Exhibit 4.11
EXECUTION VERSION
AGREEMENT
Dated as of October 13, 2004
by and among
STEELCASE INC.
and
THE SHAREHOLDERS LISTED ON SCHEDULE A
This AGREEMENT is made as of October 13, 2004 (this "Agreement"), by
and among Steelcase Inc., a Michigan corporation (the "Company"), and the
shareholders listed on Schedule A (the "Shareholders").
RECITALS
A. The Shareholders own shares of Class B Common Stock of the
Company (the "Class B Shares") which are voluntarily convertible into shares of
Class A Common Stock of the Company (the "Class A Shares") and have indicated
their desire to sell such Class A Shares from time to time.
B. Such Class A Shares issued upon conversion of Class B Shares are
not subject to a current effective registration statement.
C. The Company has determined it is in the best interests of the
Company and its shareholders to facilitate an orderly distribution of such Class
A Shares and is considering filing a registration statement with the SEC (as
defined below) for an offering to be made on a delayed or continuous basis
pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act (as defined below) (the "Shelf
Registration Statement") and to allow the Shareholders to register under the
Shelf Registration Statement sales of the number of Class A Shares set forth
beside the name of each such Shareholder on Schedule A (the "Registered Class A
Shares").
D. In order to provide liquidity for the Shareholders in an orderly
and organized manner and provide flexibility for potential future financing, the
Company is willing to enter into this Agreement in order to facilitate the
disposition, from time to time, of the Registered Class A Shares pursuant to
prospectus supplements to the Shelf Registration Statement (each such delayed or
continuous offering made via a prospectus supplement and effectuated pursuant to
a Takedown Request (as defined below), a "Shelf Takedown").
E. In consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and
agreements contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
Parties (as defined below) agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
1. Definitions.
1.1 The following terms shall be defined as follows:
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, a Person that
directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control
with such
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Person. For the purpose of this definition, the term "control" means the power
to direct the management of an entity, directly or indirectly, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms
"controlled" and "controlling" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
"Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.
"Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New York Stock
Exchange (or any successor exchange that is the primary exchange for trading
Class A Shares) is open for trading.
"Class A Shares" has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
"Class B Shares" has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
"Company" has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.
"Confidentiality Agreement" has the meaning set forth in Section
9.3.
"Exchange Act" means the United States Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Initial Registration Expenses" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.3(b).
"Initial Registration Fee" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.3(a).
"Non-Requesting Shareholders" has the meaning set forth in Section
4.1.
"Participating Shareholders" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.3(a).
"Party" means the Company or a Shareholder, as the case may be.
"Permitted Transferee" has the meaning set forth in Section E.9 of
the Company's Second Restated Articles of Incorporation, as in effect on the
date of this Agreement.
"Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited
liability company, joint venture, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization, government (or an agency or political subdivision thereof) or
other entity.
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"Piggyback Request" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.
"Piggyback Requesting Shareholder" has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.2.
"Registered Class A Shares" has the meaning set forth in the
recitals.
"Requesting Shareholder" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.
"SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Securities Act" means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Shareholders" has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of
this Agreement.
"Shelf Registration Statement" has the meaning set forth in the
recitals.
"Shelf Takedown" has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
"Shelf Takedown Expenses" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.7(a).
"Spread" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7(a).
"Supplemental Agreement" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1.
"Supplemental Shareholder" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1.
"Takedown Request" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.
"Violation" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.
2. Initial Registration.
2.1 Initial Allocation. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, the Shareholders named on Schedule A may be permitted to register
under the Shelf Registration Statement sales of up to the number of Class A
Shares set forth beside each Shareholder's name.
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2.2 Information. Each Shareholder shall provide to the Company all
the information required by Item 507 of Regulation S-K in writing for inclusion
in the Shelf Registration Statement. Each Shareholder hereby represents and
warrants that any such information provided to the Company will be true and
correct and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein, in
light of circumstances in which they were made, not misleading at the time such
information is provided. In addition, each Shareholder shall provide notice to
the Company of any material changes or additions to the information provided
pursuant to this Section 2.2.
2.3 Initial Registration Fees and Expenses.
(a) Each Shareholder shall pay a registration fee of $126.70
per $1,000,000 (or such other fee in effect at the time the Shelf Registration
Statement is filed) of the maximum aggregate price at which the Registered Class
A Shares such Shareholder includes under the Shelf Registration Statement are
proposed to be offered (the "Initial Registration Fee"). The maximum offering
price of the Registered Class A Shares shall be based on the average of the high
and low prices of the Class A Shares as reported on the New York Stock Exchange
as of a date within five (5) business days of the filing of the Shelf
Registration Statement, specified by the Company. Such payment of the Initial
Registration Fee by each Shareholder shall be remitted to the Company at least
two (2) Business Days prior to the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement.
(b) All actual expenses incurred by the Company incident to
the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement, including, without limitation,
all registration and filing fees (other than the Initial Registration Fee
referred to in clause (a) of this Section 2.3), printing expenses and fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Company and its independent certified public
accountants (all such expenses being herein called "Initial Registration
Expenses") shall be allocated pro rata between the Company, on the one hand, and
the Shareholders as a group, on the other hand, based, in the case of the
Company, on the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the Company
securities registered on behalf of the Company (as set forth under Calculation
of Registration Fee in the Shelf Registration Statement under Primary Offering)
and, in the case of the Shareholders, on the proposed maximum aggregate offering
price of the Class A Shares registered on behalf of the Shareholders (as set
forth under the Calculation of Registration Fee in the Shelf Registration
Statement under Secondary Offering). The Initial Registration Expenses allocated
to the Shareholders as a group pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall be
allocated among the Shareholders on a pro rata basis based upon the total amount
of Registered Class A Shares that each such Shareholder includes under the Shelf
Registration Statement. The Company shall prepare and send an
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invoice to each Shareholder evidencing the portion of Initial Registration
Expenses payable by each Shareholder reasonably promptly following the
effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement. Each Shareholder shall pay
such invoice promptly upon receipt. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each
Shareholder shall be individually responsible for any expenses or fees incurred
by any legal, tax or financial advisors independently retained by such
Shareholder.
2.4 Company Option. The Company shall determine, in its sole and
absolute discretion, all matters related to the Initial Registration Statement,
including but not limited to, all decisions related to timing, format,
disclosure and public announcements.
3. Requested Takedowns.
3.1 Shareholder Takedown Requests. Following the filing of the Shelf
Registration Statement, one or more Shareholders desiring to sell at least
1,000,000 shares in the aggregate of the Registered Class A Shares may, subject
to Section 3.2, request in writing to the Treasurer of the Company, with a copy
to the General Counsel of the Company, that the Company effectuate a Shelf
Takedown (each such request, a "Takedown Request," and each Shareholder who
makes such a request, a "Requesting Shareholder"). Each Takedown Request shall
(a) specify the aggregate number of Registered Class A Shares requested to be
offered in a Shelf Takedown and (b) identify all Requesting Shareholders and
list the number of Registered Class A Shares desired to be offered by each such
holder. The Company shall notify each Requesting Shareholder in writing within
ten (10) Business Days of receipt of notice of a Takedown Request as to whether
the Company has determined to proceed with a Shelf Takedown.
3.2 Number of Shareholder Takedown Requests. Each Shareholder shall
be limited to an aggregate of two (2) Takedown Requests in each fiscal year, or
such greater number as the Company in its sole discretion may permit.
3.3 Company Option; Company Takedown.
(a) The Company shall determine, in its sole and absolute
discretion, whether to proceed with any Shelf Takedown in response to a Takedown
Request. In the event that the Company determines to proceed with a Shelf
Takedown, the Company shall, in consultation with the Requesting Shareholders
and any Piggyback Requesting Shareholders (as defined below) participating in
such Shelf Takedown (together, the "Participating Shareholders"), determine: (i)
the timing of the filing of any prospectus supplement to the Shelf Registration
Statement; (ii) the amount of Registered
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Class A Shares, subject to Section 3.4, to be included in the Shelf Takedown;
and (iii) the manner in which any Shelf Takedown will be conducted; provided,
however, that the Company shall retain ultimate authority to make all final
determinations with respect to any matters related to any Shelf Takedown. In
addition, the Company may include for its own account securities registered
under the Shelf Registration Statement, including Class A Shares for its
account, in any Shelf Takedown.
(b) From time to time, the Company may initiate a shelf
takedown to offer securities, including Class A Shares, solely for its own
account. Although the Company may provide, in its sole and absolute discretion,
notice to the Shareholders of any such offering and may invite, in its sole and
absolute discretion, the Shareholders to participate in such an offering, the
Company shall have no obligation to provide any notice to the Shareholders or to
invite any participation on the part of the Shareholders. In the event that the
Company does invite the Shareholders to participate in such an offering, the
number of Registered Class A Shares of each Shareholder permitted to be included
by the Company to be included in the offering shall be allocated among the
Shareholders participating in the offering in accordance with Section 3.4 and
the expenses associated with such an offering shall be allocated in accordance
with Section 3.7. Class A Shares included by the Company in an offering shall
not be subject to allocation.
3.4 Priority on Requested Takedowns.
(a) If the Company determines to proceed with a Shelf Takedown
and the number of Registered Class A Shares requested to be included in a Shelf
Takedown by Participating Shareholders exceeds the number of Registered Class A
Shares, if any, that the Company, in its sole and absolute discretion, has
decided to permit Participating Shareholders to include in any particular Shelf
Takedown, the Company shall include in such Shelf Takedown the number of
Registered Class A Shares that the Company has determined to be appropriate, if
any, allocated pro rata among the holders thereof on the basis of the total
amount of Registered Class A Shares that each Participating Shareholder included
under the Shelf Registration Statement.
(b) If the Company determines to proceed with a Shelf Takedown
and the Shelf Takedown involves an underwritten offering, and if the managing
underwriters, broker-dealers or similar parties advise the Company that, in
their opinion, the number of Registered Class A Shares requested to be included
in such offering by Participating Shareholders exceeds the number of securities
which can be sold therein without adversely affecting the marketability of the
offering and within a price range acceptable to the Company and the
Participating Shareholders or such underwriters, broker-dealers or similar
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parties, the Company may, in determining the size of such Shelf Takedown,
consider the opinions of such underwriters, broker-dealers or similar parties as
to the number of Registered Class A Shares that can be sold without adversely
affecting the marketability of the offering and within a price range acceptable
to the Company and the Participating Shareholders.
(c) In the event that the number of Registered Class A Shares
that any Participating Shareholder requested to be included in a Shelf Takedown
is reduced pursuant to Section 3.4(a), the Company shall deliver a notice of
reduction to each affected Participating Shareholder.
3.5 Over-Allotment. If any underwritten Shelf Takedown includes an
over-allotment option for the underwriters, the number of Registered Class A
Shares to be included in such over-allotment option shall be allocated pro rata
among the Participating Shareholders on the basis of the total amount of
Registered Class A Shares that the holders thereof included under the Shelf
Registration Statement; provided, however, that the number of any Registered
Class A Shares included in any over-allotment option by any Participating
Shareholder will be limited by the number of Registered Class A Shares each
holder owns at the time of such Shelf Takedown.
3.6 Administration. The Company shall, in its sole and absolute
discretion and as applicable, select the underwriters, broker-dealers or similar
parties to administer any offering in connection with any Shelf Takedown in
which the Company includes securities on behalf of the Company. If securities
are not included on behalf of the Company in any Shelf Takedown, the Requesting
Shareholders shall select the underwriters, broker-dealers or similar parties to
administer such offering, which selection shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Company.
3.7 Shelf Takedown Expenses.
(a) Each Participating Shareholder shall pay its pro rata
share of any discounts or commissions attributable to the Registered Class A
Shares included in any Shelf Takedown on the terms and at the times provided by
the applicable underwriter, broker-dealer or similar party (the "Spread"). All
expenses (other than the Spread) incident to the completion of any Shelf
Takedown, including, without limitation, all SEC or National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. registration and filing fees, fees of any transfer
agent and registrar, fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky
laws, printing expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel and independent
certified public accountants, the expenses and fees for listing the Class A
Shares on each securities exchange or quotation system on which similar
securities issued by the Company are then listed or quoted (other than the
Continuing Annual Fee
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assessed by the New York Stock Exchange), expenses of underwriters,
broker-dealers or other similar parties and the costs and expenses relating to
any presentations or meetings undertaken in connection with the marketing and
sale of the Class A Shares offered to potential investors (all such expenses
being herein called "Shelf Takedown Expenses") shall be allocated pro rata
between the Company, on the one hand, and the Participating Shareholders as a
group, on the other hand, based, in the case of the Company, on the offering
price of the Company securities included on behalf of the Company in any
applicable Shelf Takedown and, in the case of the Participating Shareholders, on
the offering price of the Registered Class A Shares included on behalf of the
Participating Shareholders in any applicable Shelf Takedown. The Shelf Takedown
Expenses allocated to the Participating Shareholders as a group pursuant to the
foregoing sentence shall be allocated among the Participating Shareholders on a
pro rata basis based upon the total amount of Registered Class A Shares that
each such Participating Shareholder includes in the applicable Shelf Takedown.
The Company shall prepare and send an invoice to each Participating Shareholder
evidencing the portion of Shelf Registration Expenses payable by such holder
reasonably promptly following the consummation of the Shelf Takedown. Each
Participating Shareholder shall pay such invoice promptly upon receipt.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Requesting Shareholder or Piggyback
Requesting Shareholder shall be individually responsible for any expenses or
fees incurred for any legal, tax or financial advisors independently retained by
such holder.
(b) In the event that a Participating Shareholder withdraws
his or her participation in any Shelf Takedown prior to the filing of the
applicable prospectus supplement with the SEC: (i) if such Shelf Takedown is not
completed, such holder shall reimburse the Company for his or her pro rata share
of all expenses incurred by the Company through the date of such holder's
withdrawal or (ii) if such Shelf Takedown is completed, such holder shall
reimburse the Company only for any additional incremental expenses incurred by
the Company related solely to such holder.
4. Piggyback Requests.
4.1 Notice of Requested Takedowns. The Company may, at its option,
provide written notice of its intention to effectuate a Shelf Takedown to those
Shareholders who did not participate in the Takedown Request (the
"Non-Requesting Shareholders").
4.2 Piggyback Requests for Takedowns. Any Non-Requesting Shareholder
may advise the Company in writing of his or her desire to participate in any
Shelf Takedown (each such Shareholder, a "Piggyback Requesting Shareholder," and
each such request, a "Piggyback Request"). Any
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Piggyback Request must identify the Piggyback Requesting Shareholder and list
the number of Class A Shares desired to be offered by such holder. Any Piggyback
Request must be delivered to the Company within seven (7) Business Days of the
mailing date of the Company's notice to Non-Requesting Shareholders. The Company
shall notify the Piggyback Requesting Shareholder in writing within ten (10)
Business Days of receipt of such notice as to whether the Company has determined
to include such holder's Registered Class A Shares in any Shelf Takedown.
4.3 Priority and Expenses of Piggyback Requests. Piggyback
Requesting Shareholders shall be subject to the allocation procedures set forth
in Section 3.4 and the obligations regarding payment of expenses set forth in
Section 3.7. Class A Shares included by the Company in an offering shall not be
subject to allocation.
5. Restrictions on Sales.
5.1 Suspension on Use of Prospectus. The Company shall have the
right at any time and from time to time to require that the Shareholders suspend
the use of the Shelf Registration Statement and any applicable prospectus
supplement in the event (i) that the Company receives a request by the SEC or
any state securities authority for post-effective amendments and supplements to
the Shelf Registration Statement and any prospectus supplement or for additional
information after the Shelf Registration Statement has become effective; (ii) of
the issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement or the
initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; (iii) that the Company receives
any notification with respect to the suspension or the qualification of the
Registered Class A Shares for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or
threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; or (iv) that the Company
determines in good faith that there is a valid business reason, including, but
not limited to, the acquisition or divestiture of assets or a material corporate
transaction or event, for such suspension. Any suspension on the use of the
Shelf Registration Statement and any applicable prospectus supplement shall
continue until the date on which the Company provides written notice to
Shareholders that such suspension is no longer in effect.
5.2 Lock-Up Agreements. Each Shareholder hereby agrees that, if
requested by the underwriters, broker-dealers or similar parties with respect to
a Shelf Takedown, such Shareholder will enter into a lock-up agreement that
prohibits such Shareholder from selling or otherwise disposing of, in
transactions pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act or otherwise, any
securities of the Company (except for those Registered Class A Shares that are
offered pursuant to any Shelf Takedown) for a customary period not to exceed 90
days following
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the applicable Shelf Takedown; provided, that each Shareholder hereby agrees to
be bound by any such lock-up agreement regardless of such Shareholder's
participation in any Shelf Takedown as long as such Shareholder was given the
opportunity to participate in the Shelf Takedown pursuant to Section 4 of this
Agreement; provided, further, that any such lock-up agreement will provide for
limited exceptions, the specific nature of such exceptions to be negotiated with
the underwriters, broker-dealers or similar parties at the time of the offering.
6. Participation in Shelf Takedown.
In connection with an underwritten offering or placement,
participation in a Shelf Takedown shall be subject to the condition that the
Shareholder: (i) agrees to sell his or her Registered Class A Shares on the
basis provided in any underwriting arrangements or placement approved by the
Company; (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney and
other documents required under the terms of such underwriting or placement
arrangements; and (iii) agrees to enter into customary documentation with any
underwriters, broker-dealers or similar parties, which may include obligations:
(a) to make representations or warranties to such underwriters, broker-dealers
or similar parties or the Company; (b) to undertake indemnification obligations
to such underwriters, broker-dealers or similar parties or the Company; (c) to
deliver an opinion of such Shareholder's counsel customary for such transactions
to such underwriters, broker-dealers or similar parties and (d) to execute
powers of attorney; provided, however, that a Shareholder may condition its
participation in a Shelf Takedown based on a minimum price per share or minimum
size so long as any such Shareholder who withdraws his or her participation as a
result of his or her minimum price or size condition not being met agrees to pay
expenses as contemplated in Section 3.7(b) of this Agreement.
7. Indemnification.
7.1 Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify,
to the extent permitted by law, each Shareholder, the partners, directors,
officers, equity holders and representatives of such Shareholder, and each
Person who controls such Shareholder (within the meaning of the Securities Act
and Exchange Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (joint or
several) and expenses arising out of, based upon or caused by any of the
following statements, omissions or violations (each, a "Violation"): (i) any
untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in the Shelf
Registration Statement, amendment or supplement thereto, in any preliminary,
final or summary prospectus or
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prospectus supplement, or any documents incorporated by reference therein; (ii)
any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated in the
Shelf Registration Statement, amendment or supplement thereto, in any
preliminary, final or summary prospectus or prospectus supplement, or any
documents incorporated by reference therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading; or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the
Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state securities laws or
any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or
any state securities laws. The Company will reimburse each such Shareholder or
controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any of
them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be
liable in any case for any loss, claim, damage, liability or action to the
extent that it is caused by a Violation that occurs in reliance upon and in
conformity with any information furnished in writing to the Company by a
Shareholder specifically for use in the Shelf Registration Statement or
prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto or as a result of such
Shareholder's failure to deliver a copy of the Shelf Registration Statement or
prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto after the Company has
furnished such Shareholder with a sufficient number of copies of the same.
7.2 Indemnification by Shareholders. Each Shareholder agrees to
indemnify, on a several basis, to the extent permitted by law, the Company and
each other Participating Shareholder and their respective directors, officers,
equity holders, representatives and each Person who controls the Company or
other Participating Shareholders (within the meaning of the Securities Act or
the Exchange Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (joint or
several) and expenses arising out of, based upon or caused by any Violation, but
only to the extent that such Violation is caused by any information furnished in
writing by such Shareholder specifically for use in the Shelf Registration
Statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto or as a result
of such Shareholder's failure to deliver a copy of the Shelf Registration
Statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto after the
Company has furnished such Shareholder with a sufficient number of copies of the
same. Each Shareholder will reimburse the Company, other Participating
Shareholders or controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by any of them in connection with investigating or defending any such
loss, claim, damage, liability or action.
7.3 Notice and Defense. Any Person entitled to indemnification
hereunder shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any
claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure
to give prompt notice shall not impair any Person's right to indemnification
hereunder to the extent such failure has not prejudiced the indemnifying party's
ability to defend such claim), and (ii) unless in the written opinion of legal
counsel to such indemnified or indemnifying parties a conflict of interest
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between such indemnified and indemnifying parties exists with respect to such
claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with
counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is
assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any
settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled
to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall be obligated to pay
the fees and expenses of one counsel (but not more than one) for all parties
indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim.
7.4 Alternative Remedies. If the indemnification required by this
Section 7 from the indemnifying party is unavailable to an indemnified party
hereunder in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses
referred to in this Section 7:
(a) The indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such
indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of
the indemnifying party and indemnified parties in connection with the actions
which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well
as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such
indemnifying party and indemnified parties shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether any Violation has been committed by, or relates to
information supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified parties, and the
parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to
correct or prevent such Violation. The amount paid or payable by a party as a
result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to
above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in
Section 7.1 and Section 7.2, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably
incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding.
(b) The Parties agree that it would not be just and equitable
if contribution pursuant to this Section 7.4 were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account
the equitable considerations referred to in Section 7.4(a). No Person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the
Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
7.5 Survival. The indemnification provided for under this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or
on behalf of the indemnified party or any partner, officer, director or
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controlling Person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of
securities.
8. Supplemental Agreements.
8.1 Supplemental Agreements Without the Consent of Shareholders. The
Company may from time to time, without the consent of the Shareholders, enter
into an agreement supplemental hereto (any such agreement a "Supplemental
Agreement") with holders of Class B Shares or Class A Shares (each such holder a
"Supplemental Shareholder") to allow any such holder to become a party to this
Agreement.
8.2 Effect of Supplemental Agreements.
(a) No Supplemental Agreement shall modify or amend this
Agreement or the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties
and immunities of the Company and the Shareholders under this Agreement. All of
the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be deemed to be part of the
terms and conditions of any Supplemental Agreement for any and all purposes.
(b) Upon the execution of any Supplemental Agreement, each
Supplemental Shareholder shall thereafter be a "Shareholder" for all purposes of
this Agreement and Schedule A shall be supplemented to include the Supplemental
Shareholder's information.
8.3 Notice of Execution of Supplemental Agreements. Promptly after
the execution of any Supplemental Agreement, the Company shall notify the
Shareholders that such agreement has been executed.
8.4 Supplemental Agreement Fee and Expenses.
(a) Each Supplemental Shareholder shall pay the Initial
Registration Fee as if he or she had been an initial party to this Agreement in
accordance with Section 2.3(a). The amount of the Initial Registration Fee paid
by each Supplemental Shareholder shall be paid to the Company as reimbursement
of amounts previously paid by the Company.
(b) Each Supplemental Shareholder shall pay his or her pro
rata share of the Initial Registration Expenses as if he or she had been an
initial party to this Agreement in accordance with Section 2.3(b). The amount of
Initial Registration Expenses paid by each Supplemental Shareholder shall be
paid to the Company and the other Shareholders pro rata based on the amounts of
the
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payments for such items previously made by the Company and such Shareholders.
9. Miscellaneous.
9.1 Remedies. Any Person having rights under any provision of this
Agreement shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically to recover
damages caused by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to
exercise all other rights granted by law. The Parties agree and acknowledge that
money damages are not an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of
this Agreement and that each Party is entitled to specific performance and other
injunctive relief in order to enforce or prevent violations of the provisions of
this Agreement.
9.2 Amendments and Waivers. Except as otherwise provided herein, the
provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived only upon the prior
written consent of (i) the Company and (ii) the holders of a majority of the
Registered Class A Shares then outstanding, provided, that no such amendment or
waiver can be effected without the prior written consent of all holders of
Registered Class A Shares if (x) such amendment or waiver would provide a
benefit to consenting holders of Registered Class A Shares not shared on a
proportionate basis with all holders of Registered Class A Shares or (y) such
amendment or waiver would operate to the detriment of the holders of Registered
Class A Shares that do not consent thereto relative to the holders of Registered
Class A Shares that do consent.
9.3 Confidentiality. From the date that the Company notifies a
Shareholder of its receipt of a Takedown Request or of its intent to implement a
Shelf Takedown, whichever is earlier, through the filing of any applicable
prospectus supplement with the SEC relating to such Shelf Takedown or notice
from the Company as to its abandonment, whichever is earlier, each Shareholder
agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all information related to the Shelf
Takedown, including that a Shelf Takedown may occur and all details related
thereto, in accordance with the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement entered
into by each Shareholder and the Company prior to the execution of this
Agreement and relating to the Shelf Registration Statement (each a
"Confidentiality Agreement"). The term "Transactions" as defined in each
Confidentiality Agreement shall be deemed to include the applicable Shelf
Takedown.
9.4 Transfer of Rights. All rights of Shareholders under this
Agreement shall only be transferable by Shareholders to a Permitted Transferee
who executes an instrument in form and substance satisfactory to the Company in
which such Permitted Transferee agrees to be bound by the terms of this
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Agreement as if an original signatory hereto, in which case such Permitted
Transferee shall thereafter be a "Shareholder" for all purposes of this
Agreement.
9.5 Entire Agreement. Other than each Confidentiality Agreement,
this Agreement (together with Schedule A) constitutes the entire agreement and
understanding among the Parties and their respective Affiliates with respect to
the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior agreements,
negotiations, discussions, understandings, term sheets, offering memoranda or
letters of intent between or among any of the Parties with respect to such
subject matter.
9.6 Severability. Wherever possible, each provision hereof shall be
interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law,
but in case any one or more of the provisions contained herein shall, for any
reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such
provision shall be ineffective to the extent, but only to the extent, of such
invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without invalidating the remainder of
such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or provisions or any other
provisions hereof, unless such a construction would be unreasonable.
9.7 Notices. All notices or other communications required or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (i) when
delivered personally, (ii) if transmitted by facsimile, when confirmation of
transmission is received, (iii) if sent by registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, return receipt requested, on the third Business Day after mailing or
(iv) if sent by reputable overnight courier service, when received; shall be
concurrently sent via electronic mail to the e-mail addresses below (if any);
and shall be addressed as follows:
If to the Company:
Steelcase Inc.
000 00xx Xxxxxx XX
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Treasurer
E-Mail: xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
With a copy to:
Steelcase Inc.
000 00xx Xxxxxx XX
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: General Counsel
E-mail: xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
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If to a Shareholder:
At their respective addresses set forth
on Schedule A.
Any Shareholder may change his or her address by sending written notice to
the Company as provided above.
9.8 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction. THIS AGREEMENT WILL
BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
MICHIGAN. THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ANY PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL
BE BROUGHT IN A STATE COURT OF MICHIGAN OR A COURT OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA LOCATED IN MICHIGAN. THE PARTIES HEREBY CONSENT TO PERSONAL JURISDICTION
IN ANY SUCH ACTION, CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS BY MAIL AND WAIVE ANY
OBJECTION TO VENUE IN ANY SUCH COURT OR TO ANY CLAIM THAT SUCH COURT IS AN
INCONVENIENT FORUM.
9.9 Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original instrument,
but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument, and
shall become binding when one or more counterparts have been signed by and
delivered to each of the Parties.
9.10 Headings. The Article and Section headings contained in this
Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
9.11 No Third-Party Beneficiary. Except as set forth in Section 9.4,
this Agreement is not intended and shall not be construed to confer upon any
Person other than the Parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed the day and year first above written.
STEELCASE INC.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
--------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: Vice President and
Treasurer
CRASTECOM B Limited Partnership
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Title: Managing Partner
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SCHEDULE A
NUMBER OF
NAME OF SHAREHOLDER CONTACT ADDRESS REGISTERED CLASS A SHARES
------------------- --------------- -------------------------
CRASTECOM B Limited c/o Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx 2,500,000
Partnership 0000 Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Phone: (000) 000-0000
E-mail: xxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx
Copy to:
Xxxx. Xxx
900 5th 3rd Center
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx XX
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
E-mail: xxxx@xxx.xxx
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