1
Exhibit 10.27
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of
August 27, 1999 by and between WINSLOEW FURNITURE, INC., a Florida corporation
(the "Company"), and R. XXXXX XXXXX (the "Executive").
RECITALS
A. The Executive is currently employed as Executive Vice President -
Seating of the Company.
B. The Executive possesses intimate knowledge of the business and
affairs of the Company, its policies, methods and personnel.
C. The Company and Trivest Furniture Corporation, a Florida corporation
(the "Purchaser"), have entered into a Second Amended and Restated Agreement and
Plan of Merger, dated May 4, 1999, pursuant to which the Purchaser will merge
with and into the Company, with the Company being the surviving corporation (the
"Merger").
D. The Company recognizes that the Executive has contributed to its
growth and success, and desires to assure the Executive's employment by the
Company following the Merger and to compensate him therefor pursuant to this
Agreement.
E. The Executive is willing to make his services available to the
Company on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT.
1.1 GENERAL. The Company hereby agrees to employ the
Executive, and the Executive hereby agrees to serve the Company on the terms and
conditions set forth herein.
1.2 DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE. During the term of this Agreement,
the Executive shall serve as Executive Vice President - Seating of the Company,
shall diligently perform all services as may be assigned to him by the Company's
President and
1
2
Chief Executive Officer and/or the Company's Board of Directors or any
authorized Committee of the Board of Directors (the full Board or such
Committee, as the case may be, is referred to herein as the "Board"), and shall
exercise such power and authority as may from time to time be delegated to him
by the Board. The Executive shall devote his full time and attention to the
business and affairs of the Company, render such services to the best of his
ability, and use his best efforts to promote the interests of the Company.
2. TERM.
2.1 INITIAL TERM. The initial term of this Agreement, and the
employment of the Executive hereunder, shall be for the five-year period
commencing on the later to occur of the effective date of the Merger and the
date hereof (the "Initial Term"), unless sooner terminated in accordance with
the terms and conditions hereof, provided, however, that the Initial Term of
this Agreement shall in no event commence if the consummation of the Merger does
not occur on or before August 31, 1999.
2.2 RENEWAL TERMS. The Initial Term of this Agreement, and the
employment of the Executive hereunder, may be renewed and extended for such
period or periods as may be mutually agreed to by the Company and the Executive
in a written supplement to this Agreement signed by the Executive and the
Company ("Written Supplement"). If this Agreement is not so renewed and extended
prior to the expiration of the Initial Term, this Agreement, and the employment
of the Executive hereunder, shall automatically terminate upon the expiration of
the Initial Term.
3. COMPENSATION.
3.1 BASE SALARY. THE EXECUTIVE SHALL RECEIVE A BASE SALARY
(THE "BASE SALARY") AT THE ANNUAL RATE OF NOT LESS THAN $195,650 FOR THE PERIOD
COMMENCING ON THE DATE OF THE MERGER AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND AT THE
ANNUAL RATE OF NOT LESS THAN $205,650 FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE INITIAL TERM,
with such Base Salary payable in installments consistent with the Company's
normal payroll schedule, subject to applicable withholding and other taxes. The
Base Salary shall be adjusted annually to reflect, at a minimum, any increase
from the previous year in the national Consumer Price Index. The Base Salary
shall also be reviewed, at least annually, for merit increases and may, by
action and in the discretion of the Board, be increased at any time or from time
to time. The Base Salary, if so increased, shall not thereafter be decreased for
any reason. If the term of this Agreement shall be renewed and extended as
provided in Section 2.2 hereof, then during such renewal term of his employment
hereunder, the Executive shall be paid a base salary as set forth in the Written
Supplement.
3.2 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION.
(a) In addition to the Base Salary, the Executive
shall be entitled to receive annual incentive compensation ("Incentive
Compensation"), in the amount determined pursuant to this Section 3.2, for each
fiscal year ending during the term of this
2
3
Agreement COMMENCING WITH FISCAL 2000 for which the Company's Contract Seating
Division has Operating Earnings (as hereafter defined) of at least seventy-five
percent (75%) of the Target Earnings (as hereinafter defined) of the Company's
Contract Seating Division for such year; PROVIDED, THAT INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
BASED ON THE COMPANY'S 1999 OPERATING RESULTS SHALL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE EXECUTIVE'S EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE COMPANY DATED NOVEMBER 4,
1994 (THE "PRIOR EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT"). For purposes of this Section 3.2,
"Operating Earnings" shall mean the consolidated operating earnings of the
Company's Contract Seating Division as determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), consistently applied with the Company's
past practices, provided, however, that such Operating Earnings shall not
reflect (i.e., shall not be reduced by) any amortization of goodwill. The
determination of Operating Earnings made by the Company shall be final and
binding on the parties to this Agreement. For purposes of this Section 3.2, the
"Target Earnings" of the Company's Contract Seating Division shall be as
determined by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the
right to modify, at any time and in its sole discretion, any previously
established "Target Earnings" for reasons such as, but not limited to, any
acquisition, disposition, merger, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or
other transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or other
extraordinary or significant events or changes in circumstances relating to the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, businesses or operations.
(b) The amount of the Executive's Incentive
Compensation for each fiscal year shall be determined as follows:
I. If the Operating Earnings for the year do
not exceed the Target Earnings for the year, the Incentive Compensation shall be
calculated by (A) multiplying (i) EIGHTY-FIVE PERCENT (85%) of the Executive's
Base Salary for the year (the "Maximum Bonus") BY (ii) the remainder of (w) the
fraction obtained by dividing the Operating Earnings by the Target Earnings,
LESS (x) 0.75, and then (B) multiplying the resulting product by three (3); or
II. If the Operating Earnings for the year
exceed the Target Earnings for the year, the Incentive Compensation shall be
calculated by (A) multiplying (i) the Maximum Bonus BY (ii) the remainder of (y)
the fraction obtained by dividing the Operating Earnings by the Target Earnings,
LESS (z) 1.0, and then (B) multiplying the resulting product by two (2), and
then adding 75% of the Maximum Bonus; provided, however, that in no event shall
the Incentive Compensation for any year exceed the Maximum Bonus.
III. For example, (A) if Operating Earnings
are 75% of the applicable Target Earnings or less, the Executive's Incentive
Compensation for that year would be zero, (B) if Operating Earnings are 90% of
the applicable Target Earnings, the Executive's Incentive Compensation for that
year would be 45% of the Maximum Bonus, (C) if Operating Earnings are 100% of
the Target Earnings, the Executive's Incentive Compensation for that year would
be 75% of the Maximum Bonus, (D) if the Operating
3
4
Earnings are 110% of the Target Earnings, the Executive's Incentive Compensation
for that year would be 95% of the Maximum Bonus, and (E) if the Operating
Earnings are 120% of the Target Earnings, the Executive's Incentive Compensation
for that year would be limited to 100% of the Maximum Bonus.
(c) For purposes of this Agreement, the amount of
Incentive Compensation payable with respect to any fiscal year (net of any tax
or other amount properly withheld therefrom) shall be paid by the Company to
Executive within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of the fiscal year;
provided, however, that any amount paid shall be subject to increase or decrease
based upon the results of any audited financial statements with respect to such
year.
3.3 INITIAL BONUS. IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING INTO THIS
AGREEMENT, THE COMPANY AGREES TO PAY THE EXECUTIVE WITHIN FORTY-FIVE (45) DAYS
AN INITIAL BONUS OF $10,000.
4. EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT AND OTHER BENEFITS.
4.1 REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES. During the term of the Executive's
employment hereunder, the Company, upon the submission of proper substantiation
by the Executive, shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable expenses
actually and necessarily paid or incurred by the Executive in the course of and
pursuant to the business of the Company.
4.2 OTHER BENEFITS. The Executive shall be entitled to
participate in all medical and hospitalization, group life insurance, and any
and all other plans as are presently and hereinafter provided by the Company to
its executives. The Executive shall be entitled to vacations in accordance with
the Company's prevailing policy for its executives; provided, however, that in
no event may a vacation be taken at a time when to do so could, in the
reasonable judgment of the Board, adversely affect the Company's business.
4.3 WORKING FACILITIES. The Company shall furnish the
Executive with an office, secretarial help and such other facilities and
services suitable to his position and adequate for the performance of his duties
hereunder
5. TERMINATION.
5.1 TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. The Company shall at all times have
the right, upon written notice to the Executive, to terminate the Executive's
employment hereunder for "Cause" (as defined below in this paragraph 5.1). Upon
any termination pursuant to this Section 5.1, the Executive shall be entitled to
be paid his Base Salary to the date of termination and the Company shall have no
further liability hereunder (other than for reimbursement for reasonable
business expenses incurred prior to the date of termination, subject, however to
the provisions of Section 4.1). For purposes of this
4
5
Agreement, the term "Cause" shall mean (i) the willful failure or refusal of the
Executive to perform the duties or render the services assigned to him from time
to time by the Board, (ii) gross negligence or misconduct by the Executive in
the performance of his duties to the Company, (iii) the charging or indictment
of the Executive in connection with a felony, (iv) the association, directly or
indirectly, of the Executive, for his profit or financial benefit, with any
person, firm, partnership, association, entity or corporation that competes, in
any material way, with the Company, (v) the disclosing or using of any material
trade secret or confidential information of the Company at any time by the
Executive, except as required in connection with his duties to the Company, (vi)
the breach by the Executive of his fiduciary duty or duty of trust to the
Company, or (vii) any breach or unsatisfactory performance by the Executive of
any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement or any other agreement with the
Company or any of its subsidiaries (whether written or oral), which is not cured
within twenty (20) business days after the Company gives written notice of such
breach or unsatisfactory performance to the Executive.
5.2 DISABILITY. The Company shall at all times have the right,
upon written notice to the Executive, to terminate the Executive's employment
hereunder, if the Executive shall, as the result of mental or physical
incapacity, illness or disability, become unable to perform his duties hereunder
for in excess of ninety (90) days in any 12-month period. Upon any termination
pursuant to this Section 5.2, the Company shall pay to the Executive any unpaid
amounts of his Base Salary and Incentive Compensation accrued through the
effective date of termination and the Company shall have no further liability
hereunder (other than for reimbursement for reasonable business expenses
incurred prior to the date of termination, subject, however to the provisions of
Section 4.1).
5.3 DEATH. In the event of the death of the Executive during
the term of his employment hereunder, the Company shall pay to the estate of the
deceased Executive any unpaid amounts of his Base Salary and Incentive
Compensation accrued through the date of his death and the Company shall have no
further liability hereunder (other than for reimbursement for reasonable
business expenses incurred prior to the date of the Executive's death, subject,
however to the provisions of Section 4.1).
5.4 TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE. At any time the Company shall
have the right to terminate the Executive's employment hereunder by written
notice to the Executive; provided, however, that, the Company shall (i) pay to
the Executive any unpaid Base Salary and Incentive Compensation accrued through
the effective date of termination specified in such notice, and (ii) pay
Executive's Base Salary in the manner set forth in Section 3.1 hereof until the
date which is six months following such effective date (the "Severance Date").
The Company shall have no further liability hereunder (other than for
reimbursement for reasonable business expenses incurred prior to the date of
termination, subject, however to the provisions of Section 4.1).
5
6
6. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.
6.1 NON-COMPETITION. While employed by the Company and for a
period of one year (except that such period shall be six months if Executive's
employment is terminated pursuant to Section 5.4 hereof) following the later of
the date his employment is terminated hereunder or, if applicable, the Severance
Date, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in or have any
interest in any sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or business or any
other person or entity (whether as an employee, officer, director, partner,
agent, security holder, creditor, consultant or otherwise) that directly or
indirectly engages in competition with the Company in any state, country,
commonwealth, territory or other place in which the Company sells its products
(it being agreed that for all purposes of this Section 6, "the Company" shall
include all of its subsidiaries).
6.2 NONDISCLOSURE. The Executive shall not divulge,
communicate, use to the detriment of the Company or for the benefit of any other
person or persons, or misuse in any way, any trade secrets or confidential
information pertaining to the business of the Company. Any confidential
information, trade secrets or data now known or hereafter acquired by the
Executive with respect to the business of the Company (which shall include, but
not be limited to, information concerning the Company's financial condition,
prospects, customers, sources of leads, methods of doing business, and the
manner of design, manufacture, financing, marketing and distribution of the
Company's products) shall be deemed a valuable, special and unique asset of the
Company that is received by the Executive in confidence and as a fiduciary, and
Executive shall remain a fiduciary to the Company with respect to all of such
information.
6.3 NONSOLICITATION OF EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS. While employed
by the Company and for a period of three years (except that the period with
respect to the prohibitions in clause (ii) hereof shall be six months if
Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 5.4 hereof) following
the later of the date his employment is terminated hereunder or, if applicable,
the Severance Date, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, for himself
or for any other person, firm, corporation, partnership, association or other
entity, (i) attempt to employ or enter into any contractual arrangement with any
employee or former employee of the Company, unless such employee or former
employee has not been employed by the Company for a period in excess of six
months, and/or (ii) call on or solicit any of the actual or targeted prospective
customers or clients of the Company, nor shall the Executive make known the
names and addresses of such customers or any information relating in any manner
to the Company's trade or business relationships with such customers.
6.4 BOOKS AND RECORDS. All books, records, and accounts
relating in any manner to the customers or clients of the Company, whether
prepared by the Executive or otherwise coming into the Executive's possession,
shall be the exclusive property of the Company and shall be returned immediately
to the Company on termination of the Executive's employment hereunder or on the
Company's request at any time.
6
7
7. INJUNCTION. It is recognized and hereby acknowledged by the parties
hereto that a breach by the Executive of any of the covenants contained in
Section 6 of this Agreement will cause irreparable harm and damage to the
Company, the monetary amount of which may be virtually impossible to ascertain.
As a result, the Executive recognizes and hereby acknowledges that the Company
shall be entitled to an injunction from any court of competent jurisdiction
enjoining and restraining any violation of any or all of the covenants contained
in Section 6 of this Agreement by the Executive or any of his affiliates,
associates, partners or agents, either directly or indirectly, and that such
right to injunction shall be cumulative and in addition to whatever other
remedies the Company may possess.
8. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Florida.
9. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and, upon
the commencement of the Initial Term of this Agreement, shall supersede all
prior agreements, understandings and arrangements, both oral and written,
between the Executive and the Company (or any of its respective affiliates) with
respect to such subject matter, including the Prior Employment Agreement. Except
for the obligation to pay all accrued but unpaid salary and other compensation
due the Executive under the Prior Employment Agreement through the commencement
of the Initial Term of this Agreement (including any compensation based on the
Company's 1999 operating results, which compensation shall be determined in
accordance with the Prior Employment Agreement as if the Merger did not occur),
all such prior agreements (including the Prior Employment Agreement),
understandings and arrangements for the provision of services by the Executive
to the Company and the compensation of the Executive in any form shall
automatically terminate upon the commencement of the Initial Term of this
Agreement, and each party shall thereupon and thereby, without any further
action, release and forever discharge the other (and the other's affiliates)
from any and all liabilities and obligations of any nature arising out of or in
connection with any and all such prior agreements, understandings or
arrangements. This Agreement may not be modified in any way unless by a written
instrument signed by both the Company and the Executive.
10. NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted to be given hereunder
shall be deemed given when delivered by hand or when deposited in the United
States mail, by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, (i) if to the Company, to the address of the Company's principal
offices in Birmingham, Alabama (with a copy to Trivest, Inc., 0000 Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000, Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx,
Vice President and General Counsel), and (ii) if to the Executive, to his
address as reflected on the payroll records of the Company, or to such other
address as either party hereto may from time to time give notice of to the
other.
11. BENEFITS; BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall be for the benefit
of and binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal
representative, legal
7
8
representatives, successors and, where applicable, assigns, including, without
limitation, any successor to the Company, whether by merger, consolidation, sale
of stock, sale of assets or otherwise; provided, however that the Executive
shall not delegate his employment obligations hereunder, or any portion thereof,
to any other person.
12. SEVERABILITY. The invalidity of any one or more of the words,
phrases, sentences, clauses or sections contained in this Agreement shall not
affect the enforceability of the remaining portions of this Agreement or any
part thereof, all of which are inserted conditionally on their being valid in
law, and, in the event that any one or more of the words, phrases, sentences,
clauses or sections contained in this Agreement shall be declared invalid, this
Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid word or words, phrase or
phrases, sentence or sentences, clause or clauses, or section or sections had
not been inserted. If such invalidity is caused by length of time or size of
area, or both, the otherwise invalid provision will be considered to be reduced
to a period or area which would cure such invalidity.
13. WAIVERS. The waiver by either party hereto of a breach or violation
of any term or provision of this Agreement shall not operate nor be construed as
a waiver of any subsequent breach or violation.
14. DAMAGES. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent the
Company or the Executive from seeking and recovering from the other damages
sustained by either or both of them as a result of its or his breach of any term
or provision of this Agreement. In the event that either party hereto brings
suit for the collection of any damages resulting from, or for the injunction of
any action constituting, a breach of any of the terms or provisions of this
Agreement, then the party found to be at fault shall pay all reasonable court
costs and attorneys' fees of the other.
15. SECTION HEADINGS. The section headings contained in this Agreement
are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
16. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY. Nothing expressed or implied in this
Agreement is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon or give any person
other than the Company, the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal
representatives, legal representatives, successors and assigns, any rights or
remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.
8
9
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of
the date first above written.
WINSLOEW FURNITURE, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx
---------------------------------
Xxxxx Xxxxxx,
President and Chief Executive Officer
EXECUTIVE
/s/ R. Xxxxx Xxxxx
--------------------------------
R. Xxxxx Xxxxx
9
