SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT by and among UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION, XCELECOM, INC. and PHALCON, LTD. December 29, 2006
EXHIBIT
2.8
EXECUTION
COPY
Β
Β
Β
by
and among
Β
UIL
HOLDINGS CORPORATION,
Β
XCELECOM,
INC.
Β
and
Β
PHALCON,
LTD.
Β
December
29, 2006
Β
Table
of Contents
Β
1.
|
DEFINITIONS
|
1
|
Β | Β | Β |
2.
|
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF THE COMPANY SHARES
|
6
|
Β | Β | Β |
Β |
(A)
Basic Transaction
|
6
|
Β |
(B)
Purchase Price
|
6
|
Β |
(C)
The Closing
|
8
|
Β |
(D)
Deliveries at the Closing
|
9
|
Β | Β | Β |
3.
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE SELLER ENTITIES AND THE
BUYER
|
9
|
Β | Β | Β |
Β |
(A)
Representations and Warranties of the Seller Entities
|
9
|
Β |
(B)
Representations and warranties of the Buyer
|
10
|
Β | Β | Β |
4.
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE COMPANIES
|
12
|
Β | Β | Β |
Β |
(A)
Organization of the Companies
|
12
|
Β |
(B)
Capitalization
|
12
|
Β |
(C)
Noncontravention
|
13
|
Β |
(D)
Brokerβs Fees
|
13
|
Β |
(E)
Title to Assets
|
13
|
Β |
(F)
Financial Statements
|
13
|
Β |
(G)
Undisclosed Liabilities
|
13
|
Β |
(H)
Events Subsequent to Most Recent Fiscal Month End
|
14
|
Β |
(I)
Legal Compliance; Permits
|
15
|
Β |
(J)
Tax Matters
|
15
|
Β |
(K)
Real Property
|
16
|
Β |
(L)
Intellectual Property
|
17
|
Β |
(M)
Contracts
|
18
|
ii
Β |
(N)
Guaranties
|
19
|
Β |
(O)
Tangible Assets
|
20
|
Β |
(P)
Litigation
|
20
|
Β |
(Q)
Employees
|
20
|
Β |
(R)
Employee Benefits
|
20
|
Β |
(S)
Environmental, Health and Safety Matters
|
21
|
Β |
(T)
Notes and Accounts Receivable
|
22
|
Β |
(U)
Powers of Attorney
|
22
|
Β |
(V)
Insurance
|
22
|
Β |
(W)
Customer Disputes
|
24
|
Β |
(X)
Disclosure
|
24
|
Β | Β | Β |
5.
|
OTHER
AGREEMENTS
|
24
|
Β | Β | Β |
Β |
(A)
Intercompany Liabilities
|
24
|
Β |
(B)
Assumption of Certain Accounts Payable
|
25
|
Β |
(C)
401(K) Plan Funding
|
25
|
Β | Β | Β |
6.
|
POST-CLOSING
CONVENTS
|
25
|
Β | Β | Β |
Β |
(A)
General
|
25
|
Β |
(B)
Litigation Support
|
25
|
Β |
(C)
Transition
|
25
|
Β |
(D)
Employee Benefit Plans
|
26
|
Β |
(E)
Convenant Not To Compete
|
27
|
Β |
(F)
Access to Information
|
28
|
Β |
(G)
Nonassignable Contracts and Permits
|
29
|
Β |
(H)
Surety Bonds
|
29
|
Β |
(I)
Collection Efforts
|
29
|
Β |
(J)
Withdrawl Liability Reports
|
32
|
Β
iii
7.
|
CONDITIONS
TO OBLIGATION TO CLOSE
|
32
|
Β | Β | Β |
Β |
(A)
Conditions to Obligation of the Buyer
|
32
|
Β |
(B)
Conditions to Obligation of the Seller
|
33
|
Β | Β | Β |
8.
|
REMEDIES
FOR BREACHES OF THIS AGREEMENT
|
34
|
Β | Β | Β |
Β |
(A)
Survival
|
34
|
Β |
(B)
Indemnification Provisions for Benefits of the Buyer
|
34
|
Β |
(C)
Indemnification Provisions for Benefits of the Seller Entities and
Their
Affiliates
|
35
|
Β |
(D)
Limitations
|
36
|
Β |
(E)
Losses Net of Insurance, Etc.
|
37
|
Β |
(F)
Termination of Indemnification
|
37
|
Β |
(G)
Procedures Relating to Indemnification
|
37
|
Β |
(H)
Exclusive Remedy
|
38
|
Β |
(I)
Collateral Sources
|
38
|
Β | Β | Β |
9.
|
TAX
MATTERS
|
38
|
Β | Β | Β |
Β |
(A)
Consolidated Return
|
38
|
Β |
(B)
Tax Periods Ending on or Before the Closing Date
|
39
|
Β |
(C)
Tax Periods Beginning Before and Ending After the Closing
Date
|
39
|
Β |
(D)
Refund and Tax Benefits
|
39
|
Β |
(E)
Cooperation on Tax Matters
|
40
|
Β |
(F)
Tax Sharing Agreements
|
40
|
Β |
(G)
Transfer Taxes
|
40
|
Β |
(H)
Representation
|
41
|
Β |
(I)
Confidentiality
|
41
|
Β |
(J)
Section 338 Election
|
41
|
Β | Β | Β |
10.
|
INTENTIONALLY
OMITTED
|
42
|
Β | Β | Β |
Β
iv
11.
|
MISCELLANEOUS
|
42
|
Β | Β | Β |
Β |
(A)
Press Releases and Public Announcements
|
42
|
Β |
(B)
No Third-Party Beneficiaries
|
42
|
Β |
(C)
Entire Agreement
|
42
|
Β |
(D)
Succession and Assignment
|
43
|
Β |
(E)
Counterparts
|
43
|
Β |
(F)
Headings
|
43
|
Β |
(G)
Notices
|
43
|
Β |
(H)
Governing Law
|
43
|
Β |
(I)
Venue
|
44
|
Β |
(J)
Waiver of Jury Trial
|
44
|
Β |
(K)
Amendments and Waivers
|
44
|
Β |
(L)
Severability
|
44
|
Β |
(M)
Expenses
|
44
|
Β |
(N)
Construction
|
44
|
Β |
(O)
Incorporation of Exhibits and Schedules
|
44
|
Β | Β | Β |
v
Β
Β
SECURITIES
PURCHASE AGREEMENT, entered into as of December 29, 2006, by and among Phalcon,
Ltd., a Connecticut corporation, or its permitted assignee (the βBuyerβ),
UIL
Holdings Corporation, a Connecticut corporation (the βParentβ)
and
Xcelecom, Inc., a Connecticut corporation (the βSellerβ
and
together with the Parent, the βSeller
Entitiesβ).
The
Buyer and the Seller Entities are referred to collectively herein as the
βPartiesβ
and
individually as a βPartyβ.
Β
WHEREAS,
this Agreement contemplates a transaction in which the Buyer will purchase
from
the Seller, and the Seller will sell to the Buyer, all of the outstanding
capital stock or membership units, as applicable, of McPhee
Electric, JBL Electric and
XX Xxxxxxxx (each
as
defined below) (each a βCompanyβ
and
collectively, the βCompaniesβ),
in
return for the consideration set forth herein.
Β
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises herein
made,
and in consideration of the representations, warranties and covenants herein
contained, the Parties agree as follows.
Β
1.Β Β DEFINITIONS.
Β
βAccounts
Receivableβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 4(t) below.
Β
βAdditional
Bondsβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 6(h) below.
Β
βAdjustment
Statementβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2(b)(iv) below.
Β
βAdverse
Consequencesβ
means
all actions, suits, proceedings, hearings, investigations, charges, complaints,
claims, demands, injunctions, judgments, orders, decrees, rulings, damages,
dues, penalties, fines, costs, reasonable amounts paid in settlement,
liabilities, obligations, taxes, liens, losses, expenses, and fees, including
court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses.
Β
βAffiliateβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 of the regulations promulgated under the
Securities Exchange Act.
Β
βAffiliated
Groupβ
means
any affiliated group within the meaning of Code Β§1504(a) or any similar group
defined under a similar provision of state, local, or foreign law.
Β
βAgreementβ
means
this Securities Purchase Agreement.
Β
βAnnual
Financial Statementsβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 4(f) below.
Β
βBank
Guaranteesβ
means
the guarantees of each Company under the Credit Facility.
Β
βBondsβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 6(h) below.
Β
βBuyerβ
has
the
meaning set forth in the preface above.
Β
βBuyer
Disclosure Letterβ
means
the disclosure letter provided by the Buyer and attached hereto as Annex
A.
Β
βBuyer
Welfare Plansβ
means
any welfare plan as defined in ERISA Section 3(1) which the Buyer maintains
or
to which the Buyer contributes on or after the Closing.
Β
1
βClosingβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2(c) below.
Β
βClosing
Dateβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2(c) below.
Β
βClosing
Date Balance Sheetβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2(b)(iii) below.
Β
βClosing
Date Maximum Withdrawal Liabilityβ has the meaning set forth in Section 6(j)
below.
Β
βClosing
Date Net Asset Valueβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2(b)(iii) below.
Β
βClosing
Paymentβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2(b)(i) below.
Β
βCodeβ
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Β
βCollateral
Sourceβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 8(e) below.
Β
βCollective
Bargaining Agreement(s)β
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 4(m)(vii) below.
Β
βCompanyβ
and
βCompaniesβ
have
the meanings set forth in the preface above.
Β
βCompany
Balance Sheetβ
means
a
periodic balance sheet produced by the Seller in respect of the Companies in
accordance with past procedures and practices.
Β
βCompany
Shareβ
means
the membership units of McPhee Electric and any share of (i) the common stock,
no par value per share, of JBL Electric and (ii) the common stock, no par value
per share, of XX Xxxxxxxx.
Β
βConfidential
Informationβ
means
any information about the Buyer, the Companies or the Seller Entities stamped
"confidential", identified in writing as such to the receiving Party by the
disclosing Party promptly following its disclosure, or which should reasonably
be deemed confidential in light of the nature of its content or the nature
of
the circumstances surrounding the disclosure, unless (a) such information is
already publicly available or becomes publicly available through no fault of
the
receiving Party of its Representatives; or (b) the use of such information
is
necessary and appropriate in making any filing or obtaining any consent or
approval required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
Β
βContested
Adjustment Disputeβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2(b)(iv) below.
Β
βContested
Adjustment Noticeβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2(b)(iv) below.
Β
βContested
Adjustmentsβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2(b)(iv) below.
Β
βContinuing
Employeesβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 6(d) below.
Β
βCredit
Facilityβ
means
that Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2002, as
amended to date, among Bank of America, N.A., successor by merger to Fleet
National Bank (βBank of Americaβ) and the other lending institutions named
therein, the Seller and Bank of America, as agent for itself and such other
lending institutions.
Β
2
βDisclosure
Scheduleβ
means
the disclosure schedules provided by the Seller Entities and attached hereto
as
Annex
B,
as the
same may be amended in accordance with the terms hereof.
Β
βEmployeeβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 4(r) below.
Β
βEmployee
Benefit Planβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 4(r)(i) below.
Β
βEnvironmental,
Health, and Safety Requirementsβ
shall
mean all federal, state, local and foreign statutes, regulations, ordinances
and
similar provisions having the force or effect of law and all judicial and
administrative orders and determinations concerning public health and safety,
worker health and safety, and pollution or protection of the environment,
including without limitation all those relating to the presence, use,
production, generation, handling, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal,
distribution, labeling, testing, processing, discharge, release, threatened
release, control, or cleanup of any Hazardous Substances.
Β
βERISAβ
means
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
Β
βFinancial
Statementsβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 4(f) below.
Β
βGAAPβ
means
United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time
to
time.
Β
βGovernmental
Authorizationβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 4(i) below.
Β
βHazardous
Substancesβ
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act (βCERCLAβ), 42 U.S.C. Section
9601(14).
Β
βXxxxxxxxβ
means
Houlihan, Lokey, Xxxxxx and Xxxxx, financial advisor to the Parent.
Β
βIncome
Taxβ
means
any federal, state, local, or foreign income or franchise tax, including any
interest, penalty, or addition thereto, whether disputed or not.
Β
βIncome
Tax Returnβ
means
any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or
statement relating to Income Taxes, including any schedule or attachment
thereto, and including any amendment thereof.
Β
βIndemnified
Partyβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 8(g) below.
Β
βIndemnifying
Partyβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 8(g) below.
Β
βIndependent
Accountantβ
means
a
regionally recognized accounting firm jointly selected by Buyer and Seller;
provided,
that if
Buyer and Seller cannot agree on an accounting firm, Buyer and Seller shall
each
select a regionally recognized accounting firm and such accounting firms will
jointly select an accounting firm.
Β
βIntellectual
Propertyβ
means
(a) all inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not
reduced to practice), all improvements thereto, and all patents, patent
applications, and patent disclosures, together with all reissuances,
continuations, continuations-in-part, revisions, extensions, and reexaminations
thereof, (b) all trademarks, service marks, trade dress, logos, trade names,
and
corporate names, together with all translations, adaptations, derivations,
and
combinations thereof and including all goodwill associated therewith, and all
applications, registrations, and renewals in connection
Β
3
therewith,
(c) all copyrightable works, all copyrights, and all applications,
registrations, and renewals in connection therewith, (d) all Internet domain
names and universal resource locators (βURLsβ),
(e)
all mask works and all applications, registrations, and renewals in connection
therewith, (f) all trade secrets and confidential business information
(including ideas, research and development, know-how, formulas, compositions,
manufacturing and production processes and techniques, technical data, designs,
drawings, specifications, customer and supplier lists, pricing and cost
information, and business and marketing plans and proposals), (g) all computer
software (including data and related documentation), and (h) all copies and
tangible embodiments of each of the foregoing, in whatever form or
medium.
Β
βJBL
Electricβ
means
JBL Electric, Inc., a New Jersey corporation.
Β
βXX
Xxxxxxxxβ
means
XX Xxxxxxxx, Incorporated, a Maryland corporation.
Β
βKnowledge,β
or
phrases of similar import, with respect to an individual, means an individual
shall be deemed to have knowledge of a particular fact or other matter if that
individual is actually aware of that fact or matter. With respect to a Person,
other than an individual, "Knowledge,"
or
phrases of similar import, means a Person shall be deemed to have knowledge
of a
particular fact or other matter if any individual who is serving as an officer
of that Person (or in any similar capacity) is actually aware of that fact
or
other matter, provided that the Parent shall only be deemed to have knowledge
of
a fact or other matter if the chief executive officer or chief financial officer
of the Parent is actually aware of such fact or other matter.
Β
βMaterial
Adverse Effectβ
means
any change, event, fact, occurrence or effect (direct or indirect) which might
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the assets,
liabilities, financial condition, business or results of operation of the
Companies, taken as a whole, other than any change, fact, circumstance or event
(i) generally affecting the industry in which the Companies conduct their
business, or resulting from general economic or market conditions or changes
in
accounting principles, laws, regulations, or regulatory policies of general
applicability (or interpretations thereof), (ii) resulting from actions or
omissions of a Person taken with the prior written consent of the Parties in
contemplation of the transactions contemplated hereby, or (iii) resulting from
the announcement or execution of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
herein.
Β
βMcPhee
Claimsβ has the meaning set forth in Section 6(i)(ii) below.
Β
βMcPhee
Electricβ
means
McPhee Electric Ltd., LLC, a Connecticut limited liability company.
Β
βMost
Recent Financial Statementsβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 4(f) below.
Β
βMost
Recent Fiscal Month Endβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 4(f) below.
Β
βNet
Asset Valueβ
means
assets less
liabilities, as such items are described on the Target Balance
Sheet.
Β
βNet
Asset Value Shortfallβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2(b)(iii) below.
Β
βNon-Union
Continuing Employeesβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 6(d) below.
Β
βOrdinary
Course of Businessβ
means
the ordinary course of business consistent with past custom and practice
(including with respect to quantity and frequency).
Β
βOverlap
Periodβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 9(c) below.
Β
4
βParentβ
has
the
meaning set forth in the preface above.
Β
βPartyβ
or
βPartiesβ
has
the
meaning set forth in the preface above.
Β
βPast
Due Receivablesβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 6(i) below.
Β
βPersonβ
means
an individual, a governmental entity (or any department, agency, or political
subdivision thereof), or a partnership, limited liability company, limited
liability partnership, corporation, association, joint stock company, trust,
joint venture, unincorporated organization or similar entity.
Β
βPromissory
Notesβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2(b)(ii) below.
Β
βPurchase
Priceβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2(b) below.
Β
βRelease
of the Companiesβ
refers
to that Release from the Seller Entities set forth in Exhibit
A
hereto.
Β
βRepresentativesβ
of any
Person means the officers, directors, employees, accountants, counsel,
investment bankers, financial advisors and other representatives of such
Person.
Β
βRequisite
Consentsβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 7(a)(v) below.
Β
βSection
338(h)(10) Electionβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 9(j)(i) below.
Β
βSecurities
Actβ
means
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Β
βSecurity
Agreementsβ
means
collectively, (i) the Guarantor Security Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2005,
by JBL Electric in favor of the Agent (as defined in the Credit Facility),
(ii)
the Guarantor Security Agreement dated as of June 30, 2005, by XX Xxxxxxxx
in
favor of the Agent and (iii) the Guarantor Security Agreement dated as of June
30, 2005, by McPhee Electric in favor of the Agent.
Β
βSecurities
Exchange Actβ
means
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Β
βSecurity
Interestβ
means
any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, charge, or other security interest,
other than (a) mechanic's, materialmen's, and similar liens, (b) liens for
taxes
not yet due and payable or for taxes that the taxpayer is contesting in good
faith through appropriate proceedings, (c) purchase money liens and liens
securing rental payments under capital lease arrangements, and (d) other liens
arising in the Ordinary Course of Business and not incurred in connection with
the borrowing of money.
Β
βSellerβ
has
the
meaning set forth in the preface above.
Β
βSeller
401(k) Planβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 6(d)(iv) below.
Β
βSeller
Entitiesβ
has
the
meaning set forth in the preface above.
Β
βSubsidiaryβ
means
any corporation (or other entity) with respect to which a specified Person
or a
Subsidiary thereof owns a majority of the common stock (or analogous equity
interest, as applicable) or has the power to vote or direct the voting of
sufficient securities to elect a majority of members of the board of directors
(or analogous governing body, as applicable).
Β
5
βTarget
Balance Sheetβ
means
the unaudited, consolidated balance sheet of the Companies, dated September
30,
2006, which is attached hereto as Exhibit
F.
Β
βTax
Returnsβ
means
federal, state, foreign and local Tax reports, returns, information returns
and
other documents.
Β
βTaxesβ
or
βTaxβ
shall
mean all taxes, assessments, charges, duties, fees, levies or other governmental
charges, including, without limitation, all federal, state, local, foreign
and
other income, franchise, profits, capital gains, capital stock, transfer, sales,
use, registration, value added, occupation, property, excise, severance,
windfall profits, stamp, license, payroll, withholding and other taxes,
assessments, charges, duties, fees, levies or other governmental charges of
any
kind whatsoever (whether payable directly or by withholding and whether or
not
requiring the filing of a Tax Return), all estimated taxes, deficiency
assessments, additions to tax, penalties and interest and shall include any
liability for such amounts as a result either of being a member of a combined,
consolidated, unitary or Affiliated Group or of a contractual obligation to
indemnify any Person.
Β
βTaxing
Authoritiesβ
means
the Internal Revenue Service and any other federal, state or local authority
which has the right to impose Taxes on any Company or a Seller
Entity.
Β
βThird
Party Claimβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 8(g) below.
Β
βTransition
Services Agreementβ
means
a
transition services agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit
B.
Β
βThresholdβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 8(d) below.
Β
βUnion
Benefit Plan(s)β
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 4(r)(i) below.
Β
βUnion
Continuing Employeesβ
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 6(d)(i) below.
Β
βXcelecom
Office Equipmentβ
means
that certain office equipment described on the Xxxx of Sale attached hereto
as
Exhibit
C.
Β
2.Β Β PURCHASE
AND SALE OF THE COMPANY SHARES.
Β
(a)Β Β Basic
Transaction.Β On
and
subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Buyer agrees to
purchase from the Seller, and the Seller agrees to sell to the Buyer, all of
its
Company Shares and the Xcelecom Office Equipment for the consideration specified
below in this Section 2.
Β
(b)Β Β Purchase
Price.
Β
(i)Β Closing
Payment; Purchase Price.
At the
Closing, the Buyer shall pay to the Seller immediately available funds in the
amount of One Million Eight Hundred Fifty Thousand and 00/100 Dollars
($1,850,000.00), by certified check or wire transfer to the Seller's designated
account(s) (the βClosing
Paymentβ).
The
purchase price for the Company Shares (the βPurchase
Priceβ)
shall
equal (A) the Closing Payment, plus
(B) the
aggregate original principal amount outstanding under the Promissory Notes
($7,000,000), plus
(C) the
aggregate value of the McPhee Claims (paid to the Parent by Buyer net of income
taxes as set forth below) promptly after McPhee realizes any recovery thereon),
plus
(D) the
aggregate value of Past Due Receivables (paid to the Parent by Buyer
periodically, as set forth herein, after a Company realizes any recovery
6
thereon).
The
Buyer
shall promptly pay to the Parent all amounts it recovers in respect of the
McPhee Claims net of all federal and State income taxes calculated at the then
maximum marginal rates applicable to Connecticut residents and net of any unpaid
fees due to Buyer or McPhee pursuant to Section 6(i)(ii) hereof; provided,
however,
that if
the Buyer or the applicable Company has not collected on any portion of the
McPhee Claims or the Past Due Receivables by December 31, 2007, the Buyer shall
cause the appropriate Company to assign such uncollected portion to the Parent
on or before December 31, 2007 (which assignment shall satisfy the Buyerβs
obligation to the Seller Entities under Section 2(b)(i)(C) and Section
2(b)(i)(D) with respect to payment of the Purchase Price relating to such
assigned McPhee Claims and Past Due Receivables). Notwithstanding the foregoing
to the contrary, the Seller represents and warrants that with respect to the
McPhee Claim known as the Xxxxxx/Bridgeport Arena claim, McPhee Electric has
previously satisfied any federal and State income tax obligations with respect
to the first $1,066,444 of such claim, and, accordingly, the Buyer shall cause
McPhee Electric to pay the first $1,066,444 of any recovery received on the
Xxxxxx/Bridgeport Arena claim to the Parent without any reduction for federal
and State income taxes.
Β
(ii)Β Promissory
Notes.
At the
Closing, the Seller Entities shall leave an aggregate amount of $7 million
of
cash on deposit in the Companies ($3,000,000 each at McPhee Electric and XX
Xxxxxxxx, and $1,000,000 at JBL Electric). In
furtherance of the foregoing, the Seller Entities shall cause such amounts
to be
on deposit in
one or
more bank accounts of the Buyer and/or the Companies as the Buyer shall direct
in writing prior to the Closing. At the Closing, the Buyer shall deliver to
the
Seller (A) a subordinated promissory note in the original principal amount
of $3
million executed by the Buyer and McPhee Electric substantially in the form
of
Exhibit
D-1;
(B) a
subordinated promissory note in the original principal amount of $3 million
executed by the Buyer and XX Xxxxxxxx substantially in the form of Exhibit
D-2;
and (C)
a subordinated promissory note in the original principal amount of $1 million
executed by the Buyer and JBL Electric substantially in the form of Exhibit
D-3
(collectively, the βPromissory
Notesβ).
At
the Closing, the Seller Entities agree to execute and deliver that certain
Intercreditor Agreement with Sovereign Bank, the Buyerβs current senior secured
lender, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
E.
After
the Closing, Seller Entities agree to deliver any substantially similar
intercreditor or subordination agreement, or any renewal or replacement thereof,
with any subsequent senior secured lender of the Buyer and the Companies, as
may
be required from time to time by such senior secured lenders to evidence the
aforesaid subordination of the Promissory Notes.
Β
(iii)Β Closing
Date Balance Sheet.
As soon
as practicable, but no later than twenty (20) days after the Closing Date,
the
Seller shall prepare and deliver to the Buyer an unaudited, consolidated balance
sheet for the Companies (which may or may not contain notes) (the βClosing
Date Balance Sheetβ)
and a
calculation of the Net Asset Value as of the close of business on the Closing
Date (the βClosing
Date Net Asset Valueβ).
The
Closing Date Balance Sheet shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP,
consistently applied by the Subsidiaries. The Seller shall also make available
to the Buyer copies of all work papers and other documents and data as were
used
to prepare the Closing Date Balance Sheet (and any items therein) and the
Closing Date Net Asset Value calculation. The Buyer shall have the right to
dispute the Closing Date Balance Sheet (and any items therein) and the Closing
Date Net Asset Value calculation and make any proposed adjustments thereto
as
provided in Section 2(b)(iv). If the Closing Date Net Asset Value, as finally
determined in accordance with this Section 2(b), is less than $18,215,151,
which
amount the parties acknowledge assumes (as represented by the
7
Seller
Entities) that the aggregate amount as of September 30, 2006 of the accruals
relating to workers compensation claims and other items that will be eliminated
from the books of the Companies and retained and assumed by the Seller Entities
is approximately $2,400,000 (which items are set forth in more detail on
Exhibit
G,
and
which items, regardless of their amounts as of the Closing Date, will be
eliminated from the Closing Date Balance Sheet, be retained and assumed by
the
Seller Entities, and will not be obligations of the Companies) (such shortfall
being a βNet
Asset Value Shortfallβ),
then
the Seller shall, subject to Section 2(b)(iv), deliver to the Buyer cash in
an
amount equal to such Net Asset Value Shortfall, if any, within fifteen (15)
days
of such final determination.
Β
(iv)Β Dispute
Resolution Procedures.
The
Buyer shall have until forty-five (45) days after the delivery of the Closing
Date Net Asset Value calculation to review the calculation set forth therein
and
propose any adjustments thereto. All adjustments proposed by the Buyer shall
be
set out in detail in a written statement delivered to the Seller (an
βAdjustment
Statementβ)
and
shall be incorporated into the Closing Date Balance Sheet unless the Seller
shall object in writing to such proposed adjustments within fifteen (15) days
of
delivery of the Adjustment Statement (the proposed adjustment or adjustments
to
which the Seller objects are referred to herein as the βContested
Adjustmentsβ
and
the
objection notice is referred to herein as the βContested
Adjustment Noticeβ).
If
the Seller delivers a Contested Adjustment Notice, the Seller and the Buyer
shall attempt in good faith to resolve their dispute (a βContested
Adjustment Disputeβ)
regarding the Contested Adjustments, but if a final resolution thereof is not
obtained within fifteen (15) days after delivery of said Contested Adjustment
Notice, the Independent Accountant shall resolve any remaining disputes
concerning the Contested Adjustments. If the Independent Accountant is requested
to resolve a Contested Adjustment Dispute, then (A) the Buyer and the Seller
shall each submit to the Independent Accountant in writing, not later than
thirty (30) days after the Independent Accountant is retained for such purpose,
their respective positions with respect to the Contested Adjustments, together
with such supporting documentation as they deem necessary or as the Independent
Accountant reasonably requests, and (B) the Independent Accountant shall, within
thirty (30) days after receiving the positions of both the Buyer and the Seller
and all supplementary supporting documentation requested by the Independent
Accountant, render its decision as to the Contested Adjustments, which decision
shall be final and binding on, and non-appealable by, the Parties. The decision
of the Independent Accountant shall also include a certificate of the
Independent Accountant setting forth the final Closing Date Net Asset Value
calculation. The Closing Date Balance Sheet shall be deemed to include all
proposed adjustments of the Buyer not disputed by the Seller and those
adjustments accepted or made by the decision of the Independent Accountant
in
resolving the Contested Adjustments. The
fees
and expenses of the Independent Accountant related to the resolution of
Contested Adjustments shall be shared equally by the Seller Entities on one
hand
and the Buyer on the other hand.
(c)Β Β The
Closing.
The
closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the βClosingβ) shall
take place at the offices of XXXXXX XXXXXXX LLC in Hartford, Connecticut,
commencing at 1:00 p.m. local time, on December 29, 2006, subject to all of
the
conditions set forth in Section 7 hereof being fulfilled or waived in writing,
or such other date as the Buyer and the Seller may mutually determine in writing
(the βClosing Dateβ), with the effective time of the Closing being 11:59 p.m.
standard time on December 31, 2006.
Β
8
(d)Β Β Deliveries
at the Closing.
At the
Closing, (i) the Seller will deliver to the Buyer the various certificates,
instruments, and documents referred to in Section 7(a) below, (ii) the Buyer
will deliver to the Seller the various certificates, instruments, and documents
referred to in Section 7(b) below, (iii) the Seller will deliver to the Buyer
stock or membership unit certificates, as applicable, representing all of its
Company Shares, endorsed in blank or accompanied by duly executed assignment
or
power of attorney documents, and (iv) the Buyer will deliver to the Seller
the
Closing Payment and the Promissory Notes.
Β
3.Β Β |
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE SELLER ENTITIES AND THE
BUYER.Β
|
Β
(a)Β Β Representations
and Warranties of the Seller Entities.
Each of
the Seller Entities represents and warrants to the Buyer that except as set
forth in the Disclosure Schedule, the statements contained in this Section
3(a)
are correct and complete as of the date hereof.
Β
(i)Β Organization.
Each of
the Seller Entities is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws
of
the State of Connecticut.
(ii)Β Authorization
of Transaction.
Each of
the Seller Entities has corporate power and authority to execute and deliver
this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement and all other agreements and transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all required corporate
proceedings of each of the Seller Entities and no other corporate proceedings
are necessary to authorize this Agreement and such agreements contemplated
hereby and transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement
constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of each of the Seller
Entities, enforceable in accordance with its terms and conditions.
(iii)Β Government
Authorizations.
Except
as set forth in Section
3(a)(iii) of the Disclosure Schedule,
neither
Seller Entity is required to give any notice to, make any filing with, or obtain
any authorization, consent, or approval of any government or governmental agency
in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(iv)Β Noncontravention.
Neither
the execution and the delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, will (A) violate any constitution, statute,
regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge, or other
restriction of any government, governmental agency, or court to which a Seller
Entity is subject or any provision of the charter or bylaws of a Seller Entity
or (B) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result
in the acceleration of, create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate,
modify, or cancel, or require any notice under any agreement, contract, lease,
license, instrument, or other arrangement set forth in Section
4(m) of the Disclosure Schedule,
excluding
from the foregoing such requirements, conflicts, defaults, rights or violations
(1) that are not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have
a
Material Adverse Effect and would not adversely affect, in any material respect,
the ability of the Seller Entities to consummate the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement or (2) that become applicable as a result of the business
or
activities in which the Buyer engages or proposes to be engaged, or as a result
of any acts or omissions by, or the legal status of or any facts pertaining
to,
the Buyer.
9
(v)Β Brokers'
Fees.
Neither
Seller Entity has any liability or obligation to pay any fees or commissions
to
any broker, finder, or agent with respect to the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement, other than certain fees to Xxxxxxxx all of which fees shall
be
paid by the Parent.
(vi)Β Company
Shares.
The
Seller holds of record and owns beneficially the number of Company Shares set
forth in Section 4(b) below, free and clear of any restrictions on transfer
(other than any restrictions imposed by the Securities Act and state securities
laws), taxes, Security Interests, options, warrants, purchase rights, contracts,
or commitments. Neither Seller Entity is a party to any option, warrant,
purchase right, or other contract or commitment that could require the Seller
to
sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any capital stock or membership units,
as applicable, of any Company (other than this Agreement). Neither Seller Entity
is a party to any voting trust, proxy, or other agreement or understanding
with
respect to the voting of any capital stock or membership units, as applicable,
of any Company.
(vii)Β Litigation.Β There
is
no action, suit, investigation or proceeding pending against, or to the
Knowledge of the Seller Entities, threatened against or affecting the Seller
Entities before any court or arbitrator or any governmental body, agency or
official which challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin, alter or delay, in any
material respect, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(viii)Β Xcelecom
Office Equipment.
Xcelecom
has good title to and owns the Xcelecom Office Equipment free and clear of
all
Security Interests.
(b)Β Β Representations
and Warranties of the Buyer.
The
Buyer represents and warrants to the Seller Entities that except as set forth
in
the Buyer Disclosure Letter, the statements contained in this Section 3(b)
are
correct and complete as of the date hereof.
Β
(i)Β Organization
of the Buyer.
The
Buyer is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of
the
jurisdiction of its incorporation.
(ii)Β Authorization
of Transaction.
The
Buyer has corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement
and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and all other agreements and transactions
contemplated hereby, have been duly authorized by all required corporate
proceedings of the Buyer and its Affiliates, and no other corporate proceedings
are necessary to authorize this Agreement and such agreements contemplated
hereby and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement
constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of the Buyer, enforceable
in accordance with its terms and conditions.
(iii)Β Β Government
Authorizations.
The
Buyer is not required to give any notice to, make any filing with, or obtain
any
authorization, consent, or approval of any government or governmental agency
in
order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(iv)Β Noncontravention.
Neither
the execution and the delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, will (A) violate any constitution, statute,
regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge, or other
restriction of any government, governmental agency, or court to which the Buyer
is
10
subject
or any provision of its charter or bylaws or (B) conflict with, result in a
breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of, create
in
any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, or require
any
notice under any agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument, or other
arrangement to which the Buyer is a party or by which it is bound or to which
any of its assets is subject, except
for requirements, conflicts, defaults, rights or violations that, individually
or in the aggregate, would not materially impair the ability of Buyer to perform
its obligations hereunder.
(v)Β Brokers'
Fees.
The
Buyer has no liability or obligation to pay any fees or commissions to any
broker, finder, or agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(vi)Β Investment.
The
Buyer is purchasing the Company Shares for its own account and is not acquiring
the Company Shares with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any
distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act. The Buyer
has
no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise
distributing any of the Company Shares. None of the Buyer or its Affiliates
has
entered into any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any Person
for resale of any of the Company Shares. The Buyer acknowledges that the
offering of the Company Shares pursuant to this Agreement has not been and
will
not be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities or blue
sky
laws on the grounds that the offering and sale of the Company Shares
contemplated by this Agreement is exempt from registration pursuant to
exemptions available under such laws, and that the Seller's reliance upon such
exemptions is predicated in part upon the Buyer's representations set forth
in
this Agreement. The Buyer is an βaccredited investorβ within the meaning of
Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act, and has the knowledge and
experience necessary to evaluate the merits and risks of an investment in the
Company Shares and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
(vii)Β Litigation.
There
is no action, suit, investigation or proceeding pending against, or to the
Knowledge of the Buyer, threatened against or affecting the Buyer before any
court or arbitrator or any governmental body, agency or official which in any
manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin, alter or delay the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(viii)Β Disclaimer.
The
Buyer acknowledges that other than as set forth in this Agreement and any
related documents, instruments, certificates or agreements delivered in
connection with the Closing, neither the Parent, the Seller nor any of their
respective shareholders or Affiliates, or the Representatives thereof, makes
or
has made any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to (A)
the accuracy or completeness of any of the information provided or made
available to the Buyer or its shareholders or Affiliates, or the Representatives
thereof, or (B) any
of
its or their respective assets, liabilities or operations of the
Companies.
(ix)Β Legal
Compliance.
The
Buyer is in compliance with all applicable laws (including rules, regulations,
codes, plans, injunctions, judgments, orders, decrees, rulings, and charges
thereunder) of federal, state, and local governments (and all agencies thereof),
except where the failure to comply would not have a material adverse effect
upon
the ability of the Buyer to perform its obligations under this Agreement. Except
as set forth in Section
3(b)(ix) of the Buyer Disclosure Letter,
the
Buyer holds and is in compliance with all permits, licenses, approvals, and
authorizations of governmental
11
authorities,
required for the conduct of its business as currently conducted, except to
the
extent that any failure to so hold or comply would not reasonably be expected
to
have a material adverse effect upon the Buyer following the Closing. The Buyer
does not reasonably anticipate any material impediments to its obtaining any
required permits, licenses, approvals or authorizations of governmental
authorities listed in Section
3(b)(iii) of the Buyer Disclosure Letter
required
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereunder.
Β
4.Β Β |
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE COMPANIES.Β
|
Β
The
Parent and the Seller, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to the
Buyer
that except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, each of the statements
contained in this Section 4 are correct and complete as of the date of this
Agreement. The exceptions, modifications and disclosures made in any Section
of
the Disclosure Schedule are specifically for the identified Section of the
Disclosure Schedule, and may be made for other purposes of this Agreement or
in
any agreement or instrument delivered pursuant to or in connection with this
Agreement provided that an express cross-reference thereto is made in the
Disclosure Schedule.
Β
(a)Β Β Organization
of the Companies.
Each
Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing, or a limited
liability company duly formed and validly existing, as applicable, under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation and has
full
power and authority to carry on the businesses in which it is engaged and to
own, lease and use the properties owned, leased and used by it, except
where any such failure to be so organized or formed and existing or to have
such
power and authority would not individually or in the aggregate have a Material
Adverse Effect. Β Each
Company
is duly
authorized to conduct business and is in good standing under the laws of each
jurisdiction where such qualification is required by applicable law, except
where the lack of such qualification would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4(a) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth the respective jurisdictions
of organization for each Company and where each Company is qualified to conduct
business.
Β
(b)Β Β Capitalization.
Β
(i)Β Companies.
The
authorized capital stock or membership units, as applicable, of each Company
and
the number of Company Shares issued and outstanding are as set forth in
Section
4(b)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule.
All of
the issued and outstanding Company Shares have been duly authorized, are validly
issued, fully paid, and nonassessable, and are held of record by the Seller.
There are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, purchase rights,
subscription rights, conversion rights, exchange rights, or other contracts
or
commitments that could require any Company to issue, sell, or otherwise cause
to
become outstanding any of its capital stock or membership units, as applicable.
There are no outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit
participation, or similar rights with respect to the capital stock or membership
units, as applicable, of any Company.
(ii)
Β Subsidiaries;
Joint Ventures.
Except
as set forth on Section
4(b)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule,
none of
the Companies has any Subsidiaries and none of the Companies otherwise owns
or
controls, directly or indirectly, any equity or similar interest or any interest
convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any equity or similar
interest in any Person, including an interest in a joint
venture.
12
Β
(c)Β Β Noncontravention.
Neither
the execution and the delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, will (i) violate any constitution, statute,
regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge, or other
restriction of any government, governmental agency, or court to which any
Company is subject or any provision of the charter or bylaws of any Company
or
(ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, or result
in the acceleration of any agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument,
or
other arrangement to which any Company is a party or by which it is bound or
to
which any of its assets is subject, except where the violation, conflict,
breach, default, or acceleration would not have a Material Adverse Effect or
a
material adverse effect on the ability of the Parties to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Except as set forth in Section
4(c)
of the Disclosure Schedule, none of the Companies is required to give any notice
to, make any filing with, or obtain any authorization, consent, or approval
of
any government or governmental agency in order for the Parties to consummate
the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Β
(d)Β Β Brokers'
Fees.
None of
the Companies has any liability or obligation to pay any fees or commissions
to
any broker, finder, or agent with respect to the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement.
Β
(e)Β Β Title
to Assets.
Each
Company has good and marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in,
the
properties and assets used by it, located on its premises, or shown on the
Most
Recent Financial Statements, free and clear of all Security Interests, except
for properties and assets disposed of in the Ordinary Course of Business since
the date of the Most Recent Financial Statements or as provided in the Security
Agreements or Section 4(e) of the Disclosure Schedule.
Β
(f)Β Β Financial
Statements.
Copies
of the following financial statements are attached to Section 4(f) of the
Disclosure Schedule: (i) the balance sheets and statements of income,
shareholder equity, and cash flows as of and for the for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 for each of the Companies individually (the
βAnnual Financial Statementsβ); and (ii) an unaudited, consolidated balance
sheet and statements of income, shareholder equity and cash flows, as of and
for
the nine months ended September 30, 2006 for the Companies (the βMost Recent
Financial Statementsβ and, together with the Annual Financial Statements, the
βFinancial Statementsβ). September 30, 2006 is sometimes referred to herein as
the βMost Recent Fiscal Month End.β The Financial Statements (including the
notes thereto) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP on a consistent basis
through the periods presented in the Financial Statements and present fairly,
in
all material respects, the financial condition of the Companies (as applicable)
as of such dates and the results of operations of the Companies (as applicable)
for such periods; provided,
however,
that
the Most Recent Financial Statements are subject to normal year-end adjustments
which are not reasonably expected to be material in the aggregate and lack
footnotes and other presentation items.
Β
(g)Β Β Undisclosed
Liabilities.Β Except
(i) for liabilities and obligations incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business
since the date of the Most Recent Financial Statements, (ii) as otherwise
disclosed in Section 4(g) of the Disclosure Schedule, and (iii) as and to the
extent disclosed or reserved against in the balance sheet of the Companies
for
the Most Recent Fiscal Month End, since the Most Recent Fiscal Month End, none
of the Companies has incurred any liabilities or obligations (whether direct,
indirect, accrued or contingent) that would, individually or in the aggregate,
be required to be reflected or reserved against in a balance sheet of the
Companies prepared in accordance with GAAP, as consistently applied by the
Companies.
Β
13
(h)Β Β Events
Subsequent to Most Recent Fiscal Month End.Β
Since the Most Recent Fiscal Month End, there has not been any event or
occurrence that has had, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse
Effect and none of the Companies have:
Β
(i)Β become
legally obligated to sell, assign or otherwise transfer any of their material
assets or properties, other than in the Ordinary Course of
Business;
Β
(ii)Β made
any
acquisition of all of the capital stock (whether by merger or otherwise) or
all
or substantially all of the assets of any Person;
Β
(iii)Β subjected
any material asset to a Security Interest;
Β
(iv)Β amended
or authorized any amendment to its charter or bylaws;
Β
(v)Β incurred
any indebtedness for borrowed money from a non-affiliated Person or incurred
any
liability (contingent or otherwise) in excess of $10,000 individually or in
the
aggregate, other than trade payables incurred in the Ordinary Course of
Business;
Β
(vi)
Β declared
or made any payment or distribution to the Seller, other than in connection
with
the Seller advancing funds to, and sweeping cash of, the Companies pursuant
to
the Sellerβs cash management system with Bank of America in the Ordinary Course
of Business;
Β
(vii)
Β issued,
sold, pledged, disposed of, or encumbered any shares of, or securities
convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, or options, warrants,
calls, commitments or rights of any kind to acquire any shares of the capital
stock of any Company;
Β
(viii)
Β made
any
change to its accounting policies, principles or practices;
(ix)
Β made
any
loans to any Persons other than advances for reasonable business expenses in
the
Ordinary Course of Business;
Β
(x)
Β entered
into, adopted, amended or terminated any bonus, profit sharing, compensation
or
stock option/ownership plan, severance or other Employee Benefit Plan or other
arrangement for the benefit of any director, officer or employee, or increased
in any manner the compensation or fringe benefits of any director or officer,
other than as required under any employment agreement listed in Section
4(m) of the Disclosure Schedule;
Β
(xi)
Β waived
any right in any contract listed in Section
4(m) of the Disclosure Schedule,
the
waiver of which would reasonably be expected to materially detract from the
value of such contract to any Company;
(xii)
Β entered
into, adopted or amended any union labor contract or agreement;
(xiii)
Β entered
into, adopted or amended any contract or agreement with a value in excess of
$100,000;
14
(xiv)
Β had
any
employee with an annual compensation rate of $50,000 or greater voluntarily
or
involuntarily leave employment;
(xv)
Β engaged
in any transaction or omitted to take any action other than in the Ordinary
Course or Business; or
Β
(xvi)
Β became
obligated to take any of the actions specified in subparagraphs (i) through
(xv)
above.
Β
(i)Β Β Legal
Compliance; Permits.
Except
as set forth in Section 4(i)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule, each Company is,
and
has been since January 1, 2002, in compliance in all material respects with
all
applicable laws (including rules, regulations, codes, plans, injunctions,
judgments, orders, decrees, rulings, and charges thereunder) of federal, state,
and local governments (and all agencies thereof). Except as set forth in Section
4(i)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule, each Company holds and is, and has been
since January 1, 2002, in compliance in all material respects with all permits,
licenses, approvals, and authorizations of governmental authorities (each a
βGovernmental Authorizationβ) required for the conduct of its business as
currently conducted. Section 4(i)(iii) of the Disclosure Schedule contains
a
complete and accurate list of each Governmental Authorization that is held
or
used by any of the Companies. Each Governmental Authorization listed or required
to be listed in Section 4(i)(iii) of the Disclosure Schedule is valid and in
full force and effect. All applications required to have been filed for the
renewal of the Governmental Authorizations listed or required to be listed
in
Section 4(i)(iii) of the Disclosure Schedule have been duly filed on a timely
basis with the appropriate governmental authority and all other filings required
to have been made with respect to such Governmental Authorizations have been
duly made on a timely basis with the appropriate governmental authority, except
where the delay in any such filing would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
The
Governmental Authorizations listed in Section 4(i)(iii) of the Disclosure
Schedule collectively constitute all of the Governmental Authorizations
necessary to permit the Companies to lawfully conduct and operate their
businesses in the manner they currently conduct and operate such businesses
and
to permit the Companies to own and use their assets in the manner in which
they
currently own and use such assets. To the Knowledge of the Seller Entities,
since January 1, 2002, no Company or director, officer, agent, or employee
of
any Company, or any other Person associated with or acting for or on behalf
of
any Company, has directly or indirectly (i) made any contribution, arrangement,
concession, gift, bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback, or other
payment or given any item of value to any Person, private or public, regardless
of form, whether in money, property, or services (A) to obtain favorable
treatment in securing business, (B) to pay for favorable treatment for business
secured, (C) to obtain special concessions or for special concessions already
obtained, for or in respect of any Company or any Affiliate of a Company, or
(D)
in violation of any law, regulation or order, or (ii) established or maintained
any fund or asset that has not been recorded in the books and records of the
Companies.
Β
(j)Β Β Tax
Matters.
Β
(i)Β Except
as
set forth in Section
4(j)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule,
all
federal Income Tax Returns required to be filed in respect of the Companiesβ
Affiliated Group prior to the Closing Date have been filed and all Income Taxes
shown thereon have been paid.
All such
Income Tax Returns were correct and complete in all material respects. All
material Income Taxes owed by a Seller Entity or a Company (whether or not
shown
on any Tax Return) have been paid. Except as described above in this
subparagraph
15
(i),
neither the Parent, the Seller nor any Company is currently the beneficiary
of
any extension of time within which to file any Income Tax Return. No written
claim has ever been made by an authority in a jurisdiction where a Company
does
not file Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to taxation by that
jurisdiction. There are no Security Interests on any of the assets of any
Company that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay
any Tax.
(ii)Β Each
Company has filed all state and local Income Tax Returns that it was required
to
file prior to the date hereof, and has paid or has reserved on the Most Recent
Financial Statements adequate funds for the payment of all Income Taxes shown
thereon as owing.
(iii)Β None
of
the Companies has waived any statute of limitations in respect of Income Taxes
or agreed to any extension of time with respect to an Income Tax assessment
or
deficiency.
(iv)Β Each
Company has withheld and paid all Taxes required to have been withheld and
paid
by such Company, except payroll taxes which are not due as of the Closing Date
and which have been appropriately reflected as liabilities on the Most Recent
Financial Statements.
(v)Β There
is
no dispute or claim concerning any material liability in respect of any Tax
of a
Seller Entity or any Company either (A) claimed or raised by any authority
in
writing or (B) as to which the Seller Entities have Knowledge.
(vi)Β Neither
the Parent, the Seller nor any Company has filed a consent under Code Β§ 341(f)
concerning collapsible corporations. Neither the Parent, the Seller nor any
Company has been a United States real property holding corporation within the
meaning of Code Β§ 897(c)(2) during the applicable period specified in Code
Β§897(c)(1)(A)(ii). The Seller Entities and each Company have disclosed on their
respective federal Income Tax Returns all positions taken therein that could
give rise to a substantial understatement of federal Income Tax within the
meaning of Code Β§ 6662. Neither the Parent, the Seller nor any Company is a
party to any Tax allocation or sharing agreement which will not be terminated
on
or before the Closing Date.
(vii)Β The
unpaid Taxes of the Companies did not, as of the Most Recent Fiscal Month End,
exceed the reserve for Tax Liability (rather than any reserve for deferred
Taxes
established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) set
forth
on the face of the Most Recent Financial Statements (rather than in any notes
thereto).
(k)Β Β Real
Property.
Β
(i)Β None
of
the Companies owns any real property (the βReal
Propertyβ).
(ii)Β Section
4(k)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule
lists
and briefly describes all parcels of Real Property leased or subleased to or
by
any Company by any other Person. The Seller Entities have made available to
the
Buyer correct and complete copies of the leases and subleases listed in
Section
4(k)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule
and:
16
(A)Β each
such
lease or sublease is legal, valid, binding, enforceable, and in full force
and
effect;
(B)
Β the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby is not an event of default
under any such lease or sublease;
(C)
Β none
of
the Companies, Seller and Parent are in breach or default and, to the Knowledge
of the Seller Entities, no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of
time, would constitute a breach or default or permit termination, modification,
or acceleration under any lease or sublease, and to the Knowledge of the Seller
Entities, (I) no other party is in breach or default under any such lease or
sublease and (II) no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time,
would constitute a breach or default or permit termination, modification, or
acceleration under any such lease or sublease;
(D)
Β none
of
the Companies, Seller and Parent have repudiated any provision of any lease
or
sublease, and to the Knowledge of the Seller Entities, no other party has
repudiated any provision of any such lease or sublease;
(E)
Β to
the
Knowledge of the Seller Entities, there are no oral agreements or forbearance
programs in effect as to any such lease or sublease; and
(F)Β none
of
the Companies has assigned, transferred, conveyed, mortgaged, deeded in trust,
or encumbered any interest in the leasehold or subleasehold.
(l)Β Β Intellectual
Property.
Β
(i)
Β To
the
Knowledge of the Seller Entities, none of the Companies has interfered with,
infringed upon, misappropriated, or violated any material Intellectual Property
rights of third parties in any material respect, and neither Seller Entity
has
received any written charge, complaint, claim, demand, or notice alleging any
such interference, infringement, misappropriation, or violation (including
any
claim that any Company must license or refrain from using any Intellectual
Property rights of any third party). To the Knowledge of the Seller Entities,
no
third party has interfered with, infringed upon, misappropriated, or violated
any material Intellectual Property rights of any Company in any material
respect.
(ii)Β Section
4(l)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule
identifies each patent and trademark registration which has been issued to
any
Company with respect to any of its Intellectual Property, identifies each
pending patent or trademark application which any Company has made with respect
to any of its Intellectual Property, and identifies each material license,
agreement, or other permission which any Company has granted to any third party
with respect to any of its Intellectual Property (together with any exceptions).
Section
4(l)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule
also
identifies each material trade name or unregistered trademark used by any
Company in connection with any of its businesses. With respect to each item
of
Intellectual Property required to be identified in Section
4(l)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule:
17
(A)Β the
applicable Company possesses all right, title, and interest in and to the item,
free and clear of any Security Interest, license, or other
restriction;
(B)Β the
item
is not subject to any outstanding injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling,
or charge; and
(C)Β no
action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, charge, complaint, claim,
or
demand is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Seller Entities, is threatened
which challenges the legality, validity, enforceability, use, or ownership
of
the item.
(iii)Β Section
4(l)(iii) of the Disclosure Schedule
lists
and briefly describes all licenses, sublicenses, agreements, and permissions
(as
amended to date), with respect to each material item of Intellectual Property
that any third party owns and that any Company presently uses pursuant to
license, sublicense, agreement, or permission, except for βShrink-wrapsβ and
similar widely available binary code and commercial end-user licenses. With
respect to each βShrinkwrapβ software license and each item of Intellectual
Property required to be identified in Section
4(l)(iii) of the Disclosure Schedule:
(A)Β the
license, sublicense, agreement, or permission covering the item is legal, valid,
binding, enforceable, and in full force and effect;
(B)Β none
of
the Companies, Parent and Seller are in breach or default and, to the Knowledge
of the Seller Entities, no event has occurred which with notice or lapse of
time
would constitute a material breach or default or permit termination,
modification, or acceleration under any license or sublicense agreement, and,
to
the Knowledge of the Seller Entities, (I) no other party is in breach or default
under any license or sublicense agreement and (II) no event has occurred which
with notice or lapse of time would constitute a material breach or default
or
permit termination, modification, or acceleration under any license or
sublicense agreement; and
(C)Β none
of
the Companies, Seller and Parent have repudiated any provision of any license
or
sublicense to the Knowledge of the Seller Entities, no other party has
repudiated any material provision of any license or sublicense.
Β
(iv)Β All
Intellectual Property created at any
Company
or any predecessor in interest, or by any employee or consultant working for
any
Company,
has been assigned to the applicable Company and such assignor is contractually
obligated to assist such Company in registering any such Intellectual Property
rights.
(m)Β Β Contracts.
With
respect to each of the contracts listed in Section 4(m) of the Disclosure
Schedule: (A) the agreement is legal, valid, binding, enforceable, and in full
force and effect as to the Company party thereto; (B) neither the Company party
thereto nor, to the Knowledge of the Seller Entities, any other party is in
material breach or default, and to the Knowledge of the Seller Entities, no
event has occurred which with notice or lapse of time would constitute a
material breach or default, or permit termination, modification, or
acceleration, under the agreement; and (C) to the Knowledge of the Seller
Entities, no party has repudiated any material provision of the agreement.
Section 4(m) of the Disclosure Schedule lists the following contracts and other
agreements in effect on the date hereof to which any Company is a
party:
Β
18
Β
(i)Β any
agreement (or group of related agreements) for the lease of real or personal
property to or from any Person providing for lease payments in excess of $50,000
per annum;
(ii)Β any
agreement (or group of related agreements) for the purchase or sale of raw
materials, commodities, supplies, products, or other personal property, or
for
the furnishing or receipt of services, the performance of which will extend
over
a period of more than one year or involve consideration in excess of
$50,000;
(iii)Β any
agreement (or group of related agreements) under which any Company has created,
incurred, assumed, or guaranteed any indebtedness for borrowed money, or any
capitalized lease obligation, in excess of $50,000 or under which it has imposed
a Security Interest on any of its assets, tangible or intangible, other than
the
Bank Guarantees and the Security Agreements;
(iv)Β any
written agreement concerning confidentiality or noncompetition;
(v)Β any
agreement with a Seller Entity or another Affiliate of any Company;
(vi)Β any
profit sharing, stock option, stock purchase, stock appreciation, deferred
compensation, severance, or other material plan or arrangement for the benefit
of its current or former directors, officers, and employees;
(vii)Β any
collective bargaining agreement (each, as
amended
from time to time
through
the Closing Date,
a
βCollective
Bargaining Agreementβ
and
collectively the βCollective
Bargaining Agreementsβ);
(viii)Β any
agreement for the employment of any individual on a full-time, part-time,
consulting, or other basis providing annual compensation in excess of $50,000
or
providing severance benefits;
(ix)Β any
agreement under which it has advanced or loaned any amount to any of its
directors, officers, and employees outside the Ordinary Course of
Business;
(x)Β any
agreement under which the consequences of a default or termination would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(xi)Β any
other
agreement (or group of related agreements) the performance of which involves
consideration in excess of $50,000Β in
the
aggregate;
(xii)Β Β any
agreement containing provisions under which a Company could be responsible
for
liquidated damages, including agreements for jobs-in-progress and completed
jobs; or
Β
(xiii)Β any
joint
venture or similar agreement.
Β
(n)Β Β Guaranties.
Each of
the Companies is a guarantor under the Credit Facility. Except as set forth
in
the immediately preceding sentence, none of the Companies is a guarantor of
any
liability or obligation (including indebtedness) of any other
Person.
Β
19
Β
(o)Β Β Tangible
Assets.
To the
Knowledge of the Seller Entities, the buildings in which the Companies operate
are structurally sound. The equipment and other tangible assets of each of
the
Companies are generally in good operating condition and repair, reasonable
wear
and tear excepted.
Β
(p)Β Β Litigation.
Section
4(p) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth each instance in which any
Company
is subject to any outstanding injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling,
or
charge. Except as set forth in Section 4(p) of the Disclosure Schedule, there
are no actions or suits, or any administrative, arbitration or other proceedings
pending, or, to the Knowledge of the Seller Entities, threatened, against
any
Company,
or any of its properties, assets and business operations, as of the date hereof,
by or before any court, governmental or regulatory authority or by any third
party.
Β
(q)Β Β Employees.
Β
(i)Β Except
as
provided in Section
4(q)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule,
there
is no charge,
action, complaint, or proceeding pending, or to the Knowledge of the Seller
Entities, threatened, against any
Company
relating to the alleged violation of any applicable state or federal labor
or
employment law or regulation, including any charge or complaint filed by any
employee or labor organization with the National Labor Relations Board, the
Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, or any other governmental
agency.
(ii)Β There
is
no pending strike,
slow-down, picketing, or work stoppage by employees of any
Company,
nor is there any pending lockout by any
Company
of any its employees.
(iii)Β There
is
no pending organizing activity or petition for certification by or on behalf
of
any labor organization with respect to employees of any
Company.
(r)Β Β Employee
Benefits.
Β
(i)Β Attached
hereto in Section
4(r) of the Disclosure Schedule
is a
true and complete list of each βemployee benefit plan,β as defined in Section
3(3) of ERISA, each bonus, incentive, profit sharing, deferred compensation,
excess benefit, supplemental retirement, change-in-control, employment contract,
stock purchase, stock ownership, stock option, stock appreciation, supplemental
unemployment, vacation, sick-day, severance and other material employee benefit
or fringe benefit plan, program or arrangement that provides benefits or
compensation in respect of any employee or former employee of any
Company
or the beneficiaries or the dependents of any such employee or former employee
(hereinafter individually, an βEmployeeβ
and
collectively, the βEmployeesβ)
or
under which any Employee is or may become eligible to participate or derive
a
benefit and that is or has been maintained or established by any
Company,
(collectively, the βEmployee
Benefit Plansβ).
Also
attached hereto in Section
4(r) of the Disclosure Schedule
is a
true and complete list of each employee benefit plan, as defined in Section
3(3)
of ERISA, to which any Company is obligated to contribute pursuant to a
Collective Bargaining Agreement (each a βUnion
Benefit Planβ,
and
collectively the βUnion
Benefit Plansβ).
20
(ii)Β A
copy of
each Employee Benefit Plan and Union Benefit Plan listed in Section
4(r) of the Disclosure Schedule,
the
summary plan descriptions and in the case of an unwritten Employee Benefit
Plan,
a written description thereof, the most recent determination letter received
from the Internal Revenue Service, the most recent annual report (IRS Form
5500), and all related trust agreements, insurance contracts, and other funding
arrangements which implement each such Employee Benefit Plan has been furnished
or made available to the Buyer.
(iii)Β Each
Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to be a tax-qualified deferred
compensation plan under Section 401(a) of the Code has either received a
determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that it
meets the requirements of said Code Section and that its related trust is exempt
from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code, or is an adopter of a βprototype
planβ and an opinion letter has been issued to the prototype sponsor of the plan
on which the Company or Companies is entitled to rely.
(iv)Β Each
of
the Employee Benefit Plans listed in Section
4(r) of the Disclosure Schedule
(A)
complies in all material respects with the requirements of all applicable laws,
including, without limitation, ERISA and the Code, and (B) has at all times
been
maintained and operated in compliance in all material respects with its terms
and the requirements of all applicable laws, including without limitation ERISA
and the Code. None of the Companies is obligated to create, modify or terminate
any Employee Benefit Plan listed in Schedule 4(r) of the Disclosure Schedule,
and to the Knowledge of the Seller Entities, no condition or circumstance exists
that would prevent the amendment or termination of any Employee Benefit Plan
listed in Section
4(r) of the Disclosure Schedule.
(v)Β Neither
Seller Entity nor any Company has incurred any liability to the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation (other than contributions to the plan and premiums to
the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, which in either event are not in default)
or any withdrawal liability within the meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA, or
any
other liability pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty, excise tax
or
joint and several liability provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit
plans, in any such case relating to any Employee Benefit Plan or Union Benefit
Plan.
(s)Β Β Environmental,
Health, and Safety Matters.
Β
(i)Β Each
Company has complied in all material respects with all Environmental, Health,
and Safety Requirements.
(ii)Β To
the
Knowledge of the Seller Entities, none of the following exists at any property
or facility operated by any Company: (A) underground storage tanks, (B) friable
asbestos or friable-asbestos-containing material, (C) materials or equipment
containing polychlorinated biphenyls, or (D) landfills, surface impoundments,
or
disposal areas.
(iii)Β To
the
Knowledge of the Seller Entities, none of the Companies has treated, stored,
disposed of, transported, handled, or released any substance the treatment,
storage, disposal, transport, handling or release of which is governed or
otherwise regulated by any Environmental, Safety or Health Requirement,
including without limitation any Hazardous Substance.
21
(iv)Β To
the
Knowledge of the Seller Entities, none of the Companies owns any property or
facility contaminated by any substance referred to in Paragraph 4(s)(iii) above,
such as to give rise to Adverse Consequences, including any liability for
response costs, corrective action costs, personal injury, property damage,
natural resources damages or attorney fees, pursuant to CERCLA or any other
Environmental, Health, and Safety Requirements.
(t)Β Β Notes
and Accounts Receivable.
All
notes and accounts receivable of each Company are reflected properly on its
books and records. All accounts receivable of the Companies that are reflected
on the balance sheet at the Most Recent Fiscal Month End or on the accounting
records of the Companies as of the Closing Date (collectively, the "Accounts
Receivable") represent or will represent valid, bona fide obligations arising
from sales actually made or services actually performed in the Ordinary Course
of Business. To the Knowledge of the Seller Entities, the Accounts Receivable
are or will be as of the Closing Date current and collectible net of the
respective reserves shown on the balance sheet included in the Most Recent
Financial Statements or on the accounting records of the Companies as of the
Closing Date (which reserves are calculated consistent with past practice and,
in the case of the reserve as of the Closing Date, will not represent a greater
percentage of the Accounts Receivable as of the Closing Date than the reserve
reflected in the balance sheet at the Most Recent Fiscal Month End as it relates
to the Accounts Receivable reflected therein). Subject to such reserves, to
the
Knowledge of the Seller Entities, each of the Accounts Receivable either has
been or is reasonable likely to be collected in full, without any set-off,
within ninety days after the day on which it first becomes due and payable.
There is no contest, claim, or right of set-off under any contract with any
obligor of an Account Receivable relating to the amount or validity of such
Account Receivable. Section 4(t) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a complete
and accurate list of all Accounts Receivable as of the date of the balance
sheet
at the Most Recent Fiscal Month End, which list sets forth the aging of such
Accounts Receivable.
Β
(u)Β Β Powers
of Attorney.
There
are no outstanding powers of attorney executed on behalf of any
Company.
Β
(v)Β Β Insurance.
Each
Company has been covered during the past three (3) years by insurance in scope
and amount customary and reasonable for the businesses in which it has engaged
during the aforementioned period. Such policies are in full force and effect,
and all premiums due thereon have been paid. Each Company has complied in all
material respects with the terms and provisions of such policies. Section 4(v)
of the Disclosure Schedule describes any self-insurance arrangements affecting
any Company, including any reserves established thereunder.
Β
(i)Β The
Seller
has delivered or made available to the Buyer:
(A)Β true
and
complete copies of all policies of insurance to which any Company is a party
or
under which any Company is or has been covered at any time within the three
(3)
years preceding the date of this Agreement;
(B)Β true
and
complete copies of all pending applications for policies of insurance;
and
22
(C)Β any
statement by the auditor of any Company's financial statements with regard
to
the adequacy of such entity's coverage or of its reserves for
claims.
(ii)Β Section
4(v)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule
also
describes:
(A)Β any
contract or arrangement, other than a policy of insurance, for the transfer
or
sharing of any risk by any Companies, other than the Bank Guarantees, Security
Agreements and the indemnity and similar provisions of any contract entered
into
in the Ordinary Course of Business; and
(B)Β all
obligations of the Companies to third parties with respect to insurance
(including such obligations under leases and service agreements) and identifies
the policy under which such coverage is provided.
(iii)Β Section
4(v)(iii) of the Disclosure Schedule
sets
forth, by year, for the current policy year and each of the three (3) preceding
policy years:
(A)Β a
summary
of the loss experience under each policy;
(B)Β a
statement describing each claim under an insurance policy for an amount in
excess of $10,000, which sets forth:
(1)Β the
name
of the claimant;
(2)
Β a
description of the policy by insurer, type of insurance, and period of coverage;
and
(3)
Β the
amount and a brief description of the claim; and
(C)
Β a
statement describing the loss experience for all claims that were self-insured,
including the number and aggregate cost of such claims.
(iv)Β Except
as
set forth on Section
4(v)(iv) of the Disclosure Schedule:
(A)Β all
policies to which any Company is a party or that provide coverage to either
the
Seller, any Company, or any director or officer of any Company:
(1)Β are
valid, outstanding, and enforceable;
(2)
Β are
issued by an insurer that is financially sound and reputable;
(3)Β taken
together, provide insurance coverage for the assets and the operations of the
Companies for all risks normally insured against by a Person of comparable
size
to an applicable Company and carrying on the same business or businesses as
the
Companies;
23
(4)Β are
sufficient for compliance with all legal requirements and contracts to which
any
Company is a party or by which any of them is bound;
(5)Β will
continue in full force and effect following the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby; and
Β
(6)
Β do
not
provide for any retrospective premium adjustment or other experienced-based
liability on the part of any Company;
(B)Β neither
the Seller nor any Company has received (1) any refusal of coverage or any
notice that a defense will be afforded with reservation of rights, or (2) any
notice of cancellation. Neither the Seller nor, to the Knowledge of the Seller
Entities, any Company has received any other indication that any insurance
policy is no longer in full force or effect or will not be renewed or that
the
issuer of any policy is not willing or able to perform its obligations
thereunder;
(C)Β the
Companies have paid all premiums due, and have otherwise performed all of their
respective obligations, under each policy to which any Company is a party or
that provides coverage to any Company or director thereof; and
(D)Β the
Companies have given notice to the applicable insurer of all claims that may
be
insured thereby.
(w)Β Β Customer
Disputes.
Set
forth on Section 4(w) of the Disclosure Schedule is a list and description
of
any pending dispute and any dispute that has occurred since January 1, 2004
with
any customer or supplier of the Companies, where the dispute involves a sum
greater than $10,000 or is otherwise material to the business of the applicable
Company, and where such customer or supplier has been among the top twenty
(20)
customers or suppliers of the Companies in any year since January 1,
2004.
Β
(x)Β Β Β Disclosure.
Β
The
representations and warranties of the Seller Entities contained in this
Agreement including the Disclosure Schedule, do not contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
herein or necessary in order to make the statements and information contained
herein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not
misleading.
5.Β Β OTHER
AGREEMENTS.
Β
(a)Β Intercompany
Liabilities.
At (and
effective immediately prior to) the Closing, the Seller Entities will cause
each
Company to cancel, settle or otherwise repay all of its liabilities and
obligations owed to the Seller or the Parent and their Affiliates (other than
accounts payable incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business, which shall be
paid in accordance with their terms), and the Buyer shall not have any
responsibility for those liabilities (other than any accounts payable incurred
in the Ordinary Course of Business).
Β
24
Β
(b)Β Assumption
of Certain Accounts Payable.
The
Seller Entities shall assume any and all accounts payable of the Companies
that
are in excess of thirty (30) days past due as of the Closing; provided,
however,
that
the foregoing shall not apply to accounts payable relating to retention billed
by a Company that the Company reasonably expects to collect in full, but for
which such Company has not, as of the Closing, received payment.
Β
(c)Β 401(k)
Plan Funding.
The
Seller Entities shall cause each Company to fund the maximum amount of its
discretionary contribution to each of its employees for calendar year 2006
under
the applicable 401(k) Plan as follows: McPhee Electricβs discretionary
contribution shall be 11% of eligible compensation; JBL Electricβs discretionary
contribution shall be 0% of eligible compensation; and XX Xxxxxxxxβ
discretionary contribution shall be 0% of eligible compensation. In addition,
the Seller Entities shall cause each Company to pay all of its employees for
bonuses due in respect of 2006 as well as for any unused vacation, personal
and
sick time, if any, such that no employee of a Company will carry over any
accrued bonus, vacation, personal and sick time to 2007.
Β
6.Β Β POST-CLOSING
COVENANTS.
The
Parties agree as follows with respect to the period following the Closing.
Β
(a)Β Β General.
In case
at any time after the Closing any further action is necessary or desirable
to
carry out the purposes of this Agreement, each of the Parties will take such
further action (including the execution and delivery of such further instruments
and documents) as any other Party may reasonably request, provided that the
requesting Party reimburse the other Party for its reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses (unless the requesting Party is entitled to indemnification therefor
under Section 8 below). The Seller Entities acknowledge and agree that from
and
after the Closing, the Buyer will be entitled to possession of all documents,
books, records, agreements, and financial data of any sort relating solely
to
the Companies. The Buyer agrees to provide the Seller Entities with reasonable
access to all documents, books and records of the Companies for purposes of
the
preparation of the Closing Date Balance Sheet and any Tax Returns by the Seller
Entities after the Closing and for any other reasonable business
purpose.
Β
(b)Β Β Β Litigation
Support.
In the
event and for so long as any Party actively is contesting or defending against
any action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, charge, complaint, claim
or demand with or by any third party, and not adverse to any other Party hereto,
in connection with any fact, situation, circumstance, status, condition,
activity, practice, plan, occurrence, event, incident, action, failure to act
or
transaction on or prior to the Closing Date involving any Company, to the extent
the procedures for resolving any such disputes are not otherwise provided under
Sections 6(i) or 8(g) hereunder, each of the other Parties will cooperate with
such Party, its Affiliates and their counsel in the contest or defense, make
available during regular business office hours their personnel and provide
such
testimony and access to their books and records as shall be reasonably necessary
in connection with the contest or defense, all at the sole cost and expense
of
the contesting or defending Party (unless the contesting or defending Party
is
entitled to indemnification therefor under Section 8 below).
Β
(c)Β Β Transition.
The
Seller Entities will refer all customer inquiries relating to the Companies
or
the commercial electrical contracting business conducted by the Companies to
the
Buyer from and after the Closing.
Β
25
Β
(d)Β Β Employee
Benefit Plans.
(i)Β Except
as
set forth below in this Section 6(d), the Buyer will cause each Company to
continue to employ the non-union employees of the Companies as of the Closing
Date (the βNon-Union Continuing Employeesβ) and the collectively bargained
employees of the Companies (the βUnion Continuing Employeesβ and together with
the Non-Union Continuing Employees, the βContinuing Employeesβ), with the
understanding that such employment shall be βat willβ for all employees other
than those with employment agreements set forth in Section
4(m)(vii) of the Disclosure Schedule
and
other than as may be required by the terms of any Collective Bargaining
Agreement. As of the Closing Date, the Buyer shall include each Non-Union
Continuing Employee in a benefit package providing benefits that are similar
to
those provided to such employees immediately prior to the Closing Date. As
of
the Closing Date, to the extent that the Collective Bargaining Agreements
contain provisions pertaining to employee benefits, the Buyer shall cause the
Companies to contribute to the Union Benefit Plans as required by the terms
of
the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements so that such Union Continuing
Employees may be provided with the benefits provided to them under the terms
of
such Collective Bargaining Agreements, as the same shall be amended from time
to
time. The Buyer shall treat all service and compensation credited to each such
Continuing Employee with the Seller and its Affiliates as if such service and
compensation had been rendered to, and paid by, the Buyer for all purposes
under
the Buyerβs benefit plans, arrangements, and policies. Nothing in this Section
6(d)(i) or otherwise in this Agreement shall be construed as requiring the
Buyer
or any of the Companies to continue to employ any person or to continue to
provide any particular benefits to employees or participate in or continue
to
honor the terms of any Collective Bargaining Agreement, on a continuing basis
after the effective time of the Closing.
Β
(ii)Β The
Seller shall be responsible and liable for the expense of all workersβ
compensation claims that arise out of any injury sustained by an employee of
any
Company prior to the Closing Date
and in
connection with which the Seller receives written notice within the time period
during which the applicable employee is required by applicable statute to make
a
claim in respect of such injury.Β
Β
(iii)Β The
Seller and each Company shall, subject to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, take whatever action is reasonably necessary
or
appropriate to terminate as of the Closing Date (except as otherwise set forth
in this Agreement), the participation of each Company with respect to the
Continuing Employees in all Employee Benefit Plans of the Seller
Entities.
Β
(iv)Β Effective
as of the Closing Date, the Continuing
Employees
shall no longer make contributions or receive matching contributions in the
Sellerβs 401(k) Plan (the βSeller
401(k) Planβ),
and
Seller shall have taken all such action prior to the Closing Date as may be
reasonably required to achieve this result. Each Continuing
Employee
shall, as of the Closing Date, become fully vested in his or her account balance
under the Sellerβs 401(k) Plan. Provided that the Sellerβs 401(k) plan is
qualified under all relevant
provisions of the Code and ERISA,
as
applicable, the Buyer and the Seller shall, to the extent permissible under
applicable laws, take whatever actions are reasonably necessary or appropriate
to effect a trust-to-trust transfer of the accounts of Continuing
Employees
in the Sellerβs 401(k) Plan, into a tax-qualified defined contribution
plan
designated by the Buyer to
accept
the transferred accounts, and the Buyer shall take whatever actions are
reasonably necessary or appropriate in order for such plan to accept the
transferred
Β
26
accounts
including any outstanding loan balances and related promissory notes. The Buyer
and the Seller shall cooperate fully to effect such transfers.
Β
(v)Β Any
restrictions on coverage for pre-existing conditions (provided that the services
required to treat such pre-existing conditions for such employees are covered
by
the Sellerβs applicable Employee Benefit Plan), actively at work requirements,
waiting periods, and requirements for evidence of insurability under the Buyer
Welfare Plans shall be waived in the Buyer Welfare Plans for Continuing
Employees.
As soon as practicable after the Closing Date, the Seller shall deliver to
the
Buyer a list of the Continuing
Employees
who had credited service under an Employee Welfare Benefit Plan of the Seller,
together with each such Continuing
Employeeβs
service, co-payment, deductible and out-of-pocket payment amounts under such
plan. The Buyer shall provide COBRA coverage to the extent required by
applicable law to any Continuing
Employee
terminated following the Closing.
Β
(e)Β Β Covenant
Not to Compete.
Β
(i)Β As
a
material and valuable inducement for the Buyer to enter into this Agreement,
pay
and deliver the Purchase Price to the Seller, and consummate the transactions
provided for herein, and in order to protect the goodwill acquired by the Buyer
pursuant to this Agreement, for a period of five
(5)
yearsΒ from
and
after the Closing Date, the Seller Entities, jointly and severally, covenant
and
agree that they will not (A) engage directly or indirectly in any
businessΒ that
any
Company
conducts as of the Closing Date in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland,
Delaware, Pennsylvania or Virginia or in the District of Columbia, and
(B)
directly
or indirectly, either for themselves or any other Person, (1)Β induce or
attempt to induce any employee of the Companies to leave the employ of such
Company or otherwise directly interfere with the relationship between a Company
and any employee of such Company, (2)Β employ, or otherwise engage as an
employee, independent contractor, or otherwise, any employee of a Company,
or
(3)Β induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee, or
business relation of a Company to cease doing business with such Company, or
otherwise directly interfere with the relationship between any customer,
supplier, licensee, or business relation of a Company; provided,
that
the restrictions set forth in subparagraph (1) above shall not apply to any
individual who responds to general solicitations (such as newspaper
advertisements, employment agency referrals and Internet postings) not targeting
such individual.
Β
(ii)Β As
a
material and valuable inducement for the Seller Entities to enter into this
Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, for the five-year
period from and after the Closing Date, the Buyer will not, and will cause
the
Companies to refrain from, directly or indirectly, either for itself or any
other Person, (A)Β induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Seller or
the Parent to leave the employ of such company, or otherwise directly interfere
with the relationship between the Seller or the Parent and any employee of
either such company, or (B)Β employ, or otherwise engage as an employee,
independent contractor, or otherwise, any employee of a Seller Entity;
provided,
that
the restrictions set forth in subparagraphs (A) through (B) above shall not
apply to (x) the employment or engagement of any individual who responds to
general solicitations (such as newspaper advertisements, employment agency
referrals and Internet postings) not targeting such individual
or (y)
the
solicitation or employment by the Buyer or any Company of any individual listed
on Section
6(e) of the Disclosure Schedule.
Β
27
(iii)Β The
provisions of the foregoing covenants are reasonable and necessary to protect
and preserve the respective businesses of the Parties, and the Parties would
be
irreparably damaged if the other Party (or, in the case of the Seller Entities,
the Companies) were to breach the foregoing covenants. In addition, no Party
will at any time during or after the aforesaid five-year period, disparage
any
other Party, or any of its shareholders, directors, officers, employees, or
agents. Β If
the
final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declares that any term
or
provision of this Section 6(e) is invalid or unenforceable, the Parties agree
that the court making the determination of invalidity or unenforceability shall
have the power to reduce the scope, duration, or area of the term or provision,
to delete specific words or phrases, or to replace any invalid or unenforceable
term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and
that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable
term or provision, and this Agreement shall be enforceable as so modified after
the expiration of the time within which the judgment may be appealed.Β In
addition to its right to damages and any other rights it may have, each Party
shall have the right to obtain injunctive or other equitable relief to restrain
any breach or threatened breach or otherwise to specifically enforce the
provisions of the foregoing covenants, it being agreed that money damages alone
would be inadequate to compensate the non-breaching Party, and would be an
inadequate remedy for such breach.
Β
(f)Β Β Access
to Information.Β
For a period of four (4) years after the Closing Date, upon reasonable notice,
the Parties agree to furnish or cause to be furnished to each other and their
respective Representatives access, during normal business hours, to such
information (including records pertinent to the Companies) and assistance
relating to the Companies as is reasonably necessary for financial reporting
and
accounting matters, the preparation and filing of any Tax Returns, reports
or
forms or the defense of any Tax claim or assessment, and any other proper
business purpose; provided,
however,
that
such access does not unreasonably disrupt the normal operations of the Party
or
Parties furnishing cooperation; provided
further,
however,
that
the Party requesting cooperation shall pay the reasonable out-of-pocket costs
incurred by the Party or Parties furnishing cooperation. Each of the Parties
agrees that it will not disclose or use, and will direct its Representatives
not
to disclose or use to the detriment of the disclosing Party, any Confidential
Information with respect to the disclosing Party furnished, or to be furnished,
by any Party or their respective Representatives to the receiving Party or
its
Representatives after the Closing. Upon the written request of the disclosing
Party, the receiving Party will promptly return to the disclosing Party or
destroy any Confidential Information in its possession and certify in writing
to
the disclosing Party that it has done so. In the event that any Party is
requested or required (by oral question or request for information or documents
in any legal proceeding, interrogatory, subpoena, civil investigative demand,
or
similar process) to disclose any Confidential Information of another Party,
that
Party will notify the applicable Party promptly of the request or requirement
so
that the applicable Party may seek an appropriate protective order or waive
compliance with the provisions of this Section 6(f). If, in the absence of
a
protective order or the receipt of a waiver hereunder, any Party is, on the
advice of counsel, compelled to disclose any Confidential Information to any
tribunal, that Party may disclose the Confidential Information to the tribunal;
provided,
however,
that
the disclosing Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain, at the
reasonable request and expense of the applicable Party, an order or other
assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded to such portion of the
Confidential Information required to be disclosed as the applicable Party shall
designate. It is understood and agreed that money damages may not be a
sufficient remedy for any breach of this Section 6(f), and that each of the
Parties is entitled to seek specific performance and injunctive or other
equitable relief in connection with any actual or threatened breach hereof.
Such
remedy shall
Β
28
not
be
deemed to be the exclusive remedy for breach of this Agreement, but shall be
in
addition to all other remedies available at law or equity to the
Parties.
Β
(g)Β Β Nonassignable
Contracts and Permits.
To the
extent that any contract or permit (including any consent, approval or
authorization of any governmental authority) for which assignment to the Buyer
is provided for in this Agreement is not assignable without the consent of
another Person, including an applicable governmental authority, this Agreement
shall not constitute an assignment or an attempted assignment thereof if such
assignment or attempted assignment would constitute a breach thereof. The Seller
Entities and the Buyer shall continue to use their commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain the consent of such other Person to the assignment of any
such
contract or permit to the Buyer in all cases in which such consent is or may
be
required for such assignment. If such consent shall not be obtained, the Seller
Entities and Buyer shall cooperate with each other in any reasonable arrangement
designed to provide the Buyer with the benefits under any such contract or
permit to the extent lawful and the Buyer shall be obligated to perform the
obligation with respect thereto, any other provision of this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding.
Β
(h)Β Β Surety
Bonds.Β Attached
hereto as Section 6(h) of the Disclosure Schedule is a list of all bonds
(βBondsβ), including bid, payment and performance bonds of a Company outstanding
as of the date hereof. In addition, also set forth in Section 6(h) of the
Disclosure Schedule is a list of all bonds (βAdditional Bondsβ) that a Company
will be required to provide in the event that any currently pending bids of
a
Company are awarded to such Company. The Seller Entities will cause all Bonds
to
remain in place in accordance with the terms of the bonds and the contracts
for
such jobs. In addition, the Seller Entities shall timely provide any and all
Additional Bonds, as well as any other bonds for jobs with bids which may be
pending as of the Closing if awarded to a Company, whether such award occurs
before or after Closing. The Seller Entities shall be responsible for payment
to
the applicable surety with respect to the obligations of each of the Seller
Entities and each of their respective Affiliates under all Bonds and Additional
Bonds to the extent such obligations are (i) related to or result from events
that arise on or prior to Closing, (ii) attributable to the actions or omissions
of the Seller Entities or its agents, or (iii) related to payment of premiums
assessed by the applicable surety in connection with the completion or partial
performance of any of the Companiesβ bonded work on or prior to Closing. The
Buyer shall be responsible for payment to the applicable surety or reimbursement
to the Seller Entities with respect to the obligations of each of the Seller
Entities and each of their respective Affiliates under the Bonds and Additional
Bonds to the extent such obligations are (i) related to or result from events
that arise solely and exclusively subsequent to Closing and which are
attributable solely and exclusively to the negligent actions or omissions of
the
Buyer or its agents, or (ii) related to payment of premiums assessed by the
applicable surety in connection with the performance of the Companiesβ bonded
work subsequent to Closing.
Β
(i)Β Β Β Collection
Efforts.Β
Β
(i)Β Past
Due Receivables.
The
Buyer will cause the Companies to use commercially reasonable efforts (without
the requirement to threaten or initiate litigation or to incur any out-of-pocket
expenses that the Seller or the Parent has not agreed to reimburse) to collect
their respective accounts receivable in excess of ninety (90) days past due
as
of the
Β
29
Closing
(collectively, βPast
Due Receivablesβ)
for a
period of twelve (12) months following the Closing. Section
6(i)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule
sets
forth a detailed listing of such Past Due Receivables as of December 28,
2006.
Β
(A)Β During
the first six months of the twelve-month collection period, the Companies will
provide the aforementioned collection services without charge, except that
the
Seller will reimburse the Buyer for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in the collection efforts. After the first six months of the
twelve-month collection period, in addition to reimbursement for any
out-of-pocket expenses, the Companies and the Buyer shall be entitled to a
fee
for the time incurred by their personnel in the collection efforts in accordance
with the following schedule:
Β
YEAR
|
CLERICAL
|
EXECUTIVE
|
2007
|
$50/Hr
|
$125/Hr
|
Β
(B)Β At
any
time after the Companies assign the uncollected Past Due Receivable to the
Parent on December 31, 2007 in accordance with Section 2(b)(i),
the
Seller and Parent may take any collection efforts they deem appropriate with
respect thereto, provided,
however,
that
the Seller, Parent and their Affiliates shall not commence litigation against
any account debtor without the prior written consent of the Buyer, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The Buyer will
deliver or cause to be delivered a collection report or reports relative to
such
Past Due Receivables, and the net proceeds of such collection efforts, on a
quarterly basis to the Seller. During the twelve-month collection period, the
Seller, the Parent and their Affiliates shall not make any efforts to collect
the Past Due Receivables. Β Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, if the Seller so requests, the Buyer shall
continue to manage the collection effort on behalf of the Seller for up to
six
months after the assignment of the Past Due Receivables to the Parent, and,
in
addition to reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses,
shall be
entitled to a fee for the time incurred by its personnel in the collection
efforts equal to $60/hour for clerical employees and $145/hour for executive
employees.
(ii)Β McPhee
Claims.
McPhee
Electric has pending claims regarding the following projects: (i) Bridgeport
Arena, (ii)
Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, (iii)
Town
Square, (iv)
North
Haven High School, and (v)
Hartford
Public, (collectively,
the βMcPhee
Claimsβ),
each
of which is described in more detail on either Section
6(i)(ii)(A) of the Disclosure Schedule or Section 6(i)(ii)(B) of the Disclosure
Schedule.
(A)Β Section
6(i)(ii)(A) of the Disclosure Schedule
sets
forth a description of those McPhee Claims in connection with which the Seller
desires to manage the collection process. For such McPhee Claims, the Buyer
shall cause McPhee Electric to cooperate with and assist the Seller and its
Affiliates, to collect the McPhee Claims through December 31, 2011, provided
that the Buyer and McPhee Electric are reimbursed for all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection therewith and compensated for
the
time incurred by their personnel to support such collection efforts on a
quarterly basis in accordance with the following schedule:
30
Β
YEAR
|
CLERICAL
|
TRADE/
TRADE MGR
|
PROJECT
MGR/ EXECUTIVE
|
2007
|
$50/Hr
|
$80/Hr
|
$125/Hr
|
2008
|
$60/Hr
|
$95/Hr
|
$145/Hr
|
2009
|
$70/Hr
|
$110/Hr
|
$165/Hr
|
2010
|
$80/Hr
|
$125/Hr
|
$185/Hr
|
2011
|
$90/Hr
|
$140/Hr
|
$205/Hr
|
Β
(B)Β Section
6(i)(ii)(B) of the Disclosure Schedule
sets
forth a description of those McPhee Claims in connection with which the Seller
desires to have McPhee Electric manage the collection process. For such McPhee
Claims, the Buyer shall cause McPhee Electric to manage the prosecution and
collection of such McPhee Claims, and the Seller and its Affiliates shall
cooperate with and assist McPhee Electric in, such process, through December
31,
2011, provided that the Buyer and its Subsidiaries are reimbursed for all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection therewith and
compensated on a quarterly basis at the greater of the following amounts on
a
per Assigned Claim basis: (1) one-third of any recovery, and (2) the aggregate
of the time incurred by their personnel to support such collection efforts
in
accordance with the following schedule:
Β
YEAR
|
CLERICAL
|
TRADE/
TRADE MGR
|
PROJECT
MGR/ EXECUTIVE
|
2007
|
$50/Hr
|
$80/Hr
|
$125/Hr
|
2008
|
$60/Hr
|
$95/Hr
|
$145/Hr
|
2009
|
$70/Hr
|
$110/Hr
|
$165/Hr
|
2010
|
$80/Hr
|
$125/Hr
|
$185/Hr
|
2011
|
$90/Hr
|
$140/Hr
|
$205/Hr
|
Β
(C)Β Upon
written notice from a Seller Entity, the Buyer shall cause McPhee Electric
to
cease any and all collection management and prosecution efforts pursuant to
Section 6(i)(ii)(B), at which time the Seller shall manage the collection
process and the Buyer shall cause McPhee Electric to cooperate with and assist
the Seller and its Affiliates to collect the McPhee Claims through December
31,
2011, provided that the Buyer and its Subsidiaries are reimbursed for all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection therewith and
compensated on a quarterly basis at the greater of the following amounts on
a
per Assigned Claim basis: (1) one-third of any recovery, and (2) the aggregate
of the time incurred by their personnel to support such collection efforts
in
accordance with the schedule set forth in Section 6(i)(ii)(A); provided,
however,
that if
so requested by a Seller Entity, the Buyer shall negotiate in good faith a
different compensation arrangement, taking into account the status of the
applicable McPhee Claims at the time of the written notice to which this clause
(C) refers.
Β
(D)Β Assignment
of any McPhee Claim by McPhee Electric to Parent on December 31, 2007 in
accordance with Section 2(b)(i) shall not effect whether Seller or McPhee
Electric manages the collection process with respect to such McPhee
Claim.
Β
31
(j)Β Withdrawal
Liability Reports.Β Β The
Buyer
shall cause each Company to request a report from each Union Benefit Plan that
is a multiemployer pension plan detailing the withdrawal liability of such
Company under such Union Benefit Plan as of December 31, 2006 (or the last
day
of the plan year for such Union Benefit Plan ending most closely thereto, if
not
December 31, 2006). The Buyer shall deliver to Parent a copy of each such
report. The aggregate amount of withdrawal liability of each of the Companies
as
of December 31, 2006 under the Union Benefit Plans, whether or not such
withdrawal liability is reflected in such reports, shall constitute the βClosing
Date Maximum Withdrawal Liability.β
Β
Β
7.Β Β CONDITIONS
TO OBLIGATION TO CLOSE.
Β
(a)Β Β Conditions
to Obligation of the Buyer.
The
obligation of the Buyer to consummate the transactions to be performed by it
in
connection with the Closing is subject to satisfaction of the following
conditions:
Β
(i)Β the
representations and warranties set forth in Section 3(a) and Section 4 above
shall be true and correct at and as of the Closing Date (except for
representations and warranties that expressly speak only as of a specific date
which need only be true and correct as of such date) except for such failures
of
representations and warranties to be true and correct (without giving effect
to
any materiality qualification or standard contained in any such representations
and warranties) which would not reasonably be expected to have, individually
or
in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Affect;
(ii)Β the
Seller Entities shall have performed and complied in all material respects
with
all of the covenants of the Seller Entities hereunder that are required to
be
performed or complied with prior to the Closing;
(iii)Β the
Seller Entities shall have delivered to the Buyer a certificate to the effect
that each of the conditions specified above in Sections 7(a)(i) and (ii) is
satisfied in all respects;
(iv)Β no
action, suit, or proceeding shall be pending before any court or quasi-judicial
or administrative agency of any federal, state, local, or foreign jurisdiction
or before any arbitrator wherein an unfavorable injunction, judgment, order,
decree, ruling, or charge would (A) prevent or materially delay consummation
of
any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (B) cause any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be rescinded following
consummation, (C) materially and adversely affect the right of the Buyer to
own
the Company Shares and to control the Companies, or (D) materially and adversely
affect the right of any
Company
to own its assets and to operate its businesses (and no such injunction,
judgment, order, decree, ruling, or charge shall be in effect);
(v)Β the
Parties and the Companies shall have received all of the authorizations,
consents, and approvals of third parties as set forth in Section
7(a)(v) of the Buyer Disclosure Letter
(collectively, the βRequisite
Consentsβ);
provided,
however,
that
the foregoing condition to the obligation of the Buyer shall not apply to any
failure to obtain any such authorization, consent or approval that arises from
the Buyerβs breach of any representation, warranty or covenant hereunder or the
Buyerβs withdrawal of its application for any such authorization, consent or
approval;Β
32
(vi)Β the
Seller shall have delivered to the Buyer on or before the Closing Date a
non-foreign person affidavit as required by Section 1445 of the
Code;
(vii)Β the
Buyer
will have received (A) UCC, judgment lien and tax lien searches with respect
to
the Companies, the results of which indicate no liens on the assets of the
Companies other than those set forth on Section
7(a)(vii)(A) of the Disclosure Schedule,
or as
will be terminated promptly after Closing, and (B) written assurance that each
of the Security Agreements, Bank Guarantees and liens set forth in Section
7(a)(vii)(B) of the Disclosure Schedule
will be
terminated promptly after Closing;
(viii)Β the
Buyer
shall have received the current updated corporate record book, including without
limitation, bylaws, stock transfer ledger, minutes, resolutions, consents,
and
all other corporate documents of each Company that is a corporation and the
comparable records of McPhee Electric;
Β
(ix)Β the
Transition Services Agreement shall have been executed by the
Seller;
Β
(x)Β the
Seller Entities shall have executed and delivered the Release of the Companies
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
A;
Β
(xi)Β the
Seller shall have delivered to the Buyer the Xcelecom Office Equipment, and
the
related
Xxxx of Sale in the form of Exhibit
C;
(xii)Β JBL
Electric shall have entered into a written Employment Agreement with Xxxxx
Xxxxx
on terms satisfactory to the Buyer, and XX Xxxxxxxx shall have entered into
written Employment Agreements with Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx XxXxxxx on terms
satisfactory to the Buyer;
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (xiii)Β the
Seller Entities shall have executed and delivered that certain Intercreditor
Agreement with Sovereign Bank, the Buyerβs current senior secured lender, in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit
E;
and
(xiv)Β all
actions to be
taken by
the Seller Entities in connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and all certificates, opinions, instruments, and other
documents required to effect the transactions contemplated hereby will be
reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Buyer.
The
Buyer
may waive any condition specified in this Section 7(a) if it executes and
delivers a writing so stating at or prior to the Closing.
Β
(b)Β Β Conditions
to Obligation of the Seller.
The
obligation of the Seller Entities to consummate the transactions to be performed
by them in connection with the Closing is subject to satisfaction of the
following conditions:
Β
(i)Β the
representations and warranties set forth in Section 3(b) above shall be true
and
correct in all material respects at and as of the Closing Date;
Β
(ii)Β the
Buyer
shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all of the
covenants of the Buyer hereunder that are required to be performed or complied
with prior to the Closing;
Β
33
(iii)Β the
Buyer
shall have delivered to the Seller Entities a certificate to the effect that
each of the conditions specified above in Sections 7(b)(i) and (ii) is satisfied
in all respects;
Β
(iv)Β no
action, suit, or proceeding shall be pending before any court or quasi-judicial
or administrative agency of any federal, state, local, or foreign jurisdiction
or before any arbitrator wherein an unfavorable injunction, judgment, order,
decree, ruling, or charge would (A) prevent or materially delay consummation
of
any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (B) cause any of
the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be rescinded following
consummation (and no such injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, or charge
shall be in effect);
Β
(v)Β the
Transition Services Agreement shall have been executed by the Buyer;
and
Β
(vi)Β all
actions to be taken by the Buyer in connection with consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and all certificates, opinions, instruments,
and other documents required to effect the transactions contemplated hereby
will
be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Seller
Entities.
Β
The
Seller Entities may waive any condition specified in this Section 7(b) if they
execute and deliver a writing so stating at or prior to the
Closing.
Β
8.Β Β REMEDIES
FOR BREACHES OF THIS AGREEMENT.Β
Β
(a)Β Β Survival.
Unless
otherwise specifically provided herein, all of the covenants, representations
and warranties of the Seller Entities contained in this Agreement shall survive
the Closing and continue in full force and effect for a period of forty-eight
(48) months thereafter; provided,
however,
that
(i) the representations and warranties contained in Sections 4(a), 4(b), 4(d),
4(e), 4(j), 4(r) and 4(s) shall continue in full force and effect until sixty
(60) days after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitation with
respect to such matters. The covenants, representations and warranties of the
Buyer contained in this Agreement shall survive the Closing and continue in
full
force and effect for a period of forty-eight (48) months thereafter. This
Section 8 shall survive so long as any covenant, representation, warranty or
indemnification obligation of any Party survives hereunder.
Β
(b)Β Β Indemnification
Provisions for Benefit of the Buyer.
Β
(i)Β Subject
to the limitations contained in this Section 8, after Closing, the Seller
Entities hereby jointly and severally agree to indemnify the Buyer and each
Company and their respective officers and directors, shareholders and Affiliates
against, and hold them harmless from, any loss, liability, claim, damage or
expenseΒ (including
court costs, expert witness fees, costs of investigation, and reasonable legal
fees and expenses) other than consequential damages (a βLossβ)
suffered or incurred by any such indemnified party caused by, resulting from
or
arising out of (A) any breach of any representation or warranty of the Seller
Entities contained in this Agreement, (B) any breach or threatened breach of
any
covenant or other agreement or obligation of the Seller Entities contained
in
this Agreement which by its terms requires performance after the Closing
Date,
provided, that any Loss relating to a threatened breach of a covenant is limited
to direct costs (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) associated with
seeking injunctive relief in anticipation of such threatened breach, (C) any
Taxes of any Company attributable to taxable periods ending prior to or on
the
Closing Date, including liabilities of such Company
Β
34
Β
under
consolidated, combined or unitary income or franchise Tax Returns and
liabilities related to the Tax Returns
of the
Seller Entities, but excluding any Taxes for which there is an adequate accrual
or reserve on the Closing Date Balance Sheet or any
Taxes
attributable to transactions not in the Ordinary Course of Business occurring
wholly after the Closing which are effectuated or initiated by the
Buyer
or the
Company, (D) Taxes related to the Overlap Period to the extent allocable to
the
period ending on the Closing Date as set forth in Section 9(c), (E) any product
sold or any services performed by any Company prior to the Closing Date, (F),
any Third Party Claim relating to wages or other compensation of any current
or
former Employees of any Company, any Employee Benefit Plan or any Environmental,
Safety or Health Requirement,
in each
case arising from events that occurred prior to the Closing Date or as a result
of the Closing, (G) any act of fraud, intentional tort or willful misconduct
by
any Seller Entity or any Company prior to the Closing, (H) failure to collect
any accounts receivable of Company on or before the date that is the later
of
(y) ninety (90) days after the Closing and (z) one hundred and twenty (120)
days
after the invoice date; (I) withdrawal of any of the Companies from one or
more
Union Benefit Plans that are multiemployer pension plans after the Closing
Date
which withdrawal results in a final assessment of withdrawal liability by any
such plans; (J) those items relating to the Singer Substation job, Bridgeport,
Connecticut
described in Section 8(b)(i)(J) of the Disclosure Schedule so that McPhee
Electric earns and is paid not less than its costs incurred on the job plus
an
amount equal to 20% of such costs,Β provided
that Buyer willΒ work in good faith to collect such amount from the general
contractorΒ Β on such project before making a claim under this clause
(J) and the Seller Entities will cooperate with Buyer in those collection
efforts; (K) liquidated damage provisions in any job completed as of Closing
or
any job in process
as of
Closing except to the extent any payment obligation thereunder is related to
or
result from events that arise solely and exclusively subsequent to Closing
and
which are attributable solely and exclusively to the negligent actions or
omissions of the Buyer or its agents; (L) earn-out and similar claims of any
prior owner of XX Xxxxxxxx and any prior owner of JBL Electric; and (M)
resulting from the operation of the business or the ownership of the assets
and
rights of any Company prior to the Closing (except to the extent any liability
is accrued on the Most Recent Financial Statements of such Company and except
for liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business by the Subsidiaries
since the date of the Most Recent Financial Statements and accrued on the
Closing Date Balance Sheet).
Β
Β
(ii)Β The
foregoing indemnity applies notwithstanding any knowledge limitation contained
in any representation or warranty set forth herein and irrespective of any
materiality standards in the representations and warranties.
Β
(c)Β Β Indemnification
Provisions for Benefit of the Seller Entities and Their
Affiliates.Β Subject
to the limitations contained in this Section 8, after the Closing, the Buyer
shall, and shall cause each of the Companies to, indemnify the Parent, the
Seller and their respective officers, directors, shareholders and Affiliates
against, and hold them harmless from, any Loss suffered or incurred by any
such
indemnified party caused by, resulting from, arising out of, or relating to
(i)
any breach of any
representation or warranty of the Buyer contained in this Agreement,
(ii) any breach or threatened breach of any covenant of the Buyer contained
in
this Agreement which by its terms requires performance after the Closing Date,
provided, that any Loss relating to a threatened breach of a covenant is limited
to direct costs (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) associated with
seeking injunctive relief in anticipation of such threatened breach, (iii)
any
claim, proceeding or suit which relates to actions taken by the Buyer or
a
Company
at any time after the Closing with regard to the
Β
35
employment
of such Company's employees; (v) the operation of the business of the Companies
and the ownership of the assets of the Companies following the Closing Date;
and
(vi) any Tax attributable to (A) the Taxable periods that begin after the
Closing Date, (B) the portion of any Tax attributable to the Overlap Period
to
the extent allocable to the period commencing after the Closing Date as set
forth in Section 9(c) and (C) any Tax periods that end on or before the Closing
Date if such Tax is attributable to transactions
not in the Ordinary Course of Business occurring wholly after the Closing Date
which are effectuated or initiated by the Buyer or a Company.
The
foregoing indemnity applies notwithstanding any knowledge limitation contained
in any representation or warranty set forth herein and irrespective of any
materiality standards in the representations and warranties.
Β
(d)Β Β Limitations.
Β
(i)Β The
Seller Entities shall not be liable under Section 8(b)(i)(A) for Losses
hereunder unless the aggregate of all Losses for which the Seller Entities
would, but for this Section 8(d), be liable on a cumulative basis is an amount
equal to or in excess of $100,000 (the βThresholdβ),
and
in such event, indemnification shall be made by the Seller Entities for the
full
amount of such Losses.Β The
Buyer
shall not be liable under Section 8(c) for Losses hereunder unless the aggregate
of all Losses for which the Buyer would, but for this Section 8(d), be liable
on
a cumulative basis is an amount equal to or in excess of the Threshold, and
in
such event, indemnification shall be made by the Buyer for the full amount
of
such Losses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, there is no Threshold with respect
to Losses arising out of claims based upon the representations and warranties
contained in Sections 4(a),
4(b), 4(d), 4(e), 4(j), 4(r), 4(s) and 4(t).Β
Β
(ii)Β Absent
fraud or knowing and intentional material misrepresentations, the aggregate
amount of Losses for which the Seller Entities shall be liable pursuant to
Sections 8(b)(i)(A) and 8(b)(i)(M) above shall not exceed an amount equal to
$6,637,500. The foregoing limitation shall not apply with respect to Losses
arising out of claims based upon the representations and warranties contained
in
Sections 4(a),
4(b), 4(d), 4(e), 4(j), 4(r), 4(s) and 4(t) above.
Absent
fraud or knowing and intentional material misrepresentations, the aggregate
amount of Losses for which the Seller Entities shall be liable pursuant to
Section 8(b)(i)(A) above arising out of claims based upon the representations
and warranties contained in Section 4(t),
or
Section 8(b)(i)(H) above, shall not exceed $750,000 in the aggregate,
and
all
claims relating to the subject matter of Section 4(t) and Section 8(b)(i)(H)
shall be made under Section 8(b)(i)(H).
Absent
fraud or knowing and intentional material misrepresentations, the aggregate
amount of Losses for which the Seller Entities shall be liable pursuant to
Section 8(b)(i)(I) above shall not exceed the Closing Date Maximum Withdrawal
Liability, and
all
claims relating to the subject matter of Section 8(b)(i)(I) shall be made under
Section 8(b)(i)(I).
Β
(iii)Β Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, absent
fraud or knowing and intentional material misrepresentations, the
liability of the Seller Entities with respect to any claim arising under Section
8(b)(i)(I) above with respect to a particular Union Benefit Plan shall be
limited to that amount which is the lesser of (A) that amount which equals
the
Closing
Date Maximum Withdrawal LiabilityΒ minus
the
aggregate of any amounts hereafter paid by the Seller Entities to or on behalf
of the Companies with respect to any and all claims arising under Section
8(b)(i)(I) above, and (B) that amount which equals the result of (x) the
withdrawal liability amount due by the Company in question multiplied
by
(y) the
hours incurred by or credited to such Company pre-Closing (as determined solely
by the Union Benefit Fund) and divided
by
(z) the
total hours incurred by or credited to such Company (as determined solely by
the
Union Benefit Fund).
Β
36
Β
(e)Β Β Losses
Net of Insurance, Etc.
The
amount of any Loss for which indemnification is provided under this Section
8
shall be net of (i) in the case of Section 8(b), any accruals or reserves
on the Closing Date Balance Sheet, (ii) any
amounts
recovered by the Indemnified
Party pursuant to any indemnification by or indemnification agreement with
any
third party, net of the costs of such recovery, (iii) any insurance proceeds
or
other cash receipts or sources of reimbursement received
as an offset against such Loss
(and no
right of subrogation shall accrue to any insurer or third party indemnitor
hereunder) (each such source named in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), a βCollateral
Sourceβ), net of the fees, costs and expenses of defending or pursuing any claim
against a Collateral Source. If the amount to be netted hereunder from any
payment required under
Sections 8(b) or 8(c) is determined after payment by the indemnifying party
of
any amount otherwise required to be paid to an Indemnified Party pursuant to
this Section 8, the Indemnified Party shall repay to the indemnifying party,
promptly after such determination, any amount that the indemnifying party
would
not
have had to pay pursuant to this Section 8 had such determination been made
at
the time of such payment, along with the fees, costs and expenses, if any,
of
pursuing such claim.
Β
(f)Β Β Termination
of Indemnification.
The
obligations to indemnify
and hold
harmless a Person pursuant to Section 8(b)(i) and Section 8(c), shall terminate
when the applicable representation, warranty or covenant terminates pursuant
to
Section 8(a); provided,
however,
that as
to clauses (b) and (c) above, such obligations to indemnify and hold harmless
shall not terminate with respect to any item as to which the Person to be
indemnified shall have, before the expiration of the applicable period,
previously made a claim by delivering a notice
(stating in reasonable detail the basis of such claim) to the Party providing
the indemnification;
and
provided,
further,
that
any such claim shall be deemed to have been withdrawn and waived one year after
being made, unless (A) court proceedings shall have commenced with respect
to
such claim within such one year period, or (B) such claim shall have been waived
or satisfied within such one year period.
Β
(g)Β Β Procedures
Relating to Indemnification.
A Party
seeking indemnification pursuant to Section 8(b) or Section 8(c), (an
βIndemnified Partyβ) shall give prompt notice to the Party from whom such
indemnification is sought (the βIndemnifying Partyβ) of the assertion of any
claim or assessment, or the commencement of any action, suit, audit or
proceeding, by a third party in respect of which indemnity may be sought
hereunder (a βThird Party Claimβ) and will give the Indemnifying Party such
information with respect thereto as the Indemnifying Party may reasonably
request; provided,
however,
that no
failure to give such notice shall relieve the Indemnifying Party of any
liability hereunder (except to the extent the Indemnifying Party has suffered
actual prejudice thereby). Thereafter, the Indemnified Party shall deliver
to
the Indemnifying Party, within ten (10) business days after the Indemnified
Party's receipt thereof, copies of all notices and documents (including court
papers) received by the Indemnified Party relating to the Third Party Claim.
The
Indemnifying Party shall have the right, exercisable by written notice (the
βNoticeβ) to the Indemnified Party within ten (10) days of receipt of notice
from the Indemnified Party of the commencement of or assertion of any Third
Party Claim, to assume and control the defense of such Third Party Claim, using
counsel selected by the Indemnifying Party and reasonably acceptable to the
Indemnified Party. Should the Indemnifying Party so elect to assume the defense
of a Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party will not be liable to the
Indemnified Party for legal expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnified
Party in connection with the defense thereof. Regardless of whether the
Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of any such Third Party Claim,
(a) the Indemnified Party shall not admit any liability with respect to, or
settle, compromise or discharge, such Third Party Claim without the Indemnifying
Party's prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed
or conditioned and (b) the Indemnifying Party will not admit any liability,
consent to the entry of any judgment or
Β
37
enter
into any settlement or compromise with respect to such Third Party Claim,
without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, which shall not
be
unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, unless such settlement or
judgment involves only the payment of money damages by the Indemnifying Party
and does not involve an injunction or other equitable relief that may affect
an
Indemnified Party and includes an unconditional release of the Indemnified
Party.
The
Indemnifying Party or the Indemnified Party, as the case maybe, shall in any
event have the right to participate, at its own expense, in the defense of
any
Third Party Claim which the other is defending. Whether or not the Indemnifying
Party chooses to defend or prosecute any claim involving a third party, all
the
Parties hereto shall cooperate in the defense or prosecution thereof and shall
furnish such records, information and testimony, and attend such conferences,
discovery proceedings, hearings, trials and appeals as may be reasonably
requested in connection therewith. Such cooperation shall include reasonable
access during normal business hours afforded to the Indemnifying Party to,
and
reasonable retention by the Indemnified Party of, records and information which
are reasonably relevant to such Third Party Claim, and making employees
available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information
and
explanation of any material provided hereunder, and the Indemnifying Party
shall
reimburse the Indemnified Party for all its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
in
connection therewith. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Indemnified Party
determines in good faith that there is a reasonable probability that a Third
Party Claim may adversely affect it or its Affiliates other than as a result
of
monetary damages for which it would be entitled to indemnification under this
Agreement, the Indemnified Party may, by notice to the Indemnifying Party,
assume the exclusive right to defend, compromise, or settle such proceeding,
but
the Indemnifying Party will not be bound by any determination of a proceeding
so
defended or any compromise or settlement effected without its consent (which
may
not be unreasonably withheld).
Β
(h)Β Β Exclusive
Remedy.Β Each
of
the Parties hereto agrees that its sole and exclusive remedy after the Closing
with respect to any and all claims arising in connection with this Agreement
and
the Companies shall be pursuant to the indemnification provisions contained
in
this Section 8, except for any equitable remedy or fraud.
Β
(i)Β Β Collateral
Sources.
Any
Indemnifying Party may, in its sole discretion, require any Indemnified Party
to
grant an assignment of the right of such Indemnified Party to assert a claim
against any Collateral Source if the Indemnifying Party has first fully
satisfied the claim by the Indemnified Party. In the event of such assignment,
the Indemnifying Party will pursue such claim at its own expense.
Β
9.Β Β TAX
MATTERS.
The
following provisions shall govern the allocation of responsibility as between
the Buyer and the Seller Entities for certain tax matters following the Closing
Date:
Β
(a)Β Β Consolidated
Return.
The
Seller Entities shall cause each Company to be included in the consolidated
Income Tax Returns of the Seller Entities for all periods ending on or prior
to
the Closing Date for which such Company is required to be so included and the
Seller Entities shall cause to be prepared and timely filed any other federal,
state, foreign or local Income Tax Return required or permitted to be filed
by
such Company for all periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date. Any such
Income Tax Returns that include periods ending on or before the Closing Date
shall, insofar as they relate to a Company, be on a basis consistent with the
last previous such Tax Returns filed with respect to such Company, unless the
Buyer or the Seller Entities conclude that there is no reasonable basis for
such
position under applicable law, and shall be subject to Section 9(b) below.
Neither the Seller Entities nor any Company (prior to the Closing Date) shall
file or cause to be filed any amended Tax Return or claims for refund with
respect to such Company without the prior written consent of
Β
38
the
Buyer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
Neither the Buyer nor any Company (after the Closing Date) shall file or cause
to be filed any amended Tax Return or claims for refund with respect to any
period ending on or before the Closing Date without the prior written consent
of
the Seller Entities, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld,
conditioned or delayed.
Β
(b)Β Β Tax
Periods Ending on or Before the Closing Date.
The
Seller Entities shall prepare or cause to be prepared and timely file or cause
to be timely filed all Tax Returns for each Company including Income Tax Returns
for all periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date which are required to
be
filed after the Closing Date, and shall timely pay all taxes shown thereon
to be
due, all at the expense of the Seller Entities. The Buyer shall cooperate with
the Seller Entities in preparing such Tax Returns.
Β
(c)Β Β Tax
Periods Beginning Before and Ending After the Closing
Date.
The
Buyer shall prepare or cause to be prepared and file or cause to be filed any
Tax Returns of each Company for Tax periods which begin before the Closing
Date
and end after the Closing Date (the βOverlap Periodβ), and the Buyer shall
timely pay, or cause to be paid, all Taxes shown as due on any such Tax Returns.
The Buyer shall provide the Seller Entities with a draft of each such Overlap
Period Tax Return at least thirty (30) days prior to the due date for filing
such Tax Return. At least fifteen (15) days prior to the due date for the filing
of such Tax Return, the Seller Entities shall notify the Buyer of the existence
of any reasonable objection the Seller Entities may have to any items set forth
on such draft Tax Return. If after consulting in good faith the Seller Entities
and the Buyer are unable to resolve such objections, such objections shall
be
resolved by treating items on such returns in a manner consistent with the
past
practices of the applicable Company with respect to such items unless otherwise
required by law. The Seller Entities shall pay to the Buyer within thirty (30)
days after the date on which Taxes are paid with respect to such periods an
amount equal to the portion of such Taxes which relates to the portion of such
taxable period ending on the Closing Date to the extent such Taxes are not
reserved on the Closing Date Balance Sheet. For purposes of this Section 9,
in
the case of any Taxes that are imposed on a periodic basis and are payable
for
an Overlap Period, the portion of such Tax which relates to the portion of
such
taxable period ending on the Closing Date shall (i) in the case of any Taxes
other than Income Taxes or sales and use Taxes, be deemed to be the amount
of
such Tax for the entire taxable period multiplied by a fraction the numerator
of
which is the number of days in the taxable period ending on the Closing Date
and
the denominator of which is the number of days in the entire taxable period,
and
(ii) in the case of any Tax based upon or related to Income Tax or sales and
use
Tax, be deemed equal to the amount which would be payable if the relevant
taxable period ended on the Closing Date. Any credits relating to a taxable
period prior to the period for which a Tax Return is due shall be taken into
account as though the relevant taxable period ended on the Closing Date. All
determinations necessary to give effect to the foregoing allocations shall
be
made in a manner consistent with prior practice of the applicable
Company.
Β
(d)Β Β Refunds
and Tax Benefits.
If,
after the Closing and subject to Section 9(a) above, the Seller Entities file
a
Tax return for one or more of the Companies relating to a period ending on
or
before the Closing Date, or, pursuant to an audit thereof or otherwise, file
an
amendment to a Tax return for one or more of the Companies relating to a period
ending on or before the Closing Date, then any Tax refunds that are received
by
the Buyer or a Company, and any amounts credited against Tax to which the Buyer
or a Company become entitled, that relate to Tax periods or portions thereof
ending on or before the Closing Date shall be for the account of the Seller
Entities, and the Buyer shall pay over to the Seller Entities any such refund
or
the amount of any such credit within thirty (30) days after receipt or use
thereof. In
Β
39
addition,
to the extent that any such claim for refund or a proceeding results in a
payment or credit against a Tax by a Taxing Authority to the Buyer or a Company
of any amount accrued on the Closing Balance Sheet, the Buyer shall pay such
amount to the Seller Entities within thirty (30) days after receipt or use
thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, if such refund or credit
results in the increase in Taxes or loss of a Tax benefit to any of the Buyer
or
a Company, then such refund or credit shall be solely for the account of the
Buyer and the Companies, to the extent of such increase in Taxes or loss of
a
Tax benefit, and shall not be paid to the Seller Entities.
Β
(e)Β Β Cooperation
on Tax Matters.
Β
(i)Β The
Buyer
and the Seller Entities shall cooperate fully, as and to the extent reasonably
requested by the other Parties, in connection with the filing of Tax Returns
pursuant to this Section 9 and any audit, litigation or other proceeding with
respect to Taxes. Such cooperation shall include the retention and (upon the
other Party's request) the provision of records and information which are
reasonably relevant to any such audit, litigation or other proceeding and making
employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional
information and explanation of any material provided hereunder. The Buyer and
the Seller Entities agree (A) to retain all books and records with respect
to
Tax matters pertinent to the Companies relating to any taxable period beginning
before the Closing Date until the expiration of the statute of limitations
(and,
to the extent notified by the Buyer or the Seller Entities, any extensions
thereof) of the respective taxable periods, and to abide by all record retention
agreements entered into with any Taxing Authority, and (B) to give the other
Parties reasonable written notice prior to transferring, destroying or
discarding any such books and records and, if another Party so requests, the
Buyer or the Seller Entities, as the case may be, shall allow the other party
to
take possession of such books and records.
Β
(ii)Β The
Buyer
and the Seller Entities further agree, upon request, to use commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain any certificate or other document from any Taxing
Authority or any other Person as may be necessary to mitigate, reduce or
eliminate any Tax that could be imposed (including, but not limited to, with
respect to the transactions contemplated hereby).
Β
(iii)Β The
Buyer
and the Seller Entities further agree, upon request, to provide the other party
with all information that either party may be required to report pursuant to
Section 6043 of the Code and all Treasury Department Regulations promulgated
thereunder.
Β
(f)Β Β Tax
Sharing Agreements.
All tax
sharing agreements or similar agreements with respect to or involving any
Company shall be terminated as of the Closing Date and, after the Closing Date,
such Company shall not be bound thereby or have any liability
thereunder.
Β
(g)Β Β Transfer
Taxes.
All
transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration and other such Taxes
and
fees (including any penalties and interest) incurred in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including
any
state gains tax, transfer tax and any similar tax imposed in any state or
subdivision), shall be paid by the Seller Entities when due, and the Seller
Entities will, at their own expense, file all necessary Tax Returns and other
documentation with respect to all such transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp,
registration and other Taxes and fees, and, if required by applicable law,
the
Buyer will, and will cause its Affiliates to, join in the execution of any
such
Tax Returns and other documentation.
Β
40
Β
(h)Β Β Representation.
Β
(i)Β The
Seller Entities shall have the right to represent the interests of each Company
in any Tax audit or administrative or court proceeding relating to Tax Returns
for any periods or portions thereof ending on or prior to the Closing Date.
Following the Closing, in the event of an audit of any Tax Return of the Seller
Entities or with respect to which either of the Seller Entities has any
liability, the Buyer shall promptly notify the Seller Entities of such audit
and
the Buyer shall execute, or cause the applicable Company to execute, powers
of
attorney under applicable laws authorizing the designated representative of
the
Seller Entities to represent such Company with respect thereto. The Buyer shall
make available or shall cause each Company to make available to the Seller
Entities, at the expense of the Seller Entities, any and all books and records
of such Company and other documents requested by the Seller Entities and shall
make available employees of such Company reasonably necessary to enable the
Seller Entities to defend any audit or other proceeding with respect to any
such
Tax Returns.
Β
(ii)Β The
Seller Entities shall not enter into any settlement of or otherwise compromise
any Tax matter that materially affects or may materially affect the Tax
liability of the Buyer or any Company for any period ending after the Closing
Date, including the portion of the Overlap Period that is after the Closing
Date, without the prior written consent of the Buyer, which consent shall not
be
unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The Seller Entities shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Buyer fully and timely informed
with
respect to the commencement, status and nature of any Tax matter. The Seller
Entities shall allow the Buyer, at its sole expense, to make comments to the
representative of the Seller Entities, regarding the conduct of or positions
taken in any such proceeding, and consider such comments in good
faith.
Β
(iii)Β Except
as
otherwise provided above, the Buyer shall have the sole right to control any
audit or examination by any Taxing Authority, initiate any claim for refund
or
amend any Tax Return, and contest, resolve and defend against any assessment
for
additional Taxes, notice of Tax deficiency or other adjustment of Taxes of,
or
relating to, the income, assets or operations of each Company for all taxable
periods ending after the Closing Date; provided,
however,
that
the Buyer shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates (including the Companies)
not to, enter into any settlement of any contest or otherwise compromise any
issue with respect to the portion of the Overlap Period ending on or prior
to
the Closing Date and shall not amend any Tax Return with respect to any period
ending on or prior to the Closing Date without the prior written consent of
the
Seller Entities, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned
or delayed.
Β
(i)Β Β Confidentiality.
Any
information obtained under this Section 9 shall be kept confidential in
accordance with Section 6(f), except as may be otherwise necessary in connection
with filing any Tax Return (or amended Tax Return) or refund claim, determining
any Tax liability or right to a refund, conducting or defending any audit or
other proceeding with respect to Taxes or otherwise effectuating the terms
of
this Agreement.
Β
(j)Β Β SectionΒ 338Β Election.Β
Β
(i)
Β At
the
sole election of the Buyer, to be exercised within ninety (90) days after the
Closing Date, the Seller Entities and Buyer will jointly complete and make
an
election under Section 338(h)(10) of the Code (with respect to the Companies)
on
Form 8023 or in such other manner as may be required by rule or regulation
of
the Internal Revenue Service, and will jointly make an election in the manner
required under any analogous provisions of state or local law as the Buyer
will
designate or as will be required, concerning the transactions contemplated
Β
41
by
this
Agreement (collectively and specifically, the βSection
338(h)(10) Electionβ).
The
Buyer will, with the assistance and cooperation of the Seller Entities, prepare
all such Section 338(h)(10) forms required as attachments to Form 8023 (and
all
forms under analogous provisions of state or local law) in accordance with
applicable Tax laws, and Buyer will deliver such forms and related documents
to
the Seller Entities at least sixty (60) days prior to the due date of filing.
The Seller Entities will deliver to the Buyer at least forty five (45) days
prior to the due date of filing copies of such completed and fully executed
forms as are required to be filed under Section 338(h)(10) of the Code (and
analogous provisions of state and local law). The Buyer will timely file such
forms with the appropriate Tax authorities. The Buyer and Seller Entities will
use commercially reasonable efforts to agree, as soon as practicable after
Closing but in no event later than one hundred twenty (120) days following
the
Closing Date (subject to the dispute resolution mechanism described in clause
(ii) below), on the computation of the modified aggregate deemed sale price
(βMADSPβ)
(as
defined under U.S. Department of Treasury Regulations).
Β
(ii)
Β The
Seller Entities and the Buyer agree that the Buyer will perform or cause to
be
performed an initial valuation of assets and allocation of the Purchase Price
for purposes of Section 338 of the Code at the sole cost and expense of the
Buyer. The Buyer will provide the Seller Entities with drafts of such valuation
of assets and allocation of MADSP (which will be prepared on a basis consistent
with this Section 9(j)) within seventy-five (75) days after the Closing Date.
The Seller Entities will have forty-five (45) days to provide the Buyer with
any
objections to such drafts. If the Seller Entities object to the computation
or
allocation by the Buyer of such amounts, and the Buyer and Seller Entities
are
unable to reach agreement on the computation or allocation within thirty (30)
business days after notification by the Seller Entities of its objection, the
Buyer and the Seller Entities will jointly engage an Independent Accountant
to
resolve the disagreement (such resolution to be final and binding upon the
Parties) within ten (10) days thereafter. Any fee payable to the Independent
Accountant in connection with this Section 9(j) will be shared equally by the
Seller Entities and the Buyer. The valuation and allocations determined pursuant
to this Section 9(j) will be used for purposes of all relevant Tax Returns,
reports and filings.
Β
10.Β Β [INTENTIONALLY
OMITTED.]
Β
11.Β Β MISCELLANEOUS.
Β
(a)Β Press
Releases and Public Announcements.
No Party
shall issue any press release or make any public announcement relating to the
subject matter of this Agreement, prior to the Closing, without the prior
written approval of the Buyer and the Seller Entities; provided,
however,
that
any Party may make any public disclosure it believes in good faith is required
by applicable law or any listing or trading agreement concerning its
publicly-traded securities (in which case the disclosing Party will use
commercially reasonable efforts to advise the other Parties prior to making
the
disclosure).
Β
(b)Β No
Third-Party Beneficiaries.
Except
as provided by Sections 8(b) and 8(c), this Agreement shall not confer any
rights or remedies upon any Person other than the Parties and their respective
successors and permitted assigns.
Β
(c)Β Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement (including the documents referred to herein) constitutes the entire
agreement among the Parties and supersedes any prior understandings, agreements,
or representations by or among the Parties, written or oral, to the extent
they
related in any way to the subject matter hereof, including that certain Letter
of Intent dated November 2, 2006 by and among the parties hereto.
Β
42
(d)Β Succession
and Assignment.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties named
herein and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No Party may
assign either this Agreement or any of his or its rights, interests, or
obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the Buyer and the
Seller Entities.Β
Β
(e)Β Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same
instrument.
Β
(f)Β Headings.
The
section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only
and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
Β
(g)Β Notices.
All
notices, requests, demands, claims, and other communications hereunder will
be
in writing. Any notices or payments required to be delivered to the Seller
Entities after the Closing shall be delivered to the Parent and any consent
or
approval required to be sought of the Seller Entities after the Closing shall
be
sought of and given by the Parent. Any notice, request, demand, claim, or other
communication hereunder shall be deemed duly given if (and then two business
days after) it is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, and addressed to the intended recipient as set
forth
below:
Β
If
to the Parent or the Seller:
|
Copy
to
(which shall not constitute notice):
|
Β | Β |
UIL
Holdings Corporation
|
Xxxxxx
and Xxxx LLP
|
000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
Xxx
Xxxxx, XX 00000
|
Xxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
|
Attn:
Chief Financial Officer
|
Attn:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
|
Β | Β |
Β Β Β
If to the Buyer: | Copy to (which shall not constitute notice): |
Phalcon,
Ltd.
|
XXXXXX
XXXXXXX LLC
|
000
Xxxx Xxxxxx
|
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx - Xxxxx 000
|
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
|
Xxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
|
Attn:
Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxx, President
|
Attn:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
|
Β | Β |
Any
Party
may send any notice, request, demand, claim, or other communication hereunder
to
the intended recipient at the address set forth above using any other means
(including personal delivery, expedited courier, messenger service, telecopy,
telex, ordinary mail, or electronic mail), but no such notice, request, demand,
claim, or other communication shall be deemed to have been duly given unless
and
until it actually is received by the intended recipient. Any Party may change
the address to which notices, requests, demands, claims, and other
communications hereunder are to be delivered by giving the other Parties notice
in the manner herein set forth.
Β
(h)Β Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic
laws of the State of Connecticut without giving effect to any choice or conflict
of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Connecticut or any other
jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction
other than the State of Connecticut.
Β
43
(i)Β Venue.
EACH OF
THE PARTIES HERETO (A) CONSENTS TO SUBMIT ITSELF TO THE EXCLUSIVE PERSONAL
JURISDICTION OF ANY FEDERAL OR STATE COURT LOCATED IN AND FOR EITHER HARTFORD
OR
NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT IN THE EVENT ANY DISPUTE ARISES OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT,
(B) AGREES THAT IT SHALL NOT ATTEMPT TO DENY OR DEFEAT SUCH PERSONAL
JURISDICTION BY MOTION OR OTHER REQUEST FOR LEAVE FROM ANY SUCH COURT AND (C)
AGREES THAT IT SHALL NOT BRING ANY ACTION RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IN ANY
COURT OTHER THAN A FEDERAL OR STATE COURT SITTING IN AND FOR NEW HAVEN,
CONNECTICUT.
Β
(j)Β Waiver
of Jury Trial.
EACH
PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE
LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY ACTION, SUIT
OR
PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.
Β
(k)Β Amendments
and Waivers.
No
amendment of any provision of this Agreement shall be valid unless the same
shall be in writing and signed by the Buyer and the Seller Entities. No waiver
by any Party of any default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or
covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, shall be deemed to extend to
any
prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or
covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising by virtue of any
prior or subsequent such occurrence.
Β
(l)Β Severability.
Any
term
or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any situation
in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the
remaining terms and provisions hereof or the validity or enforceability of
the
offending term or provision in any other situation or in any other
jurisdiction.
Β
(m)Β Expenses.
Each
of
the Parties will bear his or its own costs and expenses (including legal fees
and expenses) incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby.
Β
(n)Β Construction.
The
Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this
Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation
arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties
and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any
Party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
Any reference to any federal, state, local, or foreign statute or law shall
be
deemed also to refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless
the context requires otherwise. The word βincludingβ shall mean βincluding
without limitationβ.
Β
(o)Β Incorporation
of Exhibits and Schedules.
The
Exhibits, Annexes, and Schedules identified in this Agreement are incorporated
herein by reference and made a part hereof.
Β
{Signature
page follows}
Β
44
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the date
first above written.
Β
Β |
PHALCOM,
LTD.
|
Β |
By:
Β /s/
Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxx.Β Β
|
Β |
Name:Β
Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxΒ Β
|
Β |
Title:
Β PresidentΒ Β Β Β
|
Β
Β |
UIL
HOLDINGS CORPORATION
|
Β |
By:
Β /s/
Xxxxxxx X. XxxxxxxxΒ Β
|
Β |
Name:Β
Xxxxxxx X. XxxxxxxxΒ Β
|
Β |
Title:Β Executive
VP & CFOΒ Β
|
Β |
XCELECOM,
INC.
|
Β |
By:
Β /s/
Xxxx X. XxxxxxΒ Β Β
|
Β |
Name:Β
Xxxx X. XxxxxxΒ Β Β
|
Β |
Title:Β
PresidentΒ Β Β Β
|
Β
\14446\26\122205.1
45
Exhibit
A
Release
of the Companies
{See
attached}
1
Exhibit
B
Transition
Services Agreement
{See
attached}
1
Exhibit
C
Xxxx
of Sale
{See
attached}
1
Exhibit
D
Promissory
Notes
{See
attached}
1
Exhibit
E
Intercreditor
Agreement
{See
attached}
1
Exhibit
F
Target
Balance Sheet
{See
attached}
1
Β
Exhibit
G
September
30, 2006 Balance Sheet Accrual Adjustments
{See
attached}
1
Annex
A
Buyer
Disclosure Letter
None
Β
2
Annex
B
Disclosure
Schedule
{See
attached}
3