ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN:
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MANGO
COPPER INDUSTRIES INC.,
a
body corporate, duly constituted under the Laws of Quebec, having
its
registered office at 000 Xx-Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxx,
X0X 0X0, represented by Xx. Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, who is duly
authorized to act herein, in accordance with the enabling resolution
appended hereto as Appendix “A”;
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(the
“Purchaser”)
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AND:
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3226522
NOVA SCOTIA LIMITED,
a
body corporate, duly constituted under the Laws of Nova Scotia, having
its
registered office at Xxxxx’x Wharf Tower One, 900 - 1959 Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxx, X0X 0X0, represented by Xxxxxx X. Xxxx,
its President and Secretary, who is duly authorized to act herein,
in
accordance with the enabling resolution appended hereto as
Appendix “B”;
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(the
“Vendor”)
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AND:
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WOLVERINE
TUBE, INC.,
a
body corporate, duly constituted under the Laws of Delaware, having
its
registered office at 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000,
represented by Xxxxxx X. Xxxx, its President and Chief Operating
Officer,
who is duly authorized to act herein, in accordance with the enabling
resolution appended hereto as Appendix “C”;
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(“Wolverine”)
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AND:
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XXXXX
XXXXXXX,
domiciled and residing at 0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxx,
X0X 0X0;
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(the
“Intervenor”)
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PREAMBLE
WHEREAS
the
Vendor is the owner of land situated in the City of Montreal-East, Province
of
Quebec, known and designated as being lot number 1 250 977 of the
Cadastre of Quebec, Registration Division of Montreal (the “Land”)
and
the buildings erected thereon (collectively, the “Building”),
including, without limitation, the building bearing civic number 00000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx East, Montreal-East (the Land and Building being hereinafter
collectively referred to as the “Montreal
Plant”);
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1
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WHEREAS
the
Purchaser desires to purchase and the Vendor desires to sell the Montreal Plant
and such assets within the Montreal Plant as further defined herein in
Section 2.2,
the
whole upon the terms and conditions set forth herein;
WHEREAS
the
Purchaser desires to operate the Montreal Plant as a manufacturing
facility.
NOW,
THEREFORE, the
Parties hereto agree as follows:
1.
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INTERPRETATION
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1.1
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Definitions.
In this agreement:
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1.1.1
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“Affiliate”
has the meaning ascribed to it in the Canada
Business Corporations Act;
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1.1.2
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“Applicable
Law”
means any domestic or foreign, national, federal, state, provincial,
county, local, municipal or regional statute, law, ordinance, rule,
regulation, restriction, regulatory policy or guideline, by-law (zoning
or
otherwise), as well as any Permit, Order or rule (in each case having
the
force of law);
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1.1.3
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“Associated
Customers”
means the customers listed in Schedule 1.1.3
annexed hereto;
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1.1.4
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“Associated
Products”
means the products listed in Schedule 1.1.3
annexed hereto;
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1.1.5
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“Building”
has the meaning ascribed to it in the Preamble
hereof;
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1.1.6
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“Closing”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 8.1
hereof;
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1.1.7
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“Closing
Date”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 8.1
hereof;
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1.1.8
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“Contaminants”
means any toxic substance or waste, pollutant, contaminant, hazardous
substance or waste, residual material, hazardous material, special
waste,
industrial substance or waste, petroleum-derived substance or waste,
or
any constituent of any of same as such terms are regulated under,
or
defined by, any Environmental Law;
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1.1.9
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“Data
Files”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.4
hereof;
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1.1.10
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“Environment”
means surface waters, ground water, drinking water supply, land-surface,
subsurface strata, air, both inside and outside of buildings and
structures, and plant and animal
life;
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1.1.11
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“Environmental
Law”
means any Applicable Law relating to the pollution or protection
of the
Environment;
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1.1.12
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“Equipment”
means the production equipment, machinery, spare parts, tools and
dies,
office furniture and equipment that are physically available at the
Montreal Plant on the Closing Date;
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1.1.13
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“FTQ”
means Fonds de Solidarité des Travailleurs du Québec
(F.T.Q.);
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1.1.14
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“FTQ
Payments”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.5
hereof;
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1.1.15
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“Guarantee”
and “Guarantees”
have the meaning ascribed to them in Section 6.5
hereof;
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1.1.16
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“Governmental
Body”
means (i) any domestic or foreign national, federal, provincial,
state, county, local, municipal or regional government or body,
(ii) any multinational, multilateral or international body,
(iii) any subdivision, agency, commission, board, instrumentality or
authority of any of the foregoing governments or bodies, (iv) any
quasi-governmental or private body exercising any regulatory,
expropriation or taxing authority under or for the account of any
of the
foregoing governments or bodies, or (v) any domestic, foreign,
international, multilateral or multinational judicial, quasi-judicial,
arbitration or administrative court, tribunal, commission, board
or
panel;
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1.1.17
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“Initial
Guarantee”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 8.3.2
hereof;
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1.1.18
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“Knowledge”
an individual will be deemed to have “Knowledge” of a particular fact or
other matter if:
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(i)
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such
individual is actually aware of such fact or other matter,
or
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(ii)
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a
prudent individual could be expected to discover or otherwise become
aware
of such fact or other matter in the course of conducting a reasonably
comprehensive investigation concerning the existence of such fact
or other
matter.
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A
Person
(other than an individual) will be deemed to have “Knowledge” of a particular
fact or other matter if any individual who is serving, or who has at any time
served, as a director, officer, partner, executor or trustee of such Person
(or
in any similar capacity) has, or at any time had, Knowledge of such fact or
other matter;
1.1.19
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“Land”
has the meaning ascribed to it in the Preamble
hereof;
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1.1.20
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“Letter
of Credit”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.5
hereof;
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1.1.21
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“Liabilities”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 4.2
hereof;
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1.1.22
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“Montreal
Plant”
has the meaning ascribed to it in the Preamble
hereof;
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1.1.23
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“Order”
means any order, judgment, injunction, decree, award or writ of any
Governmental Body;
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1.1.24
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“Parties”
means, collectively, the Vendor, the Purchaser, Wolverine and the
Intervenor, and “Party”
means any of them;
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1.1.25
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“Permit”
means any license, permit, certificate, authorization, approval,
right,
privilege or consent issued, granted, conferred or otherwise created
by a
Governmental Body;
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1.1.26
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“Person”
means an individual, firm, corporation, legal person, company,
cooperative, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated
association, entity with juridical personality or Governmental
Body;
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1.1.27
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“Prime
Rate”
means the annual interest rate quoted publicly by the Purchaser’s regular
banker as the reference rate of interest used for determining the
interest
rate it charges on commercial demand loans made in Canadian dollars
in
Canada and commonly known as such bank's prime rate, as adjusted
from time
to time. If, however, the Purchaser does not have a regular banker
at the
applicable time, the Purchaser’s regular banker shall be deemed to be BMO
Bank of Montreal;
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1.1.28
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“Purchase
Price”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.1
hereof;
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1.1.29
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“Purchased
Assets”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.2
hereof;
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1.1.30
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“Related”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 4.3
hereof;
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1.1.31
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“Release”
means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, injection,
deposit,
disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into the
Environment; and
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1.1.32
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“Remedial
Action”
means all actions, whether voluntary or involuntary, necessary to
comply
with applicable Environmental Law in order to (i) clean up, remove,
treat, cover or in any other manner adjust Contaminants in the Environment
or (ii) perform remedial studies, investigations, restoration and
post-remedial studies, investigations or monitoring in, under, on
or above
the Montreal Plant or any property adjacent or in proximity
thereto;
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1.1.33
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“Software”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.4
hereof;
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1.1.34
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“Wolverine
Canada”
means Wolverine Tube (Canada) Inc., the predecessor in title to the
Montreal Plant;
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1.1.35
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“Wolverine
LP”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 4.3.
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2.
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PURCHASE
AND SALE
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2.1
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Subject
to and upon the terms and conditions of this agreement, the Vendor
hereby
undertakes to sell and the Purchaser hereby undertakes to purchase
the
Purchased Assets on the Closing
Date.
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2.2
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As
used in this agreement, “Purchased
Assets”
shall mean all right, title, benefit and interest in and to the Montreal
Plant and the Equipment.
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2.3
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The
Purchaser hereby declares that it has inspected the Purchased Assets,
that
it relies on its examination and investigation and that the Vendor
shall
not provide any legal or conventional warranties of whatsoever nature
in
respect of the Purchased Assets (except as provided in
Section 5.1),
the Purchaser acknowledging that the purchase is made on an “as is where
is basis” and at its own risk and peril. The Purchaser hereby further
acknowledges that the Vendor is not a professional seller within
the
meaning of Article 1729 of the Civil
Code of Quebec.
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2.4
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Except
as provided in Section 6.4
and for the avoidance of any doubt, in no event shall the Purchased
Assets
include any right or interest in Vendor’s trade name, trademark and
intellectual property or that of Wolverine or any Person Related
or
Affiliated to Wolverine or the
Vendor.
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2.5
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Without
limiting the generality of Section 2.3,
the Purchaser hereby confirms that it has received: (i) the draft
reports entitled “Phase I environmental site assessment
Wolverine Tube (Canada) Inc. Montreal-East, Quebec, April 2008
(Confidential)” and “Phase II environmental site assessment Wolverine Tube
(Canada) Inc. Montreal-East, Québec, April 2008 (Confidential)”, each
prepared by Xxxxxx Associates Ltd., and (ii) the following documents
listed in Schedule 2.5
annexed hereto.
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3.
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PURCHASE
PRICE
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3.1
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The
aggregate purchase price payable for the purchase of the Purchased
Assets
(excluding applicable taxes, if any) is one Canadian dollar (CDN$1.00)
(the “Purchase
Price”).
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3.2
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The
Purchase Price shall be paid and satisfied by the Purchaser on the
Closing
Date.
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4.
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ASSUMED
LIABILITIES
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4.1
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Except
as otherwise provided for in this agreement, the Purchaser shall
not
assume, or in any way be liable or responsible for any Liabilities.
Except
as otherwise provided for in this agreement, the Vendor shall retain
all
Liabilities.
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4.2
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For
the purposes of this agreement, the term “Liabilities”
means all debts, adverse claims, liabilities and obligations, direct,
indirect or contingent, including, without limitation, those arising
under
any law, or imposed by any court or any arbitrator of any kind, and
those
arising in connection with products sold by, or under contracts,
agreements, leases, commitments or undertakings of, the Vendor or
Wolverine Canada, whether incurred before or after the
Closing.
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4.3
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The
Purchaser hereby assumes to the complete exclusion and exoneration
of each
of the Vendor, Wolverine and Wolverine Tube Canada Limited Partnership
(“Wolverine
LP”)
and its directors, officers, shareholders, partners, employees and
any
Person related (as that term is defined in the Income
Tax Act
(Canada)) (“Related”)
or Affiliated to any of them (collectively the “Wolverine
Group”),
all obligations related to the Purchased Assets or the operations
of a
business being conducted with the Purchased Assets arising on or
after the
Closing.
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4.4
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In
addition, the Purchaser hereby assumes to the complete exclusion
and
exoneration of each Person comprising the Wolverine Group, any and
all
liability, responsibility or obligation relating, directly or indirectly,
to the state, quality or condition in, under, on, above or of the
Purchased Assets and any property adjacent or in proximity to the
Montreal
Plant existing as of or prior to the Closing Date or thereafter,
whether
known or unknown, relating to the Environment.
Such liability, responsibility or obligation hereby assumed by the
Purchaser shall include, without limitation, any Remedial Action
and any
liability, responsibility or obligation resulting from any Release
by the
Vendor (or by any predecessor in title to the Montreal Plant) of
Contaminants in, under, on or above the Montreal Plant or any property
adjacent or in proximity thereto.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Purchaser shall not assume any
liability, responsibility or obligation under this Section 4.4
or
any other provision contained in this agreement for bodily injury,
sickness or death of any individual, including any former employee
of
Wolverine Canada, resulting from any Release by the Vendor (or by
any
predecessor in title to the Montreal Plant) prior to the Closing,
of
Contaminants in, under, on or above the Montreal Plant or any property
adjacent or in proximity thereto.
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4.5
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For
the avoidance of doubt, the Vendor hereby acknowledges and agrees
that the
Purchaser shall not be liable and shall not assume (unless the Purchaser
expressly covenants to do so at its sole discretion) any liabilities
for
salary, bonus and other compensation and any liabilities under employee
benefit plans of the Vendor or Wolverine Canada relating to any person
employed in the Montreal Plant prior to the
Closing.
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5.
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REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
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5.1
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The
Vendor hereby represents and warrants to the
Purchaser:
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5.1.1
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that
it has the power, authority and capacity to sell the Purchased Assets
to
the Purchaser and has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action to execute and deliver this agreement and the other ancillary
agreements to be entered into by it on the Closing Date and it has
obtained all consents necessary from all Persons whose consents may
be
required in order to sell the Purchased Assets to the
Purchaser;
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5.1.2
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that
it is the owner of the Equipment free and clear of any and all liens,
claims, encumbrances, hypothecs, privileges or charges, save and
except
for the encumbrances registered in the Registre des droits personnels
et
réels mobiliers under numbers 00-0000000-0000 and 00-0000000-0000,
which
will be discharged by the Vendor after the Closing. The Equipment
covered
by the registrations in the Registre des droits personnels et réels
mobiliers described above has been paid for in
full;
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5.1.3
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that
each of this agreement and other ancillary agreements to be entered
into
by the Vendor on the Closing Date constitute a valid and legally
binding
obligation of the Vendor, enforceable against the Vendor in accordance
with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization and other laws of general application limiting the
enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and to the fact that specific
performance is an equitable remedy available only in the discretion
of the
court;
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5.1.4
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that
it is a resident of Canada for the purposes of the Income
Tax Act
(Canada) and the Taxation
Act
(Quebec); and
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5.1.5
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that
Wolverine Canada has paid all amounts due according to law to the
former
employees of Wolverine Canada situated at the Montreal Plant. Accordingly,
but without limiting the generality of Section 4.3
hereof, the Purchaser will be entirely responsible for all future
severance pay that might be payable to any former employees of Wolverine
Canada that might be hired by the
Purchaser.
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5.2
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Wolverine
hereby represents and warrants to the
Purchaser:
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5.2.1
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that
it has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action to
execute
and deliver this agreement; and
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5.2.2
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that
this agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation
of
Wolverine, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject
to
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws
of
general application limiting the enforcement of creditors’ rights
generally and to the fact that specific performance is an equitable
remedy
available only in the discretion of the
court.
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5.3
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The
Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Vendor and
Wolverine:
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5.3.1
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that
it has the power, authority and capacity to purchase the Purchased
Assets
from the Vendor and has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action to execute and deliver this agreement and the other ancillary
agreements to be entered into by it on the Closing
Date;
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5.3.2
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that
each of this agreement and other ancillary agreements to be entered
into
by the Purchaser on the Closing Date constitute a valid and legally
binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable against the Purchaser
in
accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization and other laws of general application limiting the
enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and to the fact that specific
performance is an equitable remedy available only in the discretion
of the
court;
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5.3.3
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that
it has obtained all authorizations, consents and permissions necessary
from all Persons whose authorizations, consents and permissions may
be
required in respect of the transaction of purchase and sale contemplated
herein, including, without limitation, those authorizations, consents
and
permissions required by Applicable
Law;
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5.3.4
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that
it is registered under subdivision d) of Division V of Part IX of
the
Excise
Act
(Canada), as well as under the corresponding provision of An
Act Respecting the Quebec Sales Tax
(Quebec), it being agreed that on Closing the Purchaser shall not
be
required to be paid any sales or goods and services tax to the Vendor.
The
Purchaser hereby agrees, however, to indemnify and save and hold
the
Vendor harmless with respect to any sales or goods and services tax
exigible in connection with the purchase and sale of the Purchased
Assets;
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5.3.5
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that
it is not a non-Canadian within the meaning of the Investment
Canada Act
(Canada);
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5.3.6
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that
it is not insolvent, has not committed an act of bankruptcy, proposed
a
compromise or arrangement to its creditors, had any petition for
a
receiving order filed against it, taken any proceeding with respect
to a
compromise, arrangement or winding-up, or otherwise taken advantage
of any
insolvency or bankruptcy legislation, had a receiver appointed to
any of
its assets or had any Person take possession of any of its assets
or had
any execution of distress or seizure become enforceable or levied
upon any
of its assets; and
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5.3.7
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75%
of the issued and outstanding securities of the Purchaser are owned
by
FTQ, which has according to its published financial statements for
the
year ended May 31, 2007 net assets of $7.2 billion
dollars.
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5.4
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The
Intervenor hereby represents and warrants to the Vendor and
Wolverine:
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5.4.1
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that
this agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation
of the
Intervenor, enforceable against the Intervenor in accordance with
its
terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization
and
other laws of general application limiting the enforcement of creditors’
rights generally and to the fact that specific performance is an
equitable
remedy available only in the discretion of the
court.
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5.5
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The
representations and warranties set forth in Sections 5.1,
5.2,
5.3
and 5.4
shall survive the completion of the sale and purchase of the Purchased
Assets herein provided for and, notwithstanding such
completion:
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5.5.1
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the
representations and warranties set forth in Sections 5.1,
5.2,
5.3
and 5.4
shall, unless such representations and warranties prove to be false
as a
result of any fraud committed by the Vendor, Wolverine, the Purchaser
or
the Intervenor, as the case may be, continue in full force and effect
for
the benefit of the Purchaser or the Vendor and Wolverine, as the
case may
be, for a period of three (3) years from the Closing Date;
and
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5.5.2
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the
representations and warranties which prove to be false as a result
of any
fraud committed by the Vendor, Wolverine, the Purchaser or the Intervenor,
as the case may be, shall continue in full force and effect for an
unlimited period for the benefit of the Purchaser or the Vendor and
Wolverine, as the case may be.
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6.
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COVENANTS
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6.1
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Each
of the Purchaser and the Intervenor hereby agrees and undertakes
in favour
of the Vendor, Wolverine and Wolverine
LP:
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6.1.1
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not
to compete, directly or indirectly, in the manufacture, distribution,
sale
or resale of Copper
Tube Products
in
North America for seven (7) years from the Closing Date; for purposes
of
this agreement, Copper
Tube Products
shall mean (i) any plumbing, industrial or refrigeration copper tube
products or (ii) copper or copper alloy plumbing
fittings;
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6.1.2
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without
limiting the generality of and in addition to Section 6.1.1,
not to, directly or indirectly, for seven (7) years from the Closing
Date
(i) engage or assist any Person in engaging in the procurement,
production, manufacture, assembly, provision and/or sale or other
distribution of any Associated Product to any Associated Customer
of such
product or (ii) take any action in anticipation or furtherance of any
of the foregoing;
and
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6.1.3
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not
to sell any Software or Data Files to any Person or commercially
use such
Software or Data Files in any other business; for the purpose of
this
Section, any opening of one or more plants by the Purchaser in any
location shall not be considered as another
business.
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6.2
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The
Purchaser and the Intervenor hereby acknowledge and confirm that
the
provisions of Section 6.1
are an essential element for the entering into of this agreement
by the
Vendor and Wolverine.
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6.3
|
Each
of the Vendor and Wolverine hereby agrees and undertakes in favour
of the
Purchaser
not to compete, directly or indirectly, in selling copper and copper
alloy
rod and bar products in North America for seven (7) years from the
Closing
Date.
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6.4
|
Wolverine
hereby transfers and assigns to the Purchaser with effect as and
from the
Closing Date for the aggregate sum of one Canadian dollar (CAN$1.00):
a
copy of the software developed by Wolverine and known as “COLCS” (Common
Order Life Cycle System) and used by Wolverine Canada in the Montreal
Plant to carry out its past activities (the “Software”)
and a copy of the data files pertaining to the Purchased Assets,
including
financial, production, routings and related data (the “Data
Files”);
no Software maintenance is included and no IT technical support is
included; Wolverine shall retain ownership of all Software and Data
Files,
subject to the non-exclusive royalty free and perpetual license to
the
Software being given to the Purchaser by Wolverine hereunder, which
license does not permit the Purchaser to grant sublicenses and is
further
subject to the provisions of Section 6.1.3.
Wolverine gives no warranty of whatsoever nature with respect to
the
Software or its functionality and the Purchaser accepts the Software
on an
“as is where is” basis.
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6.5
|
In
the event that the FTQ is in default of any of its obligations under
the
Initial Guarantee or any new guarantee contemplated therein (each
of the
Initial Guarantee and any new guarantee being referred to individually
as
a “Guarantee”
and collectively as the “Guarantees”),
the Purchaser shall within 2 days of receipt of notice of such default
from Wolverine, on behalf of the Wolverine Group, provide Wolverine,
on
behalf of the Wolverine Group, an irrevocable letter of credit for
the
benefit of Wolverine, on behalf of the Wolverine Group, (the “Letter
of Credit”)
from a Canadian Schedule I chartered bank in an amount equal to seven
million dollars ($7,000,000) less any amounts paid by FTQ to or for
the
benefit of the Wolverine Group, under the Guarantees (the “FTQ
Payments”),
or remit to Wolverine, on behalf of the Wolverine Group, by certified
cheque an amount equal to seven million dollars ($7,000,000) less
the FTQ
Payments, without prejudice to any of the other rights or recourses
of any
Person comprising the Wolverine Group against the Purchaser under
this
agreement.
To
the extent that the Purchaser elects to replace any Guarantee with
a
Letter of Credit as contemplated above, such Letter of Credit must
be in
place prior to any termination or expiry of such Guarantee and must
permit
the Wolverine Group to draw-down thereon upon delivery by Wolverine,
on
behalf of the Wolverine Group, of a signed statement to the effect
that a
Claim has been made by Wolverine, on behalf of the Wolverine Group,
against the Purchaser pursuant to Section 7.2.1
or
7.2.3
hereof which results from a violation, contravention or breach by
the
Purchaser of its covenants in Section 4.4
hereof. The form and content of the Letter of Credit must be acceptable
to
Wolverine, on behalf of the Wolverine Group, acting reasonably, failing
which the Purchaser shall be forthwith obliged to remit to Wolverine,
on
behalf of the Wolverine Group, by certified cheque an amount equal
to
seven million dollars ($7,000,000) less the FTQ Payments, without
prejudice to any of the other rights and recourses of any Person
comprising the Wolverine Group against the Purchaser under this
agreement.
The rights of the Wolverine Group under this Section 6.5
are in addition to any other rights of the Wolverine Group under
the
Guarantees.
|
6.6
|
The
covenants of the Purchaser, the Intervenor, the Vendor and Wolverine
set
forth in this agreement shall survive the completion of the sale
and
purchase of the Purchased Assets herein provided for and, notwithstanding
such completion, shall continue in full force and effect for the
benefit
of the Party or Parties to which such covenants are made in accordance
with the terms thereof.
|
7.
|
INDEMNIFICATION
|
7.1
|
Definitions.
As used in this Section 7:
|
7.1.1
|
“Claim”
means any act, omission or state of facts and any demand, action,
suit,
proceeding, investigation, arbitration, trial, claim, assessment,
judgment, settlement or compromise relating thereto which may give
rise to
a right to indemnification under Section 7.2,
7.3,
7.4
or
7.5
hereof;
|
-
10
-
7.1.2
|
“Direct
Claim”
means any Claim by an Indemnified Party against an Indemnifying Party
which does not result from a Third Party
Claim;
|
7.1.3
|
“Indemnifying
Party”
means any Party or Parties obligated to provide indemnification under
this
agreement;
|
7.1.4
|
“Indemnified
Party”
means any Party or Parties entitled to indemnification under this
agreement;
|
7.1.5
|
“Indemnity
Payment”
means the amount of each Loss required to be paid pursuant to
Section 7.2,
7.3,
7.4
or
7.5
hereof and interest thereon pursuant to Section 7.6
hereof;
|
7.1.6
|
“Loss”
means any and all loss, liability, damage, cost, expense, charge,
fine,
penalty or assessment, resulting from or arising out of any Claim,
including the costs and expenses of any action, suit, proceeding,
demand,
assessment, judgment, settlement or compromise relating thereto and
all
interest, fines and penalties and reasonable attorneys', accountants'
and
experts' fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith;
and
|
7.1.7
|
“Third
Party Claim”
means any Claim asserted against an Indemnified Party by any Person
who is
not a Party.
|
7.2
|
Indemnification
by the Purchaser.
The Purchaser hereby agrees to indemnify and save and hold harmless
each
Person comprising the Wolverine Group from and against any Loss suffered
or incurred, directly or indirectly, by such Person as a result of,
arising out of or relating to:
|
7.2.1
|
any
violation, contravention or breach of any covenant, agreement or
obligation of the Purchaser under or pursuant to this agreement,
including, without limitation, Sections 4.3
and 4.4;
|
7.2.2
|
any
breach of any representation or warranty made by the Purchaser in
this
agreement;
|
7.2.3
|
any
action, suit, claim, trial, demand, investigation, arbitration or
other
proceeding by any Person containing allegations which, if true, would
constitute an event described in Section 7.2.1
or
7.2.2
hereof.
|
7.3
|
Indemnification
by the Intervenor.
The Intervenor hereby agrees to indemnify and save and hold harmless
each
Person comprising the Wolverine Group from and against any Loss suffered
or incurred, directly or indirectly, by such Person as a result of,
arising out of or relating to:
|
7.3.1
|
any
violation, contravention or breach of any covenant, agreement or
obligation of the Intervenor under or pursuant to this
agreement;
|
-
11
-
7.3.2
|
any
breach of any representation or warranty made by the Intervenor in
this
agreement; and
|
7.3.3
|
any
action, suit, claim, trial, demand, investigation, arbitration or
other
proceeding by any Person containing allegations which, if true, would
constitute an event described in Section 7.3.1
or
7.3.2
hereof.
|
7.4
|
Indemnification
by the Vendor and
Wolverine.
The Vendor and Wolverine hereby
solidarily agree to indemnify and save and hold harmless the Purchaser
and
the Intervenor from and against any Loss suffered or incurred, directly
or
indirectly, by the Purchaser or the Intervenor as a result of, arising
out
of or relating to:
|
7.4.1
|
any
violation, contravention or breach of any covenant, agreement or
obligation of the Vendor under or pursuant to this
agreement;
|
7.4.2
|
any
breach of any representation or warranty made by the Vendor in this
agreement; and
|
7.4.3
|
any
action, suit, claim, trial, demand, investigation, arbitration or
other
proceeding by any Person containing allegations which, if true, would
constitute an event described in Section 7.4.1
or
7.4.2
hereof.
|
7.5
|
Indemnification
by Wolverine.
Wolverine hereby agrees to indemnify and save and hold harmless the
Purchaser and the Intervenor from and against any Loss suffered or
incurred, directly or indirectly, by the Purchaser or the Intervenor
as a
result of, arising out of or relating
to:
|
7.5.1
|
any
violation, contravention or breach of any covenant, agreement or
obligation of Wolverine under or pursuant to this
agreement;
|
7.5.2
|
any
breach of any representation or warranty made by Wolverine in this
agreement; and
|
7.5.3
|
any
action, suit, claim, trial, demand, investigation, arbitration or
other
proceeding by any Person containing allegations which, if true, would
constitute an event described in Section 7.5.1
or
7.5.2
hereof.
|
7.6
|
Payment
and Interest.
The Indemnifying Party shall reimburse, on demand if not contested,
and
following a settlement or a final judgment if contested, to the
Indemnified Party the amount of each Loss suffered or incurred by
the
Indemnified Party, as of the date that the Indemnified Party incurs
such
Loss, together with interest thereon from the aforesaid date until
payment
in full at a rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate, plus three (3)
percentage points. Interest shall be calculated and payable monthly
on the
last day of each month during which any amount in respect of any
Loss
remained unpaid, both before and after judgment, with interest on
overdue
interest calculated and payable at the same rate. The interest payable
in
any month shall be calculated on the average amount of all amounts
in
respect of any Loss that remained unpaid at any time during such
month.
This amount shall be calculated by (i) multiplying any amount in
respect of each Loss that remained unpaid at any time during such
month by
the number of days that amount remained unpaid during such month
and
(ii) dividing the aggregate of all such products by the number of
days in such month.
|
-
12
-
7.7
|
Notification.
Promptly upon obtaining Knowledge and particulars thereof, the Indemnified
Party shall notify the Indemnifying Party of each Claim which the
Indemnified Party has determined has given or could give rise to
indemnification under this Section 7,
describing such Claim in reasonable detail. In circumstances where
the
Indemnifying Party is notified of such Claim but not promptly, the
Indemnifying Party shall not be relieved from any duty to indemnify
and
save and hold harmless which otherwise might exist with respect to
such
Claim unless (and only to that extent) the omission to notify promptly
materially prejudices the ability of the Indemnifying Party to exercise
its right to defend provided in this Section 7.
|
7.8
|
Defence
of Third Party Claims.
The Indemnifying Party shall have the right, after receipt of the
Indemnified Party's notice under Section 7.7
hereof with respect to a Third Party Claim and upon giving written
notice
to the Indemnified Party within fifteen (15) days of such receipt,
and
subject to the rights of any insurer or other Person having potential
liability therefor, to defend the Third Party Claim at its own cost
and
expense with counsel of its own selection, provided
that:
|
7.8.1
|
the
Indemnified Party shall at all times have the right to fully participate
in the defence at the expense of the Indemnifying Party and in any
event
shall be consulted with and apprised of the ongoing status of the
Third
Party Claim and provided reasonable particulars (including copies
of all
documentation) relating thereto and the defence thereof;
|
7.8.2
|
the
Third Party Claim seeks only monetary damages and does not seek any
injunctive or other relief against the Indemnified Party;
|
7.8.3
|
the
Indemnifying Party unconditionally acknowledges in writing its obligation
to indemnify and save and hold the Indemnified Party harmless with
respect
to the Third Party Claim;
|
7.8.4
|
legal
counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party is satisfactory to the
Indemnified Party, acting reasonably;
and
|
7.8.5
|
amounts
payable by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to a Third Party Claim
shall be
paid in accordance with the terms of the settlement or judgment,
as
applicable, but in any event prior to the expiry of any delay for
a
judgment to become executory.
|
7.9
|
Settlement
of a Third Party Claim.
The Indemnifying Party shall not be permitted to compromise and settle
or
to cause a compromise and settlement of any Third Party Claim, without
the
prior written consent of the Indemnified Party,
unless:
|
7.9.1
|
the
terms of the compromise and settlement require only the payment of
money
and do not require the Indemnified Party to admit any wrongdoing
or take
or refrain from taking any action;
|
-
13
-
7.9.2
|
the
Indemnifying Party delivers to the Indemnified Party payment in the
amount
of such compromise and settlement (including interest and costs,
if any,
payable pursuant thereto);
|
7.9.3
|
the
Indemnified Party receives, as part of the compromise and settlement,
a
legally binding and enforceable unconditional satisfaction and release,
which is in form and substance satisfactory to the Indemnified Party,
acting reasonably; and
|
7.9.4
|
the
Third Party Claim and any claim or liability of the Indemnified Party
with
respect to such Third Party Claim is being fully satisfied because
of the
compromise and settlement and the Indemnified Party is being released
from
any and all obligations or liabilities it may have with respect to
the
Third Party Claim.
|
7.10
|
Waiver
of Right to Defend Third Party Claims.
If the Indemnifying Party fails:
|
7.10.1
|
within
fifteen (15) days from receipt of the notice of a Third Party Claim
to
give notice of its intention to defend the Third Party Claim in accordance
with Section 7.8
hereof; or
|
7.10.2
|
to
comply at any time with any of Sections 7.8.1
through 7.8.5
(inclusively) hereof;
|
the
Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to have waived its right to defend the Third
Party Claim and the Indemnified Party shall have the right (but not the
obligation) to undertake the defence of the Third Party Claim and compromise
and
settle the Third Party Claim on behalf, for the account and at the risk and
expense of the Indemnifying Party.
7.11
|
Direct
Claims.
If the Indemnifying Party fails to respond in writing to any written
notice of a Direct Claim given by the Indemnified Party pursuant
to
Section 7.7
hereof, and make an Indemnity Payment to the Indemnified Party within
fifteen (15) days thereof, the Indemnifying Party shall be deemed
to have
rejected such Direct Claim, in which event the Indemnified Party
shall be
free to pursue such rights, recourses and remedies as may be available
to
it.
|
8.
|
CLOSING
|
8.1
|
The
sale and purchase of the Purchased Assets (the “Closing”)
shall take place on September 25, 2008 (the “Closing
Date”).
The Closing shall be deemed to have occurred on the opening of business
on
the Closing Date.
|
8.2
|
At
the Closing, the Purchaser shall pay the Purchase Price as provided
in
Section 3.1.
|
8.3
|
Concurrently
with the Closing.
|
8.3.1
|
the
Vendor and the Purchaser shall execute before a notary the Deed of
Sale in
respect of the Montreal Plant which is attached hereto as
Appendix “D”;
|
8.3.2
|
FTQ
shall execute in favour of the Wolverine Group the guarantee attached
hereto as Appendix “E” (the “Initial
Guarantee”);
and
|
-
14
-
8.3.3
|
the
Purchaser shall enter into new agreements with Hydro-Quebec, Protectron
and Videotron with respect of the Montreal Plant and thereafter use
its
best efforts to obtain a release and discharge of Wolverine Canada
by each
of such parties in respect of Wolverine Canada’s obligations under the
agreements annexed hereto as Schedule 8.3.3.
|
9.
|
NOTICES
|
All
notices, requests, instructions or other documents to be given hereunder shall
be in writing, and shall be sent either by telecopier, messenger or mail, return
receipt requested, as follows:
To
the
Vendor:
3226522
Nova Scotia Limited
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxxxxx
XX 00000
Attention
: Xx. Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
To
Wolverine:
Wolverine
Tube, Inc.
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention
: Xx. Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
In
each case with a copy to:
Wolverine
Tube, Inc.
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
Corporate
Counsel & Assistant Corporate Secretary
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
-
15
-
and
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx L.L.P.
0000
Xxxx-Xxxxxxxx Xxxx. Xxxx
Xxxxx
0000
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxx
X0X
0X0
Attention :
Xx. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx or Xx. Xxxxx Xxxxx
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
To
the
Purchaser:
MANGO
COPPER INDUSTRIES INC.
000
Xx-Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxx
(Xxxxxx)
X0X
0X0
Attention:
Xx. Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
with
a
copy to:
FONDS
DE SOLIDARITÉ DES TRAVAILLEURS DU QUÉBEC (F.T.Q.)
000,
xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Est, Bureau 000
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxx
X0X
0X0
Attention:
Vice-President, Legal Affairs
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
To
the
Intervenor:
Xx. Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
9351,
Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx
Contrecoeur
(Quebec)
J0L
1C0
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
-
16
-
10.
|
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
|
10.1
|
Publicity.
Except as required by law, no public announcement or press release
concerning this agreement or the transactions contemplated by this
agreement may be made by the Purchaser or Intervenor, on the one
hand, or
the Vendor or Wolverine, on the other hand, without the prior consent
and
joint approval of the Purchaser and the
Vendor.
|
10.2
|
Cooperation.
The
Vendor and Wolverine, on the one hand, and Purchaser and the Intervenor,
on the other hand, shall, subject to the terms and provisions hereof,
deliver or cause to be delivered to the other at such times and places
after the Closing Date as shall be reasonably agreed to, such additional
documents and instruments as the other may reasonably request for
the
purpose of carrying out the transactions contemplated by this agreement.
The Vendor and the Purchaser will cooperate with one another after
the
Closing Date in furnishing information, evidence and testimony in
connection with any tax return filing obligations, actions, proceedings,
arrangements or disputes of any nature with respect to matters pertaining
to the Purchased Assets.
|
10.3
|
Counterparts.
This agreement may be executed by the Parties hereto in separate
counterparts (including via facsimile), each of which when so executed
and
delivered shall be an original but all such counterparts together
shall
constitute one and the same
instrument.
|
10.4
|
Expenses.
Each Party to this agreement shall pay its own costs and expenses
in
connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery
of
this agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby, including, but not limited to, attorneys' fees and costs,
accountants' fees and other professional fees and
expenses.
|
10.5
|
Remedies
Cumulative.
No
right, remedy or election given by any term of this agreement shall
be
deemed exclusive but each shall be cumulative with all other rights,
remedies and elections available at law or in
equity.
|
10.6
|
Representation
by Counsel.
Each Party to this agreement represents and warrants that counsel
in the
negotiation, drafting and execution of this agreement has represented
such
Party.
|
10.7
|
Amendments;
Waivers. This
agreement may be amended or modified and the terms or covenants hereof
may
be waived, only by a written instrument executed by the Parties hereto,
or
in the case of a waiver, by the Party waiving compliance. No delay
of or
omission in the exercise of any right, power or remedy accruing to
any
Party as a result of any breach or default by any other Party under
this
agreement shall be construed as a waiver of or acquiescence in any
such
breach or default, or of any similar breach or default occurring
later. No
waiver by any Party of the breach of any term or covenant contained
in
this agreement, whether by conduct or otherwise, in any one or more
instances, shall be deemed to be, or construed as, a further or continuing
waiver of any such breach, or a waiver of the breach of any other
term or
covenant contained in this
agreement.
|
10.8
|
Headings.
The inclusion of headings in this agreement is for convenience of
reference only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation
hereof.
|
-
17
-
10.9
|
Currency.
All dollar amounts stated in this agreement are in Canadian
dollars.
|
10.10
|
Preamble
and Schedules.
The preamble and any schedules to this agreement are incorporated
by
reference herein and form an integral part
hereof.
|
10.11
|
Severability.
Each of the provisions of this agreement is distinct and severable
and a
declaration of invalidity or unenforceability of any such provision
or
part thereof by a court of competent jurisdiction will not affect
the
validity or enforceability of any other provision
thereof.
|
10.12
|
Successors
and Assigns.
Neither this agreement nor any of the rights or obligations of a
Party
hereto may be assigned in whole or in part without the prior written
consent of the other Parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Wolverine,
on
behalf of the Wolverine Group, shall be entitled to assign its rights
hereunder in favour of any affiliate (as defined in the Canada
Business Corporations Act)
or partner of any of the Wolverine Group, or in the context of an
amalgamation with any other person or in the context of a sale of
all or
substantially all of the assets of any of the Wolverine Group. In
each
case of assignment in the previous sentence, the Purchaser must be
notified in writing of such assignment and Wolverine shall continue
to act
on behalf of any assignee as one of the Wolverine Group. This agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties hereto
and
their respective heirs, executors, liquidators, administrators, successors
and permitted assigns.
|
10.13
|
Governing
Law.
This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the
laws of the Province of Quebec and the laws of Canada applicable
therein.
|
10.14
|
Jurisdiction
and Venue.
Each of the Parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
submits,
for itself and its assets and properties, to the exclusive jurisdiction
of
the courts of the judicial district of Montreal, in any suit, action
or
proceeding arising out of or relating to this agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereunder, and each of the Parties hereto
hereby
irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect
of any
such suit, action or proceeding shall be heard and determined in
any such
court. Each of the Parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in
any such
suit, action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced
in
other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner
provided by law. Each of the Parties hereto irrevocably and
unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and
effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have
to the
laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of
or
relating to this agreement or the transactions contemplated hereunder
in
the courts of the judicial district of Montreal. Each of the Parties
hereto irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law,
the
defence of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such suit,
action
or proceeding in any such court.
|
10.15
|
Language.
This agreement has been drafted in English at the express request
of the
Parties. Cette convention a été rédigée en anglais à la demande expresse
des parties.
|
(signature
page follows)
-
18
-
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the
Parties have executed this agreement in Montreal, Province of Quebec, on this
25th day of September, 2008
Per:
|
/s/
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
|
XXXXX
XXXXXXX, President
|
|
3226522
NOVA SCOTIA LIMITED
|
|
Per:
|
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxx |
Vice
President
|
|
WOLVERINE
TUBE, INC.
|
|
Per:
|
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxx |
President,
Chief Operating Officer
|
|
XXXXX
XXXXXXX
|
|
(xxxxxxxxx)
|
-
00
-