings with Parent (whether in the past,
present or future), and will not seek recourse against the Trust Fund at any
time for any reason whatsoever. This section will survive this Agreement and
will not expire and will not be altered in any way without the express written
consent of Parent, the Company and the Stockholder.
5.13
Disclosure of Certain
Matters. Each of Parent, on the one hand, and the Company and
the Stockholder, on the other hand, will provide the other with prompt written
notice of any event, development or condition that (a) would cause any of such
party’s representations and warranties to become untrue or misleading or which
may affect its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, (b) had it existed or been known on the date hereof would have been
required to be disclosed under this Agreement, (c) gives such party any reason
to believe that any of the conditions set forth in Article VI will not be
satisfied, (d) is of a nature that is or may be materially adverse to the
operations, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company or
Parent, as applicable, or (e) would require any amendment or supplement to the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Notwithstanding any such disclosure after the date
hereof, the representations and warranties of the parties shall be as made on
the date of execution of this Agreement and with reference to the Disclosure
Schedule as they exist at the time of execution of this Agreement, subject to
such anticipated changes as expressly contemplated by this Agreement as of the
date of execution.
5.14
Securities
Listing. Parent and the Company shall use their commercially
reasonable best efforts to obtain the listing for trading on the New York Stock
Exchange or, if such listing is not obtainable, on the Nasdaq, of the Holdco
Common Stock and the Holdco Warrants. If any such listing is not obtained by the
Closing, the parties shall continue to use their commercially reasonable best
efforts after the Closing to obtain such listing.
5.15
Further
Actions.
(a) The
Company shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts to take such actions
as are necessary to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.
(b)
Parent shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts to take such actions
as are necessary to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.
5.16
Charter Protections;
Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance.
(a) All
rights to indemnification for acts or omissions occurring through the Closing
Date now existing in favor of the current directors and officers of Parent as
provided in the Charter Documents of Parent or in any indemnification agreements
shall survive the Mergers and shall continue in full force and effect in
accordance with their terms.
(b) For a
period of six (6) years after the Closing Date, Holdco shall cause to be
maintained in effect the current policies of directors' and officers' liability
insurance maintained by Parent (or policies of at least the same coverage and
amounts containing terms and conditions which are no less advantageous), with
respect to claims arising from facts and events that occurred prior to the
Closing Date.
(c) If
Parent or any of its successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into
any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving entity of such
consolidation or merger, or (ii) transfers or conveys all
34
or
substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, in each such
case, to the extent necessary, proper provision shall be made so that the
successors and assigns of Parent assume the obligations set forth in this
Section 5.16.
(d) The
provisions of this Section 5.16 are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall
be enforceable by, each Person who will have been a director or officer of
Parent for all periods ending on or before the Closing Date and may not be
changed without the consent of Committee referred to in Section
1.16.
5.17
Insider Loans; Equity
Ownership in Subsidiaries. The Stockholder and each officer,
director, employee and consultant of the Company and each similar person, at or
prior to Closing, shall (i) repay to the Company any loan by the Company to such
person and any other amount owed by such person to the Company; (ii) cause any
guaranty or similar arrangement pursuant to which the Company has guaranteed the
payment or performance of any obligations of such person to a third party to be
terminated; and (iii) cease to own any direct equity interests in any Subsidiary
of the Company or in any other Person that utilizes the name “Natural Dairy” or
“Cullen Agricultural” or derivatives thereof.
5.18
Certain Financial
Information. Within fifteen (15) business days after the end
of each calendar month between the date hereof and the earlier of the Closing
Date and the date on which this Agreement is terminated, the Company shall
deliver to Parent unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company for
such month, including a balance sheet, statement of operations, statement of
cash flows and statement of stockholders’ equity, that are certified as correct
and complete by a suitably authorized officer of the Company, prepared in
accordance with the U.S. GAAP applied on a consistent basis to prior periods
(except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly present in all
material respects the financial position of the Company at the date thereof and
the results of its operations and cash flows for the period indicated, except
that such statements need not contain notes and may be subject to normal
adjustments that are not expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company.
5.19
Access to Financial
Information. The Company will, and will cause its auditors to
(a) continue to provide Parent and its advisors full access to all of the
Company’s financial information used in the preparation of its Audited Financial
Statements and the financial information furnished pursuant to Section 5.18
hereof and (b) cooperate fully with any reviews performed by Parent or its
advisors of any such financial statements or information.
5.20
Trust Fund
Disbursement. Parent shall cause the Trust Fund to be
dispersed at Closing to pay the amounts payable (i) as deferred underwriters’
compensation in connection with Parent’s initial public offering, (ii) for
income Tax or other Tax obligations generated by the Trust Fund prior to
Closing, (iii) reimbursement of expenses to directors, officers and founding
stockholders of Parent, (iv) in connection with the actions, agreements and
financings undertaken under Section 4.3, (v) to third parties (e.g.,
professionals, printers, etc.) who have rendered services to Parent in
connection with its operations and efforts to effect a business combination,
including the Mergers and (vi) for the cost and expenses incurred by the
Stockholder, the Company or any Subsidiary, or on behalf of the Stockholder, the
Company or any Subsidiary, in the connection with the preparation, negotiation,
execution and performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereunder as set forth in Schedule 5.20. The balance of
the funds will be released to Holdco to pay Parent stockholders who properly
exercise their conversion rights and for working capital and general corporate
purposes of Holdco and the Company. To the extent funds remain after
satisfaction of the foregoing items (i) through (vi) and the payment to
converting stockholders of Parent, such funds will be used to make the
reimbursements as contemplated by Section 4.2(b).
5.21
Section 16
Matters. Prior to the Effective Time, Parent and the Company
shall take all reasonable steps as may be required or permitted to cause any
dispositions of the Parent Common Stock and Parent Warrants that occur or are
deemed to occur by reason of or pursuant to the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement by each individual who is or will be subject to the reporting
requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to Parent to be
exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, including by taking
steps in accordance with the No-Action Letter, dated January 12, 1999, issued by
the SEC regarding such matters.
35
5.22
Surrender of Founders
Shares. Concurrently with Closing, the 4,630,000 shares of
Holdco Common Stock deemed issued upon conversion of the Parent Common Stock
beneficially held by Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx and the 6,630,000 shares of Holdco Common
Stock deemed issued upon conversion of the Parent Common Stock beneficially held
by Xxxx Xxxxxx, shall be transferred to Holdco and immediately and automatically
cancelled by Holdco.
5.23
[Reserved.]
5.24
Consulting Agreement
Amendments. The consulting agreements between Parent and each
of Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx (or his entity as applicable) and Miles Xxxxx shall be
amended at Closing in the form of Exhibit J and Exhibit K hereto (together
the “Consulting Agreement
Amendments”).
5.25
Noncompete.
(a) For a
period of three years from the date of the Closing, neither the Stockholder nor
any director or officer or stockholder of the Stockholder shall, directly or
indirectly, individually or as an employee, partner, officer, director or
shareholder or in any other capacity whatsoever of or for any Person other than
Surviving Pubco, Surviving Subsidiary or their respective Subsidiaries or
Affiliates (and other as passive investors of less than 5% of the voting stock
of a company listed on a national exchange):
(i) Own,
manage, operate, sell, control or participate in the ownership, management,
operation, sales or control of or be connected in any manner, including as an
employee, advisor or consultant or similar role, with any business engaged, in
the geographical areas referred to in Section 5.25(b) below, in the design,
research, development, marketing, sale, branding or licensing of products or
services that are substantially similar to or competitive with the business of
Surviving Subsidiary, including such operations as contemplated to be undertaken
by the Proxy Statement/Prospectus; or
(ii)
Recruit, attempt to hire, solicit, or assist others in recruiting or hiring, in
or with respect to the geographical areas referred to in Section 5.25(b) below,
any person who is an employee of Surviving Pubco or Surviving Subsidiary or any
of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates or induce or attempt to induce
any such employee to terminate his employment with Surviving Pubco, Surviving
Subsidiary or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates; provided,
however, a general solicitation of employment placed by the Stockholder or any
of its directors, officers or stockholders to which employees of Surviving Pubco
or Surviving Subsidiary or any of their respective subsidiaries or Affiliates
respond shall not be deemed a breach of this sub Section.
(b) The
geographical areas in which the restrictions provided for in this Section apply
include all cities, counties and states of the United States, and all other
countries in which Surviving Pubco, Surviving Subsidiary (or any of their
respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates) are conducting business at the time in
question, whether or not any of Surviving Pubco or Surviving Subsidiary (or such
Subsidiary or Affiliate) has an actual physical presence in such location. The
Stockholder acknowledges that the obligations and restrictions provided for
herein are an integral part of the consideration motivating Parent to enter into
this Agreement.
(c) In
addition to, and not in limitation of, the non-competition covenants set forth
above in this Section, the Stockholder agrees that it will not, either for
itself or for any other Person, directly or indirectly (other than for Holdco,
Parent, the Company and any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates and
other as a passive investor of less than 5% of the voting stock of a company
listed on a national exchange), solicit business away from, or attempt to sell,
license or provide the same or similar products or services as are then provided
by Surviving Pubco or Surviving Subsidiary or any Subsidiary or Affiliate
thereof to any customer thereof.
(d)
Within ten business days of the date of this Agreement, the Company and the
Stockholder shall cause the persons listed on Schedule 5.25 to execute a
letter (“Cullen Noncompete
Letters”) agreeing to be bound by the provisions of this Section 5.25.
The Company and the Stockholder hereby represent and warrant that the persons
listed on Schedule 5.25
comprise all of the persons described in Section 5.25(a), above.
(e) It is
the intent of the parties that the provisions of this Section will be enforced
to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law. If any particular
provision or portion of this Section is adjudicated to be invalid or
unenforceable, the Agreement will be deemed amended to revise that provision or
portion to the
36
minimum
extent necessary to render it enforceable. Such amendment will apply only with
respect to the operation of this Section in the particular jurisdiction in which
such adjudication was made.
ARTICLE
VI
CONDITIONS
TO THE TRANSACTION
6.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each
Party to Effect the Mergers. The respective obligations of
each party to this Agreement to effect the Mergers shall be subject to the
satisfaction at or prior to the Closing Date of the following
conditions:
(a) Parent Stockholder
Approval. The Parent Stockholder Approval shall have been
obtained by the requisite vote under the laws of the State of Delaware and the
Parent Charter Documents.
(b) Parent Common
Stock. Holders of thirty percent (30%) or more of the shares
of Parent Common Stock issued in Parent’s initial public offering of securities
and outstanding as of the record date for the Special Meeting shall not have
exercised their rights to convert their shares into a pro rata share of the
Trust Fund in accordance with Parent’s certificate of
incorporation.
(c) Effective Registration
Statement. The Registration Statement shall have been declared
effective by the SEC and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement shall be in effect and no proceedings for that purpose
shall be pending before or threatened by the SEC. All necessary permits and
authorizations under state securities or Blue Sky laws, the Securities Act and
the Exchange Act relating to the issuance and trading of the Holdco Common Stock
to be issued hereunder shall have been obtained and shall be in
effect.
(d) HSR Act; No
Order. All specified waiting periods under the HSR Act shall
have expired and no Governmental Entity shall have enacted, issued, promulgated,
enforced or entered any statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree,
injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) which is
in effect and which has the effect of making the Mergers illegal or otherwise
prohibiting consummation of the Mergers, substantially on the terms contemplated
by this Agreement.
(e) Opinion of
Counsels. The Company shall have received from Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, counsel to Parent, and Parent shall have received from Ellenoff Xxxxxxxx
& Schole LLP, counsel to the Company, an opinion of counsel in the form
mutually agreed upon by the parties.
6.2 Additional Conditions to Obligations
of the Company and the Stockholder. The obligations of the
Company and the Stockholder to consummate and effect the Mergers shall be
subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing Date of each of the
following conditions, any of which may be waived, in writing, exclusively by the
Company.
(a) Representations and
Warranties. Each representation and warranty of Parent
contained in this Agreement that is (i) qualified as to materiality shall have
been true and correct (A) as of the date of this Agreement and (B) subject to
the provision of the last sentence of Section 5.13, on and as of the Closing
Date with the same force and effect as if made on the Closing Date, and (ii) not
qualified as to materiality shall have been true and correct (A) as of the date
of this Agreement and (B) subject to the provision of the last sentence of
Section 5.13, on and as of the Closing Date in all material respects with the
same force and effect as if made on the Closing Date. The Company shall have
received a certificate with respect to the foregoing signed on behalf of Parent
by an authorized officer of Parent (“Parent Closing
Certificate”).
(b) Agreements and
Covenants. Parent and the Parent Subsidiaries shall have
materially performed or complied with all agreements and covenants required by
this Agreement to be performed or complied with by them on or prior to the
Closing Date, and the Parent Closing Certificate shall include a provision to
such effect.
(c) No Litigation. No
action, suit or proceeding shall be pending or threatened before any
Governmental Entity or by any third party against Parent or any Affiliate
thereof which, in the reasonable opinion of Company counsel, is likely to occur
and (i) prevent consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, (ii) cause any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to
be rescinded following consummation or (iii) affect materially and adversely the
right of the Surviving Pubco or Surviving Subsidiary
37
to own,
operate or control any of its respective assets following the Mergers and no
order, judgment, decree, stipulation or injunction to any such effect shall be
in effect..
(d) Consents. Parent
shall have obtained all material consents, waivers and approvals required to be
obtained by Parent in connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, and the Parent Closing Certificate shall include a
provision to such effect.
(e) Material Adverse
Effect. No Material Adverse Effect with respect to Parent
shall have occurred since the date of this Agreement.
(f) SEC
Compliance. Immediately prior to Closing, Parent shall be in
compliance with the reporting requirements under the Securities Act and Exchange
Act applicable to Parent.
(g)
[Reserved]
(h) Other
Deliveries. At or prior to Closing, Parent shall have
delivered to the Company (i) copies of resolutions and actions taken by Parent's
and each Parent Subsidiary’s board of directors and stockholders in connection
with the approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereunder,
as certified by the respective corporate secretary of each of Parent and the
Parent Subsidiaries and (ii) such other documents or certificates as shall
reasonably be required by the Company and its counsel in order to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereunder.
(i) Resignations. The
persons listed in Schedule
6.2(i) shall have resigned from all of their positions and offices with
Parent.
(j) Trust Fund. Parent
shall have made appropriate arrangements to have the Trust Fund disbursed in
accordance with Section
5.20.
(k) Special
Meeting. The requisite approval from the holders of Parent
Common Stock and Parent Warrants at the Special Meeting shall have been obtained
such that those proposals and actions (other than those regarding adjournment)
described in Section 5.1 shall have been adopted in accordance with the DGCL and
Parent’s Charter.
(l) Warrant Amendment
Proposal. The Warrant Amendment Proposal shall have been
approved by the necessary warrantholders to adopt and effect the Warrant
Amendment.
(m) The Consulting Agreement
Amendments. The Consulting Agreement Amendment shall be
executed and delivered by Parent.
(n) Ledecky Founder Share
Surrender. The shares of Holdco Common Stock owned by Xx.
Xxxxxxx to be surrendered under Section 5.22 shall have been so surrendered by
Xx. Xxxxxxx.
(o) Opinion of Delaware
Counsel. Parent shall have received an opinion of Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxx & Finger, P.A., in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to both
Parent and the Company, that the amendments to Parent’s amended and restated
certificate of incorporation necessary to allow Parent to complete the Mergers
as contemplated hereby would be valid and effective under the DGCL when filed
with the Secretary of State of Delaware and such amended and restated
certificate of incorporation of Parent shall have been filed with the Secretary
of State of Delaware and shall be in full force and effect at the
Closing.
(p)
[Reserved]
6.3 Additional Conditions to the
Obligations of Parent. The obligations of Parent and the
Parent Subsidiaries to consummate and effect the Mergers shall be subject to the
satisfaction at or prior to the Closing Date of each of the following
conditions, any of which may be waived, in writing, exclusively by
Parent:
(a) Representations and
Warranties. Each representation and warranty of the Company
and the Stockholder contained in this Agreement that is (i) qualified as to
materiality shall have been true and correct (A) as of the date of this
Agreement and (B) subject to the provisions of the last sentence of Section
5.13, on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on
the Closing Date, and (ii) not qualified as to materiality shall have been true
and correct (A) as of the date of this Agreement and (B) subject to the
provisions of the last sentence of Section 5.13, on and as of the Closing Date
in all material respects with the same
38
force and
effect as if made on the Closing Date. Parent shall have received a certificate
with respect to the foregoing signed on behalf of each of the Company and the
Stockholder by an authorized officer of each (“Company Closing
Certificate”).
(b) Agreements and
Covenants. The Company and the Stockholder shall have
performed or complied with all agreements and covenants required by this
Agreement to be performed or complied with by them at or prior to the Closing
Date except to the extent that any failure to perform or comply (other than a
willful failure to perform or comply or failure to perform or comply with an
agreement or covenant reasonably within the control of the Company) does not, or
will not, constitute a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, and the Company
Closing Certificate shall include a provision to such effect.
(c) No Litigation. No
action, suit or proceeding shall be pending or threatened before any
Governmental Entity or by any third party against the Company or the Stockholder
which, in the reasonable opinion of Parent counsel, is likely to occur and (i)
prevent consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
(ii) cause any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be
rescinded following consummation or (iii) affect materially and adversely the
right of the Surviving Pubco or Surviving Subsidiary to own, operate or control
any of its respective assets following the Mergers and no order, judgment,
decree, stipulation or injunction to any such effect shall be in
effect.
(d) Consents. The
Company and the Stockholder shall have obtained all material consents, waivers,
permits and approvals required to be obtained by the Company and the Stockholder
in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
including all Governmental and Third Party Consents, and the Company Closing
Certificate shall include a provision to such effect.
(e) Material Adverse
Effect. No Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company
shall have occurred since the date of this Agreement.
(f) Lock-Up
Agreements. The Lock-Up Agreements in the form of Exhibit F shall be in full
force and effect.
(g) Employment
Agreements. Employment Agreements between Natural Dairy, Inc.
and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx in the form of Exhibit L shall be executed
and delivered to Parent.
(h)
[Reserved]
(i)
[Reserved]
(j) Cullen Noncompete
Letters. Parent shall have received executed Cullen Noncompete
Letters from each of the persons required under Section 5.25 above and each such
letter shall have been duly and validly executed and shall be in full force and
effect.
(k) Xxxxxx Founder Share
Surrender. The surrender of the shares of Holdco Common Stock
owned by Xx. Xxxxxx to be surrendered under Section 5.22 shall have been so
surrendered by Xx. Xxxxxx.
(l) Farm
Purchase. Natural Dairy, Inc. (or a subsidiary thereof) has
performed its obligations under the Farm Purchase Agreement and, if the Farm has
been purchased, Natural Dairy, Inc. (or a subsidiary thereof) shall have held
and maintained the Farm on behalf of the Surviving Pubco and Surviving Company
as contemplated by Section 4.2(b).
(m)
[Reserved]
(n) The Consulting Agreement
Amendments. The Consulting Agreement Amendment shall be
executed and delivered by each of Messrs. Xxxxxxxxxx (or his entity as
applicable) and Xxxxx.
(o) IP Transfer
Agreement. The IP Transfer Agreement shall be in full force
and effect and the transactions contemplated thereby shall have been consummated
or shall be consummated concurrently with the Closing.
(p) Other
Deliveries. At or prior to Closing, the Company and the
Stockholder shall have delivered to Parent: (i) copies of resolutions and
actions taken by the Company's board of directors and the Stockholder’s board of
directors and the
Stockholder’s stockholders in connection with the approval of this Agreement
and
39
the
transactions contemplated hereunder, and (ii) such other documents or
certificates as shall reasonably be required by Parent and its counsel in order
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereunder.
(q) Resignations. The
persons listed in Schedule
6.3(q) shall have resigned from their positions and offices with the
Company.
ARTICLE
VII
INDEMNIFICATION
7.1 Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification of
Parent. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Article
VII (including without limitation the limitations set forth in Section 7.4),
Parent, the Surviving Pubco, the Surviving Subsidiary and their respective
representatives, successors and permitted assigns (the “Parent Indemnitees”) shall be
indemnified, defended and held harmless by the Stockholder, but, except as
provided for in this Article VII, only to the extent of the Escrow Shares, from
and against all Losses asserted against, resulting to, imposed upon, or incurred
by any Parent Indemnitee by reason of, arising out of or resulting
from:
(i) the
inaccuracy or breach of any representation or warranty of the Company contained
in or made pursuant to this Agreement, any Schedule or any certificate delivered
by the Company to Parent pursuant to this Agreement with respect hereto or
thereto in connection with the Closing; and
(ii) the
non-fulfillment or breach of any covenant or agreement of the Company contained
in this Agreement.
(b) Losses. As used in
this Article VII, the term “Losses” shall include all
losses, liabilities, damages, judgments, awards, orders, penalties, settlements,
costs and expenses (including, without limitation, interest, penalties, court
costs and reasonable legal fees and expenses) including those arising from any
demands, claims, suits, actions, costs of investigation, notices of violation or
noncompliance, causes of action, proceedings and assessments whether or not made
by third parties or whether or not ultimately determined to be
valid.
7.2 Indemnification of Third Party
Claims. The indemnification obligations and liabilities under
this Article VII with respect to actions, proceedings, lawsuits, investigations,
demands or other claims brought against a party under an obligation to indemnify
pursuant to Section 7.1 (the “Indemnifying Party”) by a
Person other than a party entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 7.1
(the “Indemnified
Party”) (a “Third Party
Claim”) shall be subject to the following terms and
conditions:
(a) Notice of
Claim. The Indemnified Party will give the Indemnifying Party
prompt written notice after receiving written notice of any Third Party Claim or
discovering the liability, obligation or facts giving rise to such Third Party
Claim (a “Notice of
Claim”) which Notice of Third Party Claim shall set forth (i) a brief
description of the nature of the Third Party Claim, (ii) the total amount of the
actual out-of-pocket Loss or the anticipated potential Loss (including any costs
or expenses which have been or may be reasonably incurred in connection
therewith), and (iii) whether such Loss may be covered (in whole or in part)
under any insurance and the estimated amount of such Loss which may be covered
under such insurance, and the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to
participate in the defense of Third Party Claim at its expense.
(b) Defense. The
Indemnifying Party shall have the right, at its option (subject to the
limitations set forth in subsection 7.2(c) below) and at its own expense, by
written notice to the Indemnified Party, to assume the entire control of,
subject to the right of the Indemnified Party to participate (at its expense and
with counsel of its choice) in, the defense, compromise or settlement of the
Third Party Claim as to which such Notice of Claim has been given, and shall be
entitled to appoint a recognized and reputable counsel reasonably acceptable to
the Indemnified Party to be the lead counsel in connection with such defense. If
the Indemnifying Party is permitted and elects to assume the defense of a Third
Party Claim:
(i) the
Indemnifying Party shall diligently and in good faith defend such Third Party
Claim and shall keep the Indemnified Party reasonably informed of the status of
such defense; provided, however, that the Indemnified Party shall have the right
to approve any settlement, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld,
delayed or conditioned; and
40
(ii) the
Indemnified Party shall cooperate fully in all respects with the Indemnifying
Party in any such defense, compromise or settlement thereof, including, without
limitation, the selection of counsel, and the Indemnified Party shall make
available to the Indemnifying Party all pertinent information and documents
under its control.
(c) Limitations of Right to Assume
Defense. The Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to
assume control of such defense and shall pay the fees and expenses of counsel
retained by the Indemnified Party if (i) the Third Party Claim relates to or
arises in connection with any criminal proceeding, action, indictment,
allegation or investigation; (ii) the Third Party Claim seeks an injunction or
equitable relief against an Indemnified Party; or (iii) there is a reasonable
probability that a Third Party Claim may materially and adversely affect the
Indemnified Party or its subsidiaries other than as a result of money damages or
other money payments.
(d) Other
Limitations. Failure to give prompt Notice of Claim or to
provide copies of relevant available documents or to furnish relevant available
data shall not constitute a defense (in whole or in part) to any Third Party
Claim by an Indemnified Party against the Indemnifying Party and shall not
affect the Indemnifying Party’s duty or obligations under this Article VII,
except to the extent (and only to the extent that) such failure shall have
adversely affected the ability of the Indemnifying Party to defend against or
reduce its liability or caused or increased such liability or otherwise caused
the damages for which the Indemnifying Party is obligated to be greater than
such damages would have been had the Indemnified Party given the Indemnifying
Party prompt notice hereunder. So long as the Indemnifying Party is defending
any such action actively and in good faith, the Indemnified Party shall not
settle such action. The Indemnified Party shall make available to the
Indemnifying Party all relevant records and other relevant materials required by
them and in the possession or under the control of the Indemnified Party, for
the use of the Indemnifying Party and its representatives in defending any such
action, and shall in other respects give reasonable cooperation in such
defense.
(e) Failure to
Defend. If the Indemnifying Party, promptly after receiving a
Notice of Claim, fails to defend such Third Party Claim actively and in good
faith, the Indemnified Party, at the reasonable cost and expense of the
Indemnifying Party, will (upon further written notice) have the right to
undertake the defense, compromise or settlement of such Third Party Claim as it
may determine in its reasonable discretion, provided that the Indemnifying Party
shall have the right to approve any settlement, which approval will not be
unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.
(f) Indemnified Party
Rights. Anything in this Section 7.2 to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Indemnifying Party shall not settle or compromise any
action or consent to the entry of any judgment which does not include as an
unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or the plaintiff to each
Indemnified Party of a full and unconditional release from all liability and
obligation in respect of such action without any payment by any Indemnified
Party.
(g) Indemnifying Party
Consent. Unless the Indemnifying Party has consented to a
settlement of a Third Party Claim, the amount of the settlement shall not be a
binding determination of the amount of the Loss and such amount shall be
determined in accordance with the provisions of the Escrow
Agreement.
7.3 Insurance
Effect. To the extent that any Losses that are subject to
indemnification pursuant to this Article VII are covered by insurance paid for
by an Indemnified Party prior to the Closing, the Indemnified Party shall use
commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain the maximum recovery under such
insurance; provided that the Indemnified Party shall nevertheless be entitled to
bring a claim for indemnification under this Article VII in respect of such
Losses and the time limitations set forth in Section 7.4 hereof for bringing a
claim of indemnification under this Agreement shall be tolled during the
pendency of such insurance claim. The existence of a claim by the Indemnified
Party for monies from an insurer or against a third party in respect of any Loss
shall not, however, delay any payment pursuant to the indemnification provisions
contained herein and otherwise determined to be due and owing by the
Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnified Party has received the payment required
by this Agreement from the Indemnifying Party in respect of any Loss and later
receives proceeds from insurance or other amounts in respect of such Loss, then
it shall hold such proceeds or other amounts in trust for the benefit of the
Indemnifying Party and shall pay to the Indemnifying Party, as promptly as
practicable after receipt, a sum equal to the amount of such proceeds or
other
41
amount
received, up to the aggregate amount of any payments received from the
Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Agreement in respect of such Loss.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, it is the intention of
the parties that no insurer or any other third party shall be (i) entitled to a
benefit it would not be entitled to receive in the absence of the foregoing
indemnification provisions, or (ii) relieved of the responsibility to pay any
claims for which it is obligated.
7.4 Limitations on
Indemnification.
(a) Survival; Time
Limitation. The representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements in this Agreement or in any writing delivered by the Company or
Stockholder to Parent in connection with this Agreement (including the
certificate required to be delivered by the Company pursuant to Section 6.3(a))
shall survive the Closing for the period that ends on the Escrow Termination
Date (the “Survival
Period”) except that claims for the breach of the representations and
warranties in Sections 1.15(d), 2.3, and 2.4 shall survive without limitation as
to time (but subject to applicable statutes of limitation).
(b) Any
indemnification claim made by an Indemnified Party prior to the termination of
the Survival Period shall be preserved despite the subsequent termination of the
Survival Period and any claim set forth in a Notice of Claim sent prior to the
expiration of such Survival Period shall survive until final resolution thereof.
Except as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, no claim for
indemnification under this Article VII shall be brought after the end of the
Survival Period.
(c) Deductible. No
amount shall be payable under Article VII unless and until the aggregate amount
of all indemnifiable Losses otherwise payable exceeds $500,000 (the “Deductible”), in which event
the amount payable shall the full amount of all Indemnifiable Losses from the
first dollar thereof.
(d) Aggregate Amount
Limitation. An Indemnifying Party’s aggregate liability for
Losses pursuant to Section 7.1shall not in any event exceed the Escrow Shares
and the Indemnified Party shall have no claim against the Indemnifying Party
other than for such Escrow Shares (and any proceeds of the shares or
distributions with respect to the Escrow Shares).
7.5 Exclusive
Remedy. The Indemnified Party hereby acknowledges and agrees
that, from and after the Closing, the sole remedy of the Indemnified Party with
respect to any and all claims for money damages arising out of or relating to
this Agreement shall be pursuant and subject to the requirements of the
indemnification provisions set forth in this Article VII. Notwithstanding any of
the foregoing, nothing contained in this Article VII shall in any way impair,
modify or otherwise limit an Indemnified Party’s right to bring any claim,
demand or suit against the Indemnifying Party based upon the Indemnifying
Party’s actual fraud or intentional or willful misrepresentation or omission, it
being understood that a mere breach of a representation and warranty, without
intentional or willful misrepresentation or omission, does not constitute
fraud.
7.6 Adjustment to Merger
Consideration. Amounts paid by the Stockholder for
indemnification under Article VII shall be deemed to be an adjustment to the
value of the shares of Holdco Common Stock issued by Holdco as a result of the
Company Merger, except as otherwise required by Law.
7.7 Application of Escrow
Shares. The Escrow Agent, pursuant to the Escrow Agreement
after the Closing, may apply all or a portion of the Escrow Shares to satisfy
any claim for indemnification pursuant to this Article VII. The Escrow Agent
will hold the remaining portion of the Escrow Shares until final resolution of
all claims for indemnification or disputes relating thereto.
42
ARTICLE
VIII
TERMINATION
8.1 Termination. This
Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing:
(a) by
mutual written agreement of Parent and the Company at any time;
(b) by
either Parent or the Company if the Mergers shall not have been consummated by
October 22, 2009 for any reason; provided, however, that the right to terminate
this Agreement under this Section 8.1(b) shall not be available to any party
whose action or failure to act has been a principal cause of or resulted in the
failure of the Mergers to occur on or before such date and such action or
failure to act constitutes a breach of this Agreement;
(c) by
either Parent or the Company if a Governmental Entity shall have issued an
order, decree, judgment or ruling or taken any other action, in any case having
the effect of permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the
Mergers, which order, decree, ruling or other action is final and
nonappealable;
(d) by
the Company, upon a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or
agreement on the part of Parent set forth in this Agreement, or if any
representation or warranty of Parent shall have become untrue, in either case
such that the conditions set forth in Article VI would not be satisfied as of
the time of such breach or as of the time such representation or warranty shall
have become untrue, provided, that if such breach by Parent is curable by Parent
prior to the Closing Date, then the Company may not terminate this Agreement
under this Section 8.1(d) for thirty (30) days after delivery of written notice
from the Company to Parent of such breach, provided Parent continues to exercise
commercially reasonable best efforts to cure such breach (it being understood
that the Company may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section
8.1(d) if it shall have materially breached this Agreement or if such breach by
Parent is cured during such thirty (30)-day period);
(e) by
Parent, upon a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on
the part of the Company or the Stockholder set forth in this Agreement, or if
any representation or warranty of the Company or the Stockholder shall have
become untrue, in either case such that the conditions set forth in Article VI
would not be satisfied as of the time of such breach or as of the time such
representation or warranty shall have become untrue, provided, that if such
breach is curable by the Company or the Stockholder prior to the Closing Date,
then Parent may not terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1(e) for
thirty (30) days after delivery of written notice from Parent to the Company or
the Stockholder, as applicable, of such breach, provided the Company or the
Stockholder, as applicable, continue to exercise commercially reasonable best
efforts to cure such breach (it being understood that Parent may not terminate
this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(e) if it shall have materially
breached this Agreement or if such breach by the Company or the Stockholder is
cured during such thirty (30) day period); or
(f) by
either Parent or the Company, if, at the Special Meeting (including any
adjournments thereof), this Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby
shall fail to be approved and adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of
Parent Common Stock required under Parent’s certificate of incorporation, or the
holders of 30% or more of the number of shares of Parent Common Stock issued in
Parent’s initial public offering and outstanding as of the record date for the
Special Meeting exercise their rights to convert the shares of Parent Common
Stock held by them into cash in accordance with Parent’s certificate of
incorporation.
8.2 Notice of Termination; Effect of
Termination. Any termination of this Agreement under Section
8.1 above will be effective immediately upon (or, if the termination is pursuant
to Section 8.1(d) or Section 8.1(e) and the proviso therein is applicable,
thirty (30) days after) the delivery of written notice of the terminating party
to the other parties hereto. In the event of the termination of this Agreement
as provided in Section 8.1, this Agreement shall be of no further force or
effect and the Mergers shall be abandoned, except for and subject to the
following: (i) Sections 4.2, 5.6, 5.12, 8.2 and 8.3 and Article X (General
Provisions) shall survive the termination of this Agreement, and (ii) nothing
herein shall relieve any party from liability for any breach of this Agreement,
including a breach by a party electing to terminate this Agreement pursuant to
Section 8.1(b) caused by the action or failure to act of such party constituting
a principal cause of or resulting in the failure of the Mergers to occur on or
before the date stated therein.
43
8.3 Fees and
Expenses. Except as set forth in Sections 3.25 and 5.20, all
fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such
expenses whether or not the Mergers are consummated. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the event the Mergers are consummated, Parent and Holdco hereby
agree to pay the reasonable fees and expenses incurred by the Stockholder, the
Company or any Subsidiary, or on behalf of the Stockholder, the Company or any
Subsidiary, in the connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution and
performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby as
further described in Schedule
5.20.
ARTICLE
IX
DEFINED
TERMS
Certain
terms defined in this Agreement are organized alphabetically as follows,
together with the Section and, where applicable, paragraph, number in which
definition of each such term is located:
“AAA”
|
Section
10.12
|
|
“Acquisition
Transaction”
|
Section
4.4(a)
|
|
“Affiliate”
|
Section
10.2(f)
|
|
“Agreement”
|
Section
1.3
|
|
“Applicable
Corporate Law”
|
Recital
A
|
|
“Approvals”
|
Section
2.1(a)
|
|
“Audited
Financial Statements”
|
Section
2.7(a)
|
|
“Blue
Sky Laws”
|
Section1.15(c)
|
|
“Charter
Documents”
|
Section
2.1(a)
|
|
“Closing”
|
Section
1.3
|
|
“Closing
Date”
|
Section
1.3
|
|
“Closing
Form 8-K”
|
Section
5.1(b)
|
|
“Closing
Press Release”
|
Section
5.1(b)
|
|
“Code”
|
Recital
C
|
|
“Committee”
|
Section
1.16
|
|
“Company”
|
Heading
|
|
“Company
Articles of Merger”
|
Section
1.3
|
|
“Company
Certificates”
|
Section
1.6(d)
|
|
“Company
Closing Certificate”
|
Section
6.3(a)
|
|
“Company
Common Stock”
|
Section
5.26(e)
|
|
“Company
Contracts”
|
Section
2.19(a)
|
|
“Company
Intellectual Property”
|
Section
2.18(a)(ii)
|
|
“Company
Merger”
|
Recital
A
|
|
“Company
Products”
|
Section
2.18(a)(v)
|
|
“Company
Registered Intellectual Property”
|
Section
2.18(a)(iv)
|
|
“Company
Related Parties”
|
Section
2.18(a)
|
|
“Company
Schedule”
|
Article
II Preamble
|
|
“Continental”
|
Section
1.12
|
|
“Copyrights”
|
Section
2.18(a)(i)
|
|
“Deductible”
|
Section
7.4(c)
|
|
“DGCL”
|
Recital
A
|
|
“Disclosure
Schedules”
|
Section
5.13
|
|
“Effective
Time”
|
Section
1.3
|
|
“Environmental
Law”
|
Section
2.16(b)
|
|
“Escrow
Agreement”
|
Section
1.12
|
44
“Escrow
Shares”
|
Section
1.12
|
|
“Escrow
Termination Date”
|
Section
1.12
|
|
“Exchange
Act”
|
Section
1.15(c)
|
|
“Farm
Purchase Agreement”
|
Section
4.2
|
|
“GCC”
|
Recital
A
|
|
“Governmental
Action/Filing”
|
Section
2.21(c)
|
|
“Governmental
and Third Party Consents”
|
Section
2.5(b)
|
|
“Governmental
Entity”
|
Section
1.15(c)
|
|
“Xxxxxxxx
Farm”
|
Section
4.2
|
|
“Hazardous
Substance”
|
Section
2.16(c)
|
|
“Holdco”
|
Heading
|
|
“Holdco
Common Stock”
|
Section
1.6(a)
|
|
“Holdco
Plan”
|
Section
5.1(a)
|
|
“Holdco
Warrants”
|
Section
1.6(b)
|
|
“HSR
Act”
|
Section
2.5(b)
|
|
“Insider”
|
Section
2.19(a)(i)
|
|
“Insurance
Policies”
|
Section
2.20
|
|
“Intellectual
Property”
|
Section
2.18(a)
|
|
“IP
Transfer Agreement”
|
Section
2.18(a)
|
|
“knowledge”
|
Section
10.2(d)
|
|
“Last
Reported Sale Price”
|
Section
1.13(c)(iv)
|
|
“Legal
Requirements”
|
Section
10.2(b)
|
|
“Lien”
|
Section
10.2(e)
|
|
“Losses”
|
Section
7.1(b)
|
|
“Material
Adverse Effect”
|
Section
10.2(a)
|
|
“Material
Company Contracts”
|
Section
2.19(a)
|
|
“Mergers”
|
Recital
A
|
|
“Merger
Sub”
|
Heading
|
|
“Merger
Sub Common Stock”
|
Section
1.6(e)
|
|
“Notice
of Claim”
|
Section
7.2(a)
|
|
“Parent”
|
Heading
|
|
“Parent
Certificate”
|
Section
1.6(a)
|
|
“Parent
Certificate of Merger”
|
Section
1.3
|
|
“Parent
Closing Certificate”
|
Section
6.2(a)
|
|
“Parent
Common Stock”
|
Section
1.6(a)
|
|
“Parent
Contracts”
|
Section
3.19(a)
|
|
“Parent
Convertible Securities”
|
Section
3.3(b)
|
|
“Parent
Indemnitees”
|
Section
7.1(a)
|
|
“Parent
Merger”
|
Recital
A
|
|
“Parent
Preferred Stock”
|
Section
3.3(a)
|
|
“Parent
Schedule”
|
Article
III Preamble
|
|
“Parent
SEC Reports”
|
Section
3.7(a)
|
|
“Parent
Stockholder Approval”
|
Section
5.1(a)
|
|
“Parent
Stock Options”
|
Section
3.3(b)
|
|
“Parent
Subsidiaries”
|
Section
3.2(d)
|
|
“Parent
Warrant”
|
Section
1.6(b)
|
45
“Parent
Warrant Certificate”
|
Section
1.6(b)
|
|
“Patents”
|
Section
2.18(a)(i)
|
|
“Person”
|
Section
10.2(c)
|
|
“Personal
Property”
|
Section
2.14(b)
|
|
“Plan/Plans”
|
Section
2.11(a)
|
|
“Proxy
Statement/Prospectus
|
Section
5.1(a)
|
|
“Purchase
Cost”
|
Section
4.2
|
|
“Registered
Intellectual Property”
|
Section
2.18(a)(iii)
|
|
“Registration
Rights Agreement”
|
Section
1.18
|
|
“Registration
Statement”
|
Section
5.1(a)
|
|
“Representative”
|
Section
1.18
|
|
“Returns”
|
Section
2.15(b)(i)
|
|
“SEC”
|
Section
2.21(d)
|
|
“Securities
Act”
|
Section
1.15(b)
|
|
“Signing
Form 8-K”
|
Section
5.4(a)
|
|
“Signing
Press Release”
|
Section
5.4(a)
|
|
“Special
Meeting”
|
Section
5.1(a)
|
|
“Stockholder”
|
Heading
|
|
“Subsidiaries”
|
Section
2.2(a)
|
|
“Survival
Period”
|
Section
7.4(a)
|
|
“Surviving
Pubco”
|
Section
1.1
|
|
“Surviving
Subsidiary”
|
Section
1.2
|
|
“Tax/Taxes”
|
Section
2.15(a)
|
|
“Third
Party Claim”
|
Section
7.2
|
|
“Trademarks”
|
Section
2.18(a)(i)
|
|
“Trading
Day”
|
Section
1.13(c)(v)
|
|
“Transaction
Shares”
|
Section
1.6(d)
|
|
“Trust
Fund”
|
Section
3.25
|
|
“U.S.
GAAP”
|
Section
2.7(a)
|
|
“Warrant
Amendment Agreement”
|
Section
5.1(c)
|
|
“Warrantholders
Approval”
|
Section
5.1(c)
|
|
“Warrantholders
Meeting”
|
Section
5.1(c)
|
46
ARTICLE
X
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
10.1
Notices. All
notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed given if delivered personally or by commercial delivery service, or sent
via telecopy (receipt confirmed) to the parties at the following addresses or
telecopy numbers (or at such other address or telecopy numbers for a party as
shall be specified by like notice):
if to
Parent, to:
Triplecrown
Acquisition Corp
000 Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx
XXX
000
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention:
Chief Executive Officer
Telephone:
000-000-0000
Telecopy:
with a
copy to:
Xxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
Telephone:
000-000-0000
Telecopy:
000-000-0000
if to the
Company or the Stockholder, to:
Cullen
Inc Holdings Limited
Xxxxx
0
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
00
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxxxxx
Post
Office Box 91269
Attention:
The Directors
Telephone:
00 0 000 0000
Telecopy:
64 9 363 1201
with a
copy to:
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Ellenoff
Xxxxxxxx & Schole LLP
000 Xxxx
00xx
Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Telephone:
000-000-0000
Telecopy:
000-000-0000
10.2
Interpretation. The
definitions of the terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural
forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context shall require, any pronoun
shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. When a
reference is made in this Agreement to an Exhibit or Schedule, such reference
shall be to an Exhibit or Schedule to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
When a reference is made in this Agreement to Sections or subsections, such
reference shall be to a Section or subsection of this Agreement. Unless
otherwise indicated the words “include,” “includes” and “including” when used
herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without
limitation.” 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. When reference is made herein to “the business
of” an entity, such reference shall be deemed to include the business of all
direct and indirect subsidiaries of such entity.
47
Reference
to the subsidiaries of an entity shall be deemed to include all direct and
indirect subsidiaries of such entity. For purposes of this
Agreement:
(a) the
term “Material Adverse
Effect” when used in connection with an entity means any change, event,
violation, inaccuracy, circumstance or effect, individually or when aggregated
with other changes, events, violations, inaccuracies, circumstances or effects,
that is materially adverse to the business, assets (including intangible
assets), revenues, financial condition, prospects or results of operations of
such entity, it being understood that none of the following alone or in
combination shall be deemed, in and of itself, to constitute a Material Adverse
Effect: (i) changes attributable to the public announcement or pendency of the
transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) changes in general national or regional
political, economic or industry-wide conditions (except to the extent the party
suffering such event is affected in a disproportionate manner relative to other
companies in the industry in which such party conducts business), (iii) any SEC
rulemaking requiring enhanced disclosure of transactions with a public shell, or
(iv) any failure to meet any financial or other projections;
(b) the
term “Legal
Requirements” means any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or
other law, statute, constitution, principle of common law, resolution,
ordinance, code, edict, decree, rule, regulation, ruling or requirement issued,
enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or
under the authority of any Governmental Entity and all requirements set forth in
applicable Material Company Contracts or Parent Contracts;
(c) the
term “Person” shall
mean any individual, corporation (including any non-profit corporation), general
partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture,
estate, trust, company (including any limited liability company or joint stock
company), firm or other enterprise, association, organization, entity or
Governmental Entity;
(d) the
term “knowledge” means
actual knowledge or awareness, after due inquiry, as to a specified fact or
event of a Person that is an individual or of an executive officer or director
of a Person that is a corporation or of a Person in a similar capacity of an
entity other than a corporation;
(e) the
term “Lien” means any
mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien, restriction or charge of
any kind (including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title
retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof, any sale with recourse
against the seller or any Affiliate of the seller, or any agreement to give any
security interest);
(f) the
term “Affiliate” means,
as applied to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling,
controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with, such Person. For
purposes of this definition, “control” (including with correlative meanings, the
terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as
applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such
Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise; and
(g) all
monetary amounts set forth herein are referenced in United States dollars,
unless otherwise noted.
10.3
Counterparts; Electronic
Delivery. This Agreement and each other document executed in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and the consummation
thereof, may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be
considered one and the same document and shall become effective when one or more
counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other
party, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart.
Delivery by facsimile or electronic transmission to counsel for the other party
of a counterpart executed by a party shall be deemed to meet the requirements of
the previous sentence.
10.4
Entire Agreement; Third Party
Beneficiaries. This Agreement and the documents and
instruments and other agreements among the parties hereto as contemplated by or
referred to herein, including the Exhibits and Schedules hereto (a) constitute
the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof
and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral,
among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and (b) are not
intended to confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies hereunder
(except as specifically provided in this Agreement).
48
10.5
Severability. In
the event that any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof,
becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void
or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement will continue in full force
and effect and the application of such provision to other persons or
circumstances will be interpreted so as reasonably to effect the intent of the
parties hereto. The parties further agree to replace such void or unenforceable
provision of this Agreement with a valid and enforceable provision that will
achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of
such void or unenforceable provision.
10.6
Other Remedies; Specific
Performance. Except as otherwise provided herein, any and all
remedies herein expressly conferred upon a party will be deemed cumulative with
and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or by law or equity upon
such party, and the exercise by a party of any one remedy will not preclude the
exercise of any other remedy. The parties hereto 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 seek an injunction
or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions hereof in any court of the United States or any state
having jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they
are entitled at law or in equity.
10.7
Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the law of the State of New York regardless of the law that
might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of law
thereof.
10.8
Rules of
Construction. The parties hereto agree that they have been
represented by counsel during the negotiation and execution of this Agreement
and, therefore, waive the application of any law, regulation, holding or rule of
construction providing that ambiguities in an agreement or other document will
be construed against the party drafting such agreement or document.
10.9
Assignment. No
party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or
obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other parties.
Subject to the first sentence of this Section 10.9, this Agreement shall be
binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and permitted assigns.
10.10
Amendment. This
Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto at any time by execution of an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties.
10.11
Extension;
Waiver. At any time prior to the Closing, any party hereto
may, to the extent legally allowed, (i) extend the time for the performance of
any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties hereto, (ii) waive any
inaccuracies in the representations and warranties made to such party contained
herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (iii) waive compliance
with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained
herein. 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. Delay in exercising any right under this Agreement shall
not constitute a waiver of such right.
10.12
Arbitration. Any
disputes or claims arising under or in connection with this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereunder shall be resolved by binding arbitration.
Notice of a demand to arbitrate a dispute by either party shall be given in
writing to the other at their last known address. Arbitration shall be commenced
by the filing by a party of an arbitration demand with the American Arbitration
Association (“AAA”) in
its office in New York City, New York. The arbitration and resolution of the
dispute shall be resolved by a single arbitrator appointed by the AAA pursuant
to AAA rules. The arbitration shall in all respects be governed and conducted by
applicable AAA rules, and any award and/or decision shall be conclusive and
binding on the parties. The arbitration shall be conducted in New York City or
such other place as the parties shall agree. The arbitrator shall supply a
written opinion supporting any award, and judgment may be entered on the award
in any court of competent jurisdiction. Each party shall pay its own fees and
expenses for the arbitration, except that any costs and charges imposed by the
AAA and any fees of the arbitrator for his services shall be assessed against
the losing party by the arbitrator. In the event that preliminary or permanent
injunctive relief is necessary or desirable in order to prevent a party from
acting contrary to this Agreement or to prevent irreparable harm prior to a
confirmation of an arbitration award, then either party
49
is
authorized and entitled to commence a lawsuit solely to obtain equitable relief
against the other pending the completion of the arbitration in a court having
jurisdiction over the parties. Each party hereby consents to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in the State of New York,
New York County, for such purpose. All rights and remedies of the parties shall
be cumulative and in addition to any other rights and remedies obtainable from
arbitration.
10.13
Waiver of Jury
Trial. Each of the parties hereto hereby waives any right it
may have to a trial by jury with respect to any action or dispute arising out of
or in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as
of the date first written above.
TRIPLECROWN
ACQUISTION CORP.
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
|
Name:
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
|
|
Title:
President
|
|
CULLEN
AGRICULTURAL HOLDING CORP.
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
Name:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
|
Title:
CEO
|
|
CAT
MERGER SUB, INC.
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
|
Name:
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
|
|
Title:
CEO
|
|
CULLEN
AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
Name:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
|
Title:
CEO
|
|
CULLEN
INC HOLDINGS LIMITED
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
Name:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
|
Title:
Authorized
Signatory
|
50