EXHIBIT 10.9
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MODIFICATION AND SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
This Modification and Settlement Agreement (this "Agreement") dated as
of May 9, 1997, as amended and restated as of August 15, 1997, by and among The
Safe Seal Company, Inc., a Texas corporation (the "Company"), Allwaste, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("AWI"), Allwaste Environmental Services, Inc., a Delaware
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of AWI ("AES"), ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
individually ("▇▇▇▇▇▇"), The ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Family Trust (the "▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust")
and Computerized Accounting & Tax Services, Inc., a Florida corporation
controlled by ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ("CATS").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and CATS own of record (after giving
effect to the issuance to CATS effective January 27, 1997 of 345,730 shares of
the common stock, par value $0.01 per share of the Company ("Common Stock")),
and the issuance to CATS of 21,740 shares of Common Stock in connection with the
exercise of the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ options) 150,000 shares, 2,850,000 shares and 367,470
shares, respectively, of Common Stock; and
WHEREAS, the Company, AES and the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust are parties to a
Shareholders' Agreement dated as of October 13, 1995 (the "Shareholders'
Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, the Company, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ and AWI are parties to a letter agreement
dated September 18, 1996 (the "Letter Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, the respective parties to the Shareholders' Agreement and the
Letter Agreement now desire to modify those agreements, as hereinafter provided,
and, in connection therewith, all the parties hereto desire to formalize certain
related agreements, as hereinafter provided;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the mutual covenants
and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS. The following capitalized terms shall have the meanings
assigned to them in this Section 1 or in the parts of this Agreement referred to
below:
ABANDONMENT DATE: as defined in Section 7(a).
ACQUISITION TRANSACTION: as defined in Section 7(c).
AES: as defined in the preamble.
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AWI: as defined in the preamble.
AWI PRE-SETTLEMENT MATTERS: as defined in Section 12(b).
AWI RELEASED PARTIES: as defined in Section 12(a).
AWI RELEASING PARTY: as defined in Section 12(b).
CATS: as defined in the preamble.
CLAIMS: as defined in Section 12(a).
COMMON STOCK: as defined in the recitals.
COMPANY: as defined in the preamble.
CONVERTIBLE NOTE: as defined in Section 7(c).
ESTIMATED IPO PRICE: the midpoint of the estimated initial public
offering price range, which will be determined by Invatec and the
Managing Underwriter and reflected in the Preliminary Prospectus.
ESTIMATED IPO PRICE NOTICE: as defined in Section 6(a).
FINAL PROSPECTUS: the prospectus relating to the IPO which is first
furnished to the Managing Underwriter after the registration statement
relating to the IPO becomes effective under the Securities Act.
INVATEC: Innovative Valve Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation
that, as currently proposed, will hereafter become a holding company of
which the Company will be a wholly owned subsidiary.
IPO: the first time a registration statement filed under the Securities
Act and respecting an underwritten primary offering by Invatec of shares
of IVT Common Stock is declared effective under the Securities Act and
any shares registered by that registration statement are issued and sold
by Invatec (otherwise than pursuant to the exercise of any
over-allotment option).
IPO CLOSING DATE: the date on which Invatec first receives payment for
the shares of IVT Common Stock it sells in the IPO.
IPO PRICE: the price per share at which the IVT Common Stock is
initially offered to the public in the IPO.
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IVT COMMON STOCK: the common stock, par value $.001 per share, of
Invatec.
LETTER AGREEMENT: as defined in the recitals.
LOCKUP PERIOD: as defined in Section 7(b).
MANAGING UNDERWRITER: shall mean the underwriting firm designated by
Invatec to act as lead manager for the IPO.
▇▇▇▇▇▇: as defined in the preamble.
▇▇▇▇▇▇ PRE-SETTLEMENT MATTERS: as defined in Section 12(a).
▇▇▇▇▇▇ RELEASED PARTIES: as defined in Section 12(b).
▇▇▇▇▇▇ RELEASING PARTY: as defined in Section 12(a).
▇▇▇▇▇▇ SHARES: all the shares of Common Stock owned of record by ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and CATS, as reflected in the recitals to this
Agreement, and any other shares of Common Stock or shares of IVT Common
Stock of which ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust or CATS is or may become the
"beneficial owner," as that term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any such shares of Common
Stock or IVT Common Stock shall cease to be "▇▇▇▇▇▇ Shares" when they
are no longer beneficially owned by any of ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust or
CATS.
▇▇▇▇▇▇ TRUST: as defined in the preamble.
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS: the prospectus subject to completion first used
in "roadshow" presentations made by Invatec to potential investors in
connection with the IPO.
SECURITIES ACT: the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
SHAREHOLDERS' AGREEMENT: as defined in the recitals.
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT: the Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of
October 13, 1995 by and among AWI, AES, the Company, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ and the
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust.
VALVE TECHNOLOGY: as defined in Section 10(b).
VOTING TRUST AGREEMENT: as defined in Section 8.
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2. SUSPENSION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF SHAREHOLDERS' AGREEMENT;
TERMINATION OF SHAREHOLDERS' AGREEMENT. Effective from May 9, 1997 and
continuing for so long as the Voting Trust Agreement continues in effect as
provided in Section 8, the provisions of Article II of the Shareholders'
Agreement shall not be operative or have any force or effect. If the Voting
Trust Agreement terminates because the IPO Closing Date occurs, the
Shareholders' Agreement will terminate in its entirety and be of no further
force or effect, effective on the IPO Closing Date. If the Voting Trust
Agreement terminates for any other reason, the provisions of Article II of the
Shareholders' Agreement will again become operative effective as of the date of
that termination.
3. RESIGNATION; TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS. Effective as of
12:01 a.m., Houston, Texas time, May 10, 1997, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ hereby resigns from any
and all directorships, offices and other positions with the Company and each
subsidiary of the Company, if any, and Invatec, except that ▇▇▇▇▇▇ will remain a
director of the Company for the remaining unexpired portion of the term for
which he has been elected and until his successor shall be elected and qualified
(or until his earlier resignation or removal in accordance with the provisions
of the Company's Bylaws), and any and all agreements pursuant to which ▇▇▇▇▇▇
has been employed by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company are
terminated. Effective as of 12:01 a.m., Houston, Texas time, on June 1, 1997,
▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ participation in all Company compensation arrangements, plans, policies
and programs, including without limitation those providing for severance pay,
deferred compensation, insurance benefits or the payment or provision of any
fringe benefit, allowance or accommodation of employment, in which he has been
participating also is terminated. Within three business days after May 9, 1997,
the Company will pay $300,000 to CATS in full and complete satisfaction of all
obligations the Company and its subsidiaries and Invatec owe or may owe to CATS
or to ▇▇▇▇▇▇, directly or indirectly through CATS or any other entity owned or
controlled by ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust or any member of ▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ family,
respecting accrued or unaccrued salary, bonuses, consulting fees or management
or other service fees, whether pursuant to any existing employment or other
agreement, Paragraph 5 of the Letter Agreement or otherwise. When that payment
is made, none of the Company and its subsidiaries or Invatec will have any
further or other obligations to pay ▇▇▇▇▇▇ any amount in respect of any past,
present or future services by him, including without limitation under Paragraph
5 of the Letter Agreement.
4. TERMINATION OF ARRANGEMENTS WITH CATS. Except for the payment owing
to CATS pursuant to Section 3, effective as of May 9, 1997 any obligation,
written or oral, the Company or any of its subsidiaries may have to compensate
CATS for any past, present or future services of any kind or character is
terminated, and CATS hereby releases the Company and each of its subsidiaries
and Invatec from any liability the released parties, or any of them, otherwise
might have by reason of this termination, but for this release.
5. CONTINUED FUNDING BY AWI. The various modifications, terminations,
waivers and other matters reflected in this Agreement are being agreed to by
▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and CATS on the basis of the understanding that AWI is
committing to (a) fund the legal, accounting and other costs of Invatec and the
Company associated with the IPO and their other working capital needs through
December 31, 1997 and (b) use commercially reasonable efforts to fund the cash
portion of the purchase price for any acquisition proposed to be effected prior
to the IPO Closing Date by the
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executive management of Invatec, subject to AWI's covenants and other
obligations under its agreements with ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Services Corp., which commitments
will be provided on terms acceptable to the Company. The Company's acceptance of
those terms will be conclusively evidenced by its execution of a funding
agreement or similar agreement to be entered into between AWI, the Company and
Invatec effective within 30 days of May 9, 1997.
6. SALE OF ▇▇▇▇▇▇ SHARES TO AWI. (a) The Company shall provide each of
▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust, CATS and AWI with a written notice specifying the
Estimated IPO Price (the "Estimated IPO Price Notice") promptly on the
determination thereof by Invatec and the Managing Underwriter (and in any event
at least two business days prior to the distribution of the Preliminary
Prospectus to prospective investors).
(b) ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust, CATS and AWI agree that: (i) the
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust will sell to AWI, and AWI will purchase from the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust, the
number of shares of IVT Common Stock which equals 25% (rounded up or down to the
nearest whole share) of the total number of shares of IVT Common Stock
collectively owned of record by ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and CATS (after giving
effect to the Acquisition Transaction) immediately prior to the closing of the
IPO; and (ii) ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and CATS will have the option to sell to
AWI, and if they exercise that option, AWI will purchase from them, up to an
additional 50% (rounded up or down to the nearest whole share) of the total
number of shares of IVT Common Stock collectively owned of record by them (after
giving effect to the Acquisition Transaction) immediately prior to the closing
of the IPO by jointly providing the Company and AWI with written notice, no
later than one business day after their receipt of the Estimated IPO Price
Notice, of the aggregate number of additional shares of IVT Common Stock, if
any, they desire to sell to AWI; provided, however, if they exercise the option
referred to in clause (ii) of this sentence and the IPO Price is less than the
low point of the estimated per share initial public offering price range set
forth in the Preliminary Prospectus, then ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and CATS
shall have the option (which, in order to be exercised, must be exercised
unanimously) to reduce the total number of shares being sold by them to AWI
pursuant to that option to zero, so long as, after giving effect to that
reduction, the Company will be able to distribute the Final Prospectus in
connection with the IPO without first having to circulate another preliminary
prospectus or file an amendment to the registration statement filed under the
Securities Act with respect thereto.
(c) The provisions of Article III of the Shareholders' Agreement
shall not be applicable to any sale by ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust or CATS of IVT
Common Stock pursuant to this Section 6.
(d) The per share purchase price to be paid by AWI for all shares
purchased by AWI pursuant to this Section 6 shall be equal to 96.5% of the IPO
Price. The closing of that purchase will take place at the principal offices of
AWI in Houston, Texas on the date of the closing of the IPO. At this closing,
each of ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and CATS will deliver to AWI the certificate or
certificates representing any shares of IVT Common Stock being sold by him or it
under this Section 6, duly endorsed for transfer or accompanied by one or more
stock powers duly completed and executed in blank, together with a written
representation to the effect that those shares
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are owned by him or it, as the case may be, free and clear of any lien,
encumbrance, adverse claim, security interest, restriction on transfer or other
defect of title whatsoever, in each case against receipt of a cashier's check or
wire transfer of funds equal to the aggregate purchase price for those shares as
provided herein.
7. COOPERATION IN CONNECTION WITH THE IPO; ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PLANNED
RECAPITALIZATION AND OTHER MATTERS. (a) Each of AWI, AES, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Trust and CATS agrees to cooperate with and take all reasonable steps to assist
Invatec and the Company in facilitating the completion of the IPO. Each of these
parties also agrees that he or it will not, in his or its capacity as a holder
of Common Stock, take any action or omit to take any action the effect of which
action if taken or which omission to act would interfere with the completion of
the IPO; provided, however, that Allwaste and the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust will be entitled
at any time prior to the execution and delivery by Invatec and the Managing
Underwriter of the underwriting agreement relating to the IPO (including any
related pricing agreement), by a written notice duly executed by both AWI and
The ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and delivered to Invatec, to direct Invatec to abandon the IPO,
and the Company agrees that it will cause Invatec to agree to follow that
direction. The date on which Invatec receives that notice is the "Abandonment
Date."
(b) Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section
7(a), each of ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and CATS hereby irrevocably agrees that,
without the prior consent of the Company, it will not (and, in the case of
▇▇▇▇▇▇, he will not permit any member of his immediate family to) sell, offer to
sell, solicit an offer to buy, contract to sell, grant any option to purchase or
otherwise transfer or dispose of (collectively, "transfer") any shares of IVT
Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable
for IVT Common Stock currently held or hereafter acquired by him or it for a
period of two years after the IPO Closing Date (the "Lockup Period"), except for
transfers of shares of IVT Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the period from the date that is 180 days
after the IPO Closing Date through the end of the Lockup Period, each of ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and CATS (or any combination of them) may transfer any of his
or its shares of IVT Common Stock with the prior written consent of the Managing
Underwriter (which consent may be contingent on ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and/or
CATS agreeing to enter into a block trade or other transaction coordinated by
the Managing Underwriter or a securities brokerage firm approved by the Managing
Underwriter).
(c) Each of ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and CATS acknowledges that
it is currently contemplated that, in connection with the IPO: (i) Invatec has
been organized in accordance with applicable Delaware law and has issued and
should or will issue and sell shares of IVT Common Stock to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, certain other officers of Invatec and CATS (an aggregate of
291,409 shares in the case of Messrs. Haynes, Schugart, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇. and ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ and 65,705 shares in the
case of CATS) at a price per share equal to the par value thereof; (ii) prior to
the IPO, the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Invatec in a
transaction (the "Acquisition Transaction") pursuant to which (A) each
outstanding share of Common Stock will be converted into one-half of a share of
IVT Common Stock, (B) all outstanding options, warrants or other rights to
acquire unissued shares of Common Stock (other than options held by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Pliney
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Olivier, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇.) will be proportionally adjusted on the same two-for-one basis
and (C) the Company's 20,000 outstanding shares of preferred stock will be
converted collectively into such number of whole shares of IVT Common Stock as
shall most nearly equal, but not exceed, the quotient obtained by dividing (1)
the sum of $2,000,000 plus dividends accrued on those shares of preferred stock
through the day preceding the IPO Closing Date at the rate of $190,000 per annum
and which remain unpaid divided by (2) the IPO Price; (iii) Invatec will issue a
convertible note (the "Convertible Note") to AWI (A) the accrued interest on
which and $500,000 of the unpaid principal amount of which (or, if less, the
entire unpaid principal amount of which) will be convertible into 618,571 shares
(before giving effect to the combination referred to in the last sentence of
Section 7(d)) of IVT Common Stock and (B) the remaining unpaid principal amount
of which, if any, will be convertible into such number of whole shares of IVT
Common Stock as shall most nearly equal, but not exceed, the quotient obtained
by dividing (1) that remaining unpaid principal amount by (2) the IPO Price; and
(iv) Invatec may, at its option exercisable on the IPO Closing Date, satisfy the
payment obligations it owes to AWI on the IPO Closing Date, in an aggregate
principal amount not to exceed the amount by which $10,000,000 exceeds the
unpaid principal amount of the Convertible Note immediately before its
conversion, with shares of IVT Common Stock valued at the IPO Price for purposes
of satisfying those payment obligations. Each of ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and
CATS agrees that he or it will not exercise any right to dissent from the
Acquisition Transaction pursuant to Article 5.12 of the Texas Business
Corporation Act or otherwise. Each party to the Shareholders' Agreement agrees
that the provisions of Article III of the Shareholders' Agreement shall not be
applicable to the Acquisition Transaction.
(d) Each party hereto acknowledges and agrees that the number of
presently outstanding shares of Common Stock (including shares for which
certificates may not have been issued) total 7,115,679 shares, including
2,502,517 shares owned by AES or AWI. The Company agrees with each other party
hereto that it will not issue any additional shares of Common Stock, except on
the exercise of presently outstanding options or warrants or to Invatec in the
Acquisition Transaction, unless either ▇▇▇▇▇▇ or the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust consents in
writing thereto. The Company also agrees that it will cause Invatec to agree
that, except for the shares of IVT Common Stock referred to in Section 7(c) and
shares to be issued (i) to its officers hired after the date hereof, (ii) in the
Acquisition Transaction, (iii) in the acquisition of businesses or (iv) in the
IPO, it will not issue additional shares of IVT Common Stock on or before the
IPO Closing Date unless either ▇▇▇▇▇▇ or the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust consents thereto. Each
party hereto agrees that the outstanding shares of Common Stock and IVT Common
Stock may be combined on a 0.68-for-1 basis (rounded upward to the nearest whole
share in the case of each holder thereof) or on any other basis that applies to
both the Common Stock and the IVT Common Stock.
8. VOTING TRUST. Contemporaneously with the original execution and
delivery of this Agreement, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and CATS will enter into
the voting trust agreement attached as Exhibit B to this Agreement (the "Voting
Trust Agreement") pursuant to which AWI, as Voting Trustee, or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇, as the successor Voting Trustee, will vote all the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Shares on all
matters submitted to the stockholders of the Company as the Voting Trustee
determines in its sole discretion. Any shares of IVT Common Stock acquired by
▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust or CATS in
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connection with the Acquisition Transaction shall be deposited into the voting
trust established by the Voting Trust Agreement. When shares of Common Stock or
IVT Common Stock cease to be ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Shares, they will be released from the
voting trust established by the Voting Trust Agreement. The Voting Trust
Agreement will terminate on the first to occur of (i) the IPO Closing Date, (ii)
the Abandonment Date or (iii) January 1, 1998; provided, however, that if
January 1, 1998 is the first of those dates to occur, but Invatec has filed a
registration statement relating to the IPO under the Securities Act on or before
December 31, 1997 and is then pursuing the IPO, the Voting Trust Agreement will
continue in full force and effect until the first to occur of (i) the IPO
Closing Date, (ii) the Abandonment Date, (iii) the date Invatec withdraws that
registration statement pursuant to Rule 477 under the Securities Act, (iv) the
date that registration statement is abandoned pursuant to Rule 479 under the
Securities Act or (v) May 31, 1998.
9. LIMITATIONS ON COMPETITION. (a) ▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees that he will not,
during the period beginning on May 9, 1997 and ending on the second anniversary
of the IPO Closing Date, directly or indirectly, for any reason, for his own
account or on behalf of or together with any other person:
(i) engage as an officer, director or in any other managerial
capacity or as an owner, co-owner or other investor of or in, whether as
an employee, independent contractor, consultant or advisor, or as a
sales representative or distributor of any kind, in any business selling
any products or providing any services in competition with the Company
or any subsidiary of the Company or Invatec (the Company and its
subsidiaries and Invatec collectively being the "Company" for purposes
of this Section 9) within any Territory surrounding any service facility
in which the Company was engaged in business on the date hereof or
immediately prior to the IPO Closing Date (for purposes of this Section
9, the "Territory" surrounding any service facility will be: (A) the
city, town or village in which that service facility is located, (B) the
county or parish in which that service facility is located, (C) the
counties or parishes contiguous to the county or parish in which that
service facility is located, (D) the area located within 50 miles of
that service facility, (E) the area located within 100 miles of that
service facility, and (F) the area in which that service facility
regularly provides services at the locations of its customers);
(ii) call on any natural person who is at that time employed by
the Company in any managerial capacity with the purpose or intent of
attracting that person from the employ of the Company, provided that
▇▇▇▇▇▇ may call on and hire any of his immediate family members;
(iii) call on any person that at that time is, or at any time
within one year prior to that time was, a customer of the Company within
any Territory (A) for the purpose of soliciting or selling any product
or service in competition with the Company in that Territory and (B)
with the knowledge of that customer relationship; or
(iv) call on any entity which has been called on by the Company
or Invatec in connection with a possible acquisition by the Company or
Invatec, with the knowledge of
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that entity's status as such an acquisition candidate, for the purpose
of acquiring that entity or arranging the acquisition of that entity by
any person other than the Company or Invatec.
(b) Because of the difficulty of measuring economic losses to the
Company as a result of any breach by ▇▇▇▇▇▇ of his covenants in Section 9(a),
and because of the immediate and irreparable damage that could be caused to the
Company for which it would have no other adequate remedy, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees that the
Company may enforce the provisions of Section 9(a) by injunctions and
restraining orders against ▇▇▇▇▇▇ if he breaches any of those provisions.
(c) ▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees that Sections 9(a) and (b) impose a reasonable
restraint on ▇▇▇▇▇▇ in light of the activities and business of the Company on
the date hereof, the current business plans of the Company and the investment by
the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust in the Company
(d) The covenants in this Section 9 are severable and separate,
and the unenforceability of any specific covenant in this Section 9 is not
intended by any party hereto to, and shall not, affect the provisions of any
other covenant in this Section 9. If any court of competent jurisdiction shall
determine that the scope, time or territorial restrictions set forth in Section
9(a) are unreasonable as applied to ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the parties hereto, including
▇▇▇▇▇▇, acknowledge their mutual intention and agreement that those restrictions
be enforced to the fullest extent the court deems reasonable, and thereby shall
be reformed to that extent as applied to ▇▇▇▇▇▇.
(e) All the covenants in this Section 9 are intended by each
party hereto to be, and shall be construed as, an agreement independent of any
other provision in this Agreement, and the existence of any claim or cause of
action of ▇▇▇▇▇▇ against any other party hereto, whether predicated on this
Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the
Company of any covenant in this Section 9. It is specifically agreed that the
period specified in Section 9(a) shall be computed by excluding from that
computation any time during which ▇▇▇▇▇▇ is in violation of any provision of
Section 9(a). The covenants contained in this Section 9 shall not be affected by
any breach of any other provision hereof by any party hereto.
(f) ▇▇▇▇▇▇ hereby agrees that this Section 9 is a material and
substantial part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
10. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. (a) Each of ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and
CATS agrees to comply fully with the Company's policies relating to
nondisclosure of the Company's trade secrets and proprietary information and
processes and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, will not (i)
disclose any such secrets, information or processes to any person, firm,
corporation, association or other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever
except as may be required by law or governmental agency or legal process or (ii)
make use of any such property for his or its own purposes or for the benefit of
any person, firm, corporation or other entity (except the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or Invatec) under any circumstances, provided that this provision
shall not apply to secrets, information and processes that are then in the
public domain (provided that neither ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust nor CATS was
responsible, directly or indirectly, for such secrets, information or processes
entering the public domain without the Company's consent).
9
(b) Each of ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and CATS hereby sells,
transfers and assigns to the Company all his or its entire right, title and
interest in and to all inventions, ideas, disclosures and improvements, whether
patented or unpatented, and copyrightable material, to the extent (i) made or
conceived by ▇▇▇▇▇▇ or CATS solely or jointly with others since January 1, 1991
and (ii) relating to or used or useful in the design, manufacture, assembly,
operation, maintenance, repair, reconditioning or remanufacturing of batch or
continuous process systems or units and their component parts and related
equipment and tools, including, without limitation, industrial valves and their
component parts and packing materials and other process system components and
friction-welding equipment (collectively "Valve Technology"). Each of ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and CATS shall (i) communicate promptly and disclose to the
Company, in such form as the Company requests, all information, details and data
pertaining to the aforementioned Valve Technology and (ii) execute and deliver
to the Company such formal transfers and assignments and such other papers and
documents as may be required of him or it to permit the Company to file and
prosecute any patent applications relating to such Valve Technology and, as to
copyrightable material, to obtain copyright thereon.
11. NO INTERFERENCE. Following the date of this Agreement: (i) neither
▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust nor CATS will maintain an office in any facility of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries and neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries or Invatec will have any obligation to provide ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Trust or CATS with or pay for any office space, furnishings, facilities,
secretarial or other administrative assistance, supplies or support (including
without limitation any computer, telephone or facsimile machine or any telephone
line) ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust or CATS does maintain; (ii) neither ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust nor CATS will be authorized to incur any meal, travel or
entertainment expenses, or any other expense of any kind or character, for which
the Company will be liable, either directly or by means of any reimbursement
obligation, without the prior written approval of the chief executive officer of
the Company (or his designee); and (iii) except as required by applicable law,
neither ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust nor CATS or any of their respective agents or
other representatives shall be afforded access to any facility of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries without the prior written consent of the chief executive
officer of the Company. Each of ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and CATS agrees to
refrain from making any public statement that has or may reasonably be expected
to have the effect of disparaging the reputation or business of the Company,
AWI, AES or Invatec or any of their respective subsidiaries, affiliates,
officers, directors, employees, agents or counsel.
12. GENERAL RELEASE. (a) Each of ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and CATS (each
a "▇▇▇▇▇▇ Releasing Party") hereby unconditionally and irrevocably releases and
forever discharges, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the
Company, AWI, AES and Invatec and each of their respective subsidiaries,
affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents and counsel other than
▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and CATS (collectively, the "AWI Released Parties")
from any and all debts, liabilities, obligations, claims, demands, actions or
causes of action, suits, judgments or controversies of any kind whatsoever
(collectively, "Claims") against the AWI Released Parties, or any of them, that
arises out of or is based on any act or failure to act (INCLUDING ANY ACT OR
FAILURE TO ACT THAT CONSTITUTES ORDINARY OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR RECKLESS OR
WILLFUL, WANTON MISCONDUCT), misrepresentation, omission, transaction, fact,
event or other matter occurring prior to the date hereof
10
(whether based on any governmental requirement or right of action, at law or in
equity or otherwise, foreseen or unforeseen, matured or unmatured, known or
unknown, accrued or not accrued) (collectively, "▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pre-settlement
Matters"), including without limitation: (i) claims by the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Releasing
Party with respect to repayment of loans or indebtedness; (ii) any rights,
titles and interests in, to or under any agreements, arrangements or
understandings to which the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Releasing Party is a party; and (iii) claims
by the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Releasing Party with respect to dividends, violation of preemptive
rights, or payment of salaries or other compensation or in any way arising out
of or in connection with the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Releasing Party's employment, if any, with
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, the cessation of that employment, the
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Releasing Party's status, if any, as an officer, director or stockholder
of the Company or otherwise. Each ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Releasing Party further agrees not to
file or bring any litigation on the basis of or respecting any Claim concerning
any ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pre-settlement Matter against any AWI Released Party. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Section 12(a), this Section 12 (a)
shall not affect the rights of any ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Releasing Party under this Agreement,
the Voting Trust Agreement, the Stock Purchase Agreement or, except as
specifically provided herein, the Shareholders' Agreement.
(b) Each of AWI and AES (each an "AWI Releasing Party") hereby
unconditionally and irrevocably releases and forever discharges, to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust and CATS
(collectively, the "▇▇▇▇▇▇ Released Parties") from any and all Claims against
the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Released Parties, or any of them, that arises out of or is based on
any act or failure to act (INCLUDING ANY ACT OR FAILURE TO ACT THAT CONSTITUTES
ORDINARY OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR RECKLESS OR WILLFUL, WANTON MISCONDUCT),
misrepresentation, omission, transaction, fact, event or other matter occurring
prior to the date hereof (whether based on any governmental requirement or right
of action, at law or in equity or otherwise, foreseen or unforeseen, matured or
unmatured, known or unknown, accrued or not accrued) (collectively, "AWI
Pre-settlement Matters"), including without limitation: (i) claims by the AWI
Releasing Party with respect to repayment of loans or indebtedness; (ii) any
rights, titles and interests in, to or under any agreements, arrangements or
understandings to which the AWI Releasing Party is a party; and (iii) claims by
the AWI Releasing Party with respect to dividends or violation of preemptive
rights or in any way arising out of or in connection with the AWI Releasing
Party's status as a stockholder of the Company or otherwise. Each AWI Releasing
Party further agrees not to file or bring any litigation on the basis of or
respecting any Claim concerning any AWI Pre-settlement Matter against any ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Released Party. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Section 12(b), this Section 12(b) shall not affect the rights of any AWI
Releasing Party under this Agreement, the Voting Trust Agreement, the Stock
Purchase Agreement or, except as specifically provided herein, the Shareholders'
Agreement.
(c) Each ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Releasing Party and each AWI Releasing Party :
(i) acknowledges that he or it fully comprehends and understands all the terms
of this Agreement and their legal effects and (ii) expressly represents and
warrants that (A) he or it has executed this Agreement voluntarily and without
reliance on any statement or representation of any other party hereto or his or
its representatives and (B) he or it had the opportunity to consult with an
attorney of his or its choice regarding this Agreement.
11
13. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY, AWI, AES AND CATS.
Each of the Company, AWI, AES and CATS represents and warrants to the other
parties to this Agreement as follows:
(a) ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. It is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation, as set forth in the preamble to this
Agreement.
(b) AUTHORITY. It has the requisite corporate power and authority
to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by it
have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on its part.
(c) ENFORCEABILITY. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation,
enforceable against it in accordance with the terms hereof, except as
that enforceability may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally.
14. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ▇▇▇▇▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ represents and
warrants to the other parties to this Agreement as follows:
(a) AUTHORITY. He has the legal capacity and all requisite power
and authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) ENFORCEABILITY. This Agreement has been executed and
delivered by him and constitutes his legal, valid and binding
obligation, enforceable against him in accordance with the terms hereof,
except as that enforceability may be limited by any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally.
15. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ▇▇▇▇▇▇ TRUST. The ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust
represents and warrants to the other parties to this Agreement as follows:
(a) AUTHORITY. It has all requisite trust power and authority to
enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by it
have been duly authorized by all necessary trust action on its part.
(b) ENFORCEABILITY. This Agreement has been executed and
delivered by it and constitutes its valid and binding obligation,
enforceable against it in accordance with the terms hereof, except as
that enforceability may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting
the enforcement of creditors' rights generally.
12
16. MISCELLANEOUS. (a) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. The provisions of this
Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented except by an instrument
in writing signed by the parties hereto. The failure of any party at any time or
times to require performance of any provision hereof shall in no manner affect
its rights at a later time to enforce the same. No waiver by any party of the
breach of any term or condition contained in this Agreement in any one or more
instances shall be deemed to be, or construed as, a further or continuing waiver
of any breach, or a waiver of the breach of any other term or condition
contained herein.
(b) NOTICES. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed delivered and
received (i) if personally delivered or if delivered by telex, telegram,
facsimile or courier service, when actually received by the party to whom the
notice or communication is sent or (ii) if delivered by mail (whether actually
received or not), at the close of business on the third business day next
following the day when placed in the mail, postage prepaid, certified or
registered, addressed to the appropriate party or parties at the address of such
party set forth or referred to below (or at such other address as such party may
designate by written notice to each other party in accordance herewith):
(i) if to the Company, at the following address:
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇-▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
with copies to:
▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇, L.L.P.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. Leader, Esq.
Telecopy: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
(ii) if to AWI or AES, at the following address:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: General Counsel
13
(iii) if to ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust or CATS, at the following
address:
▇.▇. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
(c) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS; ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the heirs, executors,
administrators, successors and assigns of each of the parties, and nothing in
this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any
other person any right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by
reason of this Agreement. No party hereto shall assign this Agreement or any
part hereof without the prior written consent of the other party.
(d) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(e) HEADINGS; REFERENCES TO BUSINESS DAYS AND SECTIONS. The
headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not
limit or otherwise affect the meaning of the provisions hereof. As used in this
Agreement, the term "business day" means a day on which banks are open for
business in Houston, Texas. References in this Agreement to "Sections" are to
Sections of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
(f) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS APPLICABLE TO
CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED WHOLLY WITHIN THAT STATE.
(g) SEVERABILITY. In the event that any one or more of the
provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstances, is
held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the
validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other
respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be in any way
impaired thereby.
(h) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement is intended by the parties
as a final expression of their agreement and a complete and exclusive statement
of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the
subject matter contained herein. This Agreement
14
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with
respect to such subject matter.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first above written.
THE SAFE SEAL COMPANY, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Senior Vice President--Chief
Financial Officer
ALLWASTE, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title:
ALLWASTE ENVIRONMENTAL
SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title:
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
15
THE ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ FAMILY TRUST
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Trustee
COMPUTERIZED ACCOUNTING & TAX
SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
President
16