UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT by and among PICK-N-PULL AUTO DISMANTLERS, PNP COMMERCIAL ACQUISITION, LLC and TREE ACQUISITION, L.P. Dated as of August 5, 2005 AS REQUIRED BY UNITED STATES TREASURY REGULATIONS, YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THIS COMMUNICATION IS...
EXHIBIT
2.1
Execution
Copy
by
and among
PICK-N-PULL
AUTO DISMANTLERS,
PNP
COMMERCIAL ACQUISITION, LLC
and
TREE
ACQUISITION, L.P.
Dated
as of August 5, 2005
AS
REQUIRED BY UNITED STATES TREASURY REGULATIONS, YOU
SHOULD
BE AWARE THAT THIS COMMUNICATION IS NOT
INTENDED
OR WRITTEN BY THE SENDER TO BE USED, AND IT
CANNOT
BE USED, BY ANY RECIPIENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF
AVOIDING
PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON THE
RECIPIENT
UNDER UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAX LAWS.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
1.
|
Purchase
and Sale of the Units
|
1
|
|
2.
|
Purchase
Price and Additional Consideration; Xxxxxxx Money Deposit
|
2
|
|
2.1
|
Amount
of the Purchase Price
|
2
|
|
2.2
|
Xxxxxxx
Money Deposit
|
2
|
|
3.
|
Closing
|
3
|
|
3.1
|
Closing
|
3
|
|
3.2
|
Procedure
at the Closing
|
3
|
|
3.3
|
Purchase
Price Adjustment.
|
3
|
|
3.4
|
Potential
Replenishment/Release of Escrow Funds
|
5
|
|
4.
|
Representations
and Warranties of Tree
|
6
|
|
4.1
|
Organization,
Power and Authority of the Company
|
6
|
|
4.2
|
Units
of the Company
|
6
|
|
4.3
|
Subsidiaries
|
6
|
|
4.4
|
Financial
Statements
|
6
|
|
4.5
|
Liabilities
|
7
|
|
4.6
|
Tax
Matters
|
7
|
|
4.7
|
Real
Estate.
|
10
|
|
4.8
|
Title
to and Condition of Assets
|
12
|
|
4.9
|
Receivables
|
12
|
|
4.10
|
Licenses
and Permits
|
13
|
|
4.11
|
Proprietary
Rights
|
13
|
|
4.12
|
Adequacy
of Assets
|
13
|
|
4.13
|
Certain
Documents and Information
|
14
|
|
4.14
|
Insurance
|
15
|
|
4.15
|
Litigation
|
15
|
|
4.16
|
Records
|
15
|
|
4.17
|
No
Material Adverse Change
|
16
|
|
4.18
|
Absence
of Certain Acts or Events
|
16
|
|
4.19
|
Compliance
with Laws
|
16
|
|
4.20
|
Environmental
Matters.
|
17
|
|
4.21
|
Labor
Relations
|
20
|
|
4.22
|
Employee
Benefits.
|
21
|
|
4.23
|
Employment
Agreements and Compensation
|
24
|
|
4.24
|
Warranties
|
24
|
|
4.25
|
Product
Liability
|
25
|
|
4.26
|
Investment
Bankers’ and Brokers’ Fees
|
25
|
|
4.27
|
Authority
to Execute and Perform Agreement; Binding Obligation;
Non-contravention
|
25
|
|
4.28
|
Status
of the Units
|
25
|
|
4.29
|
The
Subsidiary
|
26
|
-i-
4.30
|
GLARE
|
26
|
|
5.
|
Representations
and Warranties of Buyer and PNP
|
26
|
|
5.1
|
Organization,
Power and Authority of Buyer and PNP
|
26
|
|
5.2
|
Due
Authorization; Binding Obligation; Noncontravention
|
26
|
|
5.3
|
Investment
Bankers’ and Brokers’ Fees
|
27
|
|
5.4
|
Acquisition
of Units for Investment
|
27
|
|
6.
|
Additional
Covenants of the Parties.
|
27
|
|
6.1
|
Operation
of the Business
|
27
|
|
6.2
|
Benefit
Plans
|
28
|
|
6.3
|
Tax
Matters.
|
28
|
|
6.4
|
Equity
Transactions
|
30
|
|
6.5
|
Accounting
and Taxes
|
30
|
|
6.6
|
Related
Party Transactions
|
31
|
|
6.7
|
Contracts
|
31
|
|
6.8
|
Access
|
31
|
|
6.9
|
Existence
|
31
|
|
6.10
|
Consents
|
32
|
|
6.11
|
Performance
|
32
|
|
6.12
|
Updating
of Information
|
32
|
|
6.13
|
Other
Transactions
|
32
|
|
6.14
|
Employees
|
33
|
|
6.15
|
Employee
Benefits
|
33
|
|
6.16
|
Insurance
|
33
|
|
6.17
|
Distribution
of Proceeds
|
33
|
|
6.18
|
Woodinville,
Washington Condemnation Proceedings
|
33
|
|
6.19
|
Audited
Financial Statements
|
34
|
|
6.20
|
Broker
Opinion of Value
|
34
|
|
6.21
|
Noncircumvention
|
34
|
|
6.22
|
Third-Party
Claims
|
34
|
|
6.23
|
Severance
Provisions
|
34
|
|
7.
|
Conditions
to the Obligations of PNP
|
35
|
|
7.1
|
Opinion
of Counsel
|
35
|
|
7.2
|
Receipt
of Necessary Consents
|
35
|
|
7.3
|
No
Restraint
|
35
|
|
7.4
|
No
Adverse Litigation
|
35
|
|
7.5
|
Releases
and Resignations
|
35
|
|
7.6
|
Due
Diligence
|
35
|
|
7.7
|
Additional
Closing Documents
|
35
|
|
7.8
|
Noncompetition
Agreements
|
36
|
|
7.9
|
Representations
and Warranties Correct
|
36
|
|
7.10
|
Performance;
No Default
|
36
|
|
7.11
|
Delivery
of Certificates
|
36
|
-ii-
7.12
|
Escrow
Agreement
|
37
|
|
7.13
|
Ford
Agreements
|
37
|
|
7.14
|
Corporate
Action
|
37
|
|
7.15
|
Employment
Agreements
|
37
|
|
7.16
|
Broker
Opinion of Value
|
37
|
|
7.17
|
Representation
and Warranty Insurance
|
37
|
|
7.18
|
Audited
Financial Statements
|
37
|
|
7.19
|
Insolvency
Proceedings
|
37
|
|
7.20
|
SBC
Claim
|
38
|
|
8.
|
Conditions
to the Obligations of Tree.
|
38
|
|
8.1
|
Receipt
of Necessary Consents
|
38
|
|
8.2
|
No
Restraint
|
38
|
|
8.3
|
No
Adverse Litigation
|
38
|
|
8.4
|
Corporate
Action
|
38
|
|
8.5
|
Representations
and Warranties Correct
|
38
|
|
8.6
|
Performance;
No Default
|
38
|
|
8.7
|
Delivery
of Certificate
|
39
|
|
8.8
|
Escrow
Agreement
|
39
|
|
8.9
|
Ford
Agreements
|
39
|
|
9.
|
Indemnification
|
39
|
|
9.1
|
Indemnification
by Tree
|
39
|
|
9.2
|
Indemnification
by Buyer and PNP
|
40
|
|
9.3
|
Survival
of Representations and Warranties
|
40
|
|
9.4
|
Notice
of Claim
|
41
|
|
9.5
|
Escrow
Funds
|
41
|
|
9.6
|
Limitations
on Indemnity.
|
41
|
|
9.7
|
Mitigation
of Damages; Subrogation.
|
42
|
|
10.
|
Miscellaneous
|
43
|
|
10.1
|
Termination,
Amendment and Modification
|
43
|
|
10.2
|
Expenses
|
44
|
|
10.3
|
Certain
Definitions
|
44
|
|
10.4
|
Binding
Effect
|
45
|
|
10.5
|
Entire
Agreement
|
45
|
|
10.6
|
Headings
|
45
|
|
10.7
|
Execution
in Counterpart
|
46
|
|
10.8
|
Notices
|
46
|
|
10.9
|
Governing
Law
|
47
|
|
10.10
|
Further
Assurances
|
47
|
|
10.11
|
Drafting
|
47
|
|
10.12
|
Gender
|
47
|
|
10.13
|
Press
Releases and Announcements
|
47
|
|
10.14
|
No
Third Party Beneficiaries
|
47
|
-iii-
INDEX
TO EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT
A
|
CLOSING
DATE PAYMENTS
|
EXHIBIT
B
|
OPINION
OF COUNSEL FOR TREE
|
EXHIBIT
C
|
FORM
OF CREDITOR RELEASE
|
EXHIBIT
D
|
ESCROW
AGREEMENT
|
EXHIBIT
E-1
|
FORM
OF TRANCHE B TERM NOTE
|
EXHIBIT
E-2
|
FORM
OF ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
|
EXHIBIT
E-3
|
FORM
OF CREDIT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT
|
-iv-
INDEX
TO DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE
Schedule
3.3.1
|
Preparation
of Closing Financial Statements
|
Schedule
4.2
|
Ownership
of Membership Interests
|
Schedule
4.4
|
Financial
Statements
|
Schedule
4.5
|
Liabilities
|
Schedule
4.6
|
Tax
Matters
|
Schedule
4.7
|
Leasehold
Premises
|
Schedule
4.8
|
Title
to and Condition of Assets
|
Schedule
4.9
|
Receivables
|
Schedule
4.10
|
Licenses
and Permits
|
Schedule
4.11
|
Proprietary
Rights
|
Schedule
4.12
|
Customers,
Suppliers and Competitors
|
Schedule
4.13
|
Certain
Documents and Information
|
Schedule
4.14
|
Insurance
|
Schedule
4.15
|
Litigation
|
Schedule
4.18
|
Absence
of Certain Acts or Events
|
Schedule
4.19
|
Compliance
with Laws
|
Schedule
4.20.3
|
Environmental
Matters
|
Schedule
4.20.4
|
Environmental
Matters
|
Schedule
4.20.5
|
Environmental
Matters
|
Schedule
4.20.8
|
Environmental
Matters
|
Schedule
4.20.9
|
Environmental
Matters
|
Schedule
4.20.10
|
Environmental
Matters
|
Schedule
4.20.11
|
Environmental
Matters
|
-v-
Schedule
4.20.12
|
Environmental
Matters
|
Schedule
4.20.13
|
Environmental
Matters
|
Schedule
4.21
|
Labor
Relations
|
Schedule
4.22
|
Employee
Benefits
|
Schedule
4.22.1
|
Employee
Benefits
|
Schedule
4.22.3
|
Employee
Benefits
|
Schedule
4.22.6
|
Employee
Benefits
|
Schedule
4.22.7
|
COBRA
Beneficiaries
|
Schedule
4.23
|
Employment
Agreements
|
Schedule
4.24
|
Warranties
|
Schedule
4.27
|
Required
Consents
|
Schedule
6.23
|
Severance
Matters
|
Schedule
7.15
|
Employment
Agreements
|
Schedule
10.3.1(i)
|
Knowledge
of Tree
|
Schedule
10.3.1(ii)
|
Knowledge
of the Company
|
Schedule
10.3.1(iii)
|
Knowledge
of PNP
|
-vi-
This
Unit
Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of August 5,
2005, by and among Pick-N-Pull Auto Dismantlers, a California general
partnership (“PNP”), PNP Commercial Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Norprop, Inc., one of
the
general partners of PNP (“Buyer”), and Tree Acquisition, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership (“Tree”). The closing of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement is referred to herein as the “Closing.”
Recitals
Tree
owns
all of the issued and outstanding units of membership interests (the “Units”) of
Xxxxxxxxx Auto Recyclers, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the
“Company”). The Company filed an election to be treated as a corporation for
federal income tax purposes and such election is currently in effect and
will
continue in effect through Closing. Tree desires to sell such Units to Buyer,
and Buyer desires to purchase such Units from Tree, all as herein provided
and
on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
Covenants
In
consideration of the mutual representations, warranties and covenants and
subject to the conditions contained herein, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
1. Purchase
and Sale of the Units
Upon
the
terms and subject to the satisfaction or waiver, if permissible, of all the
conditions set forth herein, at the Closing, Tree agrees to and will sell,
transfer, assign and deliver to Buyer at the Closing, and Buyer agrees to
and
will purchase and accept from Tree, on the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Agreement, all right, title and interest in and to an
aggregate of 90,000,000 Units of membership interests, constituting all of
the
issued and outstanding units of membership interests of the Company, free
and
clear of any Liens. Simultaneous with the Closing of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (a) Tree shall deliver to PNP an agreement
signed by each of the Company’s creditors identified on Exhibit
A
(the
“Creditors”), pursuant to which the Creditors agree to release the Company from
all Liens and liabilities to the Creditors effective at the Closing in exchange
for payment to the Creditors of the amounts set forth opposite their names
on
Exhibit
A
(the
“Debt Payoffs”); (b) Tree shall deliver to PNP the Note Modification
Agreement entered into by Ford Motor Company (“Ford”), Tree and the Company
prior to the Closing with respect to the Series C Junior Secured Note
which
reduces the balance due under the Series C Junior Secured Note to an amount
that, together with the principal and interest under the Series A Junior
Secured
Note, equals the purchase price for the Ford Notes under the Ford Purchase
Agreement (the “Note Modification Agreement”); and (c) Buyer shall acquire
from Ford (i) all of the membership interests of a special purpose
entity
called GLA Real Estate Holdings, LLC (“GLARE”), which owns title to five parcels
of real estate that the Company currently leases from Ford in Wilson, North
Carolina; Seguin, Texas; Tampa, Florida; Chandler, Arizona; and Las Vegas,
Nevada (the “Ford Real Estate”), and (ii) that certain Promissory Note and
related credit documents dated June 4,
2003,
executed by Tree and the Company and payable to the order of Ford in the
original principal amount of $7,100,000, together with all accrued interest,
fees, expenses, obligations, claims, rights and interests therein (the “Series A
Junior Secured Note”), and that certain Promissory Note and related credit
documents dated June 4, 2003 executed by Tree and the Company and
payable
to the order of Ford in the original principal amount of $7,400,000, as modified
by the Note Modification Agreement (the “Series C Junior Secured Note and,
collectively with the Series A Junior Secured Note, the “Ford Notes”), all
pursuant to a definitive agreement between Buyer and Ford that is satisfactory
to Buyer in its sole and absolute discretion (the “Ford Purchase
Agreement”).
2. Purchase
Price and Additional Consideration; Xxxxxxx Money Deposit
2.1 Amount
of the Purchase Price.
As
consideration for the Units (the “Purchase Price”), Buyer agrees, subject to the
terms, conditions and limitations set forth in this Agreement to pay to or
for
the account of Tree at the Closing the amount in cash set forth in Section D
of
Exhibit A
(as
amended per the terms thereof) attached hereto (the “Closing Cash
Consideration”) and to deliver in cash an amount equal to Three Million Dollars
(U.S. $3,000,000), which shall be held, together with the Xxxxxxx Money Deposit
described in Section 2.2
below
(such funds, the “Escrow Funds”) by Commerce Bank, N.A. (the “Escrow Agent”)
pursuant to the Escrow Agreement of even date herewith by and among Buyer,
Tree
and the Escrow Agent (the “Escrow Agreement”).
2.1.1 Amount
of Additional Consideration.
Buyer
agrees, subject to the terms, conditions and limitations set forth in this
Agreement to pay to or for the account of each of the Creditors the Debt
Payoffs
as described in Section A
of
Exhibit A
(as
amended per the terms thereof) hereto.
2.2 Xxxxxxx
Money Deposit.
In
connection with the execution of this Agreement, Buyer has delivered One
Million
Five Hundred Thousand Dollars (U.S. $1,500,000) as an xxxxxxx money deposit
(the
“Xxxxxxx Money Deposit”) to be held in escrow without interest by the Escrow
Agent pursuant to the Escrow Agreement. The Xxxxxxx Money Deposit shall either:
(i) in the event Closing occurs, continue to be held by the Escrow
Agent
and constitute part of the Escrow Funds; (ii) if the Closing does
not occur
as a result of the failure of one or more of the conditions to Buyer’s and PNP’s
obligations set forth in Section 7,
other
than the failure of Buyer’s and PNP’s due diligence condition set forth in
Section 7.6
or the
failure of the conditions to Buyer’s and PNP’s obligations set forth in
Sections 7.14,
7.15,
7.16
or
7.17
be
released to Buyer; or (iii) if the Closing does not occur as a result
of
the failure of Buyer’s and PNP’s due diligence condition set forth in
Section 7.6,
the
failure of the conditions to Buyer’s and PNP’s obligations set forth in
Sections 7.14,
7.15,
7.16
or
7.17
or as a
result of the failure of the condition to Tree’s obligations set forth in
Section 8.6,
be
released to the Company, pursuant to the $1,500,000 Tranche B Term Note by
and
between the Company and Buyer in the form of Exhibit
E-1
attached
hereto (the “Tranche B Term Note”), the Assignment Agreement by and between
Chatham Investment Fund I, LLC (“Chatham”) and Buyer in the form of Exhibit
E-2
attached
hereto (the “Assignment Agreement”) and the First Amendment to Amended and
Restated Credit Agreement by and among the Company, Tree, Buyer and Chatham
in
the form of Exhibit
E-3
attached
hereto (the “Credit Agreement Amendment” and collectively with the
-2-
Tranche
B
Term Note and the Assignment Agreement, the “Loan Documents”). Executed copies
of the Loan Documents have been delivered to the Escrow Agent on the date
hereof
to be held in accordance with the Escrow Agreement.
3. Closing
3.1 Closing.
The
Closing shall take place at the offices of Tree’s legal counsel, as soon as
practicable after the satisfaction or waiver, if permissible, of the respective
conditions of the parties set forth in Sections
7
and
8
hereof.
Throughout this Agreement, such date and time are referred to as the “Closing
Date.”
3.2 Procedure
at the Closing.
At the
Closing, the parties agree to take the following steps in the order listed
below
(provided, however, that upon their completion all such steps shall be deemed
to
have occurred simultaneously):
3.2.1 Tree
shall deliver to Buyer the certificates, instruments and other documents
required to be delivered by Tree pursuant to Section
7.
3.2.2 PNP
shall
deliver (or cause Buyer to deliver) to Tree the certificates, instruments
and
other documents required to be delivered by PNP or Buyer, as the case may
be,
pursuant to Section
8.
3.2.3 Tree
shall deliver to Buyer certificates evidencing the Units, duly endorsed in
blank
or accompanied by duly executed powers of attorney.
3.2.4 PNP
or
Buyer shall pay by wire transfer (a) to Tree the Closing Cash
Consideration; (b) to the Escrow Agent the balance of the Escrow Funds;
and
(c) to the Creditors the Debt Payoffs.
3.2.5 PNP,
Buyer, Tree and the Escrow Agent shall execute and deliver cross receipts
acknowledging receipt from the other, respectively, of the Units, the Cash
Consideration and the Escrow Funds.
3.3 Purchase
Price Adjustment.
3.3.1 Preparation
of Closing Financial Statements.
Within
30 days after the Closing Date, Tree shall prepare at its expense and deliver
to
Buyer and PNP an unaudited balance sheet and income statement for the Company
dated as of the Closing Date (the “Closing Financial Statements”). The financial
statements prepared pursuant to this Section
3.3.1
shall be
calculated on a consistent basis, and using the same accounting methods and
policies, as the financial statements of the Company referred to in Section 4.4
and the
Company’s most recently filed U.S. federal income tax return (subject to
customary adjustments to reflect the differences between cash basis tax or
statutory accounting and accrual accounting for financial reporting purposes)
and shall reflect that the Company (a) owns all assets identified
in
Section
4.8
of the
Disclosure Schedule (including but not limited to all assets currently used
by
the Company or on its December 31, 2004 Balance Sheet, excluding the
Woodinville, Washington assets) free
-3-
and
clear
of all Liens and liabilities; (b) does not have any balance sheet
liabilities except accounts payable, deferred warranty revenue, and accrued
liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business (each in amounts
consistent with past practices); and (c) has a working capital (defined
as
“current assets” less “current liabilities”) as of the Closing Date (“Closing
Working Capital”), of at least $20,859,737 (expressly excluding indebtedness for
borrowed money which is otherwise satisfied at Closing). Each of the items
described in (b) and (c) of the preceding sentence shall be valued in accordance
with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) consistently
applied. The Closing Working Capital shall be calculated in a manner consistent
with Section 3.3.1
of the
Disclosure Schedule and in accordance with GAAP, applied consistently with
the
Company’s past practices (which has expressly included the “waterfall method”
for valuing inventory), and shall include any additional items constituting
“current assets” or “current liabilities” under GAAP (but expressly excluding
indebtedness for borrowed money which is otherwise satisfied at Closing).
The
parties agree that the “waterfall method” of valuing inventory shall mean that
method described on Section 3.3.1
of the
Disclosure Schedule. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the
contrary, the Closing Financial Statements shall include as a current liability
a line item entitled “Income Tax Payable in Connection with Discharge of
Indebtedness” in an amount of $45,000.00, which amount shall be taken into
account in calculating Closing Working Capital. The parties agree that by
taking
this amount into account in calculating Closing Working Capital the Company
shall retain all responsibility for federal and state income taxes of the
Company with respect to the income from discharge of indebtedness that may
be
recognized by the Company as a result of, or in connection with, the Debt
Payoffs and the Note Modification Agreement and Tree shall have no
responsibility, liability, or indemnification obligations with respect to
such
federal and state income taxes of the Company.
3.3.2 Review
of Closing Financial Statements.
Tree
shall permit Buyer and PNP and their accountants to review promptly upon
request
all accounting records, work papers and computations used by Tree and its
accountants (and Tree shall direct its accountants to release such records,
work
papers and computations) in the preparation of the Closing Financial Statements
and the computation of the Closing Working Capital. If Buyer and PNP dispute
the
Closing Working Capital reflected on the Closing Financial Statements prepared
by Tree, not more than 60 days after the date Buyer and PNP receive such
Closing
Financial Statements, Buyer and PNP shall deliver to Tree a notice of dispute
(“Notice of Dispute”), specifying in reasonable detail the points of
disagreement. If Buyer and PNP fail to deliver a Notice of Dispute within
such
60-day period, Buyer and PNP shall be deemed to have accepted the Closing
Working Capital reflected on the Closing Financial Statements prepared by
Tree.
3.3.3 Disputes.
Upon
receipt of a Notice of Dispute, Tree shall promptly consult with Buyer and
PNP
in good faith with respect to the specified points of disagreement in an
effort
to resolve the dispute. If any such dispute cannot be resolved by the parties
within 30 days (or longer, as mutually agreed by the parties) after Tree
receives the Notice of Dispute, the Parties shall refer the dispute to a
certified public accountant and partner at Deloitte & Touche LLP, as an
arbitrator to finally determine, as
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soon
as
practicable, and in any event within 30 days after such reference, all points
of
disagreement with respect to the calculation of the Closing Working Capital
reflected on the Closing Financial Statements prepared by Tree. If Deloitte
& Touche LLP shall not have agreed to perform the services called for
hereunder within 30 days of such selection, the arbitrator shall thereupon
be
selected in accordance with the Commercial Rules of the American Arbitration
Association, with preference being given to Ernst & Young LLP (the actual
arbitrator finally selected being referred to herein as the “Arbiter”). For
purposes of such arbitration, each party shall submit a proposed calculation
of
the Closing Working Capital. The Arbiter shall apply the terms of Section
3.3
of this
Agreement, and shall otherwise conduct the arbitration under such procedures
as
the parties may agree or, failing such agreement, under then prevailing
Commercial Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The fees and expenses
of the arbitration and the Arbiter incurred in connection with the calculation
of the Closing Working Capital shall be shared equally by Tree and Buyer
(except
that each party shall bear the fees and expenses of its outside counsel and
accountants). All determinations by the Arbiter shall be final, conclusive
and
binding with respect to the calculation of the Closing Working
Capital.
3.3.4 Post-Closing
Adjustment Payments.
The
Purchase Price shall be adjusted as follows:
a) If
the
Closing Working Capital as finally determined in accordance with Section
3.3
exceeds
$20,859,737, Buyer and PNP shall pay to Tree the amount by which the Closing
Working Capital exceeds $20,859,737; or
b) If
the
Closing Working Capital as finally determined in accordance with Section
3.3
is less
than $20,859,737, Tree shall pay to Buyer the amount by which the Closing
Working Capital is less than $20,859,737.
Any
payment so required to be made by Buyer and PNP under this Section
3.3.4
shall be
by transfer of immediately available funds not more than seven business days
after final determination thereof. Any payment so required to be made by
Tree
under this Section 3.3.4
shall be
deducted from the Escrow Funds (to the extent that the Escrow Funds are
sufficient to cover such payment) and delivered to Buyer on Tree’s behalf by the
Escrow Agent, subject to Section
3.4
below.
3.4 Potential
Replenishment/Release of Escrow Funds.
If the
Escrow Funds are less than $3,500,000 following the post-Closing adjustment
payment made on Tree’s behalf from the Escrow Funds pursuant to Section
3.3.4,
Tree
shall promptly deliver to the Escrow Agent, in immediately available funds,
an
amount sufficient to replenish the Escrow Funds to $3,500,000. If the Escrow
Funds are greater than $3,500,000 following the post-Closing adjustment payments
pursuant to Section
3.3.4,
then
the amount by which the Escrow Funds exceed $3,500,000 shall be promptly
released from the Escrow Funds and delivered to Tree by the Escrow
Agent.
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4. Representations
and Warranties of Tree
In
order
to induce PNP and Buyer to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereunder, Tree makes the following representations
and warranties with regard to the Company as of the date of this Agreement
and
as of the Closing Date (unless a contrary date is indicated below):
4.1 Organization,
Power and Authority of the Company.
The
Company is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing
in
good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware with all requisite
power
and authority and all licenses and permits necessary to own, lease and use
its
assets and properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted.
The Company is legally qualified to transact business and is in good standing
in
each jurisdiction where it conducts business.
4.2 Units
of the Company.
The
authorized, issued and outstanding units of membership interests of the Company
are set forth in Section
4.2
of the
Disclosure Schedule attached hereto (the “Disclosure Schedule”). All voting
rights in the Company are vested exclusively in its units of membership
interests, and there are no voting trusts, proxies or other agreements or
understandings with respect to the voting of the units of membership interests
of the Company. All of the issued and outstanding units of membership interests
of the Company are validly authorized and issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
Section
4.2
of the
Disclosure Schedule sets forth the name and address of, and number of units
of
membership interests of the Company owned by Tree as of the date hereof.
Section
4.2
of the
Disclosure Schedule also sets forth the name and address, and number of units
of
partnership interests of, Tree as of the date hereof. Except for Buyer’s rights
pursuant to this Agreement and an option
plan of Tree with respect to
which no
outstanding options would be “in the money” based upon the economics of this
Agreement (and which will be cancelled prior to Closing), there are no
outstanding warrants, options or rights of any kind to acquire from the Company
or Tree any units of membership interests of the Company or securities of
any
kind, and there are no preemptive rights with respect to the issuance or
sale of
units of membership interests of the Company. The Company has no obligation
to
acquire any of its issued and outstanding units of membership interests or
any
other security issued by it from any holder thereof.
4.3 Subsidiaries. Except
for Recovered
Parts Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Subsidiary”), the Company has no
subsidiaries and no direct or indirect equity interest in any other person
or
entity.
4.4 Financial
Statements.
Set
forth in Section
4.4
of the
Disclosure Schedule are the following financial statements of the Company
(the
“Financial Statements”):
4.4.1 unaudited
balance sheets at December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004;
4.4.2 unaudited
statements of operation and cash flows for the twelve months ended December
31,
2004 and the period from June 3, 2003 to December 31, 2003;
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4.4.3 unaudited
balance sheet and statement of income and cash flows for the five months
ended
May 31, 2005; and
4.4.4 as
to the
foregoing, all notes and schedules thereto.
The
Financial Statements (including the related notes thereto), have been prepared
in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior periods,
present fairly the financial position of the Company as of their respective
dates, and the results of operations and cash flows for the Company for the
periods presented therein, and reflect all adjustments necessary for the
fair
presentation of results for the periods presented. The unaudited balance
sheet
of the Company at May 31, 2005 is referred to herein as the “2005 Balance
Sheet.”
4.5 Liabilities.
The
Company has no material liabilities or obligations, either known or unknown,
asserted or unasserted, liquidated or unliquidated, accrued, absolute,
contingent or otherwise, and, to the knowledge of the Company, there is no
basis
for any claim against the Company for any such liabilities or obligations,
in
either case, except: (i) to the extent reflected on the 2005 Balance
Sheet
and not heretofore paid or discharged; (ii) to the extent clearly
disclosed
and specifically set forth in or incorporated by express reference in
Section
4.5
of the
Disclosure Schedule; and (iii) normal liabilities incurred in the
ordinary
course of the Company’s business, consistent with prior practice, since the date
of the 2005 Balance Sheet, none of which has had or may reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
4.6 Tax
Matters.
Except
as set forth in Section
4.6
of the
Disclosure Schedule:
4.6.1 The
Company has filed, or caused to be filed, on a timely basis all Tax Returns
required to be filed, and such Tax Returns are true, accurate and complete
in
all material respects. Without limiting the foregoing, none of the Tax Returns
contains any position that is, or would be, subject to penalties under
Section 6662 of the Internal Revenue Code, of 1986, as amended (“Code”) (or
any corresponding provisions of state, local or non-U.S. Tax law). The Company
has not entered into any “listed transactions” as defined in Treasury Regulation
Section 1.6011-4(b)(2), and the Company has properly disclosed all reportable
transactions as required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4, including
filing Form 8886 with Tax Returns and with the Office of Tax Shelter
Analysis.
4.6.2 Section
4.6
of the
Disclosure Schedule lists all Tax Returns required to be filed by the Company
for periods up to the Closing Date (whether or not the period ends on such
date)
that have not been filed on or before the Closing Date. Except as set forth
on
Schedule 4.6
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the Company currently is not the beneficiary of any
extension of time within which to file any Tax Return.
4.6.3 All
Taxes
due and owing by the Company whether or not reflected on any Tax Return have
been timely and fully paid or will be taken into account in calculating the
Closing Working Capital.
4.6.4 The
Company has timely and properly withheld and paid all Taxes required to have
been withheld and paid in connection with any amounts paid or owing to
-7-
any
employee, independent contractor, creditor, member, stockholder or other
third
party, including, but not limited to, amounts required to be withheld under
Sections 1441 and 1442 of the Code (or similar provisions of state, local
or
non-U.S. Law).
4.6.5 Other
than income Taxes related to income from discharge of indebtedness that may
be
recognized by the Company as a result of, or in connection with, the Debt
Payoffs and the Note Modification Agreement, the aggregate unpaid Taxes of
the
Company do not and will not exceed the reserve for Tax liability (excluding
any
reserve for deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between
book and Tax income) reflected in the 2005 Balance Sheet (for those points
in
time) and on the Closing Financial Statements (for that point in time),
respectively.
4.6.6 Section 4.6
of the
Disclosure Schedule sets forth as of the Closing Date (i) the amount
of any
net operating loss, net capital loss, unused investment credit or other credit,
unused foreign tax or excess charitable contribution allocable to the Company;
and (ii) any “ownership change” as such term is defined in
Section 382(g) of the Code with respect to the Company.
4.6.7 There
are
no Liens for Taxes (other than for current Taxes not yet due and payable)
upon
any assets of the Company.
4.6.8 The
Company is not a party to or bound by any Tax indemnity, Tax sharing or Tax
allocation agreement or arrangement.
4.6.9 Except
in
connection with the Company’s membership in the “affiliated group,” within the
meaning of Section 1504 of the Code, that includes the Ford Motor Company
prior
to June 4, 2003, the Company (i) is not and never has been a member
of an
“affiliated group” within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code and (ii) does
not have any liability for the Taxes of any person under Treasury regulation
Section 1.1502-6 (or similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. law) as
a
transferee or successor, by contract or otherwise.
4.6.10 No
claim
has ever been made by a taxing authority in a jurisdiction where the Company
does not file Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to taxation by that
jurisdiction.
4.6.11 No
federal, state, local or non-U.S. Tax audits or administrative or judicial
Tax
proceedings are pending or being conducted with respect to the
Company.
4.6.12 The
Company has not received from any federal, state, local or non-U.S. Tax
authority (including jurisdictions where the Company has not filed a Tax
Return)
any (i) notice indicating an intent to open an audit or other review; (ii)
request for information related to Tax matters; or (iii) notice or deficiency
or
proposed adjustment for any amount of Tax proposed, asserted, or assessed
by any
Tax authority against the Company or any Subsidiary.
-8-
4.6.13 The
Company has not waived any statutes of limitation in respect of Taxes or
agreed
to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or
deficiency.
4.6.14 As
set
forth in Section
4.6
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the Company has delivered to Buyer true, correct and
complete copies of all income Tax Returns (which income Tax Returns are true,
correct and complete in all material respects), Tax examination reports and
statements of deficiencies assessed against, or agreed to with respect to
the
Company with respect to the time period beginning June 4, 2003 through
the
date hereof with the Internal Revenue Service or any other Tax
authority.
4.6.15 The
Company is not a party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or plan that
has
resulted or would result, in a payment that would not be fully deductible
as a
result of Section 162(m) or Section 280G of the Code or any similar provision
of
non-U.S., state or local law.
4.6.16 Set
forth
in Section
4.6
of the
Disclosure Schedule are all nonqualified deferred compensation plans, within
the
meaning of Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code, in connection with which the Company
is a party or may have any liability. No obligation under any such plan has
been
or will be subject to a gross income inclusion by reason of Section 409A(a)(1)
of the Code. No such plan has assets set aside directly or indirectly in
the
manner described in Section 409A(b)(1) of the Code or contains a provision
that
would be subject to Section 409A(b)(2).
4.6.17 None
of
the assets of the Company is property that the Company is required to treat
as
being a “safe harbor lease” within the meaning of Section 168(f)(8) of the Code,
as in effect prior to amendment by the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility
Act
of 1982.
4.6.18 None
of
the assets of the Company has been financed with or directly or indirectly
secures any debt the interest on which is tax-exempt under Section 103(a)
of the
Code. The Company is not a borrower or guarantor of any outstanding industrial
revenue bonds, and the Company is not a tenant, principal user or related
person
to any principal user (within the meaning of Section 144(a) of the Code)
of any
property that has been financed or improved with the proceeds of any industrial
revenue bonds.
4.6.19 None
of
the assets of the Company is “tax exempt use property” within the meaning of
Section 168(h) of the Code.
4.6.20 The
Company has not been a United States real property holding corporation within
the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period
specified in Section 897 of the Code.
4.6.21 The
Company will not be required to include any item of income in, or exclude
any
item of deduction from, taxable income for any Tax period (or portion thereof)
ending after the Closing Date as a result of any (i) “closing agreement” as
described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision
of state,
-9-
local
or
non-U.S. income Tax law) executed on or prior to the Closing Date; (ii)
installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the
Closing
Date; or (iii) prepaid amount received on or prior to the Closing
Date.
4.6.22 As
used
in this Agreement, “Taxes” means all taxes, charges, fees, levies, or other like
assessments, including without limitation, all federal, possession, state,
city,
county and non-U.S. (or governmental unit, agency, or political subdivision
of
any of the foregoing) income, profits, employment (including Social Security,
unemployment insurance and employee income tax withholding), franchise, gross
receipts, sales, use, transfer, stamp, occupation, property, capital, severance,
premium, windfall profits, customs, duties, ad valorem, value added and excise
taxes; PBGC premiums and any other governmental charges of the same or similar
nature; whether disputed or not, including any interest, penalty, or addition
thereto, and including any obligations to indemnify or otherwise assume or
succeed to the Tax liability of any other Person. Any one of the foregoing
shall
be referred to sometimes as a “Tax.”
4.6.23 As
used
in this Agreement, “Tax Returns” means all returns, reports, estimates, claims
for refund, information statements or returns relating to or required to
be
filed in connection with any Taxes, including any schedule or attachment
thereto, and including any amendment thereof. Any one of the foregoing Tax
Returns shall be referred to sometimes as a “Tax Return.”
4.7 Real
Estate.
4.7.1 The
Company does not own any Real Estate as of the date of signing this
Agreement.
4.7.2 Section
4.7
of the
Disclosure Schedule accurately and completely sets forth, with respect to
every
parcel of real estate leased by the Company (the “Leasehold Premises”):
(i) the lessor and lessee thereof and the date and term (including
the
expiration date) of the lease (including all renewal options and notice
deadlines to exercise such options) governing such property; (ii) the rental
and
other charges payable by the lessee thereunder; (iii) the amount of security
deposits, if any; (iv) the date to which lessee has paid rent; (v) the location,
including address, thereof; (vi) the approximate size thereof; (vii) a brief
description (including size, approximate year of completion, and function)
of
the principal improvements and buildings thereon; and (viii) the nature
and
amount of any mortgages, tax liens or other liens thereon (including without
limitation any environmental liens), all of which the Company shall release
or
cause to be released at or prior to Closing. The Company has previously
delivered to Buyer accurate and complete copies of each of the leases covering
the Leasehold Premises set forth in Section
4.7
of the
Disclosure Schedule, and none of such leases has been amended or modified
except
to the extent that such amendments or modifications are disclosed in such
copies
or in Section
4.7
of the
Disclosure Schedule. To the Company’s knowledge, all of the leases covering the
Leasehold Premises are in full force and effect. Except as set forth in
Section
4.7
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the Company is not in default or breach under the terms
of
any such lease and no event has occurred
-10-
which
with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would cause a breach
of
or default under the terms of any such lease. The Company has no knowledge
of
any breach or anticipated breach by the other parties to any such lease.
There
are no tenancies or occupancies affecting any of the Leasehold Premises except
as disclosed on Section
4.7
of the
Disclosure Schedule. Section
4.7
of the
Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete list of all real property formerly
owned, used or leased by the Company (i) since June 4, 2003 and (ii)
to the
Company’s and Tree’s knowledge, prior to June 4, 2003.
4.7.3 The
Company has a leasehold interest in each of the Leasehold Premises, free
and
clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Encumbrances, and such mortgages,
tax
liens or other liens disclosed in Section
4.7
of the
Disclosure Schedule and which such mortgages, tax liens or other liens shall
be
fully satisfied and released at or prior to Closing.
4.7.4 The
buildings, improvements, structures, fixtures and systems (including, without
limitation, the HVAC, plumbing, drainage, electrical and mechanical systems
located on the Leasehold Premises are in operating condition sufficient to
conduct the business currently being conducted, normal wear and tear excepted,
and comply with all applicable building codes and other Laws, ordinances,
and
codes in all material respects except for certain Americans with Disabilities
Act noncompliance matters described in Section
4.7
of the
Disclosure Schedule, none of which have or would reasonably be expected to
have
a Material Adverse Effect.
4.7.5 At
and
immediately after the Closing, Buyer shall have the right to maintain or
use the
Leasehold Premises and to conduct such activities thereon as maintained,
used or
conducted by the Company on the date hereof. To the Company’s and Tree’s
knowledge, except as disclosed in Section 4.7
of the
Disclosure Schedule there is no condition affecting any of the Leasehold
Premises or the improvements located thereon which requires repair or correction
to restore the same to reasonable operating condition.
4.7.6 Each
parcel of the Leasehold Premises has the necessary and appropriate zoning
(including, without limitation, all related zoning and/or land use
authorizations, variances, special or conditional use permits and the like)
as
required by Law to allow the Company to carry on its business as it is now
being
conducted.
4.7.7 Except
as
set forth in Section
4.7
of the
Disclosure Schedule, all utilities and services necessary for the Company's
operations of each of the Leasehold Premises (including, without limitation,
gas, water storm and sanitary sewers, electricity and telephone) are available
to the Leasehold Premises and may be used by the Company, are connected with
valid permits, and are of sufficient capacity to meet adequately all needs
and
requirements necessary for us and operations of the improvements thereon
for
their intended purposes.
4.7.8 Except
as
set forth in Section
4.7
of the
Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor Tree has received any notice
of
(i) any proposed or threatened
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condemnation,
eminent domain or rezoning proceeding with respect to any portion of the
Leasehold Premises, and, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, no proceeding
is contemplated by any Government; or (ii) any special assessment
which may
affect the Leasehold Premises, and, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, no
such special assessment is contemplated by any Government.
4.7.9 A
list of
all licenses, permits, authorizations, certificates of occupancies and other
approvals in the Company’s possession
pertaining to the Leasehold Premises is set forth in Section
4.7
of the
Disclosure Schedule.
4.8 Title
to and Condition of Assets.
The
Company has good and marketable title to all of its assets (other than the
Leasehold Premises covered by Section
4.7),
free
and clear of all Liens, except for the Permitted Encumbrances, none of which
materially detract from the value of the assets or materially interfere with
any
present use of the assets. The fixed assets and other tangible personal property
of the Company are in operating condition sufficient to conduct the Company’s
business as currently being conducted, normal wear and tear excepted, and,
to
the Company’s and Tree’s knowledge, are in conformity with all applicable Laws
relating thereto currently in effect. Section
4.8
of the
Disclosure Schedule sets forth the following information regarding the fixed
assets located at each of the Leasehold Premises: (i) the book value
at
December 31, 2004 of each of the following categories of fixed assets at
such
location: equipment, tools, office machinery and other fixed assets (in each
case, all assets used or owned by the Company shall be included regardless
of
whether such assets were on the Company’s balance sheet at December 31, 2004),
(ii) the age of the fixed assets in each such category at such location,
and (iii) the approximate value (including the amount and date of
any
appraisals) of the fixed assets in each such category at such location. The
inventory and supplies of the Company consist of items of a quality and quantity
usable and salable in the ordinary course of the Company’s business at values in
the aggregate at least equal to the values at which such items are carried
on
its books. The automobiles parts listed on the Company’s computer database as
vehicles owned by the Company as of May 31, 2005 were all located at the
Leasehold Premises and as of the date hereof all are located at the Leasehold
Premises, except for any sales of such parts in the ordinary course of business.
The value at which such inventory is carried on the 2005 Balance Sheet reflects
the Company’s normal inventory valuation policies using the “waterfall method,”
all determined in accordance with past practices and GAAP. The Company’s
inventory, supplies and automobile parts are in material compliance with
all
applicable Laws relating thereto currently in effect, and at a level, quality
and age which is consistent with the Company’s past practices for normal
operations.
4.9 Receivables.
Set
forth in Section
4.9
of the
Disclosure Schedule is an aging schedule of the accounts receivable of the
Company as of May 31, 2005. The Company has previously furnished PNP with
a
complete list of all receivables of the Company as of May 31, 2005,
including due dates thereof, and including accounts receivable, factored
accounts receivable, notes receivable and insurance proceeds receivable.
All of
the receivables listed thereon or set forth or reflected in the 2005 Balance
Sheet, were, as of the dates as of which the information is given therein,
and
as of the Closing Date all of the receivables of the Company will be, valid
accounts receivable which are or will be current and collectible and which
have
been or will be, within 90 days after the Closing Date, collected in full
except
to the extent of
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standard
practice credits and returns, and the allowance for uncollectible receivables
as
shown on the Closing Financial Statements.
4.10 Licenses
and Permits.
The
Company possesses all material licenses and other Government or official
approvals, permits or authorizations required to carry on its business as
it is
now being conducted, including, without limitation, such approvals, permits
or
authorizations as are required for full service auto dismantling at each
of the
Leasehold Premises. All such licenses, approvals, permits and authorizations
are
in full force and effect, the Company is in material compliance with their
requirements, and no proceeding is pending or, to the Company’s and Tree’s
knowledge, threatened to revoke or amend any of them. Section
4.10
of the
Disclosure Schedule contains an accurate and complete list of all such licenses,
approvals, permits and authorizations. Except as set forth on Section 4.10
of the
Disclosure Schedule, none of such licenses, approvals, permits and
authorizations are or will be materially impaired or in any material way
affected by the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation
of
the transactions contemplated hereby.
4.11 Proprietary
Rights.
The
Company possesses all proprietary rights, including without limitation patents,
trade secrets, technology, know-how, copyrights, trademarks, trade names,
assumed or “doing business as” names, and rights to any of the foregoing
(collectively, the “Proprietary Rights”), necessary to carry on the Company’s
business as now being conducted without, to the Company’s and Tree’s knowledge,
conflict with valid proprietary rights of others. Section 4.11
of the
Disclosure Schedule contains an accurate and complete list of all material
Proprietary Rights including all such Proprietary Rights that are currently
registered, issued, or for which an application is currently pending at the
appropriate office, together with an indication of the status thereof. Except
as
set forth in Section
4.11
of the
Disclosure Schedule, (i) the Company owns all right, title and interest in
and
to all of the Proprietary Rights, free and clear of any Liens, (ii) there
have
been no claims made against the Company asserting the invalidity, abuse,
misuse,
or unenforceability of any of the Proprietary Rights or challenging the
Company’s right to use or ownership of any of the Proprietary Rights, and, to
the knowledge of the Company and Tree, there are no grounds for the same,
(iii)
neither the Company nor Tree has received any notice of conflict with or
infringement of the asserted rights of others within the last five years,
and
(iv) to the Company’s and Tree’s knowledge, the conduct of the business of the
Company has not infringed upon, and does not now infringe upon, valid
proprietary rights of any other person, or involve the use of trademarks
or
trade names that would constitute acts of unfair competition or
infringement.
4.12 Adequacy
of Assets.
The
assets and properties of the Company constitute, in the aggregate, all of
the
assets and properties now used, or necessary for the conduct of the Company’s
business in the manner in which and to the extent to which it is currently
being
conducted. There exists no condition, restriction or reservation affecting
the
title to or utility of the Company’s assets and properties which would prevent
Buyer from utilizing such assets and properties, or any part thereof, to
the
same full extent that the Company and Tree might continue to do so if the
sale
and transfer contemplated hereby did not take place. Upon the Closing, the
Company will have good and marketable title to such assets and properties
free
and clear of all Liens, except for the Permitted Encumbrances. Section
4.12
of the
Disclosure Schedule sets forth an accurate and complete list of the 10 largest
suppliers of the Company by volume (dollar
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value)
of
purchases or sales. Neither the Company nor Tree knows of any written or
oral
communication, fact, event or action which exists, or has occurred within
90
days prior to the date of this Agreement, which would tend to indicate that:
any
current customer of the Company which accounted for over 2% of the total
consolidated net sales of the Company for the twelve months ended December
31,
2004, or any current supplier to the Company of items material to the conduct
of
its business, which items cannot be replaced by the Company at comparable
cost
to the Company and the loss of which would have a Material Adverse Effect,
intends to decrease the rate of supplying or buying (as the case may be)
materials, products or services from the Company or terminate its business
relationship with the Company. To the Company’s and Tree’s knowledge, none of
the customer accounts of the Company have been designated by the appropriate
Government authorities as a “small business set-aside” contract. Excluding less
than 2% ownership of publicly traded stocks, none of Tree or any officer,
director of Tree or the Company, or any affiliate of any of them, has any
direct
or indirect interest in any customer, supplier or competitor of the Company
or
in any person from whom or to whom the Company leases real or personal property,
or in any other person with whom the Company is doing business, except as
set
forth in Section
4.12
of the
Disclosure Schedule.
4.13 Certain
Documents and Information.
Section
4.13
of the
Disclosure Schedule accurately and completely lists the following, in each
case,
whether written or oral: (i) each loan, credit agreement, guarantee,
security agreement, note, evidence of indebtedness or similar document or
instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;
(ii) each lease of personal property or real property to which the
Company
is a party or by which it is bound; (iii) each contract or agreement containing
any covenant limiting the Company from engaging in any line of business or
competing with any person; (iv) any other agreement, contract or commitment
to
which the Company is a party or by which it is bound which involves an aggregate
commitment by the Company in excess of $25,000 and which cannot be terminated
without liability on 60 days or less notice; (v) each power of attorney
executed by or on behalf of the Company; (vi) the name and current
annual
compensation of each employee of the Company whose current base salary is
in
excess of $50,000 per annum and the profit sharing, bonus or any other form
of
compensation (other than base compensation) paid or payable by the Company
to or
for the benefit of each such person for the year ended December 31,
2004 or
any period thereafter, and any employment or other agreement of the Company
with
any of its officers or employees; (vii) the name of each of the officers
and directors of the Company; and (viii) the name of each bank in
which the
Company has an account or safe-deposit box, the name in which the account
or box
is held and the names of all persons authorized to draw thereon or to have
access thereto. The Company has previously furnished PNP with an accurate
and
complete copy of each such written agreement, contract or commitment listed
in
Section
4.13
of the
Disclosure Schedule (the “Contracts”); and except as set forth on Section 4.13
of the
Disclosure Schedule or as would not be likely to result in a Material Adverse
Effect, there has not been any default in any obligation to be performed
by the
Company under any Contract and none of such Contracts has been modified or
amended in any respect. Each of the Contracts is a valid, binding and
enforceable obligation of the Company and, to the Company’s and Tree’s
knowledge, the other parties thereto, in accordance with its terms and
conditions, except that such enforcement may be subject to (a) bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting or
relating to enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (b) general
equitable principles.
-14-
Except
as
would not be likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company
nor, to the Company’s and Tree’s knowledge, any other party thereto, is in
breach of or in violation of, or in default under, any such Contract, and
there
is no pending, or to the Company’s and Tree’s knowledge, threatened, dispute
with regard to any such Contract.
4.14 Insurance.
The
Company carries insurance, which is reasonably adequate in character and
amount
for risks normally insured against by a person carrying on the same business
as
the Company and the Subsidiary, with reputable insurers, covering all of
its
assets, properties and business, and has provided all required performance
and
other surety bonds. Section
4.14
of the
Disclosure Schedule accurately and completely lists each policy of insurance
in
force with respect to the Company, its assets and properties, and each of
the
performance or other surety bonds maintained by the Company in the conduct
of
its business, and indicates whether each policy is a claims-made policy or
an
occurrence-based policy. All premiums and other payments which have become
due
under the policies of insurance listed in Section
4.14
of the
Disclosure Schedule have been paid in full, all of such policies are now
in full
force and effect and the Company has not received notice from any insurer,
agent
or broker of the cancellation of, or any increase in premium with respect
to,
any of such policies or bonds. The Company has not received any notification
from any insurer, agent or broker denying or disputing any claim made by
any of
them or denying or disputing any coverage for any such claim or the amount
of
any claim. Except as set forth in Section
4.14
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the Company does not have any claim against any of its
insurers under any of such policies pending or anticipated, and, to the
Company’s and Tree’s knowledge, there has been no occurrence of any kind which
would give rise to any such claim. Section
4.14
of the
Disclosure Schedule sets forth the claims experience (including all open
and
closed claims) of the Company for the period from June 4, 2003 to
the
present, for workers’ compensation claims, general liability claims, auto
liability claims, products liability claims and any other claims covered
by any
insurance policy the Company has ever possessed.
4.15 Litigation.
Except
as set forth in Section
4.15
of the
Disclosure Schedule, there are no, and, since June 4, 2003, there
have not
been any, actions, suits, claims, Government investigations or arbitration
proceedings (“Actions”) pending or, to the Company’s or Tree’s knowledge,
threatened against or affecting the Company, any of the assets or properties
of
the Company, or any of the Company’s members, managers, or other personnel in
their capacity as such, and, to the best of the Company’s and Tree’s knowledge,
there is no basis for any of the foregoing. There is no pending or, to the
Company’s and Tree’s knowledge, threatened Action challenging, enjoining, or
preventing this Agreement, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby. The Company is not and has not been subject to any Order other than
Orders of general applicability, and the Company has not been subject to
or, to
the Company’s or Tree’s knowledge, threatened to be subject to, and, to the
Company’s and Tree’s knowledge, there are no grounds for, any Action or Order
relating to personal injury, death, or property or economic damage arising
from
products sold, licensed or leased or services performed by the Company, except
as set forth on Section 4.15
of the
Disclosure Schedule. There are no unsatisfied judgments against the
Company.
4.16 Records.
The
Company has previously furnished PNP and Buyer with copies of the Company’s
certificate of formation and all amendments thereto to date and of the Company’s
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operating
agreement, and such copies are correct and complete in all respects. All
of the
operating data and records of the Company, including without limitation customer
lists and financial, accounting and credit records (the “Records”), are accurate
and complete in all material respects, and there are no material matters
as to
which appropriate entries have not been made therein. A record of all actions
taken by Tree or the manager of the Company and all minutes of their meetings
are contained in the minute books of the Company and are materially accurate
and
complete. The record books and equity ledgers of the Company contain an accurate
and complete record of all issuances, transfers and cancellations of units
of
membership interests of the Company, accurate and complete copies of which
have
been previously furnished by the Company to PNP and Buyer.
4.17 No
Material Adverse Change.
Since
December 31, 2004, there have not been any changes in the business, assets
or
properties of the Company, or in its financial condition or results of
operations, other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business
which in the aggregate have not had, and could not reasonably be expected
to
have, a Material Adverse Effect. There is not, to the Company’s or Tree’s
knowledge, any threatened or prospective event or condition of any character
whatsoever which could have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.18 Absence
of Certain Acts or Events.
Except
as disclosed in Section
4.18
of the
Disclosure Schedule, since May 31, 2005, the Company has not:
(i) authorized or issued any of its units of equity interests (including
any held in its treasury) or any other securities; (ii) declared or
paid
any dividend or made any other distribution of or with respect to its units
of
equity interests or other securities or purchased or redeemed any units of
its
equity interests or other securities; (iii) paid any bonus or increased
the
rate of compensation of, or increased any benefits granted under any Plans
for,
any of its employees, except for increases in employee compensation in the
ordinary course of business and not exceeding 4% of such employee’s annual
compensation; (iv) sold, leased, transferred or assigned any of its
assets
or properties, other than in the ordinary course of business; (v) made
or
obligated itself to make capital expenditures aggregating more than $25,000;
(vi) incurred any material obligations or liabilities (including any
indebtedness) or entered into any material transaction, except for this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; (vii) suffered
any
theft, damage, destruction or casualty loss in excess of $25,000; (viii)
deferred the payment of any liabilities or accounts payable or deferred the
acquisition of any inventory outside the ordinary course of business or in
a
manner inconsistent with past practices; (ix) accelerated the collection
of any
accounts receivable outside the ordinary course of business or in a manner
inconsistent with past practices; (x) made any changes with respect to its
Tax
or financial accounting or any Tax election; (xi) granted any Lien with respect
to the Units or any assets or properties of the Company; (xii) modified or
terminated any Contract or any material term thereof except in the ordinary
course of business; or (xiii) made any addition to or modification of the
Plans
described in Section
4.22
of the
Disclosure Schedule, other than contributions made for the period after December
31, 2004, in accordance with the Company’s normal practices or the extension of
coverage to officers or employees of the Company who became eligible after
December 31, 2004.
4.19 Compliance
with Laws.
Except
as set forth in Section
4.19
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the Company is in compliance with all Laws and Orders
applicable to it, its assets, properties and business, including, without
limitation, any applicable Laws with respect to the
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car
purchasing practices of the Company, except where the failure so to comply
would
not have a Material Adverse Effect. To the Company’s and Tree’s knowledge, there
are no conditions that may result in the Company’s assets, properties or
business being subject to remedial or similar obligations with respect to
any
Orders, Laws or other requirements of any Government. The Company has not
received notification of any asserted past or present failure to comply with
any
Laws, and, to the best of the Company’s and Tree’s knowledge, no proceeding with
respect to any such violation is contemplated or threatened. Neither the
Company
nor, to the best of the Company’s and Tree’s knowledge, any employee of the
Company, has made any payment of funds in connection with the business of
the
Company prohibited by Law, and no funds have been set aside to be used in
connection with its business for any payment prohibited by Law.
4.20 Environmental
Matters.
4.20.1 Definitions.
For
purposes of this Agreement, the terms listed below shall mean the
following:
“Above
Ground Tanks” shall mean that term as defined in 40 C.F.R. §
260.10.
“Environmental
Laws” means U.S. federal, state, regional, county and local administrative
rules, statutes, codes, ordinances, regulations, licenses, Environmental
Permits, approvals, plans, authorizations, directives, rulings, injunctions,
decrees, orders, judgments, and any similar items, relating to the protection
of
human health, safety, or the environment including without limitation: (a)
the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980
(“CERCLA”) (42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq.); (b) the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq.); (c) The Hazardous
Materials Transportation Control Act of 1970 (49 U.S.C. §§ 1802 et seq.); (d)
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended by the Solid
and
Hazardous Waste Act Amendments (“RCRA”) (42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 et seq.); (e) the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended by the Clean Water Act of
1977
(33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq.) (the “Clean Water Act”); (f) the Safe Drinking Water
Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 300h et seq.); (g) the Clean Air Act, as amended by the Clean
Air Act Amendments of 1990 (42 U.S.C. §§ 1857 et seq.); (h) the Solid Waste
Disposal Act, as amended by RCRA (42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.); (i) the Toxic
Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq.); (j) the Emergency Planning
and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (“EPCRA”) (42 U.S.C. §§ 11001 et seq.);
(k) the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (“FIFRA”) (7 U.S.C.
§§ 136 et seq.); (l) the Radon Gas and Indoor Air Quality Reserve Act (42 U.S.C.
§§ 7401 et seq.); (m) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C.
§§ 4321 et seq.); (n) the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. §§ 401 et
seq.); (o) the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. §§ 1321 et seq.); (p) the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. §§ 1531 et seq.); (q) the
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, (29 U.S.C. §§ 651 et
seq.); (r) North American Free Trade Act, (s) counterparts of any of the
foregoing federal statutes enacted within or outside the United States or
by any
other nation, any U.S. state, region, county or local government (including
any
subdivisions thereof); (t) any and all laws, rules, regulations, codes,
ordinances, licenses, permits, approvals, plans, authorizations, directives,
rulings, injunctions, decrees, orders and
-17-
judgments
enacted or promulgated under any of the foregoing, all as amended and as
may be
amended in the future, and (u) common law theories of nuisance, trespass,
waste,
negligence, and abnormally dangerous activities arising out of or relating
to
the presence of Hazardous Substances in the environment or work
place.
“Environmental
Permit” shall mean any approval, covenant, waiver, exception, order, permit,
authorization, site-specific limitation, or license of any Governmental
Authority relating to any Environmental Law or the use of land or any Company
operations.
“Governmental
Authority” means (i) any government or political subdivision thereof whether
domestic, national, state, county, municipal or regional or any other
governmental entity; (ii) any agency or instrumentality of any such government,
political subdivision or other government entity; (iii) any court, arbitral
tribunal or arbitrator; and (iv) any non-governmental or quasi-governmental
regulating body, to the extent that the rules, regulations or orders of such
body have the force of law.
“Hazardous
Substances” shall mean any constituent, chemical, element, particle, compound,
material, substance or waste which is defined as a “hazardous waste,”“hazardous
material,”“hazardous substance,”“extremely hazardous substance,”“restricted
hazardous waste,”“contaminant,”“toxic waste,”“toxic substance,” or “special
waste” under any Environmental Law and includes, but is not limited to,
petroleum, petroleum by-products (including crude oil and any fraction thereof),
waste oils, any hydrocarbon based substance, asbestos, asbestos-containing
materials, urea formaldehyde and polychlorinated biphenyls.
“Release”
shall mean releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying,
discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, disposing or dumping into the
indoor
or outdoor environment, including without limitation the abandonment or
discarding of barrels, drums, containers, tanks and other receptacles containing
or previously containing any Hazardous Substance.
“Underground
Storage Tanks” shall have the meaning given it in the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. Sections
6901 et
seq.).
4.20.2 The
Company has not transported, stored, treated or disposed, nor has it arranged
for or, to the knowledge of the Company and Tree, allowed for, any third
parties
to transport, store, treat or dispose of Hazardous Substances to or at any
location in a manner that has resulted or could result in a liability under
any
Environmental Law. The Company has not disposed, or allowed or arranged for
any
third parties to dispose, of Hazardous Substances upon property owned or
leased
by it.
4.20.3 Except
as
set forth in Section
4.20.3
of the
Disclosure Schedule, during or to the knowledge of the Company or Tree prior
to
the Company's operation of the Leasehold Premises, there has not occurred,
nor
is there presently occurring, a Release of any Hazardous Substance on, into
or
beneath the surface of, or, to the knowledge of the
-18-
Company
or Tree, adjacent to, any parcel of the Leasehold Premises, except where
such
Release would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.20.4 Except
as
set forth in Section 4.20.4
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not transported or disposed, arranged
for,
or to the knowledge of the Company or Tree allowed any third parties to
transport or dispose, of any Hazardous Substance to or at a site which, pursuant
to CERCLA or any similar state law, (i) has been placed on the National
Priorities List or its state equivalent, or (ii) the Environmental Protection
Agency or the relevant state agency has proposed or is proposing (where
knowledge of such proposal is available on a publicly available website)
to
place on the National Priorities List or its state equivalent. Except as
set
forth in Section 4.20.4
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not received any notice, and the Company
has no knowledge of any facts which could give rise to any notice, that the
Company is a potentially responsible party for a U.S. federal or state
environmental response action or corrective action under CERCLA, RCRA or
under
any other Environmental Law. Except as set forth in Section 4.20.4
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not submitted nor was it required to
submit
any notice pursuant to Section 103(c) of CERCLA with respect to the Leasehold
Premises. Except as set forth in Section 4.20.4
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not received any request for information
in
connection with any environmental response under any Environmental Law. Except
as set forth in Section 4.20.4
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not undertaken (or been requested to
undertake) any environmental response action at the request of any federal,
state or local governmental entity, or at the request of any other person
or
entity, at the Leasehold Premises.
4.20.5 Except
as
set forth in Section
4.20.5
of the
Disclosure Schedule, (i) the Company does not use, nor has it ever used,
any
Underground Storage Tanks or Above Ground Tanks (provided that the parties
hereto expressly acknowledge that the Company has numerous Above Ground Tanks,
none of which are required or expected to be listed in Section
4.20.5
of the
Disclosure Schedule) at the Leasehold Premises, (ii) there are not now nor
have
there ever been Underground Storage Tanks on the Leasehold Premises;
(iii) there has been no Release from or rupture of any Underground
Storage
Tanks on the Leasehold Premises; and (iv) there has been no Release
from or
rupture of any Above Ground Tanks on the Leasehold Premises except where
such
Release would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.20.6 The
Company is in compliance with all Environmental Laws governing the Leasehold
Premises and the operations of the Company, except where the failure to comply
would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.20.7 To
the
knowledge of the Company and Tree, there are no conditions or circumstances
at
any of the Leasehold Premises which pose a risk to the environment or the
health
or safety of any persons.
4.20.8 Section
4.20.8
of the
Disclosure Schedule identifies (in some instances in the form of an index)
(i)
all environmental audits, assessments or occupational health
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studies
in the Company’s possession or control relating to the assets, Leasehold
Premises, properties or business of the Company undertaken by a Governmental
Authority or the Company or any of their agents; and (ii) the results
of
any groundwater, soil, air or asbestos monitoring in the Company’s possession or
control undertaken with respect to the Leasehold Premises. To the extent
to
which the Company is in possession of them, the Company has provided to Buyer
and PNP: (x) all written communications, including without limitation
warning notices, notices of violation, requests for information, complaints,
demands, judgments, orders, consent orders or decrees related to the Leasehold
Premises between the Company and any federal, state or local environmental
agencies or any person or entity within the applicable statutory limitations
period; and (y) all citations, penalties, orders, judgments, and decrees
issued
to the Company within the past ten years related to the Leasehold Premises
under
the Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 U.S.C. Sections 651 et seq.).
The
Company has previously provided PNP and Buyer with true, accurate and complete
copies of all documents identified in Section 4.20.8
of the
Disclosure Schedule.
4.20.9 Except
as
specifically set forth in Section
4.20.9
of the
Disclosure Schedule or in the ordinary course of business, no expenditure
will
be required in order for Buyer to comply with any Environmental Laws in effect
at the time of the Closing in connection with the operation or continued
operation of the Company’s business on the Leasehold Premises in a manner
consistent with the current operation thereof by the Company.
4.20.10 Except
as
specifically set forth in Section 4.20.10 of the Disclosure Schedule, the
Company has not assumed the liability of any other person or entity for,
nor has
the Company agreed to indemnify any other person or entity against, claims
arising out of the release of Hazardous Substances into the environment or
any
other claims under Environmental Laws.
4.20.11 Except
as
specifically set forth in Section
4.20.11
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not compromised or released any insurance
policies, or waived any rights under insurance policies, that may provide
coverage for liabilities under Environmental Laws or liabilities or damages
otherwise arising out of the release of Hazardous Substances into the
environment.
4.20.12 Except
as
specifically set forth in Section
4.20.12
of the
Disclosure Schedule, to the Company’s or Tree’s knowledge, none of the Leasehold
Premises are located on or near any area that is or may be considered a wetland
under the federal Clean Water Act (33 USC § 1251, et seq.) or under any other
Environmental Law.
4.21 Labor
Relations.
Except
as set forth in Section
4.21
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the Company is not a party to or bound by any collective
bargaining agreement or any other agreement with a labor union, and to the
Company’s and Tree’s knowledge, there has been no effort by any labor union to
organize any employees of the Company into one or more collective bargaining
units. The Company is in material compliance with all its obligations under
the
agreements set forth in Section 4.21
of the
Disclosure Schedule and is not currently subject to
-20-
any
outstanding arbitration proceedings or awards thereunder, whether still in
dispute or not. There is not pending or, to the Company’s and Tree’s knowledge,
threatened any labor dispute, grievance, strike or work stoppage, controversy
or
other labor trouble which affects or which may affect the business of the
Company or which may interfere with its continued operation at any of the
Leasehold Premises. The Company is in compliance with all applicable Laws
respecting employment practices and neither the Company nor, to the Company’s
knowledge, any agent, representative or employee of the Company has committed
any unfair labor practice as defined in the National Labor Relations Act,
as
amended, and there is not now pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened
any charge or complaint against the Company by or with the National Labor
Relations Board or any representative thereof. The Company is not currently
subject to any adverse decision or order of the National Labor Relations
Board,
or any agent or representative thereof. There has been no strike, walkout
or
work stoppage involving any of the employees of the Company during the
three-year
period prior
to
the date hereof. The Company is not aware that any executive or key employee
or
group of employees has any plans to terminate his, her or their employment
with
the Company. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.21
of the
Disclosure Schedule: (a) no current or former employee of the Company
has
any claim against the Company on account of or for: (i) overtime pay,
other
than overtime pay for the current payroll period, (ii) wages or salary
(excluding current bonus accruals and amounts accruing under pension and
profit
sharing plans) for any period other than the current payroll period,
(iii) vacation, time off or pay in lieu of vacation or time off, other
than
that earned in respect of the current fiscal year, or (iv) any violation
of any
Law relating to minimum wages or maximum hours of work; and (b) no
claim
has been made that remains outstanding for breach of any contract of employment
or for services or for severance or redundancy payments or protective awards
or
for compensation for unfair dismissal or for failure to comply with any Law
concerning employment rights or in relation to any alleged sex or race
discrimination or for any other liability accruing from the termination or
variation of any contract of employment or for services, nor, to the Company’s
and Tree’s knowledge, is any such claim threatened.
4.22 Employee
Benefits.
4.22.1 Section
4.22
of the
Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true, correct and complete list of each
ERISA
Plan and other Benefit Plan sponsored by the Company or by any ERISA Affiliate
for the benefit of any employee or former employee of the Company or under
which
the Company may have any material liability, whether formal or informal (the
“Plans”). For this purpose, the term “ERISA Plan and other Benefit Plan” means
(i) any non-qualified deferred compensation or retirement plans or arrangements;
(ii) any qualified defined contribution retirement plans or arrangements;
(iii)
any qualified defined benefit pension plan; (iv) any other plan, program,
agreement or arrangement under which former employees of the Company or their
beneficiaries are entitled, or current employees of the Company will be entitled
following termination of employment, to medical, health, life insurance or
other
benefits other than pursuant to benefit continuation rights granted by state
or
federal law; or (v) any other employee benefit, pension, retirement, fringe,
health, welfare, medical, disability, life insurance, stock, stock purchase
or
stock option (or any similar equity interests), employment, consulting,
engagement, incentive, retainer, golden parachute or severance plan, program,
agreement, arrangement or policy. Except as set forth on Section 4.22.1
of the
Disclosure
-21-
Schedule,
there are no negotiations, demands or proposals which are pending or threatened
or which have been made during the past three years which concern matters
now
covered, or that would be covered, by the foregoing types of Plans.
4.22.2 Each
Plan
and related trust agreement, annuity contract or other funding instrument
is
legal, valid and binding and in full force and effect, and there are no defaults
thereunder. None of the rights of the Company thereunder will be impaired
by the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and all
of the
rights of the Company thereunder will be enforceable by Buyer or PNP at or
after
the Closing without the consent or agreement of any other party. Each Plan
and
related trust agreement, annuity contract or other funding instrument complies
with and has been administered, operated and maintained in compliance in
all
material respects with its terms and the requirements of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and the Company has no direct
or indirect material liability under the requirements provided by any and
all
statutes, orders or governmental rules or regulations, including but not
limited
to ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA and the Code. The Plans meet any applicable requirements
for favorable tax treatment under the Code in both form and operation, and
any
Plan intended to qualify under Code Section 401(a) and Code Section 501(a)
and
its related trust are so qualified and either have been determined by the
IRS to
qualify thereunder for all applicable requirements or are maintained under
a
prototype plan document that has a valid IRS opinion letter; and nothing
has
since occurred to cause the loss of such qualification. All of the Plans
which
constitute employee pension benefit plans or employee welfare plans subject
to
ERISA and the trusts or other funding vehicles related to the Plans have
been
maintained in compliance in both form and operation with the requirements
of
ERISA including, but not limited to, the preparation and filing of all required
reports with respect to the Plans, the submission of such reports to the
appropriate governmental authorities, the timely preparation and distribution
of
all required employee communications (including without limitation any notice
of
plan amendment which is required prior to the effectiveness of such amendments),
the proper and timely purchase and maintenance of required surety bonds and
the
proper and timely disposition of all benefit claims. The costs of administering
the Plans, including fees for the trustee and other service providers that
are
customarily paid by the Company, have been paid or will be paid prior to
the
Closing Date or are reflected in the 2005 Balance Sheet. There have been
no
prohibited transactions as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975
of
the Code with respect to any of the Plans or any parties in interest or
disqualified persons with respect to the Plans or any reduction or curtailment
of accrued benefits with respect to any of the Plans. There are no pending
or,
to the Company’s or Tree’s knowledge, threatened claims, lawsuits, or
arbitrations which have been asserted or instituted against the Plans, any
fiduciaries thereof with respect to their duties to the Plans or the assets
of
any of the trusts under any of the Plans, and, to the Company’s or Tree’s
knowledge, no facts exist that would give rise to any claim, lawsuit,
arbitration or other manner of litigation or claim, other than routine claims
for benefits. The Company has no liability by virtue of its being a member
of a
controlled group with a person who has liability under the Code or
ERISA.
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4.22.3 All
contributions with respect to the Plans for all periods ending prior to the
Closing Date (including periods from the first day of the current plan year
to
the Closing Date) either have been made prior to the Closing Date by the
Company
and all members of the controlled group in accordance with past practice
and the
recommended contribution in the applicable actuarial report, or are properly
accrued and reflected in the 2005 Balance Sheet. All insurance premiums
(including premiums to the PBGC) have been paid in full, subject only to
normal
retrospective adjustments in the ordinary course, with regard to the Plans
for
policy years or other applicable policy periods ending on or before the Closing
Date. All expenses and liabilities relating to all of the Plans have been,
and
will on the Closing Date be, fully and properly accrued on the Company’s books
and records and the Company’s financial statements reflect all such liabilities
in a manner satisfying GAAP, including Statements of Financial Accounting
Standards 87, 106 and 112. None of the Plans are subject to Section 412 of
the
Code or Title IV of ERISA, and the Company has never made any contributions
to
any such Plan. Except as set forth in Section 4.22.3
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the Company has never been a member of a controlled
group
which contributed to any plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, and the
Company
has never been under common control with an employer which contributed to
any
such plan. The Company has never made any contributions to any multiemployer
plan (as defined in ERISA Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3)). Except as set forth
in
Section 4.22.3
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the Company has never been a member of a controlled
group
which contributed to any such plan, and the Company has never been under
common
control with an employer which contributed to any such plan. Except as required
by Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA, the Company has no plans, programs,
agreements or arrangements, and has not made any other commitments to its
employees, former employees or their beneficiaries, under which it has any
obligation to provide any retiree medical or life insurance benefits or other
retiree welfare benefits. Each Plan (including any Plan covering former
employees and retirees of the Company) may be amended or terminated by the
Company or Buyer or PNP on or at any time after the Closing Date.
4.22.4 The
Company has furnished PNP with true and complete copies of: (i) the Plans
and
any related trusts or funding vehicles, policies or contracts and the related
summary plan descriptions with respect to each Plan; (ii) the most recent
determination letters or opinion letters received from the Internal Revenue
Service regarding the Plans and copies of any pending applications, filings
or
notices with respect to any of the Plans with the Internal Revenue Service,
the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, the Department of Labor or any other
governmental agency; (iii) the latest financial statements and annual reports
for each of the Plans and, if applicable, any related trusts or funding
vehicles, policies or contracts as of the end of the three most recent plan
years with respect to which the filing date for such information has passed;
(iv) the reports of the most recent actuarial valuations of the Plans; (v)
copies of all corporate resolutions or other documents pertaining to the
adoption of the Plans or any amendments thereto or to the appointment of
any
fiduciaries thereunder and copies of any investment management agreement
thereunder and of any fiduciary insurance policies, surety bonds, rules,
regulations or policies of the trustees or of any committee thereunder; (vi)
copies of any
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communications
or notices provided to employees or plan participants with respect to the
Plans
along with information concerning the date and extent of distribution of
such
communications, including, without limitation, general notification to employees
of their rights under Code Section 4980B, form of letters distributed upon
the
occurrence of a qualifying event described in Code Section 4980B, HIPAA policies
and procedures, HIPAA notice of privacy practices; and (vii) administrative
service agreements.
4.22.5 The
Company does not maintain any Plan or other benefit arrangement covering
any
employee or former employee outside of the United States and has never been
obligated to contribute to any such plan.
4.22.6 Except
as
set forth on Section 4.22.6
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement will not (i) entitle any current or former Company employee to
severance pay, unemployment compensation or any other payment, (ii) accelerate
the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of any compensation
due
to any current or former Company employee, or (iii) give rise to the payment
of
any amount that would not be deductible pursuant to Code Section
280G.
4.22.7 Set
forth
on Section 4.22.7
of the
Disclosure Schedule are all individuals receiving or otherwise entitled to
benefits under COBRA in connection with Company group health plans.
4.23 Employment
Agreements and Compensation. Except
as
set forth in Section 4.23
of the
Disclosure Schedule, all of the employees of the Company are “at-will”
employees, and there are no written employment, commission or compensation
agreements of any kind between the Company and any of its employees. Prior
to
Closing, Tree shall deliver to Buyer accurate and complete copies of all
of the
Company’s employment or supervisory manuals, employment or supervisory policies
and written information generally provided to employees (such as applications
or
notices). Section
4.23
of the
Disclosure Schedule contains an accurate and complete list of all directors,
officers, employees and, to the extent they receive annual compensation greater
than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) from the Company, consultants of the
Company, as of May 31, 2005, specifying their names and job designations;
the total amount paid or payable as compensation to each such person and
the
basis of such compensation, whether fixed or commission or a combination
thereof; and accrued benefits for such persons as of May 31,
2005.
4.24 Warranties.
The
Company has not undertaken any performance obligations or made any warranties
or
guarantees with respect to products or services of its business outside the
ordinary course of business, other than those disclosed in Section
4.24
of the
Disclosure Schedule. There are no rights of return or other agreements between
the Company and any of its customers that would cause any sales reflected
in the
financial statements set forth on Schedule 4.4
of the
Disclosure Schedule to fail to qualify as sales in accordance with GAAP or
the
revenue recognition policy as reflected in such financial statements. Each
product manufactured, sold, or delivered by the Company, and all work performed
by the Company, with respect to such products, has been in material conformity
with all applicable contractual commitments and all express and implied
warranties.
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4.25 Product
Liability.
To the
Company’s and Tree’s knowledge, the Company has no liability (and there is no
basis for any present or future Action, suit, proceeding, hearing,
investigation, charge, complaint, claim, or demand against it giving rise
to any
liability) arising out of any injury to individuals (including death) or
property as a result of the ownership, possession, or use of any product
manufactured, sold, leased, delivered or otherwise put in commerce by it,
or as
a result of any work performed or services provided by it.
4.26 Investment
Bankers’ and Brokers’ Fees.
The
Company has an agreement to pay Triangle Capital a broker’s fee. Such expense
will be paid in accordance with the agreement with Triangle Capital, and
will
not be an obligation of the Company, Buyer or PNP following the
Closing.
4.27 Authority
to Execute and Perform Agreement; Binding Obligation;
Non-contravention.
Tree
has all requisite limited partnership power and authority to enter into,
execute
and deliver this Agreement and each other agreement and instrument contemplated
hereunder to which Tree is a party, and to fully perform its obligations
hereunder and thereunder. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by
Tree, and each other agreement and instrument contemplated hereunder to which
Tree is a party will be duly executed and delivered by Tree, and this Agreement
is, and each such other agreement and instrument will be, a valid and binding
obligation of Tree, enforceable in accordance with its respective terms,
except
that such enforcement may be subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws affecting or relating to enforcement of
creditors’ rights generally and certain equitable considerations.
The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized, approved and
ratified by all necessary action on the part of the Company and on the part
of
Tree and its partners. Neither the execution, delivery or performance of
this
Agreement by Tree or the other agreements and instruments contemplated hereby
to
which Tree is a party, nor the consummation by Tree of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby will: (i) conflict with or violate
any
provision of the limited liability company agreement of the Company or the
limited partnership agreement of Tree, any Order or, to the knowledge of
Tree
and the Company, any Law, which is either applicable to, binding upon or
enforceable against Tree or the Company or the assets or properties of the
Company; or (ii) result in any breach of, constitute a default under,
result in the acceleration of, create in any party the right to accelerate,
terminate, modify or cancel (whether or not with notice or lapse of time
or
both) or require any notice under, any Contract. Except as set forth in
Section
4.27
of the
Disclosure Schedule, no permit, consent, approval or authorization of, or
declaration to or filing by Tree or the Company with, any Government or any
other person is required in connection with the execution and delivery of
this
Agreement by Tree and the consummation by Tree of the transactions contemplated
hereby and the performance by Tree of the agreements contemplated hereby.
The
transactions contemplated hereby will not result in the creation of any Lien
or
liability against the Company or any of its assets or properties.
4.28 Status
of the Units.
Tree is
the lawful owner of all of the units of membership interests of the Company,
and
Tree has valid marketable title thereto, free and clear of all Liens. Except
for
this Agreement, there are no outstanding warrants, options or rights of any
kind
to acquire from Tree any of the units of the Company’s membership interests held
by Tree. Upon
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purchase
and payment for the Units and delivery to Buyer thereof in accordance with
the
terms of this Agreement, the Units will be transferred to Buyer free and
clear
of all Liens at Closing.
4.29 The
Subsidiary.
The
Company is the lawful owner of all of the membership interests of the
Subsidiary, free and clear of all Liens. There are no outstanding warrants,
options or rights of any kind to acquire from the Company any of the membership
interests of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary has good and marketable title
to all
of its assets, free and clear of all Liens. The Subsidiary possesses all
Proprietary Rights necessary to carry on its business as currently planned
to be
conducted by the Subsidiary without, to the Company's and Tree's knowledge,
conflict with valid proprietary rights of others. Upon the Closing, Buyer
will
have all rights possessed by the Subsidiary to utilize the property and assets
of the Subsidiary to the same full extent that the Company and Tree would
do so
if the transactions contemplated hereby did not occur, including, without
limitation, to pursue the new parts recycling business being developed by
the
Subsidiary with the major automakers whereby the Subsidiary or the Company
would
be an entity the major automakers will use to sell recycled automobile parts
from their factory overruns and factory blemished parts (the “Recovered Parts
Business”). The Subsidiary has no material liabilities or obligations, either
known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, liquidated or unliquidated, accrued,
absolute, contingent or otherwise, and there is no basis for any claim against
the Subsidiary or the Company for any such liabilities or
obligations.
4.30 GLARE.
GLARE
has no material liabilities or obligations, either known or unknown, asserted
or
unasserted, liquidated or unliquidated, accrued, absolute, contingent or
otherwise, and there is no basis for any claim against GLARE for any such
liabilities or obligations, except normal liabilities incurred in the ordinary
course from owning and leasing to the Company the Ford Real Estate.
5. Representations
and Warranties of Buyer and PNP
In
order
to induce Tree to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereunder, Buyer and PNP make the following representations
and
warranties as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date (unless
a
contrary date is indicated below):
5.1 Organization,
Power and Authority of Buyer and PNP.
Buyer
is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under
the
laws of the State of Delaware. PNP is a general partnership duly organized
and
validly existing under the laws of the State of California. Buyer and PNP
each
have all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement, and
each
other agreement and instrument contemplated hereunder to which either of
them is
a party, and to carry out the transactions and agreements contemplated hereby
and thereby.
5.2 Due
Authorization; Binding Obligation; Noncontravention.
The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation
of
the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
action on the part of Buyer and PNP. This Agreement has been duly executed
and
delivered by Buyer and PNP, and each other agreement and instrument contemplated
hereunder to which Buyer or PNP is a party will be duly executed and delivered
by Buyer and PNP, and this Agreement is, and each such other agreement
-26-
and
instrument will be, a valid and binding obligation of Buyer and PNP, enforceable
in accordance with its terms, except that such enforcement may be subject
to
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
affecting or relating to enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and certain
equitable considerations. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement
by Buyer or PNP or the other agreements and instruments contemplated hereby
to
which Buyer or PNP is a party, nor the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby will conflict with or violate any provision
of
the constituent documents of Buyer or PNP or, any Order, or to the knowledge
of
Buyer and PNP, of any Law which is either applicable to, binding upon or
enforceable against either of them. No permit, consent, approval or
authorization of, or declaration to or filing by Buyer or PNP with, any
Government or any other person is required in connection with the execution
and
delivery of this Agreement by Buyer and PNP or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
5.3 Investment
Bankers’ and Brokers’ Fees.
PNP has
no obligation to pay any fees or commissions to any investment banker, broker,
finder or agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
5.4 Acquisition
of Units for Investment. Buyer
is
not acquiring the Units with any present intention of distribution or selling
such Units in violation of federal, state or other securities laws. Buyer
expressly agrees not to sell or otherwise dispose of the Units in violation
of
any federal, state or other securities laws.
6. Additional
Covenants of the Parties.
Each
of
the Company and Tree covenants and agrees with Buyer and PNP that it will
do (or
cause to be done) the following and Buyer and PNP covenant and agree with
Tree
that they will do (or cause to be done) the following (as
applicable):
6.1 Operation
of the Business.
During
the period between the date this Agreement is executed and the Closing Date
(the
“Interim Period”), the Company will diligently conduct its business in the
ordinary course and substantially in the same manner as heretofore conducted.
During the Interim Period, the Company will (i) make such capital expenditures
as are necessary to maintain its assets, properties and business consistent
with
past practice in accordance with existing commitments and (ii) not make other
capital expenditures except with the prior written consent of Buyer and PNP.
During the Interim Period, the Company will not permit or allow any of its
properties or assets, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, to
be
subjected to any Lien, other than Liens for Taxes which are not yet delinquent
or liens for mechanics, materialmen, laborers, employees, suppliers or similar
liens arising by operation of law for amounts which are owed, but not yet
delinquent. During the Interim Period, the Company will not cancel any debts
or
claims except in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
practice, or waive any rights of material value or, except for inventory
sold in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, sell, transfer
or
convey any of its properties or assets, real, personal or mixed, tangible
or
intangible. During the Interim Period, the Company will duly comply with
all
Laws applicable to it and its properties, operations, business and employees,
except for failures to comply that in the aggregate would not reasonably
be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. During the Interim Period, the
Company will maintain its assets in
-27-
good
working order, subject to ordinary wear and tear, and in accordance with
the
past practices of the Company. During the Interim Period, the Company will
not
enter into any transaction outside the ordinary course of its business
including, without limitation, hiring or terminating any employees outside
of
the ordinary course of business.
6.2 Benefit
Plans. During
the Interim Period, and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the
Company will not adopt, amend or terminate any Plans, except as required
by law
and will not enter into any employment contract or compensation arrangement
of
any kind whatsoever, or materially change (including, without limitation,
any
change pursuant to any bonus, pension, profit-sharing or other plan, commitment,
policy or arrangement) the compensation payable or to become payable to any
of
their respective officers, directors, employees or agents. During the Interim
Period, the Company will not make any pension, retirement, profit sharing,
bonus
or other employee welfare or benefit payment or contribution, other than
in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice.
6.3 Tax
Matters.
6.3.1 All
transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration and other such Taxes
and
all conveyance fees, recording charges and other fees and charges (including
any
penalties and interest) incurred in connection with consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ford Purchase Agreement
shall be shared equally by Tree and Buyer when due, and Tree and Buyer will,
at
the shared expense of each, file all necessary Tax Returns and other
documentation with respect to all such Taxes, fees and charges, and if required
by applicable law, Buyer will, and will cause its affiliates to, join in
the
execution of any such Tax Returns and other documentation.
6.3.2 Buyer
shall prepare or cause to be prepared, and file or cause to be filed, all
Tax
Returns of the Company for any Tax year or period ending on or before the
Closing Date that are filed after the Closing Date. Such Tax Returns shall
be
prepared in a manner consistent with the prior practice of the Company, except
for changes required by law or fact. All Taxes payable with respect to these
Tax
Returns shall be borne by Tree, except to the extent and in such amount as
such
Taxes are taken into account in determining Closing Working Capital, and
paid to
Buyer no later than the later of (i) 15 days prior to the due date
for
filing such Tax Returns and (ii) the resolution of any dispute with
respect
to such Tax Returns pursuant to the procedures described in this Section 6.3.2;
provided however,
in no
event shall Tree’s liability for Taxes of the Company with respect to the income
from discharge of indebtedness that may be recognized by the Company as a
result
of, or in connection with, the Debt Payoffs and the Note Modification Agreement
exceed the amount set forth on the Closing Financial Statements as a current
liability in the line item entitled “Income Tax Payable in Connection with
Discharge of Indebtedness” and Tree will be treated as satisfying such liability
by reflecting such amount on the Closing Financial Statements. For any Tax
Return for which Tree’s liability for Taxes pursuant to this Section
6.3.2
exceeds
the corresponding Taxes taken into account in determining the Closing Working
Capital, Buyer shall permit Tree to review and comment on such Tax Return
prior
to filing. Buyer shall make such revisions to the Tax Returns as are reasonably
requested by Tree;
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provided
however, that Buyer shall not make any requested revision that it has reasonably
determined to be a “listed transaction” as defined in Treasury Regulation
Section 1.6011-4(b)(2). If Buyer disagrees with any other requested revision,
the disputed item shall be submitted to either an independent accounting
firm or
an independent law firm of national reputation mutually agreeable to Buyer
and
Tree (a “Neutral Advisor”), the cost of which shall be borne equally by Buyer
and Tree, and the requested revision shall be made only if the Neutral Advisor
provides an opinion to Buyer concluding that the tax treatment of such revision
is more likely than not (or of greater certainty) the proper treatment. If,
however, the disagreement cannot be resolved prior to the applicable filing
due
date for such Tax Return, Buyer shall timely file the Tax Return as prepared,
and upon resolution of such disagreement, Buyer shall file an amended Tax
Return, where appropriate, consistent with the Neutral Advisor’s
opinion.
6.3.3 Buyer
shall prepare or cause to be prepared, and file or cause to be filed, all
Tax
Returns of the Company commencing prior to the Closing Date and ending after
the
Closing Date (a “Straddle Period”). Tree shall pay to the Company an amount
equal to the portion of such Taxes that relates to the Tax period ending
on the
Closing Date, except to the extent and in such amount as such Taxes are taken
into account in determining Closing Working Capital, no later than the later
of
(i) 15 days prior to the due date for filing such Tax Returns with
respect
to such Straddle Periods and (ii) the resolution of any dispute with
respect to such Tax Returns pursuant to the procedures described in this
Section 6.3.3;
provided however,
in no
event shall Tree’s liability for Taxes of the Company with respect to the income
from discharge of indebtedness that may be recognized by the Company as a
result
of, or in connection with, the Debt Payoffs and the Note Modification Agreement
exceed the amount set forth on the Closing Financial Statements as a current
liability in the line item entitled “Income Tax Payable in Connection with
Discharge of Indebtedness” and Tree will be treated as satisfying such liability
by reflecting such amount on the Closing Financial Statements. For any Tax
Return for which Tree’s liability for Taxes pursuant to this Section
6.3.3
exceeds
the corresponding Taxes taken into account in determining the Closing Working
Capital, Buyer shall permit Tree to review and comment on such Tax Return
prior
to filing. Buyer shall make such revisions to the Tax Return as are reasonably
requested by Tree; provided however,
that
Buyer shall not make any requested revision that it has reasonably determined
to
be a “listed transaction” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section
1.6011-4(b)(2). If Buyer disagrees with any other requested revision, the
disputed item shall be submitted to a Neutral Advisor, the cost of which
shall
be borne equally by Buyer and Tree, and the requested revision shall be made
only if the Neutral Advisor provides an opinion to Buyer concluding that
the tax
treatment of such revision is more likely than not (or of greater certainty)
the
proper treatment. If, however, the disagreement cannot be resolved prior
to the
applicable filing due date for such Tax Return, Buyer shall timely file the
Tax
Return as prepared, and upon resolution of such disagreement, Buyer shall
file
an amended Tax Return, where appropriate, consistent with the Neutral Advisor’s
opinion. For the purposes of this Section
6.3.3
in the
case of any Taxes that are imposed on a periodic basis and are payable for
a Tax
period that includes (but does not end on) the Closing Date, the portion
of such
Tax that relates to the portion of such Tax period
-29-
ending
on
the Closing Date shall (i) in the case of any Taxes other than any Tax imposed
upon or measured by net income or gross income or receipts (such as sales
taxes)
or payments (such as payroll taxes), be deemed to be the amount of such Tax
for
the entire Tax period multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is
the
number of days in the Tax period ending on the Closing Date, and the denominator
of which is the number of days in the entire Tax period, and (ii) in the
case of
any Taxes other than Taxes described in (i), be deemed to be equal to the
amount
that would be payable if the relevant Tax period ended on the Closing Date.
Any
credits relating to a Tax period that begin before and end after the Closing
Date shall be taken into account as though the relevant Tax period ended
on the
Closing Date. All determinations necessary to give effect to the allocations
described in this Section
6.3.3
shall be
made in a manner consistent with the prior practice of the Company, except
for
changes required by law or fact.
6.3.4 For
purposes of preparing the state income Tax Returns of the Company pursuant
to
Sections 6.3.2
and
6.3.3
of this
Agreement, the income from discharge of indebtedness that may be recognized
by
the Company as a result of, or in connection with, the Debt Payoffs and the
Note
Modification Agreement shall be allocated among the states in a manner
consistent with any interest expense previously allocated among such states
with
respect to the underlying debt obligations.
6.3.5 Buyer
and
Tree agree to furnish or cause to be furnished to each other, upon request,
as
promptly as practical, such information (including reasonable access to books
and records, Tax Returns and Tax filings) and assistance as is reasonably
necessary for the filing of any Tax Return, the conduct of any Tax audit,
and
for the prosecution or defense of any claim, suit or proceeding relating
to any
Tax matter. Buyer and Tree shall cooperate with each other in the conduct
of any
Tax audit or other Tax proceedings and each shall execute and deliver such
powers of attorney and other documents as are necessary to carry out the
intent
of this Section
6.3.
Any Tax
audit or other Tax proceeding with respect to Taxes (other than a Tax audit
or
other Tax proceeding relating solely to any federal and state income Taxes
attributable to income from discharge of indebtedness that may be recognized
by
the Company as a result of, or in connection with, the Debt Payoffs and the
Note
Modification Agreement) shall be deemed to be a third-party claim subject
to the
procedures set forth in Section
9.4
of this
Agreement.
6.4 Equity
Transactions.
During
the Interim Period, the Company will not declare, pay or make, or set aside
for
payment or making, any dividend or other distribution in respect of its units
or
membership interests or other securities, or directly or indirectly redeem,
purchase or otherwise acquire any of its units or membership interests or
other
securities. During the Interim Period, the Company will not (i) issue, grant
or
sell any units of membership interests or any equity interest or security
or
(ii) issue, grant or sell any security, option, warrant, call, subscription
or
other right of any kind, fixed or contingent, that directly or indirectly
calls
for the issuance, sale, pledge or other disposition of any equity interest
or
security.
6.5 Accounting
and Taxes.
During
the Interim Period, the Company will not make any material change in any
accounting principles, practices or methods, including their principles,
practices or methods for the calculation of reserves for receivables and
for
inventory
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valuation.
During the Interim Period, the Company will not enter into any binding agreement
or arrangement with the IRS (or any similar Tax authority) with respect to
the
Company, which relates to any period or periods after the Closing
Date.
6.6 Related
Party Transactions.
During
the Interim Period, the Company will not pay, loan, or advance any amount
to or
in respect of, or sell, transfer or lease any property or assets (real, personal
or mixed, tangible or intangible) to, or enter into any transaction with
or for
the benefit of, any of its officers, members or managers or any affiliate
of any
of its officers, members, or managers.
6.7 Contracts.
Except
for lease renewals in the ordinary course of business and set forth on
Section 4.7
of the
Disclosure Schedule, during the Interim Period, the Company will not enter
into
any lease of real property or any lease of personal property with aggregate
annual rental obligations in excess of $50,000 without Buyer’s and PNP’s prior
written consent. During the Interim Period, the Company will not terminate
or
amend, or fail to perform any of its material obligations or cause any breach
under, any of its existing contracts without Buyer’s and PNP’s prior consent. In
the event that a lease or contract is scheduled to terminate prior to the
Closing Date, the Company will notify Buyer and PNP and will consult with
Buyer
and PNP as to whether such lease or contract should be renewed. If it is
determined that any such leases or contract should be renewed, the Company
will
exercise all commercially reasonable efforts to renew such lease or contract.
During the Interim Period, the Company will use all commercially reasonable
efforts to preserve intact the existing relationships with its suppliers,
customers and employees and others with which it has business relationships
and
shall continue marketing programs, advertisements, promotions, and similar
activities in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.
During the Interim Period, the Company will permit PNP to contact the Company’s
suppliers, customers and employees, with prior notice from PNP, during
reasonable business hours and through coordination with the Company. During
the
Interim Period, the Company will maintain the insurance coverages described
in
Section
4.14
of the
Disclosure Schedule in full force and effect.
6.8 Access.
During
the Interim Period, the Company will permit Buyer, PNP and their authorized
representatives at all reasonable times, and upon reasonable notice, to have
access to and to examine all premises, assets, properties, and books and
records
and other information of the Company (including the right to make extracts
therefrom or copies thereof) as Buyer and PNP deem necessary and advisable
to
familiarize themselves with the Company, including without limitation, such
access as is necessary to conduct environmental studies and sampling as Buyer
and PNP deem advisable to determine the environmental conditions at the
Company’s properties, and the Company will cooperate with Buyer and PNP in their
investigation of the Company. The Company will permit representatives of
Buyer
and PNP to consult with its senior management personnel concerning all financial
and operational matters relating to the Company and will make available its
senior management personnel to consult with such representatives. The Company
will promptly furnish to Buyer and PNP any documents relating to the Company
as
may reasonably be requested by Buyer and PNP from time to time.
6.9 Existence.
During
the Interim Period, the Company will take such action as may be necessary
to
maintain, preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its existence
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(corporate
or otherwise), rights and franchises and will not amend its certificate of
formation, limited liability company agreement or other applicable
organizational or governing document.
6.10 Consents.
During
the Interim Period, the Company and Tree shall use their commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain prior to the Closing all consents necessary for the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without
limitation, the consents set forth in Section
4.27
of the
Disclosure Schedule and any Government or third-party consents that Buyer,
PNP
or their counsel shall reasonably determine to be necessary, including any
consents required under the Company’s contracts because of a change of control
with respect to the Company. All such consents shall be in writing, and executed
counterparts thereof shall be delivered to Buyer and PNP promptly after receipt
thereof by the Company but in no event later than one business day prior
to the
Closing.
6.11 Performance.
During
the Interim Period, the Company and Tree will perform all acts to be performed
by them pursuant to this Agreement and will refrain from taking or omitting
to
take any action that would violate the Company’s or Tree’s representations and
warranties hereunder or render them inaccurate in any material respect as
of the
date hereof or as of the Closing Date or that in any way would prevent or
materially adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
6.12 Updating
of Information.
During
the Interim Period, each of the Company and Tree shall have the continuing
obligation to supplement or amend, within a reasonable period of time prior
to
the Closing Date, the Disclosure Schedule and other Schedules being delivered
by
them concurrently with the execution of this Agreement and annexed hereto
with
respect to any matter hereafter arising or discovered which, if existing
or
known at the date of this Agreement, would have been required to be set forth
or
described in the Disclosure Schedule; provided,
however,
that no
such supplement or amendment of the Disclosure Schedule or other Schedules
shall
be considered for purposes of the condition precedent set forth in Section
7.9
nor
shall it be deemed to constitute a waiver of any other right or claim of
Buyer
or PNP pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise. During the Interim
Period, the Company will deliver to Buyer and PNP promptly after they become
available and in any case within thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar
month (except in the case of August 2005, which shall be delivered no later
than
September 23, 2005), an unaudited balance sheet of the Company as of the
end of
such month and unaudited statements of income of the Company for the one
(1)
month period then ending and the period since May 31, 2005. Such balance
sheets and statements of income of the Company shall be in the form currently
prepared by the Company. All such balance sheets and statements of income
shall
be prepared in good faith, consistent with prior periods and derived from
the
books and records of the Company.
6.13 Other
Transactions.
During
the Interim Period, neither the Company nor Tree shall permit any of their
respective officers, directors, members, managers, partners, equity holders,
affiliates or other representatives to, directly or indirectly, encourage,
solicit, initiate or participate in discussions or negotiations with, or
provide
any information or assistance to, any person or group (other than Buyer,
PNP and
their representatives) concerning any merger, sale of securities, sale of
assets
(other than in the ordinary course of business) or similar transaction involving
any of the Company or Tree. In the event that any of the Company, Tree or
any of
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their
affiliates receives a proposal relating to any such transaction, the party
receiving such a proposal shall promptly notify Buyer and PNP of such
proposal.
6.14 Employees.
Upon
request and completion of due diligence by PNP, the Company and PNP shall
hold
joint or separate meetings with employees of the Company to provide preliminary
information relating to this transaction, and the Company shall provide PNP
with
access to all employees of the Company. Without limiting the foregoing, PNP
shall be entitled to conduct one-on-one or group meetings with all employees
of
the Company employed by the Company on or after the date of this Agreement
at
such times as PNP shall reasonably request and at space provided by the Company.
In connection therewith, and subject to the restrictions of applicable law
(including, but not limited to the privacy regulations issued under Parts 1
and 7 of Subtitle A of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act of 1996), the Company shall provide PNP with reasonable access to complete
personnel files of all employees of the Company employed by the Company on
or
after the date of this Agreement.
6.15 Employee
Benefits.
Any
Plan which is a Code Section 401(k) plan will be terminated no later than
the
day prior to the Closing Date.
6.16 Insurance. During
the Interim Period, Buyer and PNP shall procure an insurance policy, to take
effect upon Closing, to insure against the risk of a breach of any of Tree’s
representations and warranties made herein or in any agreement, instrument
or
certificate delivered by Tree or the Company pursuant to this Agreement (the
“Representation and Warranty Insurance Policy”). Tree shall be responsible for
50% of the cost of the Representation and Warranty Insurance Policy (not
to
exceed $350,000 of such cost) and such amount shall be deducted from the
Purchase Price paid at Closing in accordance with Section C of Exhibit A.
6.17 Distribution
of Proceeds.
In
order to maintain sufficient cash to make any post-Closing adjustment payments
required to be made by Tree under Section
3.3.4
following the Closing Date, Tree shall not distribute or pay, or cause to
be
distributed or paid, to its partners or any other person $1,000,000 of the
Closing Cash Consideration until the Purchase Price adjustment has been finally
determined and paid in accordance with Section 3.3
of this
Agreement.
6.18 Woodinville,
Washington Condemnation Proceedings.
The
parties hereto expressly acknowledge and agree that, with respect to any
payments made following Closing in connection with the condemnation proceeding
described in Section 4.7
of the
Disclosure Schedule relating to the Company’s Woodinville, Washington facility
(the “Condemnation Payments”), any such Condemnation Payments which are made
following the Closing shall be treated for all purposes as retained assets
of
Tree, and, upon the receipt, post-closing, of any such Condemnation Payments,
by
Buyer or any of its affiliates, such Condemnation Payments shall be delivered
as
soon as practicable to Tree; provided, however, that Buyer and PNP shall
be
entitled to set-off against the Condemnation Payments (i) the amount of any
post-Closing adjustment payment owed but not paid by Tree pursuant to
Section
3.3.4,
and
(ii) any amounts owed but not paid by Tree pursuant to Section
3.4
in order
to replenish the Escrow Funds to $3,500,000.
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6.19 Audited
Financial Statements. During
the Interim Period, the Company shall take commercially reasonable steps
to
complete the work for a final draft audit of the Financial Statements for
the
12-months ended December 31, 2004 and the period from June 3,
2003 to
December 31, 2003, which shall be completed no later than five business
days prior to Closing. Complete, executed audits for such periods must be
delivered and released no later than contemporaneously with
Closing.
6.20 Broker
Opinion of Value.
Buyer
shall engage, at Buyer’s sole cost and expense, a third party broker to render a
broker’s opinion of value for each of the properties comprising the Ford Real
Estate within fifteen (15) business days following the date of this
Agreement.
6.21 Noncircumvention.
Buyer
and PNP hereby expressly covenant and agree that none of Buyer, PNP or any
of
their respective affiliates will consummate the transactions contemplated
by the
Ford Purchase Agreement or any other transaction for the acquisition of the
Ford
Real Estate or the Ford Notes without simultaneously consummating the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
6.22 Third-Party
Claims.
With
respect to third-party claims concerning personnel or such general liability
matters as non-fatality traffic accidents or non-employee personal injury
for
matters that are covered by Tree's indemnification of Buyer, Buyer agrees
to
handle such matters with at least the same degree of care to avoid loss as
it
would for matters not covered by indemnity, and to the extent practicable,
Buyer
will handle such matters with employees experienced with the Company who
have
handled such matters for the Company prior to the Closing; provided, however,
that in no event will Buyer be required to retain any particular
personnel.
6.23 Severance
Provisions. Schedule
6.23(a)
sets
forth a severance policy describing Base Severance and Revised Severance,
with
the difference between Base Severance and Revised Severance being identified
as
Additional Severance as set forth at Schedule
6.23(b).
Should
an employee identified at Schedule
6.23(b)
be
terminated by the Company other than for cause (and provided that the employee
is not in breach of any noncompetition agreement with the Company in effect
at
such time) on or before March 31, 2006, the Company will pay to such
employee (subject to applicable withholding) the Base Severance identified
for
such employee at Schedule
6.23(b)
as an
obligation of the Company. Upon such employee's termination, the Company
will
provide prompt notice of such termination to Tree, and Tree will be obligated
to
pay promptly to the Company the amount of the Additional Severance for such
employee set forth at Schedule
6.23(b),
and
upon receipt of such Additional Severance by the Company, the Company promptly
will pay such Additional Severance (subject to applicable withholding) to
the
terminated employee.
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7. Conditions
to the Obligations of PNP
The
obligations of PNP to purchase the Units shall be subject to the fulfillment
(or
waiver by PNP) at or prior to the Closing Date of each of the following
conditions:
7.1 Opinion
of Counsel.
PNP
shall have received an opinion dated the Closing Date from Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
&
Xxxx LLP, counsel for Tree and the Company, in form and substance as set
forth
in Exhibit B.
7.2 Receipt
of Necessary Consents.
All
necessary consents or approvals of any Government or third parties (including
any of the Company’s landlords) to any of the transactions contemplated hereby,
including, without limitation, the consents set forth in Section 4.27
of the
Disclosure Schedule, shall have been obtained. All parties to the Contracts
shall have consented (where such consent is necessary) to the change of control
of the Company and to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement without requiring modification of the Company’s applicable rights or
obligations under any such Contracts.
7.3 No
Restraint.
No
court or Government of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued,
promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule, regulation, judgment,
decree, injunction or other Order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent)
or taken any action which prohibits the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and each party agrees to use all reasonable
efforts to remove any such prohibition on the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
7.4 No
Adverse Litigation.
There
shall not be pending or threatened any Action or other proceeding by or before
any court or other Government which shall seek to restrain, prohibit or
invalidate the sale of the Units to Buyer or any other transaction contemplated
hereby, and which, in Buyer’s and PNP’s reasonable judgment, makes it
inadvisable to proceed with the purchase of the Units.
7.5 Releases
and Resignations.
Tree
and each of its partners and the Company’s officers shall have delivered to the
Company and PNP a release and waiver of any claim that he or she may have
against the Company or the Subsidiary. Each of the Company’s officers and
managers shall have delivered to the Company a resignation effective as of
the
Closing. Tree shall have delivered to PNP a release (in form and substance
as
set forth in Exhibit C,
with
all applicable income from discharge of indebtedness to the Company occurring
prior to the Closing) in favor of the Company, Buyer and PNP signed by each
of
the Creditors, effective at the Closing upon payment of the Debt
Payoffs.
7.6 Due
Diligence.
Buyer
and PNP shall have completed their due diligence investigation of the Company
and the transactions contemplated by the Ford Purchase Agreement, and the
results of such investigation shall be satisfactory to them in their sole
discretion.
7.7 Additional
Closing Documents.
Tree
shall have delivered, or caused the Company to deliver, to Buyer: (a) all
documents and instruments as Buyer may require in its sole
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discretion
to evidence the transfer of the Units to Buyer; (b) the written release
of
all Liens relating to the assets of the Company executed by the holder of
or
parties to each such Lien, in form and substance satisfactory to Buyer;
(c) a copy of the certificate of formation of the Company, as amended
to
date, certified by the Secretary of State of Delaware as true, complete and
correct; (d) a copy of the operating agreement of the Company, as
amended
to date, certified by the secretary of the Company as true, complete and
correct; (e) a certified copy of a certificate from the appropriate
Secretary of State evidencing that the Company is in good standing under
the
laws of the state of its organization and in each jurisdiction where the
Company
is qualified to transact business; (f) all equity ledgers, minute
books and
other corporate records of the Company; (g) evidence of the payment
of all
bank debt and other long-term indebtedness of the Company; (h) fully
executed and approved documentation satisfactory to Buyer and PNP evidencing
the
complete termination of the Company’s Code Section 401(k) plan as of a date
prior to the Closing Date; (i) all Tax clearance certificates required
for
any jurisdiction where the Company may be liable for Taxes; (j) a
non-foreign affidavit dated as of the Closing Date, sworn under penalty of
perjury and in form and substance required under Treasury regulations issued
pursuant to Section 1445 of the Code stating that the Tree is not a “Foreign
Person” as defined in Section 1445 of the Code; (k) an executed copy of the
Note Modification Agreement; (l) written evidence of the cancellation of
the
option plan of Tree with respect to units of membership interests or any
other
securities of the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to Buyer; and
(m) such other customary documents, instruments and certificates as
shall
be reasonably requested by Buyer or PNP and as shall be consistent with the
terms of this Agreement.
7.8 Noncompetition
Agreements.
Each
of
Tree and Xxxxx Xxxxxx shall have entered into a noncompetition agreement
with
the Company, in a form mutually agreed upon by the parties thereto.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the failure of the parties
to
agree upon the form of noncompetition agreement to be entered into by Tree,
Xxxxx Xxxxxx and the Company shall not be deemed a failure of Buyer’s and PNP’s
due diligence condition under Section 7.6
or
otherwise constitute a condition that causes the Xxxxxxx Money Deposit to
be
released to the Company under Section
2.2(iii).
7.9 Representations
and Warranties Correct.
Each
representation and warranty of the Company and Tree made herein, and the
statements contained in the Exhibits, Disclosure Schedule and other Schedules
hereto or in any instrument or certificate delivered by the Company or Tree
pursuant to this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects,
in each case as of the date made and, except to the extent such representation,
warranty or statement expressly provides that it relates solely to the date
hereof or an earlier date, at and as of the Closing Date, with the same force
and effect as though made at and as of the Closing Date.
7.10 Performance;
No Default.
Each of
the Company and Tree will have performed and complied in all material respects
with all the obligations, covenants, agreements and conditions required by
this
Agreement to be performed or complied with by them at or prior to the
Closing.
7.11 Delivery
of Certificates.
Each of
the Company and Tree shall have delivered to Buyer a certificate, dated the
Closing Date, executed by an executive officer of each, certifying to the
fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Sections
7.9
and
7.10.
Tree
shall have delivered to
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Buyer
a
certificate, dated the Closing Date, executed by the Chief Financial Officer
of
Tree, certifying to the fulfillment of the covenant set forth in Section
6.17.
7.12 Escrow
Agreement.
Tree,
Buyer and the Escrow Agent shall have executed the Escrow Agreement, in form
and
substance as set forth in Exhibit D.
7.13 Ford
Agreements.
Buyer
and Ford shall have executed and delivered the Ford Purchase Agreement and
shall
close such transactions contemporaneously with the Closing hereunder, and
Buyer
shall have obtained title insurance policies insuring the fee simple ownership
interest in the Ford Real Estate in the name of Buyer, which such policies
shall
include such endorsements as Buyer may, in its discretion, require. In
connection therewith, Ford, Tree and the Company shall have executed and
delivered the Note Modification Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein
to
the contrary, the failure to close the transactions contemplated by the Ford
Purchase Agreement shall not be deemed a failure of Buyer’s and PNP’s due
diligence condition under Section 7.6
or
otherwise constitute a condition that causes the Xxxxxxx Money Deposit to
be
released to the Company under Section
2.2(iii).
7.14 Corporate
Action.
The
Board of Directors of each of the partners of PNP shall have approved and
authorized PNP and Buyer to enter into the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
7.15 Employment
Agreements.
The
individuals set forth on Schedule 7.15
shall
have entered into employment agreements with the Company, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Company.
7.16 Broker
Opinion of Value.
Buyer
shall have obtained a broker’s opinion of value from a third-party broker with
respect to the Ford Real Estate which shall show a valuation equal to not
less
than 90% of the value allocated to the Ford Real Estate pursuant to the Ford
Purchase Agreement.
7.17 Representation
and Warranty Insurance.
Buyer
and PNP shall have procured the Representation and Warranty Insurance Policy
required by Section 6.16.
7.18 Audited
Financial Statements.
The
Company shall have delivered to Buyer and PNP in accordance with Section
6.19
audited Financial Statements of the Company for the 12-months ended
December 31, 2004 and the period from June 3, 2003 to
December 31, 2003, which shall not reflect any material actual economic
differences regarding the economics of the business from the Financial
Statements set forth in Section 4.4
of the
Disclosure Schedule. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the
failure of the Company to comply with the foregoing condition shall not be
deemed a failure of Buyer’s and PNP’s due diligence condition under Section 7.6
or
otherwise constitute a condition that causes the Xxxxxxx Money Deposit to
be
released to the Company under Section 2.2(iii).
7.19 Insolvency
Proceedings.
There
shall not have been instituted by or against Tree or the Company any: (a)
judicial or nonjudicial proceeding seeking or involving the appointment of
a
receiver, trustee, conservator, or liquidator for Tree, the Company or their
respective assets
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or
properties, or (b) assignment by Tree or the Company for the benefit of their
respective creditors, or a composition or arrangement by Tree or the Company
with their respective creditors, or (c) voluntary or involuntary proceeding
for
liquidation or reorganization of Tree or the Company under the Federal
bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter in effect.
7.20 SBC
Claim. The
Company must have resolved its dispute with SBC (formerly Southwestern Xxxx)
described in Section
4.5
of the
Disclosure Schedule.
8. Conditions
to the Obligations of Tree.
The
obligation of Tree to sell the Units shall be subject to the fulfillment
(or
waiver by Tree) at or prior to the Closing Date of each of the following
conditions:
8.1 Receipt
of Necessary Consents.
All
necessary consents or approvals of any Government or third parties (including
any of the Company’s landlords) to any of the transactions contemplated hereby,
including, without limitation, the consents set forth in Section 4.27
of the
Disclosure Schedule, shall have been obtained.
8.2 No
Restraint.
No
court or Government of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued,
promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule, regulation, judgment,
decree, injunction or other Order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent)
or taken any action which prohibits the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and each party agrees to use all reasonable
efforts to remove any such prohibition on the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
8.3 No
Adverse Litigation.
There
shall not be pending or threatened any Action or other proceeding by or before
any court or other Government which shall seek to restrain, prohibit or
invalidate the sale of the Units to Buyer or any other transaction contemplated
hereby, and which, in Tree’s reasonable judgment, makes it inadvisable to
proceed with the sale of the Units to Buyer.
8.4 Corporate
Action.
PNP
shall have taken all corporate action necessary to effect the purchase of
the
Units, and shall have furnished Tree with certified copies of resolutions
duly
adopted by the Board of Directors of each of the partners of PNP, in form
and
substance satisfactory to counsel for Tree, in connection with the
foregoing.
8.5 Representations
and Warranties Correct.
Each
representation and warranty of Buyer and PNP made herein shall be true and
correct in all material respects, in each case as of the date made and, except
to the extent such representation, warranty or statement expressly provides
that
it relates solely to the date hereof or an earlier date, at and as of the
Closing Date, with the same force and effect as though made at and as of
the
Closing Date.
8.6 Performance;
No Default.
Each of
Buyer and PNP will have performed and complied in all material respects with
all
the obligations, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to
be
performed or complied with by them at or prior to the Closing.
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8.7 Delivery
of Certificate.
Each of
Buyer and PNP shall have delivered to Tree and the Company a certificate,
dated
the Closing Date, executed by an executive officer of each, certifying to
the
fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Sections
8.5
and
8.6.
8.8 Escrow
Agreement.
Buyer,
Tree and the Escrow Agent shall have executed the Escrow Agreement.
8.9 Ford
Agreements.
Buyer
and Ford shall have executed and delivered the Ford Purchase Agreement and
shall
close such transactions contemporaneously with the Closing hereunder, and
Buyer
shall have obtained title insurance policies insuring the fee simple ownership
interest in the Ford Real Estate in the name of Buyer, which such policies
shall
include such endorsements as Buyer may, in its discretion, require. In
connection therewith, Ford, Tree and the Company shall have executed and
delivered the Note Modification Agreement.
9. Indemnification
9.1 Indemnification
by Tree.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Section, Tree hereby agrees to indemnify,
defend and hold harmless Buyer, PNP and their respective affiliates (including,
from and after the Closing, the Company and the Subsidiary), and the
shareholders, directors, officers, partners, employees, successors, assigns,
representatives and agents of each of them in their capacities as such
(collectively, the “Buyer Indemnified Parties”), from, against, for, and in
respect of, and Tree waives any claim for contribution or indemnity against
any
of them with respect to, any and all claims, expenses, losses, costs,
deficiencies, liabilities, damages, fines and penalties (including related
counsel fees and expenses) (collectively, “Damages”) incurred or suffered by any
of them by reason of, resulting from, based upon or arising out of: (i) any
inaccuracy, untruth, or incompleteness of any representation or warranty
of Tree
or the Company contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement or in any
certificate, Schedule or exhibit furnished by Tree or the Company in connection
herewith, (ii) any breach or partial breach of any covenant or agreement
made by Tree or the Company in this Agreement, (iii) the Company’s Taxes or
its liability, if any, (for example, by reason of transferee liability or
application of Treasury regulation Section 1.1502-6) for Taxes of
others
including, but not limited to, Tree or any affiliate of Tree, or any Damages
payable with respect to Taxes claimed or assessed against the Company for
any
Tax period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Closing Date (except
to
the extent and in such amount as such Taxes are reflected, by way of a reserve
on the Closing Financial Statements and taken into account in determining
Closing Working Capital) provided however,
in no
event shall Tree’s liability for Taxes of the Company with respect to the income
from discharge of indebtedness that may be recognized by the Company as a
result
of, or in connection with, the Debt Payoffs and the Note Modification Agreement
exceed the amount set forth on the Closing Financial Statements as a current
liability in the line item entitled “Income Tax Payable in Connection with
Discharge of Indebtedness” and Tree will be treated as satisfying such liability
by reflecting such amount on the Closing Financial Statements; or (iv) any
obligation, claim or liability incurred before the Closing Date which relates
to
a Plan or Plan assets, regardless of when the claim occurs or the obligation
or
liability is paid, including, but not limited to, obligations, claims and
liabilities relating to Plan administration, funding and benefits (other
than:
(A) amounts paid in the
-39-
ordinary
course under the terms of a Plan; and (B) amounts which were funded
at the
Closing Date or for which provision has been made as of the Closing Date);
(v)
(A) any violation by the Company or its affiliates of or liability under
any
Environmental Law, including, without limitation, any such liability arising
out
of conduct of the Company or its affiliates prior to the Closing Date which
is
imposed upon any Buyer Indemnified Parties, (B) the Company’s actions or
failures to act that resulted in the Release of any Hazardous Substances
on,
under or from the Leasehold Premises or any real property formerly owned,
used
or leased by the Company or its affiliates prior to the Closing Date and
liability for which is imposed upon any Buyer Indemnified Parties, (C) the
presence on any real property presently or formerly owned, used or leased
by the
Company or its affiliates or in the improvements thereon at or prior to Closing,
including, without limitation, the soil, sub soil and groundwater, of Hazardous
Substances if any investigatory, remedial, removal, reporting or other response
action is required or legally could be required by a Government authority
under
any Environmental Law with respect to the presence of such Hazardous Substances,
and (D) the storage, handling or disposal of Hazardous Substances on or from
any
real property presently or formerly owned, used or leased by the Company
or its
affiliates at any time, regardless of whether or not the Company or its
affiliates participated in such storage, handling or disposal, including,
without limitation, any matters relating to the foregoing items (A)-(D)
disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule; and (vi) any failure by Ford to take
responsibility and discharge or otherwise satisfy any and all liabilities
associated with the case of: (A) Xxxxxxxxx
x. Xxxxxx’x Auto Salvage,
U.S.
District Court, Middle District of Georgia, Case No.: 7:02-CU84; (B)
German
Mutual Insurance Company x. Xxxxxx’x Auto Salvage, Inc., Xxxxx Xxxxx Trucking,
Inc., and General Insurance Company,
Superior Court of Xxxxxx County, Georgia, Case No.: 00-0000-0; (C) German
Mutual Insurance Company x. Xxxxxxxxx Auto Recyclers, LLC,
Superior Court of Xxxx County, Georgia, Case No.: 05-1-01695-40; or (D) any
other litigation in connection with the accident which resulted in the deaths
of
Xxxxx and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx.
9.2 Indemnification
by Buyer and PNP.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Section, Buyer and PNP do hereby agree,
from
and after the Closing Date, to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Tree
and its
affiliates, and the shareholders, directors, officers, partners, employees,
successors, assigns, representatives and agents of each of them in their
capacities as such, from, against, for, and in respect of, and Buyer and
PNP
waive any claim for contribution or indemnity against any of them with respect
to, any and all Damages incurred or suffered by any of them by reason of,
resulting from, based upon, or arising out of: (i) any inaccuracy, untruth,
or
incompleteness of any representation or warranty of Buyer or PNP contained
in or
made pursuant to this Agreement or in any certificate, Schedule or exhibit
furnished by Buyer or PNP in connection herewith; (ii) any breach or partial
breach of any covenant or agreement of Buyer or PNP made in this Agreement,
or
(iii) the ownership or operation of the Company and its business and
assets
after the Closing, except to the extent that Tree is required to indemnify
the
Buyer Indemnified Parties therefor pursuant to Section
9.1.
9.3 Survival
of Representations and Warranties. Each
of
the representations and warranties made by any party in this Agreement or
in any
certificate or instrument delivered pursuant hereto shall survive until the
expiration of twenty-four (24) months following the Closing Date; provided,
however,
that the
representations and warranties made by Tree in Section
4.1
(Organization, Power and Authority of the Company), Section
4.2
(Units
of the
-40-
Company),
Section
4.6
(Tax
Matters), the first sentence of Section
4.8
(Title
to and Condition of Assets), Section
4.20
(Environmental Matters), Section
4.26
(Investment Bankers’ and Brokers’ Fees), Section
4.27
(Authority to Execute and Perform Agreement; Binding Obligation;
Non-contravention), Section
4.28
(Status
of the Units), Section
4.29
(The
Subsidiary) and Section 4.30
(GLARE)
shall survive the Closing Date until the expiration of the applicable statutes
of limitation, including any extension, suspension or tolling thereof. No
claim
for the recovery of Damages based upon the inaccuracy or untruth of such
representations and warranties may be asserted after such representations
and
warranties shall be thus extinguished pursuant to this Section
9.3;
provided,
however,
that
claims first asserted in writing within the applicable period (whether or
not
the amount of any such claim has become ascertainable within such period)
shall
not thereafter be barred.
9.4 Notice
of Claim.
A party
seeking indemnification hereunder shall promptly notify the other party of
the
existence of any matter to which the indemnification obligations of such
party
would apply, specifying in reasonable detail the basis for such claim (“Notice
of Claim”); provided,
however,
that
the right of a party to be indemnified hereunder shall not be adversely affected
by a failure to give such notice unless, and then only to the extent that,
the
other party is actually irrevocably and materially prejudiced thereby. The
indemnified party shall give the indemnifying party a reasonable opportunity
to
participate in the defense of a third-party claim at its own expense and
with
counsel of its own selection; provided that the indemnified party shall at
all
times have the right to defend such claim.
9.5 Escrow
Funds. The
Escrow Funds will be paid on the Closing Date to the Escrow Agent as a fund
from
which Tree’s indemnification obligations under Section
9.1
may be
satisfied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Escrow
Agreement. In the event that Buyer or PNP provides a Notice of Claim to Tree,
Buyer or PNP shall be entitled (unless the Notice of Claim is disputed by
Tree)
to direct the Escrow Agent in writing (and Tree shall jointly execute such
direction) to disburse to Buyer or PNP such portion of the Escrow Funds as
shall
be equivalent to the amount of the Damages incurred by Buyer or PNP and to
which
either may be entitled under Section
9.1.
Claims
under the Escrow Agreement shall bear interest from the date on which the
claim
is asserted until paid at the rate of interest, if any, earned on the Escrow
Funds held in the Escrow.
9.6 Limitations
on Indemnity.
9.6.1 Any
provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the parties
to this
Agreement hereby expressly acknowledge and agree that no Buyer Indemnified
Party
shall be entitled to indemnification from Tree pursuant to Section 9.1(i)
hereof
until the aggregate Damages for which Tree is liable under Section 9.1(i)
hereof
exceeds the amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), whereupon PNP
and its
affiliates shall be entitled to indemnification by Tree for the full amount
of
such Damages, including the first ($50,000.00) of such Damages (the “Indemnity
Threshold”); provided,
however,
that the
foregoing Indemnity Threshold shall not apply in any manner whatsoever to
any
breach of the representations and warranties made by Tree in Section 4.1
(Organization, Power and Authority of the Company), Section
4.2
(Units
of the Company), Section
4.6
(Tax
Matters), the first sentence of
-41-
Section
4.8
(Title
to and Condition of Assets), Section
4.20
(Environmental Matters), Section
4.26
(Investment Bankers’ and Brokers’ Fees), Section
4.27
(Authority to Execute and Perform Agreement; Binding Obligation;
Non-contravention), Section
4.28
(Status
of the Units), Section
4.29
(The
Subsidiary) or Section
4.30
(GLARE).
9.6.2 Any
provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, except in the
event
of fraud and with the exception of equitable remedies relating to the
enforcement of certain covenants, the sole recourse of any Buyer Indemnified
Party against Tree or any affiliate of Tree pursuant to Section 9.1
or
otherwise under this Agreement shall be against funds remaining from time
to
time in the Escrow Fund. In the event that the amount of Damages for indemnity
claims asserted by any Buyer Indemnified Party for breaches of Tree’s
representations and warranties exceeds the amount of the Escrow Funds, then
the
recourse of any Buyer Indemnified Party shall be against any funds available
under the Representation and Warranty Insurance Policy. Notwithstanding the
foregoing or anything else to the contrary contained in this Agreement, with
respect to any indemnity claims in excess of the Escrow Funds and the
Representation and Warranty Insurance Policy concerning which Tree might
have
rights against third parties to recover for such claims, if desired by Buyer,
Tree will transfer such rights to Buyer as are assignable and, if not
assignable, upon reasonable request and the advancement of funds by Buyer
in an
amount reasonably necessary to cover the costs of pursuing the same, Tree
will
pursue any such non-assignable claims on Buyer’s behalf and in accordance with
Buyer’s reasonable instructions and pay to Buyer the amount of any recovery or
recoveries from the successful pursuit of such claims.
9.7 Mitigation
of Damages; Subrogation.
9.7.1 Each
party seeking indemnification hereunder (the “Indemnified Party”) shall take
commercially reasonable actions to mitigate Damages (but shall not be required
to institute legal proceedings), and shall reasonably consult and cooperate
with
each party obligated to provide such indemnity (the “Indemnifying Party”) with a
view toward mitigating Damages, in connection with third-party claims for
which
an Indemnified Party seeks indemnification under Article 9.
9.7.2 After
any
indemnification payment is made to any Indemnified Party pursuant to this
Article 9, the Indemnifying Party shall, to the extent of such payment, be
subrogated to all rights (if any) of the Indemnified Party against any third
party in connection with the Damages to which such payment relates. Without
limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, any Indemnified Party
receiving an indemnification payment pursuant to the preceding sentence shall
execute, upon the written request of the Indemnifying Party, any instrument
reasonably necessary to evidence such assignment of subrogation
rights.
9.7.3 The
amount of any Damages payable hereunder by any Indemnifying Party shall be
reduced by (a) any insurance proceeds or litigation or other monetary recoveries
(net of any increased premiums or expenses of obtaining such proceeds or
monetary recoveries) which the Indemnified Party actually receives with respect
to the event or
-42-
occurrence
giving rise to such Losses for which indemnification is sought under Article
9,
and (b) the amount equal on an after-tax basis to the absolute value of any
tax
benefits of such Indemnified Party attributable to such Damages. The Indemnified
Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts (but shall not be required
to
institute legal proceedings) to pursue insurance claims that may reduce or
eliminate Damages. If the Indemnified Party both collects proceeds from any
insurance company or third party and received a payment from an Indemnifying
Party hereunder that is subject to reduction pursuant to this Section 9.7
after
the payment of the related indemnification amounts to such Indemnified Party,
then the Indemnified Party shall promptly pay to the Indemnifying Party the
amount of such reduction.
10. Miscellaneous
10.1 Termination,
Amendment and Modification.
This
Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing: (a) by mutual
written consent of Buyer, PNP and Tree; (b) by Buyer or PNP, if there
has
been a material violation in or breach relating to any of the Company’s or
Tree’s covenants, agreements, representations or warranties contained herein,
including, without limitation, by way of any supplement or amendment by Tree
to
the Disclosure Schedule or any other Schedule hereto pursuant to Section
6.12,
which
has not been waived by PNP in writing or cured within ten (10) business days;
(c) by Tree, if there has been a material violation or breach relating to
any of
PNP’s agreements, representations or warranties contained herein which has not
been waived by Tree in writing or cured within ten (10) business days;
(d) by Buyer, PNP or Tree if the Closing shall not have occurred on
or
before September 30, 2005; provided,
however,
that
none of Buyer, PNP or Tree shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement
pursuant to this Section 10.1(d)
if such
party’s (including any such party’s officers, members or partners) breach of
this Agreement has prevented the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby; or (e) by Buyer or PNP if any of the conditions to the obligations
of
the Company or Tree set forth in Article VII shall have become incapable
of
fulfillment and shall not have been waived by Buyer or PNP in writing, or
by
Tree if any of the conditions to the obligations of Tree set forth in Article
VIII shall have become incapable of fulfillment and shall not have been waived
by Tree in writing; provided,
however,
that
none of Buyer, PNP or Tree shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement
pursuant to this Section
10.1(e)
if such
party (including and such party’s any of their officers, members or partners) is
in breach in any material respect of its representations, warranties, covenants
or agreements contained in this Agreement and such breach has caused such
condition to be incapable of fulfillment. In the event of termination of
this
Agreement by any of Buyer, PNP or Tree as provided in Section 10.1,
this
Agreement shall forthwith become void and of no further force and effect
and
there shall be no liability on the part of Buyer, PNP, the Company or Tree
(or
their respective shareholders, members, partners, officers, directors,
employees, affiliates or representatives) to one another, except for:
(i) the liabilities and obligations arising under the Escrow Agreement;
(ii) the obligations of confidentiality arising pursuant to that certain
Confidentiality Agreement dated January 5, 2005 by and between the
Company
and Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc.; and (iii) the liabilities for
expenses arising under Section 10.2
of this
Agreement. The parties hereto may amend, modify and supplement this Agreement
in
such manner as may be agreed upon by them in writing. In determining whether
Tree is in default of a representation or warranty prior to Closing solely
for
purposes of determining whether or not the Buyer will be entitled to the
-43-
return
of
the Xxxxxxx Money Deposit upon termination of the Agreement, each representation
and warranty of Tree and the Company will be deemed to have been made to
the
knowledge of Tree and the Company, with such knowledge (for purposes of this
provision only) to be deemed to be what the persons identified at
Schedules 10.3.1(i) and 10.3.1(ii) knew or reasonably should have
known,
except as to title to the Units or the authority of Tree to enter into and
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under its charter
documents or the charter documents of the Company or under any agreement
between
or among Tree, the Company and any of their junior lenders.
10.2 Expenses.
Except
for any fees, commissions and expenses payable to Triangle Capital for which
Tree shall be solely responsible, or as otherwise specifically provided in
this
Agreement, the parties agree that whether or not the sale of the Units is
consummated, Buyer and PNP will pay and bear all of the expenses incurred
by
them, and Tree will bear all of the expenses incurred by the Company and
Tree in
connection with the acquisition contemplated by this Agreement, including
but
not limited to legal, tax, and accounting related expenses.
10.3 Certain
Definitions.
For
purposes of this Agreement:
10.3.1 The
“knowledge” of a party hereto shall mean the actual knowledge and such knowledge
which such person, in the diligent performance of his or her duties in the
capacity in which he or she serves, should reasonably know: (i) in
the case
of Tree, of the individuals set forth on Section 10.3.1(i)
of the
Disclosure Schedule; (ii) in the case of the Company, of the officers of
the
Company set forth on Section 10.3.1(ii)
of the
Disclosure Schedule; and (iii) in the case of Buyer or PNP, of the individuals
set forth on Section 10.3.1(iii)
of the
Disclosure Schedule. Where this Agreement refers to the knowledge of both
Tree
and the Company, a fact shall be deemed known if it is within the “knowledge” of
either Tree or the Company.
10.3.2 An
“affiliate” means with respect to any person, another person that directly or
indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by,
or
is under common control with, such first person.
10.3.3 “Material
Adverse Effect” means, when used in connection with PNP or the Company, any
effect that either individually, or in the aggregate with all other such
effects
relating to the same occurrence, factual circumstance or situation, is
materially adverse to the business, assets, properties, condition (financial
or
otherwise), or results of operations of such party.
10.3.4 “Government”
means the United States of America, any other nation or state, any U.S. State,
any federal, bilateral or multilateral governmental authority, any possession,
territory, local, county, district, city or other governmental unit or
subdivision, and any branch, entity, agency, or judicial body of any of the
foregoing (including any court or arbitrator).
-44-
10.3.5 “Law”
means any statute, law, ordinance, rule, directive or regulation of any
Government or quasi-governmental authority, and includes rules and regulations
of any regulatory or self-regulatory authority compliance with which is required
by law.
10.3.6 “Lien”
means any lien, security interest, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, pledge
or
charge.
10.3.7 “Order”
means any order, writ, injunction, or decree of any court or
Government.
10.3.8 “Permitted
Encumbrances” means (i) mechanics’, carriers’, workmen’s, repairmen’s or
other like Liens arising by operation of law with respect to liabilities
that
are not yet due or delinquent, (ii) Liens for Taxes, assessments and
other
governmental charges which are not due and payable or which are being contested
in good faith by appropriate proceedings (for which reserves have been made
in
the Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP) and (iii) in the
case of
real property, any restrictions, covenants, conditions, limitations, rights,
rights of way, encumbrances, encroachments, easements and other matters of
record, such state of facts of which an accurate survey of the property would
reveal, and none of which, individually or in the aggregate, would materially
detract from the value of the real property to which it relates or materially
impair the ability of the Company to use the real property to which it relates
in substantially the same manner as it was used prior to the
Closing.
10.3.9 A
“person” shall include an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization
or
other entity.
10.3.10 A
“subsidiary” of any person means another person, an amount of the voting
securities, other voting ownership or voting partnership interests of which
is
sufficient to elect at least a majority of its board of directors or other
governing body (or, if there are no such voting interests, 50% or more of
the
equity interests of which) is owned directly or indirectly by such first
person.
10.4 Binding
Effect.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto
and their respective successors, assigns, heirs and legal
representatives.
10.5 Entire
Agreement.
This
instrument, the exhibits attached hereto and the Disclosure Schedule contain
the
entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the sale of the Units
and
the other transactions contemplated herein, and supersede all prior
understandings and agreements of the parties with respect to the subject
matter
hereof. Any reference herein to this Agreement shall be deemed to include
the
exhibits attached hereto and the Disclosure Schedule.
10.6 Headings.
The
descriptive headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only
and do
not constitute a part of this Agreement.
-45-
10.7 Execution
in Counterpart.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed an original.
10.8 Notices.
Any
notice, request, information or other document to be given hereunder shall
be in
writing. Any notice, request, information or other document shall be deemed
duly
given four business days after it is sent by registered or certified mail,
postage prepaid, to the intended recipient, addressed as follows:
If
to
Tree:
Tree
Acquisition Management
000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx
000
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
Attn:
Xx.
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
With
a
copy to:
Xxxxx
Liddell & Xxxx LLP
0000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
0000
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
Attn:
Xxx
X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxx
X.
Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
If
to
Buyer or PNP:
Pick-N-Pull
Auto Dismantlers
0000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx.
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
With
a
copy to:
Xxxxx
Xxxx LLP
One
Metropolitan Square, Suite 3600
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
Xx.
Xxxxx, XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
Any
party
may send any notice, request, information or other document to be given
hereunder using any other means (including personal delivery, courier, messenger
service, facsimile transmission, telex or ordinary mail), but no such notice,
request, information or other document shall be deemed duly given unless
and
until it is actually received by the party for whom it is
-46-
intended.
Any party may change the address to which notices hereunder are to be sent
to it
by giving written notice of such change of address in the manner herein provided
for giving notice.
10.9 Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the
State of Texas applicable
to contracts made and to be performed wholly therein.
10.10 Further
Assurances.
In the
event that at any time after the Closing Date further action is necessary
to
carry out the purposes of this Agreement, the parties shall take all such
necessary action.
10.11 Drafting.
This
Agreement is deemed to have been drafted jointly by the parties and any
uncertainty or ambiguity shall not be construed for or against any party
as a
result of the attribution of drafting to any party.
10.12 Gender.
Any
reference to the male gender herein shall not be interpreted as excluding
the
female or neuter gender.
10.13 Press
Releases and Announcements.
After
the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing, no party to this Agreement
will directly or indirectly make or cause to be made any public announcement
or
disclosure, or issue any notice or press release with respect to this Agreement
or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without the prior consent
of
the other parties to this Agreement; provided
that any party to this Agreement may make any public announcement or disclosure
which is required by Law, NASDAQ rules or the disclosure policies of PNP’s
corporate parent, with the understanding that the parties will provide as
little
disclosure under these circumstances as the law requires; provided,
however, that
the
parties agree that the corporate parent of PNP may issue a mutually agreed
upon
press release and file a current report on Form 8-K upon both the execution
and
closing of this Agreement and may make additional disclosure and file this
Agreement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as required
by applicable law and SEC rules.
10.14 No
Third Party Beneficiaries.
The
parties hereto hereby expressly acknowledge and agree that this Agreement
is not
intended to, and shall not under any circumstances be construed to confer
any
rights or remedies upon any person or entity other than the parties hereto
and
their respective successors and permitted assigns.
[The
remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]
-47-
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed as of the day and year first above written.
PNP
COMMERCIAL ACQUISITION, LLC
By
/s/ Xxx Xxxxxx
Title
President
PICK-N-PULL
AUTO DISMANTLERS
By
/s/ Xxx Xxxxxx
Title
President
TREE
ACQUISITION, L.P.
By
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Title
Vice President
-48-
EXHIBIT
A
CLOSING
DATE PAYMENTS
A
|
Creditors
|
16,207,954
|
|
Chatham
(a)
|
7,111,168
|
||
Summit
(a)
|
9,096,785
|
||
B
|
Escrow
|
4,500,000
|
|
Xxxxxxx
Money
|
1,500,000
|
||
Balance
of Funds
|
3,000,000
|
||
C
|
Reps
& Warrants Ins (b)
|
350,000
|
|
D
|
Closing
Cash Consideration
|
2,442,046
|
|
TOTAL
|
23,500,000
|
||
Notes;
|
|||
(a)
Estimated amount, the final amount will be equal to the 100% payoff
amount
|
|||
(b)
Estimated amount, the actual amount to be 1/2 the
cost
|
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