AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.45
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, dated October 10, 2006 by and between, Jacuzzi Brands,
Inc., a Delaware corporation, with its principal office at Xxxxxxxx Point — West Tower, 000 Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000 (the “Company”), and Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
(“Executive”).
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Company has employed Executive as President and Chief Executive Officer effective
September 1, 2006 (the “Commencement Date”); and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive previously entered into an employment agreement (the “Prior
Agreement”) on August 11, 2005; and
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to amend the terms of the Prior Agreement by amending and
restating the Prior Agreement with this agreement (the “Agreement”), effective on the Commencement
Date.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein and for
other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:
1. Term of Employment. Except for earlier termination as provided in Section 7
hereof, Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be for a three-year term (the “Employment
Term”) commencing on the Commencement Date and ending three (3) years thereafter. Subject to
Section 7 hereof, the Employment Term shall be automatically extended for additional terms of
successive one (1) year periods unless the Company or Executive gives written notice to the other
at least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the then current Employment Term of the
termination of Executive’s employment hereunder at the end of such current Employment Term.
2. Positions.
(a) Executive shall serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and report
directly to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). Executive shall be elected to the
Board effective on the Commencement Date. If requested by the Board, Executive shall also serve as
an executive officer and director of subsidiaries and a director of associated companies of the
Company without additional compensation and subject to any policy of the Board or any compensation
committee of the Board with regard to retention or turnover of the director’s fees.
(b) Executive shall have such duties and authority, consistent with his position as the Chief
Executive Officer as shall be assigned to him from time to time by the Board.
(c) During the Employment Term, Executive shall devote all of his business time and efforts to
the performance of his duties hereunder; provided, however, that Executive shall be allowed, to the
extent that such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of his duties and
responsibilities hereunder, to manage his
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passive personal interests and to serve on civic or charitable boards or committees, and
subject to the next sentence, serve on corporate boards of directors. Executive may serve on
corporate boards of directors only if approved in advance by the Board (which approval may be
withdrawn at any time) and shall not serve on any corporate board of directors if such service
would be inconsistent with his fiduciary responsibilities to the Company.
3. Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall receive a base salary
at the annual rate of not less than $575,000. Base salary shall be payable in accordance with the
usual payroll practices of the Company. Executive’s base salary shall be subject to annual review
by the Board during the Employment Term and may be increased, but not decreased, from time to time
by the Board. The base salary as determined as aforesaid from time to time shall constitute “Base
Salary” for purposes of this Agreement.
4. Incentive Compensation.
(a) Bonus. For the fiscal years commencing on or about October 1, 2006 and thereafter
during the Employment Term, Executive shall be eligible to participate in an incentive bonus plan
of the Company in accordance with, and subject to, the terms of such plan, that provides an annual
cash target bonus opportunity equal to at least 100% of Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”), which
shall be converted into a like benefit if and when the Company implements its proposed value added
plan or such other program that the Company shall adopt. In addition, commencing on or about
October 1, 2006 and thereafter during the Employment Term, Executive shall be eligible to
participate in the Company’s long term incentive program which shall provide Executive
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with the opportunity to receive awards at a level equal to 150% of Base Salary, which shall be
converted into a like benefit if and when the Company implements its proposed value added plan or
such other program that the Company shall adopt. For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006,
Executive shall be eligible to receive a bonus in accordance with the terms of Section 4(a) of the
Prior Agreement.
(b) Other Compensation. The Company may award to Executive such other bonuses and
compensation as it deems appropriate and reasonable.
(c) Restricted Stock. The Restricted Stock awarded pursuant to Section 4(b) of the
Prior Agreement shall continue to be governed by the vesting provisions of the Prior Agreement and
the retirement provisions of the Prior Agreement.
5. Employee Benefits and Vacation.
(a) During the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in all pension,
long-term incentive compensation, retirement, savings, welfare and other employee benefit plans and
arrangements and fringe benefits and perquisites generally maintained by the Company from time to
time for the benefit of its senior executive officers, in each case in accordance with their
respective terms as in effect from time to time.
(b) During the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to vacation each year in
accordance with the Company’s policies in effect from time to time, but in no event less than four
(4) weeks paid vacation per calendar year. Executive shall also be entitled to such periods of
paid sick leave as is customarily provided by the Company to its senior executive employees.
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(c) If Executive’s employment with the Company terminates due to his retirement from the
Company no earlier than age 62 and so long as such retirement is not in connection with a
termination pursuant to Section 7(d) hereof, Executive shall be provided with a minimum monthly
retirement benefit (“Minimum Pension”) payable in the form of a joint and survivor annuity for the
benefit of Executive and Executive’s spouse. During Executive’s life, the amount of the Minimum
Pension shall be equal to $20,000 per month beginning at such actual retirement date consisting of
the sum of any monthly benefits accrued or payable under any qualified or non-qualified pension
plans covering the Executive during his employment with the Company and/or Xxxx Industries, Inc., a
Pennsylvania corporation, (including, without limitation, the Jacuzzi Brands Inc. Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan (the “Jacuzzi SERP”) and the Xxxx Supplemental Pension Plan (the “Xxxx
SUPP”)) and/or the actuarial equivalent of such benefits, in the form of a joint and survivor
annuity for the benefit of Executive and Executive’s spouse, if the benefits are not paid monthly,
(collectively, the “Executive’s Retirement Plans”) plus such additional monthly amounts as may be
necessary to provide for the Minimum Pension. The survivor annuity benefit shall be 60% of the
Minimum Pension. However, if Executive or his spouse is entitled to a greater benefit under the
terms of the Executive Retirement Plans (actuarially calculated using the actuarial factors then
applying in the Company’s defined benefit plan), then Executive or his spouse shall receive the
benefits payable under the Executive Retirement Plans in lieu of the Minimum Pension. The benefit
paid under the Jacuzzi SERP shall be paid in the form of a joint and survivor annuity for the
benefit of Executive and Executive’s spouse, with the
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spouse receiving a 60% survivor benefit. Anything contained herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, if the Executive’s spouse at the time of his death is more than five (5) years
younger than his current spouse on the date hereof, the aforesaid survivor annuity benefit shall be
actuarially adjusted to reflect the age of his then spouse as compared to the age of his spouse on
the date hereof. In the event that Executive voluntarily terminates his employment with the
Company for any reason other than Termination for Good Reason, death or Disability, the Executive
shall only be entitled to receive his benefits under this Section 5(c) if the Executive gives the
Company at least six months prior written notice of such termination. In the event that Executive
does not give the Company such written notice, the Executive shall be obligated to pay the Company
an amount equal to the then current annual Base Salary, which shall be withheld from all other
amounts due and owing to the Executive from the Company or shall be paid in full by the Executive,
in his sole discretion.
(d) If Executive’s employment with the Company terminates due to his retirement from the
Company no earlier than age 62 and so long as such retirement is not in connection with a
termination pursuant to Section 7(d) hereof, Executive and his spouse shall be receive retiree
medical benefits pursuant to the terms of the Company’s retiree medical plan covering the senior
executives of the Company at the time of such termination, provided however, if such retiree
medical benefits, or related terms, are modified or terminated for retired participants in such
plan, (or its successor or replacement plan), such modification or termination shall also apply to
Executive.
6. Business Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Executive for the travel,
entertainment and other business expenses incurred by Executive in the
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performance of his duties hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s policies as in effect
from time to time.
7. Termination.
(a) The employment of Executive and the Employment Term shall terminate as provided in Section
1 hereof or, if earlier, upon the earliest to occur of any of the following events:
(i) the death of Executive;
(ii) the termination of Executive’s Employment by the Company due to Executive’s
Disability (as defined in Exhibit A) pursuant to Section 7(b) hereof;
(iii) the termination of Executive’s Employment by the Executive for Good Reason (as
defined in Exhibit A) pursuant to Section 7(c) hereof;
(iv) the termination of Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause (as
defined in Exhibit A) pursuant to Section 7(e) hereof;
(v) the termination of employment by Executive without Good Reason upon sixty (60)
days prior written notice pursuant to Section 7(e) hereof; or
(vi) the termination of Executive’s employment by the Company for Cause pursuant to
Section 7(d) hereof.
(b) Disability. If Executive incurs a Disability, the Company may terminate
Executive’s employment for Disability, upon thirty (30) days written notice by a Notice of
Disability Termination, at any time thereafter during such twelve (12) month
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period while Executive is unable to carry out his duties as a result of the same or related
physical or mental illness or incapacity. Such termination shall not be effective if Executive
returns to the full time performance of his material duties within such thirty (30) day period.
(c) Termination for Good Reason. A Termination for Good Reason means a termination by
Executive by written notice given within ninety (90) days after the occurrence of the Good Reason
event, unless such circumstances are fully corrected prior to the date of termination specified in
the Notice of Termination for Good Reason. A Notice of Termination for Good Reason shall mean a
notice that shall indicate the specific Good Reason event relied upon and shall set forth in
reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for Termination for Good
Reason. The failure by Executive to set forth in the Notice of Termination for Good Reason any
facts or circumstances which contribute to the showing of Good Reason shall not waive any right of
Executive hereunder or preclude Executive from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing his
rights hereunder. The Notice of Termination for Good Reason shall provide for a date of
termination not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days after the date such Notice of
Termination for Good Reason is given.
(d) Cause. Subject to the notification provisions of this Section 7(d), Executive’s
employment hereunder may be terminated by the Board, or an authorized committee thereof for, Cause.
A Notice of Termination for Cause shall mean a notice that shall indicate the specific termination
provision in Section (a) of Exhibit A relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the
facts and circumstances which provide for a basis for Termination for Cause. The date of
termination for a Termination for
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Cause shall be the date indicated in the Notice of Termination for Cause. Any purported
Termination for Cause which is held by a court not to have been based on the grounds set forth in
this Agreement or not to have followed the procedures set forth in this Agreement shall be deemed a
termination by the Company without Cause.
(e) Other Terminations. The Executive’s employment by the Company shall be at will.
Accordingly, the Company may terminate the Executive at any time (with or without notice), for
reasons other than Cause or for no reason. Subject to Section 5(c) above, the Executive may
terminate his employment with the Company at any time upon sixty (60) days prior written notice.
8. Consequences of Termination of Employment.
(a) Death, Disability, Voluntary Resignation without Good Reason, for Cause, Nonextension
of the Employment Term by Executive. If Executive’s employment and the Employment Term are
terminated by reason of (i) Executive’s death or Disability, (ii) by Executive without Good Reason,
or as a result of a notice of nonextension of the Employment Term by Executive or (iii) by the
Company for Cause or pursuant to Section 7(a)(vi) hereof, the Employment Term under this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to Executive or Executive’s legal representatives under
this Agreement except for: (i) any Base Salary earned but unpaid through the date of termination,
any earned but unpaid bonus, any accrued but unused vacation pay payable pursuant to the Company’s
policies, and any unreimbursed business expenses payable pursuant to Section 6 (collectively
“Accrued Amounts”) (which, amounts shall, in the event of Executive’s death, be promptly paid in a
lump sum to Executive’s estate) and (ii) any other amounts or benefits owing to Executive under the
then applicable
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employee benefit plans, long-term incentive plans or equity plans and programs of the Company
which shall be paid in accordance with such plans and programs, including, if applicable, the
Minimum Pension in Section 5(c) above (provided proper written notice is given by Executive in
accordance with Section 5(c) above).
(b) Termination by Executive for Good Reason, or Termination by the Company without
Cause. If Executive’s employment and the Employment Term are terminated (i) by the Executive
for Good Reason, or (ii) by the Company without Cause (and other than for Disability or pursuant to
Section 7(a)(vi)), Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Amounts, and shall, subject
to Sections 9(b), 9(c) and 10 hereof, be entitled to receive:
(A) | (1) Equal monthly payments in an amount equal to his then monthly rate of Base Salary (minimum $575,000), for a period of twenty four (24) months; | |
(2) Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph 8(b)(A)(1), if such termination occurs within two (2) years after a Change in Control, in lieu of the foregoing, Executive shall receive in a lump sum within five (5) days after compliance with such Section 9(b) the amount equal to the product of Executive’s Base Salary at the time of the Change in Control (minimum $575,000) plus the greater of (i) Executive’s Target Bonus for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs, or (ii) the Executive’s Target Bonus in the fiscal year immediately preceding the date in which the Change in Control occurs, multiplied by two (2); | ||
(B) | Any other amounts or benefits owing to Executive under the then applicable employee benefit, long term incentive or equity plans and programs of the Company which shall be paid in accordance with such plans and programs; |
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provided that, if such termination occurs within two (2) years after a Change in Control, Executive will also be entitled to accelerated vesting of all equity compensation under any equity-based compensation plans, programs or policies of the Company; |
(C) | If such termination is within two (2) years after a Change in Control, two (2) years of additional service and compensation credit (at the compensation level in the fiscal year ending immediately prior to the Change in Control) for pension purposes under any defined benefit type qualified or nonqualified pension plan or arrangement of the Company, which payment shall be made through and in accordance with the terms of the nonqualified defined benefit pension arrangement if any then exists, or, if not, in an actuarially equivalent lump sum (using the actuarial factors then applying in the Company’s defined benefit plan covering Executive); | |
(D) | If such termination is within two (2) years after a Change in Control, an amount equal to two (2) years of the maximum Company contribution (assuming Executive deferred the maximum amount and continued to earn his then current salary) under any type of qualified or nonqualified 401(k) plan, which payments shall be made in lump sum; | |
(E) | If such termination is within two (2) years after a Change in Control, payment of Executive’s and his dependents’ premiums for health and medical insurance coverage, which provides substantially similar benefits as was being provided to Executive on the day prior to Executive’s termination of employment, for two (2) years following Executive’s date of termination; and |
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(F) | If such termination is effective at or after age 62, the Minimum Pension. |
(c) Other. If (A) Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by the
Executive for Good Reason or the Company without Cause, and (B) if such termination is made without
a good faith determination made by the Board that the Executive has not been successfully
performing and completing his duties as assigned to him by the Board, then the Executive shall
receive a bonus in the amount determined by multiplying the amount of the bonus Executive would
have been entitled to receive had he remained in the Company’s employment for the remainder of the
period with respect to which the bonus is granted (“Bonus Period”), by the ratio determined by
dividing X , the amount of days in the Bonus Period that Executive is employed with the Company, by
Y, the total amount of days in the Bonus Period, payable at the time the bonus would have otherwise
been paid if Executive’s employment had not been terminated. The decision by the Board to make or
not to make the determination referred to in the previous sentence shall be final, conclusive and
binding.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, if Executive’s death should occur while
Executive is receiving payments or entitlements pursuant to this Section 8, Executive’s spouse (or
estate) will continue to be provided with such payments and benefits for the remainder of the two
(2) year period.
9. (a) No Mitigation; No Set-Off. In the event of any termination of employment under
Section 8, Executive shall be under no obligation to seek other employment and there shall be no
offset against any amounts due Executive under this Agreement on account of any remuneration
attributable to any subsequent employment that Executive may obtain. Any amounts due under Section
8 are in the nature of
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severance payments and are not in the nature of a penalty. Such amounts are inclusive, and in
lieu of any, amounts payable under any other salary continuation or cash severance arrangement of
the Company and to the extent paid or provided under any other such arrangement shall be offset
from the amount due hereunder.
(b) Executive agrees that, as a condition to receiving the payments and benefits provided
under Section 8(b) hereunder he will execute, deliver and not revoke (within the time period
permitted by applicable law) a release of all claims of any kind whatsoever against the Company,
its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents and shareholders in the then standard form
being used by the Company for senior executives (but without release of the right of
indemnification hereunder or under the Company’s By-laws or rights under benefit or equity plans
that by their terms are intended to survive termination of his employment).
(c) Upon any termination of employment, Executive hereby resigns as an officer and director of
the Company, any subsidiary and any affiliate and as a fiduciary of any benefit plan of any of the
foregoing. Executive shall promptly execute any further documentation thereof as requested by the
Company and, if the Executive is to receive any payments from the Company, execution of such
further documentation shall be a condition thereof.
10. Covenants Against Disclosure, Solicitation and Competition.
(a) Executive acknowledges that as a result of his employment by the Company, Executive will
obtain secret and confidential information as to the Company and its affiliates and create
relationships with customers, suppliers and other persons dealing with the Company and its
affiliates and the Company and its affiliates will suffer
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substantial damage, which would be difficult to ascertain, if Executive should use such
confidential information or take advantage of such relationship and that because of the nature of
the information that will be known to Executive and the relationships created it is necessary for
the Company and its affiliates to be protected by the Confidentiality restrictions set forth
herein. Executive acknowledges that the provisions of this Agreement are reasonable and necessary
for the protection of the businesses of the Company and its affiliates and that part of the
compensation paid under this Agreement and the agreement to pay severance in certain instances is
in consideration for the agreements in this Section 10.
(b) Executive acknowledges that the retention of nonclerical employees employed by the Company
and its affiliates in which the Company and its affiliates have invested training and depends on
for the operation of their businesses is important to the businesses of the Company and its
affiliates, that Executive will obtain unique information as to such employees as an executive of
the Company and will develop a unique relationship with such persons as a result of being an
executive of the Company and, therefore, it is necessary for the Company and its affiliates to be
protected from Executive’s Solicitation of such employees as set forth below.
(c) Executive acknowledges that the provisions of this Agreement are reasonable and necessary
for the protection of the businesses of the Company and its affiliates and that part of the
compensation paid under this Agreement and the agreement to pay severance in certain instances is
in consideration for the agreements in this Section.
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(d) “Competition” means participating, directly or indirectly, as an individual proprietor,
partner, stockholder, officer, employee, director, joint venturer, investor, lender, consultant or
in any capacity whatsoever (within the United States of America, or in any country where the
Company or its affiliates do business) in a business in meaningful competition with the Company’s
businesses, provided, however, that such participation shall not include (i) the mere ownership of
not more than one percent (1%) of the total outstanding stock of a publicly held company; or (ii)
any activity engaged in with the prior written approval of the Board.
(e) “Solicitation” means recruiting, soliciting or inducing, of any nonclerical employee or
employees of the Company or its affiliates to terminate their employment with, or otherwise cease
their relationship with, the Company or its affiliates or hiring or assisting another person or
entity to hire any nonclerical employee of the Company or its affiliates or any person who within
six (6) months before had been a nonclerical employee of the Company or its affiliates and were
recruited or solicited for such employment or other retention while an employee of the Company,
provided, however, that solicitation shall not include any of the foregoing activities engaged in
with the prior written approval of the Board.
(f) If any restriction set forth with regard to Competition or Solicitation is found by any
court of competent jurisdiction, or an arbitrator, to be unenforceable because it extends for too
long a period of time or over too great a range of activities or in too broad a geographic area, it
shall be interpreted to extend over the maximum period of time, range of activities or geographic
area as to which it may be enforceable. If any provision of this Section shall be declared to be
invalid or
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unenforceable, in whole or in part, as a result of the foregoing, as a result of public policy
or for any other reason, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Section
which shall remain in full force and effect.
(g) During and after the Employment Term, Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the
benefit of the Company and its affiliates all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data
relating to the Company and its affiliates, and their respective businesses, including any
confidential information as to customers of the Company and its affiliates, (i) obtained by
Executive during his employment by the Company and its affiliates and (ii) not otherwise public
knowledge or known within the applicable industry. Executive shall not, without prior written
consent of the Company, unless compelled pursuant to the order of a court or other governmental or
legal body having jurisdiction over such matter, communicate or divulge any such information,
knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it. In the event
Executive is compelled by order of a court or other governmental or legal body to communicate or
divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the foregoing, he shall
promptly notify the Company of any such order and he shall cooperate fully with the Company in
protecting such information to the extent possible under applicable law.
(h) Upon termination of his employment with the Company and its affiliates, or at any time as
the Company may request, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company, as requested, all
documents (whether prepared by the Company, an affiliate, Executive or a third party) relating to
the Company, an affiliate or any of their businesses or property which he may possess or have under
his direction or control other
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than documents provided to Executive in his capacity as a participant in any employee benefit
plan, policy or program of the Company or any agreement by and between Executive and the Company
with regard to Executive’s employment or severance.
(i) During the period the Executive is employed by the Company and for two (2) years following
a termination of Executive’s employment for any reason whatsoever, Executive shall not engage in
Solicitation, and shall not enter into Competition with the Company or its affiliates.
(j) In the event of a breach or potential breach of this Section 10, Executive acknowledges
that the Company and its affiliates will be caused irreparable injury and that money damages may
not be an adequate remedy and agree that the Company and its affiliates shall be entitled to
injunctive relief (in addition to its other remedies at law) to have the provisions of this Section
10 enforced. It is hereby acknowledged that the provisions of this Section 10 are for the benefit
of the Company and all of the affiliates of the Company and each such entity may enforce the
provisions of this Section 10 and only the applicable entity can waive the rights hereunder with
respect to its confidential information and employees.
(k) In the event of breach, as adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction, of this
Section 10 by Executive, while Executive is receiving amounts under this Agreement, (i) Executive
shall not be entitled to receive any future amounts pursuant to this Agreement, and (ii) Executive
shall be obligated to return to the Company, within 10 days of such adjudication, all amounts paid
by the Company pursuant to this Agreement on or after the date of the breach.
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(l) Executive specifically agrees that the restrictive covenants and other provisions of this
Section 10 shall be enforceable by the Company’s successors and/or assigns.
(m) Furthermore, in the event of breach of this Section 10 by Executive, while he is receiving
amounts under Section 8(b) hereof, Executive shall not be entitled to receive any future amounts
pursuant to Section 8(b) hereof.
11. Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive to the
extent provided in the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Company for any action or
inaction of Executive while serving as an officer and director of the Company or as an officer or
director of any other subsidiary or affiliate of the Company or as a fiduciary of any benefit plan.
The Company shall cover Executive under directors and officers liability insurance both during
and, while potential liability exists, after the Employment Term in the same amount and to the same
extent as the Company covers its other officers and directors.
12. Special Tax Provision.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that any amount
or benefit paid, payable, or to be paid, or distributed, distributable, or to be distributed to or
with respect to Executive by the Company (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any
other plan; arrangement or agreement with the Company, any person whose actions result in a change
of ownership covered by Section 280G(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
“Code”) or any person affiliated with the Company or such person) as a result of a change in
ownership of the Company or a direct or indirect parent thereof (collectively, the “Covered
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Payments”) is or becomes subject to the excise tax imposed by or under Section 4999 of the
Code (or any similar tax that may hereafter be imposed), and/or any interest or penalties with
respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with such interest and penalties, is
hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), the Company shall pay to Executive an
additional amount (the “Tax Reimbursement Payment”) such that after payment by Executive of all
taxes (including, without limitation, any interest or penalties and any Excise Tax imposed on or
attributable to the Tax Reimbursement Payment itself), Executive retains an amount of the Tax
Reimbursement Payment equal to the sum of (i) the amount of the Excise Tax imposed upon the Covered
Payments, and (ii) without duplication, an amount equal to the product of (A) any deductions
disallowed for federal, state or local income or payroll tax purposes because of the inclusion of
the Tax Reimbursement Payment in Executive’s adjusted gross income, and (B) the highest applicable
marginal rate of federal, state or local income taxation, respectively, for the calendar year in
which the Tax Reimbursement Payment is made or is to be made. The intent of this Section 12 is that
(a) the Executive, after paying his Federal, state and local income tax and any payroll taxes on
Executive, will be in the same position as if he was not subject to the Excise Tax under Section
4999 of the Code and did not receive the extra payments pursuant to this Section 12 and (b) that
Executive should never be “out-of-pocket” with respect to any tax or other amount subject to this
Section 12, whether payable to any taxing authority or repayable to the Company, and this Section
12 shall be interpreted accordingly.
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(b) Except as otherwise provided in Section 12(a), for purposes of determining whether any of
the Covered Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of such Excise Tax,
(i) such Covered Payments will be treated as “parachute payments” (within the meaning
of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) and such payments in excess of the Code Section
280G(b)(3) “base amount” shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax, unless, and except
to the extent that, the Company’s independent certified public accountants appointed prior
to the change in ownership covered by Code Section 280G(b)(2) or legal counsel (reasonably
acceptable to Executive) appointed by such public accountants (or, if the public
accountants decline such appointment and decline appointing such legal counsel, such
independent certified public accountants as promptly mutually agreed on in good faith by
the Company and the Executive) (the “Accountant”), deliver a written opinion to Executive,
reasonably satisfactory to Executive’s legal counsel, that Executive has a reasonable basis
to claim that the Covered Payments (in whole or in part) (A) do not constitute “parachute
payments”, (B) represent reasonable compensation for services actually rendered (within the
meaning of Section 280G(b)(4) of the Code) in excess of the “base amount” allocable to such
reasonable compensation, or (C) such “parachute payments” are otherwise not subject to such
Excise Tax (with appropriate legal authority, detailed analysis and explanation provided
therein by the Accountants); and
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(ii) the value of any Covered Payments which are non-cash benefits or deferred
payments or benefits shall be determined by the Accountant in accordance with the
principles of Section 280G of the Code.
(c) For purposes of determining the amount of the Tax Reimbursement Payment, Executive shall
be deemed:
(i) to pay federal, state, local income and/or payroll taxes at the highest applicable
marginal rate of income taxation for the calendar year in which the Tax Reimbursement
Payment is made or is to be made, and
(ii) to have otherwise allowable deductions for federal, state and local income and
payroll tax purposes at least equal to those disallowed due to the inclusion of the Tax
Reimbursement Payment in Executive’s adjusted gross income.
(d) (i) (A) In the event that prior to the time Executive has filed any of his tax returns for
the calendar year in which the change in ownership event covered by Code Section 280G(b)(2)
occurred, the Accountant determines, for any reason whatever, the correct amount of the Tax
Reimbursement Payment to be less than the amount determined at the time the Tax Reimbursement
Payment was made, the Executive shall repay to the Company, at the time that the amount of such
reduction in Tax Reimbursement Payment is determined by the Accountant, the portion of the prior
Tax Reimbursement Payment attributable to such reduction (including the portion of the Tax
Reimbursement Payment attributable to the Excise Tax and federal, state and local income and
payroll tax imposed on the portion of the Tax Reimbursement Payment being repaid by Executive,
using the assumptions and methodology utilized to calculate the Tax
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Reimbursement Payment (unless manifestly erroneous)), plus interest on the amount of such
repayment at the rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code.
(B) | In the event that the determination set forth in (A) above is made by the Accountant after the filing by Executive of any of his tax returns for the calendar year in which the change in ownership event covered by Code Section 280G(b)(2) occurred but prior to one (1) year after the occurrence of such change in ownership, Executive shall file at the request of the Company an amended tax return in accordance with the Accountant’s determination, but no portion of the Tax Reimbursement Payment shall be required to be refunded to the Company until actual refund or credit of such portion has been made to Executive, and interest payable to the Company shall not exceed the interest received or credited to Executive by such tax authority for the period it held such portion (less any tax Executive must pay on such interest and which he is unable to deduct as a result of payment of the refund). |
(C) | In the event Executive receives a refund pursuant to (B) above and repays such amount to the Company, Executive shall thereafter file for refunds or credits by reason of the repayments to the Company. |
(D) | Executive and the Company shall mutually agree upon the course of action, if any, to be pursued (which shall be at the expense of the Company) if Executive’s claim for refund or credit is denied. |
(ii) In the event that the Excise Tax is later determined by the Accountants or the
Internal Revenue Service to exceed the amount taken into account hereunder at the time the
Tax Reimbursement Payment is made
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(including by reason of any payment the existence or amount of which cannot be
determined at the time of the Tax Reimbursement Payment), the Company shall make an
additional Tax Reimbursement Payment in respect of such excess (plus any interest or
penalties payable with respect to such excess) once the amount of such excess is finally
determined.
(iii) In the event of any controversy with the Internal Revenue Service (or other
taxing authority) under this Section 12, subject to subpart (i)(D) above, Executive shall
permit the Company to control issues related to this Section 12 (at its expense), provided
that such issues do not potentially materially adversely affect Executive, but Executive
shall control any other issues. In the event the issues are interrelated, Executive and
the Company shall in good faith cooperate so as not to jeopardize resolution of either
issue, but if the parties cannot agree Executive shall make the final determination with
regard to the issues. In the event of any conference with any taxing authority as to the
Excise Tax or associated income taxes, Executive shall permit the representative of the
Company to accompany him and Executive and his representative shall cooperate with the
Company and its representative.
(iv) With regard to any initial filing for a refund or any other action required
pursuant to this Section 12 (other than by mutual agreement) or, if not required, agreed to
by the Company and Executive, the Executive shall cooperate fully with the Company,
provided that the foregoing shall not apply to actions that are provided herein to be at
the sole discretion of Executive.
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(a) The Tax Reimbursement Payment, or any portion thereof, payable by the Company shall be
paid not later than the fifth (5th) day following the determination by the Accountant and any
payment made after such fifth (5th) day shall bear interest at the rate provided in Code Section
1274(b)(2)(B). The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Accountant, to promptly deliver
the initial determination required hereunder and, if not delivered, within ninety (90) days after
the change in ownership event covered by Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, the Company shall pay
Executive the Tax Reimbursement Payment set forth in an opinion from counsel recognized as
knowledgeable in the relevant areas selected by Executive, and reasonably acceptable to the
Company, within five (5) days after delivery of such opinion. The amount of such payment shall be
subject to later adjustment in accordance with the determination of the Accountant as provided
herein.
(b) The Company shall be responsible for all charges of the Accountant and if (e) is
applicable the reasonable charges for the opinion given by Executive’s counsel.
The Company and Executive shall mutually agree on and promulgate further guidelines in accordance
with this Section 12 to the extent, if any, necessary to effect the reversal of excessive or
shortfall Tax Reimbursement Payments. The foregoing shall not in any way be inconsistent with
Section l2(d)(i)(D) hereof.
13. Legal and Other Fees and Expenses. In the event that a claim for payment or
benefits under this Agreement is disputed, the Company shall pay all reasonable attorney,
accountant and other professional fees and reasonable expenses incurred by
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Executive in pursuing such claim, provided Executive is successful with regard to a material
portion of his claim.
14. Miscellaneous.
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Florida without reference to principles of conflict of laws.
(b) Entire Agreement/Amendments. This Agreement and the instruments contemplated
herein contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the employment of Executive
by the Company from and after the Commencement Date and supersedes any prior agreements between the
Company and Executive with respect thereto. There are no restrictions, agreements, promises,
warranties, covenants or undertakings between the parties with respect to the subject matter herein
other than those expressly set forth herein and therein. This Agreement may not be altered,
modified, or amended except by written instrument signed by the parties hereto.
(c) No Waiver. The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of
this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver of such party’s rights or deprive
such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term
of this Agreement. Any such waiver must be in writing and signed by Executive or an authorized
officer of the Company, as the case may be.
(d) Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable by Executive. This Agreement
shall be assignable by the Company only to an entity which is owned, directly or indirectly, in
whole or in part by the Company or by any successor
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to the Company or an acquirer of all or substantial all of the assets of the Company, provided
such entity or acquirer promptly assumes all of the obligations hereunder of the Company in a
writing delivered to Executive and otherwise complies with the provisions hereof with regard to
such assumption. Upon such assignment and assumption, all references to the Company herein shall
be to the assignee entity or acquirer, as the case may be.
(e) Successors; Binding Agreement; Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the personal or legal representatives, executors,
administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees legatees and permitted assignees of the
parties hereto. In the event of the Executive’s death while receiving amounts payable pursuant to
Section 8(b) hereof, any remaining amounts shall be paid to Executive’s estate.
(f) Communications. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other
communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given (i) when faxed or delivered, or (ii) two (2) business days after being mailed by United
States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the
respective addresses set forth on the final page of this Agreement, provided that all notices to
the Company shall be directed to the attention of the General Counsel, or to such other address as
any party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith. Notice of change of
address shall be effective only upon receipt.
(g) Withholding Taxes. The Company may withhold from any and all amounts payable
under this Agreement such Federal, state and local taxes, and any other
withholdings, as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
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(h) Survivorship. The respective rights and obligations of the parties hereunder,
including without limitation Section 11 hereof, shall survive any termination of Executive’s
employment to the extent necessary to the agreed preservation of such rights and obligations.
(i) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall
be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same
instrument.
(j) Headings. The headings of the sections contained in this Agreement are for
convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or construction of any
provision of this Agreement.
(k) Executive’s Representation. Executive represents and warrants to the Company that
there is no legal impediment to him entering into, or performing his obligations under this
Agreement and neither entering into this Agreement nor performing his service hereunder will
violate any agreement to which he is a party or any other legal restriction. Executive further
represents and warrants that in performing his duties hereunder he will not use or disclose any
confidential information of any prior employer or other person or entity.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and
year first above written.
Jacuzzi Brands, Inc. |
||||
By: | Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Senior Vice President and General Counsel | ||||
By: | Xxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Executive | ||||
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EXHIBIT A
(a) | Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” shall be limited to an affirmative determination made by the Board of: (i) Executive’s refusal or willful failure to perform his duties; (ii) Executive’s willful misconduct or gross negligence with regard to the Company or its affiliates or their business, assets or employees (including, without limitation, Executive’s fraud, embezzlement or other act of dishonesty with regard to the Company or its affiliates); (iii) Executive’s willful misconduct which has a material adverse impact on the Company or its affiliates, whether economic, or reputation wise or otherwise, as determined by the Board; (iv) Executive’s conviction of, or pleading nolo contendere to, a felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude; (v) Executive’s refusal or willful failure to follow the lawful written direction of the Board; (vi) Executive’s breach of a fiduciary duty owed to the Company or its affiliates, including but not limited to Section 10 hereof; (vii) the representations or warranties in Section 14(k) hereof prove false; or (vii) any other breach by Executive of this Agreement that remains uncured for thirty (30) days after written notice thereof is given to Executive. |
(b) | Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following (i) any “person” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) (other than Jacuzzi Brands, Inc., the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of Jacuzzi Brands. Inc. or the Company, or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of Common Stock of the Company), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; (ii) if the Company is a public company, during any period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (i), (iii), or (iv) of this paragraph) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; (iii) a merger or consolidation of the Company with any corporation not controlled by Jacuzzi Brands, Inc., other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the |
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Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no person acquires more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities shall not constitute a Change in Control of the Company; or (iv) the complete liquidation of the Company or the consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s other than (x) the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a person or persons who beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company at the time of the sale or (y) pursuant to a spinoff type transaction, directly or indirectly, of such assets to the stockholders of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall a Change in Control be deemed to have occurred, with respect to the Executive, if the Executive is part of a purchasing group which consummates a transaction causing a Change in Control. The Executive shall be deemed “part of a purchasing group” for purposes of the preceding sentence if the Executive is or will be a direct or indirect equity participant in the purchasing company or group. |
(c) | Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean by reason of the same or related physical or mental illness or incapacity, Executive is unable to carry out his material duties pursuant to this Agreement for more than six (6) months in any twelve (12) month period. |
(d) | Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence, without Executive’s express written consent of any of the following circumstances: (i) any material demotion of Executive on or after September 1, 2006 from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer (except in connection with the termination of Executive’s employment for Cause or due to Disability or as a result of Executive’s death, or temporarily as a result of Executive’s illness or other absence); (ii) a failure by the Company to pay Executive’s Base Salary or incentive compensation in accordance with Sections 3 and 4 hereof that remains uncured for thirty (30) days after written notice hereof is given to the Company; (iii) a relocation of the Executive’s office location to a location more than thirty-five (35) miles from Executive’s then current office location; (iv) a breach by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement; or (v) a termination by the Executive which occurs during the 13th month following a Change in Control. |
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