Distribution Agreement
Exhibit
10.3
Distribution
Agreement
This
Distribution Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made this
31st
day of October, 2008, (the “Effective Date”) by and
between Xxxxxx Technologies (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the People's Republic of China having its principal
place of business at 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, People's
Republic of China 215122, Xxxxxx Technologies (Singapore) Inc., a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of Singapore having its principal place of
business at 00 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx, #00-00 Xxxxx XxxxXxxx , Xxxxxxxxx 000000, and
Xxxxxx Southeast Asia, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws
of Hong Kong having its principal place of business at Xxxx 0000, 00/X, Xxxxx
Xxxxx, 3 On Yiu Street, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong (collectively, the
“Distributor”), and
Xxxxxx Induflex NV, a Belgian company with registered office at 9000 Ghent,
Ottergemsesteenweg 799 and registered with the Crossroads Bank of Enterprises
under enterprise number 0427693784 (“Company”) (which will be
renamed “Induflex NV” shortly after the change of control occurring as of the
date hereof and described below). Distributor and Company are each
referred to herein, individually, as a “Party” and, collectively, as
the “Parties”.
The
Parties hereto agree as follows:
Whereas,
Company is in the business of the development, manufacture and sale of
laminates, coated tapes and films for purposes of shielding, insulating, barring
and identification;
Whereas,
Distributor has, prior to Effective Date, distributed the Company’s
products;
Whereas,
Company has recently undergone a change of control; and
Whereas,
following such change of control, Distributor has agreed to continue to act as a
distributor of the Company’s products to its customers, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth herein.
Now
therefore, in consideration of the mutual agreements and covenants
contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto, intending to
be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
1.
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Term: Unless earlier
terminated as provided for herein, the term of this Agreement shall
commence on the Effective Date and end on the six month anniversary
thereof (the “Initial Term”). Following
the Initial Term, this Agreement may be renewed for an additional six
month term unless either Party shall have given the other written notice
of non-renewal at least thirty (30) days’ prior to the expiration of the
then current term.
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2.
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Products:
This Agreement governs Distributor’s distribution of multilayer laminates
comprised of layers of any of the following
products: polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene
naphthalate (PEN), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), aluminum, copper, Mylar,
Tedlar and adhesives, as currently manufactured by the Company (the “Products”).
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3.
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Orders:
Distributor will supply purchase orders to Company on a mutually
acceptable form, via fax, email or phone to a person designated in advance
by the Company in accordance with Section 15. All purchases by
Distributor of Products shall be subject to Distributor’s general terms
and conditions of purchase.
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4.
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Product
Pricing:
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(a)
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Product Price: The
Product Price for each Product shall be the retail price for each such
Product, less a fifteen percent (15%) discount (the “Product
Price”). All Product Prices shall be expressed in U.S.
dollars.
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(b)
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Adjustment: In the
event that the currency exchange rate of the U.S. dollar (USD) to the
China Yuan Renminbi (CNY) deviates
more than five percent (5%) from the rate of 1 USD = 6.8 CNY, then the Product
Price will be adjusted accordingly.
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5.
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Payment
Terms: All of Company’s invoices for Products shall be due and
payable by Distributor within seventy-five (75) days after receipt of
Products by Distributor.
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6.
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Delivery;
Risk of Loss: All deliveries of Products will be made CFR, Shanghai
(Incoterms 2000). Distributor shall pay all applicable insurance, duties,
taxes inland freight and similar charges from the delivery
point. Distributor shall give Company written notice of any
claimed shipping error within seventy-five (75) days after the date of
receipt of Products by Distributor.
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7.
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Product
Promotion: Distributor will not be obligated to promote Company’s
Products, but Distributor will promote its own distribution services to
its customers in accordance with Distributor’s standard business
practices, which typically include (but are not limited to) informing
Distributor’s customers of pricing available for products distributed by
Distributor.
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8.
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Termination:
This Agreement may be terminated as
follows:
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(a)
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By
either Party immediately upon any material breach by either Party, where
such material breach remains uncured for more than five (5) business days
following notice by the non-breaching
Party.
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(b)
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Immediately
upon notification or at any time thereafter, either Party may terminate
this Agreement in the event that:
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(i)
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the
other Party shall file any petition under any bankruptcy, reorganization,
insolvency or moratorium laws, or any other law or laws for the relief of
or in relation to the relief of
debtors;
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(ii)
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there
shall be filed against the other Party any involuntary petition under any
bankruptcy statute or a receiver or trustee shall be appointed to take
possession of all or substantial part of the assets of the Party which has
not been dismissed or terminated within sixty (60) days of the date of
such filing or appointment;
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(iii)
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the
other Party shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors
or shall become unable or admit in writing its inability to meet its
obligations as they mature;
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(iv)
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the
other Party shall institute any proceedings for liquidation or the winding
up of its business other than for purposes of reorganization,
consolidation or merger; or
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(v)
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the
other Party’s financial condition shall become such as to endanger
completion of its performance in accordance with the terms and conditions
of this Agreement.
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(c)
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By
Distributor upon fifteen (15) days written notice if Company is acquired
in whole or in substantial part by, or is merged with, a third party, or
sells all or substantially all of its assets to a third
party.
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(d)
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By
Company upon sixty (60) days’ written notice for any
reason.
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(e)
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Effect of Termination:
In the event of expiration or termination of this Agreement, Distributor
shall be allowed a one time right to order an amount of Products, upon the
terms and conditions valid at the date of termination and in line with
market prices and conditions at such time, sufficient to fulfill all
purchase orders outstanding as of the date of such
termination.
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9.
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Statutory
and Regulatory Compliance: Distributor and
Company shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations governing
their activities related to this Agreement, including without limitation,
laws related to fraud and abuse, false claims and prohibition on
kickbacks.
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10.
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Confidentiality:
Each Party shall take all reasonable actions and do all things reasonably
necessary to ensure that any information contained in this Agreement, as
well as any information relating to this Agreement or is acquired by
virtue of this Agreement (in either case, “Confidential
Information”) shall not be disclosed or used for purposes outside
this Agreement; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to
information that: (i) is provided to the disclosing Party’s attorneys or
accountants (who will agree to be bound by confidentiality restrictions no
less restrictive than are set forth herein); (ii) is requested by a legal
or regulatory authority; (iii) is provided by the disclosing Party to its
Affiliate (provided such Affiliate is subject to the confidentiality
restrictions herein), and for the purpose of this section “Affiliate” shall mean a
person or another entity which directly or indirectly controls, is
controlled by, or is under the common control with that entity; (iv) a
Party can show it knew prior to disclosure without obligation of
confidentiality; (v) is or becomes public knowledge through no fault said
Party; (vi) is lawfully disclosed by a third party under no obligation of
confidentiality; or (vii) is required to be disclosed pursuant to court
order or by law; provided that the non-disclosing Party shall be provided
with prompt written notice of any such requirement so that it may seek a
protective order or other appropriate remedy. This Section shall survive
any termination of this Agreement for a period of five (5) years
thereafter. Each Party shall either return to the disclosing Party, or
destroy, all Confidential Information received hereunder upon the
expiration or termination of this Agreement, except that either Party may
retain one (1) copy of such Confidential Information in order to satisfy
any future legal obligations it may
have.
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11.
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Warranty:
Each Party hereby represents and warrants that (a) it has the corporate
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its
obligations hereunder, (b) this Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered and represents a legal and valid obligation, binding upon and
enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as such
enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar law affecting creditor’s rights
generally, or (ii) general principles of equity, whether considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law, (c) the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement by it does not conflict with any agreement,
instrument or understanding, oral or written, to which it is a party or by
which it is bound, (d) the execution of this Agreement by each Party, and
its performance by such Party in accordance with its terms, does not and
would not violate any law or regulation of any court, governmental body or
administrative or other agency within the jurisdiction to which such Party
is currently subject as of the date hereof, and (e) all necessary consent,
approvals and authorizations of any governmental authorities and third
parties required to be obtained by it in connection with this Agreement
have been obtained.
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12.
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Mutual
Indemnification:
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(a)
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Distributor
will indemnify and hold Company harmless from and against any loss, cost,
damage, expense, or other liability, including, without limitation,
reasonable costs and attorney fees (“Costs”) incurred in
connection with any and all third party claims, suits, investigations or
enforcement actions (“Claims”) as a result of
Distributor’s negligent acts, negligent omissions, or willful misconduct,
or Distributor’s breach of this Agreement, except and to the extent caused
by the negligence or willful misconduct of Company or Company’s breach of
this Agreement.
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(b)
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Company
will indemnify and hold Distributor harmless from and against any Costs
for Claims incurred by Distributor as a result of Company’s manufacturing
of the Products, negligent acts, negligent omissions, willful misconduct,
or Company’s breach of this Agreement, except and to the extent caused by
the negligence or willful misconduct of Distributor or Distributor’s
breach of this Agreement.
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(c)
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In
the event that Distributor is unable, due to the insolvency of any
customer, to collect the full amount of an invoice for the Products from
such customer, then Distributor shall have the right to charge back an
amount equal to eighty-five percent (85%) of such uncollected invoice to
Company.
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(d)
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As a
condition of indemnification, the Party seeking indemnification shall
notify, to the extent possible under applicable law, the indemnifying
Party in writing promptly upon learning of any Claim for which
indemnification may be sought hereunder. The indemnifying Party shall
control the defense of such Claim and the indemnified Party shall have a
right to participate in the defense of such Claim at its expense, and the
Parties will cooperate in such defense. The indemnifying Party shall not
settle any Claim without the written consent of the indemnified Party,
which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld.
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13.
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Limitation on
Liability:
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IN
NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL,
INDIRECT OR SPECIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
AGREEMENT; PROVIDED, THAT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL LIMIT A PARTY'S RIGHT TO
CLAIM INDEMNIFICATION FOR LOSSES IT HAS INCURRED AS A RESULT OF LIABILITY
FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR SPECIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND
WHATSOEVER TO THIRD PARTIES.
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14.
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Insurance:
Distributor and Company shall maintain such policies of general
liability, professional liability, and other insurance of the types and in
amounts customarily carried by their respective businesses. Each Party
shall provide the other with reasonable proof of insurance upon written
request.
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15.
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Notice:
All notices, consents, claims (for Costs or otherwise), waivers and
other communications under this Agreement must be in writing (in the
English language) and will be deemed to have been duly given when (i)
delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt), (ii) sent by
telecopier (with confirmation of receipt in a manner permitted herein), or
(iii) when received by the addressee, if sent by courier or other delivery
service, in each case to the appropriate address and telecopier numbers
set forth below (or to such other addresses and telecopier numbers as a
Party may designate by notice to the other
Parties):
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If
to Distributor:
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c/o
Rogers Corporation
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Xxx
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
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Xxxxxx,
XX 00000
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Facsimile No:
x0-000-000-0000
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Attn.:
Corporate Secretary
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With
copies to:
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Xxxxx
& Xxxxxxxx LLP
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000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
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Xxxxxx,
XX 00000
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Facsimile
No: +1-617- 345-3299
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Attn: Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
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Xxxxxx
XXXX
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Xxxxxxxxxx
000
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Xxxx,
X-0000, Xxxxxxx
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Facsimile No:
x00-0-000-0000
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Attn:
Vice President, Rogers Europe
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Xxxxxx
Technologies (Suzhou)
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000
XxxxXx Xxxx
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Suzhou
Industrial Park,
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Suzhou,
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People's
Republic of China 215122
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Attn:
Vice President, Asia
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If
to Company:
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Xxxxxx
Induflex NV
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Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
000,
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0000
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx
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Facsimile
No: x00-0-000-00-00
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Attn.:
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
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16.
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Severability:
In the event any portion of this Agreement shall be held illegal, void or
ineffective, such portion(s) shall be deemed stricken and the remaining
portions hereof shall remain in full force and effect, except to the
extent that doing so would result in a manifest injustice. Subject to the
consent of both Parties, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, if
any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement are in conflict with any
applicable statute or rule of law, then such terms or provisions shall be
deemed inoperative to the extent that they may conflict therewith and
shall be deemed to be modified to conform with such statute or rule of
law.
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17.
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Audit: Both Parties shall
have the right to conduct an audit of the other Party’s books and records
on reasonable advance notice to determine whether the other Party has
complied with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. Each Party shall
pay their respective expenses associated with the audit. The audit shall
be conducted at the audited Party’s place of business during such Party’s
normal business hours; provided, that the auditors agree to be bound by
confidentiality restrictions no less restrictive than are set forth
herein.
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18.
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Entire
Agreement: With regard to the issues addressed herein, this
Agreement and the Exhibits hereto contain the entire agreement and
understanding of the Parties, and supersedes any and all prior agreements
and understandings regarding the same subject matter. No amendment,
modification, revision, representation, warranty, promise or waiver of or
to this Agreement shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing
and signed by both Parties.
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19.
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Counterparts:
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which
together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
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20.
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Assignment:
Company may not assign this Agreement without the written consent
of Distributor. Distributor shall have the right to (a) assign
this Agreement, and (ii) delegate certain administrative functions as set
forth herein to an affiliated
entity.
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21.
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Delegation
of Responsibilities: Distributor may
engage a third party to conduct certain administrative functions on its
behalf, including, but not limited to, data compilation and reporting
services, financial accounting and processing services, or any other
function relating to any of Distributor’s obligations set forth herein.
Company agrees to cooperate with Distributor’s reasonable requests
relating to Distributor’s engagement of any such third party and such
third will be bound by confidentiality restrictions no less restrictive
than are set forth herein.
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22.
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Force
Majeure: Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, neither
Party shall be liable in any manner for any delay to perform its
obligations hereunder which are beyond a Party’s reasonable control,
including, without limitation, any delay or failure due to strikes, labor
disputes, riots, earthquakes, storms, hurricanes, floods or other extreme
weather conditions, fires, explosions, acts of God, embargoes, war or
other outbreak of hostilities, government acts or regulations, or the
failure or inability of carriers, suppliers, delivery services, or
telecommunications providers to provide services necessary to enable a
Party to perform its obligations hereunder. In any such circumstance, the
Party unable to perform its obligations shall notify the other Party of
such circumstance, and said other Party shall have the right to terminate
this Agreement immediately upon provision of written notice if the Party
of the first part continues to be unable to perform its obligations
hereunder for a period of thirty (30)
days.
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23.
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Waiver: No waiver of any term
of this Agreement shall be valid unless waived in writing and signed by
the Party against whom the waiver is sought. The failure of either Party
to require performance by the other Party of any provision hereof shall
not affect in anyway the right to require such performance at any time
thereafter.
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24.
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Independent
Contractors: Nothing in this Agreement is intended to create any
relationship between Distributor and Company other than as independent
contractors and neither Party, nor any of their employees, staff, agents,
officers or directors shall be construed to be the agent, fiduciary,
employee, or representative of the
other.
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25.
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Choice
of Law: This Agreement and performance of the obligations
hereunder, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the
laws of Belgium. Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out
of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach or invalidity thereof,
will be settled by arbitration in accordance with the provisions of
Section 9(f) of that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of the
date hereof, by and among Xxxxxx Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation
and affiliate of Distributor, and Company, which are incorporated herein
by reference, mutadis
mutandis, as if they were expressly set forth
herein. The Parties expressly reject the applicability to this
Agreement of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the
International Sale of Goods. This Agreement may be translated
into languages other than the English; provided, that in the event of
conflict, the English language version shall
control.
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26.
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Third
Party Beneficiaries: This Agreement is not a third party
beneficiary contract, and, therefore, there are no third party
beneficiaries to this Agreement.
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27.
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Guaranteed
Supply: Company hereby represents to Distributor that during the
Term it shall be able to provide Distributor with all Products ordered as
requested in each purchase order. In the event that Company is unable to
supply ordered Products, Company agrees to reimburse Distributor for all
reasonable costs and liability incurred by Distributor resulting from such
failure (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees). Such
reimbursements shall be received by Distributor within sixty (60) days
following the request.
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28.
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Standard
Forms: Without limiting the foregoing, the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement (including any Exhibit hereto) shall supersede any
inconsistent terms and conditions set forth in any purchase order or other
standard form used by either Party.
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In witness
whereof, the undersigned, duly authorized, has executed this Distribution
Agreement, effective as of the date first set forth above.
COMPANY:
Xxxxxx
Induflex NV
By:
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/s/ X. X.
Xxxxxxxxx
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Print
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Name:
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X. X.
Xxxxxxxxx
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Title:
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Managing
Director
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DISTRIBUTOR:
Rogers
Technologies (Suzhou) Co. Ltd.
By:
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/s/ Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx
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Print
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Name:
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Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx
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Title:
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Vice President, Xxxxxx
Asia
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Xxxxxx
Technologies (Singapore) Inc.
By:
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/s/ Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx
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Print
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Name:
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Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx
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Title:
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Vice President, Xxxxxx
Asia
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Xxxxxx
Southeast Asia, Inc.
By:
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/s/ Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx
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Print
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Name:
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Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx
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Title:
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Vice President, Rogers
Asia
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