AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
dated as of September 23, 1998
by and among
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ CORPORATION,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ACQUISITION CORPORATION
and
▇▇▇▇▇ STEAM CORPORATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE A
THE OFFER
A-1.01 The Offer......................................2
A-1.02 ▇▇▇▇▇ Actions..................................3
A-1.03 Stockholder Lists..............................3
ARTICLE I
PLAN OF MERGER
1.01 The Merger.......................................4
1.02 Effective Time...................................4
1.03 Closing..........................................4
1.04 Articles of Incorporation; By-laws of the
Surviving Corporation; Location of
Principal Office.................................4
1.05 Directors and Officers of the Surviving
Corporation......................................5
1.06 Effects of the Merger............................5
1.07 Further Assurances...............................5
1.08 Shareholders' Approval...........................5
ARTICLE II
CONVERSION OF SHARES
2.01 Conversion of Capital Stock......................6
2.02 Exchange of Certificates.........................7
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
3.01 Organization and Qualification...................9
3.02 Capital Stock...................................10
3.03 Authority Relative to this Agreement............11
3.04 Non-Contravention: Approvals and Consents.......12
3.05 SEC Reports and Financial Statements............13
3.06 Absence of Certain Changes or Events............13
3.07 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities..............14
3.08 Legal Proceedings...............................14
3.09 Information Supplied; Schedule 14D-9; Offer
Documents and Proxy Statement...................14
3.10 Compliance with Laws and Orders.................15
3.11 Compliance with Agreements; Certain Agreements..15
3.12 Taxes...........................................16
3.13 Benefit Plans; ERISA............................17
3.14 Insurance.......................................19
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3.15 Labor Matters...................................20
3.16 Environmental Matters...........................21
3.17 Tangible Property and Assets....................23
3.18 Intellectual Property Rights....................23
3.19 Vote Required...................................25
3.20 Disclosure......................................25
3.21 Effect of Transactions on Manufacturer's
Representatives and Customers...................25
3.22 Bryan's Transaction Costs.......................25
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER AND MERGER
SUB
4.01 Organization and Qualification..................25
4.02 Authority Relative to this Agreement............26
4.03 Non-Contravention; Approvals and Consents.......26
4.04 Legal Proceedings...............................27
4.05 Information Supplied............................27
4.06 Financing.......................................28
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
5.01 Conduct of Business.............................28
5.02 No Solicitations................................31
ARTICLE VI
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
6.01 Access to Information; Confidentiality..........32
6.02 Preparation of Proxy Statement..................32
6.03 Approval of Shareholders........................33
6.04 Regulatory and Other Approvals..................34
6.05 Employees.......................................34
6.06 Expenses........................................35
6.07 Brokers or Finders..............................35
6.08 Notice and Cure.................................35
6.09 Fulfillment of Conditions.......................36
6.10 Indemnification; Directors' and Officers'
Insurance.......................................36
6.11 Retention of ▇▇▇▇▇ Name.........................37
6.12 Takeover Laws...................................38
6.13 Subsequent Financial Statements.................38
6.14 Termination Fee; Expenses.......................38
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ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS
7.01 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to
Effect the Merger...............................39
7.02 Conditions to Obligation of Buyer and Merger
Sub to Effect the Merger........................40
7.03 Conditions to Obligation of ▇▇▇▇▇ to Effect
the Merger......................................41
ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
8.01 Termination.....................................42
8.02 Effect of Termination...........................43
8.03 Amendment.......................................43
8.04 Waiver..........................................43
ARTICLE IX
GENERAL PROVISIONS
9.01 Non-Survival of Representations; Warranties;
Covenants and Agreements........................44
9.02 Knowledge.......................................44
9.03 Notices.........................................44
9.04 Entire Agreement................................45
9.05 Public Announcements............................45
9.06 No Third Party Beneficiaries....................46
9.07 No Assignment, Binding Effect...................46
9.08 Headings........................................46
9.09 Invalid Provisions..............................46
9.10 Governing Law...................................46
9.11 Counterparts....................................46
9.12 Interpretation..................................47
9.13 Incorporation of Exhibits.......................47
9.14 Enforcement of Agreement; Injunctive Relief.....47
9.15 Joint and Several Obligations...................48
ANNEXES:
Annex A -- Conditions of Offer and List of Encumbrances
EXHIBITS:
Exhibit A - Form of Stockholders Agreement
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SCHEDULES:
Schedule 3.01 - Jurisdictions of Qualification
Schedule 3.04 - ▇▇▇▇▇ Consents and Approvals
Schedule 3.06 - Material Adverse Changes, etc.
Schedule 3.07 - Undisclosed Liabilities
Schedule 3.08 - Legal Proceedings
Schedule 3.10 - Permits; Legal Compliance
Schedule 3.11 - Contracts and Contract Compliance
Schedule 3.12 - Tax Matters
Schedule 3.13 - Benefit Plans
Schedule 3.14 - Insurance
Schedule 3.15 - Labor Matters
Schedule 3.16 - Environmental Matters
Schedule 3.17 - Exceptions to Title to Personal Property
Schedule 3.18 - Intellectual Property
Schedule 3.21 - Relationships with Representatives and Customers
Schedule 3.22 - Bryan's Transaction Costs
Schedule 7.02 - Encumbrances
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This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER dated as of September 23, 1998 (this
"Agreement"), is made and entered into by and among ("▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ CORPORATION"), a
New York corporation ("Buyer" or "▇▇▇▇▇▇▇"), ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ACQUISITION CORPORATION, a
New Mexico corporation wholly owned by Buyer ("Merger Sub"), and ▇▇▇▇▇ STEAM
CORPORATION, a New Mexico corporation (prior to the Merger referred to as
"▇▇▇▇▇", and after the Merger referred to as the "Surviving Corporation").
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Buyer, Merger Sub and ▇▇▇▇▇ have each
determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of their respective
shareholders to consummate and have approved the transactions contemplated
hereby (in which Merger Sub will make a tender offer (the "Offer") for all
outstanding shares of ▇▇▇▇▇, Merger Sub will subsequently merge with and into
▇▇▇▇▇, and ▇▇▇▇▇ will thereupon become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Buyer (the
"Merger"));
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of ▇▇▇▇▇ has unanimously adopted a
resolution approving the Offer, the Merger, this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby and recommending that the holders of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock (as
defined below) tender their shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock in the Offer and
approve the Merger;
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution hereof and in order to induce
Buyer and Merger Sub to enter into this Agreement, Buyer and Merger Sub are
entering into a Stockholders' Agreement with ten holders of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock
who collectively own beneficially and of record 55.6% of the issued and
outstanding shares of common stock of ▇▇▇▇▇; and such holders have, in
accordance with Rule 14a-2(b)(2) of the rules promulgated under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, executed and delivered such Stockholders'
Agreement substantially in form of Exhibit A hereto wherein each such holder (i)
has agreed to tender his shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock pursuant to the Offer and
(ii) has granted to Buyer the right to vote such holder's shares of common stock
of ▇▇▇▇▇ in favor of the adoption and approval of the Merger;
WHEREAS, Buyer, Merger Sub and ▇▇▇▇▇ desire to make certain
representations, warranties and agreements in connection with the Merger and
also to prescribe various conditions to the Merger;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual
covenants and agreements and representations and warranties set forth in this
Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
ARTICLE A
THE OFFER
A-1.01 The Offer.
(a) Provided that this Agreement shall not have been terminated in
accordance with Section 8.01 hereof and subject to the provisions hereof, Buyer
shall cause Merger Sub promptly (but in no event later than five business days
following the public announcement of the terms of this Agreement) to commence
(within the meaning of Rule 14d-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act")) an offer to purchase all outstanding shares of
common stock of ▇▇▇▇▇, par value $10.00 per share (the "▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock" or
the "Shares"), at a price of $152.00 per Share, net to the seller in cash (the
"Offer"). Subject to the satisfaction of the Offer Conditions (as defined below)
and the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Merger Sub shall accept for
payment and pay for Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the
Offer as soon as practicable under applicable law. The obligation of Merger Sub
to consummate the Offer and to accept for payment and to pay for any Shares
tendered pursuant thereto shall be subject to only those conditions set forth in
Annex A hereto (the "Offer Conditions"), which are for the sole benefit of Buyer
and Merger Sub and may be asserted by Buyer or Merger Sub or waived by Buyer or
Merger Sub, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time in their sole
discretion. ▇▇▇▇▇ agrees that no Shares held by ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its subsidiaries
will be tendered to Merger Sub pursuant to the Offer. Merger Sub will not,
without the prior written consent of ▇▇▇▇▇, (i) decrease or change the amount or
form of the consideration payable in the Offer, (ii) decrease the number of
Shares sought pursuant to the Offer, (iii) impose additional conditions to the
Offer, (iv) change the conditions to the Offer (provided, that Buyer or Merger
Sub in their sole discretion may waive any of the conditions to the Offer) or
(v) make any change to any other provision of the Offer that is materially
adverse to the holders of the Shares. Merger Sub shall be entitled to extend the
Offer in accordance with applicable law, but if the conditions set forth in
Annex A are satisfied as of any scheduled expiration date of the Offer, the
Offer may not be extended by more than ten business days in the aggregate,
except with the prior written consent of the Company or as required by law. If
the conditions set forth in Annex A are not satisfied or waived by Merger Sub as
of any scheduled expiration date, Merger Sub may extend the Offer from time to
time until the earlier of the consummation of the Offer or twenty business days
following the original expiration date of the Offer.
(b) On the date of commencement of the Offer, Buyer and Merger Sub
shall file or cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1 with respect to the Offer
(together with all amendments and supplements thereto, the "Schedule 14D-1"),
which shall contain the offer to purchase and related letter of transmittal and
other ancillary Offer documents and instruments pursuant to which the Offer will
be made (collectively with any supplements or amendments thereto, the "Offer
Documents"). ▇▇▇▇▇ and its counsel shall be given a reasonable opportunity to
review and comment on the Offer Documents prior to their filing with the SEC.
Buyer and Merger Sub agree to provide ▇▇▇▇▇ with, and to consult with ▇▇▇▇▇
regarding, any comments that may be received from the SEC or its staff with
respect to the Offer Documents promptly after receipt thereof.
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A-1.02 ▇▇▇▇▇ Actions. (a) ▇▇▇▇▇ hereby consents to the Offer and
represents and warrants that (i) the making of the Offer and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been approved and consented to
by the Board of Directors of ▇▇▇▇▇ in accordance with applicable law, (ii)
Bryan's Board of Directors (at meetings duly called and held) has unanimously
(x) determined that the Offer and the Merger are fair to and in the best
interests of the stockholders of ▇▇▇▇▇, (y) resolved to recommend acceptance of
the Offer and approval of the plan of merger contained in this Agreement by such
stockholders of ▇▇▇▇▇, and (z) resolved to elect, to the extent permitted by
law, not to be subject to any "moratorium", "control share acquisition",
"business combination", "fair price" or other form of antitakeover laws and
regulations (collectively, "Takeover Laws") of any jurisdiction that may purport
to be applicable to this Agreement, and (iii) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Company Securities,
Inc., Bryan's independent financial advisor, has advised Bryan's Board of
Directors that, in its opinion, the consideration to be paid in the Offer and
the Merger to Bryan's stockholders is fair, from a financial point of view, to
such stockholders.
(b) Upon commencement of the Offer, ▇▇▇▇▇ shall file with the SEC a
Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (together with all
amendments and supplements thereto, the "Schedule 14D-9") containing the
recommendations of its Board of Directors described in Section A-1.02(a) and
hereby consents to the inclusion of such recommendations in the Offer Documents
and to the inclusion of a copy of the Schedule 14D-9 with the Offer Documents
mailed or furnished to Bryan's stockholders. Buyer, Merger Sub and their counsel
shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Schedule
14D-9 prior to its filing with the SEC. ▇▇▇▇▇ agrees to provide Buyer and Merger
Sub with, and to consult with Buyer and Merger Sub regarding, any comments that
may be received from the SEC or its staff with respect to the Schedule 14D-9
promptly after receipt thereof.
(c) ▇▇▇▇▇ hereby agrees that, subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, in the event there shall occur a change in law or in a binding
judicial interpretation of existing law which would, in the absence of action by
▇▇▇▇▇ or the Board of Directors of ▇▇▇▇▇ specified in such law or
interpretation, prevent Merger Sub, were it to acquire two-thirds of the Shares
then outstanding, from approving and adopting this Agreement without the
affirmative vote of any other holder of Shares, ▇▇▇▇▇ will use its best efforts
promptly to take such action or cause such action to be taken.
A-1.03 Stockholder Lists. In connection with the Offer, ▇▇▇▇▇ shall
promptly furnish Buyer and Merger Sub with mailing labels, security position
listings and any available listing or computer file containing the names and
addresses of the record holders of the Shares as of the latest practicable date
and shall furnish Buyer and Merger Sub with such information and assistance
(including periodic updates of such information) as Buyer or Merger Sub or their
agents may reasonably request in communicating the Offer to the record and
beneficial holders of the Shares.
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ARTICLE I
PLAN OF MERGER
1.01 The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this
Agreement, at the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.02), Merger Sub shall
be merged with and into ▇▇▇▇▇ and the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub
shall thereupon cease. ▇▇▇▇▇ shall be the surviving corporation in the Merger
(the "Surviving Corporation"). Merger Sub and ▇▇▇▇▇ are sometimes referred to
herein as the "Constituent Corporations." As a result of the Merger, the
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Constituent Corporations shall be
converted or canceled in the manner provided in Article II.
1.02 Effective Time. At the Closing (as defined in Section 1.03), such
articles of merger or other appropriate documents (in each case, "Articles of
Merger") shall be duly prepared and executed by the Constituent Corporations and
thereafter delivered to the Corporation Commission of the State of New Mexico or
its successor (the "New Mexico Corporation Commission") for filing, as provided
in Section 53-14-4 of the New Mexico Business Corporation Act (the "NMBCA"), on,
or as soon as practicable after, the Closing Date (as defined in Section 1.03)
and shall make all other filings, recordings and publications as required by the
NMBCA. The Merger shall become effective on the date the Articles of Merger are
filed (such date being referred to herein as the "Effective Time").
1.03 Closing. The closing of the Merger (the "Closing") will take place at
the offices of ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, or at such other place as the parties hereto mutually agree, on a
date and at a time to be specified by the parties, which shall in no event be
later than 10:00 a.m., local time, on the 5th business day following the day on
which the last to be satisfied or waived of the conditions set forth in Article
VII shall be satisfied or, if permissible, waived in accordance with this
Agreement, or on such other date and time as the parties hereto mutually agree.
The date on which the Closing occurs is hereinafter referred to as the "Closing
Date." At the Closing, Buyer, Merger Sub and ▇▇▇▇▇ shall deliver to each other
the certificates and other documents and instruments required to be delivered
under Article VII and take such other actions as may be necessary to consummate
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
1.04 Articles of Incorporation; By-laws of the Surviving
Corporation; Location of Principal Office.
(a) Articles of Incorporation. The Articles of
Incorporation of Merger Sub in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be the Articles of Incorporation of the
Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as provided by law
and such Articles of Incorporation; provided, however, that
Article I of the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation shall be amended to read in its entirety as follows:
"The name of the Corporation is ▇▇▇▇▇ Steam Corporation."
(b) By-laws. The By-laws of Merger Sub in effect immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall be the By-laws of the Surviving Corporation until
thereafter amended as provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation of the
Surviving Corporation and such By-laws.
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(c) Location of Principal Office. The location of the principal
office of the Surviving Corporation shall be ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇, ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇.
1.05 Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation.
(a) Directors. The individuals listed below shall be the directors of
the Surviving Corporation until their successors shall have been duly elected or
appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in
accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and By-laws of the Surviving
Corporation:
H. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, III
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
(b) Officers. The individuals listed below shall be the officers of
the Surviving Corporation until their successors shall have been duly elected or
appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in
accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and By-laws of the Surviving
Corporation, and the Board of Directors of ▇▇▇▇▇ will confirm by resolution the
appointment of such officers effective as of the Effective Time:
H. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, President
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Vice President
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Treasurer,
Comptroller and Secretary
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Assistant Treasurer
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Assistant Secretary
1.06 Effects of the Merger. Subject to the foregoing, the Merger shall
have the effects specified in accordance with Section 53-14-6 of the NMBCA.
1.07 Further Assurances. Each party hereto will execute such further
documents and instruments and take such further actions as may reasonably be
requested by one or more of the others to consummate the Merger, to vest the
Surviving Corporation with full title to all assets, properties, rights,
approvals, immunities and franchises of either of the Constituent Corporations
or to effect the other purposes of this Agreement.
1.08 Shareholders' Approval. In order to consummate the Merger, ▇▇▇▇▇,
acting through its Board of Directors, shall pursuant to Section 6.03 as soon as
practicable and in accordance with (but only if required under) applicable law,
promptly and duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a special shareholder
meeting or its 1998 Annual Meeting of shareholders for the purpose of
considering and taking action upon the Merger and adopting and approving this
Agreement (the "Shareholder Meeting").
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ARTICLE II
CONVERSION OF SHARES
2.01 Conversion of Capital Stock.
(a) Conversion of Capital Stock and Dissenting Shares.
At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any
action on the part of the holders thereof:
(i) Capital Stock of Merger Sub. All of the issued and
outstanding shares of the common stock, with no par value, of Merger Sub
("Merger Sub Common Stock") issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall remain outstanding and unchanged after the Merger and shall
thereafter constitute all of the issued and outstanding shares of the capital
stock of the Surviving Corporation ("Surviving Corporation Common Stock").
Immediately after the Merger, all of the issued and outstanding shares of common
stock of the Surviving Corporation shall be owned by Buyer.
(ii) Cancellation of Treasury Stock. All shares of common stock,
of ▇▇▇▇▇, par value $10.00 per share ("▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock"), that are owned by
▇▇▇▇▇ as treasury stock shall be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist
and no stock of Buyer or other consideration shall be delivered in exchange
therefor.
(iii) Exchange Price for ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock. Each share of ▇▇▇▇▇
Common Stock (other than shares to be canceled in accordance with Section
2.01(a)(ii) and other than Dissenting Shares (as defined in Section 2.01(b)))
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be
converted into and represent the right to receive $152.00 in cash per share (the
"Merger Price"). The Merger Price shall be payable in cash without interest
thereon, upon surrender of the corresponding Certificate (as defined in Section
2.02(b)) in accordance with Section 2.02. As of the Effective Time, all shares
of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be
canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a Certificate
representing any such shares shall cease to have any rights with respect
thereto, except the right to receive the Merger Price per share as provided
herein.
(b) Dissenting Shares.
(i) To the extent applicable, each outstanding share of ▇▇▇▇▇
Common Stock the holder of which has not voted in favor of the Merger, has
perfected such holder's right to fair value of such holder's shares in
accordance with the applicable provisions of the NMBCA and has not effectively
withdrawn or lost such right (a "Dissenting Share"), shall not be converted into
or represent a right to receive the Merger Price pursuant to Section 2.01
(a)(iii), but the holder thereof (sometimes referred to herein as a "Dissenting
Shareholder") shall be entitled only to such rights as are granted by the
applicable provisions of the NMBCA; provided, however, that any Dissenting Share
held by a person at the Effective Time who shall, after the Effective Time,
withdraw the demand for fair value or lose the right to fair value, in either
case pursuant to the NMBCA, shall be deemed to be converted into, as of the
Effective Time, the right to receive the Merger Price pursuant to Section
2.01(a)(iii).
6
(ii) ▇▇▇▇▇ shall give Buyer (x) prompt notice of any written
objection to the proposed adoption and approval of this Agreement, any written
demand for payment of the fair value of shares, any withdrawals of such demands
and any other instruments received by ▇▇▇▇▇ served pursuant to the applicable
provisions of the NMBCA relating to dissenting shareholders and (y) the
opportunity to direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect to demands
by dissenting shareholders under the NMBCA. ▇▇▇▇▇ will not voluntarily make any
payment with respect to any demands by dissenting shareholders and will not,
except with the prior written consent of Buyer, settle or offer to settle any
such demands.
2.02 Exchange of Certificates.
(a) Exchange Agent.
(i) At the Closing or immediately prior to the Effective Time,
Buyer (x) shall appoint as exchange agent reasonably satisfactory to ▇▇▇▇▇ (the
"Exchange Agent") in accordance with an exchange agreement reasonably
satisfactory to ▇▇▇▇▇, and (y) shall make available to the Surviving
Corporation, and shall cause to be deposited with the Exchange Agent, the
aggregate amount due to holders of shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock under Section
2.01(a)(iii) (the "Purchase Price"), to be held for the benefit of and to be
distributed to, holders of shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock in accordance with this
Section 2.02. The Exchange Agent shall agree to hold such funds (such funds,
together with earnings thereon, being referred to herein as the "Exchange Fund")
for delivery as contemplated by this Section 2.02 and upon such additional terms
as may be agreed upon by the Exchange Agent, ▇▇▇▇▇ and Buyer.
(ii) The deposit shall be made on the following terms: (a) the
Exchange Agent will be given irrevocable instructions that monies deposited in
the Exchange Fund pursuant to this Section 2.02 will be applied by the Exchange
Agent to making the cash payments to the former ▇▇▇▇▇ shareholders provided for
herein; (b) the Exchange Agent, upon the direction of Buyer or, after the
Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation, may invest in direct obligations of
the United States of America or obligations for which the full faith and credit
of the United States is pledged to provide for the payment of principal and
interest, certificates of deposit issued by commercial banks having capital and
surplus in excess of One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000), or commercial
paper rated A-1 or better by Standard & Poor's corporation or P-1 by ▇▇▇▇▇'▇
Investors Service, Inc.; (c) any net profit resulting from, or interest or
income produced by, such investments will be payable as directed by the
Surviving Corporation (including, if so directed, to it); provided, that Buyer
shall replace any monies lost through any investments made as contemplated by
this Section 2.02, if required to make payments to former shareholders of ▇▇▇▇▇
pursuant to this Agreement, and shall reimburse the Exchange Agent for all
expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition or liquidation of any such
investment; (d) all expenses of the Exchange Agent will be paid by Buyer or the
Surviving Corporation; and (e) any portion of the Exchange Fund deposited with
the Exchange Agent pursuant to this Section 2.02, which remains unclaimed by the
former shareholders of ▇▇▇▇▇ for six (6) months after the Effective Time, will
be repaid to the Surviving Corporation upon demand. If certain ▇▇▇▇▇
shareholders, such as shareholders who cannot be located, have not received the
cash to which they are entitled under the terms of this Agreement within six (6)
months after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation will thereafter hold
the amount of
7
cash to which such shareholders are entitled, subject to applicable law and to
the extent that the same has not yet been paid to a public official pursuant to
abandoned property laws, for their benefit and will act and serve as their agent
for the purpose of holding such funds. To the extent that any former
shareholders of ▇▇▇▇▇ exercise their rights as Dissenting Shareholders, payments
to them required or authorized by the NMBCA may be made from the Exchange Fund,
but not in excess of the Merger Price for each share of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock
formerly owned.
(b) Exchange Procedures.
(i) The record date for the purposes of the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be the Closing Date. As soon as reasonably practicable
after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall cause the Exchange
Agent to mail to each holder of record of a certificate or certificates which
immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding shares of ▇▇▇▇▇
Common Stock (the "Certificates") converted pursuant to Section 2.01(a)(iii)
into the right to receive the Merger Price (x) a letter of transmittal (which
shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the
Certificates shall pass, only upon delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange
Agent and shall be in such form and have such other provisions as the Surviving
Corporation may reasonably specify) and (y) instructions for use in effecting
the surrender of the Certificates in exchange for the Merger Price. Upon
surrender of a Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange Agent, together with
such letter of transmittal duly executed and completed in accordance with its
terms, the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange
therefor an amount equal to the Merger Price per share of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock
represented thereby, which such holder has the right to receive pursuant to the
provisions of this Article II (in accordance with applicable law), and the
Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled. In no event shall the
holder of any Certificate be entitled to receive interest on any funds to be
received in the Merger. In the event of a transfer of ownership of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common
Stock which is not registered in the transfer records of ▇▇▇▇▇, the Merger Price
may be issued to a transferee if the Certificate representing such ▇▇▇▇▇ Common
Stock is presented to the Exchange Agent accompanied by all documents required
to evidence, to the satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation, that such
transfer had properly occurred and that any applicable stock transfer taxes had
been properly paid.
(ii) Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.02(b),
each Certificate shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to
represent only the right to receive upon such surrender the Merger Price per
share of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock represented thereby as contemplated by this Article
II, and shall not entitle the holder thereof to any rights of shareholders of
the Surviving Corporation.
(iii) The Surviving Corporation shall pay all charges and
expenses incurred by the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent in
connection with the exchange of Certificates for cash.
(iv) The parties acknowledge that the Exchange Agent may require
each holder of record of outstanding shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock to execute and
deliver such documents and instruments as the Exchange Agent may reasonably
require to effectuate the surrender of such shares in exchange for the Merger
Price, including any appropriate affidavits and tax forms.
8
(c) No Further Ownership Rights in ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock. All cash paid
upon the surrender of shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock in accordance with the terms
hereof shall be deemed to have been paid in full satisfaction of all rights
pertaining to such shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock. From and after the Effective
Time, Bryan's stock transfer books shall be closed and there shall be no further
registration of transfers on the stock transfer books of the Surviving
Corporation of the shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock which were outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time,
Certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation for any reason, they
shall be canceled and exchanged as provided in this Article II. If any
Certificates shall not have been surrendered prior to two years after the
Effective Time, unclaimed funds payable with respect to such Certificates shall,
to the extent permitted by applicable law, become the property of the Surviving
Corporation, free and clear of all claims or interest of any person previously
entitled thereto.
(d) No Further Ownership Rights in Merger Sub Common Stock. All
shares of common stock of the Surviving Corporation (the "Surviving Corporation
Common Stock") issued upon the surrender of shares of Merger Sub Common Stock in
accordance with the terms hereof shall be deemed to have been issued in full
satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such shares of Merger Sub Common Stock,
and there shall be no further registration of transfers on the stock transfer
books of the Surviving Corporation of the shares of Merger Sub Common Stock that
were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the
Effective Time, certificates representing Merger Sub Common Stock are presented
to the Surviving Corporation for any reason, they shall be canceled and
exchanged as provided in Article II.
(e) Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion of the Exchange Fund
that remains undistributed to the shareholders of ▇▇▇▇▇ six (6) months after the
Effective Time shall be delivered to the Surviving Corporation, upon demand, and
any shareholders of ▇▇▇▇▇ who have not theretofore complied with this Article II
shall thereafter look only to the Surviving Corporation (subject to abandoned
property, escheat and other similar laws) as general creditors for payment of
their claims for the Merger Price per share. Neither Buyer nor the Surviving
Corporation shall be liable to any holder of shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock for
cash representing the Merger Price delivered from the Exchange Fund or otherwise
to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or
similar law.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
▇▇▇▇▇ represents and warrants to Buyer and Merger Sub as follows:
3.01 Organization and Qualification. (a) ▇▇▇▇▇ is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation and has full corporate power and authority to
conduct its business as and to the extent now conducted and to own, use and
lease its assets and properties. ▇▇▇▇▇ is duly qualified, licensed or admitted
to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction listed on Schedule
3.01 hereto in which the ownership, use or leasing of its assets and properties,
or the conduct or nature of its business, makes such qualification, licensing or
admission necessary, except for such failures to be so
9
qualified, licensed or admitted and in good standing which, individually or in
the aggregate, (i) are not having and could not be reasonably expected to have a
material adverse effect on ▇▇▇▇▇, and (ii) could not be reasonably expected to
have a material adverse effect on the validity or enforceability of this
Agreement or on the ability of ▇▇▇▇▇ to perform its obligations hereunder. As
used in this Agreement, any reference to any event, change or effect being
"material" or "materially adverse" or having a "material adverse effect" on or
with respect to an entity (or group of entities taken as a whole) means such
event, change or effect is material or materially adverse, as the case may be,
to the business, condition (financial or otherwise), properties, assets
(including intangible assets), liabilities (including contingent liabilities),
prospects or results of operations of such entity (or, if with respect thereto,
of such group of entities taken as a whole). ▇▇▇▇▇ has previously delivered to
Buyer accurate and complete copies of the Articles of Incorporation and the
By-laws of ▇▇▇▇▇ and each of its subsidiaries as currently in effect.
(b) Except for Monticello Exchanger and Manufacturing Co., Inc.
("Memco") and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Manufacturing Co., Inc. ("▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇"), ▇▇▇▇▇ does not
directly or indirectly own any equity or similar interest in, or any interest
convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, any equity or similar
interest in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other business
association or entity. All outstanding shares of capital stock of each of Memco
and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and
owned, directly or indirectly, by ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ and clear of any liens, claims or
encumbrances. Each of Memco and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation and has full corporate power and authority to conduct its business
as and to the extent now conducted and to own, use and lease its assets and
properties. Each of Memco and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is duly qualified, licensed or admitted
to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction listed on Schedule
3.01 hereto in which the ownership, use or leasing of its assets and properties,
or the conduct or nature of its business, makes such qualification, licensing or
admission necessary, except for such failures to be so qualified, licensed or
admitted and in good standing which, individually or in the aggregate, (i) are
not having and could not be reasonably expected to have a material adverse
effect on either Memco or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ as the case may be, and (ii) could not be
reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the validity or
enforceability of this Agreement or on the ability of ▇▇▇▇▇ to perform its
obligations hereunder.
3.02 Capital Stock, etc.. (a) The authorized capital stock of ▇▇▇▇▇
consists solely of 200,000 shares of common stock, par value $10.00 per share
(previously defined as "▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock"), and 2,500 shares of preferred
stock (the "Preferred Stock"). As of the date hereof, 191,284 shares of ▇▇▇▇▇
Common Stock are issued and outstanding, 8,716 shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock are
held in the treasury of ▇▇▇▇▇; and no shares of Preferred Stock are issued or
outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock are
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Except pursuant
to this Agreement, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants,
rights (including "phantom" stock rights), preemptive rights or other contracts,
commitments, understandings or arrangements, including any right of conversion
or exchange under any outstanding security, instrument or agreement (together,
"Options"), obligating ▇▇▇▇▇ to issue or sell any shares of capital stock of
▇▇▇▇▇ or to ▇▇▇▇▇, extend or enter into any Option with respect thereto.
10
(b) There are no outstanding contractual obligations of ▇▇▇▇▇ to
repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock or to
provide funds to, or make any investment (in the form of a loan, capital
contribution or otherwise) in any other person.
(c) There are no obligations to issue or to make any payments in
respect of any shares of Preferred Stock; no person or entity has any right to
make any claim in any manner whatsoever as a holder or a prior holder of any
Preferred Stock or any rights related in any way to any shares of Preferred
Stock; and no person or entity has any right to claim to be a holder of any
rights related in any way to the Preferred Stock.
(d) Except as expressly provided herein or in the Schedules hereto,
no notice to obtain approval of the Merger is required to be sent to any person
or entity, whether or not entitled to vote, other than the holders of record of
▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock.
(e) There are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, rights
(including "phantom" stock rights), preemptive rights or other contracts,
commitments, understandings or arrangements, including any right of conversion
or exchange under any outstanding security, instrument or agreement, obligating
either ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or Memco to issue or sell any shares of its capital stock (each,
a "Subsidiary Option") or to grant, extend or enter into any Subsidiary Option
with respect thereto. There are no outstanding contractual obligations of either
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or Memco to provide funds to, or make any investment (in the form of a
loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in, any other person or entity.
3.03 Authority Relative to this Agreement. ▇▇▇▇▇ has full corporate power
and authority to enter into this Agreement and, subject to obtaining
Shareholders' Approval (as defined in Section 6.03) with respect to the Merger,
to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
by ▇▇▇▇▇ and the consummation by ▇▇▇▇▇ of the transactions contemplated hereby
have been duly and validly approved by the Board of Directors of ▇▇▇▇▇, the
Board of Directors of ▇▇▇▇▇ has recommended adoption of this Agreement by the
shareholders of ▇▇▇▇▇ and directed that this Agreement be submitted to the
shareholders of ▇▇▇▇▇ for their consideration, and no other corporate
proceedings on the part of ▇▇▇▇▇ or its shareholders are necessary to authorize
the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by ▇▇▇▇▇ and the
consummation by ▇▇▇▇▇ of the transactions contemplated hereby other than
obtaining Shareholders' Approval (as defined in Section 6.03). This Agreement
has been duly and validly executed and delivered by ▇▇▇▇▇ and constitutes a
legal, valid and binding obligation of ▇▇▇▇▇ enforceable against ▇▇▇▇▇ in
accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar
laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general
equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in
a proceeding in equity or at law).
3.04 Non-Contravention; Approvals and Consents.
(a) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by ▇▇▇▇▇ does not,
and the performance by ▇▇▇▇▇ of its obligations hereunder and the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby will not, conflict with, result in a
violation or breach of, constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or
both) a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of
11
any liens, mortgages, encumbrances, pledges or security interests of any kind
(each a "Lien') upon any of the assets or properties of ▇▇▇▇▇ under any of the
terms, conditions or provisions of (i) the Articles of Incorporation or By-laws
of ▇▇▇▇▇, or (ii) subject to the obtaining of Shareholders' Approval and the
taking of the actions described in paragraph (b) of this Section, (x) any
statute, law, rule, regulation, requirement, code or ordinance (together,
"Laws"), or any judgment, decree, binding agreement or order (together,
"Orders"), of or with any court, tribunal, arbitrator, authority, agency,
commission, official or other instrumentality of the United States, any foreign
country or any domestic or foreign state, county, city or other political
subdivision (a "Governmental or Regulatory Authority"), applicable to ▇▇▇▇▇ or
any of its assets or properties, or (y) any note, bond, mortgage, security
agreement, indenture, license, franchise, permit, concession, contract, lease or
other instrument, obligation or agreement of any kind (each a "Contract", and
together, "Contracts") to which ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or
by which ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its assets or properties is
bound, excluding from the foregoing clauses (x) and (y) conflicts, violations,
breaches, defaults, terminations, modifications, accelerations and creations and
impositions of Liens which, individually or in the aggregate, could not be
reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the business or a
material product line of ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries or on the ability of ▇▇▇▇▇
to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. As used in this
Agreement, "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any party, any corporation or
other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which more than
fifty percent (50%) of either the equity interests in, or the voting control of,
such corporation or other organization is, directly or indirectly through
Subsidiaries or otherwise, beneficially owned by such party.
(b) Except (i) for the filing of a premerger notification report by
▇▇▇▇▇ under the ▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇ Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the "HSR Act"), (ii) for the
filing of the Proxy Statement (as defined in Section 3.09) with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the "Exchange Act")
and clearance of any SEC comments thereon, (iii) for the filing of the Articles
of Merger required by the NMBCA with the New Mexico Corporate Commission and
appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other states in which the
Constituent Corporations are qualified to do business, (iv) for the filing of
Schedule 14D-1 and Schedule 14D-9, and (v) as disclosed in Schedule 3.04 hereto,
no consent, approval or action of, filing with or notice to any Governmental or
Regulatory Authority or other public or private third party is necessary or
required under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Law or Order of
any Governmental or Regulatory Authority or any Contract to which ▇▇▇▇▇ is a
party or by which ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its assets or properties is bound for the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by ▇▇▇▇▇, the performance by ▇▇▇▇▇ of
its obligations hereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby, other than such consents, approvals, actions, filings and notices which
the failure to make or obtain, as the case may be, individually or in the
aggregate, could not be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on
▇▇▇▇▇ or on the ability of ▇▇▇▇▇ to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
3.05 SEC Reports and Financial Statements. (a) ▇▇▇▇▇ delivered to Buyer
prior to the execution of this Agreement a true and complete copy of each form,
report, schedule, registration statement, definitive proxy statement and other
document, including any financial statements,
12
exhibits or schedules included or incorporated by reference (together with all
amendments thereof and supplements thereto) filed by ▇▇▇▇▇ with the SEC since
July 1, 1995 whether or not the same was required to have been filed under
applicable law (as such documents have since the time of their filing been
amended or supplemented, the "▇▇▇▇▇ SEC Reports"), which includes all the
documents (other than preliminary material) that ▇▇▇▇▇ was required to file with
the SEC since such date. As of their respective dates, each of the ▇▇▇▇▇ SEC
Reports (i) complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
thereunder (the "Securities Act"), or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, (ii)
did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated or incorporated by reference therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading and (iii) was timely filed pursuant
to the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
(b) The audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited
interim financial statements (including, in each case, the notes, if any,
thereto) included in ▇▇▇▇▇ SEC Reports (the "▇▇▇▇▇ Financial Statements") or
contained in filings subsequent to the date hereof complied or will comply as to
form in all material respects with the published rules and regulations of the
SEC with respect thereto, were or will be prepared in accordance with United
States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") applied on a consistent
basis (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto and except
with respect to unaudited statements as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) and
fairly present (subject, in the case of the unaudited interim financial
statements, to normal, recurring year-end audit adjustments which are not
expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, materially adverse to ▇▇▇▇▇)
the consolidated financial position of ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries as at the
respective dates thereof and the results of their consolidated operations and
cash flows for the respective periods then ended.
3.06 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as disclosed in Schedule
3.06 hereto, (a) since June 30, 1998 there has not been any change, event or
development having, or that could be reasonably expected to have (individually
or when aggregated with other such changes, events and developments) a material
adverse effect on ▇▇▇▇▇, other than those occurring as a result of general
economic or financial conditions and other than developments which are not
unique to ▇▇▇▇▇ but also generally affect other persons who participate or are
engaged in the lines of business in which ▇▇▇▇▇ participates or is engaged, and
(b) except as disclosed in Schedule 3.06 hereto, between such date and the date
hereof (i) ▇▇▇▇▇ has conducted its business only in the ordinary course
consistent with past practice and (ii) ▇▇▇▇▇ has not taken any action which, if
taken after the date hereof, would constitute a breach of any provision of
clause (ii) of Section 5.01(b).
3.07 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Except for matters reflected or
reserved against in the balance sheet dated June 30, 1998 included in ▇▇▇▇▇
Financial Statements or as disclosed in Schedule 3.07 hereto, neither ▇▇▇▇▇ nor
any of its Subsidiaries has at such date, or has incurred since that date, any
liabilities or obligations of any nature, whether accrued, absolute, contingent
or otherwise, that would be required by GAAP to be reflected on a consolidated
balance sheet of ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries (including the notes thereto),
except liabilities or obligations (i) which were incurred in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice and (ii) which have not been, and
could not be reasonably expected to be, individually or in the aggregate,
materially adverse to ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries.
13
3.08 Legal Proceedings. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.08 hereto, (i)
there are no claims, actions, suits, arbitrations, proceedings or any
Governmental or Regulatory Authority investigations or audits pending, or to the
knowledge of ▇▇▇▇▇ threatened, against, relating to or affecting Bryan,
Wendland, Memco or any of their respective assets or properties, and there are
no facts or circumstances known to ▇▇▇▇▇ that could be reasonably expected to
give rise to any such claim, action, suit, arbitration, proceeding,
investigation or audit (other than threatened claims, actions and suits which,
individually or in the aggregate, cannot reasonably be expected to have an
adverse effect on ▇▇▇▇▇ or on the ability of ▇▇▇▇▇ to consummate the Merger);
provided, however, that ▇▇▇▇▇ has been named as a defendant in litigation
involving claims relating to exposure to asbestos disclosed on Schedule 3.08
("Asbestos Suits") and ▇▇▇▇▇ is likely to be named as defendant in additional
Asbestos Suits prior to the Closing Date, and (ii) neither ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ nor
Memco is subject to any Order of any Governmental or Regulatory Authority.
3.09 Information Supplied; Schedule 14D-9; Offer Documents
and Proxy Statement.
(a) None of the information supplied or to be supplied by or on
behalf of ▇▇▇▇▇ or any affiliate of ▇▇▇▇▇ for inclusion in the Offer Documents
and any other schedule or document required to be filed with the SEC in
connection with the Offer and the Merger will, at the times such documents are
filed with the SEC and are mailed to stockholders of ▇▇▇▇▇, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, or to correct any
statement made in any communication with respect to the Offer previously filed
with the SEC or disseminated to the stockholders of ▇▇▇▇▇. The Schedule 14D-9
will not, at the time the Schedule 14D-9 is filed with the SEC and at all times
prior to the purchase of Shares by Merger Sub pursuant to the Offer, contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, except that no
representation or warranty is made by ▇▇▇▇▇ with respect to information supplied
in writing by Buyer, Merger Sub or an affiliate of Buyer or Merger Sub expressly
for inclusion therein. The Schedule 14D-9 will comply as to form in all material
respects with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
of the SEC thereunder.
(b) The proxy statement relating to the Shareholder Meeting, including
the letter to stockholders, notice of meeting, proxy statement and form of
proxy, the information statement and any other information that may be provided
in writing to holders of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock in connection with the Merger, and
any schedules required to be filed with the SEC in connection therewith, each as
amended or supplemented from time to time (as so amended and supplemented, the
"Proxy Statement"), and any other documents to be filed by ▇▇▇▇▇ with any other
Governmental or Regulatory Authority in connection with the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby will not, on the date of its filing or, in the
case of the Proxy Statement, at the date it is mailed to shareholders, at the
time of the Shareholder Meeting and at the Effective Time, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact, omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading or omit to state any
material fact
14
required to correct any statement made in any earlier communication with respect
to the solicitation of any proxy or approval for the Merger, except that no
representation is made by ▇▇▇▇▇ with respect to information supplied in writing
by or on behalf of Buyer and Merger Sub expressly for inclusion therein and
information incorporated by reference therein from documents filed by Buyer or
any of its Subsidiaries with the SEC. The Proxy Statement and any such other
documents filed by ▇▇▇▇▇ with the SEC under the Exchange Act will comply as to
form in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act, to the
extent applicable.
(c) Neither the information supplied or to be supplied in writing by
or on behalf of ▇▇▇▇▇ for inclusion in any document to be filed by Buyer or
Merger Sub with the SEC nor any other Governmental or Regulatory Authority in
connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby will,
on the date of its filing, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are
made, not misleading.
3.10 Compliance with Laws and Orders. Set forth on Schedule 3.10 are all
permits, licenses, variances, exemptions, orders and approvals of all
Governmental and Regulatory Authorities that are currently held by ▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or Memco or for which ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or Memco has applied. ▇▇▇▇▇ and
its subsidiaries hold all permits, licenses, variances, exemptions, orders and
approvals of all Governmental and Regulatory Authorities necessary for the
lawful conduct of their respective businesses ("Permits"), except for failures
to hold such permits, licenses, variances, exemptions, orders and approvals
which, individually or in the aggregate, are not having and could not be
reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on ▇▇▇▇▇ and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole. ▇▇▇▇▇ and its subsidiaries are in compliance with
the terms of the Permits, except failures so to comply which, individually or in
the aggregate, are not having and could not be reasonably expected to have a
material adverse effect on ▇▇▇▇▇ and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. Except
as set forth in detail on Schedule 3.10, ▇▇▇▇▇ and its subsidiaries are not in
violation of or default under any Law or Order of any Governmental or Regulatory
Authority, except for violations which, individually or in the aggregate, are
not having and could not be reasonably expected to have a material adverse
effect on ▇▇▇▇▇ and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
3.11 Compliance with Agreements; Certain Agreements. Set forth on Schedule
3.11 are all Contracts under which either ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or Memco have any
rights, entitlements, duties or obligations, other than (i) manufacturer's
representative contracts written on one of the two standard forms disclosed to
Buyer, (ii) contracts for the purchase of materials, supplies or services in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, no one of which (and
no group of related contracts of which) involves an aggregate purchase price in
excess of $250,000 and each of which contracts is to be fully performed within
90 days after its commencement, and (iii) contracts for the sale of finished
goods in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, no one
of which contracts (and no group of related contracts of which) involves an
aggregate selling price in excess of $150,000 and no one of which (other than
contracts with aggregate selling prices of not more than $500,000) has been in
effect, without being fully performed, for more than 150 days. Except as
disclosed in Schedule 3.11 hereto, neither ▇▇▇▇▇, its Subsidiaries nor, to the
knowledge of ▇▇▇▇▇, any other party thereto, is in breach or violation of, or in
default in the performance or observance of any term or provision of, and no
event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time or both, could be
reasonably expected to result in a
15
default under, (i) the Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of ▇▇▇▇▇ or (ii) any
Contract to which ▇▇▇▇▇ is a party or by which ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its assets or
properties is bound, except in the case of clause (ii) for breaches, violations
and defaults which, individually or in the aggregate, are not having and could
not be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on ▇▇▇▇▇.
3.12 Taxes.
(a) Each of ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries has filed all federal and all
material foreign, state and local tax reports and returns required to be filed
and except as disclosed on Schedule 3.12, has duly paid all taxes shown as due
thereon, including, without limitation, income, capital stock, gross receipts,
net proceeds, ad valorem, value added, turnover, sales, use, real estate
transfer, property, personal property (tangible and intangible), stamp, leasing,
lease, user, excise, franchise, transfer, fuel, vehicle sales, excess profits,
occupational and interest equalization, unitary, severance, withholding, social
security, employment and other taxes, duties, assessments and charges
(including, without limitation, the recapture of any tax items such as
investment tax credits), together with all interest, penalties and additions
imposed with respect to such amounts, which are due on or before the date hereof
or claimed to be due by federal, state, or local taxing authorities or which are
payable on or before the date hereof with respect to the business and operations
of ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries (collectively, "Taxes"). All such returns are
accurate and complete in all material respects. There are no tax liens upon any
property or assets of ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries, except liens for Taxes not yet
due and payable. All Taxes (including interest and penalties) applicable for all
periods prior to the Closing or other governmental charges upon ▇▇▇▇▇ and its
Subsidiaries or their assets, income or revenues have been or will be paid (if
due) or, if not currently payable, reserved against in accordance with GAAP.
▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries have not executed any waivers of the statute of
limitations on the right of the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") or any
state or local taxing authority to assess additional Taxes or to contest the
income or loss with respect to any tax return. The basis of any depreciable
assets, and the methods used in determining allowable depreciation (including
cost recovery), held by ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries, are substantially correct
and in compliance with the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), and all regulations thereunder.
(b) No issues have been raised that are currently pending by any
taxing authority in connection with any of the aforesaid tax returns or reports.
No issues have been raised in any examination by any taxing authority with
respect to ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries which, by application of similar
principles, reasonably could be expected to result in a material proposed
deficiency for any other period not so examined. The items of income and
deductions reflected on the federal income tax returns and comparable state and
local returns filed by or on behalf of ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries for all
taxable years (including the supporting schedules filed therewith), available
copies of which have been supplied (or will be promptly supplied upon request)
to Buyer, state accurately in all material respects the receipts and
expenditures of ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries, and the same were derived from the
books and records of ▇▇▇▇▇.
(c) ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries have not entered into any joint
venture, partnership, or other arrangement or contract which is treated as a
partnership for federal income tax purposes.
16
(d) None of ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its Subsidiaries has ever been a
"consenting corporation," within the meaning of Section 341(f)(l) of the Code,
or comparable provisions of any state statutes, and none of the assets of ▇▇▇▇▇
and its Subsidiaries is subject to an election under Section 341(f) of the Code
or comparable provisions of any state statutes.
(e) No property of ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries is property which ▇▇▇▇▇
or Buyer is or will be required to treat as being owned by another person
pursuant to the provisions of Section 168(f)(8) of the Code, as in effect prior
to the Tax Reform Act of 1986.
(f) No property of ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries is "tax exempt use
property" as such term is defined in Section 168(h) of the Code.
(g) None of the properties or assets of ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries is
tax-exempt bond financed property within the meaning of Section 168(g)(5) of the
Code.
(h) None of ▇▇▇▇▇ nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any predecessor
thereof is or has been, or has filed a tax return claiming that it is or has
been, an Electing Small Business Corporation pursuant to the provisions of
Subchapter S of the Code.
(i) None of ▇▇▇▇▇ or its Subsidiaries (i) has been a
member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated federal
income tax return (other than a group the common parent of which
was ▇▇▇▇▇) or (ii) has any liability for the Taxes of any person
(other than any of ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries) under Treas. Reg.
ss. 1.1502-6 (or any provision of state, local or foreign law),
as a transferor or successor, by contract or otherwise.
3.13 Benefit Plans; ERISA.
(a) All Benefit Plans (as defined below) are listed in Schedule 3.13,
and copies of all documentation relating to such Benefit Plans have been
delivered or made available to Buyer (including copies of written Benefit Plans,
written descriptions of oral Benefit Plans, summary plan descriptions, trust
agreements, the three most recent annual returns IRS Forms 5500 and IRS
determination letters). Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.13 hereto:
(i) each Benefit Plan has at all times been maintained and
administered in all material respects in accordance with its terms and with the
requirements of all applicable law, including ERISA (as defined below) and the
Code, and each Benefit Plan intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code
has at all times since its adoption been so qualified, and each trust which
forms a part of any such plan has at all times since its adoption been
tax-exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code whether or not waived;
(ii) no Benefit Plan has incurred any "accumulated funding
deficiency" within the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the
Code;
(iii) no "reportable event" (within the meaning of Section 4043
of ERISA) has occurred with respect to any Benefit Plan or any Plan (as defined
below) maintained by an ERISA Affiliate (as defined below) since the effective
date of Section 4043;
17
(iv) with respect to each Multiemployer Plan (as defined below)
(i) no withdrawal liability has been incurred by ▇▇▇▇▇ or any ERISA Affiliate,
and ▇▇▇▇▇ has no reason to believe that any such liability will be incurred,
prior to the Closing Date, (ii) no such plan is in "reorganization" (within the
meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), (iii) no notice has been received that
increased contributions may be required to avoid a reduction in plan benefits or
the imposition of an excise tax, or that the plan is or may become "insolvent"
(within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), and (iv) no proceedings have been
instituted by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation against the plan;
(v) no direct, contingent or secondary liability has been
incurred or is expected to be incurred by ▇▇▇▇▇ under Title IV of ERISA to any
party with respect to any Benefit Plan or Multiemployer Plan presently or
heretofore maintained or contributed to by any ERISA Affiliate;
(vi) neither ▇▇▇▇▇ nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any
liability for any tax imposed under Section 4971 through 4980B of the Code or
civil liability under Section 502(i) or (1) of ERISA;
(vii) no benefit under any Benefit Plan (except as may be set
forth in the Senior Management Agreements as defined in Section 6.05(a)),
including, without limitation, any severance or parachute payment plan or
agreement, will increase the amount of compensation due any employee or will be
established or become accelerated, vested or payable by reason of any
transaction contemplated under this Agreement;
(viii) no tax has been incurred under Section 511 of the Code
with respect to any Benefit Plan (or trust or other funding vehicle pursuant
thereto);
(ix) no Benefit Plan provides health or death benefit coverage
beyond the termination of an employee's employment, except as required by Part 6
of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA or Section 4980B of the Code or any State laws
requiring continuation of benefits coverage following termination of employment
and there has been no communication to any employee that would reasonably be
expected to promise or guarantee any such employee retiree health or life
insurance or other retiree death benefits on a permanent basis;
(x) no suit, actions or other litigation (excluding claims for
benefits incurred in the ordinary course of plan activities) have been brought
or, to the knowledge of ▇▇▇▇▇, threatened against or with respect to any Benefit
Plan and there are no facts or circumstances known to ▇▇▇▇▇ that could
reasonably be expected to give rise to any such suit, action or other
litigation; and
(xi) all contributions to Benefit Plans and Multiemployer Plans
that were required to be made under such Benefit Plans as of the Closing Date
have been made, and all benefits accrued under any unfunded Benefit Plan have
been paid, accrued or otherwise adequately reserved in accordance with GAAP, all
of which accruals under unfunded Benefit Plans are as reflected in ▇▇▇▇▇ SEC
Reports or disclosed in Schedule 3.13, and ▇▇▇▇▇ has performed all material
obligations required to be performed under all Benefit Plans.
18
(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.13 hereto or as provided in
Section 6.05, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the
consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby will entitle any former or
current employee of ▇▇▇▇▇ or any Affiliate or any group of such employees to any
payment, increase the amount of compensation due to any such employees or cause
acceleration of benefits under any Benefit Plan.
(c) As used herein:
(i) "Benefit Plan" means any Plan, existing at the Closing Date
or prior thereto, established or to which contributions have at any time been
made by ▇▇▇▇▇ or its Subsidiaries, or under which any employee, former employee
or director of ▇▇▇▇▇ or its Subsidiaries or any beneficiary thereof is covered,
is eligible for coverage or has benefit rights.
(ii) "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(iii) "ERISA Affiliate" means any business entity which is, or
at any time was, a member of a controlled group (within the meaning of Section
412(n)(6) of the Code) that includes, or at any time included, ▇▇▇▇▇ or its
Subsidiaries.
(iv) "Multiemployer Plan" means a multiemployer plan within the
meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA with respect to which ▇▇▇▇▇ or any ERISA
Affiliate has an obligation to contribute or has or could have withdrawal
liability under Section 4201 of ERISA.
(v) "Plan" means any employment, consulting, termination, bonus,
incentive compensation, deferred compensation, pension, profit sharing,
retirement stock purchase, stock option, stock ownership, stock appreciation
rights, phantom stock, savings, leave of absence, layoff, vacation, day or
dependent care, legal services, cafeteria, life, health, accident, disability,
workmen's compensation or other insurance, severance, separation or other
employee benefit plan, practice, policy, agreement or arrangement of any kind,
whether written or oral, or whether for the benefit of a single individual or
more than one individual including, but not limited to, any "employee benefit
plan" within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA.
3.14 Insurance. Schedule 3.14 identifies all insurance policies of ▇▇▇▇▇
and its Subsidiaries currently in force, inclusive of the name and address of
the insurer, the policy number and the year or years of coverage (the "Insurance
Policies"). To the best of Bryan's knowledge, Schedule 3.14 lists all claims
made against or under the Insurance Policies and under any prior insurance
policies in effect at any time during the past five years with respect to ▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Memco, including claims related to product liability, third-party
property damage, bodily injury and third-party environmental impairment. To the
best of the knowledge of ▇▇▇▇▇, Schedule 3.14 also identifies all insurance
policies of ▇▇▇▇▇ under which asbestos-related claims against ▇▇▇▇▇ are or would
be covered. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will promptly (and in any event within 10 days from the
date hereof) reinstate product liability insurance coverage with a scope
equivalent to that under the product liability insurance policy of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ most
recently expired, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will promptly deliver to Buyer reasonable
evidence of such reinstatement.
19
3.15 Labor Matters.
(a) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.15, (i) no employees of ▇▇▇▇▇
or any of its Subsidiaries are represented by a labor union or organization, no
labor union or organization has been certified or recognized as a representative
of any such employees, and neither ▇▇▇▇▇ nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party
to or has any obligation under any collective bargaining agreement or other
labor union contract with any labor union or organization, or has any obligation
to recognize or deal with any labor union or organization, and there are no such
contracts pertaining to or which determine the terms or conditions of employment
of any employee of ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) there are no pending
or threatened representation campaigns, elections or proceedings or questions
concerning union representation involving any employees of ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its
Subsidiaries; (iii) neither ▇▇▇▇▇ nor any of its Subsidiaries has any knowledge
of any activities or efforts of any labor union or organization (or
representatives thereof) to organize any employees of ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its
Subsidiaries, nor of any demands for recognition or collective bargaining, nor
of any strikes, slowdowns, work stoppages or lock-outs of any kind, or threats
thereof, by or with respect to any employees of ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its Subsidiaries
or any actual or claimed representatives thereof, and no such activities,
efforts, demands, strikes, slowdowns, work stoppages or lock-outs occurred
during the 48-month period preceding the date hereof; (iv) neither ▇▇▇▇▇ nor any
of its Subsidiaries has engaged in, admitted committing or been held in any
administrative or judicial proceeding to have committed any unfair labor
practice under the National Labor Relations Act, as amended; (v) neither ▇▇▇▇▇
nor any of its Subsidiaries is involved in any industrial or trade dispute or
any dispute or negotiations regarding a claim of material importance with any
labor union or organization; and (vi) there are no controversies, claims,
demands or grievances of material importance pending or, so far as ▇▇▇▇▇ or any
of its Subsidiaries is aware, threatened, between ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its
Subsidiaries and any of their respective employees or any actual or claimed
representative thereof.
(b) Schedule 3.15 (and the exhibits thereto) set forth all contracts
and agreements, including, without limitation, employment agreements, consulting
agreements, change in control agreements, independent contractor agreements,
retainers and severance agreements under which ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its Subsidiaries
has any obligation to provide wages, salary, commissions or other compensation
or remuneration (other than obligations to make current wage or salary payments
terminable at will without notice) to or on behalf of any employee, former
employee, consultant or contractor (or any designee, assignee or beneficiary
thereof). A complete and correct copy of each written (and a complete and
correct written description of each such oral) contract or agreement, has been
delivered or made available to Buyer.
(c) A true and correct statement of the names, current rates of base
compensation and description of the formula for computing bonus compensation of
all officers, directors and salaried non-union employees of ▇▇▇▇▇ and its
Subsidiaries as of the date hereof, is set forth in Schedule 3.15. Except as set
forth in Schedule 3.15, (i) ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries have no obligation
(including an obligation for the payment of any fee, extraordinary bonus or
"golden parachute" based upon the successful completion of the transactions
contemplated hereunder) under any employment contract, severance agreement or
other change in control plan, agreement or arrangement, or any other similar
agreements, employment policies (including vacation and severance pay policies)
or retirement or employee benefit plans, arrangements or
20
understandings, written or otherwise, with any officer, director, employee or
agent of ▇▇▇▇▇ or any Subsidiary and (ii) since January 1, 1998, ▇▇▇▇▇ and its
Subsidiaries have (A) not paid or agreed to pay any bonuses or made or agreed to
make any increase in the rate of wages, salaries or other compensation or
remuneration of any of its officers, directors, consultants or employees (except
for increases in accordance with written binding commitments, true, correct and
complete copies of which have been previously delivered to Buyer, or in
accordance with a past practice described in Schedule 3.15), or (B) become a
party to any employment contract or arrangement with any of its officers or
employees providing for any new or additional bonuses, profit sharing payments,
severance pay or retirement benefits or any other form of employee compensation
or benefits.
(d) ▇▇▇▇▇ and each of its Subsidiaries has at all times complied in
all material respects and is in material compliance with all applicable federal,
state and local laws, rules and regulations respecting employment, wages, hours,
occupational health and safety, and payment and withholding of taxes in
connection with employment. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.15, there are no
claims, complaints or legal or administrative proceedings pending or, so far as
▇▇▇▇▇ is aware, threatened, against ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its Subsidiaries before any
federal, state or municipal court or governmental agency, or any federal, state
or municipal taxing authority involving or relating to any past or present
employee(s) or applicant(s) for employment of ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its Subsidiaries,
or relating to any acts, omissions or practices of ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its
Subsidiaries relating to employment practices or occupational health and safety.
Neither ▇▇▇▇▇ nor any of its Subsidiaries are party to or bound by any court or
administrative order, judgment, decree or ruling of any kind respecting the
employment practices or occupational health and safety of any employees or
prospective employees of ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its Subsidiaries.
3.16 Environmental Matters. Except as disclosed in
Schedule 3.16 hereto:
(a) To the best of Bryan's knowledge, ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries are
and have been consistently in compliance with applicable Environmental Law (as
defined below) and have obtained all licenses, permits, authorizations,
approvals and consents from Governmental and Regulatory Authorities that are
required in respect of the business, operations, assets or properties of each
under any applicable Environmental Law. ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries are in
material compliance with the terms and conditions of all such licenses, permits,
authorizations, approvals and consents.
(b) No Order or notice has been issued, no demand or claim (including
any for personal injury, property or natural resources damage) has been
asserted, no complaint has been filed, no penalty has been assessed and no
investigation or review is pending or, to the knowledge of ▇▇▇▇▇ and its
Subsidiaries, threatened by any third party (including any Governmental or
Regulatory Authority) with respect to any alleged failure by ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its
Subsidiaries to comply with applicable Environmental Law or to have any license,
permit, authorization, approval or consent from Governmental or Regulatory
Authorities required under any applicable Environmental Law in connection with
the conduct of the business or operations of ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its Subsidiaries or
with respect to any treatment, storage, recycling, transportation, disposal or
"release" as defined in 42 U.S.C. ss. 9601(22) ("Release"), of any Hazardous
Material (as defined below).
21
(c) ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries have not handled any Hazardous
Material on any property owned or leased by ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its Subsidiaries;
and, without limiting the foregoing, at any property owned or leased by ▇▇▇▇▇ or
any of its Subsidiaries, (i) there are no underground storage tanks, active or
abandoned; (ii) no Hazardous Material has been Released in a quantity reportable
under, or in violation of, any Environmental Law; (iii) no interim status or
hazardous waste permit is or has been required; and (iv) there has been no
disposal of any Hazardous Material.
(d) ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries have not transported or arranged for
the transportation of any Hazardous Material to any location that, to the
knowledge of ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries, is not consistently in compliance with
applicable Environmental Law or which is the subject of any investigation,
action, suit, arbitration or proceeding that could be reasonably expected to
lead to claims against ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its Subsidiaries for clean-up costs,
remedial work, damages to natural resources or personal injury claims, which
could be reasonably expected to have a material adverse impact on ▇▇▇▇▇ or any
of its Subsidiaries including, but not limited to, claims under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder ("CERCLA").
(e) No oral or written notification of a Release of a Hazardous
Material has been or was required to be filed by or on behalf of ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of
its Subsidiaries and no property owned or leased by ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its
Subsidiaries is listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List
promulgated pursuant to CERCLA or on any similar state list of sites requiring
investigation or clean-up.
(f) There are no Liens arising under or pursuant to any Environmental
Law with respect to any real property owned or leased by ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its
Subsidiaries, and no action of any Governmental or Regulatory Authority has been
taken or is in process which could subject any of such properties to such Liens,
and ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its Subsidiaries would not be required to place any notice
or restriction relating to the presence of Hazardous Material at any such
property owned by it in any deed to such property.
(g) ▇▇▇▇▇ has delivered, or made available, to Buyer all
environmental (including asbestos) investigations, studies, audits, tests,
reviews or other analyses conducted during the prior three years by, or which
are in the possession of, ▇▇▇▇▇ in relation to any property or facility owned or
leased by ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its Subsidiaries, including Phase 1 environmental
reports for all properties owned, leased or controlled, indirectly or directly,
by ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its Subsidiaries.
As used herein:
(x) "Environmental Law" means any Law or Order relating to human
health, safety or protection of the environment or to emissions, discharges,
releases or threatened releases of pollutants, contaminants or Hazardous
Materials in the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air,
surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface strata), or otherwise
relating to the treatment, storage, disposal, transport, use or handling of any
Hazardous Material; and
22
(y) "Hazardous Material" means (A) any chemicals, materials,
substances or wastes which are now or hereafter become defined as or included in
the definition of "hazardous substances," "hazardous wastes," "hazardous
materials," "extremely hazardous wastes," "restricted hazardous wastes," "toxic
substances," "toxic pollutants," "pollutants," "contaminants" or words of
similar import, under any Environmental Law; and (B) any petroleum or petroleum
products, radioactive materials, asbestos in any form that is or could become
friable, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
3.17 Tangible Property and Assets. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.17
hereto, ▇▇▇▇▇ has good and marketable title to, or has valid leasehold interests
in or valid rights under contract to use, all tangible property and assets used
in and, individually or in the aggregate, material to the conduct of the
businesses of ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ and clear of all Liens other than (i) any statutory
Lien arising in the ordinary course of business by operation of law with respect
to a liability that is not yet due or delinquent and (ii) any minor imperfection
of title or similar Lien which individually or in the aggregate with other such
Liens does not materially impair the value of the property or asset subject to
such Lien or the use of such property or asset in the conduct of the business of
▇▇▇▇▇. All such property and assets are, in all material respects, in good
working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and adequate and
suitable for the purposes for which they are presently being used.
3.18 Intellectual Property Rights. Schedule 3.18 sets forth a true,
correct and complete list of all Intellectual Property (as defined below) owned
or held by ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its Subsidiaries (or otherwise used in the business
of ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries) on the date hereof and all license agreements
(including all amendments or supplements thereto or continuing thereunder) in
effect on the date hereof pursuant to which any such Intellectual Property is
licensed to or by ▇▇▇▇▇ or its Subsidiaries, in each case, which have been, are,
or may reasonably be expected in the future to be, material to ▇▇▇▇▇ and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.18, ▇▇▇▇▇ and
its Subsidiaries own all right, title and interest in and to all Intellectual
Property used in their respective businesses (other than Intellectual Property
which, individually or in the aggregate, is not material to the conduct of the
businesses of ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries), free and clear of any royalty or
other payment obligation, lien or charge. ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries are not in
default (and with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would not be in
default) in any material respect under any license to use any Intellectual
Property. The Intellectual Property is not being infringed by any third party,
and ▇▇▇▇▇ is not infringing any intellectual property rights of any third party,
except for such defaults and infringements which, individually or in the
aggregate, are not having and could not be reasonably expected to have a
material adverse effect on ▇▇▇▇▇. Except as indicated in Schedule 3.18, all
maintenance taxes, annuities and renewal fees have been paid and all other
necessary actions to maintain the Intellectual Property have been taken through
the date hereof and will continue to be paid or taken by ▇▇▇▇▇ and its
Subsidiaries through the Effective Time. To the best of Bryan's knowledge, no
claims or controversies currently exist regarding any infringement of or by or
violation of or by any of the Intellectual Property. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Intellectual Property" includes
(i) all trademarks, service marks, trademark registrations, service
▇▇▇▇ registrations, trade names and applications for registration of trademarks
and service marks;
23
(ii) all licenses which create rights in or to the trademark, service
▇▇▇▇ or trade name properties described in clause (i) above;
(iii) all copyrights, copyright registrations and applications for
registration of copyrights;
(iv) all renewals, modifications and extensions of any items referred
to in clauses (i) through (iii) above;
(v) all patents, design patents and utility patents, all applications
for grant of any such patents pending as of the date hereof or as of the
Effective Time or filed within five years prior to the date hereof, and all
reissues, divisions, continuations-in-part and extensions thereof;
(vi) all technical documentation, trade secrets, designs, inventions,
processes, formula, know-how, operating manuals and guides, plans, new product
development, technical and marketing surveys, material specifications, product
specifications, invention records, research records, labor routings, inspection
processes, equipment lists, engineering reports and drawing, architectural or
engineering plans, know-how agreements and other know- how;
(vii) all marketing and licensing records, sales literature, customer
lists, trade lists, sales forces and distributor networks lists, advertising and
promotional materials, service and parts records, warranty records, maintenance
records and similar records;
(viii) all rights arising under, and rights to develop, use and sell
under, any of the foregoing and all licenses with respect thereto; and
(ix) all rights and incidents of interest in and to all
non-competition or confidentiality agreements.
3.19 Vote Required. The affirmative vote of the holders of record of at
least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock with respect to
the adoption of this Agreement is the only vote of the holders of any class or
series of the capital stock of ▇▇▇▇▇ required to adopt this Agreement and
approve the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby.
3.20 Disclosure. The information heretofore delivered or made available by
▇▇▇▇▇ with respect to ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries, when such information is taken
as a whole, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
3.21 Effect of Transactions on Manufacturer's
Representatives and Customers. Except as listed on Schedule 3.21,
to the best of the knowledge of ▇▇▇▇▇, the execution and delivery
of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby (a) will not
24
adversely affect the relationship of ▇▇▇▇▇ with any of its manufacturer's
representatives or customers, (b) will not adversely affect the relationship of
▇▇▇▇▇ with any of its suppliers, and (c) will not result in any breach or
default, or trigger any "change in control" provision, under any material
Contract.
3.22 Bryan's Transaction Costs. To the best of the knowledge of ▇▇▇▇▇,
Schedule 3.22 sets forth an accurate estimate of Bryan's Transaction Costs (as
defined in Section 6.06) through consummation of the Merger, and ▇▇▇▇▇ has
furnished Buyer with true and complete copies of all currently-existing
agreements (and written summaries of all currently-existing oral agreements)
under which Bryan's Transaction Costs are likely to become payable. After the
date hereof, neither ▇▇▇▇▇ nor any of its subsidiaries will materially amend any
such agreement, or enter into any new such agreement, without the prior approval
of Buyer (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld).
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER AND MERGER SUB
Buyer and Merger Sub represent and warrant to ▇▇▇▇▇ as follows:
4.01 Organization and Qualification. Each of Buyer and Merger Sub is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Merger Sub was formed solely for the
purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, has
engaged in no other business activities and has conducted its operations only as
contemplated hereby. Each of Buyer and Merger Sub is duly qualified, licensed or
admitted to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which
the ownership, use or leasing of its assets and properties, or the conduct or
nature of its business, makes such qualification, licensing or admission
necessary, except for such failures to be so qualified, licensed or admitted and
in good standing which, individually or in the aggregate, could not be
reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the validity or
enforceability of this Agreement or on the ability of Buyer or Merger Sub to
perform its obligations hereunder.
4.02 Authority Relative to this Agreement. Each of Buyer and Merger Sub
has full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement, and to
perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
by each of Buyer and Merger Sub and the consummation by each of Buyer and Merger
Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly approved
by their respective Boards of Directors and by Buyer in its capacity as the sole
shareholder of Merger Sub and no other corporate proceedings on the part of
Buyer, Merger Sub or their shareholders are necessary to authorize the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Buyer or Merger Sub and
the consummation by Buyer or Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby.
This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Buyer and
Merger Sub and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Buyer and
Merger Sub enforceable against Buyer and Merger Sub in accordance with its
terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency,
25
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of
whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
4.03 Non-Contravention; Approvals and Consents.
(a) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer and Merger
Sub does not and the performance by Buyer and Merger Sub of their obligations
hereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not,
conflict with, result in a violation or breach of, constitute (with or without
notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, result in or give to any
person any right of termination, cancellation, modification or acceleration of,
or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the assets or
properties of Buyer, or any of its Subsidiaries, under any of the terms,
conditions or provisions of (i) the certificates or articles of incorporation or
By-laws (or other comparable charter documents) of Buyer or any of its
Subsidiaries, or (ii) subject to the taking of the actions described in
paragraph (b) of this Section, (x) any Law or Order of any Governmental or
Regulatory Authority applicable to Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries or any of
their respective assets or properties, or (y) any Contract to which Buyer or any
of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries or
any of their respective assets or properties is bound, excluding from the
foregoing clauses (x) and (y) conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults,
terminations, modifications, accelerations and creations and impositions of
Liens which, individually or in the aggregate, could not be reasonably expected
to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Buyer and Merger Sub to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) Except (i) for the filing of a premerger notification report by
Buyer under the HSR Act, (ii) for the filing of the Articles of Merger required
by the NMBCA with the New Mexico Corporation Commission and appropriate
documents with the relevant authorities of other states in which the Constituent
Corporations are qualified to do business, and (iii) for the filing of Schedule
14D-1 and Schedule 14D-9, no consent approval or action of, filing with or
notice to any Governmental or Regulatory Authority or other public or private
third party is necessary or required under any of the terms, conditions or
provisions of any Law or Order of any Governmental or Regulatory Authority or
any Contract to which Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which
Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets or properties
is bound by the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer and Merger
Sub, the performance by Buyer and Merger Sub of their obligations hereunder or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, other than such
consents, approvals, actions, filings and notices which the failure to make or
obtain, as the case may be, individually or in the aggregate, could not be
reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Buyer
and Merger Sub to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4.04 Legal Proceedings. There are no actions, suits, arbitrations or
proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Buyer and its Subsidiaries,
threatened against, relating to or affecting, nor to the knowledge of Buyer and
its Subsidiaries are there any Governmental or Regulatory Authority
investigations or audits pending or threatened against, relating to or
affecting, Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets
and properties which, if determined adversely to Buyer or any of its
Subsidiaries, individually or in the aggregate,
26
could be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of
Buyer and Merger Sub to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. Neither Buyer nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any Order of
any Governmental or Regulatory Authority which, individually or in the
aggregate, could be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the
ability of Buyer and Merger Sub to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
4.05 Information Supplied.
(a) None of the Offer Documents will, at the times such documents are
filed with the SEC and are mailed to the stockholders of ▇▇▇▇▇, contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, except
that no representation is made by Buyer or Merger Sub with respect to
information supplied in writing by ▇▇▇▇▇ or an affiliate of ▇▇▇▇▇ expressly for
inclusion therein. The Offer Documents will comply as to form in all material
respects with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
of the SEC thereunder.
(b) None of the information supplied by Buyer, Merger Sub or any
affiliate of Buyer or Merger Sub specifically for inclusion in the Proxy
Statement or the Schedule 14D-9 will, at the date of filing with the SEC, and,
in the case of the Proxy Statement, at the time the Proxy Statement is mailed
and at the time of the Special Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(c) Neither the information supplied or to be supplied in writing by
or on behalf of Buyer or Merger Sub for inclusion, nor the information
incorporated by reference from documents filed by Buyer or any of its
Subsidiaries with the SEC, in the Proxy Statement or any other documents to be
filed by Buyer, Merger Sub or ▇▇▇▇▇ with the SEC or any other Governmental or
Regulatory Authority in connection with the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby will on the date of its filing or, in the case of the Proxy
Statement, at the date it is mailed to shareholders, and at the time of the
Shareholder Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are
made, not misleading. All such documents filed by Buyer or Merger Sub with the
SEC under the Exchange Act will comply as to form in all material respects with
the requirements of the Exchange Act.
4.06 Financing. Buyer has sufficient cash and/or credit facilities on hand
or immediately available to consummate the Offer and the Merger in accordance
with this Agreement and to make all other necessary payments of fees and
expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
27
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
5.01 Conduct of Business. At all times from and after the date hereof
until the Effective Time, ▇▇▇▇▇ covenants and agrees that (except as expressly
contemplated or permitted by this Agreement, or to the extent that Buyer may
otherwise grant prior consent in writing, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld):
(a) ▇▇▇▇▇ shall conduct its business only in, and ▇▇▇▇▇ shall cause
its Subsidiaries not to take any action except in, the ordinary course
consistent with past practice (subject to the further limitations specified in
this Article).
(b) Without limiting the generality of paragraph (a) of this Section,
▇▇▇▇▇ shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, use all commercially
reasonable efforts to preserve intact in all material respects its present
business organization and reputation, to keep available the services of its key
officers and employees, to maintain its assets and properties in good working
order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted), to preserve its
relationships with customers and suppliers and others having significant
business dealings with them, to comply in all material respects with all Laws
and Orders of all Governmental or Regulatory Authorities applicable to them, and
to maintain (subject to Section 5.01(b)(xx)) insurance, including, without
limitation, product liability insurance, in such amounts and against such risks
and losses as was in effect on June 30, 1998 (subject to Section 3.14). Also
without limiting the generality of paragraph (a) of this Section, ▇▇▇▇▇ shall
not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to:
(i) amend or propose to amend its or their Articles of Incorporation
or By-laws;
(ii) (w) declare, set aside or pay any dividends on or make other
distributions in respect of any of its capital stock other than the dividend of
$2.00 per share declared on ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock on August 26, 1998 and payable on
September 15, 1998; (x) split, combine, reclassify or take similar action with
respect to any of its capital stock or issue or authorize or propose the
issuance of any other securities or Option in respect of, in lieu of or in
substitution for shares of its capital stock, (y) adopt a plan of complete or
partial liquidation or resolutions providing for or authorizing such liquidation
or a dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or
other reorganization or (z) directly or indirectly redeem, repurchase or
otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock or any Option with respect
thereto;
(iii) issue, deliver or sell, or authorize or propose the issuance,
delivery or sale of, any shares of its capital stock or any Option with respect
thereto, or modify or amend any right of any holder of outstanding shares of
capital stock or Options with respect thereto;
(iv) acquire (by merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing a
substantial equity interest in or a substantial portion of the assets of, or by
any other manner) any business or any corporation, partnership, association or
other business
28
organization or division thereof or otherwise acquire or agree to acquire
any assets other than raw materials and supplies acquired in the ordinary
course of its business consistent with past practice in amounts in any one
instance (or group of related instances) not in excess of $250,000 and in
each case pursuant to an order or agreement requiring delivery of such raw
materials and supplies within 120 days after the creation of such order or
agreement;
(v) sell, lease, grant any security interest in or otherwise dispose
of or encumber any of its assets or properties other than finished goods in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice pursuant to orders as
to which (x) no one order (or group of related orders) involves an aggregate
selling price in excess of $150,000, and (y)(i) each order is to be fully
performed within 150 days after its creation or (ii) in the case of orders for
which there is no definite date by which the orders must be fully performed, the
aggregate selling price for all such orders that are more than 150 days old
shall not exceed $500,000;
(vi) except to the extent required by applicable law or GAAP, (x)
permit any material change in (A) any pricing, marketing, purchasing,
investment, accounting, financial reporting, inventory, receivable, credit,
allowance or tax practice or policy or (B) any method of calculating any bad
debt, contingency or other reserve for accounting, financial reporting or tax
purposes or (y) make any material tax election or settle or compromise any
material income tax liability with any Governmental or Regulatory Authority;
(vii) (x) other than working capital borrowings of up to $300,000
under Bryan's existing bank line of credit, incur any indebtedness for borrowed
money (which shall be deemed for this purpose to include entering into credit
agreements, lines of credit or similar arrangements, whether or not amounts are
borrowed thereunder) or guarantee any such indebtedness, or (y) voluntarily
purchase, cancel, prepay or otherwise provide for a complete or partial
discharge in advance of a scheduled repayment date with respect to, or waive any
right under, any indebtedness for borrowed money;
(viii) (x) enter into, adopt, amend in any material respect (except as
may be required by applicable law) or terminate any ▇▇▇▇▇ Benefit Plan or other
agreement between ▇▇▇▇▇ (or any of its Subsidiaries) and one or more of its
directors, officers or employees, or (y) increase in any manner the compensation
or fringe benefits of any director, officer or employee or pay any benefit not
required by any plan or arrangement in effect as of the date hereof (except that
▇▇▇▇▇ shall comply with the union contract and except for normal increases
approved by Buyer);
(ix) enter into any new Contract or amend, modify or terminate any
existing Contract, or engage in any new transaction (x) not in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice, (y) not on an arm's length
basis, or (z) with any shareholder or affiliate of ▇▇▇▇▇;
29
(x) make any capital expenditure or any commitment to make a capital
expenditure or any commitment for additions to plant, property or equipment
constituting capital assets;
(xi) make any change in lines of business or any material changes in
prices, marketing plans or procedures;
(xii) make any changes to current levels of inventory, receivables or
payables, except as may occur in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice;
(xiii) grant any stock-related, performance or similar awards or
bonuses;
(xiv) forgive any loans to employees, officers or directors or any of
their respective affiliates or associates;
(xv) make any deposits or contributions of cash or other property to,
or take any other action to fund or in any other way secure the payment of
compensation or benefits under, any ▇▇▇▇▇ Benefit Plan;
(xvi) enter into, amend, extend or waive any rights under any
collective bargaining or other labor agreement;
(xvii) commence, settle or agree to settle any litigation, suit,
action, claim, proceeding or investigation;
(xviii) pay, discharge or satisfy or agree to pay, discharge or
satisfy any claim, liability or obligation (absolute accrued, asserted or
unasserted, contingent or otherwise) other than the payment, discharge or
satisfaction of liabilities reflected or reserved against in full in the
financial statements as at June 30, 1998 or incurred in the ordinary course of
business subsequent to June 30, 1998 or Bryan's Transaction Costs;
(xix) enter into, modify, amend or terminate any Contract material to
the business of ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its Subsidiaries which it may enter, amend or
terminate without violating clause (ix) above, or waive any rights under any
such Contract, unless in each instance ▇▇▇▇▇ first obtains the consent of Buyer,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld;
(xx) enter into or extend or renew any Contract (including without
limitation any insurance policy), which Contract, extension or renewal has a
term or is to be performed over a period of more than 60 days (and before
renewing any insurance policy, ▇▇▇▇▇ shall reasonably consult with Buyer); or
(xxi) enter into any contract, agreement, commitment or arrangement to
do or engage in any of the foregoing.
(c) Advice of Changes. ▇▇▇▇▇ shall confer on a regular and frequent
basis with Buyer with respect to its businesses and operations and other matters
relevant to the Merger,
30
and shall promptly advise Buyer, in writing, of any change or event, including,
without limitation, any complaint, investigation or hearing by any Governmental
or Regulatory Authority (or communication indicating the same may be
contemplated) or the institution or threat of litigation, having, or which,
insofar as can be reasonably foreseen, could have, a material adverse effect on
▇▇▇▇▇ or on the ability of ▇▇▇▇▇ to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby.
5.02 No Solicitations. (a) ▇▇▇▇▇ shall not, and it shall not authorize or
permit either of its Subsidiaries or any of its or their officers, directors,
employees, investment bankers, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants or
other agents or representatives (each, a "Representative") to directly or
indirectly, solicit, initiate or participate in any negotiations regarding,
furnish any confidential information in connection with, endorse or otherwise
cooperate with, or assist, participate in or facilitate (collectively,
"Solicitation Activities") the making of any proposal or offer for, or which may
reasonably be expected to lead to, a Potential Transaction (as defined below),
by any person, corporation, partnership or other entity or group, including a
current shareholder of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock or a person acting on behalf of or who
has been in contact with such a shareholder (a "Potential Acquiror"); provided,
however, that to the extent the Board of Directors of ▇▇▇▇▇ believes, on the
basis of a written opinion furnished by independent legal counsel, that the
failure to take any such actions would constitute a breach of applicable
fiduciary duties of such Board of Directors, then ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Representatives
may participate in Solicitation Activities but only to the extent necessary to
comply with such duties; provided further, however, that such participation
shall only be in compliance with Section 5.02(b); provided further, however,
that nothing herein shall in any event prevent Bryan's Board of Directors from
taking and disclosing to Bryan's shareholders a position contemplated by Rule
14D-9 and 14e-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act with respect to any tender
offer or from making such other disclosures to Bryan's shareholders, which, in
either case, based upon the advice of independent legal counsel, the Board in
its good faith judgment determines is required by the fiduciary duties of the
Board of Directors under applicable law.
(b) ▇▇▇▇▇ shall promptly inform Buyer, in writing, of the material
terms and conditions of any proposal or offer for, or which may reasonably be
expected to lead to, a Potential Transaction that it receives and the identity
of the Potential Acquiror and ▇▇▇▇▇ shall keep Buyer fully apprised of all
developments regarding such Potential Transaction. Such full apprising of all
developments shall include providing Buyer with copies of all correspondence
from or to ▇▇▇▇▇ and the Potential Acquirer, including all attachments and
enclosures.
(c) As of the date and time of this agreement ▇▇▇▇▇ and its
Representatives will immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing
activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties other than ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and
Merger Sub conducted heretofore with respect to any Potential Transaction.
(d) As used in this Agreement, "Potential Transaction" means any
potential merger, consolidation or other business combination involving ▇▇▇▇▇,
or any acquisition in any manner of all or a substantial portion of the equity
of, or all or a substantial portion of the assets of ▇▇▇▇▇ whether for cash,
securities or any other consideration or combination thereof other than pursuant
to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
31
ARTICLE VI
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
6.01 Access to Information; Confidentiality.
(a) ▇▇▇▇▇ shall, throughout the period from the date hereof to the
Effective Time, (i) provide Buyer and its Representatives with full access, upon
reasonable prior notice and during normal business hours, to all officers,
employees, agents and accountants of ▇▇▇▇▇ and its assets, properties, books and
records, and (ii) furnish promptly to such persons (x) a copy of each report,
statement, schedule and other document filed or received by ▇▇▇▇▇ pursuant to
the requirements of federal or state securities or tax laws or filed with any
other Governmental or Regulatory Authority, and (y) all other information and
data (including, without limitation, copies of Contracts, ▇▇▇▇▇ Benefit Plans
and other books and records) concerning the business and operations of ▇▇▇▇▇ or
its Subsidiaries as Buyer or its Representatives reasonably may request. No
investigation pursuant to this paragraph or otherwise shall affect any
representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or any condition to the
obligations of the parties hereto.
(b) Non-public information obtained by Buyer pursuant to Section
6.01(a) shall be subject to the provisions of the confidentiality agreement
between Buyer and ▇▇▇▇▇, dated June 18, 1998 (the "Confidentiality Agreement"),
the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.
6.02 Preparation of Proxy Statement. ▇▇▇▇▇ shall prepare and file with the
SEC the Proxy Statement at the earliest practicable date after the Offer has
expired or terminated (unless 90% or more of outstanding ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock is
acquired by Merger Sub pursuant to the Offer or ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock ceases to be
registered under the Exchange Act in accordance with applicable law); and shall
use all reasonable efforts to have the Proxy Statement cleared by the SEC. If at
any time prior to the Effective Time any event shall occur that is required to
be set forth in an amendment of or a supplement to the Proxy Statement, ▇▇▇▇▇
shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendment or supplement as soon
thereafter as is reasonably practicable. Buyer, Merger Sub and ▇▇▇▇▇ shall
cooperate with each other in the preparation of the Proxy Statement, and ▇▇▇▇▇
shall promptly notify Buyer of the receipt of any comments of the SEC with
respect to the Proxy Statement and of any requests by the SEC for any amendment
or supplement thereto or for additional information, and shall promptly provide
to Buyer copies of all correspondence between ▇▇▇▇▇ or any representative of
▇▇▇▇▇ and the SEC with respect to the Proxy Statement. ▇▇▇▇▇ shall give Buyer
and its counsel the opportunity to review the Proxy Statement and all responses
to requests for additional information by and replies to comments of the SEC
before their being filed with, or sent to, the SEC. If the Proxy Statement is
required to be filed with the SEC, each of ▇▇▇▇▇, Buyer and Merger Sub agrees to
use all reasonable efforts, after consultation with the other parties hereto, to
respond promptly to all such comments of and requests by the SEC and to cause
the Proxy Statement to be mailed to the holders of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock entitled
to vote at the Shareholder Meeting at the earliest practicable time.
6.03 Approval of Shareholders. (a) To the extent required by applicable
▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ shall, through its Board of Directors, duly call, give notice of,
convene and hold the Shareholder Meeting for the purpose of voting on the
adoption of this Agreement (the "Shareholders'
32
Approval") as soon as reasonably practicable after consummation of the Offer but
in any event prior to the 90th day after the date hereof (subject to unavoidable
delays in receiving comments from the SEC staff or in considering and preparing
responses to such comments). Except to the extent legally required for the
discharge of its fiduciary duties as reflected in a written opinion of
independent legal counsel, ▇▇▇▇▇ shall, through its Board of Directors, include
in the Proxy Statement the recommendation of the Board of Directors of ▇▇▇▇▇
that the shareholders of ▇▇▇▇▇ adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger, and
shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain such adoption and approval, including
utilizing a proxy solicitation firm that is reasonably acceptable to Buyer and
obtaining the opinion of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Company Securities, Inc. to the effect that
the Merger Price is fair to the holders of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock from a financial
point of view. At such meeting, Buyer shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries
to, cause all shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock, if any, then owned by Buyer or any
such Subsidiary to be voted in favor of the adoption of this Agreement.
(b) Not earlier than five days, and not later than three days, prior
to the day of the Shareholder Meeting (if such Shareholder Meeting is required
under applicable law), ▇▇▇▇▇ shall provide a notice to Buyer stating the number
of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Shares for which valid, executed proxies have been received with
directions to vote such shares in favor of the Merger. ▇▇▇▇▇ shall thereupon
promptly consult with Buyer and, if after such consultation Buyer so requests,
▇▇▇▇▇ shall cause the Shareholder Meeting to be adjourned for such period as
Buyer shall request not to exceed thirty (30) days (or postponed to such date as
Buyer shall request, which date shall not be more than thirty (30) days after
the original date of the meeting) to allow the proxy solicitation firm to
continue to solicit proxies in favor of the Merger. In such event, ▇▇▇▇▇ shall
cooperate with Buyer and the proxy solicitation firm to attempt to obtain
proxies sufficient to result in approval of the Merger by the shareholders of
▇▇▇▇▇.
(c) In the event that the approval and adoption of this Agreement and
the Merger at the Shareholder Meeting or any adjournment thereof receives the
affirmative vote of less than 66- 2/3% of all shares entitled to vote for such
approval, then Buyer may in its sole discretion (but subject to Section
8.01(b)(ii)) require ▇▇▇▇▇ to, and ▇▇▇▇▇ shall be obligated to, through its
Board of Directors, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a second
Shareholder Meeting for the purpose of voting on the adoption of this Agreement.
Such second Shareholder Meeting shall be held as soon as reasonably practicable
after the date of the notice from Buyer to ▇▇▇▇▇ in which Buyer notifies ▇▇▇▇▇
that Buyer desires ▇▇▇▇▇ to call a second Shareholder Meeting. In the event
Buyer determines a second Shareholder Meeting is appropriate, then all other
provisions in this Agreement relating to the Shareholder Meeting shall be read
mutatis mutandis as applying to such second Shareholder Meeting.
(d) If Buyer shall directly or indirectly acquire at least 90 percent
of the outstanding shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock, each of Buyer, Merger Sub and
▇▇▇▇▇ shall take all necessary and appropriate action as Buyer may reasonably
request to cause the Merger to become effective as promptly as practicable after
the consummation of the Offer without a meeting of holders of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock
in accordance with Section 53-14-5 of the NMBCA.
6.04 Regulatory and Other Approvals. Subject to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement and without limiting the
provisions of Sections 6.02 and 6.03, each of ▇▇▇▇▇ and Buyer
will proceed diligently and in good faith and will use all
commercially reasonable efforts
33
to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to, as
promptly as practicable, (a) obtain all consents, approvals or actions of, make
all filings with and give all notices to Governmental or Regulatory Authorities
or any other public or private third parties required of Buyer, ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of
their Subsidiaries to consummate the Merger and the other matters contemplated
hereby, and (b) provide such other information and communications to such
Governmental or Regulatory Authorities or other public or private third parties
as the other party or such Governmental or Regulatory Authorities or other
public or private third parties may reasonably request. In addition to and not
in limitation of the foregoing, (i) each of the parties will (x) take promptly
all actions necessary to make the filings required of Buyer and ▇▇▇▇▇ or their
affiliates under the HSR Act, (y) comply at the earliest practicable date with
any request for additional information received by such party or its affiliates
from the Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") or the Antitrust Division of the
Department of Justice (the "Antitrust Division") pursuant to the HSR Act, and
(z) cooperate with the other party in connection with such party's filings under
the HSR Act and in connection with resolving any investigation or other inquiry
concerning the Merger or the other matters contemplated by this Agreement
commenced by either the FTC or the Antitrust Division or state attorneys
general.
6.05 Employees.
(a) Buyer confirms that the Surviving Corporation will honor in
accordance with their respective provisions the existing agreements between
▇▇▇▇▇ and each of Messrs. Bishop, McVay, Holmquist, Krauskopf, Kubly, Minard,
Mitting, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ (collectively, "Senior Management Agreements"),
copies of which ▇▇▇▇▇ has heretofore delivered to Buyer. Further, Buyer confirms
that it will cause the Surviving Corporation to pay to each of such persons the
Transaction Bonus contemplated in the applicable Senior Management Agreement, in
the installments and at the times specified therein, irrespective of whether the
Merger is deemed to have been supported or sponsored by management or any
management group.
(b) The Surviving Corporation will honor all existing union contracts
and all other existing agreements between ▇▇▇▇▇ and its employees which have
heretofore been disclosed to Buyer.
6.06 Expenses. Subject to Section 6.14 and to remedies in respect of
breach of the provisions hereof, if the Merger is not consummated, all costs and
expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such cost or expense.
If the Merger is consummated, Bryan's Transaction Costs (as defined below) shall
be paid by ▇▇▇▇▇, by the Surviving Corporation and/or by Buyer without reduction
of the per-share amount payable to ▇▇▇▇▇ shareholders under Section
2.01(a)(iii). As used herein, "Bryan's Transaction Costs" means all
out-of-pocket costs reasonably incurred by ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its Subsidiaries on
or after July 1, 1998 in connection with the potential and actual sale of ▇▇▇▇▇
and its Subsidiaries, including without limitation (i) the fees and expenses of
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Company Securities, Inc., (ii) the fees and expenses of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co.
Inc., (iii) legal fees and expenses, (iv) expenses for environmental reports,
(v) expenses for title reports, (vi) expenses for proxy solicitation and fees
and expenses of the Exchange Agent, and (viii) filing fees in connection with
compliance with securities and antitrust laws. Bryan's Transaction Expenses
shall not include (a) any amounts payable or paid to senior managers of ▇▇▇▇▇
under the Senior Management Agreements by virtue of the consummation of the
Merger
34
(Buyer having agreed separately to cause the Surviving Corporation to pay such
amounts in addition to all other consideration for the Merger), or (b) any
expenses incurred by Buyer or Merger Sub with respect to the Offer.
6.07 Brokers or Finders. Each of Buyer and ▇▇▇▇▇ represents, as to itself
and its Affiliates, that no agent, broker, investment banker, financial advisor
or other firm or person is or will be entitled to any broker's or finder's fee
or any other commission or similar fee in connection with any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except, in the case of ▇▇▇▇▇, for
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Company Securities, Inc. and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co., Inc. True and complete
copies of Bryan's agreements with such firms have been delivered by ▇▇▇▇▇ to
Buyer prior to the execution of this Agreement.
6.08 Notice and Cure. Each of Buyer and ▇▇▇▇▇ will notify the other
promptly in writing of, and contemporaneously will provide the other with true
and complete copies of any and all information or documents relating to, and
will use all commercially reasonable efforts to cure before the Closing, any
event, transaction or circumstance occurring or not occurring after the date of
this Agreement that causes or will cause or is likely to cause any covenant or
agreement of Buyer or ▇▇▇▇▇, as the case may be, under this Agreement to be
breached or that renders or will render untrue (disregarding any limitations as
to materiality as may be contained therein) any representation or warranty of
Buyer or ▇▇▇▇▇, as the case may be, contained in this Agreement as if the same
were made on or as of the date of such event, transaction or circumstance. Each
of Buyer and ▇▇▇▇▇ also will notify the other promptly in writing of, and will
use all commercially reasonable efforts to cure before the Closing, any
violation or breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made
by Buyer or ▇▇▇▇▇, as the case may be, in this Agreement, whether occurring or
arising prior to, on or after the date of this Agreement. No notice given
pursuant to this Section shall have any effect on the representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement for purposes of
determining satisfaction of any condition contained herein and such notice shall
not limit or otherwise affect the remedies available hereunder to the party
receiving such notice.
6.09 Fulfillment of Conditions. Subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, each of Buyer and ▇▇▇▇▇ will take or cause to be taken all
commercially reasonable steps necessary or desirable and proceed diligently and
in good faith to satisfy each condition to the other's obligations contained in
this Agreement and to consummate and make effective the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and neither Buyer nor ▇▇▇▇▇ will, nor will
either permit any of its Subsidiaries to, take or fail to take any action that
could be reasonably expected to result in the nonfulfillment of any such
condition.
6.10 Indemnification; Directors' and Officers' Insurance.
(a) Until the fourth anniversary of the Effective Time (and until
resolution of any claims asserted prior to such fourth anniversary), the
Surviving Corporation shall, to the extent allowed by law and to the extent
currently provided in the By-laws and Articles of Incorporation of ▇▇▇▇▇,
indemnify, defend and hold harmless each person who is as of the date hereof, or
has been at any time prior to the date hereof, a director or officer of ▇▇▇▇▇ or
any of its Subsidiaries (the "Indemnified Parties") against (i) all losses,
claims, damages, costs, expenses, liabilities or judgments or amounts that are
paid in settlement of or in connection with any claim,
35
action, suit, proceeding or investigation based in whole or in part on or
arising in whole or in part out of the fact that such person is or was a
director or officer of ▇▇▇▇▇ or any Subsidiary of ▇▇▇▇▇, whether pertaining to
any matter existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time and whether
asserted or claimed prior to, or at or after, the Effective Time ("Indemnified
Liabilities") and (ii) all Indemnified Liabilities based in whole or in part on,
or arising in whole or in part out of, or pertaining to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby, in each case to the full extent ▇▇▇▇▇ would
have been permitted under New Mexico law to indemnify such person (and subject
to the foregoing, the Surviving Corporation shall, in the event the Surviving
Corporation determines in its reasonable discretion that such person would be
entitled to indemnification hereunder, pay expenses in advance of the final
disposition of any such action or proceeding to each Indemnified Party;
provided, however, that the person to whom the expenses are advanced must
provide an undertaking (without delivering a bond or other security) to repay
such advance if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to
indemnification as provided in Section 53-11-4.1 of the NMBCA). Without limiting
the foregoing, in the event any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation is brought against any Indemnified Parties (whether arising before
or after the Effective Time), (i) any counsel retained by the Indemnified
Parties for any period after the Effective Time shall be reasonably satisfactory
to the Surviving Corporation; (ii) after the Effective Time, the Surviving
Corporation shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel for the
Indemnified Parties promptly as statements therefor are received as heretofore
provided; and (iii) after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation will use
all reasonable efforts to assist in the vigorous defense of such matter,
provided that the Surviving Corporation shall not be liable for any settlement
of any claim effected without its written consent, which consent, however, shall
not be unreasonably withheld. Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim
indemnification under this Section 6.10, upon learning of any such claim,
action, suit, proceeding or investigation, shall notify the Surviving
Corporation (but the failure so to notify the Surviving Corporation shall not
relieve it from any liability which it may have under this Section 6.10 except
to the extent such failure prejudices the Surviving Corporation), and shall
deliver to the Surviving Corporation the undertaking, if any, required by the
NMBCA or this Agreement. The Surviving Corporation shall be liable for the fees
and expenses hereunder with respect to only one law firm, in addition to local
counsel in each applicable jurisdiction, to represent the Indemnified Parties as
a group with respect to each such matter unless there is, under applicable
standards of professional conduct, a conflict between the positions of any two
or more Indemnified Parties that would preclude or render inadvisable joint or
multiple representation of such parties.
(b) For a period of four years after the Effective Time, the
Surviving Corporation shall cause to be maintained in effect the current
policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance maintained by ▇▇▇▇▇
(provided that the Surviving Corporation may substitute therefor other policies
of at least the same coverage and amounts containing terms and conditions which
are no less advantageous) with respect to claims arising from facts or events
which occurred before or at the Effective Time; provided, however, that the
Surviving Corporation shall not be obligated to make annual premium payments for
such insurance to the extent such premiums exceed 125% of the premiums paid as
of the date hereof by ▇▇▇▇▇ for such insurance ("Bryan's Current Premium"), and
if such premiums for such insurance would at any time exceed 125% of Bryan's
Current Premium, then the Surviving Corporation shall cause to be maintained
policies of insurance which, in the Surviving Corporation's good faith
determination,
36
provided the maximum coverage available at an annual premium equal to 125% of
Bryan's Current Premium. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
elsewhere herein, the Surviving Corporation's indemnity agreement set forth
above in Section 6.10(a) shall be limited to cover claims only to the extent
that those claims are not covered under Bryan's current directors' and officers'
insurance policies and the continuation or maintenance thereof as required by
this Section 6.10(b) (or any substitute policies permitted by this Section
6.10(b)).
(c) In the event Buyer or any of its successors or assigns (i)
consolidates with or merges into any other person and shall not be the
continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or
(ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets
to any person, then, and in each such case, to the extent necessary, proper
provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of Buyer assume the
obligations set forth in this section.
(d) The provisions of this Section 6.10 (i) are intended to be for
the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnified Party, his heirs
and his representatives and (ii) are in addition to, and not in substitution
for, any other rights to indemnification or contribution that any such person
may have by contract or otherwise.
6.11 Retention of ▇▇▇▇▇ Name. Until the 10th anniversary of the Closing
Date, Buyer shall cause the name of the Surviving Corporation to continue to be
"▇▇▇▇▇ Steam Corporation", unless, due to a change in circumstances after the
Closing, such continuation shall be, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of
the Surviving Corporation at any time, materially adverse to Buyer or the
Surviving Corporation.
6.12 Takeover Laws. ▇▇▇▇▇ shall, upon the request of Buyer, take all
reasonable steps to exclude the applicability of, or to assist in any challenge
by Buyer or the Merger Sub of the validity or applicability to the Merger of,
any Takeover Laws. As used herein, "Takeover Laws" shall mean any "moratorium",
"control share acquisition", "business combination", "fair price" or other form
of antitakeover laws and regulations of any jurisdiction that may purport to be
applicable to this Agreement or the Merger.
6.13 Subsequent Financial Statements. Until the Effective Time, ▇▇▇▇▇ will
timely file with the SEC each form, report and document required to be filed by
▇▇▇▇▇ under the Exchange Act and will promptly deliver to Buyer copies of each
such report filed with the SEC. As of their respective dates, none of such
reports shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. The audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited interim
financial statements of ▇▇▇▇▇ included in such reports shall be prepared in
accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis (except as may be indicated
in the notes thereto) and shall fairly present the financial position of ▇▇▇▇▇
and its Subsidiaries as at the dates thereof and the results of their operations
and changes in financial position for the periods then ended.
6.14 Termination Fee; Expenses. (a) In the event that this
Agreement is terminated as a result of the occurrence of any
Trigger Event (as defined below), then ▇▇▇▇▇ shall pay to Buyer a
fee equal to 1.5% of the Purchase Price plus all Reimbursable
Expenses (as defined in Section
37
6.14(d)); provided, however, that if such termination is solely attributable to
events described in clause (iii) or (iv) of the definition of Trigger Event,
then ▇▇▇▇▇ shall pay to Buyer all Reimbursable Expenses (but not the 1.5% fee).
Amounts due hereunder shall be payable in immediately available funds at the
time of such termination.
(b) As used herein, "Trigger Event" shall mean the occurrence of any
of the following:
(i) the Board of Directors of ▇▇▇▇▇ (or any committee thereof)
shall approve, recommend, authorize, propose or facilitate any potential
Acquisition Transaction (as defined below) other than the Offer and the Merger
pursuant to this Agreement, or such Board (or any such committee) shall engage
in discussions or negotiations with a potential counterparty concerning any such
potential Acquisition Transaction, or such Board (or any such committee) shall
publicly announce its intention to do any of the foregoing;
(ii) the Board of Directors of ▇▇▇▇▇ (or any committee thereof)
shall fail to recommend the Offer and the Merger to stockholders of ▇▇▇▇▇ in the
Schedule 14D-9 or proxy statement required by this Agreement or within two
business days following Buyer's request from time to time that ▇▇▇▇▇ so confirm
its recommendation of the Offer and the Merger, or such Board (or any such
committee) shall withdraw, modify or amend in any manner adverse to Buyer the
authorization, approval or recommendation given by such Board (or such
committee) to the Offer and the Merger, or shall publicly announce that it does
not favor the Offer or the Merger;
(iii) the shareholders of ▇▇▇▇▇ holding at least 66-2/3% of the
outstanding shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock shall fail to approve the Merger in
accordance with applicable law at the Shareholder Meeting, or if the Shareholder
Meeting shall not be held on or prior to December 31, 1998; or
(iv) any person, entity or "group" (as that term is used in
Section 13(d)(e) of the Exchange Act), other than those shareholders who have
executed and delivered Irrevocable Proxy and Option Agreements as described in
the recitals to this Agreement, becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule
13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 15% or more of outstanding ▇▇▇▇▇
Common Stock.
(c) As used herein, "Acquisition Transaction" shall mean any tender
offer or exchange offer, any merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution,
recapitalization, reorganization or other business combination, any acquisition,
sale or other disposition of a material amount of assets or securities or any
other similar transaction involving ▇▇▇▇▇, its securities or any of its
Subsidiaries or divisions.
(d) As used herein, "Buyer Reimbursable Expenses" means all
out-of-pocket costs (including without limitation reasonable legal and
accounting costs) heretofore and hereafter incurred by Buyer in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement including, without limitation,
costs and expenses incurred in connection with (i) Buyer's due diligence
investigations concerning ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries, (ii) Buyer's preparation
of preliminary and final proposals relating to the acquisition of ▇▇▇▇▇, (iii)
Buyer's negotiation of this Agreement, (iv) Buyer's assistance in the
preparation of the proxy statement relating to the Merger, (v) fees
38
and expenses of the Exchange Agent, and (vi) fees and expenses reasonably
incurred so as to facilitate and promote consummation of the Merger.
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS
7.01 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger. The
respective obligation of each party to effect the Merger is subject to the
fulfillment, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions:
(a) Shareholder Approval. This Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall have been approved by Bryan's shareholders in the
manner and to the extent required by applicable law and the Articles of
Incorporation and By-laws of ▇▇▇▇▇.
(b) HSR Act. Any waiting period (and any extension thereof)
applicable to the consummation of the Merger under the HSR Act shall have
expired or been terminated.
(c) No Injunctions or Restraints. No action or proceeding before a
court of competent jurisdiction or other competent governmental body by any
Governmental or Regulatory Authority shall have been instituted or threatened to
make illegal or otherwise restrain or prohibit (whether temporarily, preliminary
or permanently) the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or to obtain an amount of damages or other material relief in
connection with the execution of the Agreement or the consummation of the Merger
or other transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and no governmental agency
shall have given notice to any party hereto to the effect that consummation of
the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement would
constitute a violation of any law or that it intends to commence proceedings to
restrain consummation of the Merger (each party hereto, however, agrees to use
reasonable efforts promptly to have such prohibition or notice lifted).
(d) Board Resolutions. Each of Merger Sub and ▇▇▇▇▇ shall have
received from the other appropriately certified copies of all resolutions
adopted by their respective Boards of Directors and shareholders in connection
with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
7.02 Conditions to Obligation of Buyer and Merger Sub to Effect the
Merger. The obligation of Buyer and Merger Sub to effect the Merger is further
subject to the fulfillment, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following
additional conditions (all or any of which may be waived in whole or in part by
Buyer and Merger Sub in their sole discretion):
(a) ▇▇▇▇▇ shall have performed and complied with, in all material
respects, each agreement, covenant and obligation required by this Agreement to
be so performed or complied with by ▇▇▇▇▇ at or prior to the Closing, and ▇▇▇▇▇
shall have delivered to Buyer a certificate, dated the Closing Date and executed
on behalf of ▇▇▇▇▇ by its President, to such effect.
39
(b) All proceedings to be taken on the part of ▇▇▇▇▇ in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all documents incident
thereto shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Buyer, and
Buyer shall have received copies of all such documents and other evidences as
Buyer may reasonably request in order to establish the consummation of such
transactions and the taking of all proceedings in connection therewith. Such
documents shall include, but shall not be limited to:
(i) the certificates required by Section 7.02(a)
of this Agreement;
(ii) a certificate of existence or good standing regarding each
of ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries, certified in the case of ▇▇▇▇▇ by the New Mexico
Corporation Commission and certified in the case of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Memco by the
appropriate office of the jurisdiction of its respective incorporation, each
dated within ten (10) business days of the Closing Date; and
(iii) an incumbency certificate certifying the
identity of the officers of ▇▇▇▇▇.
(iv) the resignations, effective the Closing Date, of such
directors and officers of ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Memco as Buyer shall specify
consistent with Section 1.05;
(c) Buyer shall have received a complete list of the signatories of
each account or safe deposit box of ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Memco;
(d) ▇▇▇▇▇ shall not have received written objections to the Merger
from holders who in the aggregate hold more than 10% of the outstanding shares
of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock, and ▇▇▇▇▇ shall not have knowledge that holders of 10% or
more of the outstanding shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock intend to file with ▇▇▇▇▇
written objections to the Merger.
(e) ▇▇▇▇▇ shall have delivered to Buyer a final accounting of Bryan's
Transaction Expenses, in form reasonably satisfactory to Buyer, including copies
of applicable final invoices;
(f) Other than the filings provided for by Section 1.02, all
consents, approvals and actions of filings with and notices to any Governmental
or Regulatory Authority or any other public or private third party required of
▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its Subsidiaries to consummate the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby, the failure of which to be obtained or taken
could, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a
material adverse effect on ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries or on the ability of ▇▇▇▇▇
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained, all
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer and no such consent,
approval or action shall contain any term or condition which could be reasonably
expected to result in a material diminution of the benefits of the Merger to
Buyer.
7.03 Conditions to Obligation of ▇▇▇▇▇ to Effect the Merger. The
obligation of ▇▇▇▇▇ to effect the Merger is further subject to the fulfillment,
at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following additional conditions (all
or any of which may be waived in whole or in part by ▇▇▇▇▇ in its sole
discretion):
40
(a) Each of the representations and warranties made by Buyer and
Merger Sub in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects
as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date or, in the
case of representations and warranties made as of a specified date earlier than
the Closing Date, on and as of such earlier date, and Buyer and Merger Sub shall
each have delivered to ▇▇▇▇▇ a certificate, dated the Closing Date and executed
on behalf of Buyer by its President and on behalf of Merger Sub by its
President, to such effect.
(b) Buyer and Merger Sub shall have performed and complied with, in
all material respects, each agreement, covenant and obligation required by this
Agreement to be so performed or complied with by Buyer or Merger Sub at or prior
to the Closing, and Buyer and Merger Sub shall each have delivered to ▇▇▇▇▇ a
certificate, dated the Closing Date and executed on behalf of Buyer by its
President and on behalf of Merger Sub by its President, to such effect.
(c) ▇▇▇▇▇ shall have received a written opinion, dated as of the
Closing Date, from Krieg, Devault, Alexander & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Indiana counsel to
Buyer and Merger Sub, from Cleary, Gottlieb, ▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and/or from
Buyer's New Mexico counsel, as appropriate, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to ▇▇▇▇▇, as to certain appropriate matters agreed upon by legal
counsel of Buyer and Merger Sub and of ▇▇▇▇▇.
(d) All proceedings to be taken on the part of Buyer and Merger Sub
in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all
documents incident thereto shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and
substance to ▇▇▇▇▇, and ▇▇▇▇▇ shall have received copies of all such documents
and other evidences as ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ reasonably request in order to establish the
consummation of such transactions and the taking of all proceedings in
connection therewith. Such documents shall include, but shall not be limited to:
(i) the certificates required by Section 7.03(a)
and 7.03(b) of this Agreement;
(ii) certificates of existence or good standing regarding each
of Buyer and Merger Sub, certified by the New York Secretary of State and the
New Mexico State Corporation Commission, respectively, dated within ten (10)
business days of the Closing Date; and
(iii) incumbency certificates certifying the identity of the
officers of Buyer and Merger Sub, respectively.
(e) The Exchange Fund shall have been funded with the full amount of
the Merger Price for all outstanding shares of the ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock.
ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
8.01 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated, and the transactions
contemplated hereby may be abandoned, at any time prior to the Effective Time,
whether prior to or after Shareholders' Approval:
41
(a) by mutual written agreement of the parties hereto duly authorized
by action taken by or on behalf of their respective Boards of Directors;
(b) by either ▇▇▇▇▇ or Buyer upon notification to the
non-terminating party by the terminating party:
(i) at any time after January 31, 1999 if the Merger shall not
have been consummated on or prior to such date and such failure to consummate
the Merger is not caused by a breach of this Agreement by the terminating party;
provided, however, the date may be extended indefinitely by the mutual written
agreement of the parties;
(ii) if Shareholders' Approval shall not be
obtained by January 31, 1999;
(iii) if any Governmental or Regulatory Authority, the taking of
action by which is a condition to the obligations of either ▇▇▇▇▇ or Buyer to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, shall have determined not to
take such action and all appeals of such determination shall have been taken and
have been unsuccessful; or
(iv) if any court of competent jurisdiction or other competent
Governmental or Regulatory Authority shall have issued an Order making illegal
or otherwise restricting, preventing or prohibiting the Merger and such Order
shall have become final and nonappealable.
(c) by ▇▇▇▇▇, if (1) Merger Sub fails to commence the Offer as
provided in Section A-1.01 or fails to purchase validly tendered Shares in
violation of the terms of the Offer or this Agreement; (2) there has been a
breach by Buyer or Merger Sub of any representation or warranty contained in
this Agreement, or (3) there has been a material breach of any of the covenants
or agreements set forth in this Agreement on the part of Buyer or Merger Sub,
which breach is not curable or, if curable, is not cured within ten (10) days
after written notice of such breach is given by ▇▇▇▇▇ to Buyer or Merger Sub.
(d) by Buyer, if (1) the Offer is terminated or withdrawn on account
of the failure to be fulfilled of a condition specified in Annex A hereto, (2)
there has been a breach by ▇▇▇▇▇ of any representation or warranty contained in
this Agreement or (3) there has been a material breach of any of the covenants
or agreements set forth in this Agreement on the part of ▇▇▇▇▇, which breach is
not curable or, if curable, is not cured within ten (10) days after written
notice of such breach is given by Buyer to ▇▇▇▇▇.
(e) by Buyer if a Trigger Event occurs.
8.02 Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is validly terminated by
either ▇▇▇▇▇ or Buyer pursuant to Section 8.01, this Agreement will forthwith
become null and void and there will be no liability or obligation on the part of
either ▇▇▇▇▇ or Buyer (or any of their respective Representatives or
affiliates), except (i) that the provisions of Sections 6.01(b), 6.06, 6.07 and
6.14 will continue to apply following any such termination, and (ii) that
nothing contained herein shall relieve any party hereto from liability for any
breach of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in
this Agreement; provided however, that no breach of this
42
Agreement by ▇▇▇▇▇ shall be deemed to have occurred if such termination is
solely due to the occurrence of a Trigger Event described in paragraph
6.14(b)(i) or 6.14(b)(ii), to the extent that such Trigger Event arose because
action was taken by the Board of Directors of ▇▇▇▇▇ based upon the belief, and
supported by a written opinion furnished by independent legal counsel, that the
failure to take such action would constitute a breach of fiduciary duties of
such Board of Directors under applicable law.
8.03 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or modified by
the parties hereto at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether prior to or
after adoption of this Agreement at the Shareholder Meeting, but after such
adoption only to the extent permitted by applicable law. No such amendment,
supplement or modification shall be effective unless set forth in a written
instrument duly executed by or on behalf of each party hereto.
8.04 Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time any party hereto may
to the extent permitted by applicable law (i) extend the time for the
performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties hereto,
(ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other
parties hereto contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto or
(iii) waive compliance with any of the covenants, agreements or conditions of
the other parties hereto contained herein. No such extension or waiver shall be
effective unless set forth in a written instrument duly executed by or on behalf
of the party extending the time of performance or waiving any such inaccuracy or
noncompliance. No waiver by any party of any term or condition of this
Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be or construed as a
waiver of the same or any other term or condition of this Agreement on any
future occasion.
ARTICLE IX
GENERAL PROVISIONS
9.01 Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties, Covenants and
Agreements. None of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in
this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement,
including any rights arising out of any breach of such representations,
warranties, covenants, and agreements, shall survive the Effective Time, except
for those covenants and agreements contained herein and therein that by their
terms apply or are to be performed in whole or in part after the Effective Time.
9.02 Knowledge. An individual will be deemed to have "knowledge" of a
particular fact or other matter if such individual is actually aware of such
fact or other matter. Whenever a provision of this Agreement is qualified as to
"the best knowledge of" or "to the knowledge of" ▇▇▇▇▇ or Buyer, or is qualified
with words of similar meaning, then the current officers, directors and senior
management of such entity shall be deemed to have conducted a reasonable inquiry
into the question at hand. The entity will be deemed to have "knowledge" of a
particular fact or other matter if (i) any individual who is serving, or who has
at any time served, as a director, officer, senior manager or trustee of such
person (or in any similar capacity) has, or at any time had, knowledge of such
fact or other matter, or (ii) such individual would have had such knowledge if
such a reasonable inquiry had been conducted.
43
9.03 Notices. All notices, requests and other communications hereunder
must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given only if delivered
personally or by facsimile transmission or mailed (first class postage prepaid)
to the parties at the following addresses or facsimile numbers:
If to Buyer or Merger Sub, to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Corporation
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ III, President and CEO
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
with a copy to:
Cleary, Gottlieb, ▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, Esquire
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
If to ▇▇▇▇▇, to:
▇▇▇▇▇ Steam Corporation
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇
▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Chairman
with a copy to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇, Esquire
All such notices, requests and other communications will (i) if delivered
personally to the address as provided in this Section, be deemed given upon
delivery, (ii) if delivered by facsimile transmission to the facsimile number as
provided in this Section, be deemed given upon receipt, and (iii) if delivered
by mail in the manner described above to the address as provided in this
Section, be deemed given upon receipt (in each case regardless of whether such
notice, request or other communication is received by any other person to whom a
copy of such notice is to be delivered pursuant to this Section). Any party from
time to time may change its address, facsimile number or other information for
the purpose of notices to that party by giving notice specifying such change to
the other parties hereto.
44
9.04 Entire Agreement. Except for the Confidentiality Agreement (as
defined in Section 6.01(b)), which shall remain in full force and effect as
provided therein, this Agreement supersedes all prior discussions and agreements
among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof
and contains the sole and entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect
to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
9.05 Public Announcements. Except as otherwise required by law or the
rules of any applicable securities exchange or national market system, so long
as this Agreement is in effect (until the Closing), Buyer and ▇▇▇▇▇ will not,
and will not permit any of their respective Representatives to, issue or cause
the publication of any press release or make any other public announcement with
respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without the consent
of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Buyer and
▇▇▇▇▇ will cooperate with each other in the development and distribution of all
press releases and other public announcements (including announcements made to
the employees, managers, customers, suppliers and sales representatives of ▇▇▇▇▇
and its Subsidiaries and including any interested community members or
governmental officials) with respect to this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, and will furnish the other with drafts of any such releases
and announcements as far in advance as practicable.
9.06 No Third Party Beneficiaries. Other than the Indemnified Parties (as
defined in Section 6.10), the terms and provisions of this Agreement are
intended solely for the benefit of each party hereto and their respective
successors or permitted assigns and it is not the intention of the parties to
confer third party beneficiary rights upon any other person.
9.07 No Assignment, Binding Effect. Neither this Agreement nor any right,
interest or obligation hereunder may be assigned by any party hereto without the
prior written consent of the other parties hereto and any attempt to do so will
be void, except that Buyer and Merger Sub may assign any or all of their rights,
interests and obligations hereunder to another direct or indirect wholly-owned
Subsidiary of Buyer, provided that any such Subsidiary agrees in writing to be
bound by all of the terms, conditions and provisions contained herein. Subject
to the preceding sentence, this Agreement is binding upon, inures to the benefit
of and is enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and
assigns.
9.08 Headings. The headings used in this Agreement have been inserted for
convenience of reference only and do not define or limit the provisions hereof.
9.09 Invalid Provisions. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any present or future law, and if the
rights or obligations of any party hereto under this Agreement will not be
materially and adversely affected thereby, (i) such provision will be fully
severable, (ii) this Agreement will be construed and enforced as if such
illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part hereof,
(iii) the remaining provisions, of this Agreement will remain in full force and
effect and will not be affected by the legal, invalid or unenforceable provision
or by its severance herefrom and (iv) in lieu of such illegal, invalid or
unenforceable provision, there will be added automatically as a part of this
Agreement a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such
illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible.
45
9.10 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana applicable to a contract
executed and performed in such State without giving effect to the conflicts of
laws principles thereof, except to the extent that the NMBCA, the Securities Act
and the Exchange Act shall apply to the transactions contemplated herein.
9.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument. Each counterpart may
consist of a number of copies hereof each signed by less than all, but together
signed by all of the parties hereto.
9.12 Interpretation. In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise
requires, words describing the singular number shall include the plural and vice
versa, and words denoting any gender shall include all genders and words
denoting natural persons shall include corporations and partnerships and vice
versa and the words "include," "including" and the like shall be deemed not to
be limiting.
9.13 Incorporation of Exhibits. The Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto
and referred to herein are hereby incorporated herein and made a part hereof for
all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
9.14 Enforcement of Agreement; Injunctive Relief. (a) Buyer, Merger Sub
and ▇▇▇▇▇ hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consent to submit to the
exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern
District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division for federal jurisdiction (unless such
court has no jurisdiction, in which case Buyer, Merger Sub and ▇▇▇▇▇ consent to
the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Indiana located in
▇▇▇▇▇▇ County) for any actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or relating
to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (and Buyer, Merger
Sub and ▇▇▇▇▇ agree not to commence any action, suit or proceeding relating
thereto or to this Agreement except in such courts), and further agree that
service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to
the addresses set forth herein shall be effective service of process for any
such action, suit or proceedings brought against Buyer, Merger Sub or ▇▇▇▇▇ in
such court. ▇▇▇▇▇, Buyer and Merger Sub hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
waive any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding
arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, in such
federal court (unless such court has no jurisdiction, in which case Buyer,
Merger Sub and ▇▇▇▇▇ consent to the laying of venue in the courts of the State
of Indiana in the County of ▇▇▇▇▇▇). Buyer, Merger Sub and ▇▇▇▇▇ hereby further
irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or to claim in any
such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court
has been brought in an inconvenient forum; and agree not to oppose a motion to
dismiss an improperly filed action. Buyer, Merger Sub and ▇▇▇▇▇ waive, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, any rights they may have to a jury trial on any
matter related in any way to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby.
(b) Each of ▇▇▇▇▇ on the one hand and Buyer and Merger Sub on the
other hand recognize and acknowledge that a breach by it of any covenants or
agreements contained in this Agreement will cause the other party to sustain
damages for which it would not have an adequate remedy at law for money damages,
and therefore each of the parties hereto agrees that in the
46
event of any such breach, if the aggrieved party so desires, the aggrieved party
shall be entitled to the remedy of specific performance, injunctive and other
equitable relief (without the requirement or need for the posting of any bond)
in addition to any other remedy to which the aggrieved party may be entitled, at
law or in equity.
9.15 Joint and Several Obligations. The obligations of
Buyer and Merger Sub hereunder are joint and several.
[signature page follows]
47
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party hereto has caused this Agreement to be
signed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above
written.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ CORPORATION
By:/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, III
---------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, III
Title: President and Chief
Executive Officer
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ACQUISITION CORPORATION
By:/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, III
---------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, III
Title: President
▇▇▇▇▇ STEAM CORPORATION
By:/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Chairman
ANNEX A
CONDITIONS TO THE OFFER
Capitalized terms used in this Annex A and not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Agreement to which this
Annex is attached (the "Merger Agreement").
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Offer, the obligation of
Merger Sub to accept for payment, purchase or pay for any Shares tendered prior
to the scheduled expiration date of the Offer or any extension thereof (the
"Offer Date") is subject to the fulfillment, at or prior to the Offer Date, of
the following conditions (and upon the failure of any such condition to be
fulfilled, unless waived by Merger Sub, Merger Sub may terminate the Offer as to
any Shares not then accepted for payment, and Merger Sub shall not be required
to accept for payment, purchase or, subject to any applicable rules and
regulations of the SEC, including Rule 14e-1(c) under the Exchange Act, pay for
any Shares):
(a) The number of Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn shall
constitute at least a two-thirds majority plus one of the outstanding
Shares on a fully diluted basis (the "Minimum Condition").
(b) Any waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the
consummation of the Offer under the HSR Act shall have expired or
been terminated.
(c) No action or proceeding before a court of competent
jurisdiction or other competent governmental body by
any Governmental or Regulatory Authority shall have
been instituted or threatened to make illegal or
otherwise restrain or prohibit (whether temporarily,
preliminary or permanently) the Offer or the Merger or
the other transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement or to obtain an amount of damages or other
material relief in connection with the execution of
the Merger Agreement or the consummation of the Offer
or other transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement; and no governmental agency shall have given
notice to any party hereto to the effect that
consummation of the Offer or the Merger or the other
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement
would constitute a violation of any law or that it
intends to commence proceedings to restrain
consummation of the Offer or the Merger.
(d) Merger Sub shall have received from ▇▇▇▇▇ appropriately certified
copies of all resolutions adopted by Bryan's Boards of Directors in
connection with the Offer, the Merger, the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby.
(e) Each of the representations and warranties made by ▇▇▇▇▇ in the
Merger Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects (subject
to limitations as to materiality as may be contained therein) as
though made on and as of the Offer Date or, in the case of
representations and warranties made as of a specified date
earlier than the Offer Date, on and as of such earlier date, and
▇▇▇▇▇ shall have delivered to Buyer a certificate, dated the Offer
Date and executed on behalf of ▇▇▇▇▇ by its President to such effect.
(f) ▇▇▇▇▇ shall have performed and complied with, in all material
respects, each agreement, covenant and obligation required by the
Merger Agreement to be so performed or complied with by ▇▇▇▇▇ at or
prior to the Offer Date, and ▇▇▇▇▇ shall have delivered to Buyer a
certificate, dated the Offer Date and executed on behalf of ▇▇▇▇▇ by
its President, to such effect.
(g) Buyer and Merger Sub shall have received a written opinion, dated as
of the Offer Date, from ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, counsel to ▇▇▇▇▇, in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer and Merger Sub, as to
certain appropriate matters agreed upon by legal counsel of Buyer and
Merger Sub and of ▇▇▇▇▇.
(h) All proceedings to be taken on the part of ▇▇▇▇▇ on or
before the consummation of the Offer in connection
with the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement and all documents incident thereto shall be
reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to
Buyer, and Buyer shall have received copies of all
such documents and other evidences as Buyer may
reasonably request in order to establish the
consummation of such transactions and the taking of
all proceedings in connection therewith. Such
documents shall include, but shall not be limited to:
(i) the certificates required by clauses (e) and (f)
of this Annex; (ii) a certificate of existence or good
standing regarding each of ▇▇▇▇▇ and its Subsidiaries,
certified in the case of ▇▇▇▇▇ by the New Mexico
Corporation Commission and certified in the case of
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Memco by the appropriate office of the
jurisdiction of its respective incorporation, each
dated within ten (10) business days of the Offer Date;
and (iii) an incumbency certificate certifying the
identity of the officers of ▇▇▇▇▇.
(i) ▇▇▇▇▇ and each of its Subsidiaries shall have good,
marketable and insurable title to their respective
real properties, subject only to those encumbrances
identified in Schedule 7.02 to the Merger Agreement,
and ▇▇▇▇▇ shall have obtained and delivered to Buyer
reasonable assurances from the relevant municipalities
to the effect that such real properties and their
current operations are in compliance with local zoning
ordinances without constituting non- conforming uses.
(j) ▇▇▇▇▇ shall have delivered to Buyer a current survey
of the real property and facilities of ▇▇▇▇▇ located
in Peru, Indiana, which survey (i) shall have been
prepared by a licensed Indiana land surveyor, (ii)
shall fulfill the Minimum Detail Requirements for
ALTA/ACSM Land Title Surveys (1992) for an Urban
Survey and Table A thereof, and (iii) shall have been
certified to the Surviving Corporation, Buyer and
Buyer's title insurance company in a manner reasonably
satisfactory to Buyer; and such survey shall not show
encroachments or other
2
matters which, individually or in the aggregate, materially adversely
affect the value or use of such real property and facilities.
(k) There shall not have occurred (A) any general
suspension of, or limitation on prices for, trading in
the securities of a general nature on any national
securities exchange that lasts more than 24 hours, (B)
the declaration of any banking moratorium or any
suspension of payments in respect of banks or any
limitation (whether or not mandatory) on the extension
of credit by lending institutions in the United
States, (C) the commencement of a war, armed
hostilities or any other international or national
calamity involving the United States or a substantial
terrorist attack or the threat thereof on a target in
United States that leads to the declaration of a
national emergency, (D) a material adverse change in
the United States currency exchange rates or a
suspension of, or limitation on, the markets therefor,
or (E) the Dow ▇▇▇▇▇ Index shall fall below 6448
(which was the value of such Index on December 31,
1996).
(l) A Trigger Event shall not have occurred.
(m) Other than the filings provided for by Section 1.02 of
the Merger Agreement, all consents, approvals and
actions of, filings with and notices to any
Governmental or Regulatory Authority or any other
public or private third party required of ▇▇▇▇▇ or any
of its Subsidiaries to consummate the Offer, the
failure of which to be obtained or taken could,
individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably
expected to have a material adverse effect on ▇▇▇▇▇
and its Subsidiaries or on the ability of Buyer to
consummate the purchase of Shares pursuant to the
Offer, shall have been obtained, all in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer and no such
consent, approval or action shall contain any term or
condition which could be reasonably expected to result
in a material diminution of the benefits of the Offer
to Buyer.
(n) The Merger Agreement shall not have been terminated pursuant to its
terms and shall not have been amended pursuant to its terms to
provide for its termination.
3
Exhibit A
Stockholders' Agreement
In order to induce ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Corporation, a New York
corporation ("Buyer"), to execute and deliver the Agreement and
Plan of Merger dated as of the date hereof (as the same may
hereafter be amended, the "Merger Agreement") among Buyer,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Acquisition Corporation, a New Mexico corporation
("Merger Sub") and ▇▇▇▇▇ Steam Corporation, a New Mexico
corporation (the "Company"), each undersigned stockholder of the
Company hereby (i) covenants as set forth in the remainder of
this Agreement (the "Agreement"), and (ii) irrevocably appoints
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Corporation, as the exclusive attorney-in-fact and proxy
of such stockholder, with full power of substitution:
(a) to attend any and every meeting (whether annual or
special or both) of the stockholders of the Company,
including any adjournment or postponement thereof, on
behalf of such stockholder, and at each such meeting, with
respect to all shares of common stock of the Company owned
by such stockholder on the date hereof or acquired
hereafter that are entitled to vote at each such meeting or
over which such stockholder has voting power (and any and
all other shares of common or preferred stock of the
Company or other securities issued on or after the date
hereof in respect of any such shares), including, without
limitation, the shares indicated opposite such
stockholder's signature at the end of this Agreement:
(i) to vote in favor of the Merger (as such term
is defined in the Merger Agreement) and to vote in
favor of the adjournment of any meeting, which Buyer
believes may facilitate the obtaining the approval of
the Merger; and otherwise to act with respect to such
shares as said attorney-in-fact and proxy (or his
substitute) shall deem necessary or appropriate to
cause the approval of the Merger by the necessary
majority required under applicable law;
(ii) to vote and otherwise act with respect to
such shares in such a manner as said attorney-in-fact
and proxy (or his substitute) shall deem proper, with
respect to (x) proposals or offers (other than the
Merger) relating to (1) any proposed sale, lease or
other disposition of all or a substantial amount of
the assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
(2) any proposed merger, consolidation or other
combination of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
with any other entity, (3) any sale, issuance,
disposition or granting of rights in respect of the
shares of the Company or of any subsidiary of the
Company or (4) any other proposed action of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries requiring
stockholder approval that would conflict with or
violate the Company's representations, covenants or
obligations under the Merger Agreement, adversely
affect the Company's ability to consummate the Merger
or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement or otherwise impede, interfere with or
discourage the Merger (each of the actions described
in (1) - (4) above, an "Acquisition Proposal"), and
(y) any procedural matters presented at any such
meeting at which any action is scheduled to be taken
with respect to the Merger or any Acquisition
Proposal;
1
(b) if no meeting of stockholders is scheduled in
accordance with the Merger Agreement or if any such meeting
is canceled, postponed or adjourned other than with Buyer's
approval, to call a special stockholders meeting of the
Company for the purpose of (i) approving the Merger or any
action with respect thereto, or (ii) taking action with
respect to any Acquisition Proposal; and
(c) to waive, for the duration of this proxy and
option, any and all rights such stockholder may have to
exercise any rights as dissenting shareholder under
Sections 53- 15-3 and 53-15-4 of the New Mexico Business
Corporation Act, subject to the right to receive the
consideration as specifically provided in the Merger
Agreement.
Each undersigned stockholder agrees (a) not to deposit
any of such stockholder's shares of common stock of the Company
into a voting trust or enter into a voting agreement with respect
to such shares; (b) not to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of
or pledge or otherwise encumber, any shares of common stock of
the Company, or options or warrants to purchase such shares,
unless the purchaser or transferee of such shares or rights
agrees in writing (a copy of which shall be delivered by such
stockholder to Buyer and Merger Sub) prior to such sale, transfer
or disposition to be bound by and subject to the provisions
contained in this Agreement; and (c) not, in his or her capacity
as stockholder, to solicit, initiate, encourage, endorse, support
(including, by providing information) or participate in any
discussions regarding, any Acquisition Proposal other than the
Merger.
Each undersigned stockholder affirms that this proxy
is issued in connection with the Merger Agreement to facilitate
the transactions contemplated thereunder and in consideration of
Buyer and Merger Sub entering into the Merger Agreement and as
such is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable. This proxy
will terminate upon the earlier to occur of (a) the Effective
Time as defined in the Merger Agreement and (b) the termination
of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms. For
purposes of this proxy, any notice of any stockholders' meeting
shall be deemed delivered to the attorney-in-fact and proxy and
his substitutes when delivered to Buyer in accordance with the
Merger Agreement.
By execution and delivery of this Agreement, each
undersigned stockholder confirms that such stockholder has
received a copy of a substantially final form of the Merger
Agreement, and that all other information deemed necessary by
such stockholder concerning the Merger, the Merger Agreement and
the transactions contemplated thereunder or any other matters
considered by such stockholder to be relevant to the
stockholder's decision to execute this Agreement has been made
available to such stockholder.
All authority herein conferred or agreed to be
conferred shall survive the death, insolvency, or incapacity of
any undersigned stockholder and any obligation of any undersigned
stockholder hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, personal
representatives, successors and assigns of such undersigned
stockholder.
This proxy revokes any and all other proxies
heretofore granted by each and every undersigned stockholder to
vote or otherwise to act with respect to any of the shares to
which this proxy relates. No undersigned stockholder will give
any subsequent proxy or grant any option
2
with respect to such shares (and such proxy or option if given
will be deemed not to be effective) with respect to such shares
that purports to grant authority within the scope of the
authority hereby conferred.
In order further to induce Merger Sub and Buyer to
enter into the Merger Agreement, each undersigned stockholder
hereby further agrees validly to tender (or cause the record
owner of such shares validly to tender), and not to withdraw,
pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Offer, not
later than the tenth business day after commencement of the Offer
pursuant to Section A-1.01 of the Merger Agreement and Rule 14d-2
under the Exchange Act, the number of shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common
Stock set forth opposite such stockholder's name below (the
"Existing Securities" and, together with any shares of ▇▇▇▇▇
Common Stock acquired by such stockholder (whether beneficially
or of record) after the date hereof and prior to the termination
of this Agreement by means of purchase, dividend, distribution,
transfer, issuance, or exercise of options or other rights to
acquire ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock (the "Securities")). If any
undersigned stockholder acquires Securities after the date
hereof, such stockholder shall tender (or cause the record holder
to tender) such Securities on or before such tenth business day
or, if later, on or before the second business day after such
acquisition. Each undersigned stockholder hereby acknowledges and
agrees that Merger Sub's obligation to accept for payment,
purchase and pay for the Securities in the Offer, including the
Securities beneficially owned by such stockholder, is subject to
the terms and conditions of the Offer.
Each undersigned stockholder hereby permits Merger Sub
and Buyer to disclose in the Offer documents (and in the proxy
statement, if any, applicable to the Merger) such stockholder's
identity and ownership of the Securities and the content of this
Agreement.
Each undersigned stockholder acknowledges that money
damages would be both incalculable and an insufficient remedy for
any breach of this Agreement by it, and that any such breach
would cause Buyer and Merger Sub irreparable harm. Accordingly,
each undersigned stockholder agrees that in the event of any
breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, Buyer and Merger
Sub, in addition to any other remedies at law or in equity they
may have, shall be entitled, without the requirement of posting a
bond or other security, to equitable relief, including injunctive
relief and specific performance.
The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of
this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement in
such jurisdiction, or the validity or enforceability of any
provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
Each undersigned stockholder represents and warrants
that, as of the date hereof, such stockholder (a) owns personally
and directly the number of shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock (as
defined in the Merger Agreement) set forth following such
stockholder's name below, (b) owns such stock free and clear of
all liens, security interests, encumbrances, options and other
adverse interests of every kind whatsoever, and (c) may execute
and deliver this Agreement, and perform its obligations
hereunder, without the consent or agreement of any other person
or entity.
3
Each of the undersigned stockholders hereby
irrevocably waives and releases any and all claims such
stockholder may have as a holder of shares of the Company against
any employee, officer or director of ▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its
subsidiaries in respect of the conduct of such employee, officer
or director in his or her capacity as such prior to consummation
of the Merger.
For the convenience of the parties, this Agreement may
be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.
This Agreement will only become effective upon the
execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement by Buyer, Merger
Sub and the Company. Capitalized terms used and not defined
herein will have the respective meanings set forth in the Merger
Agreement.
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
State of Indiana except that the provisions hereof with respect
to the granting of proxies, the exercise of the rights granted in
respect of such proxies and the associated appointment of
attorneys-in-fact will be governed by the laws of the
jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company.
Dated: as of September __, 1998
[signature pages follow]
4
STOCKHOLDERS OF ▇▇▇▇▇ STEAM CORPORATION
---------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇.▇. #▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇
▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common
----------
Stock Owned
---------------------------
Ina ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇.▇. #▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇
▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common
----------
Stock Owned
---------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common
----------
Stock Owned
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Revokable Living Trust
by:
---------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Trustee
▇.▇., #▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common
----------
Stock Owned
---------------------------
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common
----------
Stock Owned
Shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock Owned
Jointly with ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
5
---------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common
----------
Stock Owned
---------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common
----------
Stock Owned
Shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common Stock Owned
Jointly with ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common
----------
Stock Owned Jointly
---------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common
----------
Stock Owned Jointly
---------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Shares of ▇▇▇▇▇ Common
----------
Stock Owned Jointly
6
STATE OF INDIANA )
)SS:
COUNTY OF )
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said County and
State, personally appeared ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, and acknowledged the
execution of the foregoing instrument, this 22nd day of
September, 1998.
Witness my hand and Notarial Seal this 22nd day of
September, 1998.
---------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ Notary Public
residing in Miami County,
Indiana
My Commission Expires:
-------------------------
SEAL
STATE OF INDIANA )
)SS:
COUNTY OF )
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said County and
State, personally appeared Ina ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, and acknowledged the
execution of the foregoing instrument, this 22nd day of
September, 1998.
Witness my hand and Notarial Seal this 22nd day of
September, 1998.
---------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ Notary Public
residing in Miami County,
Indiana
My Commission Expires:
-------------------------
7
STATE OF INDIANA )
)SS:
COUNTY OF MIAMI )
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said County and
State, personally appeared ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, and acknowledged the
execution of the foregoing instrument, this 21st day of
September, 1998.
Witness my hand and Notarial Seal this 21st day of
September, 1998.
---------------------------
Notary Public
residing in Miami County,
Indiana
My Commission Expires:
-------------------------
8
STATE OF INDIANA )
)SS:
COUNTY OF MIAMI )
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said County and
State, personally appeared ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, the Trustee of
the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Willliams Revocable Trust, who acknowledged the
execution of the foregoing instrument, this 23rd day of
September, 1998.
Witness my hand and Notarial Seal this 23rd day of
September, 1998.
---------------------------
Notary Public
residing in Miami County,
Indiana
My Commission Expires:
-------------------------
9
STATE OF INDIANA )
)SS:
COUNTY OF )
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said County and
State, personally appeared ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, and acknowledged the
execution of the foregoing instrument, this 22nd day of
September, 1998.
Witness my hand and Notarial Seal this 22nd day of
September, 1998.
---------------------------
Notary Public
residing in ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ County,
Indiana
My Commission Expires:
-------------------------
STATE OF INDIANA )
)SS:
COUNTY OF MIAMI )
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said County and
State, personally appeared ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, and acknowledged the
execution of the foregoing instrument, this 21st day of
September, 1998.
Witness my hand and Notarial Seal this 21st day of
September, 1998.
---------------------------
Notary Public
residing in Miami County,
Indiana
My Commission Expires:
-------------------------
10
STATE OF INDIANA )
)SS:
COUNTY OF MIAMI )
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said County and
State, personally appeared ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, and acknowledged the
execution of the foregoing instrument, this 22nd day of
September, 1998.
Witness my hand and Notarial Seal this 22nd day of
September, 1998.
---------------------------
Notary Public
residing in Miami County,
Indiana
My Commission Expires:
-------------------------
STATE OF INDIANA )
)SS:
COUNTY OF MIAMI )
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said County and
State, personally appeared ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, and acknowledged the
execution of the foregoing instrument, this 21st day of
September, 1998.
Witness my hand and Notarial Seal this 21st day of
September, 1998.
---------------------------
Notary Public
residing in Miami County,
Indiana
My Commission Expires:
-------------------------
11
STATE OF INDIANA )
)SS:
COUNTY OF MIAMI )
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said County and
State, personally appeared ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, and acknowledged the
execution of the foregoing instrument, this 21st day of
September, 1998.
Witness my hand and Notarial Seal this 21st day of
September, 1998.
---------------------------
Notary Public
residing in Miami County,
Indiana
My Commission Expires:
-------------------------
STATE OF INDIANA )
)SS: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
COUNTY OF ▇▇▇▇▇▇)
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said County and
State, personally appeared ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, and acknowledged the
execution of the foregoing instrument, this 19 day of
September, 1998.
------------------
Witness my hand and Notarial Seal this 19th day of
September, 1998.
---------------------------
Notary Public
residing in Palm Beach County,
Florida
My Commission Expires: SEAL
-------------------------
12
STATE OF INDIANA )
)SS:
COUNTY OF MIAMI )
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said County and
State, personally appeared ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, and acknowledged the
execution of the foregoing instrument, this 21st day of
September, 1998.
Witness my hand and Notarial Seal this 21st day of
September, 1998.
---------------------------
Notary Public
residing in Miami County,
Indiana
SEAL
My Commission Expires:
-------------------------
STATE OF INDIANA )
)SS:
COUNTY OF MIAMI )
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said County and
State, personally appeared ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, and acknowledged the
execution of the foregoing instrument, this 21st day of
September, 1998.
Witness my hand and Notarial Seal this 21st day of
September, 1998.
---------------------------
Notary Public
residing in Miami County,
Indiana
SEAL
My Commission Expires:
-------------------------
13
STATE OF FLORIDA )
)SS: STUART
COUNTY OF ▇▇▇▇▇▇ )
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said County and
State, personally appeared ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ and acknowledged the
execution of the foregoing instrument, this 23rd day of
September, 1998. /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
--------------------
Witness my hand and Notarial Seal this 23 day of
September, 1998.
---------------------------
Notary Public
residing in ▇▇▇▇▇▇ County,
Florida
My Commission Expires:
------------------------- SEAL
14