EXECUTION COPY
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
1. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BLACKHAWK.......................... 1
1.1 Organization, Standing and Power, Capitalization
and Ownership of Blackhawk...................................... 1
1.2 Subsidiaries of Blackhawk....................................... 2
1.3 Authority....................................................... 3
1.4 Effect of Transaction, Records, Etc............................. 3
1.5 Financial Statements............................................ 4
1.6 Liabilities..................................................... 5
1.7 Absence of Changes.............................................. 5
1.8 Tax Matters..................................................... 7
1.9 Title to Assets; Necessary Properties........................... 8
1.10 Real Property Owned or Leased................................... 9
1.11 Trademark and Trade Names.......................................10
1.12 Insurance.......................................................10
1.13 Agreements, Etc.................................................10
1.14 Litigation, Etc.................................................11
1.15 Compliance; Governmental Authorizations.........................11
1.16 Preneed Contracts and Funds.....................................12
1.17 Labor Relations; Employees......................................12
1.18 Compensation....................................................13
1.19 Employee Benefit Matters........................................13
1.20 Business Generally..............................................15
1.21 Bank Accounts; Officers.........................................15
1.22 Insolvency......................................................15
1.23 Environmental Matters...........................................16
1.24 Firle Funeral Home..............................................17
1.25 Disclosures.....................................................17
1.26 Brokers and Advisors............................................17
2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLERS........................17
2.1 Ownership of Shares.............................................18
2.2 Title to Shares.................................................18
2.3 Authority.......................................................18
2.4 Effect of Transaction, Records, Etc.............................18
2.5 Brokers and Advisors............................................19
2.6 Claims on Blackhawk.............................................19
3. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND CERTAIN AGREEMENTS OF THE
PURCHASER AND GRIZZLY................................................19
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Section Page
3.1 Organization, Standing and Power................................19
3.2 Authority.......................................................19
3.3 Effect of Transaction, Records, Etc.............................19
3.4 Investment Representations......................................20
3.5 Brokers.........................................................20
3.6 No Knowledge of Misrepresentations or Omissions.................20
3.7 HSR Filing Matters..............................................20
3.8 Authorization; No Conflict..................................20
4. SALE OF SHARES; PRICE AND TERMS; ADJUSTMENTS.........................21
4.1 Closing Date....................................................21
4.2 Sale and Purchase...............................................21
4.3 Price...........................................................21
4.4 Terms of Payment................................................22
4.5 Method of Payment...............................................22
4.6 Post Closing Adjustment.........................................23
4.7 Payment of Post Closing Adjustment..............................23
5. CLOSING TRANSACTIONS.................................................24
5.1 Closing Obligations of the Sellers..............................24
5.2 Closing Obligations of the Purchaser............................25
6. OTHER AGREEMENTS AND COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES........................25
6.1 Operation of the Businesses of Blackhawk and the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries................................................... 25
6.2 Supplements.....................................................26
6.3 Regulatory Consents, Authorizations, Etc........................27
6.4 Negotiations with Others........................................27
6.5 Publicity.......................................................27
6.6 Confidentiality.................................................28
6.7 Restrictions on Transfer of Shares..............................29
6.8 Federal Trade Commission/Wages & Salaries.......................29
6.9 Application of Down Payment.....................................29
6.10 Deposit Trust Closing Expenses..................................31
6.11 Pre-Closing Cooperation.........................................31
6.12 Assistance in Financing.........................................32
6.13 No Liquidation..................................................32
6.14 Transactions with Affiliates....................................32
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Section Page
7. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE PURCHASER........................... 32
7.1 Representations and Warranties.................................. 33
7.2 Performance of Obligations of Blackhawk and the Sellers......... 34
7.3 No Litigation................................................... 34
7.4 Regulatory Consents, Authorizations, Etc........................ 35
7.5 Senior Indebtedness............................................. 35
7.6 Financing....................................................... 35
7.7 All Shares Sold................................................. 35
8. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE SELLERS............................. 35
8.1 Representations and Warranties.................................. 36
8.2 Performance of Obligations of the Purchaser..................... 36
8.3 No Litigation................................................... 36
8.4 Regulatory Consents, Authorizations, Etc........................ 36
9. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES........................... 36
9.1 Representations and Warranties of Blackhawk..................... 36
9.2 Representations and Warranties of the Sellers................... 36
9.3 Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser................. 37
9.4 Limitation of Recourse.......................................... 37
9.5 Acknowledgement by the Purchaser................................ 37
10. DEFINITIONS.......................................................... 37
11. MISCELLANEOUS........................................................ 40
11.1 Parties in Interest............................................ 40
11.2 Arbitration.................................................... 40
11.3 Choice of Law.................................................. 41
11.4 Termination.................................................... 41
11.5 Entire Agreement; Amendments................................... 42
11.6 Headings....................................................... 43
11.7 Currency....................................................... 43
11.8 Notices........................................................ 43
11.9 Further Assurances............................................. 45
11.10 No Third-Party Beneficiaries................................... 45
11.11 Waivers........................................................ 45
11.12 Knowledge...................................................... 45
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement"), dated as of June 14,
1996, by and among PRIME SUCCESSION, INC. ("Blackhawk"), the other individuals
or entities listed on the signature pages hereof (collectively, the "Sellers"),
THE XXXXXX GROUP INC. ("Grizzly") and BLACKHAWK ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware
corporation (the "Purchaser").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Sellers own in the aggregate (i) 129.03285 shares of common
stock, Class A, $0.01 par value per share ("Class A Common Stock"), of
Blackhawk, representing collectively 100.0% of the issued and outstanding
shares of Class A Common Stock, (ii) 900 shares of common stock, Class B, $0.01
par value per share ("Class B Common Stock" and collectively with the Class A
Common Stock, the "Common Stock"), of Blackhawk, representing collectively
100.0% of the issued and outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, and (iii)
1,957 shares of preferred stock, $1,000 par value per share ("Preferred
Stock"), of Blackhawk, representing collectively 100.0% of the issued and
outstanding Preferred Stock (all of the shares of Common Stock and of Preferred
Stock owned by the Sellers being hereinafter referred to as the "Shares");
WHEREAS, each of the Sellers respectively holds such number of Shares as
is set forth below such Seller's name on Schedule 1.1 hereto; and
WHEREAS, the Sellers wish to sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser
wishes to purchase from the Sellers, the Shares, upon the terms and subject to
the conditions set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements
and covenants hereinafter set forth, Blackhawk, the Sellers, Grizzly and the
Purchaser hereby agree as follows:
1. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BLACKHAWK
Blackhawk represents and warrants to the Purchaser as follows:
1.1 Organization, Standing and Power, Capitalization and Ownership of
Blackhawk. Blackhawk is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Blackhawk has all
requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its
properties, to carry on its business as it is now being conducted
and to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and all other agreements,
documents and instruments contemplated hereby. Blackhawk is duly qualified to
do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in all of the
states in which it is required so to qualify, except where the failure to so
qualify could not be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on
the business, operations or financial condition of Blackhawk. The authorized
capital stock of Blackhawk consists of (a) 142 shares of Class A Common Stock,
$0.01 par value per share, of which 129.03285 are issued and outstanding, (b)
900 shares of Class B Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which 900 are
issued and outstanding and (c) 1,957 shares of Preferred Stock, $1,000 par
value per share, of which 1,957 shares are issued and outstanding. No shares of
Common Stock or Preferred Stock are held in the treasury of Blackhawk. Schedule
1.1 sets forth a complete and accurate list of the shareholders of record of
Blackhawk and the number of shares owned by each shareholder. Except as set
forth in Schedule 1.1, Blackhawk is not a party to or bound by any options,
calls, contracts or commitments of any character relating to any issued or
unissued stock or any other equity security issued or to be issued by it. None
of the Shares was issued in violation of any preemptive rights binding on
Blackhawk.
1.2 Subsidiaries of Blackhawk. Except as set forth in Schedule 1.2, as of
the Closing Date, Blackhawk will own, directly or through one or more
wholly-owned subsidiaries, all of the outstanding capital stock of each of the
corporations listed in Schedule 1.2 (hereinafter referred to collectively as
the "Blackhawk Subsidiaries"). Schedule 1.2 sets forth an organizational chart
for the Blackhawk Subsidiaries and the legal name, registered office and
registered agent and state of incorporation of each Blackhawk Subsidiary. Each
Blackhawk Subsidiary is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the incorporation state indicated for each
Blackhawk Subsidiary in Schedule 1.2. Each Blackhawk Subsidiary is duly
qualified and in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in
which it is required so to qualify, except where the failure so to qualify
could not be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the
business, operations or financial condition of such Blackhawk Subsidiary, and
each has full corporate power and authority to carry on the business in which
it is now engaged. Schedule 1.2 also sets forth for each Blackhawk Subsidiary
the name and business address of each funeral home, cemetery and/or other
related businesses owned or operated by the particular Blackhawk Subsidiary.
The Articles of Incorporation or corporate charters of the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries and all amendments thereto, certified by the Secretary of State of
the state in which each is incorporated, a certificate of good standing, or
similar certificate, dated and certified within 30 days of the Closing Date by
the Secretary of State for each Blackhawk Subsidiary, and a copy of each
Blackhawk Subsidiary's Bylaws or Code of Regulations, as amended to date,
certified by the appropriate recording officers of each, will be delivered to
the Purchaser prior to or at the Closing. Except as set forth in Schedule 1.2,
Blackhawk and the Blackhawk Subsidiaries do not own, directly or indirectly,
any material interest in the capital stock of any other corporation,
association, trust or similar entity, any interest in the equity of any
partnership or similar entity, any share in any joint venture, or any other
equity
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or proprietary interest in any entity or enterprise, however organized and
however such interest may be denominated or evidenced. Schedule 1.2 accurately
sets forth the capitalization and ownership, and the issued and outstanding
capital stock, of each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries. All of the outstanding
capital stock of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries is duly authorized and validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable. None of the shares of capital stock of
the Blackhawk Subsidiaries were issued in violation of any preemptive rights
binding on the Blackhawk Subsidiaries. There are no issued or outstanding
shares of any class of capital stock of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries other than
those set forth in Schedule 1.2. Between the date hereof and the Closing,
Blackhawk will cause each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries not to issue, sell or
purchase, or agree to issue, sell or purchase, any shares of common stock or
any other security of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries (including, without
limitation, any option, right or warrant to purchase any common stock or any
other security of such entity) to any person or entity other than Blackhawk or
a Blackhawk Subsidiary, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser.
Except as disclosed in Schedule 1.2, none of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries has
outstanding, or has agreed to issue or sell, any options, rights, warrants,
calls or other commitments (either in the form of convertible securities or
otherwise) pursuant to which the holder thereof has or will or may have the
right to purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of stock or any other
security of Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries. No person, firm,
corporation or other entity owns or controls capital stock of the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries, except as set forth in Schedule 1.2.
1.3 Authority. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the other agreements, documents and instruments contemplated hereby by
Blackhawk have been duly and validly authorized by Blackhawk's Board of
Directors. This Agreement and all other agreements, documents and instruments
contemplated hereby to be signed by Blackhawk constitute, or upon execution and
delivery will constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of Blackhawk
enforceable against Blackhawk in accordance with their respective terms,
subject to applicable laws of bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting
creditors' rights generally and the application of general rules of equity.
1.4 Effect of Transaction, Records, Etc. Except as set forth in Schedule
1.4, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any other
agreement, document or instrument contemplated hereby, nor the consummation by
Blackhawk and the Sellers of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby,
nor the compliance by Blackhawk and the Sellers with any of the provisions
hereof or thereof, do or will: (a) conflict with or result in a breach of the
Articles of Incorporation or charter papers or Bylaws or Code of Regulations or
other organizational documents of Blackhawk, any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries
or, with respect to the Sellers that are corporations or other business
entities, of such Sellers; (b) violate in any material respect any statute,
law, rule or regulation or any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court
or governmental authority to which Blackhawk, any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries
or any of the Sellers is subject; or (c) violate or conflict with in any
material respect or constitute a material default under (or give rise to any
right of termination,
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cancellation or acceleration under) any material agreement or any writing of
any nature to which Blackhawk, any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries or any of the
Sellers is a party or by which any of their respective assets or properties may
be bound, which agreement or writing will not be terminated on or before the
Closing Date. Except as set forth on Schedule 1.4 hereto, no consent or
approval of or notification to any governmental authority by Blackhawk, any of
the Sellers or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries is required for the execution
and delivery by Blackhawk and the Sellers of this Agreement or any other
agreement, document or instrument relating hereto, or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. Neither Blackhawk nor any of the
Blackhawk Subsidiaries is in default in the performance, observance or
fulfillment of any of the terms or conditions of their respective Articles of
Incorporation or charter papers or Bylaws or Code of Regulations. The minute
and stock record books of Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries,
true and complete copies of which have been delivered to the Purchaser, contain
complete and accurate records of all meetings and other corporate actions of
the shareholders and Boards of Directors of Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries and all transactions with respect to the capital stock of
Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries, as of the date hereof.
1.5 Financial Statements. Blackhawk has delivered to the Purchaser true
and complete copies of (i) the consolidated balance sheets of Blackhawk as at
the close of each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994,
together with related consolidated statements of operations and retained
earnings, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the years then ended
(collectively, the "Prior Audited Financials"), in each case certified by Ernst
& Young LLP, independent certified public accountants, (ii) the consolidated
balance sheet of Blackhawk as at December 31, 1995, (the "December Audited
Balance Sheet"), together with related consolidated statements of operations
and retained earnings, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the year then
ended (the "December Audited Income Statement" and collectively with the
December Audited Balance Sheet, the "December Audited Financials"), in each
case certified by Ernst & Young LLP, independent certified public accountants,
and (iii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Blackhawk as at March 31,
1996, together with related consolidated statements of operations and retained
earnings, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the quarter then ended (the
"March Unaudited Financials").
The Prior Audited Financials, the December Audited Financials and
the March Unaudited Financials are attached hereto as Schedule 1.5. The Prior
Audited Financials, the December Audited Financials and the March Unaudited
Financials (i) were prepared in accordance with the books of account and other
financial records of Blackhawk and the Blackhawk Subsidiaries and (ii) present
fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position and results
of operation of Blackhawk and the Blackhawk Subsidiaries as at the dates
thereof or for the periods covered thereby in accordance with generally
accepted
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accounting principles, applied on a basis consistent with the past practices of
Blackhawk, subject, in the case of the March Unaudited Financials, to normal
year-end adjustments.
1.6 Liabilities. At the date of the December Audited Balance Sheet,
Blackhawk and the Blackhawk Subsidiaries did not have material liabilities,
taxes or obligations of any nature, fixed or contingent, matured or unmatured,
which were not recorded on the December Audited Balance Sheet and at the
Closing, Blackhawk and the Blackhawk Subsidiaries will not have material
liabilities, taxes or obligations of any nature, fixed or contingent, matured
or unmatured, which will not be recorded on the Closing Balance Sheet, or
disclosed in the Schedules to this Agreement. For purpose of this paragraph, a
liability shall be deemed material if it involves an obligation in excess of
$50,000.
1.7 Absence of Changes. Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 1.7
hereto, since December 31, 1995, Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries have been operated only in the ordinary course of business,
consistent with past practices (including the formation of new Blackhawk
Subsidiaries and the acquisition by Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries of new funeral home, cemetery or other related businesses), and
there has not been:
(a) any materially adverse change in the condition,
financial or otherwise, of the assets, liabilities, earnings, book value,
businesses or prospects of Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries;
(b) any damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by
insurance, adversely affecting the businesses or assets of Blackhawk or
any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries;
(c) the incurrence of any material obligation or liability
(whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to
become due), affecting Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries
(including any new indebtedness for borrowed money), other than
obligations or liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practices;
(d) any strike or work stoppage affecting Blackhawk or any of
the Blackhawk Subsidiaries;
(e) the adoption of any statute, rule, regulation or order which
materially and adversely affects the businesses or assets of Blackhawk or
any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries;
(f) any sale, transfer or other disposition of any assets of
Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries having a value with respect
to any single asset in excess of
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$25,000 or an aggregate value as to all such assets in excess of
$1,000,000 to any party, except for payments of third party obligations
incurred in the ordinary course of business in accordance with the regular
payment practices of Blackhawk and the Blackhawk Subsidiaries,
dispositions of surplus or used equipment, or other dispositions in the
ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices;
(g) any termination or waiver of any material rights of value to
Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries;
(h) any increase in the aggregate compensation of the employees
of Blackhawk or any Blackhawk Subsidiary, including, without limitation,
any increase pursuant to any bonus, pension, profit sharing or other plan
or commitment other than those increases occurring pursuant to the terms
of the Plans;
(i) any expenditure or commitment in excess of $50,000 for
acquisitions, additions to or replacements of property, plant or equipment
of Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries;
(j) any forward purchase commitments by Blackhawk or any of the
Blackhawk Subsidiaries, or to which any of them may be obligated,
involving more than $50,000 from any one supplier, except as necessary to
fulfill the normal and ordinary inventory and operational requirements of
Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries, consistent with past
practices;
(k) any change in the accounting methods or practices followed by
Blackhawk;
(l) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or
other distribution in respect of the capital stock of Blackhawk or any non
wholly-owned Blackhawk Subsidiary to any person or entity that is not
Blackhawk or a Blackhawk Subsidiary or the transfer of any shares of
capital stock of any Blackhawk Subsidiary (or any entity that was a
subsidiary of Blackhawk immediately prior to such transfer) held by
Blackhawk or any Blackhawk Subsidiary (other than to Blackhawk or another
Blackhawk Subsidiary);
(m) any amendment to the articles or certificate of
incorporation or by-laws or other charter or organizational documents of
Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries;
(n) any material change in the method of conducting the business
of Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries (for purposes of the
foregoing, any changes in preneed sales techniques or practices or funding
arrangements for preneed
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products or in investment strategies with respect to preneed trust funds
(other than such changes required by applicable law) will be deemed to be
material); and
(o) any event which would permit any third party to demand
repayment of any indebtedness of Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries prior to its normal maturity date.
1.8 Tax Matters. Except as set forth in Schedule 1.8:
(a) To the best knowledge of Blackhawk, all federal, state, local
and foreign tax returns and tax reports required to be filed with respect to
the businesses and assets of Blackhawk and any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries
have been filed with the appropriate governmental agencies in all jurisdictions
in which such returns and reports are required to be filed, or will be timely
filed by Blackhawk and the appropriate Blackhawk Subsidiary. To the best
knowledge of Blackhawk, all of the foregoing tax returns and reports were, or
will be, prepared in the manner required under applicable law and regulation
and are, or will be true, correct and complete in all respects, and all amounts
shown as owing thereon have been or will be paid with such returns or reports.
Blackhawk has made or prior to Closing will make available to the Purchaser
true and complete copies of all the respective federal, state, local and
foreign income, franchise, sales, employment and use, real estate and personal
property tax returns for Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries for
each of the four years ended December 31, 1992, December 31, 1993, December 31,
1994 and December 31, 1995, respectively, and all such federal, state, local
and foreign income, franchise, sales, employment and use, real estate and
personal property tax returns filed prior to Closing which include Blackhawk or
any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries with respect to periods ending after December
31, 1995 and prior to Closing.
(b) To the best knowledge of Blackhawk, there is no actual or
threatened dispute or disagreement with any international, federal, state or
local revenue authority or agency regarding liability or potential liability
for any tax in which an adverse determination could be reasonably expected to
have a material adverse effect on the business, operations or financial
condition of Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries. Blackhawk will
have made available to the Purchaser true and complete copies of any and all
existing Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") audit reports and revenue agent's
reports which have been delivered to Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries and any and all existing determination letters, private letter
rulings, consents and closing agreements obtained from or filed with the IRS
for each of the four years ended December 31, 1992, December 31, 1993, December
31, 1994 and December 31, 1995, respectively, relating to Blackhawk or any of
the Blackhawk Subsidiaries and all related settlement documents and
correspondence. To the best knowledge of Blackhawk, no unsettled claim for tax,
assessment, fee, levy or other governmental charge of any nature for which
Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries is presently or may become
liable exists or has been threatened and there is no
7
valid basis for any such claim. No agreement which is now in effect has been
made with respect to Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries for the
waiver of any statute of limitations or the extension of time for the
assessment of any tax, assessment, fee, levy or other governmental charge of
any nature. Neither Blackhawk nor any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries has agreed
to, or is required to, make any adjustments under Section 481(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the "Code") by reason of a change
in a method of accounting or otherwise.
(c) To the best knowledge of Blackhawk, all federal, state, local
and foreign income, profits, franchise, gross receipts, sales, use, occupation,
property, excise, payroll, withholding and other taxes, duties or imports,
including interest, penalties and additions thereto (collectively, "Taxes")
shown on the tax returns referred to in Section 1.8(a) above as being owed by
Blackhawk or a Blackhawk Subsidiary were fully and duly paid when due, and all
Taxes due prior to the Closing Date will have been fully and duly paid when
due, and there is no further material liability of Blackhawk or any of the
Blackhawk Subsidiaries for Taxes, except as shall be adequately reserved for in
the Closing Balance Sheet.
(d) Neither Blackhawk nor any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries has
entered into or is bound by any Tax sharing or similar agreement. Blackhawk is
not and has never been a United States real property holding company for
purposes of Section 1445 of the Code.
(e) For purposes of this paragraph 1.8, "material" shall mean
only those matters in excess of $50,000.
1.9 Title to Assets; Necessary Properties. Except as set forth in Schedule
1.9, Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries have, and as of the
Closing Date will have, (a) good and marketable title to all the real property
indicated on the December Audited Balance Sheet and the Closing Balance Sheet,
respectively, as being owned by Blackhawk or a Blackhawk Subsidiary; and (b)
good and marketable title to the tangible personal property included or to be
included on the December Audited Balance Sheet and the Closing Balance Sheet,
respectively, free and clear of all property interests, liens, pledges, claims,
charges, escrows, encumbrances, options, rights of first refusal, mortgages,
indentures, easements, licenses, security agreements or other agreements,
arrangements, contracts, commitments or obligations (collectively, the
"Encumbrances"), except for (i) Encumbrances specifically described in Schedule
1.9 to this Agreement, (ii) statutory liens for taxes or other governmental
charges with respect to owned real property of Blackhawk and the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries not yet due and payable or the amount or validity of which is
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings by Blackhawk, and with
respect to which all reserves required by generally accepted accounting
principles have been established, (iii) mechanics, carriers, workers, repairers
and similar statutory liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of
business for amounts which are not delinquent and are not in excess of $20,000
in the case of a single property and $75,000 in the aggregate and (iv)
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minor survey exceptions, reciprocal easement agreements and other customary
encumbrances on title to real property that (x) were not incurred in connection
with any indebtedness, (y) do not render title to the property encumbered
thereby unmarketable and (z) do not, individually or in the aggregate,
materially impair the use, for its current and anticipated purposes, or value
of such owned real property. Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries
have all of the properties, assets and rights which are necessary to carry on
their respective businesses as presently conducted.
1.10 Real Property Owned or Leased.
(a) Schedule 1.10 contains a list and brief description of all
real estate used in the operation of Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries. For each parcel of real estate listed, the Schedule indicates
whether the real estate is owned by Blackhawk or a Blackhawk Subsidiary or
leased by Blackhawk or a Blackhawk Subsidiary as tenant or landlord, the
purpose to which such property is being employed and, in the case of any such
property which is leased, the termination date or notice requirement with
respect to termination, annual rental and renewal or purchase options and any
provisions limiting the assignability thereof. All of such real estate and the
improvements thereon are, to the best knowledge of Blackhawk, in reasonably
good condition and working order.
(b) With respect to real estate owned, each of Blackhawk and the
Blackhawk Subsidiaries has good and marketable title in fee simple to, and owns
all improvements (including buildings and other structures) on, the real estate
owned by it, subject only to those Encumbrances, if any, listed in Schedule
1.9. To the best of Blackhawk's knowledge, there are no defaults or disputes
relating to said Encumbrances. As of the Closing Date, with respect to real
estate leased, and except as set forth in Schedule 1.10, (i) all such leases
are in full force and effect and constitute valid and binding obligations of
the respective parties thereto, (ii) there has not been and there currently is
not any default thereunder by any party, (iii) no event has occurred which
(whether with or without notice, lapse of time or the happening or occurrence
of any other event) would constitute a default thereunder entitling the
landlord to terminate the lease and (iv) the continuation, validity and
effectiveness of all such leases under the current rentals and other current
material terms thereof will in no way be affected by the sale and transfer of
the Shares by the Sellers to the Purchaser under this Agreement. Blackhawk has
made available to the Purchaser true and complete copies of all leases referred
to in said Schedule 1.10. To the best knowledge of Blackhawk, the improvements
on such real estate conform with all applicable federal, state and local laws
and regulations and the properties are zoned for the various purposes for which
such real estate is currently being used (other than permissible prior
non-conforming uses), or variances from such zoning ordinances have been
granted.
(c) Blackhawk has, or prior to the Closing Date will have (i)
preliminary title reports for owner's polices of title insurance for all
parcels of real property specified in
9
Schedule 1.10(c) (the "Properties"), from Chicago Title & Trust Co. (the "Title
Company"), along with copies of all documents and instruments reflecting items
noted as exceptions to title (collectively the "Preliminary Reports"), (ii)
ALTA Surveys of the Properties in form and substance acceptable to the
Purchaser and otherwise sufficient to enable the Title Company to delete from
the Policies the so-called standard exception for matters disclosed by an
accurate survey of the Properties (collectively, the "Surveys") and (iii), for
each of the Properties, an ALTA Extended Owner's Form B Policy of Title
Insurance or its equivalent from the Title Company (collectively, the
"Policies"), insuring that fee simple title to each of the Properties is vested
in Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries, as the case may be, such
insurance to be in an amount reasonably determined by the Purchaser.
1.11 Trademark and Trade Names. Blackhawk or one of the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries, as the case may be, owns or has the right to use all the
trademarks and trade names which are used in the operation of the business of
Blackhawk and the Blackhawk Subsidiaries in their respective trade areas (a
true and complete list of which is included in Schedule 1.11), and, with
respect to all trademarks and trade names owned by it and to its best
knowledge, has the right to bring actions for the infringement thereof.
1.12 Insurance. Except as set forth in Schedule 1.12, Blackhawk maintains
in effect insurance covering Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries
in an amount (a) believed by Blackhawk to be adequate and (b) customary for
businesses of the kind engaged in by Blackhawk and the Blackhawk Subsidiaries
in the same geographical areas where such businesses are located, and such
insurance coverage shall be maintained by Blackhawk through the Closing Date.
Schedule 1.12 includes a list of all policies of insurance maintained with
respect to Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries, true and complete
copies of which have been provided to the Purchaser. Between now and the
Closing Date, Blackhawk shall furnish to the Purchaser and its agents such
additional information as the Purchaser shall reasonably request regarding such
insurance.
1.13 Agreements, Etc. Schedule 1.13 contains a list and brief description
of the following written contracts, agreements and other instruments relating
to Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries: (a) contract with or
commitment to any labor union; (b) contract involving more than $50,000 in any
instance for the future purchase of materials, supplies, equipment or services;
(c) profit sharing, bonus, incentive, stock option, pension, retirement,
employee stock purchase, health, dental, hospitalization, insurance or similar
plan, agreement or policy, formal or informal, providing benefits to any
current or former director, officer, shareholder or employee of Blackhawk or
any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries; (d) indenture, mortgage, promissory note,
loan agreement, guarantee or other agreement or commitment for the borrowing of
money, for a line of credit or for a leasing transaction required to be
capitalized in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
13 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board; (e) contract or commitment for
expenditures, or letter of intent with respect thereto, involving more than
$50,000 in any
10
instance; (f) guaranty of the obligations of a third party (other than
guaranties by Blackhawk of the obligations of a Blackhawk Subsidiary or vice
versa); (g) agreement which restricts or regulates Blackhawk or any of the
Blackhawk Subsidiaries with respect to its doing business anywhere in the
world; (h) agreement or arrangement for the sale of any of the assets, property
or rights of Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries outside the
ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, or requiring the
consent of any party to the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby; (i) any acquisition or similar agreement pursuant to which Blackhawk
acquired or will acquire prior to the Closing any of the businesses of the
Blackhawk Subsidiaries; and (j) any noncompete or consulting agreement
benefitting Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries. Each of Blackhawk
and the Blackhawk Subsidiaries has performed all the obligations required to be
performed by it to date except for any non-performance that could not
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business,
operations or financial condition of Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries. Except as set forth on Schedule 1.13, each of Blackhawk and the
Blackhawk Subsidiaries is not in material default or alleged to be in default
in any respect under any agreement, lease, contract, commitment, instrument or
obligation required to be listed in Schedule 1.13 to this Agreement, and there
exists no event, condition or occurrence which, after notice or lapse of time,
or both, would constitute such a material default by it of any of the
foregoing. Except as otherwise indicated in Schedule 1.13, the continuation,
validity and effectiveness of each item on such Schedule under the current
material terms thereof will in no way be adversely affected by the transfer of
the Shares to the Purchaser under this Agreement. True and complete copies of
all written agreements and written summaries of all oral agreements described
in Schedule 1.13 have been provided to the Purchaser by Blackhawk. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as set forth on Schedule 1.13,
the sale to the Purchaser of the Shares will not give rise to any right of any
third party to rescind, avoid or repudiate any agreement or arrangement (which
will not be terminated as of the Closing Date) listed in Schedule 1.13 to which
Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries is a party.
1.14 Litigation, Etc. Except as set forth in Schedule 1.14, 1.15 or 1.17,
there are no actions, suits, claims, investigations or legal or administrative
or arbitration proceedings, foreign or domestic, pending or, to the best of the
knowledge of Blackhawk, threatened against Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries, whether at law or in equity, or before or by any international,
federal, state, municipal or other governmental instrumentality. To the best of
Blackhawk's knowledge, there exists no reasonable basis for litigation against
Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries that is not adequately insured,
or in which an adverse determination could be reasonably expected to have a
material adverse effect on the business, operations or financial condition of
Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries.
1.15 Compliance; Governmental Authorizations. Except as set forth in
Schedule 1.15, Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries are in
compliance with all applicable
11
federal, state, local or foreign laws, ordinances, regulations, treaties and
orders including, for example, matters relating to the environment,
anticompetitive practices, discrimination, trusting of prepaid and preneed
funeral and burial contract funds, disclosure of funeral prices, employment,
health and safety, except when such non-compliance could not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, operations or
financial condition of Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries.
Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries have all material federal,
state, local and foreign governmental operating licenses and permits necessary
to conduct their respective businesses in the manner presently conducted, and
such operating licenses and permits are in full force and effect, and no
violations are or have been recorded in respect of any thereof, and no
proceeding is pending or, to the best of Blackhawk's knowledge, threatened, to
revoke or limit any thereof.
1.16 Preneed Contracts and Funds. Except as set forth in Schedule 1.16,
(a) all monies ("Preneed Funds") paid to Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries in respect of prearranged or prepaid funeral, burial, merchandise,
cremation or cemetery arrangements or contracts ("Preneed Contracts")
(including, but not limited to, amounts recorded for deferred merchandise and
service liabilities and revenues) have been properly accounted for and
administered as required by applicable state laws and regulations, and, in the
case of insurance-funded Preneed Contracts, been properly and duly paid over to
insurance carriers (less applicable insurance commissions); (b) all accounts,
deposits and trusts of Preneed Funds, and the amounts thereof, are presently
held and administered in compliance in all material respects with all
applicable state laws and regulations (and the corpus of each such trust,
except as so scheduled, will equal, as of the Closing Date (or, if the Closing
Date is not a date as of which the adequacy of such trust corpus is measured
for purposes of applicable law, treating the Closing Date as though it were the
next day as of which the adequacy of such trust corpus is so measured, provided
that such measurement date would not otherwise be later than the date of the
first anniversary of the date hereof), that required by the applicable state
laws); (c) all withdrawals from accounts, deposits and trusts of Preneed Funds
by Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries have been made in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable state laws and
regulations; (d) Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries have complied
in all material respects with all requirements of federal, state and local tax
laws and regulations with regard to the reporting of income and interest earned
by Preneed Funds and, if required, the payment of taxes thereon; (e) Blackhawk
and each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects
with the terms and conditions of all Preneed Contracts to which they are
parties and are not aware, of any default or allegation of default against any
of them thereunder; and (f) all commissions collected on behalf of commissioned
salespeople in respect of the Preneed Contracts have been paid in the normal
course of business, consistent with past practices.
1.17 Labor Relations; Employees. Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries have generally enjoyed a good employer-employee relationship with
their employees. To the
12
best knowledge of Blackhawk, Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries
are in compliance with all federal, state, local and foreign laws and
regulations respecting employment and employment practices, terms and
conditions of employment and wages and hours, except for any non-compliance
that could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the
business, operations or financial condition of Blackhawk or any of the
Blackhawk Subsidiaries. Except as listed in Schedule 1.17, no unfair labor
practice complaint against Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries has
come to the attention of Blackhawk and there is no claim pending against
Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries before the National Labor
Relations Board or any other governmental agency. There are no strikes,
disputes, slowdowns or stoppages pending or, to the best knowledge of
Blackhawk, threatened, against or involving Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries, and none has occurred within the past three years. No
representation question exists with respect to the employees of Blackhawk or
any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries. Neither Blackhawk nor any of the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries is a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other labor
union contract, and no collective bargaining agreement or other labor union
contract is currently being negotiated by Blackhawk or any Blackhawk
Subsidiary. Except as listed in Schedule 1.17, no grievance or arbitration
proceeding is pending before any court or governmental agency relating to any
of the employees of Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries.
1.18 Compensation. Blackhawk has previously furnished to the Purchaser a
complete and accurate list of all current officers, employees and consultants
of Blackhawk or the Blackhawk Subsidiaries who, in the calendar years 1995 or
1996, have received or are expected to receive aggregate remuneration in excess
of $70,000 from Blackhawk or any Blackhawk Subsidiary, together with the
current job title and aggregate remuneration rate (bonus and salary) for each
such person, a copy of which is attached hereto as Schedule 1.18.
1.19 Employee Benefit Matters.
(a) Schedule 1.19 lists (i) all employee benefit plans (as
defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended ("ERISA")) and all bonus, stock option, stock purchase, restricted
stock, incentive, deferred compensation, retiree medical or life insurance,
supplemental retirement, severance or other material benefit plans, or
programs, and all employment, termination, severance or other similar contracts
or agreements to which Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries is a
party, with respect to which Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries has
any obligation or which are maintained, contributed to or sponsored by
Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries for the benefit of any current
or former employee, officer, director or consultant of Blackhawk or any of the
Blackhawk Subsidiaries, (ii) any contracts or agreements between the Sellers or
any of their Affiliates and any employee of Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, any contracts or agreements
relating to
13
the sale of Blackhawk and (iii) any contract or agreement pursuant to which
labor services are provided to Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries
(collectively, the "Plans"). The Sellers have furnished or made available to
the Purchaser a complete and accurate copy of each Plan and (i) a copy of each
trust or other funding arrangement, (ii) each summary plan description and
summary of material modifications, (iii) the most recently filed IRS Form 5500,
(iv) the most recently received IRS determination letter for each such Plan,
and (v) the most recently prepared actuarial report and financial statement in
connection with each such Plan. Except as provided in the Plans, Blackhawk and
any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries have no express or implied commitment (i) to
create or incur material liability with respect to or cause to exist any other
material employee benefit plan, program or agreement, (ii) to enter into any
contract or agreement to provide material compensation or benefits to any
individual other than in the ordinary course, consistent with its or their past
practice, or to make material changes in staffing levels, or (iii) to modify,
change or terminate any Plan, other than with respect to a modification, change
or termination required by ERISA or the Code or in the normal course.
(b) None of the Plans is a multiemployer plan (within the meaning
of Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA or a single employer pension plan
(within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA) for which Blackhawk or any
of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries could incur liability under Section 4063 or 4064
of ERISA. Except as set forth and described in all material respects in
Schedule 1.19, none of the Plans provides for the payment of separation,
severance, termination or similar-type benefits to any Person or obligates
Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries to pay separation, severance,
termination or similar-type benefits solely as a result of any transaction
contemplated by this Agreement or as a result of a "change in control," within
the meaning of such term under Section 280G of the Code. Except as set forth in
Schedule 1.19, none of the Plans provides for or promises retiree medical,
disability or life insurance benefits to any current or former employee,
officer or director of Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries. To the
best knowledge of Blackhawk, each of the Plans is subject only to the laws of
the United States of America or a political subdivision thereof.
(c) Each Plan is now and always has been operated in all material
respects in accordance with the requirements of all applicable law, including,
without limitation, ERISA and the Code, and all persons who participate in the
operation of such Plans and all Plan "fiduciaries" (within the meaning of
Section 3(21) of ERISA) have always acted in all material respects in
accordance with the provisions of all applicable law, including, without
limitation, ERISA and the Code. Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries have performed all material obligations required to be performed
by it under, is not in default under or in violation of, and Blackhawk has no
knowledge of any material default or violation by any party to, any Plan. No
legal action, suit or claim is pending or, to the knowledge of Blackhawk,
threatened with respect to any Plan (other than claims for benefits
14
in the ordinary course) and no fact or event exists that could give rise to any
such action, suit or claim.
(d) Each Plan which is intended to be qualified under Section
401(a) of the Code has received or has timely requested a favorable
determination letter from the IRS covering the provisions of the Tax Reform Act
of 1986 that it is so qualified, and no fact or event has occurred since the
date of such determination letter from the IRS to adversely affect the
qualified status of any such Plan.
(e) Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries have not
incurred any material liability for any penalty or tax arising under Section
4971, 4972, 4975, 4980, 4980B or 6652 of the Code or any liability under
Section 502 of ERISA, and Blackhawk has no knowledge of any fact or event which
could be reasonably expected to give rise to any such liability. Except as set
forth on Schedule 1.19, no complete or partial termination has occurred within
the five years preceding the date hereof with respect to any Plan. Blackhawk
and each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries have not incurred nor are they
reasonably likely to incur any liability under Section 4069 or 4212(c) of Title
IV of ERISA.
(f) All contributions, premiums or payments required to be made
with respect to any Plan have been made on or before their due dates. All such
contributions have been fully deducted for income tax purposes and no such
deduction has been challenged or disallowed by any government entity, and
Blackhawk has no knowledge of any fact or event which could give rise to any
such challenge or disallowance.
1.20 Business Generally. Except as disclosed in Schedule 1.20, since
December 31, 1995, there has been no event, transaction or information which
has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
the business, operations or financial condition of Blackhawk and the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
1.21 Bank Accounts; Officers. Schedule 1.21 is a list of all bank accounts
and safe deposit boxes in the name of or controlled by Blackhawk or a Blackhawk
Subsidiary, and details about the persons having access thereto. Schedule 1.21
also contains a list of all officers and directors of Blackhawk and all
officers and directors of any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries.
1.22 Insolvency.
(a) No receiver has been appointed for the whole or any part of
the assets or business of Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries.
(b) No petition has been presented, no order has been made and no
resolution has been passed for the winding-up of Blackhawk or any of the
Blackhawk Subsidiaries.
15
(c) No unsatisfied judgment is outstanding against Blackhawk or
any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries.
1.23 Environmental Matters.
(a) Except as set forth in Schedule 1.23, Blackhawk and each of
the Blackhawk Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all
federal, state and local environmental and occupational health and safety laws
and regulations that may pertain to their operations (collectively, the
"Environmental Laws"), including, but not limited to, the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act ("RCRA"), as amended, the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA"), as amended, the
Occupational Health and Safety Act ("OSHA"), as amended, and the regulations
promulgated pursuant thereto.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as
set forth in Schedule 1.23 and except as would not reasonably be expected to
give rise to a material adverse effect on the business, operations or financial
condition of Blackhawk and the Blackhawk Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(i) no hazardous waste or hazardous substance, as those terms are
defined by RCRA and CERCLA, respectively, have been disposed of by
Blackhawk, or, to the best knowledge of Blackhawk, by any other person or
entity, in violation of any Environmental Law on any real property owned,
leased or operated by Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries;
(ii) no polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are or were located on
any real property owned, leased or operated by Blackhawk or any of the
Blackhawk Subsidiaries, whether in electrical transformers or elsewhere,
at any time;
(iii) no storage tanks, whether underground or otherwise,
containing petroleum, petroleum fractions, hazardous substances or
hazardous wastes, are or were located on any of the real property owned,
leased or operated by Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries at
any time; and
(iv) no asbestos is or was located in any building on any of the
real property owned, leased or operated by Blackhawk or any of the
Blackhawk Subsidiaries at any time.
(c) Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries have
obtained and maintained and are in compliance with all permits issued by
environmental or health administrative agencies that are required with respect
to their respective operations.
16
(d) Blackhawk has made available to the Purchaser all reports of
any health or environmental studies or investigations in the possession or
under the control of Blackhawk, any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries or any of the
Sellers that have been conducted in connection with the real property owned,
leased or operated by Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries.
(e) Blackhawk has heretofore obtained from Conestoga Rovers &
Associates, U.S. Environmental Group, Inc. or Midwest Environmental
Consultants, Inc. a Phase I environmental report with respect to each parcel of
real property owned or leased by Blackhawk and the Blackhawk Subsidiaries set
forth on Schedule 1.23(e) (the "Environmental Reports"). The cost of such
Environmental Reports, copies of which have been made available to the
Purchaser, shall be borne by the Purchaser.
1.24 Firle Funeral Home. The acquisition of the Firle Funeral Home was
completed by Blackhawk prior to April 30, 1996, and was fully reflected on the
April 30 trial balance sheet previously made available to the Purchaser, and,
as of April 30, 1996, there were no remaining purchase price payment
obligations to the seller thereof in connection with such acquisition (it being
understood that Blackhawk or a Blackhawk Subsidiary has ongoing payment
obligations with respect to noncompete agreements entered into in connection
therewith).
1.25 Disclosures. No representation or warranty by Blackhawk contained in
this Agreement, and no statement contained in any certificate, Schedule,
Exhibit, list or other writing furnished to the Purchaser in connection with
this transaction, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained
herein or therein not misleading. All copies of all writings furnished to the
Purchaser hereunder or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby
are true and complete in all material respects. All Schedules to this Agreement
prepared by or on behalf of Blackhawk or the Sellers are true and complete in
all material respects.
1.26 Brokers and Advisors. No action taken by Blackhawk or any Blackhawk
Subsidiary in connection with or in furtherance of the transactions
contemplated hereby has or shall cause any of Blackhawk, any of the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries, the Purchaser or such Seller to be subject to any claim against
it for a brokerage commission, finder's fee, consulting fee, advisory fee or
other like payment.
2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLERS
Each of the Sellers hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser
severally as to itself, herself or himself and not jointly as to Sections 2.2,
2.3, 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6 below, jointly and severally as to Section 2.1(a) below
and on a pro rata basis (based on the percentages set
17
forth opposite each such Seller's name on Schedule 4.6(e) hereto) as to Section
2.1(b) below, as follows:
2.1 Ownership of Shares.
(a) The Shares constitute all the issued and outstanding shares
of capital stock of Blackhawk.
(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 1.2, as of the Closing Date
Blackhawk will own, directly or through one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries,
all of the outstanding capital stock of each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries.
2.2 Title to Shares. As of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date,
each of the Sellers has and will have good and valid title to the Shares
indicated as being owned by him, her or it in Schedule 1.1, free and clear of
all liens, encumbrances, equities and claims whatsoever. Except as set forth in
Schedule 1.1, each Seller represents and warrants that, as of the date hereof
and as of the Closing Date, there are and there will be no restrictions
whatsoever against the transfer of his, hers or its Shares to the Purchaser.
2.3 Authority. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the other agreements, documents and instruments contemplated hereby by each
of the Sellers have been duly and validly authorized by all requisite action on
the part of such Seller. This Agreement and all other agreements, documents and
instruments contemplated hereby to be signed by each of the Sellers constitute,
or upon execution and delivery thereof will constitute, legal, valid and
binding obligations of each Seller enforceable in accordance with their
respective terms, subject to applicable laws of bankruptcy, insolvency and
similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and the application of
general rules of equity.
2.4 Effect of Transaction, Records, Etc. Except as set forth on Schedule
2.4, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any other
agreement, document or instrument contemplated hereby, nor the consummation by
each Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, nor the
compliance by such Seller with any of the provisions hereof or thereof, do or
will: (a) with respect to any Seller that is a corporation or other business
entity, conflict with or result in a breach of the Articles of Incorporation or
charter papers or Bylaws or Code of Regulations or other organizational
documents of such Seller; (b) violate any material statute, law, rule or
regulation or any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or
governmental authority to which such Seller is subject; or (c) materially
violate or conflict with or constitute a material default under (or give rise
to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration under) any material
agreement or any writing of any nature to which such Seller is a party or by
which any of the assets or properties of such Seller may be bound. Except as
set forth on Schedule 2.4, no consent or approval of or notification to any
governmental authority is required in connection with the
18
execution and delivery by such Seller of this Agreement or any other agreement,
document or instrument relating hereto or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby.
2.5 Brokers and Advisors. No action taken by any Seller in connection with
or in furtherance of the transactions contemplated hereby has or shall cause
any of Blackhawk, any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries or the Purchaser to be
subject to any claim against it for a brokerage commission, finder's fee,
consulting fee, advisory fee or other like payment.
2.6 Claims on Blackhawk. No Seller or, to the actual knowledge of any
Seller, no affiliate of such Seller has any claim against Blackhawk or any
Blackhawk Subsidiary in respect of borrowed money or funded indebtedness or
obligations or liabilities for fees, expenses and advances (other than amounts
payable in the ordinary course of business as compensation to Sellers who are
employees), nor is any Seller or its affiliates party to any agreement with
Blackhawk or any Blackhawk Subsidiary, except as described in Schedule 2.6.
3. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND CERTAIN AGREEMENTS OF THE
PURCHASER AND GRIZZLY
A. The Purchaser represents and warrants to and agrees with Blackhawk and the
Sellers as follows:
3.1 Organization, Standing and Power. The Purchaser is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware. The Purchaser has all the power and authority of a corporation to own
and operate its properties, to carry on its businesses as now being conducted,
and to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and all other agreements,
documents and instruments contemplated hereby.
3.2 Authority. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the other agreements, documents and instruments contemplated hereby by the
Purchaser have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate
action of the Purchaser. This Agreement and all other agreements, documents and
instruments contemplated hereby to be signed by the Purchaser constitute, or
upon execution and delivery will constitute, legal, valid and binding
obligations of the Purchaser enforceable in accordance with their respective
terms.
3.3 Effect of Transaction, Records, Etc. Neither the execution and
delivery of this Agreement or any other agreement, document or instrument
contemplated hereby, nor the consummation by the Purchaser of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby, nor the compliance by the Purchaser with any of
the provisions hereof or thereof, do or will: (a)
19
conflict with or result in a breach of the Articles of Incorporation or charter
papers or Bylaws or Code of Regulations of the Purchaser; (b) violate any
statute, law, rule or regulation or any order, writ, injunction or decree of
any court or governmental authority to which the Purchaser is subject; or (c)
violate or conflict with or constitute a material default under (or give rise
to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration under) any agreement
or any writing of any nature to which the Purchaser is a party or by which any
of the assets or properties of the Purchaser may be bound. Except as otherwise
described in this Agreement, no consent or approval of or notification to any
governmental authority is required in connection with the execution and
delivery by the Purchaser of this Agreement or any other agreement, document or
instrument relating hereto or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby.
3.4 Investment Representations. The Purchaser is purchasing the Shares
for investment, for its own account and without a view to distribution or
resale thereof.
3.5 Brokers. No action taken by the Purchaser in connection with or in
furtherance of the transactions contemplated hereby has or shall cause any of
Blackhawk, any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries or any Seller to be subject to any
claim against it for a brokerage commission, finder's fee, consulting fee,
advisory fee or other like payment.
3.6 No Knowledge of Misrepresentations or Omissions. To the best knowledge
of the Purchaser, as of the date hereof, there are no breaches of or
inaccuracies in any of the representations and warranties of the Sellers and
Blackhawk in this Agreement and the Schedules hereto, and, to the best
knowledge of the Purchaser, there are no errors in, or omissions from, any of
the Schedules to this Agreement.
B. Grizzly represents and warrants to and agrees as follows:
3.7 HSR Filing Matters. Neither Grizzly nor any of its affiliates will be
the acquiring person (as defined under the Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act") and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder) in connection with the acquisition
contemplated hereby.
3.8 Authorization; No Conflict. (a) The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the other agreements, documents and
instruments contemplated hereby by Grizzly and the payment by Grizzly of the
Down Payment as provided herein have been duly and validly authorized by all
necessary corporate and other action of Grizzly. This Agreement and all other
agreements, documents and instruments contemplated hereby to be signed by
Grizzly constitute, or upon execution and delivery will constitute, legal,
valid and binding obligations of Grizzly enforceable in accordance with their
respective terms.
20
(b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any other
agreement, document or instrument contemplated hereby, nor the carrying out by
Grizzly of its obligations hereunder and thereunder (including the payment by
Grizzly of the Down Payment as provided herein), nor the compliance by Grizzly
with any of the provisions hereof or thereof, do or will: (a) conflict with or
result in a breach of the organizational documents of Grizzly; (b) violate any
statute, law, rule or regulation or any order, writ, injunction or decree of
any court or governmental authority to which Grizzly is subject; or (c) violate
or conflict with or constitute a material default under (or give rise to any
right of termination, cancellation or acceleration under) any agreement or any
writing of any nature to which Grizzly is a party or by which any of the assets
or properties of Grizzly may be bound.
4. SALE OF SHARES; PRICE AND TERMS; ADJUSTMENTS
4.1 Closing Date. The consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement shall take place at a closing (the "Closing") at the offices of
Xxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxxxxx, located at 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000, or
at such other place as the Purchaser and Blackhawk may mutually agree upon in
writing, at 10:00 A.M. on or as soon as practicable after the date on which the
conditions to Closing specified in Articles 7 and 8 shall have occurred;
provided, however, that (subject to extension as provided in Section 11.4
below) the Closing shall occur on or before September 20, 1996 (the "Closing
Date").
4.2 Sale and Purchase. On the Closing Date, in reliance upon the
representations, warranties and agreements of the parties and subject to the
terms and conditions hereof, the Sellers shall, against payment of the Purchase
Price, sell, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to the Purchaser, and the
Purchaser shall buy from the Sellers, free and clear of all encumbrances or
other liens, all of the Shares. At or prior to the Closing, the Sellers will
deliver to the Purchaser a schedule setting forth an allocation of the Purchase
Price among the Sellers, and, other than making any required payments in
accordance with Section 4.5, the Purchaser shall have no responsibility for the
allocation and distribution of such payments among the Sellers. The sale,
assignment, transfer, conveyance and delivery of the Shares shall be made by
the Sellers to the Purchaser at the Closing by delivery of the share
certificates evidencing all of the Shares, duly endorsed in blank or
accompanied by duly executed stock powers, in form satisfactory to the
Purchaser and with all required stock transfer tax stamps affixed. In addition,
at the Closing, the Sellers shall deliver to the Purchaser a receipt for the
Purchase Price and all opinions, certificates and other documents required to
be delivered pursuant to Article 7.
4.3 Price. The purchase price ("Purchase Price") for the Shares shall be
$171,789,632, less the Blackhawk liabilities as of the Closing with respect to
the following items
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(collectively, the "Adjustment Items"): (x) with respect to those certain
Employment Agreements, each dated December 22, 1992, by and among Blackhawk and
Xxxx Xxxxxx Memorial Services, Inc. (as Employer) and Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxx Xxxxxx and Xxxxx Xxx Xxxxxx, respectively, if, as
a result of the change in control of Blackhawk effected by the purchase of the
Shares, the parties to such contracts continue to have or have exercised any
rights thereunder to accelerate the payment obligations thereunder (and have
not waived such rights of acceleration), the net present value as of the
Closing Date, determined on a 12% discount rate, of the payments so
accelerated, based on an assumed inflation rate of 3% a year and (y)
Blackhawk's obligations to make any severance payments to any Seller, to senior
management as a result of a right arising from a change in control of Blackhawk
and to any employee as a result of a severance right created after the
execution of this Agreement requiring a payment by Blackhawk or a Blackhawk
Subsidiary (except for severance rights created in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practice). On the Closing Date, the Sellers
shall deliver to the Purchaser a certificate of the chief financial officer of
Blackhawk as to the Adjustment Items as of the Closing Date, which certificate
shall serve as the basis for payment at Closing.
4.4 Terms of Payment. The Purchase Price shall be paid as follows:
(a) $5,000,000 plus the amount of any interest thereon by
application of amounts heretofore delivered to Chicago, L.P., as agent for all
the Sellers, by Grizzly, in connection with prior negotiations relating to
Blackhawk;
(b) $500,000 (the "Deposit") has been deposited with Chicago
Title & Trust Company (the "Escrow Agent") and is being held in a trust by the
Escrow Agent; the Deposit, together with all interest earned thereon, will be
maintained in such trust ("Deposit Trust") until disbursed in accordance with
Section 4.7 or Section 6.10;
(c) $20,000,000 has been paid by Grizzly to Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Fund III, Limited Partnership (Chicago, L.P."), as agent for all the Sellers,
and, together with interest thereon, shall constitute the "Down Payment"; such
amount shall on the Closing Date be applied against the Purchase Price; and
(d) on the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall deliver to the
Sellers an amount in cash (the "Closing Date Cash") equal to the Purchase Price
less the sum of the amounts specified in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c).
4.5 Method of Payment. (a) On the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall wire
the Closing Date Cash into an account designated by Chicago, L.P., as agent for
all the Sellers, by notice to the Purchaser at least three days prior to the
Closing Date (the "Sellers' Account") for disbursement to the Sellers in
accordance with a written agreement among the Sellers. In
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the event any Seller has at the Closing any then outstanding monetary
obligation to Blackhawk or any Blackhawk Subsidiary, a corresponding portion of
the Closing Date Cash shall be offset against such obligation, and the
Purchaser shall pay the resulting net amount to the Sellers' Account.
(b) All payments made by the Purchaser pursuant to Section 4.4
shall be made by wire transfer of readily available funds to the Sellers'
Account or otherwise as designated in writing to the Purchaser by the Sellers.
4.6 Post Closing Adjustment. If, within 20 days after the Closing, the
Purchaser shall notify the Sellers in writing of its belief that the amount of
the Adjustment Items is greater than that certified as of the Closing Date,
specifying the amount thereof in dispute and setting forth, in reasonable
detail, the basis for such dispute, the Purchaser and the Sellers shall attempt
in good faith to resolve the matter or matters in dispute. If the Purchaser and
the Sellers, notwithstanding such good faith effort, shall have failed to
resolve the matter or matters in dispute, then any remaining matter or matters
in dispute shall be finally and conclusively determined by arbitration pursuant
to Section 11.12. Within five business days after the earliest of (i) the
resolution of all disagreements with respect to the Earnings Certificate
directly by the Purchaser and the Sellers and (ii) the issuance of the report
of the Arbiter (the "Final Resolution Date"), if there is a determination that
the amount of the Adjustment Items so determined is greater than the amount
certified as of the Closing Date, the Sellers shall pay to the Purchaser,
together with interest on such sum at the then applicable federal funds rate
for the period from the Closing to the date of payment, the amount of such
excess, such payment to be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds
to the account designated in writing by the Purchaser to Chicago, L.P., on
behalf of the Sellers. If the Purchaser does not provide the Sellers written
notice within 20 days after the Closing Date as provided above, the amount of
the Adjustment Items as certified by the chief financial officer of Blackhawk
(as provided in Section 4.3) shall be deemed to be conclusive and binding on
the parties hereto and not subject to further review or dispute.
4.7 Payment of Post Closing Adjustment. If the Sellers are required to pay
to the Purchaser a post closing payment pursuant to Section 4.6, such amount
shall be disbursed from the Deposit Trust, and, on the Final Resolution Date
(or, if no notice of dispute is given within 20 days after the Closing as
provided above, on the 21st day after the Closing), the remainder of the
Deposit Trust, if any, shall be disbursed to the Sellers in accordance with
Section 4.5(b). The Sellers shall be liable, jointly and severally, for any
payments due as determined pursuant to Section 4.6.
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5. CLOSING TRANSACTIONS
5.1 Closing Obligations of the Sellers. On the Closing Date, the
following shall be delivered to the Purchaser:
(a) stock certificates representing all of the Shares, duly
endorsed in blank or accompanied by duly executed stock powers, in form
satisfactory to the Purchaser and with all required stock transfer tax
stamps affixed;
(b) appropriate evidence of all necessary corporate action by
Blackhawk in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby,
including, without limitation, certified copies of resolutions duly
adopted by the Board of Directors of Blackhawk approving the transactions
contemplated hereby, and authorizing the execution, delivery and
performance by Blackhawk of this Agreement and the other agreements,
documents and instruments to which Blackhawk is a party contemplated
hereby, and a certificate as to the incumbency of officers of Blackhawk
executing any instrument or other document delivered in connection with
such transactions;
(c) the certificates required by Sections 4.3, 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3
of this Agreement;
(d) either (i) a certificate (prepared in accordance with Section
1445(b)(2) of the Code) from each Seller of non-foreign status or (ii) a
certificate from Blackhawk (prepared in accordance with Section 1445(b)(3)
of the Code) stating that Blackhawk is not and has never been a United
States real property holding company;
(e) tax lien waivers and tax good standing certificates
indicating the payment of franchise taxes from the jurisdictions where
Blackhawk and the Blackhawk Subsidiaries are located;
(f) an opinion, dated the Closing Date, of Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxx and
of Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, counsel to Blackhawk and the Sellers, in form and
substance mutually acceptable to the parties hereto; and
(g) such duly signed resignations of the members of the Boards of
Directors and officers of Blackhawk and the Blackhawk Subsidiaries and
such changes relating to the accounts and safe deposit boxes of Blackhawk
and each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries as the Purchaser shall have
requested by written notice to Blackhawk at least seven days prior to the
Closing Date.
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5.2 Closing Obligations of the Purchaser. On the Closing Date, the
Purchaser shall:
(a) pay the Purchase Price as specified in Section 4.4;
(b) deliver to Chicago, L.P., as representative of the Sellers,
appropriate evidence of all necessary corporate action by Grizzly in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without
limitation, certified copies of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of
Directors of Grizzly approving the obligations of Grizzly under this
Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby and authorizing the
execution, delivery and performance by Grizzly of this Agreement and a
certificate as to the incumbency of officers of Grizzly executing any
instrument or other document delivered in connection with such
transactions; and
(c) deliver to Chicago, L.P., as representatives of the Sellers,
the certificates required by Sections 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3 of this Agreement.
6. OTHER AGREEMENTS AND COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES
6.1 Operation of the Businesses of Blackhawk and the Blackhawk
Subsidiaries. From the date hereof to the Closing Date, Blackhawk shall:
(a) consult with the Purchaser on a regular basis with respect to
all decisions which might materially affect the business or assets of
Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries; and
(b) except as the Purchaser may otherwise agree, operate the
businesses of Blackhawk and each of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries as
currently operated and only in the ordinary course and, consistent with
such operation, use its reasonable best efforts to preserve intact their
current respective business organizations and their relationships with
their employees and persons having dealings with them. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, Blackhawk shall not, and shall not permit
any Blackhawk Subsidiary to, without the prior consent of the Purchaser,
(i) take any action (over which Blackhawk can exercise control)
to cause any of the representations and warranties contained in
Article 1 of this Agreement to be intentionally breached in any
material adverse respect;
(ii) increase the rate of compensation of the management
employees of Blackhawk or any Blackhawk Subsidiary, or introduce
any additional bonus, severance, pension, profit sharing or
similar plan or agreement for the employees of Blackhawk or any
Blackhawk Subsidiary (other than pursuant to existing
25
contracts or arrangements or in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices);
(iii) make any expenditure or commitment in excess of $50,000 for
acquisitions, additions to or replacements of property, plant or
equipment of Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries;
(iv) create, incur or assume any indebtedness for borrowed money
other than increases in indebtedness incurred under its existing
credit facilities as of the date hereof or agree to any increase
in the rates of interest or other fees (including, without
limitation, prepayment fees) or expenses payable thereunder,
except in accordance with existing contracts or arrangements;
(v) make any material changes in accounting practices or
procedures, incur any material non-recurring charges or make any
material reversal of accounting reserves, except as required by
changes in generally accepted accounting principles;
(vi) make any declaration, setting aside or payment of any
dividend or other distribution in respect of the capital stock of
Blackhawk or any non wholly-owned Blackhawk Subsidiary to a
person or entity that is not Blackhawk or a Blackhawk Subsidiary;
or
(vii) make any changes in preneed sales techniques or practices
or funding arrangements for preneed products or in investment
strategies with respect to preneed trust funds, except as
otherwise required by applicable law.
6.2 Supplements. From the date hereof until the Closing Date, upon
reasonable notice, Blackhawk will give to the Purchaser and its counsel,
accountants, employees and other authorized representatives reasonable access
during normal business hours to all of the offices, properties, books,
contracts, commitments, tax returns, records and affairs of Blackhawk and the
Blackhawk Subsidiaries. From time to time prior to the Closing Date, Blackhawk
shall furnish to the Purchaser supplemental information which Blackhawk has
with respect to any matters or events arising or discovered subsequent to the
date hereof which, if existing or known on the date hereof, would have rendered
any representation or warranty made by Blackhawk or the Sellers or any
information contained in any Schedule hereto inaccurate or incomplete. The
furnishing of such supplemental information shall not, however, affect or
otherwise diminish any of the representations and warranties of Blackhawk and
the Sellers hereunder and shall be disregarded in determining the effect of
such representations and warranties for the purposes of Article 7 hereof;
provided that, if the Closing occurs, such supplemental information shall be
considered incorporated in and supplemented to the representations and
warranties of Blackhawk and the Sellers, as
26
applicable, and shall not serve as the basis for any claim of a breach of any
representation or warranty contained herein.
6.3 Regulatory Consents, Authorizations, Etc. Each party hereto will use
its reasonable best efforts to consummate the Closing, including obtaining all
consents, authorizations, orders and approvals of, and make all filings and
registrations with, any governmental commission, board or other regulatory body
or any other person required for or in connection with the consummation by it
of the transactions contemplated hereby and will cooperate fully with the other
parties in assisting them to obtain such consents, authorizations, orders and
approvals and to make such filings and registrations. No party hereto will take
or omit to take any action for the purpose of delaying, impairing or impeding
the receipt of any required consent, authorization, order or approval or the
making of any required filing or registration. Specifically, the parties will
make all filings as expeditiously as is reasonably practicable. As of the date
hereof, the Purchaser has no reason to believe that it cannot complete its
financing and obtain the necessary consents, authorizations, orders and
approvals prior to the Closing Date, and agrees to notify the Sellers as soon
as practicable after the Purchaser reasonably determines that it will not be
able to complete its financing and obtain the necessary consents,
authorizations, orders and approvals prior to the Closing Date.
6.4 Negotiations with Others. During the period from the date hereof to
the Closing Date, or until this Agreement is terminated in accordance with
Section 11.4, the Sellers and Blackhawk shall not, and shall direct their
respective agents, employees, officers, directors, representatives and
affiliates not to, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser, initiate
any discussions or engage in negotiations with, or provide any information
other than publicly available information to, any person, firm or entity (other
than the Purchaser, any affiliate thereof or any person that has been approved
by the Purchaser) concerning any possible proposal regarding a sale or other
disposition of Blackhawk or any Blackhawk Subsidiary or any of their respective
assets, and Blackhawk will notify the Purchaser immediately by telephone, and
thereafter promptly confirm in writing, if any such discussions or negotiations
are sought to be initiated with, any such information is requested from, or any
such proposal or possible proposal is received by, Blackhawk.
6.5 Publicity. The parties hereto will not issue any press release or
otherwise make any public statement with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby without the consent of the other party or parties (which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), except as may be required by law,
in which event such press release or public statements shall be made only after
consultation with the other party or parties.
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6.6 Confidentiality.
(a) In the event that this Agreement is terminated prior to the
Closing, unless Blackhawk shall otherwise consent in writing (i) the Purchaser
agrees (and shall cause each affiliate, agent, representative, employee,
officer and director of the Purchaser) not to use or to disclose to any third
party for any reason whatsoever, any information regarding the existence of or
details concerning the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or
regarding Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries which is of a
proprietary or confidential nature, including, without limitation, any customer
lists, supplier information, resource information, financial information,
business or marketing information, product information, sales information, or
any other proprietary or confidential information of Blackhawk or any Blackhawk
Subsidiary (collectively, the "Blackhawk Proprietary Information") and (ii) the
Purchaser covenants to return all Blackhawk Proprietary Information and copies
and extracts thereof obtained from Blackhawk to Blackhawk within five days
after the date this Agreement is terminated, to immediately destroy all notes,
records or other documentation the Purchaser made with regard to the Blackhawk
Proprietary Information, and not to utilize, directly or indirectly, in any
manner, the Blackhawk Proprietary Information in the Purchaser's business or
the business of any of the Purchaser's affiliates.
(b) In the event this Agreement is terminated prior to the
Closing, unless Purchaser shall otherwise consent in writing (i) Blackhawk and
the Sellers severally, and not jointly, agree (and shall cause each affiliate,
agent, representative, employee, officer and director of Blackhawk, any of the
Blackhawk Subsidiaries and the Sellers) not to use or disclose to any third
party, for any reason whatsoever, any information, whether relating to the time
prior to the Closing Date or following such date, regarding the existence of or
details concerning the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or
regarding the Purchaser or Grizzly which is of a proprietary or confidential
nature, including, without limitation, any customer lists, resource or supplier
lists, financial information and any other proprietary or confidential
information of the Purchaser or Grizzly (the "Purchaser Proprietary
Information"); and (ii) Blackhawk covenants to return all Purchaser Proprietary
Information and copies and extracts thereof obtained from the Purchaser to the
Purchaser within five days after the date this Agreement is terminated, to
immediately destroy all notes, records or other documentation Blackhawk made
with regard to the Purchaser Proprietary Information, and not to utilize,
directly or indirectly, in any manner, the Purchaser Proprietary Information in
Blackhawk's business or the business of any of Blackhawk's affiliates.
(c) From the date hereof until the Closing Date, neither Grizzly
nor any Subsidiary of Grizzly nor the Purchaser shall, without the prior
written consent of Blackhawk, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld,
solicit or make an offer of employment to any employees of Blackhawk or any
Blackhawk Subsidiary (excluding
28
employees earning less than $30,000 on an annual basis who are not location
managers) or hire any location managers or more senior officers of Blackhawk or
any Blackhawk Subsidiary.
6.7 Restrictions on Transfer of Shares. Blackhawk shall not transfer any
Shares on the stock transfer books of Blackhawk unless Blackhawk gives three
days' written notice thereof to the Purchaser and the transferee or payee by
written agreement with the Purchaser agrees to be liable (jointly and severally
with the transferring Seller, if Chicago, L.P., is the Seller) for such
Seller's obligations under the terms of this Agreement.
6.8 Federal Trade Commission/Wages & Salaries. Blackhawk will cooperate
with the Purchaser in developing systems designed to enable Blackhawk and each
of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries to be able to comply, as soon as practicable,
following the Closing, with the reasonable procedures established by the
Purchaser to assure compliance with the rules and regulations of the Federal
Trade Commission with respect to funeral practices and the rules and
regulations issued by governmental authority under the jurisdiction of the
Department of Labor with respect to wages and salaries, in each case reflecting
any information developed or to be developed in the audit conducted by the
Purchaser with the cooperation of Blackhawk and the Sellers of the practices
and procedures of Blackhawk and its Subsidiaries prior to the Closing Date. To
the extent any of the Sellers has any outstanding indebtedness to Blackhawk as
of the Closing Date, such indebtedness shall be repaid on the Closing Date.
6.9 Application of Down Payment. If a Closing occurs hereunder, the Down
Payment shall be applied as provided in Section 4.4(c). If the Purchaser shall
fail to complete the Closing for any reason whatsoever (including, without
limitation, the failure of the condition specified in Section 7.6 or the
termination by the Purchaser pursuant to Section 11.4(e)) other than (i) as a
result of the failure of the conditions specifically set forth in any of
Sections 7.1 through 7.5 (after giving effect to the options, provisos, and
requirements set forth therein) or 7.7, (ii) the termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 11.4 as a result of the failure of the conditions set forth
in any of Sections 7.1 through 7.5 (after giving effect to the options,
provisos, and requirements set forth therein) or 7.7, (iii) the determination
by the Sellers not to complete the Closing as a result of the failure of the
conditions set forth in Article 8, or (iv) the election by Grizzly to enter
into the Substitute Stock Purchase Agreement (as defined below) (in which event
the provisions of such Substitute Stock Purchase Agreement shall apply), the
Down Payment, together with the amounts previously paid to Chicago, L.P. as
described in Section 4.4(a), will be retained by Sellers as liquidated damages
in satisfaction of all obligations of the Purchaser hereunder (provided that
such amounts shall not operate to limit the Sellers from seeking damages in
excess of such amounts to the extent Blackhawk has incurred or sustained
losses, costs, expenses and other liabilities in excess of such amounts as a
result of a violation by the Purchaser or Grizzly of the covenants contained in
Section 6.6(a) or Section 6.6(c) or the commission by the Purchaser or Grizzly
of acts of fraud). If the Purchaser shall fail to
29
complete the Closing (i) as a result of the failure of the conditions
specifically set forth in any of Sections 7.1) through 7.5 (after giving effect
to the options, provisos, and requirements set forth therein) or 7.7, (ii) the
termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.4 as a result of the
failure of the conditions set forth in any of Sections 7.1 through 7.5 (after
giving effect to the options, provisos, and requirements set forth therein) or
7.7 or (iii) the determination by the Sellers not to complete the Closing as a
result of the failure of the conditions set forth in Article 8, the Down
Payment will be repaid to Grizzly. The Sellers shall be jointly and severally
liable to make any repayment of the Down Payment required by this Section.
Whether or not the Down Payment is to be retained by the Sellers or returned to
Grizzly pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.9 (a "Final
Determination"), shall be determined pursuant to the following procedures:
(i) Within 30 days after written notice of termination of this
Agreement is delivered to any party pursuant to Section 11.4, Grizzly shall be
entitled to deliver to the Sellers a written notice specifying in reasonable
detail Grizzly's claim to return of the Down Payment pursuant to this Section
6.9 (the "Return Notice").
(ii) If such Return Notice is not delivered to the Sellers within
such 30-day period pursuant to clause (i) above, the Sellers shall be entitled
to retain the Down Payment with no further claims or assertions permitted to be
made with respect thereto by Grizzly or the Purchaser (or their permitted
assigns).
(iii) If within such 30-day period such Return Notice is
delivered to the Sellers pursuant to clause (i) above, the Down Payment shall
be retained by the Sellers or returned to Grizzly, as the case may be, upon the
earlier to occur, and pursuant to the terms, of (1) the written agreement of
Grizzly and the Sellers or (2) the final determination of the arbiters pursuant
to Section 11.2 below.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Purchaser notifies the
Sellers in writing on or prior to August 31, 1996, that, despite its good faith
efforts, it will not be able to complete the Closing as a result of the failure
of the condition set forth in Section 7.6 (Financing), accompanied by a
certificate by Grizzly that it intends to enter into a substitute Stock
Purchase Agreement (the "Substitute Stock Purchase Agreement") (a "Substitution
Election"), the following provisions shall apply: within 10 days following the
receipt of the Substitution Election, the Sellers and Blackhawk may deliver
supplemental information pursuant to Section 6.2 which, notwithstanding the
other provisions of Section 6.2, shall serve to update the representations and
warranties of Blackhawk and the Sellers, and shall be deemed to be incorporated
into the representations and warranties of Blackhawk and the Sellers in the
Substitute Stock Purchase Agreement, as of the date of and upon the execution
and delivery of such Substitute Stock Purchase Agreement; within 10 days after
receipt of any such supplemental information (with any modifications thereto as
shall be agreed by Grizzly, Blackhawk and the Sellers), Grizzly shall elect
whether or not to proceed with the
30
execution and delivery of the Substitute Stock Purchase Agreement; if it elects
to proceed, Grizzly, Xxxxxx Group International, Inc. and the Sellers will
execute and deliver the Substitute Stock Purchase Agreement in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit A, the Down Payment hereunder will be retained by
the Sellers as, and shall constitute, $20,000,000 of the Down Payment under the
Substitute Stock Purchase Agreement. The Down Payment (for all purposes of the
Substitute Stock Purchase Agreement) shall be $30,000,000, the application of
which shall be governed by the provisions of the Substitute Stock Purchase
Agreement and, at the time of the execution of the Substitute Stock Purchase
Agreement, Grizzly shall pay the Sellers the additional $10,000,000 in
immediately available funds to an account designated by the Sellers. In the
event Grizzly elects to proceed with the execution and delivery of the
Substitute Stock Purchase Agreement as provided above and the Sellers do not
execute the Substitute Stock Purchase Agreement, Grizzly shall have the right
to compel by specific performance the Sellers to execute the Substitute Stock
Purchase Agreement.
The Purchaser and Grizzly hereby acknowledge and agree that the
$5 million payment (plus interest thereon) referred to in Section 4.4(a) shall
be retained by Sellers if for any reason whatsoever no Closing occurs either
under this Agreement or the Substitute Stock Purchase Agreement.
6.10 Deposit Trust Closing Expenses. To the extent that Blackhawk or the
Sellers incur costs and expenses in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby of the type specified in Schedule 6.10 hereto ("Closing
Expenses"), Grizzly shall be liable for and shall promptly deposit into the
Deposit Trust from time to time the amount of any such Closing Expenses as and
when incurred. Grizzly will permit Blackhawk to deduct from the Deposit Trust
some or all of Blackhawk's Closing Expenses prior to the Closing (it being
understood that any such deduction will not affect Grizzly's obligation to fund
all Closing Expenses and to deposit the amount of such Closing Expenses in the
Deposit Trust as provided herein). In order to qualify as a Closing Expense,
each such expense must be reasonable, supported by invoice or similar
documentation, and directly related to Blackhawk's costs, fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
6.11 Pre-Closing Cooperation. The Sellers recognize that the Purchase
Price being paid by the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement reflects the
anticipation by the parties of certain operational savings. These savings
include the effect of certain management changes and closing the present
corporate headquarters of Blackhawk, reducing the number of employees of
Blackhawk, including termination of the employment of certain officers of
Blackhawk, including Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, and other related savings. To this end,
the Sellers and Blackhawk will cooperate in developing plans and entering into
agreements prior to the Closing to implement these savings which will include
termination of employees at operating locations, closing of the corporate
headquarters and such other items as requested by Purchaser. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, the parties agree that the
31
Blackhawk Succession, Inc. Shareholders Agreement, the proxies issued to Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxx pursuant thereto and the agreements between Blackhawk Succession,
Inc. and various members of the senior management of Blackhawk will be
terminated on or prior to the Closing to the extent requested by Purchaser at
no cost to Blackhawk or the Purchaser.
6.12 Assistance in Financing. Blackhawk acknowledges that the Purchaser
currently intends that payment of the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 4.3
will be financed, in part, by an offering of High Yield Securities and the
arranging of funded senior bank debt financing. Blackhawk will provide
customary assistance in connection with the Purchaser's efforts to raise such
financing, including, without limitation, making senior management reasonably
available for meetings with prospective lenders and investors and cooperating
in the preparation of offering documents and necessary financial and business
information to enable documents, including the financial statements of
Blackhawk, to comply with the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, it being recognized that the Sellers and Blackhawk (prior
to the Closing) will have no responsibility with respect to such compliance.
6.13 No Liquidation. No Seller (if other than a natural person) shall
liquidate or dissolve itself (i) if a Closing does not occur under this
Agreement, until there has been a Final Determination that the Sellers are not
required to return any portion of the Down Payment (as defined herein) under
Section 6.9 of this Agreement to the Purchaser hereunder or that the Sellers
are required to return all or a portion of the Down Payment and such return has
been completed; (ii) if the Closing under this Agreement or the Substitute
Stock Purchase Agreement has occurred (and there is no ongoing indemnification
obligation of the Sellers to the Purchaser under the final provisos to Section
7.1, Section 7.2 or Section 7.3), until such time as there is a final
determination that the Sellers are not required to make any payment pursuant to
Section 4.6 or the corresponding provision of the Substitute Stock Purchase
Agreement to the Purchaser hereunder or thereunder or that the Sellers are
required to make such a payment and such payment has been completed; and (iii)
if the Closing under this Agreement or the Substitute Stock Purchase Agreement
has occurred and there is an ongoing indemnification obligation of the Sellers
to the Purchaser under the final provisos to Section 7.1, Section 7.2 or
Section 7.3, until such time as such obligation has been discharged or fully
performed.
6.14 Transactions with Affiliates. Any agreement between any Seller or any
of its affiliates, on the one hand, and Blackhawk or any Blackhawk Subsidiary,
on the other hand, shall terminate on the Closing Date without any liability on
the part of Blackhawk or any Blackhawk Subsidiary.
32
7. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE PURCHASER
The obligations of the Purchaser to perform this Agreement are subject
only to the satisfaction of the following conditions on or prior to the Closing
Date, unless waived by the Purchaser:
7.1 Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of
Blackhawk and the Sellers in this Agreement or in any Schedule, certificate or
document delivered in connection herewith shall have been true and correct in
all material respects when made and shall be true and correct on the Closing
Date in all material respects as though made on and as of the Closing Date, and
the Purchaser shall have received a certificate signed by an officer of
Blackhawk and by the Sellers to that effect; provided, however, that this
condition shall be deemed satisfied (except with respect to the representations
in Sections 2.1(a) and 2.2 (with respect to the existence of any liens,
encumbrances, equities or claims relating to the Shares only)) unless (i) the
Purchaser demonstrates that any such breaches (together with, but without
duplication, all amounts under Section 7.2) would reasonably be expected to
have, individually or in the aggregate, an adverse effect (determined, insofar
as any thereof are limited by reference to a material adverse effect on the
business, operations or financial condition of Blackhawk or its Subsidiaries,
without reference to such limitation) of more than $10,000,000 (the "Minimum
Damage Amount") on the business, properties, assets or liabilities of Blackhawk
or its Subsidiaries or the value thereof and (ii) neither the Purchaser nor
Grizzly had knowledge (within the meaning of Section 11.12) of any such
breaches prior to the date hereof; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing
if the aggregate amount of such adverse effects is not more than $50,000,000,
the Sellers may, in their sole discretion, by delivery of written notice to the
Purchaser, elect to jointly and severally agree to indemnify, defend and hold
harmless the Purchaser against any and all losses, claims, costs, expenses,
liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to any failure of such
representations and warranties which are reasonably subject to quantification,
in which event such election shall be deemed to cause to be satisfied the
condition contained in this Section 7.1 with respect to such failure; and
provided further, that in the event of a breach of Section 2.2 relating to any
lien, encumbrance, equity or claim of not more than $5,000,000, individually or
in the aggregate, the Sellers may, in their sole discretion, elect to, jointly
and severally, agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Purchaser
against any and all losses and damages arising out of or related to such
breach, in which event such election shall be deemed to cause to be satisfied
the condition contained in Section 7.1 with respect to such breach of Section
2.2; and provided further, that in the event of a breach of Section 2.2
relating to any lien, encumbrance, equity or claim (whether or not material or
in excess of $5,000,000), the Sellers may, in their sole discretion, elect to
cure such breach to the reasonable satisfaction of the Purchaser, in which
event such cure shall be deemed to cause to be satisfied the condition
contained in Section 7.1 with respect to such breach of Section 2.2. Any
disputes as to the fact or amount of quantification shall be subject to the
arbitration provisions of Section 11.2.
33
7.2 Performance of Obligations of Blackhawk and the Sellers. Blackhawk and
each of the Sellers in all material respects shall have performed all
obligations required to be performed by them under this Agreement and complied
with all covenants to be complied with by them under this Agreement at or prior
to the Closing Date, and the Purchaser shall have received a certificate signed
by an executive officer of Blackhawk and the Sellers to that effect; provided,
however, that this condition shall be deemed satisfied (except with respect to
the obligations of the Sellers pursuant to Section 5.1(a)) unless (i) the
Purchaser demonstrates that any such breaches (together with, but without
duplication, all amounts under Section 7.1) would reasonably be expected to
have, individually or in the aggregate, an adverse effect (determined, insofar
as any thereof are limited by reference to a material adverse effect on the
business, operations or financial condition of Blackhawk or its Subsidiaries,
without reference to such limitation) of more than the Minimum Damage Amount on
the business, properties, assets or liabilities of Blackhawk or its
Subsidiaries or the value thereof and (ii) neither the Purchaser nor Grizzly
had knowledge (within the meaning of Section 11.12) of any such breaches prior
to the date hereof; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sellers
may, in their sole discretion, by delivery of written notice to the Purchaser,
if the aggregate of such adverse effects is not more than $50,000,000, elect to
jointly and severally indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Purchaser against
any and all losses, claims, costs, expenses, liabilities and damages arising
out of or relating to any failure of such covenants which are reasonably
subject to quantification, in which event such election shall be deemed to
cause to be satisfied the condition contained in this section 7.2 with respect
to such default. Any disputes as to the fact or amount of quantification shall
be subject to the arbitration provisions of Section 11.2.
7.3 No Litigation. No action, suit or other proceeding shall be pending
before any court, tribunal or governmental authority seeking or threatening to
restrain or prohibit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, or seeking to obtain substantial damages in respect thereof, or
involving a claim that consummation thereof would result in the violation of
any law, decree or regulation of any governmental authority having appropriate
jurisdiction, or be one in which an adverse determination could be reasonably
expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, operations or
financial condition of Blackhawk or any of the Blackhawk Subsidiaries, and the
Purchaser shall have received a certificate signed by an executive officer of
Blackhawk and the Sellers that to Blackhawk's and the Sellers' best knowledge,
no such action, suit or other proceeding is pending; provided, however, that
this condition shall be deemed satisfied unless (i) the Purchaser demonstrates
that any such actions, suits or proceedings would reasonably be expected to
have, individually or in the aggregate, an adverse effect of more than
$10,000,000 on the business, properties, assets or liabilities of Blackhawk or
its Subsidiaries or the value thereof and (ii) neither the Purchaser nor
Grizzly had knowledge (within the meaning of Section 11.12) on the date hereof
that any such action, suit or other proceeding is pending; provided that,
notwithstanding the foregoing, if the aggregate of such adverse effects is not
more than $50,000,000, the Sellers may, in their sole discretion, by delivery
of written notice to the
34
Purchaser, elect to jointly and severally agree to indemnify, defend and hold
harmless the Purchaser against any and all losses, claims, costs, expenses,
liabilities, damages, assessments, settlements or judgments arising out of or
relating to any such litigation, in which event (i) such election shall be
deemed to cause to be satisfied the condition contained in this section 7.3
with respect to such litigation and (ii) the Sellers shall have the sole right
to control and assume the defense of such matter or liability with counsel
selected by them in their sole discretion (it being understood that the
Purchaser shall have the right, at its own expense, to participate in, but not
to control, any such defense, except that no settlement of any litigation will
be entered into without the prior consent of the Purchaser, which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld, if the effect of such settlement would require
Blackhawk to materially adversely change the manner in which Blackhawk
thereafter carries on its business or otherwise constitutes the admission of
wrongdoing by Blackhawk and which settlement would reasonably be expected to
have a material adverse effect on the business, properties or financial
condition of Blackhawk and the Blackhawk Subsidiaries, taken as a whole).
7.4 Regulatory Consents, Authorizations, Etc. All consents,
authorizations, orders, opinions and approvals of, and filings and
registrations with, any United States federal or state governmental commission,
board or other regulatory body which are listed on Schedule 7.4, in form
reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser, shall have been obtained or made;
provided that the Purchaser shall, in accordance with Section 6.3, have used
its best efforts and taken all reasonable actions necessary to obtain such
consents, authorizations, orders, opinions, approvals, filings and
registrations.
7.5 Senior Indebtedness. No enforcement action shall have been taken under
any of the outstanding senior indebtedness instruments of Blackhawk prior to
Closing (including any action to accelerate the indebtedness or to foreclose on
any collateral) other than any action the effect of which shall have been
substantially eliminated by the payment and discharge of such indebtedness at
the Closing without a material adverse effect on Blackhawk and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or on the Purchaser.
7.6 Financing. The Purchaser shall have been able to complete the
financings necessary to enable it to pay the Purchase Price.
7.7 All Shares Sold. All of the Sellers shall have tendered their
respective Shares for delivery to the Purchaser.
35
8. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE SELLERS
The obligations of the Sellers to perform this Agreement are subject only
to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of the following
conditions, unless waived by the Sellers:
8.1 Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of
the Purchaser and Grizzly in this Agreement or in any Schedule, certificate or
document delivered pursuant thereto shall have been true and correct when made
and be true and correct on the Closing Date as though made on and as of the
Closing Date, and the Sellers shall have received a certificate to that effect,
with respect to Grizzly, signed by an executive officer of Grizzly.
8.2 Performance of Obligations of the Purchaser. The Purchaser shall have
performed all obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement
and complied with all covenants to be complied with by it under this Agreement
at or prior to the Closing Date and the Sellers shall have received a
certificate to that effect, with respect to Grizzly, signed by an executive
officer of Grizzly.
8.3 No Litigation. No action, suit or other proceeding shall be pending
before any court, tribunal or governmental authority seeking or threatening to
restrain or prohibit the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this
Agreement, or seeking to obtain substantial damages in respect thereof, or
involving a claim that consummation thereof would result in the violation of
any law, decree or regulation of any governmental authority having appropriate
jurisdiction, and the Sellers shall have received a certificate to that effect,
with respect to Grizzly, signed by an executive officer of Grizzly, that, to
Grizzly's best knowledge, no such action, suit or other proceeding is pending.
8.4 Regulatory Consents, Authorizations, Etc. All consents,
authorizations, orders, opinions and approvals of, and filings and
registrations with, any United States federal or state governmental commission,
board or other regulatory body which are listed on Schedule 7.4, in form
reasonably satisfactory to the Sellers, shall have been obtained or made;
provided that the Sellers and Blackhawk shall have used their respective best
efforts and taken all reasonable actions necessary to obtain such consents,
authorizations, orders, opinions, approvals, filings and registrations required
to be used and taken by each of them, respectively.
36
9. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
9.1 Representations and Warranties of Blackhawk. The representations and
warranties of Blackhawk contained in Article 1 of this Agreement shall expire
as of the Closing Date and shall not survive the Closing.
9.2 Representations and Warranties of the Sellers. The representations and
warranties of the Sellers contained in Article 2 of this Agreement (other than
in Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3) shall expire as of the Closing Date and shall not
survive the Closing. The provisions of Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 shall survive
the Closing until the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations,
except that the representation and warranties in Section 2.1(b) shall survive
only until the first anniversary of the Closing.
9.3 Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser. The representations
and warranties of the Purchaser contained in Article 3 of this Agreement (other
than in Section 3.2) shall expire as of the Closing Date and shall not survive
the Closing. The provisions of Section 3.2 shall survive the Closing until the
expiration of the applicable statute of limitations.
9.4 Limitation of Recourse. Following the Closing, in the absence of
fraud, neither Blackhawk nor any Seller shall have any liability or obligation
to indemnify or otherwise hold harmless the Purchaser or Blackhawk (or any of
their successors or permitted assigns) for any claim or any loss or liability
arising from or in any way relating to this Agreement or any of the
transactions contemplated hereby or any other transaction or event occurring on
or prior to the Closing (including, without limitation, any misrepresentation
or inaccuracy in, or breach of, any representations or warranties (other than
the representations and warranties contained in Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 and
other than their obligations under Sections 4.6, 4.7 and 6.13, and any
liability pursuant to the final provisos to Sections 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3) or any
breach or failure in performance prior to the Closing of any covenants or
agreements made by Blackhawk or the Sellers in this Agreement or in any Exhibit
or Schedule hereto or any certificate or instrument delivered hereunder), and
neither the Purchaser nor Blackhawk (or any of their successors or permitted
assigns) shall be entitled to bring any claim based on, relating to or arising
out of any of the foregoing against any Seller (or any Seller's employees,
directors, agents or representatives). Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, in the absence of fraud, neither the Purchaser nor its respective
successors or permitted assigns shall be entitled to seek any rescission of the
transactions consummated under this Agreement or other remedy at law or in
equity.
9.5 Acknowledgement by the Purchaser. The Purchaser understands that the
representations and warranties of Blackhawk and the Sellers will not survive
the Closing (except as expressly set forth in Section 9.2) and constitute the
sole and exclusive representations and warranties of Blackhawk and the Sellers
to the Purchaser in connection
37
with the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Purchaser understands,
acknowledges and agrees that all other representations and warranties of any
kind or nature expressed or implied (including, without limitation, any
relating to the future or historical financial condition, results of
operations, assets or liabilities of Blackhawk) are specifically disclaimed by
Blackhawk and the Sellers. The foregoing does not affect any indemnification
obligation of the Seller that may arise in accordance with the provisions
contained in Sections 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3.
10. DEFINITIONS
The terms set forth below are defined in the Sections of the Agreement
indicated:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Term Section
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA 11.2(b)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjustment Items 4.3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agreement Forepart
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blackhawk Forepart
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blackhawk Proprietary Information 6.6(a)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blackhawk Subsidiaries 1.2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
CERCLA 1.23(a)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Common Stock Forepart
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B Common Stock Forepart
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing 4.1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing Date 4.1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing Date Cash 4.4(d)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing Expenses 6.10
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Code 1.8(b)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock Forepart
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Communications 11.8
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
December Audited Balance Sheet 1.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
December Audited Financials 1.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
38
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Term Section
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
December Audited Income Statement 1.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposit 4.4(b)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposit Trust 4.4(b)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Down Payment 4.4(c)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Encumbrances 1.9
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Environmental Laws 1.23(a)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Environmental Reports 1.23(e)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ERISA 1.19(a)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Determination 6.9
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Resolution Date 4.6
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grizzly Forepart
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
HSR Act 3.8
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
IRS 1.8(b)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
March Unaudited Financials 1.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum Damage Amount 7.1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
OSHA 1.23(a)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plans 1.19(a)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Policies 1.10(c)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred Stock Forepart
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preliminary Reports 1.10(c)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preneed Contracts 1.16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preneed Funds 1.16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prior Audited Financials 1.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Properties 1.10(c)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchase Price 4.3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchaser Forepart
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
39
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Term Section
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchaser Proprietary Information 6.6(b)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
RCRA 1.23(a)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sellers Forepart
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sellers' Trust 4.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Forepart
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Substitute Stock Purchase Agreement 6.9
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Substitution Election 6.9
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Surveys 1.10(c)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taxes 1.8(c)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title Company 1.10(c)
===========================================================================
11. MISCELLANEOUS
11.1 Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to
the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Sellers and their respective
successors and permitted assigns, Blackhawk and its successors and permitted
assigns, and the Purchaser and its successors and permitted assigns; provided,
however, that (i) the Purchaser may assign its rights under this Agreement to
one or more third parties (and any such third party transferees may further so
assign) provided that any such assignee or reassignee is Blackstone Capital
Partners II Merchant Banking Fund L.P. ("Blackstone") or Grizzly or an
affiliate of Blackstone or Grizzly, provided that the assignee shall execute a
counterpart of this Agreement agreeing to be bound by the terms hereof as
"Purchaser" and shall agree to pay the portion of the Purchase Price
representing the portion of the Purchaser's rights and obligations assigned to
such third party in cash on the Closing Date and the Purchaser shall remain
obligated for all of its obligations hereunder which are not performed by such
assignee, (ii) except as provided in clause (i), this Agreement may not be
assigned by the Purchaser without the prior written consent of Blackhawk, and
(iii) any assignment by any Seller of its rights and obligations hereunder
shall be subject to Section 6.7. In the event of any such assignment, the
representations and warranties deemed made hereunder by the assignee shall be
appropriately modified to reflect the form and jurisdiction of organization of
such assignee.
11.2 Arbitration. (a) Subject to the limitations set forth in Article 9,
all disputes hereunder, including any relating to a breach or claimed breach of
any representation, warranty, covenant, undertaking, restriction or other
agreement contained herein, shall be determined by binding arbitration in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 11.2.
40
(b) If either party shall notify the other that, in the judgment of such
first party, an arbitrable dispute has arisen, the parties hereto shall attempt
in good faith to resolve such dispute by mutual agreement. If no satisfactory
resolution of such dispute has occurred within 30 days after such notice,
either party may submit such dispute to final and binding arbitration, by three
arbitrators, conducted pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration
Association (the "AAA") in effect at the time of the arbitration, except to the
extent such rules conflict with the provisions of this Agreement, in which case
the provisions of this Agreement shall control. The claimant shall nominate one
arbitrator in its request for arbitration. The respondent shall nominate one
arbitrator in its answer. The two partyappointed arbitrators shall name the
third arbitrator within 30 days after the second partyappointed arbitrator has
been named, failing which the AAA shall appoint the third arbitrator.
(c) The hearing shall be held by the arbitrators as soon as reasonably
practicable, consistent with the AAA arbitration rules and opportunity for
discovery. The parties specifically agree that, upon application by either
party, the arbitrators shall set a reasonable limitation on the period for
discovery related to the arbitration. No party may present a position or make
any argument at the hearing notice of which is not provided to the other party
in writing before the hearing.
(d) The decision of the arbitrators pursuant to this Section 11.2 shall be
in writing (setting forth in detail the basis for the decision) and shall be
final, binding and conclusive upon the parties and may be confirmed or embodied
in any order or judgment of any court having jurisdiction. The foregoing
agreement to arbitrate shall be specifically enforceable.
(e) The venue of any arbitration pursuant to this Section 11.2 shall be in
Manhattan or such other place as is mutually agreed upon by the parties. In any
arbitration pursuant to this Section 11.2, the arbitrators shall apply the
substantive law of the State of New York without reference to its conflict or
laws rules.
(f) Each party shall bear its respective costs incurred in connection with
any arbitration; provided, however, that in the event that the arbitrators
determine that there was no reasonable basis for the non-prevailing party in
the arbitration to have brought or defended the claim, the non-prevailing party
shall pay all reasonable costs, including, without limitation, reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses, costs and expenses associated with the
arbitration incurred by the prevailing party in connection therewith.
(g) The pendency of these dispute resolution procedures shall not relieve
either party from its duty to perform under this Agreement or serve to delay or
suspend its performance of its obligations.
41
11.3 Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York.
11.4 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to
the Closing Date:
(a) By mutual agreement of the Purchaser and the Sellers;
(b) By the Purchaser, if the conditions set forth in Article 7
shall not have been complied with or performed in any material respect on
or before the Closing Date or if events shall have occurred which have
made it impossible for the conditions to Closing set forth in Article 7 to
be satisfied on or before the Closing Date; or
(c) By the Sellers, if the conditions set forth in Article 8
shall not have been complied with or performed in any material respect on
or before the Closing Date or if events shall have occurred which have
made it impossible for the conditions to Closing set forth in Article 8 to
be satisfied on or before the Closing Date; or
(d) By the Sellers, the Purchaser or Blackhawk, if the Closing
has not occurred by September 20, 1996; or
(e) By the Purchaser if at any time it shall have determined in
good faith that it will be unable to finance the payment of the Purchase
Price (in which event the provisions of Section 6.9 shall be applicable);
provided that no party hereto may terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
Section 11.4 if such party is in material and willful breach of any of its
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this
Agreement or if it caused any of the conditions to closing not to be satisfied;
and provided further that (i) the Sellers may extend the date specified in
clause (d) above by an amount of time reasonably necessary to permit the
Closing to occur as soon as is practicable if there is a willful failure by the
Purchaser to satisfy one or more material closing conditions specified in
Article 8 above and (ii) the Purchaser may extend the date specified in clause
(d) above by an amount of time reasonably necessary to permit the Closing to
occur as soon as is practicable if there is a willful failure by the Sellers to
satisfy one or more of the closing conditions specified in Article 7 above.
In the event of the termination of this Agreement, this Agreement shall
thereafter become void and have no effect, and no party hereto shall have any
liability to the other parties hereto or their respective stockholders or
directors or officers in respect thereof, except for the obligations of the
parties hereto which by their express terms survive termination hereof and the
obligations of the parties hereto in Sections 6.5 and 6.6 and this Section 11.4
and
42
except that nothing herein shall relieve any party from liability for any
willful breach of any provision of this Agreement prior to such termination.
11.5 Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement and the other writings
referred to herein or delivered in connection herewith contain the entire
understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersede
any prior understanding, agreements or representations by or between the
parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof
in any way. This Agreement may be amended only by written instrument duly
executed by all of the parties hereto.
11.6 Headings. The section and subsection headings contained in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
11.7 Currency. All reference to dollar figures contained herein shall
refer to United States currency.
11.8 Notices. All notices, claims, certificates, requests, demands and
other communications ("Communications") hereunder shall be in writing and shall
be deemed to have been duly given five days after mailing when mailed (by
registered or certified mail, postage prepaid) or sent by facsimile
transmission with confirmation of receipt (with hard copy to follow by
registered or certified mail, postage prepaid) addressed as follows:
If to the Purchaser to:
Blackhawk Acquisition Corp.
c/o The Blackstone Group
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, X.X. 00000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Fax: 000-000-0000
with a copies to:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, X.X. 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
Fax: 000-000-0000
43
Xxxxxx Group International, Inc.
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx.
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Legal Department
Fax: 000-000-0000
If to Blackhawk, to:
Prime Succession, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Fax: 000-000-0000
With a copy to:
Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxx
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: 000-000-0000
If to the Sellers, to:
Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Fund III,
Limited Partnership
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Fax: 000-000-0000
44
with a copy to:
Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxx
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: 000-000-0000
If to Grizzly:
The Xxxxxx Group Inc.
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx X0X 358
Attn: Finance Department
Fax: 000-000-0000
with a copy to:
The Xxxxxx Group Inc.
c/x Xxxxxx Group International, Inc.
00 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx.
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Legal Department
Fax: 000-000-0000
or to such other address or addresses as the persons to whom notice is to be
given may have furnished to the others in writing in accordance herewith. A
Communication given by any other means shall be deemed duly given when actually
received by the addresses.
11.9 Further Assurances. After the Closing Date, without further
consideration, the Sellers and Purchaser shall execute and deliver such further
instruments and documents as either party shall reasonably request to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to perfect
Purchaser's title to the Shares.
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11.10 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is for the sole benefit
of the parties hereto and their permitted assigns and nothing herein expressed
or implied shall give or be construed to give any person or entity, other than
the parties hereto and such permitted assigns, any legal or equitable rights
hereunder.
11.11 Waivers. No waiver of the terms, conditions or provisions of this
Agreement shall be valid unless in writing signed by the party granting said
waiver. Any such waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision of
this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent,
same or different breach.
11.12 Knowledge. For purposes of this Agreement, (i) the phrase "to the
best knowledge of Blackhawk" shall mean the knowledge of Blackhawk after
reasonable inquiry of each Seller and of the President, each Vice President and
the General Counsel of Blackhawk; provided that Blackhawk shall have no
obligation or duty to inquire of any other person or entity and (ii) the phrase
"to the best knowledge of the Purchaser", and references to knowledge of
Purchaser or Grizzly, shall mean the knowledge of the Purchaser or Grizzly
after reasonable inquiry of the persons named in the most recent annual report
of Grizzly as executive officers of Grizzly and of X. X. Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxx X. Xxxxxx and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx; provided that the Purchaser shall
have no obligation or duty to inquire of any other person or entity.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
PRIME SUCCESSION, INC.
By /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
-------------------------------
its President
-------------------------------
THE SELLERS:
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
----------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
----------------------------------
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
----------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
----------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
----------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
47
XXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXXX FUND III,
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By Golder, Thoma, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxx, X.X.,
its General Partner
By: /s/ B.V. Xxxxxx
-------------------------------
its General Partner
-------------------------------
THE PURCHASER:
BLACKHAWK ACQUISITION
CORP.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
-------------------------------
its President
-------------------------------
THE XXXXXX GROUP INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
-------------------------------
its Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer
----------------------------------
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