EXHIBIT 99(A)
FORM OF
AMENDED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of
October 4, 1995, by and among B&L ACQUISITION CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation (the "Purchaser"), BRW STEEL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation
("Parent"), and the Management Stockholders (who are individually named on
Schedule A hereto) of the Company (as defined below) who are parties to that
certain First Refusal Agreement (as defined in Section 2) (each Management
Stockholder, a "Stockholder"; collectively all the Management Stockholders, the
"Stockholders"), being the owner of certain shares of common stock, $.01 par
value per share (the "Common Stock"), of BLISS & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ INDUSTRIES INC., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company").
WHEREAS, the Purchaser, Parent and the Company are concurrently herewith
entering into an Amended Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of the date
hereof (the "Merger Agreement"), which provides, upon the terms and subject to
the conditions thereof, for the merger of the Purchaser with and into the
Company (the "Merger").
WHEREAS, as a condition to its willingness to enter into the Merger
Agreement, the Purchaser desires to acquire an option from the Stockholders to
purchase an aggregate of 774,059 shares of Common Stock of the Company. The
number of such shares pertaining to each Stockholder is set forth opposite the
Stockholder's name on Schedule A hereto (as to each Stockholder, the "Shares");
and in order to induce the Purchaser to proceed with the Merger, the
Stockholders desire to grant an option to the Purchaser to purchase the Shares,
all upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
WHEREAS, the taking of various steps which are necessary in order to
accomplish the Merger will require the Purchaser and the Company to spend
significant sums of money and use substantial amounts of time of their key
employees.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants
and agreements set forth herein and in the Merger Agreement, the parties hereto,
intending legally to be bound, do hereby agree as follows:
1. GRANT OF STOCK OPTION. The Stockholder hereby grants to the
Purchaser an exclusive and irrevocable option (the "Stock Option") to purchase
during a period commencing on the date hereof (the "Option Commencement Date"),
subject to the provisions of Section 3 below, and ending on the Termination Date
(hereinafter defined), the Shares at a price per share of $9.50, or any higher
price paid by Purchaser for a share of Common Stock of the Company in the Merger
or any other merger of the Company with Purchaser or Parent or in a tender offer
by Purchaser or Parent for shares of common stock of the Company, payable as
provided in Section 3 below (the "Purchase Price"). The Option Price shall be
paid in cash at the Closing (as hereinafter defined).
2. EXERCISE OF STOCK OPTION. Provided that (a) Stelco Inc.
("Stelco") has not purchased the Shares pursuant to the exercise of Stelco's
rights under Section 3.3 or 3.4 of the Right of First Refusal and Standstill
Agreement dated May 11, 1990 (the "First Refusal
Agreement") (such purchase a "First Refusal Purchase"), (b) no preliminary or
permanent injunction or other order issued by any federal or state court of
competent jurisdiction in the United States of America shall be in effect which
would prohibit the purchase or delivery of Shares hereunder and (c) any
applicable waiting period under the ▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇ Antitrust Improvements Act
of ▇▇▇▇ (▇▇▇ "▇▇▇ ▇▇▇") shall have expired with respect to such purchase and
delivery, the Purchaser may exercise the Stock Option, in whole, at any time or
from time to time, from the Option Commencement Date until that date (the
"Termination Date") which is the earlier of (i) January 15, 1996, or (ii)
termination of the Merger Agreement due to a material breach by the Purchaser of
its obligations under the Merger Agreement. Stockholder agrees that if, prior
to the first anniversary of the date of this Agreement, the Stockholder or any
assignee of the Stockholder or the Company enters into an agreement to sell or
exchange all or substantially all of the Common Stock of the Company held by the
Stockholder or any affiliate of the Stockholder to or with a third party
(including any such sale or exchange pursuant to a merger, or a tender or
exchange offer), Stockholder or any assignee of the Stockholder will promptly
pay Purchaser an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the difference between
the Subsequent Share Price (as defined below) received for the Shares in such
subsequent transaction and the product of $7.75 and the number of Shares. For
the purposes of this Section 2, "Subsequent Share Price" shall mean the sum of
the aggregate consideration received by the Stockholder or any assignee of the
Stockholder in the transaction reduced by the expenses and out-of-pocket fees
incurred by Stockholder or its affiliates or on their behalf in connection with
the sale of the Shares. If the Stockholder or any assignee of the Stockholder
or the Company receives consideration other than cash, the Stockholder may elect
to pay the amount due the Purchaser under this Section 2 in like kind
consideration or in cash. Prior to the Termination Date, other than as
permitted in Section 4 below, the Stockholder will not take, and will refrain
from taking, any action which would have the effect of preventing or disabling
the Stockholder from delivering the Shares to the Purchaser upon exercise of the
Stock Option or from otherwise performing its obligations under this Agreement.
Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, this Stock Option
may not be exercised and no Stockholder may transfer his, her or its Shares
hereunder unless all Shares of all Stockholders are purchased and acquired, it
being understood and agreed that the payment of the Purchase Price for all
Shares of all Stockholders shall be an express condition to the purchase of any
Shares of any individual Stockholder hereunder.
3. DELIVERY OF SHARES; ESCROW ARRANGEMENTS; PAYMENT FOR SHARES. The
Stockholders have delivered in escrow to LaSalle National Trust, N.A. (the
"Escrow Agent") pursuant to Stockholder Escrow Agreements dated as of September
19, 1995 by and among the Purchaser, each Stockholder and the Escrow Agent, (i)
duly executed share certificates representing the Shares accompanied by stock
powers endorsed in blank and with signatures guaranteed and such other documents
as may be reasonably necessary to transfer record ownership of Shares into the
Purchaser's name on the stock transfer books of the Company or (ii) book
confirmation of the transfer of Shares to the account of the Escrow Agent or its
nominee with the Depository Trust Company. If this Agreement is terminated, the
unpurchased Shares and any certificates for the unpurchased shares and related
stock powers and other documents shall be returned to the Stockholder within two
business days following such
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termination; provided, however, if a cancellation fee and expenses are owed
under Section 14 hereof, the Shares shall remain in the account of the Escrow
Agent until the Stockholder has paid such cancellation fee and expenses in full.
The Stockholder and Purchaser agree to enter into an Amendment No. 1 to
Stockholder Escrow Agreement with the Escrow Agent, substantially in the form of
Attachment A hereto. At any Closing hereunder, the Purchaser shall deliver an
aggregate principal amount of $9.50, or any higher price paid by Purchaser for a
share of Common Stock of the Company in the Merger or any other merger of the
Company with Purchaser or Parent or in a tender offer by Purchaser or Parent for
shares of common stock of the Company, times the number of Shares being
purchased (the "Exercised Option Shares") in cash or a certified or cashier's
check or by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account
designated by the Escrow Agent (the "Purchase Price"), for distribution to
Stockholder in compliance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement.
4. COVENANTS OF THE STOCKHOLDER. Except in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement, the Stockholder agrees, until the Termination
Date, not to:
(a) sell, transfer, pledge, assign or otherwise dispose of, or
enter into any contract, option or other transfer, pledge, assignment or
other disposition of, any Shares, except that (i) if required by the terms
of the First Refusal Agreement, the Stockholder may sell the Shares to
Stelco pursuant to a First Refusal Purchase, or (ii) the Stockholder, upon
a minimum of three (3) days prior written notice to the Purchaser and upon
expiration of any rights Stelco may have to purchase the Shares under the
First Refusal Agreement, may sell or transfer the Shares to a purchaser or
transferee that is a citizen of the United States of America or Canada and
executes with the Purchaser an agreement containing the same terms hereof;
provided, however, that no sale or transfer shall be permitted hereunder
to any purchaser or transferee that Parent believes, in its reasonable
judgment, intends or may intend to engage in any transaction which may
involve a change of control such as a merger, reorganization or
acquisition of the Company, other than the transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement or this Agreement;
(b) acquire any additional shares of Common Stock without the
prior written consent of Purchaser other than pursuant to the exercise of
existing stock options or similar rights;
(c) enter into a voting agreement with respect to any Shares; or
(d) directly or indirectly, initiate discussions or engage in
negotiations with any corporation, partnership, person or other entity or
group (other than Purchaser) concerning any possible acquisition of the
Shares or any possible merger, purchase of assets, purchase of stock or
similar transactions involving the Company or any major asset of the
Company.
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5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER AND PARENT. The
Purchaser and Parent jointly and severally hereby represent and warrant to the
Stockholder as follows:
(a) AUTHORITY RELATIVE TO THIS AGREEMENT. The Purchaser and
Parent each is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Purchaser and
Parent each has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver
this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
This Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action
on the part of the Purchaser and Parent, has been validly executed and
delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Purchaser and Parent, and
constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Purchaser and Parent,
enforceable against the Purchaser and Parent in accordance with its terms.
(b) NO APPROVALS OR NOTICES REQUIRED; NO CONFLICT WITH
INSTRUMENTS TO WHICH PURCHASER OR PARENT IS PARTY. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the performance by Parent or Purchaser of
their respective obligations hereunder will not (i) violate the charter or
bylaws of Parent or Purchaser; (ii) assuming satisfaction of the
requirements set forth in clause (iii) below, violate any provision of law
applicable to Parent or Purchaser; (iii) except for (1) requirements under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and
requirements, if any, arising out of the HSR Act, require any consent,
approval, filing or notice under any provision of law applicable to Parent
or Purchaser or any of Parent's other subsidiaries; or (iv) require any
consent, approval or notice under, or violate or constitute a default
under, or permit the termination of any provision of, or result in the
acceleration of the maturity or performance of any obligation of, or
result in the creation or imposition of any lien upon any properties,
assets or businesses of, Parent or Purchaser or any of Parent's other
subsidiaries under, any note, bond, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust,
lease, franchise, permit, authorization, license, contract, instrument or
other agreement or commitment, or any order, judgment or decree, to which
Parent or Purchaser or any of Parent's other subsidiaries is a party or by
which Parent, Purchaser or any of Parent's other subsidiaries or any of
the assets or properties of Parent, Purchaser or any of Parent's other
subsidiaries is bound or encumbered, which in any of the foregoing cases
would have a material adverse effect on Parent and its subsidiaries taken
as a whole or would prohibit or interfere with the consummation of this
Agreement.
(c) DISTRIBUTION. The Purchaser will acquire the Shares upon
exercise of the Stock Option for its own account and not with a view to
any resale or distribution thereof and will not sell the Shares unless
such Shares are registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the
"Securities Act") or unless an exemption from registration is available.
(d) RESALE PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE TIME. Purchaser agrees that,
if prior to the earlier of the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger
Agreement) or the first anniversary of the date of this Agreement, the
Purchaser or any assignee of the Purchaser or the Company enters into an
agreement to sell or exchange all or substantially all of
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the Common Stock of the Company held by the Purchaser or an affiliate of
the Purchaser to or with an unaffiliated third party, Purchaser or any
assignee of the Purchaser will promptly pay Stockholder an amount equal to
fifty percent (50%) of the difference between the Subsequent Share Price
(as defined below) received for such subsequent transaction and the
product of $9.50 times the number of Shares. For the purposes of this
Section 5(d), "Subsequent Share Price" shall mean the sum of the aggregate
consideration received by the Purchaser or any assignee of the Purchaser
in the transaction attributable to the Shares reduced by the expenses and
out of pocket fees incurred by Purchaser or its affiliates or on their
behalf in connection with the sale of the Shares. If the Purchaser or any
assignee of the Purchaser receives consideration other than cash, the
Purchaser may elect to pay the amount due the Stockholder under this
Section 5(d) in like kind consideration or in cash.
(e) RESALE SUBSEQUENT TO THE EFFECTIVE TIME. Subsequent to the
Effective Time, Purchaser agrees that, if prior to the first anniversary
of the date of this Agreement, the Purchaser or any assignee of the
Purchaser, the Company or the Surviving Corporation (as defined in the
Merger Agreement) enters into an agreement to (i) sell or exchange all or
substantially all of the Common Stock of the Company or the Surviving
Corporation to or with, or (ii) merge or consolidate the Company or the
Surviving Corporation to, an unaffiliated third party, Purchaser or any
assignee of the Purchaser, the Company and the Surviving Corporation will
jointly promptly pay Stockholder an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of
the product of (y) the difference between the Aggregate Transaction Value
(as defined below) received for such subsequent transaction and
$62,000,000 and (z) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
Shares and the denominator of which is the number equal to the total of
(1) the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company issued and
outstanding as of the Effective Time plus (2) the number of shares of
Common Stock of the Company underlying stock options for which the option
holder is entitled to payment under Section 1.3(e) of the Merger Agreement
plus (3) the number of share equivalents for which the participant under
the Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan is entitled to payment under
Section 1.3(f) of the Merger Agreement. For the purposes of this Section
5(e), "Aggregate Transaction Value" shall mean the sum of the aggregate
consideration received by the sellers in the transaction (reduced by the
present value of any future or contingent obligations retained by the
sellers) plus the aggregate liabilities assumed by the acquiring party in
the transaction. If the Purchaser or any assignee of the Purchaser, the
Company or the Surviving Corporation receives consideration other than
cash, the Purchaser may elect to pay the amount due the Stockholder under
this Section 5(e) in like kind consideration or in cash.
6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE STOCKHOLDER. The
Stockholder represents and warrants to the Purchaser the following:
(a) TITLE TO SHARES. The Stockholder has good and marketable
title to the Shares, not subject to any hypothecation, pledge or lien,
with no restrictions on voting
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rights and other incidents of record and beneficial ownership incident
thereto, and the absolute right to grant Purchaser the option to purchase
the Shares and the right to sell and transfer the Shares to the Purchaser
free and clear of all claims, liens, pledges, security interests,
restrictions or encumbrances of any nature whatsoever, except for the
restrictions under the First Refusal Agreement. Solely for the purposes
of this Agreement and the Merger, Stockholder hereby waives and agrees not
to assign his rights of first refusal under all First Refusal Agreements
to which he or it and other stockholders of the Company are parties,
provided that such waiver and agreement not to assign terminate when this
Agreement terminates. On consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof, the Purchaser will
acquire good and marketable title to the Shares free and clear of all
claims, liens, pledges, security interests, resolutions or encumbrances of
any nature whatsoever except for the rights of first refusal held by other
Stockholders of the Company under First Refusal Agreements.
(b) AUTHORIZATION AND VALIDITY. The Stockholder has the power
and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement constitutes a valid and
binding agreement of the Stockholder, enforceable in accordance with its
terms.
(c) COMPLIANCE WITH INSTRUMENTS. Neither the execution or
delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation by the Stockholder of the
transactions contemplated hereby will violate any provisions of any law
applicable to the Stockholder or agreement to which the Stockholder is a
party, except for any rights of first refusal held by other Stockholders
of the Company under First Refusal Agreements.
(d) SUPPORT OF MERGER. The Stockholder agrees that he will vote
all of his Shares in favor of the Merger Agreement at any Stockholders
Meeting at which it is discussed, and at any adjournment thereof; provided
however, that Stockholder shall not have to vote in favor of the Merger
Agreement if it has been terminated.
7. COMPANY ACTIONS. If the Stockholder is a director of the Company
or an officer or stockholder of the Company that is a reporting person under
Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Stockholder agrees to use his best efforts
during the term of this Agreement to prevent the Company, its Board of
Directors, its officers and its subsidiaries from:
(a) issuing additional capital stock except pursuant to existing
option plans or arrangements;
(b) approving a stock split, reverse stock split,
recapitalization, or other similar action which would result in an overall
adjustment of the number of outstanding shares of the Company's Common
Stock;
(c) increasing the dividend on the Company's Common Stock;
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(d) issuing additional stock options or appreciation rights;
(e) selling any assets, except in the normal course of business
and except for assets presently under contract for sale; and
(f) issuing or incurring additional debt, except in the normal
course of business.
8. HSR FILING. Promptly after the date hereof, and from time to
time thereafter if necessary, the Purchaser and each Stockholder if required
shall file with the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the
United States Department of Justice all required pre-merger notification and
report forms and other documents and exhibits required to be filed under the HSR
Act to permit the purchase of the Shares subject to the Stock Option.
9. UNITARY TRANSACTION. The parties hereto intend that this
Agreement and the Merger Agreement shall constitute a single unified transaction
for the acquisition of the Company by Purchaser. In accordance with that
intention, Purchaser represents the following:
(a) Purchaser was not an affiliate of and had no affiliation with
the Company at any time prior to the execution of this Agreement and the
Merger Agreement or the prior Agreement and Plan of Merger and prior Stock
Option Agreement both dated September 16, 1995;
(b) Purchaser shall purchase all shares of Common Stock pursuant
to this Agreement and the Merger Agreement at the same price per share;
and
(c) Purchaser shall make no attempt to change the management of,
alter the operation of, or exercise control over the Company prior to the
Effective Time or termination of the Merger Agreement.
10. CERTAIN UNDERTAKINGS.
(a) The Stockholder hereby agrees that, during the term of this
Agreement, at any meeting of the stockholders of the Company, however
called, and in any action by written consent of the stockholders of the
Company, the Stockholder shall (a) vote the Shares in favor of the Merger;
(b) not vote the Shares in favor of any action or agreement which would
result in a breach in any material respect of any covenant, representation
or warranty or any other obligation of the Company under the Merger
Agreement; and (c) vote the Shares against any action or agreement which
would impede, interfere with or attempt to discourage the Merger,
including, but not limited to: (i) any extraordinary corporate
transaction, such as a merger, reorganization or liquidation involving the
Company or any of its subsidiaries; (ii) a sale or transfer of a material
amount of assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; (iii) any
change in the management or board of directors of the Company, except as
otherwise agreed to in
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writing by Purchaser; (iv) any material change in the present
capitalization or dividend policy of the Company; or (v) any other
material change in the Company's corporate structure or business; provided
however, that Stockholder shall not have to take any action specified
above in this Section 10 if the Merger Agreement has been terminated by
Purchaser or Parent.
(b) Each Stockholder shall use its best efforts to cause the
restrictions on transfer and the rights of first refusal applicable to
such Stockholder's Shares under the First Refusal Agreement to terminate,
so as to cause such Stockholder's obligations under this Agreement to
become unconditional and to permit the sale to Purchaser of such
Stockholder's Shares hereunder. The Stockholders shall furnish Purchaser
with copies of all information, correspondence and other documents
furnished to or by Stelco or its counsel by or to the Stockholders, the
Company or their counsel (as the case may be), and shall promptly inform
Purchaser of all actions taken by the Stockholders or Stelco with respect
to compliance with the First Refusal Agreement, including efforts to
dispose of or settle the pending lawsuit ▇▇. ▇▇ ▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇.▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ for the Northern District of Illinois.
11. ADJUSTMENTS. In the event of any increase or decrease or other
change in the Common Stock by reason of stock dividends, split-up,
recapitalizations, combinations, exchanges of shares or the like, the number of
shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Option and the per Share Purchase
Price shall be equitably adjusted appropriately.
12. LEGEND. As soon as practicable after the execution of this
Agreement, the Stockholder shall cause the following legend to be placed on the
certificates representing the Shares:
"The Shares of common stock represented by this certificate are
subject to an Amended Stock Option Agreement, dated as of October 4,
1995, with B & L Acquisition Corporation and BRW Steel Corporation."
Upon termination of this Agreement Stockholder will remove such legend on
any Shares returned to him; and Purchaser will cooperate therewith.
13. GUARANTEE: Parent hereby fully and unconditionally guarantees
each and every representation, warranty and obligation of the Purchaser
hereunder and of any assignee of the Purchaser.
14. CANCELLATION FEE. (a) If Stelco exercises its rights under the
First Refusal Agreement to purchase the Shares, or (b) if prior to January 15,
1996 the Board of Directors of the Company terminates the Merger Agreement
pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(ii) of the Merger Agreement and a transaction is
subsequently consummated, or (c) if prior to January 15, 1996 a tender or
exchange offer shall have been commenced by any party to acquire twenty percent
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(20%) or more of the capital stock of the Company at a price in excess of $9.50,
which tender or exchange offer is subsequently consummated, then, upon
consummation of Stelco's purchase with respect to clause (a) above or within
five (5) business days of the consummation of the transaction in the case of
clause (b) or (c) above, the Stockholder shall pay to the Purchaser, a cash
cancellation fee equal to the product of (i) the sum of one million two hundred
fifty thousand dollars ($1,250,000) plus all out of pocket fees and expenses
incurred by Purchaser, Parent or their affiliates or on their behalf in
connection with the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby (such out of
pocket fees and expenses not to exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars
($250,000)) and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Shares
and the denominator of which is 774,059.
15. REMEDIES. The parties agree that the Purchaser would be
irreparably damaged if for any reason the Stockholder failed to deliver any of
the Shares upon exercise of the Stock Option or to perform any of its other
obligations under this Agreement, and that the Purchaser would not have an
adequate remedy at law for money damages in such event. Accordingly, the
Purchaser shall be entitled to specific performance and injunctive and other
equitable relief to enforce the performance hereof by the Stockholder. This
provision is without prejudice to any other Stockholder. This provision is
without prejudice to any other rights that the Purchaser may have against the
Stockholder for any failure to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
16. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENT; AMENDMENT. This Agreement
constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both
written and oral, of the parties with respect to such subject matter. Purchaser
may assign any or all of its rights and obligations hereunder to any
wholly-owned affiliate of Purchaser or Parent. This Agreement may not be
modified, amended, altered or supplemented, except upon the execution and
delivery of a written agreement executed by the parties hereto.
17. VALIDITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of
this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
18. NOTICES. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be furnished by hand
delivery, by telegram or telex or FAX, or by mail (registered or certified,
postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the parties at the addresses set
forth below or, if to the Escrow Agent, at its address set forth in the Escrow
Agreement. Any such notice shall be deemed duly given upon the date it is
actually received by the party to whom notice is intended to be given or is
actually delivered at its address as shown below or, if to the Escrow Agent, at
its address set forth in the Escrow Agreement:
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If to the Purchaser or Parent:
B&L Acquisition Corporation
▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: President
With a copy to:
BRW Steel Corporation
c/o Veritas Capital, Inc.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Co-Chairman
-and-
▇▇▇▇▇, Day, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
If to the Stockholder:
At the address set forth for the Stockholder on Schedule B
hereto.
With a copy to the Company at:
Bliss & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Industries Inc.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: President
With copies to:
Company's Counsel
Wildman, Harrold, ▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, #▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
or to such other address as the person to whom notice is given may have
previously furnished to the others in writing in the manner set forth above.
19. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without reference
to principles of conflicts of laws.
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20. DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS. The descriptive headings herein are
inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of or
to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
21. PARTIES IN INTEREST. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto, and nothing in this Agreement,
express or implied, is intended to confer upon any other person or entity any
rights or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this
Agreement.
22. TIME OF THE ESSENCE. The parties agree that time shall be of the
essence in the performance of obligations hereunder.
23. BROKERS. Each party hereby represents and warrants to the other
that no broker or finder claiming through him is entitled to a fee in connection
with the sale of Shares hereunder, except for The Chicago Corporation whose fee
will be paid by the Company.
24. AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER STOCKHOLDERS. Purchaser agrees that if it
executes a Stock Option Agreement with any other stockholder of the Company
having terms more favorable to such stockholder than the terms of this Agreement
are to Stockholder, it will promptly amend this Agreement to include such more
favorable terms. Stockholder hereby appoints as his lawful attorney-in-fact
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ to execute any and all notices and other communications under
the First Refusal Agreement as such attorney-in-fact shall execute in his sole
discretion.
25. JURISDICTION. Any judicial proceeding brought against any of the
parties to this Agreement with respect to any dispute arising out of this
Agreement or any matter related hereto may be brought in the courts of the State
of Illinois located in Chicago, Illinois, or in the United States District Court
in Chicago, Illinois, and, by execution and delivery of this Agreement, each of
the parties to this Agreement accepts the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts,
and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any judgment rendered thereby in
connection with this Agreement. The foregoing consents shall not constitute
general consents to service of process in the State of Illinois for any purpose
except as provided above and shall not be deemed to confer rights to any Person
other than the respective parties to this Agreement.
26. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall
constitute one and the same agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be
executed on its behalf by its duly authorized representative, all as of the day
and year first above written.
BRW STEEL CORPORATION
By:
----------------------------
-11-
Title:
----------------------------
B & L ACQUISITION CORPORATION
By:
----------------------------
Title:
----------------------------
STOCKHOLDER
By:
----------------------------
Title:
---------------------------
-12-
SCHEDULE A
Name of Stockholder Number of Shares
------------------- ----------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇......................................................142,380
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇, as Trustee of the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Irrevocable Family Trust under Trust Agreement
dated October 31, 1988............................................76,349
F. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇.....................................................25,450
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇...................................................80,183
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇...................................................26,976
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇.........................................................72,222
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇...........................................................25,450
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇.........................................................35,773
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇.........................................................22,905
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, as Trustee of the
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust dated May 11, 1989.....................33,228
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, as Trustee of the
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust dated May 11, 1989.......................25,450
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇.......................................................58,677
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇...................................................29,665
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇....................................................29,013
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇.......................................................21,480
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇..........................................................10,180
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇............................................................29,339
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇......................................................29,339
------
Total............................................................774,059
-------
-------
SCHEDULE B
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
F. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇, as Trustee of the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Irrevocable Trust dated October 31, 1988
▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, #▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, as Trustee of the
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust dated May 11, 1989
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, as Trustee of the
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust dated May 11, 1989
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇. ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
-2-