UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(AMENDMENT NO. ________)*
ARIS INDUSTRIES, INC.
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(NAME OF ISSUER)
COMMON STOCK
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(TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES)
040401101
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(CUSIP NUMBER)
THOMAS C.C. SARGENT, ESQ., SARGENT & SARGENT,
830 POST ROAD EAST, WESTPORT, CT 06880 PHONE # 203-226-3331
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(NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF PERSON
AUTHORIZED TO RECEIVE NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS)
JULY 15, 1997
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(DATE OF EVENT WHICH REQUIRES FILING
OF THIS STATEMENT)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule l3d-l(b)(3) or (4), check the following box / /.
Check the following box if a fee is being paid with the statement / /. (A fee is
not required only if the reporting person: (1) has a previous statement on file
reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class of
securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent
thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.)
(See Rule l3d-7.)
NOTE: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be filed with
the Commission. See Rule l3d-l(a) for other parties to whom copies are to be
sent.
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 040401 10 1 13D PAGE 2 OF 9 PAGES
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1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
DAVCO INDUSTRIES INC., A/K/A AH EQUITIES, INC. (EID # 13-3734210)
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) /x/
(b) / /
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3 SEC USE ONLY
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4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
SC
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5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED / /
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d)or 2(e)
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6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
NEW YORK
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7 SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF
SHARES -0-
------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY
3,000,000
EACH ------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON -0-
------------------------------------------------------
WITH 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
3,000,000
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11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
3,000,000
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12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES / /
CERTAIN SHARES*
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13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
20.2%
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14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
CO
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*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
(INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 040401 10 1 13D PAGE 3 OF 9 PAGES
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1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
STEVEN ARNOLD SS # ###-##-####
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) /x/
(b) / /
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3 SEC USE ONLY
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4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
SC
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5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED / /
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d)or 2(e)
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6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
USA
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7 SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF
SHARES -0-
------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY
3,000,000
EACH ------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON -0-
------------------------------------------------------
WITH 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
3,000,000
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11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
3,000,000
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12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES / /
CERTAIN SHARES*
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
20.2%
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14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IN
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*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
(INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 040401 10 1 13D PAGE 4 OF 9 PAGES
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1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
CHRISTOPHER HEALY SS # ###-##-####
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) /x/
(b) / /
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3 SEC USE ONLY
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4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
SC
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5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED / /
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d)or 2(e)
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6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
USA
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7 SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF
SHARES -0-
------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY
3,000,000
EACH ------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON -0-
------------------------------------------------------
WITH 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
3,000,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
3,000,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES / /
CERTAIN SHARES*
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
20.2%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IN
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*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
(INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION
<PAGE>
STATEMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1
OF THE
GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
UNDER THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED
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Item 1. Security and Issuer
This statement on Schedule 13D relates to Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share ("Common Stock") of Aris Industries, Inc., a New York corporation(the
"Company"). The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 475
Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10017.
Item 2. Identity and Background
DAVCO INDUSTRIES, INC. ("Davco"), is a New York corporation. STEVEN
ARNOLD("SA") owns Sixty (60%) Percent, and CHRISTOPHER HEALY ("CH"), owns Forty
(40%) Percent, of the total outstanding voting common stock of Davco (and
together own 100% of the total outstanding voting common stock of Davco), and SA
and CH are the executive officers of Davco. Davco's principal place of business
is 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10118. SA is President of Davco and CH
is Chief Executive Officer of Davco. The directors of Davco are SA and CH.
Counsel to Davco is Thomas C.C. Sargent, Esq., Sargent & Sargent, 830 Post Road
East, Westport, Connecticut 06880.
The principal business of Davco, until July 15, 1997, was the design,
sourcing, importation and wholesale sale, merchandising, marketing and
distribution of men's and boy's sportswear, activewear and loungewear (the
"Davco Apparel Business"). On July 15, 1997 (the "Closing Date"), Davco sold
substantially all of its assets, including the Davco Apparel Business, to Aris
Management Corp., a New York corporation (the "Purchaser"), which is an indirect
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company; a portion of the purchase price for such
assets consisted of the issuance by the Company to Davco of the 3,000,000 shares
of the Company's Common Stock (the "Acquired Shares") reported in this statement
as now owned by Davco. From and after the Closing Date, the business of Davco
consists of collecting its receivables (including contingent purchase price
payable in connection with the sale of its assets),
<PAGE>
paying its payables, and holding the Acquired Shares of the Company's Common
Stock reported in this statement.
Until the Closing Date, the principal occupation and employment of SA and
CH was as executive officers of Davco. From and after the Closing Date, SA and
CH shall remain as executive officers of Davco to oversee its remaining
activity, but shall be employed full time by the Purchaser, which is an indirect
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. SA and CH are not officers or directors
of the Company. The business address of SA and CH is the same as Davco, 350
Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10118.
Neither Davco, SA, CH has, during the last five years, been convicted in a
criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and similar misdemeanors) or
been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of
competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a
judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, prohibiting or
mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any
violations with respect to such laws.
Since SA and CH own all of the voting common stock of Davco and are the
executive officers thereof, Davco, SA and CH may be deemed to constitute a
"group" within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.
SA and CH are United States citizens.
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
The Acquired Shares were issued and delivered to Davco by the Company as a
component of the purchase price for substantially all of the assets of Davco
(including its Davco Apparel Business) which were sold to the Purchaser, an
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, on the Closing Date, pursuant
to an Asset Purchase Agreement of the same date, between Davco as Seller, SA and
CH as Shareholders of Seller, the Purchaser, and the Company (the "Asset
Purchase Agreement"). As set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement, the
Purchaser also agreed to pay a contingent cash purchase price to Davco to be
computed as the pre-tax net income of the Davco Apparel Business as owned by the
Purchaser from and after the Closing Date and through December 31, 1997 (subject
to certain adjustments), but not to exceed a maximum payment of $3,600,000, such
cash amount payable approximately April, 1998. On the Closing Date, the
Purchaser paid to Davco $500,000 in cash as an advance towards the contingent
cash purchase price and agreed to pay an additional advance following completion
of Purchaser's third fiscal quarter ending September 30, 1997 equal to
twenty-five (25%) of Purchaser's pre-tax net income from the Davco Apparel
Business
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<PAGE>
through such date. Prior to the closing of the Asset Purchase Agreement, neither
Davco, CH or SA owned any significant number of shares of the Company.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.
The Acquired Shares were issued and delivered to Davco by the Company as a
component of the purchase price for substantially all of the assets of
Davco (including its Davco Apparel Business), which were sold to the Purchaser,
an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, on the Closing Date,
pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement of the same date, between Davco as
Seller, SA and CH as Shareholders of Seller, the Purchaser, and the Company (the
"Asset Purchase Agreement"). The purpose of the transaction was to enable the
Company to pay a portion of the purchase price for such assets in Common Stock
of the Company, rather then in cash.
Neither Davco, SA or CH have any present plans or proposals which relate to
or which would result in any of the actions or transactions enumerated in Item 4
of the General Instructions to Schedule 13D.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
Immediately following the issuance of the Acquired Shares to Davco, the
Company will have issued and outstanding 14,852,544 shares of Common Stock, and
Davco will be the record owner of (and Davco, SA and CH as a group will be the
beneficial owners of) 3,000,000 of such shares, corresponding to 20.2% of such
class.
Since SA owns 60% of, and CH owns 40% of, the voting common stock of Davco
and are the executive officers thereof and control Davco, Davco, SA and CH have
shared power to vote or direct the vote or to dispose or direct the disposition
of the Acquired Shares.
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships
with Respect to Securities of the Issuer.
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Asset Purchase Agreement, all
3,000,000 of the shares of the Company's Common Stock delivered to Davco as part
of the purchase price on the Closing Date (the "Acquired Shares") shall be
subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of a Shareholders Agreement
entered into on the Closing Date between Davco, SA, CH, the Purchaser, the
Company, Apollo Aris Partners, L.P. ("Apollo") and Charles S. Ramat ("CSR"),
providing that the Acquired Shares shall be "restricted stock" and that all
transfers thereof must comply with applicable federal and state securities laws,
including Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Rule 144");
that
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<PAGE>
in addition to the limitations on transfer imposed by Rule 144, transfers of
Acquired Shares by Davco, SA or CH shall be limited to Rule 144 "over the
market" ordinary brokers transactions ("Rule 144 Brokers Transactions"), limited
in timing and amounts as follows:
o No transfers during the first year following
the Closing Date
o In each of the second, third and fourth year following the
Closing Date, each of SA and CH may sell up to 300,000 shares
per year in Rule 144 Brokers Transactions.
o Commencing in the fifth year following the Closing Date, each
of SA and CH may sell up to 600,000 shares per year in Rule
144 Brokers Transactions
and further providing that during the first four years following the Closing
Date, neither Davco, SA nor CH are permitted to engage in any privately
negotiated or block or bulk sales, regardless of amount, without the Company's
consent, and are limited to the Rule 144 Brokers Transaction sales in the
amounts set forth above; and commencing in the fifth year following the Closing
Date, Davco, SA and CH may engage in sales which are not Rule 144 Brokers
Transactions, for an all-cash purchase price, subject to successive rights of
first refusal, first to the Company, and second to Apollo and CSR (on an equal
basis); and further providing that Davco, SA and CH are prohibited from
acquiring any additional shares of the Company without the consent of the
Company; and further providing that for so long as CSR is Chairman, CEO or
President of the Company, Davco, SA and CH agree to vote all of their shares (on
all corporate matters including election of Directors) for the recommendations,
proposals and nominations of the Company's Board of Directors; and further
providing that Davco, SA and CH will have certain "piggyback" registration
rights as to the initial 3,000,000 Acquired Shares issued to them on the Closing
Date, to the extent still owned by them at the time of registration, as set
forth in the Shareholders Agreement. These "piggyback" registration rights will
enable Davco, SA and CH to include their shares in a registration by the Company
to the same proportionate extent as if they were parties to the Equity
Registration Rights Agreement dated June 30, 1993 between the Company and
certain shareholders thereof when, as and if the shares of the Company held by
the parties to such Equity Registration Rights Agreement are eligible for
inclusion in such registration statement on a "piggyback" basis.
Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.
(1) Asset Purchase Agreement as described above.
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<PAGE>
(2) Shareholders Agreement as described above.
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, correct and
complete.
July 15, 1997 DAVCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
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Date
By: /s/ STEVEN ARNOLD
-------------------------------
Steven Arnold, President
By: /s/ CHRISTOPHER HEALY
-------------------------------
Christopher Healy,
Chief Executive Officer
July 15, 1997 /s/ STEVEN ARNOLD
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Date Steven Arnold, Individually
July 15, 1997 /s/ CHRISTOPHER HEALY
- ------------- ---------------------------
Date Christopher Healy, Individually
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ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT made as of July 15, 1997 (this "Agreement") by and
among DAVCO INDUSTRIES, INC., a New York corporation having its principal office
at 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10118 (hereinafter referred to as, the
"Seller"), STEVEN ARNOLD, an individual residing at 68 Boulder Ridge Road,
Scarsdale, New York 10583 ("SA"), CHRISTOPHER HEALY, an individual residing at
11 Iron Gate Hill, Westport, Connecticut 06880 ("CH") (SA and CH being the
owners of all of the outstanding capital stock of the Seller and hereinafter
collectively referred to as, the "Shareholders"), and ARIS MANAGEMENT CORP., a
New York corporation having an address at 475 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York
10017 (hereinafter referred to as, the "Purchaser").
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Seller is engaged in the business of the design, sourcing,
importation and wholesale sale, merchandising, marketing and distribution of
men's and boy's sportswear, activewear, and loungewear including apparel
products sold pursuant to licenses of the "Perry Ellis", "Perry Ellis America",
"Perry Ellis Portfolio" and "Jeffrey Banks" trademarks (such business
collectively hereinafter referred to as the "Davco Apparel Business") and the
Seller desires to sell, transfer, set over and assign to the Purchaser all of
the assets (except as otherwise provided herein) of the Seller and the goodwill
thereof as a going concern, its corporate and trade names and its trademark
licenses and the Purchaser desires to purchase the same, upon the
representations, warranties, covenants and provisions hereinafter set forth;
WHEREAS, the Purchaser's affiliated corporations are also engaged in the
business of design, sourcing, importation and wholesale sale, merchandising and
distribution of men's apparel and Purchaser and such affiliates will be
benefited by Purchaser's acquisition of Seller's assets and business; and
WHEREAS, the Shareholders are the owners of all of the outstanding capital
stock of the Seller and the Shareholders desire to facilitate the sale of
Seller's assets and other transactions and agreements referred to herein by
joining in the representations, warranties and covenants of the Seller herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in the consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
agreements and covenants herein contained, and intending to be legally bound
hereby, the parties hereto HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:
<PAGE>
1. Sale and Purchase of Assets.
(a) Purchased Assets. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, and except as provided in Section 1(b) hereof with respect to the
Excluded Assets, at the closing provided for in Section 1(f) hereof, the Seller
shall sell, transfer, convey and assign to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser
shall purchase from Seller all of the Seller's assets, including without
limitation, all of Seller's right, title and interest in and to the Davco
Apparel Business and the goodwill thereof as a going concern and the assets set
forth below in this Section 1.1(a) (all of the foregoing assets of the Seller
purchased by the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement are collectively referred
to as the "Purchased Assets"). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
the Purchased Assets shall be inclusive of all tangible and intangible assets
relating to Seller's activities pursuant to its licenses of the "Perry Ellis",
"Perry Ellis America" and "Jeffrey Banks" trademarks.
(i) all inventory and supplies of Seller on the Closing Date,
wherever located, including those located at Seller's premises or located at or
in transit to or from a supplier or customer of Seller ("Inventory"), including
those set forth on Schedule 1.1;
(ii) all accounts and notes receivable of Seller on the
Closing Date ("Accounts Receivable"), including those set forth on Schedule 1.2;
(iii) all open purchase orders, bookings, bids, quotations,
and proposals with customers or potential customers existing on the Closing Date
and all customer deposits and advances existing on the Closing Date
(collectively, "Customer Orders"), including those set forth on Schedule 1.3;
(iv) all deposits and advances with vendors, suppliers and
subcontractors existing on the Closing Date (collectively, "Vendor Deposits"),
including those set forth on Schedule 1.4;
(v) all open purchase orders, contracts, bookings, bids,
quotations, and proposals with vendors, suppliers and subcontractors existing on
the Closing Date (collectively, "Vendor Orders"), including those set forth on
Schedule 1.5;
(vi) all of Seller's rights under open letters of credit
issued for the account of Seller in favor of vendors, suppliers and contractors,
or issued for the account of customers in favor of Seller(collectively, "Open
Letters of Credit"), including those set forth on Schedule 1.6;
(vii) all of Seller's prepaid expenses of the types
set forth on Schedule 1.7 (collectively, "Prepaid Expenses");
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<PAGE>
(viii) all of Sellers past and present customer lists and past
and present vendor, sourcing, supplier and subcontractor lists, including those
set forth on Schedule 1.8 (collectively, "Customer and Vendor Lists")
(ix) all of Seller's rights in all corporate and d/b/a names,
brand names, labels, logos, trademarks, trade names, trademark applications,
patents, patent applications, service marks, copyrights, copyright applications
(in each case whether registered or unregistered) applied for or owned by the
Seller, together with the goodwill of the business relating thereto, including,
without limitation, any interest it may have in the names "Davco", "Davco
Industries", "Davco Accessories" and derivations and variations thereof and
other proprietary rights set forth on Schedule 1.9, and all of Seller's rights
in software, product designs, styles, drawings, artwork, graphics, prototypes,
mockups, models, product development programs and plans, including any stored on
a computer system (collectively, the "Intellectual Property");
(x) Seller's licenses and agreements to manufacture, sell,
market, import or distribute apparel products under trademarks owned by others,
including without limitation, under the "Perry Ellis", "Perry Ellis America" and
"Jeffrey Banks" trademarks and others identified on Schedule 1.10 (collectively,
the "Trademark
Licenses");
(xi) all the fixtures, leasehold improvements, structures,
plant, machinery, equipment, tools, furniture, pallets, telephones and systems,
computer systems (including software), and other items of personal property
owned or leased by Seller as of the Closing Date, including those set forth on
Schedule 1.11 (collectively, the "Fixed Assets");
(xii) Seller's leases for its office/showroom at 350 Fifth
Avenue, NYC, 64th Floor, and its warehouse at 281 Dogburn Road, West Haven,
Connecticut, and any security deposits relating thereto, more specifically
identified on Schedule 1.12 (collectively, the "Real Property Leases"). The
tenant of record under the Real Property Leases is Davco Accessories,
Inc. ("DAC"), but pursuant to Section 5(r) hereof, Seller and Shareholders have
agreed to cause DAC to take such actions as are necessary to assign such leases
to Purchaser;
(xiii) all contracts, agreements (whether oral or written),
including, without limitation, distribution rights, agreements with customers,
vendors, suppliers and subcontractors, sales representatives, advertising
contracts, licenses of software, patents, copyrights, trademarks or other
intellectual property, the Trademark Licenses, the Real Property Leases and
equipment leases or installment contracts under which Seller has leased or
purchased Fixed Assets, including those set forth on Schedule 1.13
(collectively, the "Contracts");
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<PAGE>
(xiv) Customer and industry approvals and qualified vendor
certifications, including those set forth on Schedule 1.14 (collectively,
"Customer Certifications").
(xv) Seller's samples, prototypes, sample books, showroom
displays, advertising materials, mockups, brochures, catalogues, including those
under development (collectively, "Marketing Materials").
(xvi) the licenses, permits, certificates of occupancy or use
and other governmental approvals pertaining to the operation of Seller's
business or the use of the property covered by the Real Property Leases or the
Fixed Assets, including those set forth on Schedule 1.15 (collectively, the
"Permits");
(xvii) all rights and claims against third parties in respect
of the Purchased Assets, including without limitation all rights under express
or implied warranties from vendors and suppliers to Seller and all other claims,
rebates, payments from vendors and refunds; provided, however, that Seller shall
retain such rights to the extent related to any Non-Assumed Liability or
Excluded Assets;
(xviii) the books, records, data bases, sales and product
records, business, operational and marketing plans, accounts, correspondence,
employment, payroll, personnel and workers' compensation records, environmental
control records, training and operations manuals and any other books, records,
accounts and information, including any stored on a computer system or disk and
all owned or licensed computer software (collectively, "Books and Records"); and
(xix) cash on hand and in banking or financial institution
accounts, deposit or concentration accounts, safety deposit boxes, money market
accounts, brokerage accounts and investment accounts on the Closing Date and all
cash equivalents, other than amounts needed to cover checks outstanding on the
Closing Date, including those in the bank and financial institution accounts set
forth on Schedule 1.16 (collectively, "Cash Accounts"). The amount of the Cash
Accounts to be transferred to Purchaser shall not be credited or deducted from
payments made by Purchaser on the Closing Date, but rather the amount of the
Cash Accounts shall be determined by the Closing Date Audit(as defined below)
and, if such audit has been completed, shall be credited and deducted from the
advance otherwise to be paid to Seller pursuant to Section 3(b)(ii) following
completion of the third quarter of 1997, or if such audit is not available,
shall be credited and deducted from payment of the Actual Final Cash Purchase
Price(as defined below).
(b) Excluded Assets. Notwithstanding anything contained
in Section 1(a) hereof to the contrary, Seller is not selling,
assigning, transferring or conveying to Purchaser, and there shall
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<PAGE>
be excluded from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the following
assets, rights and properties (the "Excluded Assets"):
(i) Seller's general liability and other insurance
obligations, policies and premiums;
(ii) refunds and rights to refunds for taxes paid;
(iii) Seller's corporate seal, certificate of incorporation,
minute and stock record books, tax returns, documentation necessary for the
preparation of corporate tax and other required tax returns (and the defense any
tax examinations);
(iv) any and all pension, retirement, profit-sharing or other
employee benefit plans of the Seller, including, without limitation, all
employee benefit plans listed on Schedule 5.13 attached hereto;
(v) motor vehicles owned or leased by Seller and
rights and obligations under leases relating thereto;
(vi) all rights and obligations under Seller's
license of the "Duck Head" trademark;
(vii) all rights and obligations under Seller's old showroom
lease at the 47th Floor, 350 Fifth Avenue, NYC, and the sublease thereof; and
(viii) all rights and obligations under Seller's employment
agreements with SA and CH and the shareholders agreement among Seller, SA and
CH.
Seller's Duck Head license, old showroom lease and sublease, Seller's employment
and shareholder agreements and other excluded contracts set forth on Schedule
1.20 are collectively referred to as the "Excluded Contracts".
(c) Assumption and Satisfaction of Liabilities. At Closing, Seller
will transfer to Purchaser and Purchaser shall assume and shall thereafter pay,
perform and discharge, to the extent not paid, performed and discharged by
Purchaser at the Closing, only the following liabilities and obligations of
Seller, and subject to the further limitations that such liabilities and
obligations were recorded on the March 31, 1997 Balance Sheet (as defined
herein) of Seller, and have changed since such date only due to the incurrence
of trade debt and borrowings under existing credit lines in the ordinary course
of business and which are recorded on the Estimated Net Transferred Assets
Schedule delivered at the Closing and referred to in Section 3(c) below
(collectively, the "Assumed Liabilities"):
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<PAGE>
(i) Sellers' liabilities and obligations under the Contracts,
Trademark Licenses, Real Property Leases, Customer Orders, Vendor Orders and
Open Letters of Credit arising or requiring performance after the Closing (other
than the Excluded Contracts). The Assumed Liabilities shall include Contracts
expressly disclosed on Schedule 1.13 (other than the Excluded Contracts),
whether or not recorded or in existence on the March 31, 1997 Balance Sheet;
(ii) the trade payables and accrued expenses of Seller
existing on the Closing Date as set forth on Schedule 1.21 hereto, but excluding
any payables or accruals relating to the Excluded Contracts and excluding any
payables or accruals relating to taxes of Seller or Shareholders(collectively,
"Payables and Accrued Expenses"); and
(iii) Seller's obligations due banks and factors set forth on
Schedule 1.22 hereto ("Financing Obligations").
(d) Seller's Retention of Non-Assumed Liabilities. Seller and the
Shareholders, jointly and severally, agree to timely pay, perform and discharge
any and all liabilities of Seller of any nature, whether due or to become due,
whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, whether arising prior to or
after the Closing Date, including without limitation, those arising out of or
relating to the ownership, operation or use by Seller or any other person
(including any predecessor of Seller), prior to the Closing Date, of the
properties, assets or business of Seller (or any other predecessors), except for
the Assumed Liabilities (collectively, the "Non-Assumed Liabilities"). Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, Seller and Shareholders will retain
liability for:
(i) the Excluded Contracts and the Excluded Assets;
(ii) the existing litigation set forth on Schedule
5.14 hereto; and
(iii) any and all pension, retirement, profit-sharing or other
employee benefit plans of the Seller, including, without limitation, all
employee benefit plans listed on Schedule 5.13 hereto.
(e) Except as expressly provided herein with respect to the Assumed
Liabilities, neither the Purchaser nor any of its affiliates shall assume or
guarantee any debts, liabilities or obligations whatsoever (whether known or
unknown, due or to become due, accrued, absolute, fixed, contingent, matured or
unmatured, or otherwise) of the Seller or the Shareholders or any of their
affiliates under or by reason of this Agreement. Except for repayment of certain
loans owed by Seller to the Shareholders as described in Section 13(g) of this
Agreement, Purchaser shall have no obligation to assume or make any payments or
assume any
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liabilities of any nature which may be due or owing from Seller to the
Shareholders or affiliates thereof. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, Purchaser shall NOT assume or guarantee any debts, liabilities or
obligations of DAC other than obligations arising after the Closing Date under
the Real Property leases identified on Schedule 1.12 hereto, subject to the
consent of the landlords to the assignment of such leases to Purchaser.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Purchaser shall NOT
assume or guarantee any debts, liabilities or obligations of Davcorp
Enterprises, Inc., a New York corporation ("DEL").
(f) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the
closing of the sale and purchase of the Purchased Assets (the "Closing") will
take place at the offices of Herrick, Feinstein LLP, 2 Park Avenue, New York,
New York 10016 at 10:00 A.M. on July 15, 1997 or such other date as may be
mutually agreed upon in writing by the Purchaser and the Seller (the "Closing
Date"), and shall be effective at 11:59 PM on the Closing Date.
2. Covenant of Title. The Seller and the Shareholders, jointly and
severally, for themselves and their successors, assigns, heirs, executors,
administrators and distributees, covenant and agree to and with the Purchaser to
warrant and defend against any person, firm, corporation or other entity the
sale and transfer of good and marketable title to the Purchased Assets and
property described herein and each and every part thereof sold, transferred,
assigned and set over hereunder to the Purchaser and its successors and assigns,
free and clear of any security interest, pledge, mortgage, judgment, lien
(including, without limitation, environmental and tax liens), charge, adverse
claim or restriction of any kind (collectively, an "Encumbrance"), other than
this Agreement.
3. Purchase Price and Payment for Purchased Assets.
(a) Consideration.
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including,
without limitation, the purchase price adjustments and sets-offs provided for
herein), as consideration for the Purchased Assets, the Purchaser shall pay to
the Seller the Stock Purchase Price (as defined herein) and the Actual Final
Cash Purchase Price (as defined herein), in accordance with the terms of this
Section 3, and shall on the Closing, assume the Assumed Liabilities.
(i) The Stock Purchase Price shall be THREE MILLION
(3,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share of Aris Industries,
Inc., a New York corporation, the ultimate parent corporation of Purchaser
("Aris")(shares of Aris Common Stock referred to herein as "Aris Common Stock"),
paid on the Closing Date.
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(ii) The "Actual Final Cash Purchase Price" shall be equal to
the pre-tax net income of the Davco Apparel Business as owned by Purchaser from
and after the Closing Date and through December 31, 1997 (referred to as "1997
Post-Closing Davco Net Income"), determined as provided in Section 3(e) below,
decreased, on a dollar for dollar basis to reflect (x) any Excess Closing Date
Liabilities (as defined herein), determined as provided in Section 3(c) below
and (y) the aggregate amount of all Indemnification Claims(as defined in Section
8(c) below) asserted on or prior to payment of the Actual Final Cash Purchase
Price; provided however, that the amount of the Actual Final Cash Purchase Price
shall not exceed a maximum of THREE MILLION SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND ($3,600,000)
DOLLARS, and if the Actual Final Cash Purchase Price as otherwise determined
shall exceed such amount, the Actual Final Cash Purchase Price shall be deemed
reduced to and shall equal $3,600,000. The Actual Final Cash Purchase Price,
less advances thereon made pursuant to Section 3(b) below, shall be paid within
ten (10) days after Purchaser's and Aris' receipt of Aris' audited financial
statements for calendar year 1997, but not later than April 10, 1998. Purchaser
shall deliver to Seller a certification signed by the Chief Financial Officer of
Aris of the Actual Final Cash Purchase Price by no later than such date.
(iii) Seller and Shareholders covenant and agree that Seller
shall apply all proceeds of the cash portions of purchase price paid pursuant to
this Agreement, to the extent necessary, to pay the creditors of Seller (other
than the Assumed Liabilities).
(b) Advances of Actual Final Cash Purchase Price.
(i) On the Closing Date, Purchaser will advance to Seller FIVE
HUNDRED THOUSAND($500,000) DOLLARS (which Seller shall allocate to CH), which
advance will be credited against the first dollars owed by Purchaser with
respect to the Actual Final Cash Purchase Price.
(ii) In addition, within ten(10) days after Purchaser's
receipt of its quarterly financial statements for the third quarter ending
September 30, 1997, Purchaser will advance to Seller twenty-five (25%) percent
of 1997 Post-Closing Davco Net Income for the period from and after the Closing
Date through September 30, 1997 (such advance reduced by the $500,000 advance
provided on the Closing Date). This additional advance, if any, will also be
credited against the first dollars owed by Purchaser with respect to the Actual
Final Cash Purchase Price.
(iii) In the event that the advances and credits provided
under clauses (i) and (ii) are, in the aggregate, in excess of the Actual Final
Cash Purchase Price as finally determined pursuant to Section 3(e) below, Seller
shall remit such excess to Purchaser within ten (10) days of delivery of such
determination.
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(c) Excess Closing Date Liabilities and Adjustment to Actual Final
Cash Purchase Price On the Closing Date, Seller shall prepare and deliver to
Purchaser the Estimated Net Transferred Assets Schedule, in the form of Exhibit
3.1 hereto, which shall set forth the estimated amounts, on the Closing Date, of
the Cash Accounts, Accounts Receivable, Vendor Deposits, Inventory, and Fixed
Assets to be transferred to Purchaser ("Tangible Transferred Assets"), and of
the Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses, Financing Obligations, Shareholder
Loans, and any other accrued liabilities or obligations included in the Assumed
Liabilities ("Tangible Assumed Liabilities"). The excess, if any, of Tangible
Assumed Liabilities over Tangible Transferred Assets, is referred to as "Excess
Closing Date Liabilities." The Estimated Net Transferred Assets Schedule shall
be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
consistent with Seller's financial statements referred to in Section 5(h) below.
The closing of the transactions provided for under this Agreement shall be
subject to Purchaser's acceptance, in its sole discretion, of the Estimated Net
Transferred Assets Schedule and the amount, if any, of Excess Closing Date
Liabilities determined on an estimated basis from such schedule.
In the event that Purchaser proceeds to close the transactions provided
for under this Agreement, Excess Closing Date Liabilities shall be finally
determined pursuant to the Closing Date Audit of Seller referred to in Section
3(d) below and shall be a deduction in the calculation of the Actual Final Cash
Purchase Price. Furthermore, any Excess Closing Date Liabilities (determined on
an estimated basis, from the Estimated Net Transferred Assets Schedule, or, if
available, as finally determined by the Closing Date Audit) shall be deducted
from the advance against the Actual Final Cash Purchase Price which Purchaser
would otherwise be required to make to Seller under Section 3(b)(ii) above
following receipt of Purchaser's third quarter financial statements.
(d) Closing Date Audit of Seller. As promptly as practicable
following the Closing Date, Seller shall cause Winick, Sanders & Co., its
regular independent certified public accountants (the "Seller's Accountants"),
to audit the balance sheet, results of operations and changes in financial
position of Seller as at and for the period from January 1, 1997 through the
close of business on the Closing Date ("Closing Date Audit") and to deliver to
Purchaser and Seller such financial statements and notes thereto together with
the Seller's Accountants' opinion thereon and the calculation of a Final Net
Transferred Assets Schedule (which shall be in the same form as the Estimated
Transferred Net Assets Schedule) derived from the Closing Date Audit and the
Excess Closing Date Liabilities, if any, calculated from the Final Net
Transferred Assets Schedule. The Closing Date Audit shall be prepared utilizing
generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. The results of
the Closing Date Audit shall be utilized in determining, on a final basis, the
Excess Closing
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Date Liabilities, as well as the Cash Accounts to be credited to Purchaser.
(e) Determination of 1997 Post-Closing Davco Net Income. Purchaser
shall cause its regular independent certified public accountants("Purchaser's
Accountants") to determine the 1997 Post-Closing Davco Net Income, by auditing
Purchaser's net income from the Davco Apparel Business in 1997 from and after
the Closing Date. Such audit shall be prepared utilizing generally accepted
accounting principles consistent with those utilized by Aris' subsidiary, Europe
Craft Imports, Inc.("ECI"). However, for purposes of determining 1997
Post-Closing Davco Net Income for inclusion in determining the Actual Final Cash
Purchase Price:
(i) Purchaser shall be charged only with Purchaser's own
financing and interest charges relating to the Davco Apparel Business and not
financing or interest charges incurred by Aris, ECI or other affiliates of Aris;
(ii) There will be no allocation to Purchaser of corporate or
other overhead or management fees of Aris, ECI or other affiliates of Aris;
(iii) Seller will accrue on the Closing Date up to $12,000 for
the expenses of the Closing Date Audit; such accrual up to $12,000 will be an
Assumed Liability. Purchaser will have no other obligation for Seller's
accounting fees. In computing 1997 Post-Closing Davco Net Income, Purchaser will
be charged with $20,000 of the cost of performing a separate audit of the Davco
Apparel Business (as distinguished from the Aris and ECI audits) for calendar
year 1997.
(iv) The first $35,000 of legal fees paid by Seller to its
counsel relating to the transactions set forth in this Agreement, including
Seller's obligations under Sections 5(r) and 9(e) hereof(whether such legal fees
are incurred before or after the Closing Date) will not be charged to 1997
Post-Closing Davco Net Income;
(v) 1997 Post-Closing Davco Net Income will include income
from current activities of the Davco Apparel Business, but to the extent such
activities include "MEMBERS ONLY" products, Purchaser will be charged with
royalties payable to ECI at the same rate as the license arrangement currently
in effect with Seller;
(vi) All bonuses and commissions paid or accrued with respect
to calendar year 1997 by Purchaser(even if paid after December 31, 1997),
including any bonuses and commissions due for services prior to the Closing Date
and paid after the Closing Date(unless such pre-Closing Date bonuses and
commissions are accrued on the Estimated Net Transferred Assets Schedule), will
be charged against 1997 Post-Closing Davco Net Income;
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(vii) All refunds, returns, replacements, chargebacks,
credits, allowances and adjustments relating to products sold by Seller or
Purchaser, on or before December 31, 1997 or in inventory of Seller or Purchaser
on or before December 31, 1997, which are paid or credited by Purchaser, or
accrued or charged to Purchaser(unless they relate to products sold by Seller
pre-Closing Date and are accrued on the Estimated Net Transferred Assets
Schedule), will be charged against 1997 Post-Closing Davco Net Income;
(viii) Income from extraordinary items and sale or
disposition of assets will be excluded;
(ix) With respect to the Chase Manhattan Bank Line of Credit
Letter Agreement ("Bank Line Letter") to be entered into between Chase and
Purchaser on the Closing Date, Chase' legal and other closing fees, bank
examination fees, and administrative fees and charges will NOT be charged
against 1997 Post-Closing Davco Net Income.
(f) Determination of Actual Final Purchase Price and Related
Amounts. Determination of 1997 Post-Closing Davco Net Income and the Actual
Final Purchase Price by Purchaser's Accountants based upon the audit referred to
above shall be final, binding and conclusive on Seller, Shareholders and
Purchaser.
4. Provisions Relating to Aris Common Stock
Seller and Shareholders agree that all shares of Aris Common Stock
obtained by the Seller pursuant to this Agreement shall also be subject to the
terms, conditions and restrictions of the Shareholders Agreement entered into
between Aris, Seller and the Shareholders and certain other shareholders of Aris
on the Closing Date in the form of Exhibit 3.3 hereto (the "Shareholders
Agreement").
5. Representations and Warranties of Seller and Shareholders. The Seller
and the Shareholders, jointly and severally, represent and warrant unto and
covenant with the Purchaser, and such representations, warranties and covenants
are material inducements to the Purchaser entering into this Agreement, as
follows (such representations, warranties and covenants to be true and correct
as of the Closing Date):
(a) Business Names. The Seller is doing business under the name of
"DAVCO" and "DAVCO INDUSTRIES"; neither the Seller, DAC, DEL, the Shareholders
nor their affiliates does business under any other trade or corporate name
(except for the trademarks owned or licensed and set forth in Schedule 1.9).
Neither the Seller, the Shareholders, DEL nor DAC own any federal or state
trademark, trade name, service mark or service name registration for "DAVCO",
"DAVCO INDUSTRIES", "DAVCORP ENTERPRISES" or "DAVCO ACCESSORIES" or
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derivations or variations thereof. To the best knowledge of Seller and
Shareholders, Seller's use of the names "DAVCO", "DAVCO INDUSTRIES", "DAVCORP
ENTERPRISES" or "DAVCO ACCESSORIES" does not conflict with the proprietary
rights of any other person or entity. Neither the Seller, the Shareholders, DEL
nor DAC has ever received any notification that use of the names "DAVCO", "DAVCO
INDUSTRIES", "DAVCORP ENTERPRISES" or "DAVCO ACCESSORIES" conflicts with the
proprietary rights of any other person or entity.
(b) Payments to Predecessors. Neither the Seller, the Shareholders,
DEL, DAC nor their affiliates owes any payments to any party with respect to a
prior purchase of any of the Purchased Assets (to be sold, transferred, assigned
and set over to the Purchaser in accordance with the terms and conditions of
this Agreement) or the capital stock or the business or any other assets of the
Seller, DEL, DAC or their affiliates or predecessors.
(c) Corporate Status. Seller is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of New York.
Seller has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and
perform this Agreement and all writings related hereto. Seller has all necessary
power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and to own, lease
or operate its properties as and in the manner and in the places where such
business is now conducted and such properties are now owned, leased or operated.
True and correct copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of
Seller as in effect on the date hereof are set forth as Exhibit 5.1 hereto. The
officers and directors of the Seller are:
Directors: Officers:
- ---------- ---------
Steven Arnold Steven Arnold, President
Christopher Healy Christopher Healy, Chief Executive Officer
(d) Corporate Structure. The Seller's business and assets, including
its Davco Apparel Business, are owned and operated by the corporate entity of
the Seller directly and exclusively and NOT through (i) a direct or indirect
affiliate, subsidiary, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or
other entity of any kind, (ii) any stockholder or affiliate thereof or (iii)
DEL, or (iv) DAC, except that DAC is the tenant of record of certain leases
utilized by the Davco Apparel Business identified on Schedule 1.12. Neither the
Seller, DEL, nor DAC has any legal or beneficial interest in any subsidiary,
partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity. The sole
purpose of the Seller is and at all times has been to engage in the Davco
Apparel Business, and the Seller has no assets, properties, liabilities or
obligations other than those relating to said Davco Apparel Business. The sole
purpose of DAC is and at all times has been be the tenant of record under the
Real Property Leases, and DAC has no assets, properties, liabilities or
obligations other
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than those relating to said Real Property Leases. DAC was formerly a New York
corporation owned by CH which was dissolved by operation of law in 1991. DEL is
a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of New York and is owned by CH. DEL is completely inactive and
does not conduct any business. Davco Fashion Accessories, Inc., a New York
corporation ("DFA"), which formerly employed CH, is totally unrelated to the
Davco Apparel Business and none of the Seller, the Shareholders, DAC, DEL or
their affiliates of have any direct or indirect ownership or interest in DFA nor
any obligation for the liabilities of DFA.
(e) Capital Stock. The Seller has 1,000 authorized shares of Common
Stock, without par value, of which 510 shares are issued and outstanding. Of the
issued and outstanding shares, 306 shares are owned by SA and 204 shares are
owned by CH. The Shareholders are the record and beneficial owners of all of the
issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Seller set forth above
(the "Shares"), and the Shareholders own the Shares free and clear of all
Encumbrances. There are no subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, contracts,
demands, commitments, convertible securities, shareholders', employment, stock
option, buy-sell or other agreements or arrangements of any kind that directly
or indirectly call for the issuance, sale, pledge or other disposition of any
shares of capital stock of the Seller or any securities convertible into, or
other rights to acquire, any shares of capital stock of the Seller or relate to
the voting or control of such capital stock, securities or rights (other than
the shareholders agreement of Seller dated May 6, 1996, a copy of which has been
supplied to Purchaser).
(f) Authorization; No Conflicts; Consents. The execution, delivery
and performance by the Seller of this Agreement and all writings relating hereto
have been duly authorized by the unanimous written consent of the board of
directors and the shareholders, respectively, of the Seller and such resolutions
specifically approve the sale by the Seller of substantially all of its assets.
The Shareholders have all requisite power to execute, deliver and perform this
Agreement and all writings related thereto. This Agreement and all writings
relating hereto to be signed by the Seller, DAC, DEL and the Shareholders
constitute valid and binding obligations of the Seller, DAC, DEL and the
Shareholders enforceable in accordance with their respective terms. Neither the
execution and delivery of this Agreement or any writing relating hereto nor the
consummation by the Seller, DAC, DEL or the Shareholders of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby will (i) conflict with or result in a breach of
the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Seller, DEL or DAC or (ii)
violate or conflict with or constitute a default under any agreement to which
any of the Seller, DEL, DAC, the Shareholders, or the Seller's officers or
directors are a party or which would affect the Purchased Assets to be sold
hereunder. Except as provided in Schedule 5.4 attached hereto, no consent or
approval of, or notifi-
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cation to, any governmental authority or any other person, firm or entity
whatsoever is required in connection with the execution and delivery by the
Seller, DEL, DAC or the Shareholders of this Agreement or any writing relating
hereto or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby
and the Seller and the Shareholders agree that, as a closing condition to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Seller, DEL, DAC and the
Shareholders shall obtain any necessary consents or approvals prior to the
Closing from any third party with respect to the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
(g) Taxes. All federal, state, local and foreign tax returns
required to be filed with respect to Seller or the business and assets of the
Seller have been timely filed (or will be timely filed when due) with the
appropriate governmental agencies, all amounts shown as owing thereon have been
paid (or will be timely paid when due), and there is no claim, proceeding,
investigation, assessment or deficiency pending or threatened with respect to
tax obligations of the Seller, DEL or DAC, nor have the Seller, DEL, DAC, the
Shareholders, or the Seller's officers or directors received any notice thereof.
There is no tax lien or other Encumbrance in favor of any taxing authority
affecting any assets of the Seller, DEL or DAC. The federal, state and local
income tax returns of the Seller. DEL and DAC have never been audited by the
Internal Revenue Service or any other governmental taxing authority, except as
set forth on Schedule 5.5 hereto. The Seller has for all taxable periods from
and after its incorporation maintained in effect an election to be treated as a
small business corporation("Subchapter S Election") under Section 1362 of the
Internal Revenue Code and under applicable provisions of New York and
Connecticut law. The Seller and the Shareholders have also delivered to the
Purchaser the federal and state tax returns for the Seller identified on
Schedule 5.5 hereto.
(h) Financial Statements. The Seller and the Shareholders have
delivered to the Purchaser true and complete copies of the financial statements
with respect to the Seller as at and for the years ended December 31, 1995 and
December 31, 1996 audited by Winick Sanders & Co. LLP("Seller's Accountants")
and as at and for the three-month period ended March 31, 1997 reviewed by
Seller's Accountants(collectively, the "Financial Statements"), which Financial
Statements are true, accurate and complete, are in accordance with the books and
records of Seller, and fairly present the financial condition of the Seller as
at such dates and the results of its operations and the changes in its retained
earnings and financial position for the periods then ended, in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. The balance sheet
included in the March 31, 1997 financial statements of Seller is referred to
herein as the "March 31, 1997 Balance Sheet". The revenues of the Seller
reported on all such Financial Statements reflect payments actually made by
bona-fide customers of the Seller for goods or services delivered in the
ordinary course of business, and consistent with Seller's billing
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practices during such periods. The statements of income included in such
Financial Statements do not contain any items of special or non-recurring income
or any other income not earned in the ordinary course of business, except as
expressly specified therein. The books and records of Seller fairly reflect all
of the transactions of Seller.
(i) Solvency. Neither the Seller nor either of the Shareholders is
insolvent and the transfer and sale of the Purchased Assets provided for herein
does not constitute a fraudulent conveyance or any violation of creditor's
rights.
(j) No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.6
hereto, neither Seller, DEL nor DAC have any liability or obligation of any
nature, whether due or to become due, absolute, contingent or otherwise, except
(a) to the extent fully reflected as a liability on the March 31, 1997 Balance
Sheet; (b) liabilities for trade debt and borrowings under existing credit lines
incurred in the ordinary course of business by Seller since the March 31, 1997
Balance Sheet Date and fully reflected as liabilities on the books of account of
Seller and set forth on the Estimated Net Transferred Asset Schedule delivered
on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 3(c) above, and (c) contractual
obligations arising after the Closing Date under the Contracts. Furthermore, the
actual amount of the Tangible Transferred Assets of Seller on the Closing Date
shall be not less than the amount thereof set forth on the Estimated Net
Tangible Assets Schedule delivered on the Closing Date, and the actual amount of
the Tangible Assumed Liabilities of Seller on the Closing Date shall not be in
excess of the amount thereof set forth on the Estimated Net Tangible Assets
Schedule delivered on the Closing Date.
(k) No Changes. Since December 31, 1996, Seller and Shareholders
have conducted the business of Seller only in the ordinary course. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, since December 31, 1996,
except as set forth on Schedule 5.7 hereto:
(i) Seller has not conducted any transaction, entered into any
contract, commitment or agreement, or incurred any debt or obligation, outside
the ordinary course of business or in a manner which is not consistent with
Seller's past practice;
(ii) There has been no change in the financial condition,
results of operations, business, assets, liabilities, earning power or prospects
of the Seller in the conduct of its Davco Apparel Business, except changes in
the ordinary course of business as set forth on the Estimated Net Transferred
Assets Schedule, none of which, individually or in the aggregate, has been or
could be materially adverse to Seller or the Davco Apparel Business or the
Purchased Assets being transferred to Purchaser;
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<PAGE>
(iii) there has been no adverse change or any threat of any
adverse change in the relations of the Seller with, or any loss or threat of
loss of, any vendors, suppliers, contractors, customers, licensors, licensees or
employees of Seller;
(iv) there has been no sale, transfer or disposition of any
assets of Seller except for sales of inventory in the ordinary course of
business, and there has been no purchase of any assets whatsoever other than
purchases of inventory and supplies in the ordinary course of business;
(v) except for borrowing under existing credit agreements set
forth on Schedule 1.22 hereto in the ordinary course of business and borrowings
under the Shareholder Loans referred to in Section 13 below(which would not
increase the aggregate amount of such Shareholder Loans above the maximum of
$785,417), Seller has not incurred any indebtedness for borrowed money;
(vi) there has been no transfer, lapse, termination
or other disposition of any Intellectual Property or Trademark
License; and
(vii) there has been no damage, destruction or loss, affecting
the assets, properties, business or condition of the Seller, whether or not
covered by insurance.
(l) Payables and Accrued Expenses. The Payables and Accrued Expenses
set forth on Schedule 1.21 delivered on the Closing Date consist solely of trade
payables and accrued expenses incurred by Seller in the ordinary course of its
business to persons or entities which are not affiliated with Seller.
(m) Title to Property. Except as otherwise provided on Schedule 5.8
hereto, each of the Seller and DAC has good and marketable title to its
properties and assets free and clear of all Encumbrances. All of such
Encumbrances set forth on Schedule 5.8 shall be removed and terminated, at
Seller's expense, prior to the Closing Date (except that those Encumbrances
securing the Assumed Liabilities will be terminated at Purchaser's expense). On
the Closing Date, the Seller shall deliver to the Purchaser good and marketable
title to the Purchased Assets free and clear of all Encumbrances.
(n) Inclusion of Assets. With the exception of the Excluded Assets,
the Purchased Assets transferred from the Seller to the Purchaser shall include
all tangible and intangible assets owned by Seller used or usable in the Davco
Apparel Business, and shall include all assets recorded on the March 31, 1997
balance sheet of Seller, subject only to changes in the ordinary course of
business from such date to the Closing Date reflected on the schedules of such
Purchased Assets (Schedules 1.1 through 1.16) annexed hereto. Except for the
Real Property Leases held of record
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by DAC, neither DEL nor DAC owns, holds or possesses any assets used or usable
in the Davco Apparel Business.
(o) Contracts. Schedule 1.13 attached hereto lists all Contracts of
the Seller and DAC which will be assigned by the Seller to the Purchaser at the
Closing. The Seller and the Shareholders have delivered to the Purchaser correct
and complete copies of all Contracts and amendments thereof and documentation
relating thereto. Each of the Contracts listed on Schedule 1.13 attached hereto
is in full force and effect and neither the Seller, DAC, the Shareholders or any
other party is in breach or default under the terms of any of the Contracts. The
Seller has fully performed all of its contractual obligations to all contracting
parties with respect to the Contracts. The Seller shall remain responsible for
any warranties, claims, offsets, disputes, or demands for refunds or credits
from any contracting party with respect to any Contract attributable to
performance, or to products manufactured, sold or delivered, prior to the
Closing Date, or in Seller's Inventory on the Closing Date. Except as set forth
on Schedule 1.13, the Seller has not sublicensed to or from anyone the
performance of any of its contractual responsibilities with respect to any
Contract, except for sourcing of apparel production in the ordinary course of
business. No person or entity (other than the licensor of each Trademark
License) is owed any sales or brokerage commission or royalty with respect to
the Contracts; provided however, that Seller's ordinary sales employees or
representatives may receive commissions on the sale of inventory in the ordinary
course of business. This Agreement shall constitute an assignment of all rights
to such Contracts and renewals thereof. All necessary consents with respect to
the assignment of the Contracts to the Purchaser will have been obtained by the
Seller, DAC and the Shareholders prior to the Closing and as a condition
thereof.
Except for the Contracts listed on Schedule 1.13 hereto, neither the
Seller nor DAC is a party to or bound by any contracts, notes, guarantees,
mortgages, pledges, security agreements, leases or licenses of any kind
whatsoever. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as provided
on Schedule 1.22 attached hereto, neither the Seller nor DAC is a party to any
loan, promissory note, credit agreement, factoring arrangement, security
interest, pledge, or mortgage with any bank, financial institution or other
entity or person.
Except as set forth on Schedule 1.13, Seller does not have any outstanding
contracts with employees, agents, consultants, advisors, salesmen, sales
representatives, distributors or dealers or advertising or marketing agencies,
that are not cancelable by it on notice of not longer than 30 days and without
liability, penalty or premium.
Except for the Shareholder Loans referred to in Section 13(g), Seller does
not have any outstanding loan to any person or entity.
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Seller does not have any power of attorney outstanding or any obligations
or liabilities (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise), as
guarantor, surety, co-signer, endorser, co-maker, indemnitor or otherwise in
respect of the obligation of any other person or entity(including without
limitation, the Shareholders or any affiliates thereof).
Except as set forth on Schedule 1.13, Seller is not a party to any contract
or commitment for capital expenditures involving more than $10,000 in any
instance.
Seller is not a party to any contract, pledge or commitment for charitable
contributions, any brokerage or finders agreement, or any contract with the
United States Government or any state or local government or public authority or
any agency thereof.
(p) Intellectual Property; Proprietary Rights The transfer of the
Purchased Assets of the Seller's Davco Apparel Business shall include all
technological, proprietary and intellectual property rights in and to any
designs, drawings, artwork, styles, samples, mockups, models, prototypes,
inventions, know-how, trade secrets, software or developments relating to the
products or operation of said business (including without limitation, any
patents, copyrights, trademarks, brand names, labels and logos relating thereto)
and none of such rights shall be retained by the Seller, the Shareholders, DAC,
any other personnel of the Seller, or any other person or entity. Except for the
Trademark Licenses set forth on Schedule 1.10, neither the Seller, Shareholders,
DEL or DAC is a party or subject to any trademark, copyright, patent, license,
royalty or proprietary rights agreements and the Seller, Shareholders, DEL and
DAC do not pay any license or royalty fees to any party in connection therewith.
Except as set forth on Schedule 1.10, the Seller has not licensed any of its
Intellectual Property to any other party.
Seller is the sole and exclusive owner (or the exclusive
licensee from the licensors under the Trademark Licenses, or in case of the
Limited Products under the Salant Trademark License, the non-exclusive licensee)
of all Intellectual Property utilized in the conduct of the Davco Apparel
Business(including without limitation, the Intellectual Property set forth on
Schedule 1.9). Schedule 1.9 sets forth all registrations and applications
relating to any Intellectual Property owned or claimed by the Seller. No product
made or sold by Seller infringes any trademark, tradename, copyright, patent,
know-how, trade secret or proprietary right of any other party. No
notifications, claims, actions, suits, arbitrations, inquiries, proceedings or
investigations of any kind have been made or asserted that are currently pending
or threatened either (A) contesting Seller's right to sell, market and
distribute its products utilizing any Intellectual Property, (B) based upon or
challenging or seeking to deny or restrict the use by the Seller of any
Intellectual Property or (C) alleging that any products are being manufactured,
sold, provided, licensed or used
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by Seller in violation of any proprietary rights of any third party.
Schedule 1.9 contains a brief description of the computer
systems utilized in the Davco Apparel Business, specifying the components of the
hardware and software comprising such system which are respectively owned,
leased or licensed by Seller; all software or other licenses necessary in the
operation of such system are identified on Schedule 1.9. Upon the transfer of
the Davco Apparel Business to Purchaser on the Closing Date, Purchaser will be
able to continue to utilize Seller's existing computer systems without
interruption.
(q) Trademark Licenses. On the Closing Date, the Seller shall sell,
transfer, set over, assign and deliver to the Purchaser, its successors and
assigns, absolutely and forever, all right, title and interest the Seller has in
and to the Trademark Licenses identified on Schedule 1.10 hereto, including any
and all rights to renewals and extensions thereof. Seller has delivered to
Purchaser a true, accurate and complete copy of each Trademark License,
including all amendments and modifications thereof. Seller has at all times
directly and exclusively conducted the marketing, sale and distribution of
products authorized by the Trademark Licenses and has never granted to any other
person or entity any sub-license, assignment, distributorship,
sub-distributorship, franchise, territory, contract, arrangement, understanding
or other authority, whether oral or in writing, to develop, market, sell or
distribute any products under the Trademark Licenses or bearing the trademarks
or logos licensed under the Trademark Licenses. To the best knowledge of the
Seller and the Shareholders, the rights granted under the Trademark Licenses,
when the same are assigned to Purchaser, will include all rights necessary under
federal and state trademark laws in order for Purchaser to sell, market and
distribute the products covered by the Trademark Licenses without infringement
of the trademark, tradename or proprietary rights of any person. Except as set
forth on Schedule 1.10, all of the Trademark Licenses grant to Seller the
exclusive rights to manufacture, sell, market and distribute the product lines
covered thereby utilizing the applicable trademarks.
No notifications, claims, actions, suits, arbitrations, inquiries,
proceedings or investigations of any kind have been made or asserted that are
currently pending or threatened against the Seller either (A) contesting
Seller's right to sell, market and distribute the products covered by the
Trademark Licenses or to utilize the trademarks and logos licensed under the
Trademark Licenses, (B) based upon or challenging or seeking to deny or restrict
the use by the Seller of any of the trademarks or logos licensed under the
Trademark Licenses or (C) alleging that any products manufactured or sold
pursuant to the Trademark Licenses or trademarks or logos licensed or used
pursuant to the Trademark Licenses, are being manufactured, sold, provided,
licensed or used
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in violation of any trademarks or any other rights of any third party.
Seller has, for all periods through the Closing Date, duly paid to
the licensors of each Trademark License, all royalties and advertising payments,
whether characterized as percentage royalties, guaranteed or minimum royalties,
percentage advertising payments, minimum or guaranteed advertising payments, and
all other royalties, fees, penalties, interest and charges due, owing or accrued
to the licensors under the Trademark Licenses. Seller has, for all periods
through the Closing Date, made all advertising expenditures required to be made
by the terms of each of the Trademark Licenses.
All of the Trademark Licenses are in full force and effect and no
default(or event which, with the giving of notice or passage of time, would be a
default) has occurred in the observance of any covenant, agreement or obligation
of Seller or any licensor under the Trademark Licenses, and no event or failure
of a condition which could give rise to a right of termination or cancellation
of the Trademark Licenses by the licensor thereof exists or has occurred.
At the Closing and as a condition thereto, the Seller shall assign
to the Purchaser (by executing and delivering to the Purchaser an Assignment of
Trademark License in the form of Exhibit 5.9 attached hereto (the "Trademark
License Assignments")) the Seller's rights to each Trademark License. At or
prior to the Closing and as a condition thereto, the Seller and the Purchaser
shall have received from the licensors of each Trademark License a written
consent to the assignment by the Seller to the Purchaser of the Seller's rights
under the Trademark Licenses and an estoppel certificate in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser together with the extension of the term
of such licenses and other modifications thereto (and the consent of Salant
Corporation, as applicable) as set forth on Schedule 5.10. All obligations under
such Trademark Licenses accruing prior to the Closing Date are properly
reflected as accrued liabilities on the March 31, 1997 Balance Sheet and on the
Estimated Net Transferred Assets Schedule delivered pursuant to Section 3(c)
above.
(r) Real Property Leases The Davco Apparel Business is currently
conducted by Seller at only the following two (2) locations, both of which are
leased from third parties unaffiliated with Seller or Shareholders:
(1) 350 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY 10018, Suite 6401("Showroom
Lease")
(2) 281 Dogburn Rd, West Haven Connecticut("Warehouse
Lease")
Such Real Property Leases are further identified on Schedule 1.12.
Seller no longer operates the Davco Apparel Business at or from its
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former showroom facilities at the 47th Floor, 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, New
York. Neither Seller, DEL nor DAC own any real property. At the Closing and as a
condition thereto, the Seller and DAC shall assign to the Purchaser (by
executing and delivering to the Purchaser the Assignment of Lease Agreements in
the form of Exhibit 5.11 attached hereto (the "Lease Assignments")) the Seller's
and DAC's rights to the Showroom Lease and the Warehouse Lease.
At or prior to the Closing and as a condition thereto, the Seller, DAC and
the Purchaser shall have received from the landlord of the Warehouse Lease a
written consent to the assignment by the Seller and DAC to the Purchaser of the
Seller's and DAC's rights under said lease and an estoppel certificate in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser; Seller shall bear all
expenses of obtaining such landlord consent.
From and after the Closing, as and when requested by Purchaser, the Seller,
Shareholders and DAC shall cooperate with Purchaser in obtaining from the
landlord of the Showroom Lease a written consent to the assignment by the Seller
and DAC to the Purchaser of the Seller's rights under said lease and an estoppel
certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser;
Seller shall bear all expenses of obtaining such landlord consent.
All obligations under such Real Property Leases accruing prior to the
Closing Date are properly reflected as accrued liabilities on the March 31, 1997
Balance Sheet and on the Estimated Net Transferred Assets Schedule delivered
pursuant to Section 3(c) above. All rights to security deposits under Real
Property Leases assigned to Purchaser, shall be transferred to Purchaser.
The Seller and DAC do not share any space under the Real Property Leases
with any other person or entity; the Real Property Leases have never been sublet
or assigned by Seller or DAC; on the Closing Date, the Leases shall be in full
force and effect; there are no defaults under any Real Property Leases or claims
by the landlords thereof. On the Closing Date, the premises covered by the Real
Property Leases shall not have been damaged or otherwise adversely affected by
any fire or casualty or the exercise of the powers of eminent domain.
The Seller does not have any leases, occupancy agreements or other
arrangements guaranteeing any minimum term or minimum rentals, fees, or charges
for public warehouse space.
(s) Equipment Leases. Certain of Seller's Fixed Assets, including
computer equipment and office copiers are leased in accordance with the
equipment leases described on Schedule 1.11 (the "Equipment Leases"). At the
Closing, Seller shall assign the Equipment Leases to Purchaser(by executing and
delivering to the Purchaser the Assignment of Lease Agreements in the form of
Exhibit 14.4 attached hereto (the "Equipment Lease Assignments").
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Contingent on obtaining the lessors' consents to such assignment, Purchaser
shall assume obligations under such leases accruing from and after the Closing
Date (alternatively, Purchaser may request that, at Purchaser's expense, the
remaining balance of any such obligation shall be paid off at the Closing and,
in such event, Seller shall transfer to the Purchaser at the Closing such
computer and office equipment free and clear of any Encumbrances). From and
after the Closing, as and when requested by Purchaser, the Seller and the
Shareholders shall cooperate with Purchaser in obtaining from the lessors of the
Equipment Leases written consents to the assignment by the Seller to the
Purchaser of the Seller's rights under said leases and estoppel certificates in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser. All obligations
under such leases accruing prior to the Closing Date are properly reflected as
accrued liabilities on the March 31, 1997 Balance Sheet and on the Estimated Net
Transferred Assets Schedule delivered pursuant to Section 3(c) above. Seller has
made all rental payments due under such leases to date (and through the Closing
Date) and is otherwise in full compliance with the terms and conditions of such
leases. Assignment of such Equipment Leases and/or transfer of equipment shall
include all computer software utilized in connection with such equipment.
(t) Employees, Employment Agreements, etc. Except as set forth on
Schedule 5.12, the Seller has no oral or written employment, bonus, performance,
compensation, commission, management, termination, severance, consulting, sales
representative, distributor or similar agreements or understandings or
arrangements with any of its personnel. Except for the Shareholders, as to which
employment agreements will be entered into with Purchaser on the Closing Date,
nothing in this Agreement shall obligate the Purchaser to continue or to employ
or to make severance or termination payments to, any personnel of the Seller's
business. Except for the Shareholders, any other employees of Seller, which in
the sole discretion of Purchaser are continued as employees of Purchaser, will
continue on an "at will" basis. Seller shall have exclusive responsibility for,
and Purchaser shall have no liability for, any obligations with respect to any
employees of Seller terminated by Seller either in advance of, at or subsequent
to the Closing. DEL and DAC have no employees whatsoever.
Seller has paid in full all wages, salaries, commissions,
bonuses, vacation pay, sick pay and other direct and indirect compensation and
benefits earned by all employees, representatives, contractors and agents of
Seller through the Closing Date, as well as all payroll and withholding taxes
and all payroll overheads. There are no bonuses or commissions accrued or
payable by Seller with respect to any fiscal periods ending on or before
December 31, 1996 that remain unpaid on whole or in part, or which are in
dispute or the subject of any claim.
Schedule 5.12 hereto contains a true and complete
list of all current employees, consultants, representatives,
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agents, and contractors of Seller, together with job title and description and
current compensation rates (salary, bonus, commission and otherwise).
(u) Labor Relations. There are no collective bargaining agreements
or union agreements to which the Seller, DEL or DAC is a party or is bound or
affecting the business thereof, and there are no pending disputes, strikes,
walkouts, disturbances, slowdowns, grievances, arbitrations, or filings of any
actions, claims, litigation, proceedings, investigations or complaints of unfair
labor practices, harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, wage or back
pay demands or other employment related difficulties with respect to any
employees of the Seller's, DEL's or DAC's business, and Seller and Shareholders
no of know basis for any of the foregoing. To the best knowledge of Seller and
Shareholders, there have not been any labor organization activities or attempts
to unionize any of Seller's employees since January 1, 1996.
(v) Employee Benefit Plans. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.13
hereto, the Seller, DEL and DAC are not covered by and do not maintain,
participate in, contribute to, or operate any pension, retirement,
profit-sharing, 401(k) or other employee benefit plan, the Seller, DEL and DAC
do not maintain or contribute to and are not required to contribute to any
employee benefit plan (within the meaning of Section 3(2) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")), which is intended
to qualify under paragraph 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), and the Seller, DEL and DAC have not been required to
contribute to any employee benefit plan which is a multi-employer plan (within
the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA) in the five years immediately preceding
the date hereof. The Seller, DEL and DAC have no responsibility for and have not
assumed any pension-related or employee benefit plan-related liabilities
(including, without limitation, withdrawal liability) of any other predecessor
business or person. With respect to each and every employee benefit plan of the
Seller, DEL and DAC identified on Schedule 5.13 attached hereto (each, a "Seller
Benefit Plan"), each Seller Benefit Plan conforms to, and its administration is
in compliance with, applicable Federal laws, including, but not limited to,
ERISA and the Code. There are no pending, or threatened or anticipated, claims
by, on behalf of, or against, any Seller Benefit Plan or the Seller, DEL or DAC
by any participant or beneficiary thereunder or any governmental agency.
(w) Litigation, etc. Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.14 hereto,
there are no actions, claims, litigation, disputes, proceedings or
investigations ("Claims") pending against the Seller, the Shareholders, DEL, DAC
or their affiliates in any court or governmental agency and neither the Seller
nor the Shareholders has knowledge of any such Claims which are threatened.
Seller and Shareholder know of no basis for any Claim to be made against
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Seller, DEL, DAC, the Davco Apparel Business, or the Purchased Assets.
(x) Compliance with Law.
(i) Each of the Seller, DEL, DAC and the Davco Apparel
Business are in compliance with all federal, state, local and foreign laws,
ordinances and regulations, including, without limitation, land use and zoning
restrictions, environmental laws and regulations, OSHA laws and regulations,
health and safety codes, labor and employment practices, immigration,
anti-competitive practices, advertising and labeling rules, customs, tariff and
importation rules, registration of trade names used in textile and apparel
merchandising, the Flammable Fabrics Act, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act,
the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Textile
Fiber Products Identification Act, the Fur Products Labeling Act, the Wool
Products Labeling Act, the Federal Trade Commission's Care Labeling Rule, and
Article 12-A of the New York Labor Law. The Seller has all federal, state and
local governmental licenses and permits necessary for the conduct of its
business, all of which are in full force and effect. The use of all of the
Seller's premises for the conduct of the Davco Apparel Business is permissible
under applicable state and local land use and zoning requirements. There has
never been any spill, discharge, release, contamination or other condition or
event involving "Hazardous Materials" (as defined or promulgated pursuant to
applicable federal, state and local law) at any premises utilized or occupied by
Seller, and none of such locations or facilities have ever been used for the
generation, storage, or use of "Hazardous Materials" (as defined or promulgated
pursuant to applicable federal, state and local law).
(ii) For each apparel merchandising label/trademark set forth
on Schedule 1.9, Seller has obtained Registered Identification Numbers from the
Federal Trade Commission, which registrations are identified thereon and are in
full force and effect on the Closing Date. Copies of the same have been
delivered to Purchaser.
(iii) The Seller does not conduct any manufacturing or
contracting activities within the State of New York, nor does it contract with
any other person or entity to perform apparel manufacturing or contracting
within the State of New York, or conducts any other activity or operation which
would require registration under Article 12-A of the New York Labor Law.
(iv) Seller has never contracted for, manufactured, imported,
sold, merchandised or distributed, any products manufactured or assembled, in
whole or in part, through the use of forced prison labor or illegal child labor.
Seller has verified, to the best of its ability, that its vendors, suppliers and
production sources have not used forced prison labor or illegal child labor and
has obtained written certifications thereto from
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certain vendors, suppliers and production sources which it has delivered to
Purchaser.
(y) Fixed Assets The Seller's Fixed Assets to be transferred to the
Purchaser are in operating condition, working order and repair and are adequate
for the uses to which they are being put. Schedule 1.11 identifies any Fixed
Assets which are not actually owned by Seller but are leased.
(z) Inventory. The Inventory set forth in Seller's Financial
Statements and in Schedule 1.11 consists entirely of finished goods (plus fabric
and trim not in excess of $200,000), and are stated at the lower of cost
(first-in, first out method) or market. Except as set forth on Schedule 1.11,
(i) all Inventory to be transferred to the Purchaser is of merchantable quality
usable in the ordinary course of business of the Seller for sale to Seller's
present customer account base (as set forth in Schedule 1.8, Customer Lists) and
meets all requirements of the Trademark Licenses, (ii) has been produced against
specific binding customer orders (except for items on the Closing Date carried
at not more than $1,250,000 in the aggregate which constitute inventories kept
on hand in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), (iii)
is for shipment in the fall/holiday 1997 selling season, and (iv) none of the
Inventory is comprised of chargebacks, returns, or is obsolete, damaged,
slow-moving, below standard quality, irregulars, seconds, clearance, or
otherwise not useable or salable in the ordinary course of business.
The quality and quantity of Inventory included in the Purchased Assets (or
under binding purchase orders to vendors disclosed on Schedule 1.5) is
sufficient to conduct the Davco Apparel Business consistent with past practices
and to satisfy, on a timely basis, all open purchase orders from customers.
(aa) Accounts Receivable. Seller has delivered to Purchaser on
Schedule 1.2 an aged list of the Accounts Receivable on the Closing Date. Except
as expressly set forth on Schedule 1.2: All of the Accounts Receivable reflected
on the Financial Statements and on Schedule 1.2 represent amounts due from
Seller's factor with respect to trade accounts receivable sold to Seller's
factor without recourse and within factor-approved credit limits for each
account debtor and were generated as valid receivable claims against third
parties not affiliated with Seller or Shareholders for products actually sold in
the ordinary course of the Davco Apparel Business. Any Accounts Receivable which
are "house accounts" and due directly from customers (rather than the factor)
are set forth on Schedule 1.2. All Accounts Receivable are current net of any
reserves shown on the March 31, 1997 Balance Sheet (or the Estimated Net
Transferred Assets Schedule, in the case of those existing on the Closing Date),
which reserves are adequate and were calculated consistent with past practice.
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(ab) Customers, Suppliers, Bookings, Purchase Orders, etc.
Schedule 1.3 sets forth a true and accurate list of all customer
bookings and open purchase orders on the Closing Date, all of which are
bona-fide orders for apparel products of the Davco Apparel Business generated in
the ordinary course of business from third parties unaffiliated with Seller or
Shareholders, and are for shipment of products in the fall/holiday 1997 season
and the spring 1998 season. All open purchase orders with customers or suppliers
are for specific product lots for the fall/holiday 1997 season and the spring
1998 season and Seller is not a party to any blanket orders or long-term
requirements or supply contracts. Seller has not granted to any supplier or
vendor any exclusive supply relationship or contract with respect to any
products of Seller.
All Vendor Deposits set forth on Schedule 1.4 (i) represent
bona-fide payments in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past
practice, to suppliers of products for which Seller has placed a purchase order
identified on such Schedule for manufacture of products for which Seller has
received binding purchase orders from customers also identified on such
schedule (certain Vendor Deposits not matched against a customer purchaser order
are expressly identified on Schedule 1.4) and (ii) represent 100% dollar for
dollar credits against the contract price to be paid to the suppliers under such
purchase orders, which will be recognized as such by such suppliers.
Schedule 1.8 includes a true and accurate (a) a list of the 50
largest customers of the Seller in terms of sales during the quarterly periods
ended March 31, 1997 and June 30, 1997, and sales to customers under Seller's
Perry Ellis Trademark Licenses during such periods and for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1996, showing the approximate total
sales by the Seller to each such customer during such fiscal periods, and (b) a
list of the 10 largest suppliers of the Seller in terms of purchases during the
quarterly periods ended March 31, 1997 and June 30, 1997 and the fiscal years
ended December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1996, showing the approximate total
purchases by the Seller from each such supplier during fiscal periods. Except to
the extent set forth in Schedule 1.8, there has not been any material adverse
change in the business relationship of the Seller with any customer or supplier
named in Schedule 1.8.
As of the Closing Date, the aggregate of all contracts or
commitments for the purchase of supplies by Seller did not exceed $13,200,000,
all of which orders, contracts and commitments were made in the ordinary course
of business.
As of the Closing Date, there were no claims against the Seller to
return in excess of an aggregate of $400,000 of merchandise by reason of alleged
overshipments, defective merchandise or
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otherwise, or of merchandise in the hands of customers under an understanding
that such merchandise would be returnable.
Seller is not under any liability or obligation with respect to the
return of inventory or merchandise in the possession of wholesalers,
distributors, retailers or other customers. Neither Seller nor any Shareholder
has any arrangements or agreements with any customer(whether under oral or
written agreement or understanding or custom or practice) to provide refunds,
returns, replacements, chargebacks, credits, allowances, adjustments, or margin
guarantees on products ordered, sold or delivered.
Neither Seller nor any Shareholder has granted to any customer
(whether under oral or written agreement or understanding or custom or practice)
barter credits, or other adjustments enabling any customer to pay Seller
consideration other than cash on standard 30-90 day terms for products ordered.
The Seller invoices customers and sells such invoices to the factor for 100% of
the sales price of products without any deduction for advertising or markdown
allowances. The Company normally grants customers between three (3%) percent and
five (5%) percent as an advertising and/or markdown allowance, such that the
customer may be entitled to deduct such allowance from the price of the invoice.
None of the Seller, DEL, DAC or the Shareholders is restricted by
any non-competition agreement, restrictive covenant or otherwise(except for
restrictions in favor of Purchaser and its affiliates and restrictions under the
Trademark Licenses) from carrying on any aspect of the apparel business anywhere
in the world.
(ac) Letter of Credit, Bonding & Financial Security Arrangements.
Schedule 1.6 lists all Letter of Credit arrangements which Seller may have with
respect to purchases of apparel or other products or supplies or components
thereof, setting forth the banks, factors or other lenders relating thereto, any
collateral or guarantees provided therefor and the outstanding balances thereon
as of the latest practicable date. Seller is not in default under any such
Letter of Credit arrangements, all of which are in full force and effect. Except
for the provision of Letters of Credit in the ordinary course of overseas
purchases, Seller is not required to provide any bonding or financial security
arrangements in connection with any of its customers or suppliers in the
ordinary course of its business.
(ad) Product Lines. Schedule 5.15 contains a complete and correct
list of all product types and product lines comprising the Davco Apparel
Business. Seller has never been the subject of any product liability, safety, or
false, deceptive or misleading advertising Claims and has never been the subject
of any investigation, proceeding, warning, citation or other Claim by any
federal, state, foreign or local governmental agency. Seller has not initiated
any recall of any of its products or taken any
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similar action, and neither Seller nor Shareholders know of any basis for any
such action which should have been taken or may have to be taken in the future.
Seller has not engaged in any advertising practices which are deceptive,
misleading, or otherwise in violation of any laws or regulations.
Each item of merchandise included in the Inventory or which
has been sold or shipped by Seller is safe for its intended uses and conforms
with all requirements of applicable law and regulations and product safety and
testing codes and standards, and contains all required labels, disclosures and
warnings, including without limitation, compliance with the requirements of the
Flammable Fabrics Act, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, the Magnuson-Moss
Warranty Act, the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Textile Fiber Products
Identification Act, the Fur Products Labeling Act, the Wool Products Labeling
Act and the Federal Trade Commission's Care Labeling Rule. With regard to items
of merchandise included in the Inventory or which has been sold or shipped by
Seller as to which safety or flammability standards have been issued, Seller has
performed the necessary tests to demonstrate compliance of its products with
such standards and has delivered to Purchaser documentation thereof.
The Seller does not conduct any of its own manufacturing,
fabrication, cutting, dyeing, trim, or other industrial operations whatsoever
nor own or lease any facilities therefor and all products merchandised,
distributed or sold by Seller or included in the Inventory are and were produced
under contract by third parties unaffiliated with Seller or the Shareholders.
(ae) Insurance. The Seller has maintained and will maintain products
liability, general liability and other insurance coverage effective for acts,
omissions or incidents through the Closing Date in such amounts and such types
as are as set forth on Schedule 5.16 hereto.
(af) Prohibited Payments. None of the Seller, DEL, DAC, the
Shareholders, or the officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives
of the Seller has, directly or indirectly, in material violation of any law,
rule, regulation or ordinance of any federal, state, local or foreign
jurisdiction, (i) offered, paid or given, or agreed to pay or to give, to any
person or entity, including any governmental official, employee, or agent or
solicited, received or agreed to receive from any such person or entity,
directly or indirectly, any money or anything of value (however characterized)
for the purpose of or with the intent of obtaining or maintaining business or
otherwise affecting, or in any manner relating to, the business, assets,
condition (financial or otherwise) or operations of the Seller, DEL or DAC; or
(ii) established or maintained any unrecorded fund or asset for any purpose or
made any false entry on the books and records of the Seller, DEL or DAC for any
reason, or made or agreed to make, a
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reimbursement of any political gift or contribution made by any other person, to
any candidate for federal, state, local or foreign office,
(ag) Transactions with Affiliates. Except as set forth on Schedule
5.16 annexed hereto, no director, Shareholder or officer of the Seller controls
or during the last three (3) years has controlled, directly or indirectly, any
business, corporate or otherwise, which is or was a party to any agreement,
business arrangement or course of dealing with the Seller or any property or
asset which was the subject of any agreement, business arrangement or course of
dealing with the Seller. Except for the Shareholder Loans and as otherwise set
forth on Schedule 5.16, there are no transactions or agreements between Seller
and any of Seller's Shareholders, directors, officers, employees or affiliates
thereof.
(ah) Brokers. None of the Seller or Shareholders has employed any
broker, finder or investment banker or has incurred or will incur any broker's,
finder's, investment banker's or similar fees, commissions or expenses, in each
case in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(ai) Bank Accounts ______ Schedule 1.16 hereto sets forth the name,
account number, signatories, financial institution(with branch, address and
contact person) of all banking or financial institution accounts, deposit or
concentration accounts, safety deposit boxes, money market accounts, brokerage
accounts and investment accounts maintained by Seller, DEL or DAC
(aj) Disclosure. No representation or warranty by Seller or
Shareholders contained this Agreement, and no statement contained in any
certificate, Schedule, Exhibit, list or other writing furnished to Purchaser in
connection with this transaction, contains any untrue statement of a material
fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
contained herein or therein not misleading. All Schedules hereto and all copies
of documents furnished to Purchaser hereunder or in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby are true and complete. The Seller and the
Shareholders have divulged to the Purchaser, in this Agreement and the Schedules
and Exhibits hereto, all of the facts that have a material bearing in connection
with the purchase and sale of the Purchased Assets and all other transactions
contemplated hereunder.
6. Restrictive Covenants.
(a) In consideration of the payments to be made by the Purchaser
pursuant to Section 3 above and as an inducement and condition for the Purchaser
to enter into this Agreement, the Seller and the Shareholders have agreed to
provide herein restrictive covenants as follows:
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The Seller and the Shareholders agree that they will not, for a
minimum period of three (3) years from the Closing Date and, in addition, for
each Shareholder, for so long thereafter as he is employed by the Purchaser(or
any affiliate) including the initial term and any renewal term pursuant to his
Employment Agreement with Purchaser referred to in Section 7(c) herein, directly
or indirectly, for their account or on behalf of any other party or as an
employer, employee, consultant, manager, licensor, licensee, franchisor,
franchisee, sales representative, agent, broker, contractor, stockholder,
director or officer of a corporation, member or manager of a limited liability
company, investor, owner, lender, partner, joint venturer or otherwise:
(i) Engage in or be interested in any aspect of any business
competitive with the business of Purchaser, Aris, ECI, or their
subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the "Aris Group"),
including without limitation, the mens' and boys' sportswear,
outerwear, activewear and loungewear apparel businesses, any other
apparel product lines or apparel business lines sold, merchandised,
marketed or distributed by the Aris Group, and any other product or
business lines which are licensed by or to the Aris Group.
(ii) Directly or indirectly for their own account or the
benefit of others solicit, hire or retain any employee, sales
representative, agent, consultant or contractor of the Aris Group,
persuade or entice any employee of the Aris Group to leave the
employ of the Aris Group, or persuade or entice any sales
representative, agent, consultant or contractor to discontinue their
relationship with the Aris Group (the restriction set forth in this
clause (ii) as to employees and sales representatives and as to the
sourcing agents set forth on Schedule 6.1 and as to any contractors
of the Aris Group primarily making outerwear shall continue for an
additional period of one(1) year following the termination of
employment of a Shareholder).
(iii) Disclose or furnish to anyone the names, addresses and
requirements of any of the customers, suppliers, vendors, product
sources, contractors, representatives, distributors, licensors or
licensees or of the Aris Group.
(iv) Molest or interfere with the goodwill and relationship
with any of the
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customers, suppliers, vendors, product sources, contractors,
representatives, distributors, licensors or licensees of the Aris
Group.
(v) Persuade, induce or solicit any of the customers of the
Aris Group to purchase products or services from anyone other than
the Aris Group;
(vi) Bid, propose, compete for, enter into, purchase, acquire,
obtain an assignment or sublicense of, or perform, in any capacity,
any trademark, copyright, patent or other proprietary rights
license, franchise or contract for the manufacture, marketing,
merchandising, sale or distribution of products or services in
competition with the Aris Group (including without limitation, any
of the product or business lines referred to in clause(i) above), or
interfere with the goodwill and relationship of the Aris Group with
the licensors or licensees for which the Aris Group obtains or
grants trademark licenses (the restriction set forth in this clause
(vi) as to trademark, copyright, patent or other proprietary rights
licenses and franchises shall continue for an additional period of
three (3) years following the termination of employment of a
Shareholder, with respect to any trademarks utilized by the Aris
Group during such Shareholder's employment with the Aris Group); or
(vii) register, apply for, purchase, acquire, obtain an
assignment or sublicense of, or utilize any trademark, brand name,
style name, logo, label, copyright, patent or other proprietary
right for any product, service or business line in competition with
the Aris Group (including without limitation, any of the product or
business lines referred to in clause (i) above).
Recognizing that the business of the Aris Group and the sale and distribution of
its products and the licensing of its trademarks and proprietary rights is
conducted on a worldwide basis, the territory of the restrictive covenants set
forth above shall be throughout the world.
As to each Shareholder, all of the restrictive covenants set forth in
Sections 6(a)(i) through 6(a)(vii) set forth above shall continue for an
additional period of one(1) year following the
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termination of employment of such Shareholder if Purchaser, in its sole
discretion, elects by written notice within ten (10) days of such termination,
to agree to pay to such Shareholder an amount equal to his "Base Salary" under
his Employment Agreement at the rate in effect prior to such termination in
twelve (12) equal monthly installments during such additional one(1) year
period.
The restrictive covenant period shall be extended for any time during
which the restrictive covenant set forth in this Section 6 has been violated.
The Shareholders acknowledge that the restrictive covenant set forth in this
Section 6 was a required condition of employment of which they are aware prior
to commencement of employment with Purchaser. During the restrictive covenant
period of this Section 6, Seller, Shareholders, and DAC shall be prohibited from
owning, directly or indirectly, any interests in, or being affiliated with, any
business entity or organization which is engaged in activities restricted by
this Section 6 and the restrictive covenants set forth in this Section 6 shall
also apply to DEL and DAC. The restrictive covenants set forth in this Section 6
shall not preclude Shareholders from owning in the aggregate a passive
investment of not more than one (1%) percent of the outstanding publicly traded
shares of any company whose shares are publicly traded on a national or foreign
securities exchange, the NASDAQ system, or over-the-counter, provided that none
of them exercise any control or influence over the management of such company
and do not serve as officers, directors, employees, consultants or contractors
thereof.
(b) The Seller, DAC and the Shareholders acknowledge that the
success of the Aris Group (including, after the Closing, the Davco Apparel
Business) is dependent on their relationships with customers, suppliers,
vendors, product sources, contractors, licensors and licensees, as well as the
development of innovative and proprietary product designs, styles, marketing and
distribution programs and business plans, and related cost, pricing, sales and
distribution information as well as their lists and files of such customers,
suppliers, vendors, product sources, contractors, licensors and licensees and
their requirements, and that it is imperative that these be maintained in strict
confidence. Accordingly, in consideration of the payments to be made by the
Purchaser pursuant to Section 3 above and as an inducement and condition for the
Purchaser to enter into this Agreement, Seller, DAC and the Shareholders shall
keep and maintain in strict confidence, not utilize or copy for any purpose
other than in furtherance of the Purchaser's business, and not transfer, divulge
or disclose to any third party other than in furtherance of the Purchaser's
business, all technical and business information of the Aris Group (including
the Davco Apparel Business), including, without limitation, business and
marketing plans, opportunities, programs, channels of distribution, agreements,
know-how, trade secrets, inventions, software, books, records, forms and
manuals, pricing policies, sales and product records, all files, information,
lists and documents relating to the Aris Group's
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customers, vendors, suppliers, product sources and subcontractors and their
requirements, and financial and cost information, budgets and projections,
information relating to trademark licenses (and bids and proposals therefor) and
terms, conditions and pricing thereof, and product designs, developments,
programs, styles, drawings, artwork, graphics, prototypes, mockups, models,
including any of the foregoing information stored on a computer system or disk.
All of the foregoing are hereby agreed to be the valuable and confidential trade
secrets of the Aris Group and subject to the restrictions of this Agreement,
whether or not otherwise protectable by patents, copyrights or trademarks. The
foregoing confidentiality restrictions shall be in addition to, and not in
limitation of, confidentiality requirements set forth in the employment
agreements which Shareholders shall enter into with Purchaser on the Closing
Date. In the event that an order or a subpoena issued by a court of competent
jurisdiction requires the Seller or the Shareholders to disclose any of the
foregoing, they shall be permitted to comply with such order, but shall consult
with Purchaser in advance so as to enable the Purchaser to attempt to narrow the
scope of such disclosure and/or to challenge the order of disclosure.
(c) At the Closing, all materials and documentation referred to in
Section 6(b) above relating to the Davco Apparel Business, which may be in the
possession of the Seller, DAC, the Shareholders or their affiliates shall be
delivered to the Purchaser.
(d) In addition to any and all other remedies available at law or
equity, in the event that the Seller, DAC, or the Shareholders shall breach any
covenant in this Section 6, the Seller, DAC and the Shareholders acknowledge and
agree that damages would be difficult to ascertain and Purchaser and the Aris
Group shall be entitled, in addition to any and all other remedies, to an
injunction issued by a court of competent jurisdiction restraining the aforesaid
violations of the Seller, DAC or the Shareholders, without the necessity of
posting a bond or proving special damages.
(e) The provisions of this Section 6 shall apply with respect to the
Purchaser, Aris, ECI and all subsidiary, affiliate and parent corporations and
franchisees or licensees thereof.
7. Provisions Relating to Employees. (a) The Seller and the Shareholders
represent and warrant to the Purchaser that the Seller has paid through the
Closing Date all accrued wages, salary, bonus, commissions, vacation and sick
pay due to be paid or compensated on or before such respective dates for all of
its employees, agents, contractors and sales representatives, including payroll
overheads (i.e., FICA, State tax, Federal tax, disability, workers' compensation
and liability, employee benefit plan contributions and payments), except for
scheduled vacations not yet taken as set forth for specific employees (other
than the
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Shareholders) on Schedule 7.1 (Purchaser, if it shall hire said employees, will
permit them to take such vacation time after the Closing Date with pay, but will
not make any cash payment if such vacation time is not actually taken after the
Closing Date).
(b) Seller shall be responsible for all payments and liabilities to
any employees of Seller terminated by it and/or not hired by Purchaser.
(c) At the Closing and as a condition thereto, the Purchaser and
each of SA and CH shall enter into the Shareholder Employment Agreements in the
form of Exhibit 7.2 hereto for SA and in the form of Exhibit 7.3 hereto for CH.
(d) The Purchaser shall take all reasonable steps to provide to the
Seller's employees whose employment is continued by the Purchaser after the
Closing the opportunity to participate in the Purchaser's group health insurance
plan generally provided to its employees from time to time (with credit given
for service to Seller in computing any waiting period); provided that the Seller
and the Shareholders have disclosed on Schedule 7.5 hereto a true, correct and
complete list of all pre-existing health conditions or other insurance
difficulties relating to the Seller's employees(including the Shareholders),
together with descriptions and copies of all health insurance policies
maintained by the Seller and a schedule of premiums thereon.
(e) As promptly as practicable following the Closing, Seller shall
terminate all of its pension, profit sharing, retirement or other employee
benefit plans at the cost and expense of the Seller and the Shareholders and
shall make all necessary filings with the Internal Revenue Service, Department
of Labor and other governmental agencies, and the Seller and the Shareholders
shall be responsible for the distribution of benefits to the participants and
any necessary funding thereof in compliance with the terms of such Seller
Benefit Plans and applicable law and regulation.
(f) All employees of the Seller that are continued to be employed by
the Purchaser or its affiliates after the Closing of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be phased into the Aris Industries, Inc.
Employee Savings Plan (401(k) plan) (so long as such plan is maintained by the
Aris), with credit given for service to Seller in computing any waiting period.
If feasible and to the extent permitted by law, such employees may "rollover"
their accounts from Seller's 401(k) plan to the Aris's 401(k) plan.
8. Indemnification. The Seller and the Shareholders further covenant and
agree, as follows:
(a) The Seller and the Shareholders shall, jointly and severally,
indemnify the Purchaser, Aris, ECI and their subsidiaries and affiliates and
their shareholders, officers,
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directors and their affiliates, and defend and hold each of them and their
respective successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives
(collectively, the "Indemnitees") harmless of and from: (i) any and all claims,
suits and causes of action arising out of or by reason of any matter or cause
whatsoever, relating to or in connection with or arising out of the business
conducted by the Seller, the Shareholders, DEL or DAC (including without
limitation, the Davco Apparel Business), or in connection with the Purchased
Assets sold hereunder, on or prior to the Closing Date; (ii) any breach of any
obligations, representations, warranties or covenants of the Seller or the
Shareholders contained herein; (iii) any liabilities(other than the Assumed
Liabilities), claims, disputes, suits or causes of action relating to, or in
connection with, any liabilities or obligations of the Seller, DEL, DAC, the
Shareholders or their affiliates which may be asserted against any of the
Indemnitees, by creditors or others; (iv) any liabilities, claims, disputes,
suits or causes of action relating to, or in connection with, the Excluded
Assets, the Excluded Contracts, or the Non-Assumed Liabilities which may be
asserted against any of the Indemnitees; (v) any and all liabilities of the
Seller, DEL, DAC, or the Shareholders on, prior to or after the Closing Date for
any taxes owed to any federal, state, local or foreign governmental agency,
including, without limitation, sales taxes, franchise taxes, income taxes, rent
taxes, employee withholding and payroll taxes and customs, importation, duties
and tariffs(other than customs, importation, duties and tariffs included in Open
Letters of Credit or Accrued Expenses included in the Assumed Liabilities),
including any such liabilities determined by any tax audit; (v) any liabilities
for wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, fees, vacation or sick pay and payroll
overheads described in Section 7(a) hereof which were required to have been paid
by the Seller, DAC, DEL or the Shareholders and that may be asserted against any
of the Indemnitees; (vi) any products liability, warranty, safety, advertising
or other claims and any liability relating to the importation, manufacture,
sale, or distribution of products by Seller, Shareholders, DEL or DAC prior to
the Closing or included in the Inventory on the Closing Date; (vii) any claims
under any laws or regulations affecting health, safety, the environment or the
regulation of "Hazardous Materials" (as defined or promulgated pursuant to
applicable federal, state and local law), involving the Seller, the
Shareholders, DEL, DAC, any premises, locations or facilities of the Seller,
DEL, DAC or the Purchased Assets sold to the Purchaser; (viii) funding
deficiencies, distributions, liabilities and claims (including withdrawal
liabilities, assessments, excise and other tax claims) relating to any Seller
Benefit Plan, including any such liabilities determined by an Internal Revenue
Service or governmental audit and any liability relating to termination of any
Seller Benefit Plan; (ix) any and all liabilities, claims, suits or causes of
action relating to, or in connection with, the Excluded Assets; (x) any and all
liabilities, claims, suits, causes of action relating to, or in connection with,
the Real Property Leases or the premises leased thereunder, the Equipment
Leases, or the Trademark Licenses
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accruing prior to the Closing Date (except for scheduled rental and royalties
under the terms of such agreements for which specific accruals are recorded on
the Estimated Net Tangible Transferred Assets Schedule); (xi) any and all
liabilities, claims, suits, causes of action relating to, or in connection with,
any claims, offsets, disputes, or demands for refunds, credits, chargebacks,
allowances, or returns from any customers for any products sold by Seller prior
to the Closing Date or included in Inventory on the Closing Date; (xii) any
failure of Seller or Shareholders to comply with any bulk sales law; and (xiii)
any and all liabilities, claims, suits, causes of action relating to, or in
connection with, the existing Claims against Seller identified in Schedule 5.14.
Such indemnity shall cover all damages, losses, costs and expenses of the
Indemnitees, including, without limitation, amounts paid in settlement or
satisfaction of claims; judgments; fines; penalties; and reasonable attorneys'
fees and disbursements.
(b) The Seller and the Shareholders shall pay all Federal, state,
local and foreign income tax, gains tax and transfer taxes on the sale of the
Purchased Assets to the Purchaser; provided, however, that Purchaser shall pay
applicable New York State sales tax on the Fixed Assets transferred, if any is
due.
(c) In the event that the Seller, the Shareholders or their
affiliates shall have breached any of their respective obligations,
representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement, or the
Seller or the Shareholders is obligated to make any indemnification as provided
herein, the Purchaser shall notify the Seller and the Shareholders in writing of
any such claim and the amount and circumstances thereof (each an
"Indemnification Claim"). The Purchaser, after delivery of such written notice
and failure of the Seller or the Shareholders to cure the same to the
Purchaser's satisfaction within ten (10) days of such notice, may offset its and
all Indemnitees' damages and losses (including reasonable attorney fees and
disbursements) suffered in connection with such Indemnification Claim against
any obligation of the Purchaser hereunder to the Seller or Shareholders,
including, without limitation, any payments in respect of the Actual Final Cash
Purchase Price to be made by the Purchaser under Section 3 hereof, which actions
for any purposes hereunder shall not be considered a default under this
Agreement.
The assertion by the Purchaser or any other Indemnitee of rights of
offset or any other claims with respect to the Actual Final Purchase Price shall
be in addition to any and all other remedies of such parties and Seller and
Shareholders shall remain responsible for all Indemnification Claims under this
Section 8 which are not actually paid in full as a result of the exercise of
such rights of offset or other claims.
(d) Order of Satisfaction of Indemnification Claims.
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(i) All Indemnification Claims made by Purchaser on or prior
to the payment of the Actual Final Cash Purchase Price shall first be satisfied
by deduction of the aggregate amount of such Indemnification Claims from the
1997 Post-Closing Davco Net Income utilized in the computation of the Actual
Final Cash Purchase Price. In the event that Indemnification Claims made by
Purchaser on or prior to the payment of the Actual Final Cash Purchase Price are
not fully recouped by deduction from the 1997 Post-Closing Davco Net Income
utilized in the computation of the Actual Final Cash Purchase Price (in that the
aggregate Indemnification Claims exceed the 1997 Post-Closing Davco Net Income
as reduced by Excess Closing Date Liabilities), Seller and Shareholders shall
nevertheless remain jointly and severally responsible for the deficiency of such
Indemnification Claims, and Purchaser may seek recovery thereof directly from
Seller and Shareholders as provided under clause (ii) below.
(ii) All Indemnification Claims made by Purchaser on or prior
to the payment of the Actual Final Cash Purchase Price which are not fully
recouped by deduction from 1997 Post-Closing Davco Net Income utilized in the
computation of the Actual Final Cash Purchase Price(in that the aggregate
Indemnification Claims exceed the 1997 Post-Closing Davco Net Income as reduced
by Excess Closing Date Liabilities), and all Indemnification Claims made by
Purchaser after payment of the Actual Final Cash Purchase Price, shall next be
satisfied by Seller and Shareholders' joint and several obligations for direct
cash payment to Purchaser, which shall be made within ten (10) days written
notice of such Indemnification Claim. In the event that any Indemnification
Claim is not fully satisfied by such cash payment within such ten (10) days
period, Seller and Shareholders shall nevertheless remain jointly and severally
responsible for the deficiency of such Indemnification Claims, and Purchaser may
continue to seek recovery thereof directly from Seller and Shareholders.
(iii) The purpose of this Section 8(d) is merely to specify
the sequence of sources of recovery in which Purchaser may seek satisfaction of
Indemnification Claims, and does not in any way limit Seller and Shareholder's
joint and several obligations for indemnification under this Agreement.
(iv) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Indemnification Claims for
products liability covered by insurance shall not be deducted in the calculation
of the Actual Final Cash Purchase Price.
(e) With respect to third party claims which are the subject of
indemnification under this Section 8, the Seller and the Shareholders shall have
the right and obligation to defend any such claim at their own expense and with
counsel acceptable to the Purchaser; provided, however, that if the Seller and
the Shareholders fail either to undertake such defense or to procure a
settlement releasing the Indemnitees by written notification to
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Purchaser within twenty (20) days after the date of Purchaser's notification of
indemnification claim, or if thereafter, Seller or the Shareholders fail to
maintain such defense to the satisfaction of Purchaser, then the Purchaser shall
have the option, but not the obligation, to defend such claim with any counsel
of its choosing, all at the joint and several expense of the Seller and the
Shareholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Purchaser may elect to defend any
such third party claim which is the subject of indemnification with its own
counsel, all at the joint and several expense of the Seller and the
Shareholders. Neither the Seller or the Shareholders, on one hand, nor the
Purchaser, on the other hand, shall enter into a settlement of any such third
party claim without the other party's written consent, which will not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, however, that the Purchaser shall
have no obligation to consent to any settlement unless it provides for a
complete release of the Indemnitees with respect to such third party claim; and
further provided, that from and after January 1, 1998, the Purchaser may settle
any and all claims(including cost of defense) which involve a dollar amount of
aggregate liability of $25,000 or less.
(f) The Seller, the Shareholders and the Purchaser agree that
refunds, returns, replacements, chargebacks, credits, allowances and adjustments
relating to products sold by Seller prior to the Closing or in the Inventory on
the Closing Date shall be the sole and exclusive responsibility of the Seller,
and shall be subject to indemnification and offset in the same manner as other
claims under this Section 8; provided however, that if any such item has been
charged against 1997 Post-Closing Davco Net Income in computing the Actual Final
Purchase Price pursuant to Section 3(e) above, such item will not also be the
subject of indemnification or offset.
9. Cooperation in Effecting Transition. (a) The Seller and the
Shareholders agree to turn over and make available to the Purchaser all
agreements, accounting and financial records, ledger sheets, open purchase
orders, letters of credit, correspondence with and customers, vendors,
suppliers, product sources and contractors, sales, product, shipping and all
other books and records of the Seller, including, without limitation, those
maintained on any computer system.
(b) The Seller and the Shareholders agree that the Purchaser shall
have all of the Seller's right to use the telephone and fax numbers, E-mail
addresses and web site domain names set forth on Schedule 9.1 hereto.
(c) The Seller and the Shareholders agree to introduce the
Purchaser, ECI, Aris and their representatives to the Seller's customers,
vendors, suppliers, product sources and contractors and licensors under the
Trademark Licenses, and to cooperate in and to
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effectuate the transition arising from the sale of the Purchased Assets in any
manner reasonably requested by the Purchaser.
(d) The Seller and the Shareholders shall continue to cooperate with
the Purchaser's Accountants before and after the Closing in connection with all
financial reviews and audits of the Purchaser (including certifications relating
to fiscal periods prior to the Closing) and shall deliver any necessary
management representation letters requested by the Purchaser's Accountants.
(e) In the event that a consent to assignment of any Contract has
not been obtained prior to Closing Date, (1) Seller, DAC and Shareholders will
continue to cooperate with Purchaser to obtain such consents after the Closing,
all at the sole cost and expense of Seller and (2) Seller, DAC and Shareholders
will cooperate with and implement any arrangement designated by Purchaser for
the administration and operation of such Contract for the benefit and account of
Purchaser from and after the Closing Date.
(f) No announcement, press releases, presentations or interviews
regarding the transactions set forth in this Agreement shall be made either
before or after the Closing Date, except those prepared and approved by
Purchaser. Purchaser shall consult with Shareholders regarding announcement of
the transactions set forth herein.
10. Discontinuance of Tradenames. After the Closing, the Seller and the
Shareholders agree that they and DEL and DAC will immediately discontinue and no
longer use the corporate or trade names of "DAVCO", "DAVCO INDUSTRIES",
"DAVCORP" or "DAVCO ACCESSORIES" or any variation or derivation thereof. At the
Closing, and as a condition thereto, the Seller, DEL and the Shareholders shall
deliver to the Purchaser's counsel for filing an executed Certificate of
Amendment to the Seller's Certificate of Incorporation changing the Seller's
corporate name to "AH EQUITIES, INC."; an executed Certificate of Amendment to
DEL's Certificate of Incorporation changing DEL's name to "AH HOLDINGS, INC.";
and an executed Certificate of Discontinuance of any d/b/a certificate Seller or
DEL may have regarding the any trade name, label, or business name included in
the Intellectual Property transferred to Purchaser, even if dormant.
11. Purchaser's Representations and Warranties. The Purchaser represents
and warrants unto and covenants with the Seller, and such representations,
warranties and covenants are material inducements to the Seller entering into
this Agreement, as follows:
(a) The Purchaser is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the State of New York. Aris is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of New
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York. Aris owns, directly or indirectly, all of the shares of capital stock of
Purchaser. The Purchaser has all requisite corporate power and authority to
execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and all writings related hereto.
Aris has all requisite corporate power and authority to issue and deliver the
Aris Common Stock to Seller as required under this Agreement. The Purchaser and
Aris have all necessary power and authority to carry on their respective
business as now conducted and to own, lease or operate their properties as and
in the manner and in the places where such business is now conducted and such
properties are now owned, leased or operated.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance by the Purchaser of this
Agreement and all writings relating hereto have been duly authorized by the
unanimous written consent of the Board of Directors and sole shareholder of the
Purchaser and the Board of Directors of Aris. Purchaser is a wholly owned
subsidiary of ECI, and ECI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aris. This Agreement
and all writings relating hereto to be signed by the Purchaser constitute valid
and binding obligations of the Purchaser enforceable in accordance with their
respective terms. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any
writing relating hereto nor the consummation by the Purchaser of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will (i) conflict with or result in
a breach of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Purchaser or Aris
or (ii) violate or conflict with or constitute a default under any agreement to
which the Purchaser or Aris is a party. Except as set forth on Schedule 11.1, no
consent or approval of or notification to any governmental authority or any
other person, firm or entity whatsoever is required in connection with the
execution and delivery by the Purchaser or Aris of this Agreement or any writing
relating hereto or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby.
(c) There are no actions or proceedings pending against the
Purchaser or Aris or their affiliates in any court or governmental agency, and
neither the Purchaser nor Aris has knowledge of any such action or proceedings
which are threatened, in each case which would affect the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(d) The Aris Common Stock delivered to Seller at the Closing
pursuant to Section 3 (Stock Purchase Price) will be duly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable. The authorized capital stock of the Aris consists of 50,000,000
shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of which 11,925,400 shares are
issued and outstanding (prior to the issuance of shares to Seller pursuant to
this Agreement) on the Closing Date, and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock,
par value $.01 per share, of which none are outstanding on the Closing Date. On
the Closing Date, there is also outstanding a warrant issued to Heller
Financial, Inc. to obtain 584,345 shares of Aris Common Stock and an aggregate
of 857,500 options to purchase Aris Common Stock issued to employees and
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<PAGE>
directors of Aris and its subsidiaries pursuant to Aris' 1993 Stock Incentive
Plan. The Aris 1993 Stock Incentive Plan currently reserves a maximum of
1,200,000 shares of Aris Common Stock for issuance of options, stock and other
rights pursuant to such Plan.
12. Conditions to Purchaser's Obligations. The Purchaser's obligation to
effect the Closing shall be subject to and conditioned upon:
(a) The completion to the satisfaction of the Purchaser and its
counsel of an investigation of the business affairs, Purchased Assets and
liabilities of the Seller and the Shareholders;
(b) No adverse change having occurred in the financial condition or
business affairs of the Seller, Shareholders or the Purchased Assets between
December 31, 1996 and the Closing Date;
(c) No previously undisclosed material liabilities or commitments
of the Seller or the Shareholders having been discovered;
(d) The Seller and the Shareholders receiving all requisite third
party consents and approvals to the transactions contemplated hereby, including,
without limitation, from each of the parties listed on Schedule 5.4 attached
hereto;
(e) The licensors of the Trademark Licenses(and where applicable,
Salant Corporation) having delivered written consent to Seller and Purchaser of
the assignment of such licenses to Purchaser, the extension of the term of such
licenses and other modifications thereto as set forth on Schedule 5.10 hereto;
(f) The Purchaser and each of SA and CH having entered into their
respective Shareholder Employment Agreements;
(g) The Seller, SA and CH having entered into the Shareholders
Agreement with Aris and certain other parties thereto in the form of Exhibit 3.3
hereto;
(h) All of the representations, warranties and covenants of the
Seller, DAC and the Shareholders being true and correct on the Closing Date;
(i) The Seller, DAC and the Shareholders making all deliveries at
the Closing (including without limitation, those set forth in Section 14 hereof)
and fulfilling all of their obligations hereunder to be fulfilled by the Closing
Date;
(j) No action, proceeding, investigation or litigation shall have
been instituted or threatened against any party hereto which would effect the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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<PAGE>
(k) Neither the Seller, Shareholders nor DAC shall be the subject
of any proceeding or filing in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or
reorganization.
(l) The employees of Seller to be hired by Purchaser and designated
by the Purchaser having entered into Purchaser's standard form Employee
Non-Disclosure Agreement.
(m) All Encumbrances on the Purchased Assets having been
terminated.
(n) Seller and Purchaser shall have executed and filed a New York
State Tax Bulk Sale Notice in compliance with the New York Tax Law and ten days
shall have elapsed from such filing.
(o) Purchaser, at its election, shall have conducted and completed
a physical inventory or other inventory review of Seller as of a date in close
proximity to, or immediately preceding, the Closing Date, and be satisfied with
the results thereof.
(p) Seller shall have received written consent from the licensor of
its "Duck Head" license to the termination of the term thereof on or prior to
the Closing Date, on terms and conditions satisfactory to Purchaser.
(q) Purchaser, Aris, and ECI having obtained and implemented
financing arrangements to enable payment to Seller of all amounts in respect of
the Actual Final Cash Purchase Price and advances thereof, repayment of the
Shareholder Loans, assumption of the Assumed Liabilities as well as implementing
any other funding requirements of this Agreement.
13. Conditions to Seller's Obligations. The Seller's obligation to
effect the Closing shall be subject to and conditioned upon:
(a) The Purchaser and the Aris receiving all requisite third party
consents and approvals to the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) The Purchaser and each of SA and CH having entered into their
respective Shareholder Employment Agreements;
(c) All of the representations, warranties and covenants of the
Purchaser and the Aris being true and correct on the Closing Date;
(d) The Purchaser and the Aris making all deliveries at the Closing
(including without limitation, those set forth in Section 15 hereof) and
fulfilling all of their obligations hereunder to be fulfilled by the Closing
Date;
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<PAGE>
(e) No action, proceeding, investigation or litigation shall have
been instituted or threatened against any party hereto which would effect the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(f) Purchaser, Aris, and ECI having obtained and implemented
financing arrangements to enable payment to Seller of all amounts in respect of
the Actual Final Cash Purchase Price and advances thereof, repayment of the
Shareholder Loans, assumption of the Assumed Liabilities as well as implementing
any other funding requirements of this Agreement.
(g) Purchaser having paid, or caused repayment, of Seller's loans
due to Shareholders, up to a maximum of $785,417, as stated on the March 31,
1997 Balance Sheet.
(h) Purchaser having caused Seller's factor to release to
Shareholders the personal collateral they had provided to secure Seller's
obligations to such factor and to acknowledge that the Shareholders' personal
guarantees delivered to such factor are not applicable to Purchaser's factoring
arrangements after the Closing Date.
14. Seller's Closing Deliveries. On or prior to the Closing Date, the
Seller, DAC and the Shareholders shall deliver, and/or the Purchaser shall have
received, the following:
(a) Appropriate evidence of all necessary corporate action by each
of the Seller and DAC in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby,
including, without limitation, certified copies of unanimous resolutions duly
adopted by the Board of Directors and the Shareholders, as shareholders, of the
Seller, and the Board of Directors and the Shareholders, as the shareholders of
DAC, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance by each of the Seller
and DAC of this Agreement and all writings executed in connection herewith (and
specifically approving the sale by each of the Seller and DAC of substantially
all of its assets), and a certificate as to the incumbency of officers of each
of the Seller and DAC executing any instrument or document delivered in
connection with this Agreement.
(b) A lien search (including UCC, suits and judgements, and federal
and state tax liens) on the Seller, DAC, the Shareholders, recording no
Encumbrances except as permitted by this Agreement.
(c) Corporate and tax certificates of good standing of the Seller
in the State of New York.
(d) A duly executed Shareholders Employment Agreement between each
of the Shareholders and the Purchaser in the form of Exhibit 7.2 attached hereto
for SA and in the form of Exhibit 7.3 attached hereto for CH.
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<PAGE>
(e) An opinion of Sargent & Sargent, counsel for the Seller, DAC
and the Shareholders, to the effect set forth in Exhibit 14.1 attached hereto.
(f) All keys, locks, safe combinations, books and records and
computer access codes of the Seller, customer, vendor, contractor, product
source and supplier lists, and other items so as to put the Purchaser into full
possession of the Purchased Assets of the Seller purchased pursuant to this
Agreement, into full possession of the premises under all of the Real Property
Leases, and to obtain full access to Seller's computer systems.
(g) A duly executed Bill of Sale in the form of Exhibit 14.2
attached hereto.
(h) A duly executed Assignment of Lease in the form of Exhibit 5.11
attached hereto for the Showroom Lease and the Warehouse Lease, together with
consents to assignment and estoppel certificates from the landlords thereof.
(i) Evidence of the Seller, DAC and the Shareholders having
received all requisite third party consents and approvals to the transactions
contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, from each of the parties
listed on Schedule 5.4 attached hereto.
(j) A duly executed Assignment of Trademark License in the form of
Exhibit 5.9 hereto for each of the Trademark Licenses, together with duly
executed consents and estoppel certificates from the licensors of the Trademark
Licenses(and Salant Corporation, where applicable) to the assignment thereof
from Seller to Purchaser, together with duly executed extensions, renewals and
modifications thereof in accordance with Schedule 5.10 hereto.
(k) A duly executed Employee Non-Disclosure Agreement on
Purchaser's standard from each employee of Seller designated by Purchaser.
(l) A duly executed Assignment of Trademark in the form of Exhibit
14.3 attached hereto for each trademark owned by Seller and listed on Schedule
1.9 hereto.
(m) Duly executed and delivered UCC-3 termination statements
terminating any security interest in the Purchased Assets.
(n) A duly executed consent by the licensor of Seller's Duck Head
license to the termination of the term thereof on or prior to the Closing Date,
in form and substance satisfactory to Purchaser.
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<PAGE>
(o) Complete and accurate schedules of the Purchased Assets and
Assumed Liabilities at the Closing Date, in conformity with the requirements of
Section 1 of this Agreement.
(p) Duly executed assignments of the Equipment Leases listed on
Schedule 1.11 and (post-closing) consents of the lessors thereof.
(q) Duly executed amendments to Seller's and DEL's Certificate of
Incorporation and d/b/a discontinuance certificates as required by Section 10
hereof.
(r) The Shareholders Agreement in the form of Exhibit 3.3 duly
executed by Seller and Shareholders.
(s) Duly executed SEC Forms 3 and 13D reporting Seller's and
Shareholders' ownership of Aris Common Stock.
(t) An amendment to Seller's shareholders agreement providing that
neither SA nor CH will transfer any shares thereof or of DEL or DAC.
(u) Confirmatory letters from DEL and DAC.
(v) All other releases, consents, agreements and approvals required
to be obtained by the Seller, DAC and the Shareholders to permit the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby in accordance with the
terms and conditions of this Agreement and all other documentation required to
be delivered at or prior to the Closing under the terms of this Agreement.
15. Purchaser's Closing Deliveries. On or prior to the Closing Date, the
Purchaser shall deliver, and the Seller or the Shareholders shall have received,
the following:
(a) Appropriate evidence of all necessary corporate action by the
Purchaser and the Aris in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby,
including, without limitation, certified copies of resolutions duly adopted by
the Board of Directors and the sole shareholder of the Purchaser and the Board
of Directors of the Aris approving the transactions contemplated by, and
authorizing the execution, delivery and performance by the Purchaser (and where
applicable, Aris) of this Agreement and all writings executed in connection
herewith, and a certificate as to the incumbency of officers of the Purchaser
and the Aris executing any instrument or other document in connection with this
Agreement.
(b) An opinion of Herrick LLP, Feinstein, counsel for the Purchaser
and the Aris to the effect set forth in Exhibit 15.1 hereto.
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<PAGE>
(c) Payment of the advance against the Actual Final Cash Purchase
Price set forth in Section 3(b)(i) hereof ($500,000) due at the Closing, by bank
or certified check or by wire transfer;
(d) Payment of the Shareholder Loans due from Seller to
Shareholders, up to a maximum of $785,417, as stated on the March 31, 1997
Balance Sheet, by bank or certified check or by wire transfer;
(e) Delivery of stock certificates for 3,000,000 shares of Aris
Common Stock as described in Section 3(a)(i)
(f) A duly executed Shareholder's Employment Agreement between the
Shareholders and the Purchaser in the form of Exhibit 7.2 attached hereto for SA
and in the form of Exhibit 7.3 attached hereto for CH.
(g) A duly executed Assignment of Lease in the form of Exhibit 5.11
attached hereto for each of the Showroom Lease and the Warehouse Lease.
(h) A duly executed Assignment of Trademark License in the form of
Exhibit 5.9 hereto for each of the Trademark Licenses.
(i) Documentation of Purchaser, Aris, and ECI having obtained and
implemented financing arrangements to enable payment to Seller of all amounts in
respect of the Actual Final Cash Purchase Price and advances thereof, repayment
of the Shareholder Loans, assumption of the Assumed Liabilities as well as
implementing any other funding requirements of this Agreement, including
delivery of the Standby Letter of Credit with respect to payment of the Actual
Final Cash Purchase Price.
(j) A letter from Purchaser acknowledging certain sales activities
of Seller.
16. General Provisions. (a) The parties agree to execute and deliver any
and all other documents and instruments which the Purchaser may require to carry
out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to effectively transfer
the Purchased Assets to the Purchaser.
(b) The representations, warranties and covenants herein contained
shall be deemed and construed to be continuing representations, warranties and
covenants and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
Closing of the transactions provided herein. Except as expressly set forth in
this Agreement or the schedules or exhibits hereto or documents required to be
delivered under this Agreement, no representations or warranties are made by any
party hereto or by Aris.
(c) Each of the parties shall indemnify and hold the other parties
harmless from and against all liability, claim, loss,
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damage or expense, including reasonable attorneys' fees, pertaining to any
broker, finder or other person with whom such party has retained, contracted, or
otherwise dealt with.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement: (i) each
and every representation, warranty, covenant, indemnity, guaranty and other
obligation of the Seller, DAC or the Shareholders or any of them set forth in
this Agreement or any writing relating hereto shall be deemed a joint and
several liability of the Seller, DAC and the Shareholders; and (ii) the Seller,
DAC and the Shareholders acknowledge and agree that they hereby release, waive
and terminate any and all claims that the Seller, DAC, the Shareholders or their
affiliates may have in connection with or related to the Purchased Assets and
hereby acknowledge and agree that they have no interest in the Purchased Assets
and to the extent that the Seller has any obligation or liability to the
Shareholders, DAC or their affiliates, the Shareholders, DAC and their
affiliates shall only seek to satisfy such obligation or liability from the
Excluded Assets or the proceeds of the purchase price paid to Seller and shall
not seek or have any recourse against the Purchaser, its affiliates or the
Purchased Assets with respect to any such obligation or liability.
(e) Except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all costs and
expenses, including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel,
financial advisors and accountants, incurred in connection with this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereunder shall be paid by the party incurring
such costs and expenses, whether or not the Closing shall have occurred.
(f) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, any and
all rights under this Agreement afforded to the Purchaser may be enforced on
behalf of the Purchaser by Aris or any of its affiliates.
(g) All notices which are required to be given hereunder shall be
sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the Seller and to the
Shareholders at Shareholder's residences set forth above, with a copy to:
Sargent & Sargent, 830 Post Road East, Westport, Connecticut 06880, Attention:
Thomas Sargent, Esq. and to the Purchaser or Aris at the Purchaser's address set
forth above, Attention: Charles S. Ramat, President, with a copy to: Herrick,
Feinstein LLP, 2 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016, Attention:
Lawrence M. Levinson, Esq.
(h) This Agreement and all other writings executed in connection
with this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York. Each party hereto for himself or itself and his
or its successors and assigns hereby consents to personal jurisdiction over him
or it in the courts of the State of New York and of any federal court located in
such state in connection with any action or proceeding arising out or related to
this Agreement and all other writings executed in
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connection with this Agreement. Each party hereto agrees that service of process
upon him or it may be made in any manner permitted by the laws of the State of
New York, and in addition, specifically agrees that service will be deemed
sufficient for personal jurisdiction over him or it if service is made by
registered or certified mail at the address of such party set forth above.
(i) No waiver of any breach of any terms hereof shall be effective
unless made in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the
waiver is sought, and no such waiver shall be construed as a waiver of any
subsequent breach of that term or of any other term of the same or different
nature.
(j) This instrument (together with the other agreements, documents
and instruments to be entered into between the parties pursuant to this
Agreement) contains the entire agreement of the parties. It may not be changed,
modified, added to or altered orally, but only by an agreement in writing signed
by party to be charged thereby.
(k) This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and
their heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns. This Agreement
and the covenants herein contained may be assigned by the Purchaser to any
corporation controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Aris,
and the covenants and provisions of this Agreement shall continue and inure to
the benefit of such corporation acquiring the same. Neither the Seller nor the
Shareholders may assign any of its or their rights or obligations under this
Agreement; provided however, that upon the final liquidation and dissolution of
Seller (as evidenced by documentation delivered to Purchaser), Seller shall be
permitted to assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the
Shareholders Agreement to the Shareholders, subject to all liabilities and
obligations of Seller and Shareholders to Purchaser (pursuant to documentation
delivered to and satisfactory to Purchaser); but such assignment shall not
modify, reduce, or release any obligation of Seller or Shareholders under this
Agreement (and any documents or instruments delivered hereunder) or the
Shareholders Agreement, all of which shall remain in full force and effect and
enforceable against the Shareholders, notwithstanding the liquidation and
dissolution of Seller and the assignment to the Shareholders. Seller shall not
be permitted to dissolve or liquidate except upon sixty (60) days advance
written notice to Purchaser and the provision of documentation satisfactory to
Purchaser that Seller has paid all of its liabilities and creditors. Seller and
Shareholders covenant and agree with Purchaser that (i) Seller, DEL and DAC will
conduct no business whatsoever other than winding up their affairs, paying their
creditors, and liquidating their assets and (ii) they will not issue, sell,
transfer, gift, pledge, or encumber any shares of Seller, DEL or DAC and that
the Shareholders will maintain 100%
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ownership of Seller, DEL and DAC free and clear of all Encumbrances.
(l) This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and
by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when
executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same agreement.
(m) The provisions and covenants set forth in this Agreement are for
the benefit of the parties to this Agreement and Aris and not for the benefit of
any creditor or other person, and no creditor or other person shall have any
right to enforce the provisions and covenants against any party hereto.
(n) If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or
unenforceable, in whole or in part, or as to any jurisdiction, such provision
shall be deemed to be modified or restricted to the extent and in the manner
necessary to render the same valid and enforceable, or shall be deemed excised
from this Agreement, as the case may require, and this Agreement shall be
construed and enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law as if such
provision had been originally incorporated herein as so modified or restricted,
or as if such provision had not been originally incorporated herein, as the case
may be.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement
on the day and year first above written.
DAVCO INDUSTRIES, INC. ARIS MANAGEMENT CORP.
By: /s/ Steven Arnold By: /s/ Charles S. Ramat
----------------------------- -----------------------------
Name: Steven Arnold Name: Charles S. Ramat
Title: President Title: Chairman
By: /s/ Christopher Healy
----------------------------
Name: Christopher Healy
Title: Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Steven Arnold
----------------------------
Steven Arnold, Individually
/s/ Christopher Healy
----------------------------
Christopher Healy,
Individually
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Aris by its execution and delivery of this Agreement on the
signature line provided below hereby confirms and agrees that: (i) Aris shall
deliver to the Purchaser on the Closing Date 3,000,000 shares of the Aris Common
Stock, duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, to enable the
Purchaser to pay the Stock Purchase Price pursuant to the terms and conditions
of Section 3(a)(i) of this Agreement; (ii) all of the representations and
warranties of the Purchaser made in Section 11 of this Agreement with respect to
Aris are true and correct on the date hereof; (iii) Aris acknowledges the
provisions of Section 3(e) regarding the limitation on certain charges which may
be deducted from the computation of 1997 Post-Closing Davco Net Income of the
Purchaser for the period from the Closing Date through December 31, 1997 and
confirms that Aris will not allocate any corporate or overhead charges or
management fees to Purchaser during such period and (iv) during the period from
and after the Closing Date through December 31, 1997, neither Aris nor its
subsidiaries shall, except as may be required by their legal or fiduciary
responsibilities, take any actions which would impair the operation in the
ordinary course of the Davco Apparel Business.
ARIS INDUSTRIES, INC.
By /s/ Charles S. Ramat
---------------------------------
Name: Charles S. Ramat
Title: President
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SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT
SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT made as of July 15, 1997 (this "Agreement")
by and among DAVCO INDUSTRIES, INC., a New York corporation having its principal
office at 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10118 (hereinafter referred to
as, "Davco"), STEVEN ARNOLD, an individual residing at 68 Boulder Ridge Road,
Scarsdale, New York 10583 ("SA"), CHRISTOPHER HEALY, an individual residing at
11 Iron Gate Hill, Westport, Connecticut 06880("CH") (SA and CH being the owners
of all of the outstanding capital stock of Davco and hereinafter collectively
referred to as, the "Davco Principals"), ARIS MANAGEMENT CORP., a New York
corporation having an address at 475 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10017
(hereinafter referred to as "AMC") and ARIS INDUSTRIES, INC., a New York
corporation having an address at 475 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10017
(hereinafter referred to as "Aris");
WHEREAS, Davco, the Davco Principals, and AMC(an indirect subsidiary
of Aris) have entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of July 15, 1997
(the "Asset Purchase Agreement") providing for the sale by Davco to AMC of the
Purchased Assets including the Davco Apparel Business (both as defined in the
Asset Purchase Agreement) and the goodwill thereof as a going concern, its
corporate and trade names and its trademark licenses, and the closing under the
Asset Purchase Agreement has occurred on the date hereof (the "Closing Date");
WHEREAS, the purchase price payable AMC to Davco pursuant to the
Asset Purchase Agreement includes THREE MILLION (3,000,000) shares of the Common
Stock, par value $.01 per share, of Aris ("Aris Common Stock") delivered on the
Closing Date(such shares of Aris Common Stock delivered to Davco pursuant to the
Asset Purchase Agreement referred to herein as the "Shares");
WHEREAS, it is a closing condition under the Asset Purchase
Agreement that Davco and the Davco Principals enter into this Agreement
providing for certain restrictions on the transfer of the Shares; and
WHEREAS, APOLLO ARIS PARTNERS, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership,
having an address c/o Apollo Advisors, L.P., Two Manhattanville Road, Purchase,
New York 10577 (hereinafter referred to as "Apollo") and CHARLES S. RAMAT, an
individual residing at 1185 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10028 ("CSR") are
each shareholders of Aris and shall be the beneficiaries of certain provisions
of this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of AMC's
entering into the Asset Purchase Agreement, the mutual agreements and covenants
herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration the receipt and
sufficiency of which is
<PAGE>
hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties
hereto HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:
1. Applicability of Restrictions of this Agreement. The restrictions
and other provisions set forth in this Agreement with respect to the Shares
shall apply to the Shares as held of record and/or beneficially by Davco and the
Davco Principals, and shall continue to apply in full force and effect
notwithstanding any distribution, transfer or assignment of Shares at any time
from Davco to the Davco Principals and notwithstanding the liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of Davco. Davco and the Davco Principals shall notify
Aris in writing at least ten (10) days in advance of any distribution, transfer
or assignment from Davco to any of the Davco Principals specifying the details
of the number of shares being transferred and the transferee thereof. The
restrictions and other provisions set forth in this Agreement with respect to
the Shares shall also apply to all equity securities of Aris which may be
issued, distributed to, or exchanged with Davco or the Davco Principals, in
respect of the Shares, including those resulting from reclassification,
recapitalization, combinations or exchanges of shares, reorganizations,
liquidations, split-ups, distributions of a dividend payable in stock, changes
in par value, or shares resulting from any merger, consolidation, or sale or
exchange of shares or assets of Aris.
2. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Davco and Davco
Principals. Davco and the Davco Principals, jointly and severally, represent and
warrant unto and covenant and agree with AMC and Aris, and such representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements are material inducements to AMC and Aris
entering into this Agreement and AMC entering into the Asset Purchase Agreement:
(a) Davco and the Davco Principals acknowledge and agree that
no assurances or representations are made by AMC or Aris as to the present or
future market value of the Shares of Aris Common Stock issued to Davco pursuant
to the Asset Purchase Agreement. Davco and the Davco Principals acknowledge
their receipt and review of Aris' Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 1996,
its Form 10Q for the first quarter ended March 31, 1997, and its Form 8K's dated
May 5, 1997 and June 18, 1997, all as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC"). Each of Davco and the Davco Principals, and their
representatives, have been granted the opportunity to ask questions of, and
receive answers from, representatives of Aris concerning the terms and
conditions of the purchase of the Shares and to obtain any additional
information that they deem necessary regarding Aris or the Shares and each of
their knowledge and experience in financial and business matters is such that he
or it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the
Shares, or he or it has been advised by a representative possessing such
knowledge and experience. Neither Aris nor AMC nor their professional advisors
have provided or offered to provide any tax, legal or financial advice to Davco
or the Davco Principals in connection with the Asset Purchase
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<PAGE>
Agreement or their acquisition of the Shares and they are relying solely on
their own advisors for tax, legal and finance advice relating thereto.
(b) All Shares of Aris Common Stock delivered pursuant to the
Asset Purchase Agreement shall be acquired by Davco and the Davco Principals for
investment and not with a view toward, or for sale in connection with, any
distribution thereof, nor with any intention of distributing or selling such
shares of Aris Common Stock; provided however, that the foregoing shall not
preclude Davco or the Davco Principals from transferring shares of Aris Common
Stock in accordance with Rule 144 Brokers Transactions (as defined herein)
subject to the limitations as to timing and amounts of Shares set forth in this
Agreement.
(c) The Shares of Aris Common Stock obtained by the Seller
pursuant to this Agreement have not been registered under the Securities Act of
1993, as amended (the "Securities Act"), shall be "restricted stock", and even
if a sale is otherwise permitted by this Agreement, the Shares may not be resold
without an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or an
exemption therefrom pursuant to Rule 144 or otherwise and shall be so legended.
Any Transfer of Shares otherwise permitted by this Agreement shall be made only
in full compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") thereunder and applicable state
securities law and regulations. Any Transfer (as defined in Section 3 below) of
the shares of Aris Common Stock obtained pursuant to this Agreement shall
require an opinion of counsel of Aris to the effect that the Transfer is in
compliance with the Securities Act (the cost of which shall be paid by Seller);
such opinion shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Davco and the Davco
Principals undertake to file with the SEC and with Aris all necessary Forms 144,
Forms 3, 4 and 5, Forms 13D and other required reports and filings, and
amendments thereof, in connection with any Transfer of Shares. Davco and the
Davco Principals agree that prior to making any Transfer of the Shares they will
give written notice to Aris describing the manner of such proposed Transfer and
the number of Shares involved. Davco and the Davco Principals agree to furnish
any additional information reasonably requested by Aris to assure compliance
with applicable federal and state securities laws in connection with any
Transfer of Shares.
(d) Davco and the Davco Principals acknowledge that it and
they are familiar with Rule 144, as amended, under the Act, and that they have
been advised that Rule 144 permits, only under certain circumstances, the public
resale of restricted securities such as the Shares.
3. No Transfers Except as Permitted by This Agreement. Neither
Davco nor the Davco Principals shall directly or indirectly sell, exchange,
transfer, gift, pledge, hypothecate, grant a security interest in, grant a proxy
with respect to, devise, assign
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or in any other way dispose of, encumber or grant a security interest in
(hereinafter referred to as a "Transfer"), any of the Shares, or any interest
therein or any certificates representing any such Shares, nor shall they or any
of them attempt to do so, except as permitted by this Agreement. Any purported
Transfer in violation of this Agreement shall be invalid.
4. Transfers Must Comply With Securities Laws. Any Transfer of
Shares otherwise permitted by this Agreement shall be made only in full
compliance with the Securities Act and applicable and state securities laws and
regulations.
5. Legend. So long as this Agreement remains in effect, there shall
be noted conspicuously upon each stock certificate representing Shares (and any
replacement certificate therefor), the following statement:
"The shares of stock represented by this certificate have not been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended ("the Securities
Act") nor under any applicable state securities act and may not be
transferred, offered, sold, pledged or hypothecated except pursuant to (i)
an effective registration statement relating to such stock under the
Securities Act and any applicable state securities act, or (ii) to the
extent applicable, Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any similar rule
under such act or acts relating to the disposition of securities). An
opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Corporation that Rule 144 is
available and applicable shall be a condition to any proposed transaction
involving such shares.
"The rights to transfer and vote the Shares represented by this
certificate are further restricted by the terms and provisions contained
in a Shareholders Agreement dated July 15, 1997 on file at the offices of
the Corporation."
6. Additional Transfer Restrictions; Rule 144 Brokers Transactions
in Limited Amounts. Davco and the Davco Shareholders hereby agree that, in
addition to limitations on Transfer imposed by Rule 144 and other applicable
federal and state securities laws and regulations, Transfers of the Shares shall
be further limited to sales which are over the market in "brokers
transactions"(as defined in Rule 144 and attached as Exhibit A hereto) and
meeting the manner of sale and all other requirements of Rule 144 (such sales
referred to herein as "Rule 144 Brokers' Transactions"), at the times and in the
amounts set forth as follows:
(a) No Transfers may be made during the first year
following the Closing Date.
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(b) In each of the second, third and fourth years following
the Closing Date, a maximum of 300,000 of such Shares per year may be sold in
Rule 144 Brokers Transactions for the account of SA (beneficially or of record)
and a maximum of 300,000 of such Shares per year may be sold in Rule 144 Brokers
Transactions for the account of CH (beneficially or of record).
(c) Commencing in the fifth year following the Closing Date, a
maximum of 600,000 of such Shares per year may be sold in Rule 144 Brokers
Transactions for the account of SA (beneficially or of record) and a maximum of
600,000 of such Shares per year may be sold in Rule 144 Brokers Transactions for
the account of CH (beneficially or of record).
References herein to the limitation on Shares sold for the account of SA or CH
"beneficially or of record" shall mean shares sold directly by SA or CH if
certificates for Shares are registered in their individual names and shares sold
by Davco(which must be allocated to either SA or CH for this purpose) if
certificates for Shares are registered in Davco's name. In the event Davco, SA
or CH desire to sell any Shares in Rule 144 Brokers Transactions as permitted by
this Section 5, they shall notify Aris in writing at least five (5) days in
advance of the proposed sale, specifying the details as to the transferor, for
whose account such transfer is allocated, and the number of Shares proposed to
be sold.
7. Additional Transfer Restrictions-Private and Other Sales.
(a) During the first four (4) years following the Closing
Date, Transfers of the Shares (other than in Rule 144 Brokers Transactions
subject to the limitation in amounts and timing set forth in Section 5 above)
shall NOT be permitted without the advance written consent of Aris in each case,
which it may withhold in its sole discretion. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, privately negotiated sales, regardless of amount, and whether or
not involving a significant block or bulk of Shares, or any sales which are the
result of solicitation or offers of or to a purchaser or purchasers by Davco or
the Davco Principals, shall NOT be permitted during the first four (4) years
following the Closing Date.
(b) Commencing in the fifth year following the Closing Date,
Transfers of the Shares(other than in Rule 144 Brokers Transactions subject to
the limitation in amounts and timing set forth in Section 5 above) for an
all-cash purchase price shall only be permitted subject to successive rights of
first refusal of (1) Aris, and (2) Apollo and CSR, in compliance with the
procedures and limitations set forth in Section 6(c) below. Transfer of Shares
other than for an all-cash purchase price shall not be permitted.
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<PAGE>
(c) In the event that from and after the completion of four
(4) years from the Closing Date, either Davco or the Davco Principals desire to
Transfer any Shares(other than in Rule 144 Brokers Transactions subject to the
limitation in amounts and timing set forth in Section 5 above) (such transferor
referred to as a "Selling Shareholder") and intends to accept a bona fide
written offer received from a third party unaffiliated with Davco, the Davco
Principals or Aris (including an offer which is the result of solicitation by
the Selling Shareholder) for any of his Shares of Aris for an all-cash purchase
price, then the Selling Shareholder shall promptly give to Aris, Apollo and CSR
written notice thereof, attaching the written offer of the third party, and
setting forth the number of Shares to be transferred, the cash purchase price
per share to be paid by the third party, the identity of the third party
offeror, evidence of the financial capability of the third party offeror and
details as to the transferor and for whose account the Shares will be sold. Aris
shall have the right, by written notice to the Selling Shareholder, Apollo and
CSR within thirty(30) days thereafter, to purchase any or all the Shares covered
by such offer at same all-cash purchase price per share set forth in the third
party offer. In the event that Aris shall not elect to exercise such right of
first refusal, or shall elect to exercise such right of first refusal for less
than all of the Shares proposed to be transferred, then Apollo and CSR shall
have the right, by written notice given to the Selling Shareholder and Aris
within a further thirty (30) day period, to purchase any or all the Shares
(which Aris has not elected to purchase) covered by such offer at the same
all-cash purchase price per share set forth in the third party offer. As between
Apollo and CSR, they shall have equal rights to purchase any such Shares
available; if either of Apollo or CSR does not purchase its full portion of the
Shares available to be purchased, the other of Apollo and CSR shall have the
right to purchase the balance.
To the extent that Aris, Apollo and/or CSR elect to exercise
their rights of first refusal to purchase any Shares covered by such third party
offer, a closing for the purchase of such Shares will be held at a time and
place specified by Aris, Apollo and/or CSR, as applicable, within ninety (90)
days of the Selling Shareholder's original notice of proposed transfer, at which
time the purchaser(s) shall tender the cash purchase price for the Shares to be
transferred to them, and the Selling Shareholder shall transfer such Shares to
the purchaser(s), free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances
whatsoever, and shall deliver stock certificates and stock powers therefor
endorsed in blank.
Failure to give any notice during said exercise periods shall
be deemed to be an election not to exercise a right of first refusal as to such
offer. The election by Aris, Apollo or CSR not to exercise their right of first
refusal as to any offer shall not affect their right of first refusal as to any
subsequent offer. If Aris, Apollo and CSR, in the aggregate, elect to
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exercise their rights of first refusal, as to less than all the Shares offered
by the Selling Shareholder, then the Selling Shareholder may proceed to transfer
the balance of his or its Shares covered by the third party offer within a
period of ninety (90) days after the original notice of the offer and shall
provide Aris, Apollo and CSR with written notification of the completion of such
sale; but if such sale is not consummated within such 90 day period, the Shares
covered by the offer, if subsequently to be transferred by the Selling
Shareholder, will be subject to the right of first refusal provided by this
Section 6(c). A Selling Shareholder may not initiate the procedure to transfer
Shares pursuant to this Section 6(c) by sending notice more frequently than once
every six months.
8. Restriction on Acquisitions of Additional Aris Shares Except for
the Shares issued on the Closing Date, neither Davco nor the Davco Principals,
nor any affiliate or family member thereof shall, directly or indirectly,
purchase or acquire any shares of Aris Common Stock or other capital stock,
securities or debt instruments of Aris (or its subsidiaries) of any class,
except with the advance written consent of Aris in each instance.
9. Voting Agreements. For so long as Charles S. Ramat is Chairman,
Chief Executive Officer or President of Aris, Davco and the Davco Principals
agree that upon any matter submitted to or requiring the vote of the holders of
Aris Common Stock (including without limitation, for the election of Directors
of Aris), they will vote all of the shares of Aris Common Stock owned by them or
their affiliates (including without limitation, the Shares) for the
recommendations, proposals and nominations of the Board of Directors of Aris,
and on the Closing Date and from time to time thereafter, Davco and the Davco
Shareholders shall execute and deliver such proxies and other documentation to
effectuate such obligation.
10. Registration Rights.
(a) Davco and the Davco Principals shall be entitled to
certain "piggyback" registration rights with respect to the Shares to the extent
and in accordance with the terms and procedures set forth in this Section 10;
provided, however, that under no circumstances shall they be entitled to demand
registration rights. The Shares owned by Davco and the Davco Principals which at
the time of a registration by Aris may be entitled to registration rights under
this Section 10 are referred to as the "Eligible Shares"; the Eligible Shares
shall be defined to include those specific Shares issued to Davco and the Davco
Principals on the Closing Date pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement which at
the time of registration are still owned by Davco and/or the Davco Principals.
Registration rights granted herein to Davco and the Davco Principals shall not
be transferable or assignable.
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(b) Aris shall advise Davco and the Davco Principals by
written notice at least fifteen (15) days prior to the filing by Aris of any
underwritten registration statement under the Securities Act covering Aris
Common Stock(other than on Form S-8 or equivalent successor form) and in which
the "Existing Major Shareholders" (as defined herein) would be eligible to have
their shares of Aris Common Stock included in such registration on a "piggyback"
basis pursuant to the Equity Registration Rights Agreement dated June 30, 1993
between Aris and the Existing Major Shareholders (the "Registration Rights
Agreement") and will upon the written request of Davco and the Davco Principals
specifying the number of Eligible Shares requested to be included, include in
any such registration statement the requested Eligible Shares to the same
proportionate extent as if Davco and the Davco Principals were Existing Major
Shareholders (to the extent of such requested Eligible Shares) and the Existing
Major Shareholders' shares of Aris Common Stock were eligible for inclusion in
such registration statement on a "piggyback" basis pursuant to the Registration
Rights Agreement, after giving effect to all adjustments, allocations,
reallocations and limitations provided for in the Registration Rights
Agreement (such portion of the Eligible Shares which may be included in the
proposed registration collectively referred to as the "Registerable Shares").
The Existing Major Shareholders are defined as Apollo, CSR, Howard Weingrow,
Robert Lifton, James Goren, Alexander Goren, and trusts affiliated with, or for
the benefit of family members of, such persons, who are parties to the
Registration Rights Agreement.
(c) Davco and the Davco Principals shall furnish Aris with
appropriate information in connection with any registration of the Registerable
Shares as Aris may request. All costs and expenses of such registration
statement covering the Registerable Shares shall be borne by Aris, except that
Davco and the Davco Principals shall bear the fees of their own counsel, pay any
and all taxes applicable to the sale of the securities sold by the them and pay
any underwriting discounts or commission applicable to any of the securities
sold by them.
(d) Whenever a registration statement relating to any of the
Registerable Shares is filed under the Securities Act, Aris will indemnify and
hold harmless each of Davco and the Davco Principals as a holder of the
Registrable Shares covered by such registration statement to the same extent
(and subject to the same limitations and exclusions) as Aris would be required
to indemnify the Existing Major Shareholders who would be entitled to
participate in such registration on a "piggyback basis" pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement, and Davco and the Davco Principals will indemnify
Aris to the same extent(and subject to the same limitations and exclusions) as
the Existing Major Shareholders would be required to indemnify Aris if they were
to participate in such registration pursuant to the Registration Rights
Agreement, in each case under the same terms, conditions and procedures as set
forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
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(e) The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the
registration rights granted to Davco and the Davco Principals hereunder shall
expire and shall no longer be exercisable five (5) years from the Closing Date.
(f) Davco and the Davco Principals agree that they will not
Transfer any shares of Aris Common Stock during the five(5) business days prior
to, and during the sixty (60) day period beginning on, the effectiveness of any
registration statement with respect to Aris Common Stock or other securities of
Aris.
11. General Provisions.
(a) This Agreement (together with the Asset Purchase Agreement
and the other documentation executed in connection therewith) contains all of
the terms of the understanding between Davco, the Davco Principals, AMC and Aris
with respect to the subject matter hereof and, except as expressly set forth
herein or therein, no representation has been made by or relied upon by either
party hereto. This Agreement may not be changed or modified except in a writing
signed by the each of the parties hereto.
(b) Each of Davco and the Davco Principals represents and
warrants that he and it is not a party to any agreement, contract or
understanding, which would in any way restrict or prohibit him from undertaking
or performing the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
(c) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Each party hereto for himself
or itself and his or its successors and assigns hereby consents to personal
jurisdiction over him or it in the courts of the State of New York and of any
federal court located in such state in connection with any action or proceeding
arising out of, or related to, this Agreement. Each party hereto agrees that
service of process upon him or it may be made in any manner permitted by the
laws of the State of New York, and in addition, specifically agrees that service
of will be deemed sufficient for personal jurisdiction over him or it if service
is made by registered or certified mail at the address of such party set forth
above. Each of Davco and the Davco Principals, for itself, himself its and his
heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns, agrees that no action,
suit or proceeding of any kind may be brought, and no claim may be asserted
(whether by counter-claim, cross-claim or otherwise) by it, him or them against
Aris or any affiliates thereof with respect to any matter arising from this
Agreement, except in the courts of the State of New York and the federal courts
located in the State of New York.
(d) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or mailed,
first class, postage prepaid, certified mail, return receipt requested, to the
other party hereto
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at its or his address above written or at such other address as either of the
parties may designate in conformity with the foregoing. All notices to Aris or
AMC shall be sent to Charles S. Ramat, President of Aris. Copies of all notices
to Aris, AMC, Apollo or CSR shall be sent to Herrick, Feinstein LLP, 2 Park
Avenue, New York, New York 10016, Attention: Lawrence M. Levinson, Esq. Copies
of all notices to Davco or the Davco Principals shall be sent to Sargent &
Sargent, 830 Post Road East, Westport, Connecticut 06880, Att: Thomas Sargent,
Esq.
(e) No waiver of any breach of any terms hereof shall be
effective unless made in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of
the waiver is sought, and no such waiver shall be construed as a waiver of any
subsequent breach of that term or of any other term of the same or different
nature.
(f) This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto
and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns. Neither
Davco nor the Davco Principals may assign any of its or their rights or
obligations under this Agreement. The liquidation and dissolution of Davco shall
not modify, reduce, or release any obligation of Davco or the Davco Principals
under this Agreement, all of which shall remain in full force and effect and
enforceable against the Davco Principals, notwithstanding the liquidation and
dissolution of Davco. Davco shall not be permitted to dissolve or liquidate
except pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement.
(g) This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(h) The provisions and covenants set forth in this Agreement
are for the benefit of the parties to this Agreement, Apollo and CSR and not for
the benefit of any creditor or other person, and no creditor or other person
shall have any right to enforce the provisions and covenants against any party
hereto.
(i) If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or
unenforceable, in whole or in part, or as to any jurisdiction, such provision
shall be deemed to be modified or restricted to the extent and in the manner
necessary to render the same valid and enforceable, or shall be deemed excised
from this Agreement, as the case may require, and this Agreement shall be
construed and enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law as if such
provision had been originally incorporated herein as so modified or restricted,
or as if such provision had not been originally incorporated herein, as the case
may be.
(j) Each of the parties hereto shall cooperate and
take such actions, and execute such other documents as may be
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reasonably requested by the other in order to carry out the provisions and
purposes of this Agreement.
(k) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, it
is understood and agreed that CSR and Apollo are beneficiaries of certain
obligations of Davco, the Davco Principals and Aris set forth herein, that CSR
and Apollo have countersigned this Agreement solely as beneficiaries of such
obligations and to confirm that they may enforce such obligations against Davco,
the
[balance of page intentionally left blank]
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Davco Principals and Aris, and neither CSR nor Apollo shall have any obligation
to Davco, the Davco Principals or Aris by reason of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement
on the day and year first above written.
By /s/ STEVEN ARNOLD
------------------------------
Name: Steven Arnold
Title: President
By /s/ CHRISTOPHER HEALY
------------------------------
Name: Christopher Healy
Title: Chief Executive Officer
/s/ STEVEN ARNOLD
------------------------------
Steven Arnold, Individually
/s/ CHRISTOPHER HEALY
------------------------------
Christopher Healy, Individually
ARIS MANAGMENT CORP.
By /s/ CHARLES S. RAMAT
------------------------------
Name: Charles S. Ramat
Title: Chairman
ARIS INDUSTRIES, INC.
By /s/ CHARLES S. RAMAT
------------------------------
Name: Charles S. Ramat
Title: President
APOLLO ARIS PARTNERS, L.P. (Beneficiary)
By: AIF-II, L.P., its General Partner
By: Apollo Advisors, L.P., its General
Partner
By: Apollo Capital Management, Inc., its
General Partner
By: /s/ ROBERT A. KATZ
------------------------------
Robert A. Katz, Vice President
/s/ CHARLES S. RAMAT
------------------------------
Charles S. Ramat, individually
(Beneficiary)
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