EXHIBIT 7
(AS AMENDED AS OF SEPTMEBER 21, 2001)
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STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
by and among
HEARTLAND INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS, L.P.
AND THE OTHER HEARTLAND ENTITIES NAMED HEREIN,
THE ▇▇▇▇▇▇ STOCKHOLDERS NAMED HEREIN,
THE ▇▇▇▇ STOCKHOLDERS NAMED HEREIN
and
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ CORPORATION
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Dated July 3, 2001
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Table of Contents
Page
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions.........................................................2
ARTICLE II
TRANSFER
2.1 Limitation on Transfer..............................................8
2.2 Permitted Transfers.................................................8
2.3 Permitted Transfer Procedures.......................................8
2.4 Transfers in Compliance with Law; Substitution of Transferee........8
ARTICLE III
RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL; TAG-ALONG RIGHTS;
DRAG-ALONG RIGHTS
3.1 Proposed Voluntary Transfers........................................9
3.2 Involuntary Transfers..............................................14
3.3 Prohibition on Encumbrance.........................................16
3.4 Certain Transactions...............................................16
3.5 Waiver of Right to Participate in Proposed Offering................17
ARTICLE IV
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]
ARTICLE V
AFTER-ACQUIRED SECURITIES; AGREEMENT TO BE BOUND
5.1 After-Acquired Securities..........................................18
5.2 Beneficial Ownership...............................................18
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Page
ARTICLE VI
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
6.1 General............................................................18
6.2 Election of Directors..............................................19
6.3 Vacancy............................................................19
6.4 Reimbursement of Expenses; D&O Insurance...........................20
ARTICLE VII
COVENANTS
7.1 Financial Statements and Other Information.........................20
7.2 Inspection.........................................................20
ARTICLE VIII
STOCK CERTIFICATE LEGEND
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
9.1 Recapitalizations, Exchanges, etc..................................21
9.2 Notices............................................................22
9.3 Successors and Assigns; Third Party Beneficiaries..................24
9.4 Amendment and Waiver...............................................24
9.5 Counterparts.......................................................24
9.6 Specific Performance...............................................24
9.7 Headings...........................................................25
9.8 Governing Law......................................................25
9.9 Severability.......................................................25
9.10 Rules of Construction..............................................25
9.11 Entire Agreement...................................................25
9.12 Further Assurances.................................................25
EXHIBITS
A Form of Transfer Agreement
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STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT dated July 3, 2001, by and among ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), Heartland Industrial
Partners, L.P. ("Heartland") and the other Heartland Entities named herein, the
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Stockholders party hereto and the ▇▇▇▇ Stockholders party hereto.
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated May 14, 2001
(the "Merger Agreement"), by and among the Company, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Products
Co., ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Group, L.L.C., the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Investors and the other parties named
therein, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Investors will receive (x) an aggregate of 17,000,000 shares
of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), of the Company
and (y) warrants to purchase an aggregate of 500,000 shares (the "Warrant
Shares") of Common Stock;
WHEREAS, in order to induce each of the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Investors to enter into the
Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed to grant registration rights with
respect to the Common Stock as set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement
executed as of the date hereof (the "Registration Rights Agreement") and has
agreed to enter into this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the acquisition of ▇▇▇▇ Automotive Industries, Inc. is under
consideration and remains subject to the negotiation of terms and definitive
documentation at the time that the Merger Agreement has been signed, and the
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Investors and the Company intend that, to the extent shares of Common
Stock are issued in connection with such acquisition, the recipients of such
Common Stock at the time of such acquisition (the "▇▇▇▇ Investors") receive the
rights provided herein pursuant to the same documentation to the extent agreed
to by the ▇▇▇▇ Investors by executing signature pages hereto (the "J
Transaction"); and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto wish to restrict the transfer of the Shares (as
hereinafter defined) and to provide for, among other things, first offer and
tag-along and certain other rights.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set
forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy
of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
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ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, and unless the context requires
a different meaning, the following terms have the meanings indicated:
"Affiliate" shall mean, when used with respect to any Person, any other
Person which directly or indirectly beneficially owns or controls 25% or more of
the total voting power of shares of capital stock of such Person having the
right to vote for directors under ordinary circumstances, any Person
controlling, controlled by or under common control with any such Person (within
the meaning of Rule 405 of the Securities Act), and any director or executive
officer of any such Person.
"Agreement" means this Agreement as the same may be amended, supplemented
or modified in accordance with the terms hereof.
"▇▇▇▇▇▇ Investors" means the Persons named on the signature pages hereof as
"▇▇▇▇▇▇ Investors" that own Shares.
"▇▇▇▇▇▇ Stockholders" means the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Investors and any Direct Permitted
Transferee thereof to whom Shares are transferred in accordance with Section 2.2
of this Agreement, and the term "▇▇▇▇▇▇ Stockholder" shall mean any such Person.
"Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
"Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on
which commercial banks in the State of New York are authorized or required by
law or executive order to be closed for business.
"Charter Documents" means the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the
By-laws of the Company each as in effect from time to time.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any similar
agency then having jurisdiction to enforce the Securities Act.
"Common Stock" has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement
and any other capital stock of the Company into which such stock is reclassified
or reconstituted and any other common stock of the Company.
"Common Stock Equivalents" means any security or obligation which is by its
terms convertible, exchangeable or exercisable into or for shares of Common
Stock, including any option, warrant or other subscription or purchase right
with respect to Common Stock.
"Company" has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
"Company Option" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c).
"Company Option Period" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c).
"Contract Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(e).
"Direct Permitted Transferee" of any Stockholder has the meaning set forth
in the definition of "Permitted Transferee".
"Drag-Along Notice" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(g).
"Drag-Along Rightholders" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(g).
"Drag-Along Sellers" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(g).
"Excess Offered Securities" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b).
"Exempt Issuance" means (i) a subdivision of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock into a larger number of shares of Common Stock, including by way of
stock split or stock dividend, (ii) capital stock issued upon exercise,
conversion or exchange of any Common Stock Equivalents either (x) previously
issued or (y) issued in accordance with Section 3.4, (iii) an issuance pursuant
to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, (iv) an
issuance of capital stock to all holders of Common Stock on a pro rata basis, or
(v) as to the New Stockholders only, any issuance of capital stock to one or
more Heartland Entities the net proceeds of which are applied towards the
purchase price for the acquisition of the TAC-Trim division of Textron Inc.
("TAC-Trim").
"Exempt Transfer" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
"Existing Stockholders Agreement" means the Stockholders Agreement dated
February 23, 2001 among Blackstone Capital Company II, L.L.C., Heartland
Industrial Partners, L.P. and the other named Heartland Entities,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇/C&A Holdings, L.L.C. and the Company, as amended, supplemented or
modified in accordance with its terms.
"Existing Tag-Along Rightholders" means the "Tag-Along Rightholders," as
such term is defined under the Existing Stockholders Agreement.
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"Fair Value" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(b).
"Future Tag-Along Rightholder" means any Person who is granted tag-along
rights on transfers of shares of Common Stock by any Heartland Selling
Stockholder pursuant to any agreement entered into in the future.
"Governmental Authority" means the government of any nation, state, city,
locality or other political subdivision thereof, any entity exercising
executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or
pertaining to government, and any corporation or other entity owned or
controlled, through stock or capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the
foregoing.
"Heartland" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
"Heartland Entities" means Heartland Industrial Partners, L.P., Heartland
Industrial Partners (FF), L.P., Heartland Industrial Partners (E1), L.P.,
Heartland Industrial Partners (K1), L.P., Heartland Industrial Partners (C1),
L.P. and Permitted Transferees under clause (ii)(1) of the definition of
Permitted Transferees of any of the foregoing.
"Heartland Selling Stockholder" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.1(f).
"Investor Stockholders" means each Heartland Entity and any Permitted
Transferee thereof to whom Shares are transferred in accordance with Section 2.2
of this Agreement, and the term "Investor Stockholder" shall mean any such
person.
"Involuntary Transfer" means any transfer, proceeding or action by or in
which a Stockholder shall be deprived or divested of any right, title or
interest in or to any of the Shares, including, without limitation, (i) any
seizure under levy of attachment or execution, (ii) any transfer in connection
with bankruptcy (whether pursuant to the filing of a voluntary or an involuntary
petition under the United States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, or any modifications
or revisions thereto) or other court proceeding to a debtor in possession,
trustee in bankruptcy or receiver or other officer or agency, (iii) any transfer
to a state or to a public officer or agency pursuant to any statute pertaining
to escheat or abandoned property, (iv) any transfer pursuant to a divorce or
separation agreement or a final decree of a court in a divorce action and (v)
any transfer by way of foreclosure.
"Involuntary Transferee" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a).
"IT Rightholder" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a).
"J Transaction" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
"▇▇▇▇ Investors" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
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"▇▇▇▇ Stockholders" means the ▇▇▇▇ Investors that own Shares and any Direct
Permitted Transferee thereof to whom Shares are transferred in accordance with
Section 2.2 of this Agreement, and the term "▇▇▇▇ Stockholder" shall mean any
such Person.
"Lien" means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation,
assignment, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other) or preference, priority,
right or other security interest or preferential arrangement of any kind or
nature whatsoever (excluding preferred stock and equity related preferences).
"Matters" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
"Merger Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
"New Issuance Notice" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4.
"New Securities" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4.
"New Stockholders" means, collectively, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Stockholders and the
▇▇▇▇ Stockholders.
"Offer Price" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).
"Offered Securities" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).
"Offering Notice" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).
"Permitted Transferee" means:
(i) (a) with respect to any Stockholder who is a natural person, (1)
the spouse (or another individual designated in writing by a Stockholder
who has no spouse), parent or any lineal descendant (including by adoption
and stepchildren) of such Stockholder, (2) any trust of which such
Stockholder is a trustee and which is established solely for the benefit of
any of the foregoing individuals, (3) any charitable foundation selected by
such Stockholder, (4) the estate of such Stockholder or any Person to whom
Common Stock is transferred by will or due to the intestacy of such
Stockholder, (5) any partnership, all of the general partner(s) and limited
partner(s) (if any) of which are one or more Persons identified in this
clause (i)(a), or (6) any corporation or limited liability company, all of
the equity owners of which are one or more Persons identified in this
clause (i)(a) and (b) with respect to the ▇▇▇▇ Investors, (1) JFC Holdings
Trust, a Massachusetts Business Trust, as long as its beneficiaries are
natural persons who were beneficiaries of such trust at the time the ▇▇▇▇
Investors acquired the Shares and/or one or more Persons that would be
Permitted Transferees of any such beneficiaries pursuant to clause (a) of
this paragraph (i) or (2) ▇▇▇▇▇ or
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▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇; provided that, in the case of clauses (a) and (b), such
Person to whom Shares are transferred (who is not already a signatory to
this Agreement) executes a Transfer Agreement (any such Permitted
Transferee being a "Direct Permitted Transferee" of such person);
(ii) with respect to a Heartland Entity, (1) any Affiliate of a
Heartland Entity, (2) any investor in a Heartland Entity or an Affiliate of
such investor in a Heartland Entity or an investor in any fund or other
investment vehicle established or managed by any Heartland Entity or any of
its Affiliates, (3) any of the New Stockholders or any of their respective
Affiliates, (4) any investor in a Heartland Entity in connection with a pro
rata distribution of shares of Common Stock to all investors in a Heartland
Entity at the time of the expiration or termination of the fund or any
Affiliate of such investor, or (5) any other Person that is a "Stockholder"
within the meaning of the Existing Stockholders Agreement; provided that,
in the case of clause (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5) any such transferee
executes a Transfer Agreement; and
(iii) with respect to any Stockholder, any institutional lender to
which such Stockholder pledges or grants a security interest in shares of
Common Stock in a bona fide transaction effected in good faith provided
that (a) such pledgee executes a Transfer Agreement (and acknowledges that
it shall not receive any of the rights granted to Stockholders under this
Agreement), (b) such pledgee is not granted any voting rights with respect
to the Common Stock prior to foreclosure and (c) prior to any subsequent
foreclosure or sale of such shares or any transfer resulting from such
foreclosure is effected, the provisions of Article III must be satisfied.
"Person" means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, trust,
incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company,
limited liability company, Governmental Authority or other entity of any kind,
and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.
"Proportionate Percentage" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4.
"Proposed Price" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4.
"Registration Rights Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the preamble,
as such agreement may be amended, modified or waived.
"Rightholder(s)" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b).
"Securities Act" means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
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"Selling Stockholder" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).
"Shares" means, with respect to each Stockholder, all shares, whether now
owned or hereafter acquired, of Common Stock of the Company and all Common Stock
Equivalents other than Shares that would not constitute Registrable Securities
pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement; provided, however, for the
purposes of any computation of the number of Shares pursuant to Sections 2, 3
and 7, all outstanding Common Stock Equivalents shall be deemed converted,
exercised or exchanged as applicable and the shares of Common Stock issuable
upon such conversion, exercise or exchange shall be deemed outstanding, whether
or not such conversion, exercise or exchange has actually been effected.
"Stockholder Option Period" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b).
"Stockholders" means the (i) Heartland Entities, (ii) the New Stockholders
and (iii) any Permitted Transferee of any of the foregoing who has agreed to be
bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement in accordance with Section
2.4(a).
"Stockholders Meeting" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
"Tag-Along Notice" has the meaning set forth in section 3.1(f).
"Tag-Along Rightholder" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(f).
"Tag-Along Securities" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1 (f).
"Tag-Along Third Party Purchaser" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.1(f).
"Third Party Purchaser" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).
"transfer" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
"Transfer Agreement" means an agreement in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit A.
"Transferred Shares" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a).
"Warrant Shares" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
"Written Consent" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
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ARTICLE II
TRANSFER
2.1 Limitation on Transfer. No Stockholder shall directly or indirectly
sell, give, assign, hypothecate, pledge, encumber, grant a security interest in,
subject to a Lien or otherwise dispose of (whether by operation of law or
otherwise) (each a "transfer") any Shares or any right, title or interest
therein or thereto, except (1) pursuant to (a) Sections 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2
or 3.3 of this Agreement, (b) market sales in compliance with Rule 144 under the
Securities Act, (c) a registration statement filed under the Securities Act or
(d) a transaction in which all stockholders of the Company have a right to
transfer their shares on a pro rata basis and (2) otherwise in compliance with
this Agreement. Transfers referred to in clauses (1)(b), (c) and (d) are "Exempt
Transfers." Any attempt to transfer any Shares or any rights thereunder in
violation of this Section 2.1 shall be null and void ab initio.
2.2 Permitted Transfers. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
in this Agreement, but subject to Sections 2.3 and 2.4, at any time, each
Stockholder may transfer all or a portion of its Shares to any of its Permitted
Transferees.
2.3 Permitted Transfer Procedures. If any New Stockholder wishes to
transfer Shares to a Permitted Transferee under Section 2.2, such New
Stockholder shall give notice to the Company of its intention to make such a
transfer not less than five (5) Business Days prior to effecting such transfer
(except in the case of a transfer to the estate of a deceased Stockholder, and
such estate shall give such notice as soon as practicable after such transfer)
which notice shall state the name and address of each Permitted Transferee to
whom such transfer is proposed, the relationship of such Permitted Transferee to
such Stockholder, and the number of Shares proposed to be transferred to such
Permitted Transferee; provided that no such notice will be required for the ▇▇▇▇
Stockholders to pledge Shares on the Closing Date of the ▇▇▇▇ Transactions in
accordance with and subject to compliance on the Closing Date with the
requirements of clause (iii) of the definition of "Permitted Transferee."
2.4 Transfers in Compliance with Law; Substitution of Transferee.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no transfer may be made
pursuant to this Section 2 or Section 3 (except in an Exempt Transfer in the
case of the following clauses (a) and (b)) unless (a) if to a Permitted
Transferee, the transferee executes, prior to such transfer, a Transfer
Agreement, (b) the transfer complies in all respects with the applicable
provisions of this Agreement and (c) the transfer complies in all respects with
applicable federal and state securities laws, including, without limitation, the
Securities Act. If requested by the Company, an opinion of counsel to such
transferring Stockholder shall be supplied to the Company, at such transferring
Stockholder's expense, to the effect that such transfer complies with the
applicable federal and state securities laws. Upon becoming a party to this
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Agreement, the Permitted Transferee shall be substituted for the transferring
Stockholder and deemed to be subject to this Agreement to the extent provided
herein.
ARTICLE III
RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL; TAG-ALONG RIGHTS;
DRAG-ALONG RIGHTS
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3.1 Proposed Voluntary Transfers.
(a) Offering Notice. Subject to Sections 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 3.1(h), if any
New Stockholder (a "Selling Stockholder") wishes to transfer all or any portion
of its Shares to any Person (other than to its Permitted Transferee) (a "Third
Party Purchaser") and such Selling Stockholder wants to make any offer to sell
such Shares to, or has received a bona fide offer to purchase such Shares from a
Third Party Purchaser, such Selling Stockholder shall then offer to sell such
Shares by sending notice (an "Offering Notice") to each Investor Stockholder and
the Company, which shall state (i) the number of Shares proposed to be
transferred (the "Offered Securities"); (ii) the purchase price per Share
proposed by the Selling Stockholder or offered by the Third Party Purchaser for
the Offered Securities (the "Offer Price"); and (iii) the other terms and
conditions of such sale. Upon delivery of the Offering Notice, such offer shall
be irrevocable unless and until the rights of first refusal provided for herein
shall have been waived or shall have expired.
(b) Stockholder Option; Exercise.
(i) For a period of ten (10) Business Days after the giving of the
Offering Notice pursuant to Section 3.1(a) (the "Stockholder Option
Period"), each of the Investor Stockholders (for the purpose of Section
3.1, each, a "Rightholder" and collectively, the "Rightholders") shall have
the right to purchase the Offered Securities at a purchase price equal to
the Offer Price and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Offering
Notice. Each Rightholder shall have the right to purchase that percentage
of the Offered Securities determined by dividing (A) the total number of
Shares then owned by such Rightholder by (B) the total number of Shares
then owned by all such Rightholders. If the consideration consists wholly
or in material part of consideration other than cash or marketable
securities and the Rightholder or the Company would be willing to exercise
its rights hereunder based upon the value ascribed to such consideration by
the Selling Stockholder, the Company, Heartland or any Selling Stockholder
may require that a determination of Fair Value of the Offered Securities be
made in the same manner as would apply to a determination of Fair Value
under Section 3.2(b) (with Heartland substituted for IT Rightholders and
the Selling Stockholder requesting
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such an appraisal substituted for the Involuntary Transferee), and in such
event, all time periods under this Section 3.1(a) through 3.1(e) shall be
tolled pending the determination of Fair Value. If any Rightholder does not
fully subscribe for the number or amount of Offered Securities it or he is
entitled to purchase, then each other fully participating Rightholder shall
have the right to purchase that percentage of the Offered Securities not so
subscribed for (for the purposes of this Section 3.1(b), the "Excess
Offered Securities") determined by dividing (x) the total number of Shares
then owned by such fully participating Rightholder by (y) the total number
of Shares then owned by all fully participating Rightholders. The
calculation described in the preceding sentence shall be made in successive
proration calculations until there are no remaining Excess Offered
Securities or there is no remaining Rightholder who indicated a willingness
in the notice referred to in Section 3.1(b)(ii) to subscribe for additional
Offered Securities.
(ii) The right of each Rightholder to purchase the Offered Securities
under subsection (i) above shall be exercisable by delivering written
notice of the exercise thereof, prior to the expiration of the Stockholder
Option Period, to the Selling Stockholder with a copy to the Company. Each
such notice shall state (a) the number of Shares held by such Rightholder,
(b) the number of Offered Securities that such Rightholder is willing to
purchase pursuant to this Section 3.1(b), including the number of Excess
Offered Securities, if any, such Rightholder shall wish to purchase. The
giving of such notice shall constitute a binding obligation to purchase the
number of Shares elected, subject to the provisions of this Section 3.1(b)
and in accordance with Section 3.1(d). The failure of a Rightholder to
respond within the Stockholder Option Period to the Selling Stockholder
shall be deemed to be a waiver of such Rightholder's rights under
subsection (i) above, provided that each Rightholder may waive its rights
under subsection (i) above prior to the expiration of the Stockholder
Option Period by giving written notice to the Selling Stockholder, with a
copy to the Company.
(c) Company Option; Exercise. If the Rightholders do not elect to purchase
all of the Offered Securities, then on the Business Day next following the
earlier to occur of (A) the expiration of the Stockholder Option Period and (B)
the date upon which the Company shall have received written notice from each of
the Rightholders of its exercise of its right pursuant to Section 3.1(b) or its
waiver thereof (the "Company Option Period"), the Company shall have the right
(the "Company Option") but not the obligation to purchase any remaining Excess
Offered Securities at a purchase price equal to the Offer Price and upon the
terms and conditions set forth in the Offering Notice. The right of the Company
to purchase any of the remaining Excess Offered Securities under this Section
3.1(c) shall be exercisable by delivering written notice of the exercise
thereof, prior to the expiration of the Company Option Period, to the Selling
Stockholder. The failure of the Company to respond within the Company Option
Period to the Selling Stockholder shall be deemed to be a waiver of the
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Company Option, provided that the Company may waive its rights under this
Section 3.1(c) prior to the expiration of the Company Option Period by giving
written notice to the Selling Stockholder. If the Company and/or the
Rightholders do not purchase all of the Offered Securities pursuant to Section
3.1(b) and/or Section 3.1(c), then the Selling Stockholder may, subject to
Section 3.1(f), sell the remaining Excess Offered Securities to a Third Party
Purchaser in accordance with Section 3.1(e).
(d) Closing. The closing of the purchases of Offered Securities subscribed
for by the Rightholders under Section 3.1(b) and/or the Company under Section
3.1(c) shall be held at the executive office of the Company at 11:00 a.m., local
time, on the fifteenth Business Day after the giving of the Offering Notice
pursuant to Section 3.1(a) or at such other time and place as the parties to the
transaction may agree. At such closing, the Selling Stockholder shall deliver
certificates representing the Offered Securities, duly endorsed for transfer and
accompanied by all requisite transfer taxes, if any, and such Offered Securities
shall be free and clear of any Liens (other than those arising hereunder and
those attributable to actions by the purchasers thereof) and the Selling
Stockholder shall so represent and warrant, and shall further represent and
warrant that it is the sole beneficial and record owner of such Offered
Securities. The Company and/or each Rightholder, as the case may be, purchasing
Offered Securities shall deliver at the closing payment in full for the Offered
Securities purchased by it or him. At such closing, all of the parties to the
transaction shall execute such additional documents as are otherwise necessary
or appropriate.
(e) Sale to a Third Party Purchaser. Unless the Company and/or the
Rightholders elect to purchase all the Offered Securities under Sections 3.1(b)
and 3.1(c), the Selling Stockholder may sell any remaining Excess Offered
Securities to a Third Party Purchaser at a price not less than the Offer Price
and otherwise on terms and conditions not materially more favorable to the Third
Party Purchaser than those set forth in the Offering Notice; provided, however,
that such sale is bona fide and made pursuant to a contract within thirty (30)
days after the earlier to occur of (i) the exercise or waiver by the Company and
all of the Rightholders of their options to purchase the Offered Securities and
(ii) the expiration of the Company Option Period (the "Contract Date"); and
provided further, that such sale shall not be consummated unless and until such
Third Party Purchaser shall represent in writing to the Company and each
Rightholder that it is aware of the rights of the Company and the Stockholders
contained in this Agreement. If such sale is not consummated within thirty (30)
days after the Contract Date for any reason, then the restrictions provided for
herein shall again become effective as to such remaining Excess Offered
Securities, and no transfer of such remaining Excess Offered Securities may be
made thereafter by the Selling Stockholder without again offering the same to
the Company and the Rightholders in accordance with this Section 3.1.
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(f) Tag-Along Rights.
(i) Subject to Sections 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 3.1(h), if a Heartland
Entity (a "Heartland Selling Stockholder") wishes to transfer Shares to any
Person (other than a Permitted Transferee) (a "Tag-Along Third Party
Purchaser"), the Company or any of its subsidiaries other than in an Exempt
Transfer, such Heartland Entity shall give notice (a "Tag-Along Notice") to
each other Stockholder (each, a "Tag-Along Rightholder") and the Company,
which shall state (i) the number of Shares proposed to be transferred (the
"Tag-Along Securities"); (ii) the purchase price per Share proposed by the
Heartland Selling Stockholder or offered by the Tag-Along Third Party
Purchaser for the Tag-Along Securities (the "Tag Along Offer Price"); and
(iii) the other terms and conditions of such sale. Each Tag-Along
Rightholder shall have the right to sell to such Tag-Along Third Party
Purchaser, the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, upon the terms set
forth in the Tag-Along Notice, that number of Shares held by such Tag-Along
Rightholder equal to that percentage of the Tag-Along Securities determined
by dividing (A) the total number of Shares then owned by such Tag-Along
Rightholder by (B) the sum of (1) the total number of Shares then owned by
all such Tag-Along Rightholders with respect to which Tag-Along
Rightholders are exercising their rights pursuant to this Section 3.1(f)(i)
plus (2) the total number of Shares then owned by the Heartland Selling
Stockholder plus (3) the total number of Shares then owned by all Existing
Tag-Along Rightholders with respect to which Existing Tag-Along
Rightholders are exercising their rights pursuant to the Existing
Stockholders Agreement (but without duplication of Shares included in the
preceding clause (2)) plus (4) the total number of shares of Common Stock
than owned by all Future Tag-Along Rightholders with respect to which
Future Tag-Along Rightholders are exercising tag along rights on sales by
the Heartland Selling Stockholders; provided the Heartland Selling
Stockholders and the Tag-Along Rightholder(s) exercising their rights
pursuant to this Section 3.1(f)(i) shall sell the entire number of Shares
required to be sold by such Tag-Along Rightholder(s) pursuant to this
Section 3.1(f)(i), with the number of Tag-Along Securities to be sold to
such Tag-Along Third Party Purchaser, the Company or any of its
subsidiaries by the Heartland Selling Stockholder being reduced
accordingly.
(ii) The Heartland Selling Stockholder shall give the Tag-Along Notice
at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the proposed consummation of such
sale, setting forth the name of such Heartland Selling Stockholder, the
number of Tag-Along Securities, the name and address of the proposed
Tag-Along Third Party Purchaser, the Company or its subsidiaries, as
applicable, the proposed amount and form of consideration and terms and
conditions of payment offered by or to such Tag-Along Third Party
Purchaser, the Company or its subsidiary, as applicable, the percentage of
Shares that such Tag-Along Rightholder may sell to such Tag-Along Third
Party Purchaser,
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the Company or its subsidiary, as applicable, (determined in accordance
with Section 3.1(f)(i)), and a representation that such Tag-Along Third
Party Purchaser, or the Company or its subsidiary, as applicable, has been
informed of the "tag-along" rights provided for in this Section 3.1(f) and
has agreed to purchase Shares in accordance with the terms hereof. The
tag-along rights provided by this Section 3.1(f) must be exercised by any
Tag-Along Rightholder wishing to sell his Shares within ten (10) days
following receipt of the notice required by the preceding sentence by
delivery of a written notice to the Heartland Selling Stockholder
indicating such Tag-Along Rightholder's wish to exercise his rights and
specifying the number of Shares (up to the maximum number of Shares owned
by such Tag-Along Rightholder required to be purchased by such Tag-Along
Third Party Purchaser) he wishes to sell, provided that any Tag-Along
Rightholder may waive his rights under this Section 3.1(f) prior to the
expiration of such 10-day period by giving written notice to the Heartland
Selling Stockholder, with a copy to the Company. The failure of a Tag-Along
Rightholder to respond within such 10-day period shall be deemed to be a
waiver of such Tag-Along Rightholder's rights under this Section 3.1(f). If
a Tag-Along Third Party Purchaser, the Company or its subsidiary, as
applicable, fails to purchase Shares from any Tag-Along Rightholder that
has properly exercised his tag-along rights pursuant to this Section
3.1(f)(ii), then the Heartland Selling Stockholder shall not be permitted
to consummate the proposed sale of the Tag-Along Securities, and any such
attempted sale shall be null and void ab initio.
(g) Drag-Along Rights. For so long as Heartland is entitled to the right to
designate directors as set forth in Section 6.3 of the Existing Stockholders
Agreement, in the event that one or more of the Heartland Entities (the
"Drag-Along Rightholders") receive a bona fide offer from a Tag-Along Third
Party Purchaser to purchase (including a purchase by merger) all or
substantially all of the Shares held by the Heartland Entities or all or a
substantial portion of the Common Stock or consolidated assets of the Company,
the Drag-Along Rightholders may send written notice (the "Drag-Along Notice") to
the Company and the other Stockholders (the "Drag-Along Sellers") notifying them
they will be required to sell all (but not less than all) of their Shares in
such sale (or, in the case of a merger or asset sale, vote as stockholders in
favor of such sale). Upon receipt of a Drag-Along Notice, each Drag-Along Seller
receiving such notice shall be obligated to (i) sell all of its Shares in the
transaction (including a sale by merger or asset sale) contemplated by the
Drag-Along Notice for the same consideration per Share and otherwise on the same
terms and conditions as the Drag-Along Rightholders (including payment of its
pro rata share of all costs associated with such transaction) and (ii) otherwise
take all necessary action in its capacity as a stockholder to cause the
consummation of such transaction, including voting its Shares in favor of such
transaction and not exercising any appraisal rights in connection therewith. The
obligations of the Drag-Along Sellers in respect of a transaction under this
Section 3.1(g) are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions: (i)
upon the consummation of any such transaction,
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each Drag-Along Seller shall have the right to receive cash and/or other
consideration in the same form and amount per share of consideration paid to
Drag-Along Rightholders in such transaction or any other transaction related
thereto (such as a payment for consulting or management services or non-compete
payments); (ii) if any Drag-Along Seller is given an option as to the form and
amount of consideration to be received, each other Drag-Along Seller will be
given the same option with respect to its applicable pro rata share; and (iii)
no Drag-Along Seller shall be obligated under the terms of any agreement
respecting any transaction subject to this Section 3.1(g) to indemnify any
person in an amount greater than the proceeds to be received by such Drag-Along
Seller in such transaction.
(h) Additional Exempt Transfers. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Agreement, the following transfers will not be subject to the
provisions of Section 2.4 or Sections 3.1(a) through (e): a transfer of any
Shares pursuant to Rule 144 or a transfer pursuant to a registration statement
filed under the Securities Act. Any Shares so transferred will cease to be
subject to this Agreement.
3.2 Involuntary Transfers.
(a) Rights of First Offer upon Involuntary Transfer. If an Involuntary
Transfer of any Shares (the "Transferred Shares") owned by any Stockholder shall
occur, then the Investor Stockholders (unless such Stockholder is the
Stockholder transferring the Transferred Shares) and the Company (for the
purpose of Section 3.2, each, an "IT Rightholder" and collectively, the "IT
Rightholders") shall have the same rights as specified in Sections 3.1(a),
3.1(b) and 3.1(c), respectively, with respect to such Transferred Shares as if
the Involuntary Transfer had been a proposed voluntary transfer by a Selling
Stockholder and shall be governed by Section 3.1 except that (i) the time
periods shall run from the later of the date of agreement as to the purchase
price applicable to such Transferred Shares or with written determination of
Fair Value in accordance with Section 3.2(b), (ii) such rights shall be
exercised by notice to the transferee of such Transferred Shares (the
"Involuntary Transferee") rather than to the Stockholder who suffered or will
suffer the Involuntary Transfer and (iii) the purchase price per Transferred
Share shall be agreed upon by the Involuntary Transferee and the purchasing IT
Rightholders purchasing a majority of the Transferred Shares and/or the Company,
as the case may be; provided, however, that if such parties fail to agree as to
such purchase price, the purchase price shall be the Fair Value thereof as
determined in accordance with Section 3.2(b).
(b) Fair Value. If the parties fail to agree upon the purchase price of the
Transferred Shares in accordance with Section 3.2(a) hereof, then the IT
Rightholders or the Company, as the case may be, shall purchase the Transferred
Shares at a purchase price equal to the Fair Value thereof. The Fair Value of
the Transferred Shares shall be determined by a nationally recognized investment
banking firm or nationally recognized expert experienced in
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the valuation of corporations engaged in the business conducted by the Company.
Within five (5) Business Days after the date the applicable parties determine
that they cannot agree as to the purchase price, the Involuntary Transferee and
the Board of Directors (in the case of a purchase by the Company), or the
purchasing IT Rightholders purchasing a majority of the Transferred Shares being
purchased by the purchasing IT Rightholders (if the Company is not purchasing
any Transferred Shares), or the Board of Directors and such purchasing IT
Rightholders jointly (in the case of a purchase by the Company and IT
Rightholders), as the case may be, shall designate one such appraiser that is
willing and able to conduct such determination. If either the Involuntary
Transferee or the Board of Directors or the purchasing IT Rightholders or both,
or all, as the case may be, fails to make such designation within such period,
then any other party may apply to the American Arbitration Association or a
court of appropriate jurisdiction for the appointment of such an appraiser. The
appraiser shall conduct its determination as promptly as practicable, and the
Fair Value of the Transferred Shares shall be determined by such appraiser. Such
determination shall be final and binding on the Involuntary Transferee, the
Company and the IT Rightholders. The Involuntary Transferee shall be responsible
for one-half the fees and expenses of the appraiser designated by or on behalf
of it, and the Company and/or the purchasing IT Rightholders in proportion to
the ratio in which they are purchasing Transferred Shares shall be responsible
for one-half of the fees and expenses of the appraiser. For purposes of this
Section 3.2(b), the "Fair Value" of the Transferred Shares means the fair market
value of such Transferred Shares determined in accordance with this Section
3.2(b) based upon all considerations that the appraiser determines to be
relevant.
(c) Closing. The closing of any purchase under this Section 3.2 shall be
held at the executive office of the Company at 11:00 a.m., local time, on the
earlier to occur of (a) the fifth Business Day after the purchase price per
Transferred Share shall have been agreed upon by the Involuntary Transferee and
the Company or the purchasing IT Rightholders, as the case may be, in accordance
with Section 3.2(a)(iii), or (b) the fifth Business Day after the determination
of the Fair Value of the Transferred Shares in accordance with Section 3.2(b),
or at such other time and place as the parties to the transaction may agree. At
such closing, the Involuntary Transferee shall deliver certificates, if
applicable, or other instruments or documents representing the Transferred
Shares being purchased under this Section 3.2, duly endorsed with a signature
guarantee for transfer and accompanied by all requisite transfer taxes, if any,
and such Transferred Shares shall be free and clear of any Liens (other than
those arising hereunder) arising through the action or inaction of the
Involuntary Transferee and the Involuntary Transferee shall so represent and
warrant, and further represent and warrant that it is the beneficial owner of
such Transferred Shares. The Company or each IT Rightholder, as the case may be,
purchasing such Transferred Shares shall deliver at closing payment in full in
immediately available funds for such Transferred Shares. At such closing, all
parties to the transaction shall execute such additional documents as are
otherwise necessary or appropriate.
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(d) General. In the event that the provisions of this Section 3.2 shall be
held to be unenforceable with respect to any particular Involuntary Transfer,
the Company and the IT Rightholders shall have the rights specified in Sections
3.1(b) and 3.1(c), respectively, with respect to any transfer by an Involuntary
Transferee of such Shares, and each IT Rightholder agrees that any Involuntary
Transfer shall be subject to such rights, in which case the Involuntary
Transferee shall be deemed to be the Selling Stockholder for purposes of Section
3.1 of this Agreement and shall be bound by the provisions of Section 3.1 and
other related provisions of this Agreement.
3.3 Prohibition on Encumbrance. No Stockholder shall pledge, hypothecate,
grant a security interest in or subject to a Lien any of the shares of Common
Stock held by it; provided, however, that a Stockholder may pledge, hypothecate,
grant a security interest in or subject to a Lien such shares to a Person
described in clause (iii) of the definition of "Permitted Transferee".
3.4 Certain Transactions. Except for an Exempt Issuance, subject to the
last sentence below, the Heartland Entities shall not acquire from the Company
or any of its subsidiaries any Common Stock of the Company or any other
securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock of the Company
(collectively, "New Securities") unless the Heartland Entities shall offer to
each of the New Stockholders an opportunity to participate therein on a pro rata
basis in the manner set forth in this Section 3.4 by sending a written notice
(the "New Issuance Notice") to the New Stockholders, which New Issuance Notice
shall state (x) the number of New Securities proposed to be issued and (y) the
proposed purchase price per security of the New Securities (the "Proposed
Price"). Subject to the last sentence below, upon delivery of the New Issuance
Notice, such offer shall be irrevocable unless and until the rights provided for
in this Section 3.4 shall have been waived or shall have expired. For a period
of twenty (20) days after the giving of the New Issuance Notice, each of the New
Stockholders shall have the right to purchase its Proportionate Percentage (as
hereinafter defined) of the New Securities, at a purchase price equal to the
Proposed Price and upon the same terms and conditions set forth in the New
Issuance Notice. Each such New Stockholder shall have the right to purchase that
percentage of the New Securities determined pro rata based on the number of
Shares then owned by the Investor Stockholders, the other parties to the
Existing Stockholders Agreement and the New Stockholders that were acquired
directly from the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, whether pursuant to
this Stockholders Agreement or in issuances made in compliance with this Section
3.4 or otherwise, as applicable (the "Proportionate Percentage"). The rights of
each New Stockholder to purchase the New Securities shall be exercisable by
delivering written notice of the exercise thereof prior to the expiration of the
20-day period referred to above to the Heartland Entities, which notice shall
state the amount of New Securities that such New Stockholder elects to purchase
pursuant to this Section 3.4. The failure of a New Stockholder to respond within
such 20-day period shall be deemed to be a waiver of such New Stockholder's
rights under this Section 3.4,
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provided that each New Stockholder may waive its rights under this Section 3.4
prior to the expiration of such 20-day period by giving written notice to the
Company. Where reasonably possible, the Heartland Entities shall give the New
Issuance Notice at least 20 days prior to the issuance of New Securities to the
Heartland Entities, but in any event, such notice shall be given not later than
five (5) days following any such issuance. It is understood that the obligation
to provide the New Stockholders with an opportunity to purchase their
Proportionate Percentage of New Securities will be reduced to the extent that
such opportunity is afforded directly by the Company or any subsidiary of the
Company to such New Stockholder. The Heartland Entities will use commercially
reasonable best efforts to accommodate the intent and purposes of the foregoing
provisions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Heartland Entities shall not be
required to comply with the foregoing provisions of Section 3.4 if: (1)
compliance would delay or have a material adverse impact upon any financing or
other significant business activity of the Company, whether by reason of timing,
the extent of the investment to be made by the New Stockholders or otherwise, in
the good faith judgment of the Company, or (2) after giving effect to the
exercise of any similar rights under the Existing Stockholders Agreement, to the
extent that the Heartland Entities would not be entitled to their Proportionate
Percentage of the New Securities (which will result in a reduction in the amount
to which the New Stockholders will be entitled) or (3) the exercise of such
rights by any New Stockholder would conflict with the Existing Stockholders
Agreement or any constituent agreement of any Heartland Entity by reason of any
investment in any Heartland Entity by a New Stockholder.
3.5 Waiver of Right to Participate in Proposed Offering. Each New
Stockholder hereby irrevocably waives on behalf of itself and each transferee to
whom it may transfer Shares (whether or not a Permitted Transferee) any right
such New Stockholder or transferee, as the case may be, may have to participate
in the proposed offering of the Company's Common Stock to its existing
stockholders the net proceeds of which are to be applied towards the purchase
price for the acquisition of TAC-Trim.
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ARTICLE IV
[Intentionally Omitted]
ARTICLE V
AFTER-ACQUIRED SECURITIES; AGREEMENT TO BE BOUND
5.1 After-Acquired Securities. Except as otherwise provided herein, all of
the provisions of this Agreement shall apply to all of the Shares and Common
Stock Equivalents (a) in the case of the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Investors, owned or acquired
pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (b) in the case of the ▇▇▇▇ Investors, owned
or acquired pursuant to the J Transaction and (c) in each case owned or acquired
on or after the date hereof, which may be issued or transferred hereafter to a
Stockholder in consequence of any additional issuance, purchase, exchange or
reclassification of any of such Shares or Common Stock Equivalents, corporate
reorganization, or any other form of recapitalization, consolidation, merger,
share split or share dividend, or which are acquired by a Stockholder in any
other manner, except to the extent any such securities would not be Registrable
Securities( as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement.)
5.2 Beneficial Ownership. In making calculations under this Agreement, no
Shares or Common Stock Equivalents owned by any Stockholder shall be deemed to
be beneficially owned by any other Stockholder solely because of this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE VI
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
6.1 General. Each New Stockholder agrees to vote its, her or his shares of
Common Stock to approve the identified potential matters to be presented for
shareholder approval and set forth in Schedule 6.1 separately delivered (the
"Matters"). From and after the execution of this Agreement, each New Stockholder
shall vote its Shares at any regular or special meeting of stockholders of the
Company (a "Stockholders Meeting") or in any written consent executed in lieu of
a Stockholders Meeting (a "Written Consent"), and shall take all other actions
as a shareholder necessary, to give effect to the Matters. In addition, each New
Stockholder shall vote his, her or its Shares at any Stockholders Meeting or act
by Written Consent with respect to such Shares, upon any matter submitted for
action by the Company's
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stockholders or with respect to which such Stockholder may vote or act by
Written Consent, in conformity with the specific terms and provisions of this
Agreement, the Charter Documents and the Matters.
6.2 Election of Directors. (a) Each Stockholder, other than any Stockholder
that is a ▇▇▇▇ Stockholder or a Permitted Transferee of a ▇▇▇▇ Stockholder,
shall vote its Shares at any Stockholders Meeting, or act by Written Consent
with respect to such Shares, and take all other actions necessary to ensure
that, subject to Section 6.3(a), ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ is a member of the Board of
Directors and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors so long as the ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Stockholders continue to hold at least 25% of the Shares (subject to equitable
adjustments for stock splits, stock combinations and similar events) which the
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Stockholders hold on the date hereof after giving effect to the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
(b) Each Stockholder shall vote its Shares at any Stockholders Meeting, or
act by Written Consent with respect to such Shares, and take all other actions
necessary to ensure that, subject to Section 6.3(b), ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is a member
of the Board of Directors so long as the ▇▇▇▇ Stockholders continue to hold at
least 25% of the Shares (subject to equitable adjustments for stock splits,
stock combinations and similar events) which the ▇▇▇▇ Stockholders hold on the
date hereof after giving effect to the J Transaction.
6.3 Vacancy. (a) If at any time, a vacancy is created on the Board of
Directors by reason of the incapacity or death of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ and for as
long as ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ and/or his Direct Permitted Transferees own Shares in the
requisite amounts under Section 6.2(a), his executor, heir or legal
representative that inherits or exercises authority with respect to any Shares
held (or formerly held) by him may designate a replacement director to fill the
vacancy; provided that no such replacement person shall be entitled to serve as
Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors solely by virtue of such designation. If
at any time ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall have resigned from the Board of Directors
(other than as a result of his incapacity or death) and for as long as ▇▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇ and/or his Direct Permitted Transferees own Shares in the requisite
amounts under Section 6.2(a) such that ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ would be entitled to be a
member of the Board of Directors, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall by written instrument filed
with the Secretary of the Company have the right to attend as an observer (or in
the case of telephonic meetings, monitor) all meetings of the Board of Directors
of the Company and each committee thereof and to participate in all discussions
held at such meetings; provided that ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall not in such capacity as an
observer be considered a member of the Board of Directors or be entitled to vote
or consent with respect to any matter brought before the Board of Directors.
(b) If at any time, a vacancy is created on the Board of Directors by
reason of the incapacity or death of ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and for as long as ▇▇▇▇
Fabrics Corporation, ▇▇▇
-▇▇-
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and/or the Direct Permitted Transferees of any of
them own Shares in the requisite amounts under Section 6.2(b), his executor,
heir or legal representative that inherits or exercises authority with respect
to any Shares held (or formerly held) by him may designate a replacement
director to fill the vacancy. If at any time ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall have resigned
from the Board of Directors (other than as a result of his incapacity or death)
and for as long as ▇▇▇▇ Fabrics Corporation, JFC Holdings Trust, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
and/or the Direct Permitted Transferees of any of them own Shares in the
requisite amounts under Section 6.2(b) such that ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ would be entitled
to be a member of the Board of Directors, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall by written
instrument filed with the Secretary of the Company have the right to attend as
an observer (or in the case of telephonic meetings, monitor) all meetings of the
Board of Directors of the Company and each committee thereof and to participate
in all discussions held at such meetings; provided that ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall not
in such capacity as an observer be considered a member of the Board of Directors
or be entitled to vote or consent with respect to any matter brought before the
Board of Directors.
(c) Upon receipt of notice of the designation of a nominee pursuant to
Section 6.3(a) or 6.3(b), each Stockholder shall, as soon as practicable after
the date of such notice, take all reasonable actions, including the voting of
its Shares or executing a Written Consent, to elect the director so designated
to fill the vacancy; provided, however, nothing in this Section 6.3 or in
Section 6.2 shall require any person to serve as a member of the Board of
Directors or to designate a successor member to the Board of Directors.
6.4 Reimbursement of Expenses; D&O Insurance. The Company shall reimburse
each of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or their respective designees
pursuant to Section 6.3 for all reasonable travel and accommodation expenses
incurred by him in connection with attendance at meetings of the Board of
Directors and committees thereof upon presentation of appropriate documentation
therefor.
ARTICLE VII
COVENANTS
7.1 Financial Statements and Other Information. The Company shall deliver
to each New Stockholder such financial statements (including monthly financial
statements), reports and information as may be reasonably requested by any of
the New Stockholders, including a copy of any filings by the Company with the
Commission.
7.2 Inspection. The Company shall permit representatives of the initial New
Stockholders party to the Merger Agreement or the definitive documentation for
the J Transaction to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its
corporate, financial and operat-
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ing records and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its
affairs, finances and accounts with their respective directors, officers and
independent public accountants, all at such reasonable times during normal
business hours and as often as may be reasonably requested upon reasonable
advance notice to the Company. No Stockholder, which directly or together with
its Affiliates or Direct Permitted Transferees beneficially owns less than 5% of
the outstanding Common Stock shall be entitled to any of the rights under this
Section 7.2.
ARTICLE VIII
STOCK CERTIFICATE LEGEND
8.1 A copy of this Agreement shall be filed with the Secretary of the
Company and kept with the records of the Company. Each certificate representing
Shares now held or hereafter acquired by any Stockholder shall for as long as
this Agreement is effective (until a transfer pursuant to Rule 144 or an
effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act) bear legends
substantially in the following forms:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR
QUALIFIED UNDER ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED,
SOLD OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT WHILE A REGISTRATION STATEMENT IS
IN EFFECT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE HOLDER OF
THIS SECURITY IS SUBJECT TO THE APPLICABLE TERMS OF THE STOCKHOLDERS
AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF JULY 3, 2001, AND THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS
AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF JULY 3, 2001. COPIES OF SUCH AGREEMENTS ARE
AVAILABLE AT THE OFFICES OF THE ISSUER.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
9.1 Recapitalizations, Exchanges, etc. The provisions of this Agreement
shall apply to the full extent set forth herein with respect to (i) the shares
of Common Stock, (ii) any and all shares of common stock of the Company into
which the shares of Common
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Stock are converted, exchanged or substituted in any recapitalization or other
capital reorganization by the Company and (iii) any and all equity securities of
the Company or any successor or assign of the Company (whether by merger,
consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) which may be issued in respect of,
in conversion of, in exchange for or in substitution of, the shares of Common
Stock and shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividends, splits,
reverse splits, combinations, recapitalizations and the like occurring after the
date hereof. The Company shall cause any successor or assign (whether by merger,
consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) to assume this Agreement with the
Designated Holders (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) on terms
substantially the same as this Agreement as a condition of any such transaction.
9.2 Notices. All notices, demands or other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing and shall be by telecopier, courier
service, or personal delivery:
(a) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Corporation
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Telecopy: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, CEO
Telecopy: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, General Counsel
with copies to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Telecopy: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: W. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
(b) if to the Heartland Entities:
Heartland Industrial Partners, L.P.
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Telecopy: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-22-
with a copy to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Telecopy: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: W. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
(c) if to ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Stockholders:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Ventures, L.L.C.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Telecopy: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
with a copy to:
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ PLC
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Telecopy: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: D. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
(d) if to ▇▇▇▇ Stockholders:
▇▇▇▇ Fabrics Corporation
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Telecopy: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
with a copy to
Goulston & Storrs, P.C.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Telecopy: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
-23-
(e) if to any other Stockholder, at its address as it
appears on the record books of the Company.
All such notices, demands and other communications shall be deemed to have been
duly given when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; when delivered by
courier, if delivered by commercial courier service; and when receipt is
mechanically acknowledged, if telecopied. Any party may by notice given in
accordance with this Section 9.2 designate another address or Person for receipt
of notices hereunder and the Company shall update its record books accordingly.
9.3 Successors and Assigns; Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be binding upon successors and permitted assigns of
the parties hereto. This Agreement is not assignable except in connection with a
transfer of Shares in accordance with this Agreement. No Person other than the
parties hereto and their successors and permitted assigns is intended to be a
beneficiary of this Agreement.
9.4 Amendment and Waiver.
(a) Except as set forth herein, no failure or delay on the part of any
party hereto in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as
a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right,
power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right, power or remedy. The remedies provided for herein are
cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies that may be available to the
parties hereto at law, in equity or otherwise.
(b) Any amendment, supplement or modification of or to any provision of
this Agreement, any waiver of any provision of this Agreement, and any consent
to any departure by any party from the terms of any provision of this Agreement,
shall be effective only if it is made or given in writing and signed by (i) the
Company, (ii) Heartland, (iii) a Majority of the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Stockholders (as defined
in the Registration Rights Agreement) and (iv) a Majority of the ▇▇▇▇
Stockholders (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), in each case, to
the extent such Stockholder group is adversely affected by such amendment,
supplement, modification, waiver, consent or departure. Any such amendment,
supplement, modification, waiver or consent shall be binding upon the Company
and all of the Stockholders.
9.5 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.
9.6 Specific Performance. The parties hereto intend that each of the
parties have the right to seek damages or specific performance in the event that
any other party hereto
-24-
fails to perform such party's obligations hereunder. Therefore, if any party
shall institute any action or proceeding to enforce the provisions hereof, any
party against whom such action or proceeding is brought hereby waives any claim
or defense therein that the party seeking the injunction has an adequate remedy
at law.
9.7 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
9.8 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW THEREOF.
9.9 Severability. If any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or
the application thereof in any circumstance, 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 hereof shall not be in any way impaired, unless the provisions held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable shall materially impair the benefits of the
remaining provisions hereof.
9.10 Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires,
references to sections or subsections refer to sections or subsections of this
Agreement.
9.11 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the exhibits and
schedules hereto, is intended by the parties as a final expression of their
agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement
and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter
contained herein and therein. There are no restrictions, promises,
representations, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or
referred to herein or therein. This Agreement, together with the exhibits and
schedules hereto, supersedes all prior agreements and understandings among the
parties with respect to such subject matter.
9.12 Further Assurances. Each of the parties shall, and shall cause their
respective Affiliates to, execute such documents and perform such further acts
as may be reasonably required or desirable to carry out or to perform the
provisions of this agreement.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
S-1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed, or have caused to be
executed this Agreement on the date first written above.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ CORPORATION
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Senior Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
HEARTLAND INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS, L.P.
By: Heartland Industrial Associates, L.L.C.
its general partner
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title:
HEARTLAND INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS (FF), L.P.
By: Heartland Industrial Associates, L.L.C.
its general partner
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title:
HEARTLAND INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS (E1), L.P.
By: Heartland Industrial Associates, L.L.C.
its general partner
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title:
S-2
HEARTLAND INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS (K1), L.P.
By: Heartland Industrial Associates, L.L.C.
its general partner
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title:
HEARTLAND INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS (C1), L.P.
By: Heartland Industrial Associates, L.L.C.
its general partner
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, a ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Investor
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
-------------------------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, a ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Investor
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-------------------------------------------------------
JENS HOHNEL, a ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Investor
/s/ Jens Hohnel
-------------------------------------------------------
S-3
▇▇▇▇ FABRICS CORPORATION
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Chairman of the Board; Chief
Executive Officer
JFC HOLDINGS TRUST
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, as Trustee and not
individually
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, a ▇▇▇▇ Investor
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-------------------------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, a ▇▇▇▇ Investor
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-------------------------------------------------------
EXHIBIT A
ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND AGREEMENT
The undersigned wishes to receive from [NAME] ("Transferor") certain shares
or certain options, warrants or other rights to purchase [NUMBER] shares, par
value $[NUMBER] per share, of Common Stock (the "Shares") of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company");
The Shares are subject to the Stockholders Agreement, dated July 3, 2001
(the "Agreement"), among the Company and the other parties listed on the
signature pages thereto;
The undersigned has been given a copy of the Agreement and afforded ample
opportunity to read and to have counsel review it, and the undersigned is
thoroughly familiar with its terms;
Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Transferor is prohibited from
transferring such Shares and the Company is prohibited from registering the
transfer of the Shares unless and until a transfer is made in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Agreement and the recipient of such Shares
acknowledges the terms and conditions of the Agreement and agrees to be bound
thereby; and
The undersigned wishes to receive such Shares and have the Company register
the transfer of such Shares.
In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and for other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, and to induce the Transferor to transfer such shares to the
undersigned and the Company to register such transfer, the undersigned does
hereby acknowledge and agree that (i) he[/she] has been given a copy of the
Agreement and afforded ample opportunity to read and to have counsel review it,
and the undersigned is thoroughly familiar with its terms, (ii) the Shares are
subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement, and (iii) the
undersigned does hereby agree fully to be bound thereby as an ["Investor
Stockholder"] ["▇▇▇▇▇▇ Stockholder"] ["▇▇▇▇ Stockholder"] (as therein defined).
This ____________ day of ________, 20__.
SCHEDULE 6.1
The Matters referred to in Section 6.1 of the Stockholders Agreement are as
follows:
(a) Each New Stockholder agrees to vote its, his or her shares of Common
Stock to effect:
(1) any necessary approvals or consents to effectuate the proposed
acquisition by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Corporation (or any successor thereto
or parent thereof) or any of its affiliates of ▇▇▇▇ Fabrics and its
affiliates;
(2) any necessary approvals or consents to effectuate the potential
acquisition by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Corporation (or any successor thereto
or parent thereof) or any of its affiliates of businesses identified
as TAC-Trim; and
(3) any necessary approvals or consents to create a new holding company
for ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Corporation.
(b) Each of the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Stockholders agrees to vote its, his or her shares
of Common Stock to approve the election of designees of Heartland Industrial
Partners, L.P. as directors of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Corporation (or any successor
thereto or parent thereof).