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WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED): MARCH 5, 1998
LASON, INC.
DELAWARE 0-21407 38-3214743
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification Number)
1305 STEPHENSON HIGHWAY
TROY, MICHIGAN 48083
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(Address of Principal (Zip Code)
Executive Offices)
(248) 597-5800
---------------------------
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
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ITEM 2. ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.
Lason Services, Inc. ("Services"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lason,
Inc. (the "Company"), acquired substantially all of the assets of API
Systems, Inc., a New York corporation ("API") pursuant to an Asset
Purchase Agreement dated March 5, 1998 (the "Asset Purchase
Agreement"), between and among the Company, Services, API and the
shareholders of API (such acquisition is referred to herein as the "API
Acquisition").
The aggregate consideration paid by the Company as a result of the API
Acquisition was determined pursuant to arm's length negotiations
and consisted of 117,702 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share ("Common Stock") of the Company and approximately $21,250,000 in
cash. The Lason Common Stock is subject to an 18 month lock-up
agreement. 114,171 of the shares of Lason Common Stock are being held
in escrow for 12 months to collateralize the shareholders'
indemnification obligations under the Asset Purchase Agreement. As
additional consideration for the acquisition of the purchased assets,
API may receive up to two additional payments for the periods ending on
March 31, 1999 and March 31, 2000 if certain target earnings are
achieved. In no event will the two payments aggregate more than
$10,000,000, payable 85% in cash and 15% in Lason Common Stock.
The primary source of the cash portion of the purchase price used in
the API Acquisition was the Company's credit facility with a bank group
led by First Union National Bank.
The description of the foregoing API Acquisition is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the copy of the Asset Purchase Agreement filed
as an Exhibit to this Form 8-K.
The assets of API include cash, receivables, inventories, equipment and
other personal property. The Company intends to continue the
utilization of these assets in a manner consistent with that of their
historical usage, namely, providing business communication services to
the financial and commercial industries.
The Company is not aware of any material relationship that existed
prior to the API Acquisition between the Company, its officers and
directors, on the one hand and API and its shareholders, on the other.
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ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(a) Financial Statements of API:
Not Applicable.
(b) Pro Forma Financial Information:
Not Applicable.
(c) Exhibits
2.12 Asset Purchase Agreement with respect to the API Acquisition.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: March 20, 1998 LASON, INC.
By: /s/ William J. Rauwerdink
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William J. Rauwerdink
Its: Executive Vice President
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EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION:
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2.12 Asset Purchase Agreement with respect to the API Acquisition.
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EXHIBIT 2.12
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into on the 5TH day of March, 1998 by
and among LASON SERVICES, INC., a Delaware corporation, the address of which is
1305 Stephenson Highway, Troy, Michigan 48083 ("BUYER"); LASON, INC. ("LASON,
INC."), a Delaware corporation, the address of which is 1305 Stephenson
Highway, Troy, Michigan 48083, for those certain specific limited purposes
hereinafter set forth; API SYSTEMS, INC., a New York corporation, the address
of which is 601 W. 26th Street, New York, New York 10001 ("SELLER"); STEVEN
FRUCHTER, whose address is 300 West End Avenue, New York, New York 10023,
PHILIP FRUCHTER, whose address is 131-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Belle
Harbor, New York 11694 and LAURENCE BRAUN, whose address is 941 Park Avenue,
New York, New York 10028, together own one hundred percent (100%) of the
outstanding shares of Seller (individually each is referred to as a
"SHAREHOLDER" and collectively they are referred to as "SHAREHOLDERS").
R E C I T A L S:
THE FOLLOWING IS A RECITAL OF THE FACTS UNDERLYING THIS AGREEMENT:
Seller is engaged in the business of providing pre-sorted, automated
mailing services (first class, standard, international, international remail,
barcoding), lettershop (mail fulfillment, bursting, separation, folding,
inserting by machine and by hand), and data processing (laser printing, tape to
mail, address correction, address inkjetting, mail merges) (the "BUSINESS").
Buyer desires to purchase from Seller and Seller desires to sell to Buyer
the assets of Seller used in connection with the Business pursuant to the terms
and subject to the conditions of this Agreement. Lason Inc., as the 100%
shareholder of Buyer, is willing to provide a guaranty of all of Buyer's
obligations hereunder.
Subsequent to the Closing, hereinafter defined, Buyer may operate the
Business itself or through an "API Division" of one of its subsidiaries (the
"CORPORATION").
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual
covenants, agreements, representations and warranties and conditions contained
in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:
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ARTICLE 1
PURCHASE AND SALE OF ASSETS
SECTION 1.1 PURCHASED ASSETS. On the terms and subject to the
conditions contained herein, Seller agrees to sell to Buyer and Buyer agrees to
purchase from Seller at the Closing and on the Closing Date (as each such term
is defined in Section 10.1 hereof), free and clear of all liens, claims and
encumbrances (except as otherwise disclosed in and permitted by this
Agreement), all of Seller's right, title and interest in and to all of its
assets and properties wherever situated used by it in connection with the
Business, except for those assets and properties specifically excluded by
Section 1.2 hereof (the "PURCHASED ASSETS"). The Purchased Assets shall
include, but not be limited to, the following:
1.1.1 MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT. All machinery and equipment
(including spare parts), data processing hardware and software, vehicles,
fixtures, capital works in process, tools, dies, patterns, molds,
furniture and similar tangible personal property employed by Seller in
the conduct of the Business as the same may exist at the Closing, other
than those items of tangible personal property listed on EXHIBIT "1.2.5"
hereto (all of such property being hereinafter sometimes referred to as
the "EQUIPMENT"), including, without limitation, the Equipment listed on
EXHIBIT "1.1.1" hereto.
1.1.2 INVENTORY. All inventories, consisting of raw materials,
work-in-process and finished goods and supplies, employed and useable by
Seller in the conduct of the Business, as the same may exist at the
Closing (all of such properties being hereinafter sometimes referred to
as the "INVENTORY"), including, without limitation, the Inventory listed
on EXHIBIT "1.1.2" hereto.
1.1.3 RECEIVABLES. All of Seller's trade receivables, note
receivables and other accounts receivable (other than receivables, if
any, due from Shareholders), as the same may exist at the Closing (all of
such receivables being hereinafter sometimes referred to as the
"RECEIVABLES").
1.1.4 CERTAIN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS. Except as
specifically excluded by Section 1.2 hereof, all of the petty cash, cash
on deposit in banks or other financial institutions, prepaid accounts and
security deposits of Seller and other cash equivalents, and funds in
payroll accounts of Seller; and all certificates of deposit, bonds, stock
and other securities and investments of Seller.
1.1.5 CONTRACT AND CERTAIN OTHER RIGHTS OF SELLER. All rights and
interests of Seller in, to and under all contracts between it and any
other party or parties and under contracts which have been acquired by it
by assignment or in any other manner that are disclosed in EXHIBIT
"4.24" hereto; all rights and interests of Seller in, to and under all
such contracts not disclosed or required to be disclosed in EXHIBIT
"4.24" as the same may exist
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on the Closing Date; and, subject to Section 1.2.4, all other claims,
rights and causes of action of Seller against third parties which relate
to the Business.
1.1.6 CERTAIN PROPRIETARY RIGHTS. All Proprietary Rights (as
defined in Section 4.16 hereof and as listed and described in EXHIBIT
"4.16" hereto).
1.1.7 BOOKS AND RECORDS. All papers, records and files in Seller's
care, custody or control relating to the business, including, but not
limited to, all blueprints and specifications, sales records, accounting
and financial records, maintenance and production records, plats and
surveys of the real property from which the Business is conducted, and
plans and designs of buildings, structures, fixtures and equipment to the
extent that the same are reasonably available.
1.1.8 OTHER ASSETS. All other assets of Seller employed in the
conduct of the Business, whether real or personal, whether tangible,
intangible or mixed and whether or not reflected in the Financial
Statements as defined in Section "4.6" hereof or on the books or records
of Seller as the same may exist on the Closing Date, including, but not
limited to, rights under executory contracts and purchase and sale orders
to be assumed by Buyer hereunder, deposits under all leases assumed by
Buyer and any prepaid expenses to the extent properly assignable to Buyer
and permits and licenses to the extent transferable under law.
SECTION 1.2 EXCLUDED ASSETS. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, the following assets (the "EXCLUDED ASSETS") shall not be
sold to Buyer and all of such Excluded Assets shall be retained by Seller:
1.2.1 CORPORATE RECORDS. All of Seller's corporate minute books and
related records.
1.2.2 SELLER'S RIGHTS. All rights of Seller under this Agreement.
1.2.3 TAX RECORDS. All income tax returns and related tax records
of Seller.
1.2.4 LITIGATION. Any recovery (whether received as the result of a
judgment or a settlement) resulting from any claim, action, suit or
proceeding brought by Seller that is pending on the Closing Date or that
arises out of or related to matters or events occurring on or prior to
the Closing Date.
1.2.5 TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY. All items of tangible personal
property listed on EXHIBIT "1.2.5" hereto.
1.2.6 RECOVERIES AND REFUNDS. Any tax refund with respect to any
tax period prior to the Closing Date or any recovery resulting from any
claim under an insurance
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policy currently in force and indemnifying Seller that is pending on the
Closing Date or that arises out of or related to matters or events
occurring on or prior to the Closing Date.
1.2.7 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN ASSETS. All assets (including bank
accounts) relating to any of Seller's Plans (as that term is defined in
Section 3.2.6 hereof).
1.2.8 CONTINGENCY ACCOUNT. All cash on deposit in Seller's account
at Chase Manhattan Bank entitled "API Special Postal Account".
1.2.9 SECURITIES. All shares of capital stock of Federated Stores,
Inc. registered in the name of Seller.
SECTION 1.3 NAME CHANGES. Immediately following the Closing, Seller
shall amend its articles of incorporation so as to change its name to "BSJG
Incorporated". Seller shall not thereafter use the names "American Presort",
or "API Systems" or other names acquired by Buyer hereunder or names
confusingly similar thereto.
ARTICLE 2
PURCHASE PRICE FOR PURCHASED ASSETS
SECTION 2.1 PURCHASE PRICE.
Subject to possible adjustment as set forth in Section 2.3 below, the
purchase price for the Purchased Assets is (i) $25,000,000.00 plus (ii) the
assumption by Buyer of the Assumed Liabilities, hereinafter defined (the
"PURCHASE PRICE") . The portion of the Purchase Price that is not Assumed
Liabilities shall be paid at Closing (as defined below in Section 9.1) in cash
and in shares of Lason, Inc.'s common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the
"LASON SHARES"), as follows: (a) Lason Shares valued, in the manner
hereinafter described, at $3,750,000.00 and (b) cash in an amount equal to
$21,250,000.00 (the "CASH CONSIDERATION"). The Cash Consideration shall be
paid at the Closing via electronic wire transfer of same day funds to
account(s) designated by Seller.
The Lason Shares shall be valued for this purpose at $31.86
(appropriately adjusted for any stock split, reverse stock split or common
stock dividend effected or declared by Buyer), with no fractional shares being
issued hereunder. In lieu thereof, Buyer shall pay cash for any such
fractional shares, the value of which are to be determined by multiplying the
fractional portion of a share of the Lason Shares by the per share price
determined in accordance with the methodology described above. Seller will not
be entitled to dividends, voting rights or any other right as shareholder in
respect of any fractional share of the Lason Shares. In connection with the
foregoing issuance of the Lason Shares, on the Closing Date, Seller or
Shareholders, if the Lason Shares are to be held by Shareholders at Seller's
direction, shall deliver to Buyer a Lock-Up Agreement in the form attached
hereto as EXHIBIT "2.1(A)" (the "LOCK-UP AGREEMENT"). Additionally, the Lason
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Shares shall be held in escrow for the period and pursuant to the terms
and conditions set forth in that certain escrow agreement (the "ESCROW
AGREEMENT") attached hereto as EXHIBIT "2.1(B)", together with executed
assignments separate from certificate executed in blank.
SECTION 2.2 CLOSING ADJUSTED BALANCE SHEET. To support the Purchase
Price allocation referred to in Section 2.4 and to establish the starting point
for the calculation of 1998 Actual EBITDA, hereinafter defined, within 60 days
after the Closing Date, Buyer shall cause, at its expense, a certified balance
sheet of Seller to be prepared by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. ("BUYER'S
ACCOUNTANTS"), showing Seller's consolidated net worth, based solely on the
Purchased Assets and the Assumed Liabilities, hereinafter defined, as at the
Closing Date (the "CLOSING ADJUSTED BALANCE SHEET"). When completed, Buyer's
Accountants shall promptly deliver the Closing Adjusted Balance Sheet to Seller
and Buyer. The Closing Adjusted Balance Sheet shall be prepared (i) in a
manner consistent with the preparation of the December 31, 1997 Adjusted
Balance Sheet, hereinafter defined, and (ii) without giving effect to any of
the transactions contemplated hereby. The "DECEMBER 31, 1997 ADJUSTED BALANCE
SHEET" means the unaudited balance sheet included as part of the December 31,
1997 Financials, hereinafter defined, adjusted to reflect solely the Purchased
Assets and Assumed Liabilities. In the event that Seller disputes any aspect
of the Closing Adjusted Balance Sheet, Seller shall so notify Buyer within 10
days following its receipt thereof. In such event, the parties, together with
their independent public accountants, shall meet and discuss such dispute in a
good faith effort to resolve such dispute. If no resolution is reached within
30 days after Seller's notice, then, and in that event, the dispute shall be
submitted to and resolved by arbitration pursuant to Section 12.14 hereof. The
Closing Adjusted Balance Sheet shall be adjusted to the extent required to
reflect the final determination of any such dispute, either by agreement of the
parties or by arbitration. Buyer shall cause Buyer's Accountants to grant
Seller and its accountants full access to Buyer's Accountants' methodology and
records in connection with their review of the Closing Adjusted Balance Sheet
and the resolution of any dispute relating thereto.
SECTION 2.3 ADDITIONAL PURCHASE PRICE. In addition to the Purchase
Price, as additional consideration for the Purchased Assets, Seller may be
entitled to receive up to two additional payments (collectively, the
"ADDITIONAL PURCHASE PAYMENTS" and, individually, an "ADDITIONAL PURCHASE
PAYMENT") if and only if such Additional Purchase Payments are earned in
accordance with the following:
A. For the period commencing as of the Closing Date and ending on
March 31, 1999 (the "1998 PERIOD"), Corporation will have a minimum
EBITDA (defined in subsection G below) target of $5,000,000.00 (the "1998
TARGET EARNINGS"). No later than June 1, 1999, Buyer shall calculate
Corporation's EBITDA for the 1998 Period (the "1998 ACTUAL EBITDA").
If 1998 Actual EBITDA is less than or equal to the 1998 Target Earnings,
the Seller shall not be entitled to receive any Additional Purchase
Payments for the 1998 Period. In the event that 1998 Actual EBITDA is
greater than 1998 Target Earnings, Buyer shall pay to Seller an
Additional Purchase Payment in an aggregate amount equal to that amount
which is 5 times the difference between the 1998 Target Earnings and
1998 Actual EBITDA (the "1998 ADDITIONAL PURCHASE PAYMENT").
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, Buyer
shall not be required to pay an amount in excess of $5,000,000 on account
of the 1998 Additional Purchase Payment. In the event that the 1998
Additional Purchase Payment is an amount over $5,000,000, payment of the
amount in excess of $5,000,000 (the "1998 Deferred Additional Purchase
Payment") shall be deferred until the calculation and payment of the 1999
Additional Purchase Payment (as defined below), if any, is made, subject
to the overall limitation on the Additional Purchase Payments discussed
in Section 2.3(C) below.
B. For the period commencing as of April 1, 1999 and ending on March
31, 2000 (the "1999 PERIOD"), Corporation will have a minimum EBITDA
target of $5,000,000 (the "1999 TARGET EARNINGS"). No later than June 1,
2000, Buyer shall calculate Corporation's EBITDA for the 1999 Period (the
"1999 ACTUAL EBITDA"). If the 1999 Actual EBITDA is equal to or less
than the 1999 Target Earnings, Seller shall not be entitled to receive
any Additional Purchase Payments for the 1999 Period. If the 1999 Actual
EBITDA is greater than the 1999 Target Earnings, Buyer shall pay to
Seller an Additional Purchase Payment for 1999 in an aggregate amount
equal to that amount which is 5 times the difference between the 1999
Target Earnings and the 1999 Actual EBITDA, subject to the overall
limitations on Additional Purchase Payments set forth in Section 2.3(C)
below. Buyer shall also pay to Seller any portion of the 1998 Additional
Purchase Payment previously earned but deferred as set forth in Section
2.3(A) above, subject, however, to the overall limitations on Additional
Purchase Payments set forth in Section 2.3(C) below.
C. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein,
Seller's right to Additional Purchase Payments is conditioned upon and
subject to the following limitations: (i) in no event shall the
aggregate amount of the Additional Purchase Payments payable to the
Seller for the 1998 Period exceed $5,000,000 (other than any 1998
Deferred Additional Purchase Payment); (ii) in no event shall the sum of
all Additional Purchase Payments for the 1998 Period and the 1999 Period
exceed $10,000,000 (inclusive of 1998 Deferred Additional Purchase
Payment, if any); and (iii) in no event shall the sum of the Purchase
Price (exclusive of any increase pursuant to Section 2.2(B)) and the two
possible Additional Purchase Payments exceed $35,000,000.
D. The Additional Purchase Payments are to be paid 85% in cash, in
same day funds via electronic wire transfer to an account(s) designated
by Seller, and 15% in Lason, Inc. Shares (the "ADDITIONAL PURCHASE
SHARES"). The Additional Purchase Shares shall be valued for this
purpose at the average closing price of Lason Shares for the 20 trading
days immediately prior to the date of each of the Additional Purchase
Payment Dates (as defined below) as reported by the Wall Street Journal
published index of NASDAQ National Market Issues (appropriately adjusted
for any stock split, reverse stock split or common stock dividend
effected or declared by Buyer). No fractional share shall be issued by
Lason, Inc. hereunder. In lieu thereof, Buyer shall pay cash for such
fractional share, the value of which shall be determined by multiplying
the fractional part of a share of the Lason Shares by the closing value
set forth above. Seller will not be entitled to dividends, voting rights
or any
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other right as a shareholder in respect of any fractional share of the
Lason Shares. In connection with the foregoing issuance of the Lason
Shares, on each Additional Purchase Payment Date (as defined below),
Seller shall execute a Lock-Up Agreement in identical form to the Lock-Up
Agreement annexed hereto as EXHIBIT "2.1(A)", pursuant to which Seller
will agree not to sell any of the Lason Shares delivered to it in
accordance with this Agreement for a period of 12 months from each
Additional Purchase Payment Date.
E. If an Additional Purchase Payment is earned, Buyer shall make
such Additional Purchase Payment to Seller by June 15, 1999 and June 15,
2000 (the "ADDITIONAL PURCHASE PAYMENT DATE"), as the case may be,
subject to the existence of a dispute requiring resolution pursuant to
Section 2.3(F) below.
F. Buyer shall provide to Seller, on or before June 1, 1999 and June
1, 2000, a statement of its Chief Financial Officer setting forth the
basis for the calculation of the Additional Purchase Payment. Such
statement shall provide such computations and set forth such detail as is
reasonably necessary to substantiate the calculation of EBITDA and the
amount of the Additional Purchase Payment payable, if any. Seller and
its accountants shall have full access to Buyer's books and records with
respect to Corporation in connection with their review of such statements
and the resolution of any dispute relating thereto. No later than 60 days
after Seller's receipt of such statement, Seller may, by notice given to
Buyer, contest the calculations and shall, within a reasonable period of
time necessary for Seller's representatives to review the calculations,
books and records of Corporation (but in no event more than 90 days) give
notice to Buyer of the amount calculated by Seller. In such event, Buyer
shall pay to Seller the amount that it acknowledges is due and the
parties, together with their independent public accountants, shall meet
and discuss such dispute in a good faith effort to resolve such dispute.
If no resolution is reached within 30 days after Seller's notice, then,
and in that event, the dispute shall be submitted to and resolved by
arbitration pursuant to Section 12.14 hereof. If the decision of the
arbitrator(s) is that an additional payment is due to Seller in respect
of the Additional Purchase Payment, Buyer shall pay such amount to Seller
in cash within five days following receipt of such decision. Similarly,
if the decision of the arbitrator(s) is that a rebate is due to Buyer,
Seller shall pay such amount to Buyer in cash within five days following
receipt of such decision.
G. EBITDA shall mean, for each of the two years referenced above,
the pre-tax net income of Corporation before interest expense,
depreciation and amortization for such year determined on a stand-alone
basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied with relationship to the Financial Statements, (A)
plus, to the extent deducted in determining net income and without
duplication, the sum of: (i) any extraordinary losses; (ii) any
Additional Purchase Payments; (iii) any management fees, salary or other
charges for personnel who work for Buyer or any entity that is directly
or indirectly affiliated with Buyer; (iv) any accounting fees in excess
of those paid by Seller for 1997 unless a different amount is mutually
agreed by the parties; (v) any allocated charges between the Corporation
and the Buyer or any entity that is directly or indirectly affiliated
with Buyer; (vi)
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any pass-through of interest on debt incurred by Buyer in connection with
this transaction or right-offs required to be taken by Buyer as a result
of this transaction except those taken in the ordinary course of business
such as, by way of illustration and not limitation, write-offs for bad
debt; (vii) any extraordinary or non-recurring expenses; (viii) any
bonuses to employees or payments to deferred compensation plans or other
perks to employees in excess of Seller's past practices; and (ix)
premium(s) on any key man insurance obtained on the life of any of the
Shareholders; and (B) minus, to the extent included in determining net
income and without duplication, any extraordinary gains. In addition, for
purposes of calculating EBITDA, adjustments shall be made to (i) gross
receipts for sales made by the Corporation to Buyer and its affiliates to
the extent that such sales are for prices less that comparable sales to
other customers of the Corporation, (ii) expenses for purchases made by
the Corporation from Buyer and its affiliates, to the extent that such
expenses are greater than comparable expenses from other vendors or
providers of services to the Corporation and (iii) any other charges by
Buyer or any entity that is directly or indirectly affiliated with Buyer
to the extent that such charges are greater than would have been paid by
the Corporation at an arm's length transaction between the Corporation
and any other vendor or provider of services to the Corporation.
H. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Buyer
shall have the right, by notice to Seller specifying in reasonable detail
the basis therefor, to withhold the payment of an Additional Purchase
Payment otherwise provided for herein and to set off and apply against
any such Additional Purchase Payment the amount of any then outstanding
indemnification payments finally determined to be due from Seller and/or
Shareholders to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement.
I. Buyer shall, in good faith, use reasonable efforts to maximize
Seller's ability to achieve the maximum Additional Purchase Payment(s)
available hereunder. In order to create no material impediment to
Seller's opportunity to achieve the Additional Purchase Payment(s), Buyer
shall operate the Corporation as a free-standing division and further
shall operate the Business in all material respects in a manner
consistent with the manner in which it was operated prior to the
acquisition of the Purchased Assets by Buyer except that: (i) the
Corporation shall participate in Buyer's centralized accounting, record
keeping, cash management and budgeting process in a fair and consistent
manner as Buyer's other divisions and subsidiaries; (ii) the Corporation
shall participate in Buyer's centralized purchasing system as may be in
place from time to time in a fair and consistent manner as Buyer's other
divisions and subsidiaries; (iii) the Corporation shall participate in
other similar centralized functions in a fair and consistent manner as
Buyer's other divisions and subsidiaries; (iv) the Corporation shall
participate in Buyer's benefit program; and (v) the work constituting the
Business shall continue to be done by the Corporation, but if such work
is diverted to other divisions or subsidiaries of Buyer, Buyer shall
fairly credit such work to the operating income of the Corporation.
Further, in no event shall any of the corporate overhead of Buyer and
Lason, Inc., including parent company charges, management fee charges or
any similar charges, be allocated to the Corporation, it being agreed
that only
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direct costs of the Business shall be so attributed. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the event that the Board of Directors of Buyer (or any of
its subsidiaries), in their sole discretion, materially changes or
proposes to change the business, accounting policies or methods, or
operations (other than changes necessary to bring Corporation into
compliance with applicable law) of Corporation from those in effect
immediately prior to the Closing Date (any such material change or
proposed change, a "CHANGE") it shall notify Seller in writing and if
Seller believes that any such Change is reasonably likely to materially
decrease the amount of the Additional Purchase Payment(s) they would have
earned absent such Change, Seller may give notice (the "NOTICE") to Buyer
of such belief. In such event, Seller and Buyer's President shall meet:
(i) to discuss in good faith whether the Change is reasonably likely to
have a material adverse effect or result in a material decrease; and
(ii) if they agree that such a material adverse effect or material
decrease is reasonably likely to occur, then to discuss in good faith an
amendment to the Additional Purchase Payment formula set forth in this
Section 2.3 in order to restore to Seller the ability to earn a
comparable Additional Purchase Payment to that originally contemplated by
the parties. If Seller and Buyer's President do not agree that such a
material adverse effect or material decrease is reasonably likely to
occur, or, having agreed that such a material adverse effect or material
decrease is reasonably likely to occur, they do not agree on an amendment
to the Additional Purchase Payment formula, the dispute shall be
submitted to and resolved by arbitration pursuant to Section 12.14
hereof, and if the decision of the arbitrator(s) is that such a material
adverse effect or material decrease is reasonably likely to occur, then
the arbitrator(s) shall also decide how the Additional Purchase Payment
formula set forth in this Section 2.3 should be amended.
J. For all purposes of this Section 2.3, the term "Corporation"
shall be understood to refer to the "API Division" of one of Buyer's
subsidiaries.
K. In the event that any Shareholder voluntarily terminates his
employment with the Corporation (other than for death, disability or
"Good Reason", as that term is defined in the Employment Agreements
referred to in Section 6.8 hereof), or is terminated for cause (any such
termination being a "Premature Termination of Employment"), then and in
that event, the Additional Purchase Payment(s) shall be reduced as
follows:
i. If the Premature Termination of Employment occurs within
twelve (12) months after Closing, the Additional Purchase
Payment(s) shall be reduced by a percentage equal to such
Shareholder's pro rata ownership in Seller as of the date hereof
(the "Shareholder's Percentage").
ii. If the Premature Termination of Employment occurs one (1)
year or more after Closing, the 1998 Additional Purchase Payment,
if any, shall be deemed earned in full and, provided that at the
time the Premature Termination of Employment occurs the Corporation
is generating 1999 Actual EBITDA at a rate which, if maintained for
the entire 1999 Period, as set forth on EXHIBIT "2.3(K)" attached
hereto, would equal or exceed the 1999 Target Earnings, the 1999
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Additional Purchase Payment, if any, shall be reduced by a
percentage equal to the Shareholder's Percentage multiplied by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of months, in whole
or part, less than two (2) years after Closing that the Premature
Termination of Employment occurs, and the denominator of which is
12.
iii. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the
Shareholder giving rise to the Premature Termination of Employment
is Laurence Braun, there shall be no reduction in any Additional
Purchase Payment if (x) both Philip Fruchter and Steven Fruchter
remain employed by the Corporation until the end of the measuring
period for purposes of this section and (y) the Target Earnings for
such measuring period are achieved by the Corporation.
SECTION 2.4 ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PRICE. The Purchase Price shall be
allocated among the Purchased Assets in accordance with attached EXHIBIT "2.4".
Buyer and Seller agree to file duplicate IRS Forms 8594 with an allocation of
the Purchase Price in accordance with EXHIBIT "2.4" and to file all other
returns and reports in a manner consistent with the allocations agreed to in
this Section.
ARTICLE 3
ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES
SECTION 3.1 LIABILITIES TO BE ASSUMED BY BUYER. At the Closing, Buyer
shall assume and agree to perform and discharge when and as due those certain
liabilities and obligations set forth in this Section , as the same may exist
at or accrue following the Closing Date, and no others (the "ASSUMED
LIABILITIES"):
3.1.1 ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, NOTES PAYABLE AND ORDINARY COURSE
LIABILITIES. Accounts payable and accrued expenses of Seller incurred in
the ordinary course of the Business and properly classified as
liabilities in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
The accounts payable, notes payable to Chase Manhattan Bank and ordinary
course liabilities as of December 31, 1997, are listed on EXHIBIT 3.1.1
hereto. Notwithstanding that fact, Buyer is responsible for all
liabilities similar to those set forth on Exhibit 3.1.1, accounts payable
and ordinary course liabilities as of the Closing Date, including any and
all capital leases and installment purchase contracts relating to the
Purchased Assets, but expressly excluding liabilities described in
Section 3.2 below and those set forth on Exhibit 3.2 attached hereto.
3.1.2 EXECUTORY AGREEMENTS. Liabilities and obligations which exist
at or accrue following the Closing Date under (i) the Contracts described
in EXHIBIT "4.24" hereof (including liabilities under various equipment
leases, whether so-called "operating" or "capital" leases); (ii)
executory contracts, agreements or other commitments entered into in
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the ordinary course of business in existence on the date hereof and not
required to be disclosed pursuant to EXHIBIT "4.24"; (iii) executory
contracts, agreements or other commitments entered into in the ordinary
course of business between the date hereof and the Closing, in accordance
with Section 6.2 hereof; and (iv) any executory contract, agreement or
other commitment from which Buyer derives the benefit subsequent to the
Closing Date.
SECTION 3.2 LIABILITIES OF SELLER NOT ASSUMED. Except as specifically
provided in Section 3.1 hereof, Buyer shall not assume, or in any way become
liable for, any liabilities or obligations of Seller, the Shareholders or the
Business of any kind or nature, whether accrued, absolute, contingent or
otherwise, or whether due or to become due, or otherwise, whether known or
unknown, arising out of events, transactions or facts which shall have
occurred, arisen or existed on or prior to the Closing Date, which liabilities
and obligations, if ever in existence, shall continue to be liabilities and
obligations of Seller or the Shareholders, as the case may be. Specifically,
but without limiting the foregoing, Buyer shall not assume or be liable for
those specific liabilities, including those certain long term debts and notes
payable, set forth on the attached EXHIBIT "3.2". All of the foregoing
liabilities, together with all of the following are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "EXCLUDED LIABILITIES":
3.2.1 VIOLATION OF REPRESENTATIONS, ETC. Debts, obligations or
liabilities which arise or exist in violation of any of the
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of Seller or the
Shareholders contained in this Agreement or in any certificate delivered
to Buyer by or on behalf of Seller or the Shareholders on or before the
Closing Date pursuant to this Agreement or in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby.
3.2.2 UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. Debts, obligations or liabilities of
any kind or nature, whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise,
required by this Agreement to be disclosed to Buyer, if not so disclosed
in writing and specifically assumed in writing by Buyer.
3.2.3 CONTINGENT LIABILITIES. Contingent liabilities of Seller or
the Shareholders of any kind arising or existing on or prior to the
Closing Date, including, but not limited to, claims, proceedings or
causes of action which are currently or hereafter become, the subject of
claims, assertions, litigation or arbitration.
3.2.4 TAXES DUE ON SALE. Debts, obligations or liabilities of
Seller or the Shareholders for Federal, state, county, local, foreign or
other income taxes or assessments (including interest and penalties
thereon, if any) of any kind whatsoever arising from, based upon or
related to the sale, transfer or delivery of the Purchased Assets
pursuant to this Agreement. Buyer and Seller shall pay for any sales or
use taxes arising from Buyer's purchase of the Purchased Assets in equal
shares.
3.2.5 OTHER TAXES. Debts, obligations or liabilities of Seller or
the Shareholders, whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, for
(i) Federal, state and
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city income taxes; (ii) all taxes relating to any real property,
including without limitation the real property included in the Purchased
Assets, for periods prior to the Closing Date; (iii) all franchise taxes
of Seller, (including interest and penalties thereon, if any); and (iv)
any other taxes of Seller or the Shareholders.
3.2.6 PENSION AND OTHER EMPLOYEE PLANS. Debts, obligations or
liabilities that accrue under any pension, profit sharing, savings,
retirement, health, medical, life, disability, dental, deferred
compensation, stock option, bonus, incentive, severance pay, group
insurance or other similar employee plans or arrangements, or under any
policies, handbooks, custom or practice, collective bargaining
agreements, or employment agreements (collectively the "PLANS"), whether
express or implied, applicable to any of Seller's employees that accrue
at any time through and including the Closing Date or for claims of
wrongful discharge, employment discrimination or other similar actions at
any time through and including the Closing Date and for claims after the
Closing Date which relate to any of Seller's employees not being offered
employment by Buyer.
3.2.7 PERSONAL INJURY, PRODUCTS LIABILITY AND RECALL CLAIMS. Debts,
expenses, obligations or liabilities of Seller or the Shareholders
arising out of any claim for personal injury (including worker's
compensation or otherwise), property damage, product recall, product
liability or strict liability, arising from events (including the
shipment of goods) occurring on or prior to the Closing Date (whether or
not such claim is then asserted).
3.2.8 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Any debts, expenses, obligations or
liabilities arising out of claims alleging damage to the environment or
similar claims with respect to the conduct of the Business or the
ownership or operation by Seller or the Shareholders of real property on
or before the Closing Date.
3.2.9 INFRINGEMENTS. Any liability or obligation of Seller or the
Shareholders arising out of any wrongful or unlawful violation or
infringement of any Proprietary Right of any person or entity occurring
on or prior to the Closing Date.
3.2.10 3.2.10 INDEBTEDNESS. Except as provided in Sections 3.1.1.
and 3.1.2, any liabilities or obligations in respect of the borrowing of
money or issuance of any note, bond, indenture, loan, credit agreement or
other evidence of indebtedness or direct or indirect guaranty or
assumption of indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of others, whether
or not disclosed in this Agreement or otherwise ("INDEBTEDNESS") of
Seller or the Shareholders, including, without limitation any
Indebtedness owed to the Shareholders or any other affiliates of Seller.
3.2.11 LITIGATION. Debts, expenses, obligations or liabilities of
Seller or the Shareholders arising out of any claim, action, suit or
proceeding pending on Closing Date or arising out of or relating to
matters or events occurring on or prior to the Closing Date, including
without limitation, any claims set forth on EXHIBIT "4.26".
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3.2.12 REBATES. Any and all liabilities or obligations of Seller in
respect of rebates payable to any of Seller's customers relating to
products sold, ordered or shipped before the Closing Date pursuant to the
terms of Seller's agreements with any such customers.
3.2.13 BONUSES. Any and all liabilities or obligations of Seller
for bonus payments to its employees for periods prior to the Closing
Date.
3.2.14 EXCLUDED ASSETS. Any liabilities or obligations arising out
of or relating to the Excluded Assets.
ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
SELLERS AND SHAREHOLDERS
Seller and Shareholders, jointly and severally, represent and warrant
the following to Buyer (and acknowledge and confirm that Buyer is relying on
these representations and warranties in entering into this Agreement and that
full, fair and adequate consideration as described in this Agreement has been
received therefor).
SECTION 4.1 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND POWER. Seller is duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
New York and has all necessary corporate power to own its properties and to
carry on its business as now owned and operated by it. Seller is duly
qualified or licensed to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction
in which the property owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the
business conducted by it makes such qualification or licensing necessary,
except where the failure to be so duly qualified or licensed and in good
standing would not in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the
Business.
SECTION 4.2 SUBSIDIARIES. Other than the securities described in
Section 1.2.9, Seller does not own, directly or indirectly, any interest or
investment (whether equity or debt) in any corporation, partnership, joint
venture, business, trust or other entity (the "SUBSIDIARIES").
SECTION 4.3 OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS. The authorized
capital stock of Seller consists of 300 shares of common stock without par
value, all of which are currently issued and outstanding (the "COMMON STOCK").
The Common Stock constitutes all of the shares of Corporation and all of such
shares are owned beneficially and of record by Shareholders and are referred to
herein as the "SHARES". All of the Shares are validly issued, fully paid,
nonassessable, and have been so issued in full compliance with all applicable
federal and state securities laws. There are no outstanding subscriptions,
options, rights, warrants, convertible securities or other agreements or
commitments obligating Corporation to issue or to transfer from treasury any
additional shares of its capital stock of any class.
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SECTION 4.4 AUTHORITIES AND CONSENTS. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement by Seller, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly and validly authorized by the
Board of Directors of Seller. Seller and Shareholders represent and warrant
that they have the right, power, legal capacity and authority to enter into and
perform their respective obligations under this Agreement and that no consent
or approval of, notice to or filing with any governmental authority having
jurisdiction over any aspect of the business or assets of Seller, and no
consent or approval of or notice to any other person or entity (except
consents, approvals and notices required in connection with contracts and
leases listed in Exhibits "4.14" and "4.24") is required in connection with the
execution and delivery by Seller and Shareholders of this Agreement or the
consummation by Seller and Shareholders of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
SECTION 4.5 NO BREACH OR VIOLATION. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement by Seller, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, does not and will not result in or constitute
any of the following: (i) a default, breach or violation, or an event that,
with notice or lapse of time or both, would be a default, breach or violation,
of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of the Articles of Incorporation
or By-Laws of Seller, or any lease, license, promissory note, security
agreement, commitment, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement,
instrument or arrangement to which Seller is a party or by which it or its
property is bound, except as set forth in EXHIBIT "4.5" hereto; (ii) an event
that would permit any party to terminate or rescind any agreement or to
accelerate the maturity of any indebtedness or other obligation of Seller; or
(iii) the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance on any of
the properties of Seller.
SECTION 4.6 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. There have heretofore been delivered
to Buyer: (i) compiled financial statements including balance sheets,
statements of income and retained earnings and statements of cash flows for
Seller as of and for the years ended December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1996,
all compiled by Fox & Juran, whose reports with respect to said statements are
included therein (the "FINANCIAL STATEMENTS"); and (ii) an unaudited balance
sheet and statement of income and retained earnings for Seller as of and for
the year ended December 31, 1997, prepared internally by Seller and subject to
year-end adjustments (the "DECEMBER 31, 1997 FINANCIALS").
The Financial Statements: (i) are in accordance with the books of
account and records of Seller; (ii) are true and correct statements of Seller's
financial position and the results of its operations as of the date and for the
period therein specified; (iii) have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles consistently applied; and (iv) have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied; and (iv) while they omit substantially all of the
disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles, do not
include or omit to state any fact which renders such financial statements
materially misleading. The December 31, 1997 Financials: (i) are in accordance
with the books of account and records of Seller; (ii) to the best of Seller's
or Shareholders' knowledge, are true and correct statements of Seller's
financial position and the results of its operations as of the date and for the
period therein specified; (iii) have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles consistently
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applied, except for (x) the omission of required disclosures and (y) the lack
of verification of the liability to the United States Postal Service reflected
therein while they omit substantially all of the disclosures required by
generally accepted accounting principles, to the best of Seller's or
Shareholders' knowledge, do not include or omit to state any fact which renders
such financial statements materially misleading.
SECTION 4.7 BOOKS AND RECORDS. The stock record books of Seller are
complete and correct. The books, records and accounts of Seller maintained
with respect to the Business accurately and fairly reflect the transactions,
assets and liabilities of Seller with respect to the Business in all material
respects.
SECTION 4.8 UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. Except as set forth in EXHIBIT
"4.8", Seller has no material debts, liabilities or obligations of any kind,
whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, which should have been so
reflected or reserved against or disclosed in the Seller's balance sheet dated
as of December 31, 1997, included in the December 31, 1997 Financials, except
for those that may have been incurred subsequent to the date of that balance
sheet. All debts, liabilities and obligations incurred after December 31, 1997
were incurred in the ordinary course of business and are usual and normal in
amount both individually and in the aggregate.
SECTION 4.9 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES. Except as set forth in EXHIBIT
"4.9", since December 31, 1997, Seller has not:
A. Declared, set aside or paid any dividend or other distribution in
respect of its capital stock or otherwise (including bonus distributions
to Shareholders) or redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired, directly
or indirectly, any of its capital stock;
B. Sustained any damage, destruction or loss, by reason of fire,
explosion, earthquake, casualty, labor trouble, requisition or taking of
property by any government or agency thereof, windstorm, embargo, riot,
act of God or public enemy, flood, accident, revocation of license or
right to do business, total or partial termination, suspension, default
or modification of contracts, governmental restriction or regulation,
other calamity or other similar or dissimilar event (whether or not
covered by insurance), materially and adversely affecting its condition
(financial or otherwise), earnings, business, assets, liabilities,
properties, operations or prospects;
C. Had any material adverse change in its condition (financial or
otherwise), earnings, business, assets, properties, liabilities, or
operations;
D. Issued, authorized for issuance, or sold any equity security,
bond, note or other security, or granted, or entered into, any commitment
or obligation to issue or sell any such equity security, bond, note or
other security, whether pursuant to offers, stock option agreements,
stock bonus agreements, stock purchase plans, incentive compensation
plans, warrants, calls, conversion rights or otherwise;
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E. Incurred additional debt for borrowed money, or incurred any
obligation or liability (fixed, contingent or otherwise) except in the
ordinary and usual course of its business;
F. Paid any material obligation or liability (fixed, contingent or
otherwise), or discharged or satisfied any lien or encumbrance, or
settled any liability, claim, dispute, proceeding, suit or appeal,
pending or threatened against it or any of its assets or properties,
except in the ordinary and usual course of its business;
G. Mortgaged, pledged, otherwise encumbered or subjected to lien any
of its assets or properties, tangible or intangible, except for liens for
current taxes which are not yet due and payable and purchase-money liens
arising out of the purchase or sale of products or services made in the
ordinary and usual course of its business;
H. Sold, transferred, leased, licensed or otherwise disposed of any
asset or property, tangible or intangible, except in the ordinary and
usual course of its business, or discontinued any product line or the
manufacture, sale or other disposition of any of its products or services;
I. Purchased or otherwise acquired any debt or equity securities of
any corporation, partnership, joint venture, firm or other entity;
J. Made any expenditure for the purchase, acquisition, construction
or improvement of a capital asset, except in the ordinary and usual
course of its business;
K. Entered into any transaction or contract, or made any commitment
to do the same, except in the ordinary and usual course of business and
not involving an amount in any case in excess of $25,000.00;
L. Waived any right or claim or canceled any debts or claims other
than in the ordinary and usual course of its business or voluntarily
suffered any extraordinary losses;
M. Sold, assigned, transferred or conveyed any property rights,
except in the ordinary and usual course of business;
N. Effected any material amendment or supplement to any employee
profit sharing, stock option, stock purchase, pension, bonus, incentive,
retirement, medical reimbursement, life insurance, deferred compensation
or any other employee benefit plan or arrangement;
O. Paid to or for the benefit of any of its directors, officers,
employees or shareholders any compensation of any kind other than base
wages, salaries and benefits;
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P. Effected any change in its directors or executive management;
Q. Effected any amendment or modification in its Articles of
Incorporation or By-Laws;
R. Had any labor trouble that has or might reasonably be expected to
materially and adversely affect its condition (financial or otherwise),
earnings, business, assets, liabilities, properties, or operations;
S. Changed its accounting methods or practices (including, without
limitation, any change in depreciation or amortization policies or
rates);
T. Revalued any of its assets;
U. Other than in the ordinary course of business, increased the
salary or other compensation payable or to become payable to any of its
officers, directors or employees, or declared, paid or committed to pay a
bonus or other additional salary or compensation to any such person;
V. Made any loan to any person or entity, or guaranteed any loan;
W. Had any other event or condition of any character that has or
might reasonably be expected to have a material and adverse effect on its
condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business, assets,
liabilities, properties, or operations; or
X. Agreed, committed or entered into any other understanding to do
any of the things described in the preceding Subsections A through W.
SECTION 4.10 TAXES. Except as set forth in EXHIBIT "4.10" within the
times and in the manner prescribed by law, Seller has filed all tax returns
required to be filed and has properly accrued, paid or made adequate provision
for payment of all taxes upon it, its properties, income or franchises, due and
payable on or before the date hereof. Except as set forth in EXHIBIT "4.10",
there are no claims pending against Seller for past-due taxes, nor has Seller
been notified of any such claims. Except as set forth in EXHIBIT "4.10", (i)
there are no present disputes or discussions with federal, state, local,
foreign, commonwealth or other authorities with respect to any taxes of any
nature payable by Seller, and (ii) there are no outstanding waivers or
agreements by Seller for the extension of the time for the assessment of any
tax. The tax returns of Seller, if audited, have been finally determined by
the Internal Revenue Service or other taxing authority, or otherwise closed,
and any penalties, deficiencies, assessments, additions to tax and interest
proposed as a result of such audits have been paid or settled. The charges,
accruals and reserves for taxes reflected in the balance sheet as of December
31, 1997, and included in the December 31, 1997 Financials, are adequate for
any and all taxes for the period ending the date of such balance sheet and for
all prior periods, whether or not disputed. As used in this Section 4.10, the
terms "tax" and "taxes" refer to any tax,
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assessment, additions to tax, fee, penalty, interest or other governmental
charge imposed by any federal, state, county, local, foreign, commonwealth or
other governmental entity. Seller has never filed, nor will it file, any
consent under Section 341(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
on or before the Closing Date.
SECTION 4.11 RECEIVABLES AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE. Except as set forth in
EXHIBIT "4.11", all Receivables are carried at values determined in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, reflect all
material pertinent facts known to Seller as of the date hereof, and represent
valid and binding obligations of the debtors requiring no further performance
by Seller and are collectible in full, subject to the reserve, without any
set-off whatsoever substantially within 90 days from the date on which such
receivable was created. Except as set forth in EXHIBIT "4.11", reserves for
doubtful accounts have been established on the books of Seller in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied and are
reflected on the December 31, 1997 Adjusted Balance Sheet as of such date. The
accounts payable listed in Exhibit 3.1.1 are all of the accounts payable of
Seller as of December 31, 1997 and such list is complete and accurate as of
such date.
SECTION 4.12 INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT SECURITIES. Seller has no
interest, of record or beneficial, direct or indirect, in any governmental
bonds or notes, other investment securities assets held for investment except
as set forth in EXHIBIT "4.12".
SECTION 4.13 REAL PROPERTY.
A. EXHIBIT "4.13" sets forth a complete and accurate address of each
parcel of real property, together with all buildings, fixtures and other
improvements located thereon (collectively, the "REAL PROPERTY") which is
either owned by or leased to Seller.
B. To the best of Seller's and Shareholders' knowledge, the Real
Property and the current and currently planned use thereof by Seller is
and will be in material compliance with all applicable use restrictions
and/or lease covenants.
C. No notice of violation of any applicable federal, state or local
statute, law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order or requirement, or of
any covenant, condition, restriction or easement affecting the Real
Property or with respect to the use or occupancy of the Real Property,
has been given to Seller by any governmental authority having
jurisdiction over the Real Property or by any other person entitled to
enforce the same.
D. Seller has not subjected, and will not hereafter subject, the
Real Property or any portion thereof to any lease (except a lease by
Seller), sublease, tenancy, concession, license, occupancy agreement or
similar right, mortgage, deed of trust, lien, encumbrance, claim, charge,
equity, covenant, condition, restriction, easement, right of way or other
matter affecting the Real Property or any portion thereof except as set
forth in Exhibit "4.13", other than any of the foregoing that would not
reasonably be expected to
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have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the
business or financial results of Seller.
E. To the best of Seller's or Shareholders' knowledge, there are no
unpaid taxes, assessments (special, general or otherwise) or bonds of any
nature affecting the Real Property or any portion thereof, that are due
and payable by Seller.
SECTION 4.14 LEASES. EXHIBIT "4.14" lists all leases, rental
agreements, conditional sales contracts and other similar agreements
(collectively, "LEASES"), as amended, which cannot be terminated by Seller
without liability at any time upon 30 days' notice or which involve payment
by Seller in the future of more than $25,000.00, under which Seller holds or
uses any real or personal property or leases any of the same to others. Seller
has complied with the material provisions of all Leases, and all such Leases
are valid and enforceable by Seller in accordance with their terms, except as
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws affecting the rights of
creditors generally and by limitations on enforceability applicable to
contracts generally. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Leases, Seller
has such title to or interests thereunder as are necessary to continue to
conduct its business as presently conducted or as presently proposed to be
conducted, and to the best of Seller's or Shareholders' knowledge there is no
title defect to which any of the Leases is subject which might reasonably be
expected at any time to have a material adverse effect on Seller or its
condition (financial or other), earnings, assets, liabilities, business, or
operations. Exhibit "4.14" sets out any and all advances, deposits and
prepayments made by Seller under the Leases.
SECTION 4.15 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.
A. None of the operations or property of Seller is or has been
subject to any judicial or administrative proceeding, order, judgment,
decree or settlement alleging or addressing a violation of or liability
under any requirements of law derived from or relating to all federal,
state and local laws relating to or addressing the environment, health or
safety (including, without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. Section Section 9601
et seq., Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. Section Section
651 et seq., Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Section
Section 6901 et seq., Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Section Section 7401 et
seq., Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. Section Section
1251 et seq., and any similar federal or state acts or statutes now in
effect), which requirements are sometimes herein collectively referred to
as the "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS".
B. Neither Seller nor the Shareholders have any knowledge of a
"RELEASE" (defined as any spill, emission, leaking, deposit, discharge,
dispersal or other release) nor has Seller filed any notice under any
applicable Environmental Laws reporting such Release into the indoor or
outdoor environment or into or out of any of the Real Property
(including movement in or through the air, soil, surface water,
groundwater or property) of a "CONTAMINANT" (defined as any hazardous
substance, toxic substance, hazardous waste, special waste, petroleum or
petroleum-derived substance or waste, asbestos,
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polychlorinated biphenyls, or any constituent of any of the foregoing,
including such items as are defined under any federal, state or local law
or regulation), or indicating past or present treatment, storage
(other than for less than 90 days) or disposal of a "HAZARDOUS WASTE" (as
that term is defined under 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 261 or any
state equivalent) or reporting a material violation of any applicable
Environmental Laws, other than Releases that would not reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse
effect on the business or financial results of Seller.
C. Neither Seller nor the Shareholders have received any written
notice, claim or report from any governmental authority or third party to
the effect that Seller is or may be liable to any other person or entity
as a result of the Release or threatened Release of a Contaminant into
the environment.
SECTION 4.16 PROPRIETARY RIGHTS. EXHIBIT "4.16" contains a list and
brief description of all trade names, trademarks, trademark registrations and
applications for registration, service marks, patent rights, patent
applications, trade secrets, copyrights and applications therefor (herein
collectively referred to as "PROPRIETARY RIGHTS") owned by Seller, used in the
conduct of its business, or in which Seller has any rights or licenses
immunities and of all patent licensing and similar arrangements to which Seller
is a party. All Proprietary Rights are, valid and in full force and effect.
SECTION 4.17 NON-INFRINGEMENT; AGREEMENTS. To the best of Seller's or
Shareholders' knowledge, except as set forth in EXHIBIT "4.17", no Proprietary
Right is the subject of litigation or other adversarial proceedings. To the
best of Seller's or Shareholders' knowledge, no present or presently proposed
operation or activity of Seller infringes the rights of any other person or
entity, and no person or entity is infringing the Proprietary Rights of Seller
in any material respect. Seller has the right and authority, including without
limitation adequate licenses, to use such Proprietary Rights as are necessary
to enable Seller to conduct and continue to conduct all phases of its business
in the manner presently conducted by it. Except as set forth in EXHIBIT
"4.17", Seller is not a party to or bound by any license or agreement requiring
the payment by it of any royalty, override or similar payment in connection
with any activity conducted or to be conducted by it. Except as provided for
by the terms of contracts with governmental authorities, Seller is not a party
to any agreement: (i) prohibiting restricting its use or sale of any special
device, item, customer list, secret process or the like; or (ii) limiting its
business to any territory, pricing policy or customers; or (iii) requiring
exclusive dealing or otherwise in restraint of its business.
SECTION 4.18 INSURANCE. All policies of liability, theft, life, fire,
title and other forms of insurance and surety bonds (including, without
limitation, any standby letters of credit), insuring Seller, its directors,
officers, employees, properties, assets and business are listed and briefly
described on EXHIBIT "4.18". All of said policies are valid and in good
standing. Seller has not experienced losses or made claims under any of such
policies which are extraordinary for a company of its size except as are set
forth on EXHIBIT "4.18".
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SECTION 4.19 INTERESTED TRANSACTIONS. Seller has no contract or
agreement (oral or written) with, any outstanding loans to or from, or any
outstanding liabilities (except for no more than one month's salary at no more
than the current annual rate) to any officer, director, employee or stockholder
of Seller or any relative of any such person or any corporation or other entity
in which any of such persons has a material financial interest, direct or
indirect, or of which any such person is an officer, director or partner,
except as set forth in EXHIBIT "4.19".
SECTION 4.20 CUSTOMERS AND SALES. To the best of Seller's or
Shareholders' knowledge, there are no facts or circumstances indicating that
any customer who has ordered products or services from Seller which have not
yet been delivered intends to cancel such order. To the best of Seller's or
Shareholders' knowledge, no customer of Seller whose annual purchases exceed
$250,000 intends to cease doing business with Seller, or materially alter the
amount of the business that they are presently doing with Seller.
SECTION 4.21 EXISTING EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND/OR REMUNERATION
AGREEMENTS. EXHIBIT 4.21 sets forth a complete and accurate list of all
employment contracts or other agreements or arrangements providing for employee
remuneration or benefits to which Seller is a party or by which Seller is
bound, copies of the originals of which have been provided to Buyer. All such
contracts and arrangements are in full force and effect, and neither Seller
nor, to the best of Seller's or Shareholders' knowledge, any other party is in
default under any such contract or arrangement, nor are there any material
amendments, modifications, changes or releases thereto, written or oral. To
the best of Seller's or Shareholders' knowledge, there have been no claims of
defaults and there are no facts or conditions which if continued, or upon
notice, will result in a default under such contracts or arrangements. There
is no pending labor dispute, strike or work stoppage affecting the business of
Seller, nor, to the best of Seller's or Shareholders' knowledge, has any labor
dispute, strike or work stoppage been threatened in writing.
SECTION 4.22 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PLANS. EXHIBIT 4.22 sets forth a
complete and accurate list of the Plans (including any plan within the meaning
of Section 3(3) of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act, "ERISA"), to
which Seller is a party or by which Seller is bound, copies of which have
previously been delivered to Buyer. There are no unfunded liabilities or other
obligations of Seller with respect to any of the Plans except as set forth on
Exhibit 4.22 hereto. All of the Plans are in material compliance with ERISA
and any and all other laws applicable to their formation and ongoing operation.
SECTION 4.23 WORKERS COMPENSATION; EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION; LABOR
RELATIONS. Seller has complied in all material respects with all applicable
federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and executive orders relating
to employment, all applicable laws, rules and regulations governing payment of
minimum wages and overtime rates, and the withholding and payment of taxes from
compensation of employees and the payment of premiums and benefits under
applicable worker compensation laws. There are no employment discrimination
proceedings by any employee or former employees against Seller currently
pending or, to the best of Seller's and Shareholders' knowledge, threatened,
before any state or federal court or state or federal
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administrative agency, tribunal, commission or board and, to the best of
Seller's or Shareholders' knowledge, no facts or circumstances exist which
might reasonably be expected to result in the filing or commencement of any
such proceeding. All currently pending or outstanding worker's compensation
claims are listed on EXHIBIT "4.23" attached hereto and all such claims are
fully insured against. To the best of Seller's or Shareholders' knowledge,
there is no effort being made to organize the employees of Seller into any
collective bargaining unit or to solicit them to join any labor organization.
Seller is not bound by any prior court, administrative agency, tribunal,
commission or board, decree, judgment, decision, arbitration agreement or
settlement relating to collective bargaining agreements, conditions of
employment or, to the best of Seller's or Shareholders' knowledge, attempts to
organize a collective bargaining unit which may adversely affect the business
and affairs of Seller or the transactions contemplated hereby. Except as set
forth on EXHIBIT "4.23", there is no unfair labor practice complaint against
Seller pending before the National Labor Relations Board.
SECTION 4.24 OTHER CONTRACTS. EXHIBIT "4.24" lists and briefly
describes all contracts, agreements, commitments, guarantees, letters of
intent, understandings or other arrangements of a contractual nature, written
or oral (including, but not limited to, franchise, patent, trademark and
royalty agreements), other than outstanding contracts, agreements and purchase
orders made in the ordinary course of business and other than as listed in any
other schedule hereto, to which Seller is a party and which: (i) involve
payment by Seller of more than $25,000.00; or (ii) materially affect the
condition (financial or other), earnings, assets, liabilities, business, or
operations of Seller. Seller has, to the best of Seller's or Shareholders'
knowledge, complied in all material respects with the provisions of all
contracts under which it is bound, and is not in material default and has not
claimed default under any thereof.
SECTION 4.25 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS, ETC. EXHIBIT "4.25" is a true and
complete list of:
A. The names of all present officers and directors of Seller, their
current annual salaries or other compensation (such as, but not limited
to, consultants' fees) and including all bonuses, whether deferred,
accrued or otherwise, which were paid or accrued during 1997, and all
employment and consultant agreements (copies of which have been provided
to Buyer); and
B. The names, titles and annual compensation of all salaried
employees of Seller whose compensation (in whatever form) from Seller as
of the date hereof will equal or exceed or which will be likely to exceed
an annual rate of $75,000 in 1998 or which equaled such amount in the
year ended December 31, 1997.
SECTION 4.26 LITIGATION AND CLAIMS. Except as set forth on EXHIBIT
"4.26", there is: (i) no action, suit, proceeding, claim or investigation
pending or, to the best of Seller's or Shareholders' knowledge, threatened, in
any court or before any arbitrator or before or by any federal, state or other
governmental department, commission, bureau, agency or instrumentality,
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domestic or foreign; and (ii) to the best of Seller's or Shareholders'
knowledge, no other unresolved claim made against Seller or affecting it or its
properties or business, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
any factual or legal basis for any such action, suit, proceeding, claim or
investigation, which would materially affect any of the same. All
correspondence, memoranda and other written notifications (collectively,
"COMPLAINTS") which Seller has received within the 12 months preceding the date
hereof concerning, or relating to, complaints or expressions of
dissatisfaction with the products, services or personnel of Seller, which
Complaints, either individually, or in the aggregate, might reasonably be
expected to result in a material adverse change to the condition (finanical or
other), earnings, business, assets, or operations of Seller are listed on
EXHIBIT "4.26" and Buyer has been provided with accurate and complete copies of
same. Except as set forth on EXHIBIT "4.26", Seller is not presently engaged in
any legal action to recover monies due to it or damages sustained by it.
SECTION 4.27 INVENTORY. The inventory of Seller, including all raw
materials, work-in-process and finished goods, reflected in the Financial
Statements, and the inventory acquired since the date thereof, net, in each
case, of provisions for shrinkage and obsolescence, if any, reflected on the
Financial Statements and Seller's books and records, are and will at the
Closing Date consist of items of a quantity and quality which are usable and
salable in the ordinary course of the business of Seller consistent with past
practice.
SECTION 4.28 BANK ACCOUNTS, GUARANTEES AND POWERS. EXHIBIT "4.28" sets
forth: (a) a list of all accounts, borrowing resolutions and deposit boxes
maintained by Seller at any bank or other financial institution and the names
of the persons authorized to effect transactions in such accounts and with
access to such boxes; (b) all agreements or commitments of Seller guaranteeing
the payment of money or the performance of other contracts by Seller or by any
third persons; and (c) the names of all persons, firms, associations,
corporations or business organizations holding guard or special powers of
attorney from Seller, together with a summary of the terms thereof.
SECTION 4.29 GENERAL LIABILITY. To the best of Seller's or
Shareholders' knowledge there is no statement of facts or the occurrence of any
event that would reasonably be expected to form the basis for any present tort
claim against Seller not covered by insurance.
SECTION 4.30 OTHER TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY. EXHIBIT "4.30" contains
a complete and accurate list and brief description of all machinery, tools,
dies, appliances, vehicles, furniture, equipment (including essential
replacement parts) and other tangible personal property of any kind and
description, other than inventories, owned or leased by Seller (the "TANGIBLE
PERSONAL PROPERTY"). The Tangible Personal Property constitutes all tangible
personal property necessary for the conduct by Seller of its business as now
conducted. All motor vehicles listed on EXHIBIT "4.30" have passed emission
standards examinations required by applicable law. Except as stated in EXHIBIT
"4.30", no Tangible Personal Property used by Seller in connection with its
business is held under any lease, security agreement, conditional sales
contract or other title retention or security arrangement, or is located other
than in the possession of Seller.
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SECTION 4.31 TITLE TO ASSETS. Except for the property set forth on
EXHIBIT "4.31" and property leased by Seller, Seller has good and marketable
title to all its assets and interests in assets, whether real, personal, mixed,
tangible and intangible, that are used in its business. All these assets are
free and clear of mortgages, liens, pledges, charges, encumbrances, claims,
easements, rights of way, covenants, conditions or restrictions, except for:
(i) those disclosed in Seller's balance sheet included in the December 31, 1997
Financials; (ii) the lien of current taxes not yet due and payable; and (iii)
minor matters that, in the aggregate, are not substantial in amount and do not
materially detract from or interfere with the present or intended use of any of
these assets, nor materially impair business operations. All real property and
tangible personal property of Seller is in good operating condition and repair,
ordinary wear and tear excepted. Seller is in possession of all premises
leased to it from others. No officer, nor any director or employee of Seller,
nor any spouse, child or relative of any of these persons, owns or has any
interest, directly or indirectly, in any of the real or personal property owned
by or leased to or any copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade names or trade
secrets licensed by Seller.
SECTION 4.32 INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS. In connection with Seller
and/or Shareholders potential acquisition of Lason Shares pursuant to Sections
2.1 and 2.3 hereof:
A. Seller and Shareholders were given the Prospectus of Lason, Inc.
dated August 22, 1997 and the opportunity to ask questions and receive
answers concerning Lason, Inc. and the terms and conditions of the offer
and sale and to obtain any additional information possessed by Lason,
Inc. or which Lason, Inc. could acquire without unreasonable effort or
expense necessary to verify the accuracy of the information provided to
Seller and Shareholders about Lason, Inc.;
B. Seller and the Shareholders are acquiring the Lason Shares solely
for their own account for investment and not with the view to sale or
distribution of the Lason Shares acquired hereunder or any portion
thereof and not with any intention of selling, offering to sell, or
otherwise disposing of or distributing the Lason Shares acquired
hereunder or any portion thereof;
C. Seller and the Shareholders have received all information each
deemed necessary and appropriate to enable such entity or person to
evaluate the financial risk inherent in making an investment in the Lason
Shares;
D. Each Shareholder is an accredited investor as such term is
defined in Regulation D, Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "1933 ACT"), or is sophisticated in financial matters and
able to evaluate the risk and benefits of an investment in Lason, Inc.;
and
E. Seller and the Shareholders represent and warrant that each will
not sell, assign or transfer any of the Lason Shares received as part of
the Purchase Price except (i) pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the 1933 Act; or (ii) in a transaction
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which, in the opinion of independent counsel reasonably satisfactory
to Buyer, is not required to be registered under the 1933 Act.
SECTION 4.33 BEST KNOWLEDGE. The term "TO THE BEST OF SELLER'S OR
SHAREHOLDERS' KNOWLEDGE," or equivalent terms, as used to qualify any of the
foregoing representations and warranties, means actual knowledge of a
Shareholder as to the subject matter of such representations and warranties.
SECTION 4.34 ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS OF REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES. No representation or warranty made by Seller and Shareholders in
this Agreement and no statement contained in any document or instrument
delivered or to be delivered to Buyer pursuant hereto or in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby contains or will contain any untrue statement
of a known material fact, or omits or will omit to state a known material fact
necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
ARTICLE 5
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER AND LASON, INC.
Buyer with respect to Buyer and Lason, Inc. with respect to Lason,
Inc., hereby represent and warrant to Seller and Shareholders as follows:
SECTION 5.1 ORGANIZATION. Buyer and Lason, Inc. are corporations duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware, and have the corporate power and are duly authorized to carry on
their businesses where and as now conducted and to own, lease and operate
properties as they now do.
SECTION 5.2 AUTHORIZATION. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement by Buyer and Lason, Inc. and the Guaranty attached hereto by
Lason Inc., and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby, have been duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors of
each. Buyer and Lason, Inc. represent and warrant that they have the right,
power, legal capacity and authority to enter into and perform their respective
obligations under this Agreement (and with respect to Lason Inc., the Guaranty)
and that no consent or approval of, notice to or filing with any governmental
authority having jurisdiction over any aspect of the business or assets of
Buyer and Lason, Inc., and no consent or approval of or notice to any other
person or entity is required in connection with the execution and delivery by
Buyer and Lason, Inc. of this Agreement or Guaranty or the consummation by
Buyer and Lason, Inc. of the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 5.3 NO BREACH. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by Buyer and Lason, Inc. and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby
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and thereby, do not and will not result in or constitute any of the following:
(i) a breach of any term or provision of this Agreement; (ii) a default, breach
or violation, or an event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would be
a default, breach or violation of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of
the Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws of Buyer or Lason, Inc.; (iii) a
default, breach or violation, or an event that, with notice or lapse of time or
both, would be a default, breach or violation of any of the terms, conditions
or provisions of, or any lease, license, promissory note, security agreement,
commitment, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement, instrument
or arrangement to which Buyer of Lason, Inc. is a party or by which it or its
property is bound; (iv) an event that would permit any party to terminate or
rescind any agreement to accelerate the maturity of any indebtedness or other
obligation of Buyer or Lason, Inc.; or (v) the creation or imposition of any
lien, charge or encumbrance on any of the properties of Buyer or Lason, Inc.
SECTION 5.4 NO BREACH BY SELLER. Buyer and Lason, Inc. know of no
facts or circumstances that may tend to cause, or relate to, an existing or
potential breach or default by Seller of the material terms, conditions,
representations and warranties set forth herein.
SECTION 5.5 VALIDLY ISSUED. The total authorized number of shares of
capital stock which Lason, Inc. has authority to issue is 20,000,000 shares of
Common Stock, par value of $0.01 per share, of which as of December 31, 1997,
11,637,640 shares are issued and outstanding, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which as of December 31, 1997, no shares
are issued and outstanding. Additionally, as of December 31, 1997, certain
persons hold options to acquire approximately 868,828 shares of Lason Common
Stock. When issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Lason
Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Except with
respect to the foregoing and future acquisitions by Lason, Inc., at December
31, 1997, there are no other outstanding subscriptions, options, rights,
warrants, convertible securities or other agreements or commitments obligating
Lason, Inc. to issue any additional shares of its capital stock of any class.
Notwithstanding the above, Lason, Inc. intends to issue additional securities
in connection with, among others, future acquisitions and employee compensation
SECTION 5.6 TRADING ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET. The shares of Lason
Common Stock are currently registered for trading on the NASDAQ National Market
under the symbol "LSON". As soon as practicable, and in any event within 60
days following the Closing Date, Lason, Inc. will prepare and file the
applicable listing application with respect to the Lason Shares with the NASDAQ
National Market and will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such
Lason Shares to be so listed as promptly as practicable following such filing.
SECTION 5.7 LASON, INC. PROSPECTUS. The Lason Prospectus dated August
22, 1997 and its most recent Form 10-Q do not contain any untrue statements of
a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading. There have been no material adverse changes in the
condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business, assets, liabilities,
properties, or operations or prospects of Buyer or Lason, Inc. since August 22,
1997.
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ARTICLE 6
FURTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES
SECTION 6.1 ACCESS TO INFORMATION. Buyer and its representatives may
make such investigation of the properties, assets and business of Seller as
Buyer may reasonably request, and Seller shall give to Buyer and to its
counsel, accountants and other representatives, full access during normal
business hours to all of the properties, books, contracts, commitments, records
and files of Seller, and shall furnish to Buyer all such documents and copies
of documents (certified as true and complete if requested) and such information
concerning the business and affairs of Seller as Buyer may reasonably request.
Such investigation shall not be deemed in any way to diminish the liability of
Seller and Shareholders in respect of the representations, warranties,
schedules, certificates or agreements given hereunder. Buyer shall promptly
make Seller and Shareholders aware of any alleged breaches of covenants or
alleged misrepresentations, if any, discovered as a result of such
investigation.
SECTION 6.2 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY SELLER. From the date hereof until
the Closing Date, except as Buyer may previously consent in writing, Seller
shall:
A. Carry on its business and activities in the ordinary course as
previously carried on, and shall not make or institute any methods of
management, accounting or operation that will vary materially from those
methods used by Seller as of the date of this Agreement. Without
limitation of the generality of the foregoing, Seller shall not enter
into any agreement or arrangement involving the sale or lease of a
material portion of its assets or the granting of any preferential right
to purchase such assets, properties or rights, except in connection with
the sale or lease of inventory to customers in the ordinary course of
business;
B. Maintain in full force and effect the insurance policies listed
in EXHIBIT "4.18" to this Agreement;
C. Make no change in its Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws,
except to change its name as contemplated herein;
D. Enter into no contract or commitment, except contracts or
commitments entered into in the ordinary course of business, none of
which (other than inventory purchases customary in nature and amount)
shall involve payment by Seller of more than $25,000.00;
E. Terminate none of the contracts or agreements listed in EXHIBIT
"4.24" or modify any of said contracts or agreements except in accordance
with their terms;
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F. (i) Grant no increase in salaries or compensation payable or to
become payable by it to any officer, employee, sales agent or
representative, other than increases in customary amounts pursuant to
normally scheduled salary reviews; or (ii) increase no benefits payable
under any employee plan or otherwise to any officer, employee, sales
agent or representative;
G. Duly comply in all material respects with all laws, regulations,
ordinances, orders, injunctions and decrees applicable to it and to the
conduct of its business;
H. Encumber or mortgage none of its property or incur no liability
for borrowed money, other than in the ordinary course of business, make
no loans or advances to or assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become
liable with respect to, the obligations of any other person, firm or
corporation;
I. Acquire or agree to acquire none of the assets or capital stock
of any other person, firm or corporation, except for purchases from
suppliers in the ordinary course of business;
J. Make or agree to make no capital expenditures in excess of
$25,000.00 for any single item, or $50,000.00 in the aggregate, or enter
into any leases of capital equipment or property under which the annual
lease charge is in excess of $25,000.00;
K. Maintain and keep its properties and facilities in as good
condition and working order as at present, except for depreciation
through ordinary wear and tear;
L. Perform all of its obligations under contracts relating to or
affecting its assets, properties and rights, except for non-material
failures;
M. Not do, or agree to do, except in the ordinary course of
business, any of the following acts: (i) pay any obligation or liability,
fixed or contingent, other than current liabilities; (ii) waive or
compromise any right or claim; or (iii) cancel, without full payment, any
note, loan or other obligation owing to Seller;
N. Enter into no negotiations or agreements with any governmental
authority (other than negotiations or agreements for the purchase of
goods or services from Seller) which would reasonably be expected to
result in a material adverse effect with respect to the future operation
of its business;
O. Write off none of the receivables on its books, except in the
ordinary course of business; and
P. Enter into a lease for real property with any Shareholder or any
persons or entities affiliated with him.
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SECTION 6.3 CONSENTS. Seller shall obtain the consent, waiver or
approval of all persons whose consent is required to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, in form and substance satisfactory to Buyer.
SECTION 6.4 COMMUNICATIONS. Each party hereto agrees to consult and
obtain the prior approval of the other parties, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed, on reasonable notice as to the content of any
press releases or any written statements for general circulation regarding the
subject contained in this Agreement.
SECTION 6.5 UPDATING OF SCHEDULES. From the date hereof until the
Closing Date, Seller shall keep up to date all of the schedules, exhibits and
certificates furnished (or to be furnished) under this Agreement, and shall
promptly notify Buyer of any changes, additions or events which may, after the
lapse of time, cause any change or addition thereto.
SECTION 6.6 DELIVERY OF LASON STOCK CERTIFICATE. Buyer and Lason, Inc.
shall cause the Transfer Agent (as hereinafter defined) to issue and deliver to
Shareholders certificates registered in Shareholders' names evidencing the
Lason Shares within seven (7) days following the Closing Date.
SECTION 6.7 REGISTRATION OF LASON COMMON STOCK. If subsequent to the
Closing but prior to the time Seller or Shareholders may sell all of the Lason
Shares without restriction pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, (the "Act"), the provision of such Rule 144(k) are amended so
as to prohibit Seller or Shareholders from selling the Lason Shares in the same
quantities and at the same times as they are permitted to do under Rule 144(k)
on the date hereof, Seller or Shareholders shall have the right to require
Lason, Inc. to take the following actions:
A. Subject only to the proviso set forth in the last sentence of
this Section 6.7(A), Lason, Inc. shall, at its own cost and expense: (i)
prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a
registration statement on Form S-3, or other applicable form (the
"Registration Statement") under the Act covering the Lason Shares that
may be issued to Seller or any Shareholder pursuant to Sections 2.1 and
2.3 hereof and naming Seller and each of the Shareholders as a "Selling
Shareholder" in the Registration Statement prior to the end of the
lock-up period described in this Agreement; (ii) have the Registration
Statement declared effective by the SEC prior to the end of the lock-up
period described in this Agreement; and (iii) maintain the Registration
Statement in effect until the earlier of: (x) the sale of all of the
Lason Shares by Seller or any of the Shareholders, as the case may be,
and (y) the date Seller or any Shareholder may sell such shares without
restriction pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Act hereunder. Seller and
Shareholders agree to cooperate and provide Lason, Inc. with all
information and consents necessary to permit their inclusion as a
"Selling Shareholder" in the Registration Statement. In the event that a
Registration Statement on Form S-3 cannot be filed due to a change in
government regulation, Lason, Inc. shall use its best efforts to
accomplish registration through an alternative means.
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B. Lason, Inc. agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Seller and
Shareholders against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which
any of them may become subject insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities arise out of any untrue statement of any material fact
contained in the Registration Statement or arise out of the omission to
state in the Registration Statement a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances in which they were made, not misleading; provided, however,
that Lason, Inc. shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that
any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of an untrue
statement or omission made in the Registration Statement in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished to Lason, Inc. by Seller or
any Shareholder.
C. Seller and each of the Shareholders, as to their own acts or
omissions only, agree to indemnify and hold harmless Lason, Inc. against
any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which Lason, Inc. may
become subject insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities
arise out of any untrue statement of any material fact contained in the
Registration Statement or arise out of the omission to state in the
Registration Statement a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
in which they were made, not misleading, in each case solely to the
extent that such untrue statement or omission was made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished to Lason, Inc. by Seller or
any of the Shareholders, as the case may be.
SECTION 6.8 EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS. Steven Fruchter, Philip Fruchter and
Laurence Braun agree to all of the terms and conditions of those certain
Employment Agreements in the forms attached hereto as Exhibit 6.8.A, Exhibit
6.8.B and Exhibit 6.8.C, except with respect to the blanks to be completed
therein.
SECTION 6.9 POSTAGE ESCROW. Seller shall at Closing pay out of the
Cash Consideration the sum of $4,000,000 to Seyburn, Kahn, Ginn, Bess, Deitch
and Serlin (the "POSTAGE ESCROW AGENT"), to be held in escrow by the Postage
Escrow Agent pursuant to the terms and conditions of that certain escrow
agreement (the "POSTAGE ESCROW AGREEMENT") attached hereto as EXHIBIT "6.9".
SECTION 6.10 AMERICAN DISCOUNT MAIL CENTERS INC.. Promptly after
Closing, Seller and Shareholders shall cause Seller's affiliated corporation,
American Discount Mail Centers, Inc., a New Jersey corporation, to be
dissolved.
ARTICLE 7
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS
OF SELLER AND SHAREHOLDERS
The obligations of Seller and Shareholders to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to the following
conditions, except as Seller and Shareholders may waive in writing in
accordance with Section 12.5 below:
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SECTION 7.1 PERFORMANCE. Buyer shall have performed and complied with
all agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or
satisfied by it on or prior to the Closing Date.
SECTION 7.2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The representations,
warranties and covenants of Buyer and Lason, Inc., set forth in Article 5
hereof, shall be true and correct in all material respects on the date hereof,
and on the Closing Date, as if made again at and as of such time, subject to
any transactions which are contemplated or permitted by this Agreement.
SECTION 7.3 CERTIFICATE OF OFFICER. Buyer shall have delivered to
Seller certificates dated as of the Closing Date executed by the Chief
Executive Officer of Buyer and an executive officer of Lason, Inc., in form and
substance satisfactory to Seller, certifying the fulfillment of the conditions
set forth in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 above.
SECTION 7.4 LEGAL OPINION. Seyburn, Kahn, Ginn, Bess, Deitch and
Serlin, P.C., counsel for Buyer and Lason, Inc., shall have delivered to Seller
at Closing its opinion to the effect set forth in EXHIBIT "7.4".
SECTION 7.5 AUTHORIZATION OF TRANSACTION. All actions necessary to
authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Buyer
and Lason, Inc., and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby,
shall have been duly and validly taken by the Boards of Directors of Buyer and
Lason, Inc.
SECTION 7.6 LITIGATION. Immediately prior to the Closing Date, there
shall be no litigation or proceeding: (i) pending or, to the best knowledge of
any party hereto, threatened in writing against Buyer, Lason, Inc. or Seller,
or any of their respective directors, officers or shareholders, or involving
the assets or properties of any of them, for the purpose of enjoining or
preventing the consummation of this Agreement or otherwise claiming that such
consummation is improper; or (ii) pending against Buyer, Lason, Inc. or Seller
which, if decided adversely, would adversely affect the right of Buyer to
acquire the Purchased Assets or to continue the operations of the Business
after the Closing Date. Immediately prior to the Closing Date, there shall be
no governmental investigation pending or threatened which, in the reasonable
judgment of Seller might lead to or result in any litigation or proceeding of
the nature referred to in the foregoing sentence.
SECTION 7.7 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS/TERM OF EMPLOYMENT. Buyer shall have
executed and delivered to Steven Fruchter, Philip Fruchter and Laurence Braun
those certain Employment Agreements with Steven Fruchter, Philip Fruchter and
Laurence Braun, respectively, in the forms attached hereto as Exhibit 6.8 A,
Exhibit 6.8 B. and Exhibit 6.8 C.
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ARTICLE 8
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF BUYER
The obligations of Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement shall be subject to the following conditions, except as Buyer
may waive in writing in accordance with Section 12.5 below:
SECTION 8.1 AUTHORIZATION OF TRANSACTION. All action necessary to
authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Seller
and the Shareholders and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby shall have been duly and validly taken by the Board of Directors of
Seller and by the Shareholders.
SECTION 8.2 MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. There shall have been no material
adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business,
assets, liabilities, properties, operations of Seller, and there shall not have
been any occurrence, circumstance or combination thereof (whether arising
heretofore or hereafter), including litigation pending or threatened in
writing, which might reasonably be expected to result in any such material
adverse change before or after the Closing Date.
SECTION 8.3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. All representations and
warranties of Seller and Shareholders contained in this Agreement shall be true
in all material respects at and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as
though such representations and warranties were made at and as of such time,
subject to any transactions that are contemplated as permitted by this
Agreement, and Seller and Shareholders shall have performed or complied with
all obligations, covenants and conditions required by this Agreement to be
performed or complied with by them prior to or at the Closing Date.
SECTION 8.4 CERTIFICATE OF SELLER. Seller shall have delivered to
Buyer a certificate dated as of the Closing Date executed by an officer of
Seller and certificates executed by the Shareholders, in form and substance
satisfactory to Buyer, certifying to the fulfillment of the condition set forth
in Section 8.3 above.
SECTION 8.5 LEGAL OPINION. Robinson Brog Leinwand Greene Genovese &
Gluck, P.C., counsel for Shareholders and Seller, shall have delivered to Buyer
at Closing its opinion to the effect set forth in EXHIBIT "8.5".
SECTION 8.6 LITIGATION. Immediately prior to the Closing Date, there
shall be no litigation or proceeding: (i) pending or, to the best knowledge of
any party hereto, threatened against Buyer, Lason, Inc. or Seller, or any of
their respective directors, officers or shareholders, or involving the assets
or properties of any of them, for the purpose of enjoining or preventing the
consummation of this Agreement or otherwise claiming that such consummation is
improper; or (ii) pending against Buyer, Lason, Inc. or Seller which, if
decided adversely, would adversely affect the right of Buyer
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to acquire the Purchase Assets or to continue the operations of the Business
after the Closing Date. Immediately prior to the Closing Date, there shall
be no governmental investigation pending or threatened which, in the reasonable
judgment of the Buyer or Lason, Inc., might lead to or result in any litigation
or proceeding of the nature referred to in the foregoing sentence.
SECTION 8.7 THIRD PARTY CONSENTS. Prior to the Closing, Seller shall
have obtained the written consent, waiver or approval of the persons
referred to in Section 6.3.
SECTION 8.8 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS/TERM OF EMPLOYMENT. Steven Fruchter,
Philip Fruchter and Laurence Braun shall have executed and delivered to Buyer
those certain Employment Agreements with Buyer in the forms attached hereto as
Exhibit 6.8 A, Exhibit 6.8 B. and Exhibit 6.8 C.
SECTION 8.9 TERMINATION OF NAME. Immediately prior to Closing, Seller
shall have delivered to Buyer a copy of the certificate being filed by the
Seller with the New York Secretary of State, terminating Seller's name "API
SYSTEMS, INC." and an assignment of all of Seller's rights in and to such name.
SECTION 8.10 RELEASE OF LIENS. Seller shall provide Buyer with releases
of the liens set forth on EXHIBIT "8.10", provided that Seller shall be
permitted to use the Cash Consideration to satisfy such liens and obtain such
releases.
SECTION 8.11 POSTAL PERMIT. On or before the Closing Date, Buyer shall
have received from the United States Postal Service the permit(s) required to
conduct the Business in the place(s) and in the manner theretofore conducted by
Seller.
ARTICLE 9
THE CLOSING
SECTION 9.1 TIME AND PLACE. The consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (the "CLOSING") has taken place concurrently
with the executions hereof at the offices of Seller's counsel, Robinson Brog
Leinwand Greene Genovese & Gluck, P.C. in New York, New York at 10:00 a.m.,
local time, on March 5, 1998 (the "CLOSING DATE").
SECTION 9.2 SELLER AND SHAREHOLDERS' OBLIGATIONS AT CLOSING. At the
Closing, Seller and Shareholders shall deliver to Buyer the following
instruments, in form and substance satisfactory to Buyer and its counsel,
against delivery of the items specified in Section 9.3:
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A. All warranty deeds, bills of sale and other documents or
instruments of conveyance, transfer or assignment as shall be necessary
or appropriate to vest or confirm in Buyer marketable title to all real
estate included in the Purchased Assets and all right, title and interest
of Seller and the Shareholders in and to all of the remainder of the
Purchased Assets, all of which documents shall be in form and substance
satisfactory to counsel for Buyer, acting reasonably.
B. The opinion of counsel as provided in Section 8.5;
C. The certificates executed by Seller's officer and Shareholders,
dated the Closing Date, as provided in Section 8.4;
D. The consents set forth in Section 8.7;
E. On or before the Closing Date, but effective as of the Closing
Date, Seller will terminate the employment of all of its employees and
provide Buyer with a letter of termination to each of the employees in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer;
F. The employment agreements referred to in Section 8.8;
G. An assignment of all of Seller's right, title and interest in and
to the names "American Presort" and "API Systems", if any;
H. A correct and, as of the Closing Date, current list of all
customers of Seller whose annual purchases in 1997 or 1996 exceeded
$250,000;
I. The Lock-Up Agreements referenced in Section 2.1 above;
J. The Escrow Agreement referenced in Section 2.1 above;
K. The Postage Escrow Agreement referenced in Section 6.9 above;
L. A closing statement reflecting, among other things, the payment
of the Purchase Price less payment of debt as contemplated herein;
M. The release of all liens on any and all of the Purchased Assets;
and
N. Such other and further instruments as counsel for Seller and
Buyer shall reasonably agree are necessary to consummate the transactions
contemplated herein.
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SECTION 9.3 BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS AT CLOSING. At the Closing, Buyer
shall deliver to Seller and Shareholders the following instruments and
documents against delivery of the items specified in Section 9.2:
A. The cash portion of the Purchase Price;
B. Certified resolutions of Buyer's Board of Directors, in forms
reasonably satisfactory to counsel for Seller, authorizing the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and all actions to be taken by
Buyer under this Agreement;
C. The certificates executed by Buyer's and Lason, Inc.'s officers,
dated the Closing Date, as provided in Section 7.3;
D. The opinion of counsel as provided in Section 7.4;
E. Original Issue Order Form No. 1 addressed to the First Chicago
Trust Company, the transfer agent for Lason, Inc. directing the transfer
agent to issue shares of Common Stock of Lason, Inc. to Shareholders;
F. The Escrow Agreement referenced in Section 2.1 above;
G. The Postage Escrow Agreement referenced in Section 6.9 above;
H. The employment agreements referred to in Section 8.8;
I. A closing statement reflecting, among other things, the payment
of the Purchase Price less payment of long-term debt as contemplated
herein; and
J. Such other and further instruments as counsel for Seller and
Buyer shall reasonably agree are necessary to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE 10
OBLIGATIONS AFTER CLOSING
SECTION 10.1 SHAREHOLDERS' AGREEMENT TO REFRAIN FROM COMPETITION.
Steven Fruchter, Philip Fruchter and Laurence Braun agree to refrain from
competition and to maintain confidential information concerning Buyer for a
term equal to the term of each person's Employment Agreement plus the 3 year
period immediately thereafter (the "NONCOMPETITION PERIOD"), with respect to,
inter alia, the Business in the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut
or anywhere in the United States in which Buyer, Lason, Inc. or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates (the "Lason Group") is engaged in Business, all as
set forth in their Employment Agreements, which
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Employment Agreements are incorporated herein by reference. The
foregoing shall not, however, be deemed to prevent Shareholders from owning,
for investment purposes only, up to 5.0%, in the aggregate, of the
securities of any corporation, the shares of which are traded on a securities
exchange or in the over-the-counter market.
SECTION 10.2 SELLER'S AGREEMENT TO REFRAIN FROM COMPETITION.
A. NON-COMPETITION AND SOLICITATION. For and in consideration of
$1,000.00, which is a portion of the Purchase Price, and the economic
benefits accruing to Seller, Seller agrees that for the Non-Competition
Period, Seller shall not, either directly or indirectly (and whether or
not for compensation), work for, be employed by, own, participate or
engage in, or have any interest in, any person, firm, entity,
partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation
or business (whether as an employee, owner, partner, member, shareholder,
officer, director, agent, creditor, consultant or in any capacity which
calls for the rendering of personal services, advice, acts of management,
operation or control) which is substantially the same as or competitive
with the Business in the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut
or anywhere in the United States in which the Lason Group is engaged in
Business (the "RESTRICTED TERRITORY"). The foregoing shall not, however,
be deemed to prevent Seller from owning, for investment purposes only, up
to 5.0% of the securities of any corporation, the shares of which are
traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market.
Seller further agrees that it shall not, directly or indirectly, at
any time during the Noncompetition Period: (i) divert or attempt to
divert from Buyer any Business whether in the Restricted Territory or
not; (ii) solicit, contact, call upon or attempt to solicit, or provide
services to, any of Buyer's customers, suppliers or actively sought
potential customers or suppliers for the purpose of doing anything within
the definition of the Business or any work reasonably related to the
Business whether in the Restricted Territory or not; or (iii) induce or
attempt to induce any person who is an employee of Buyer to leave the
employ of Buyer.
B. CONFIDENTIALITY. During the Noncompetition Period, Seller shall
keep secret and shall not divulge, communicate, use to the detriment of
Buyer or for the benefit of any other person or persons or misuse in any
way any knowledge or information of a proprietary nature which it may
know as a result of its association with and which is unique to Buyer
("CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION"), including, without limitation, all trade
secrets, information, computer programs, technical data, customer lists
and unpublished matters relating to the business, assets, accounts,
books, records, customers and contracts of Buyer. Seller may disclose
Confidential Information if required by any judicial or governmental
request, requirement or order; provided that Seller will take reasonable
steps to give Buyer sufficient prior notice in order to contest such
request, requirement or order.
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C. REMEDIES. Seller has had knowledge of the affairs, trade
secrets, customers, potential customers and other proprietary information
of Buyer, and Seller acknowledges and agrees that compliance with the
covenants set forth in this Section 10.2 is necessary for the protection
of the Business, goodwill and other proprietary interests of Buyer and
that any violation of this Section 10.2 will cause severe and irreparable
injury to the Business and goodwill of Buyer, which injury is not
compensable by money damages. Accordingly, in the event of a breach (or
threatened or attempted breach) of this Section 10.2, Buyer shall, in
addition to any other rights and remedies, be entitled to immediate
appropriate injunctive relief or a decree of specific performance,
without the necessity of showing any irreparable injury or special
damages.
D. SEVERABILITY. The non-competition covenants in this Agreement
shall be deemed to apply to each county within the State of New York,
each State of the United States, and each other geographic area,
including the United States in its entirety, separately, not
collectively, and shall be severable as to each such county, state or
other geographic area. If, in any judicial proceeding, any provisions of
this Section 10.2(D) shall be found to be unenforceable or if a court
shall refuse to enforce any of the covenants included herein, including
the Non-Competition Period, then said unenforceable covenant(s) shall be
deemed modified so as to become enforceable to the maximum extent
permitted, and if such modification is not permitted, then such
unenforceable covenant(s) shall be deemed eliminated from these
provisions for the purpose of the proceeding to the extent necessary to
permit the remaining separate covenants to be enforced. It is the intent
and agreement of Buyer and Seller that these covenants be given the
maximum force, effect and application permissible under law.
SECTION 10.3 AUTHORIZATION TO BUYER CONCERNING MAIL. Seller hereby
authorizes Buyer from and after the Closing Date to receive and open all mail
and other communications to Seller received by Buyer and to act with respect to
such communications in such reasonable manner as Buyer may elect.
SECTION 10.4 SELLER'S OBLIGATION CONCERNING MAIL. After the Closing
Date, Seller shall promptly deliver to Buyer (i) the original of any mail or
other communications received by it pertaining to the Business, the Purchased
Assets or the Assumed Liabilities; or (ii) any moneys, checks or instruments of
payment to which Buyer is entitled.
SECTION 10.5 EMPLOYEES AND BENEFITS.
10.5.1 CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYMENT. It is understood that Buyer
shall be under no obligation to continue the employment of Seller's
employees. If Buyer, in its sole discretion, hires any of Seller's then
former employees, to the extent applicable and legally permissible, Buyer
shall credit such employees with their prior period of employment with
Seller for purposes of eligibility under Buyer's employee benefit plans.
Seller represents that
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none of the Plans or any contract or agreement provides for severance
pay payable by Buyer upon the termination of an employee's employment.
10.5.2 COVERAGE UNDER SELLER'S EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.
A. Except as otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties hereto,
Seller shall retain all of the liabilities and obligations arising under
any of the Plans including, without limitation, any obligations with
respect to any employees or former employees of Seller or an affiliate of
Seller, or to any of such persons' spouses, children, other dependents or
beneficiaries. Buyer shall not assume any of Seller's Plans.
B. Seller shall pay any claims with respect to occurrences arising
prior to the Closing Date as contemplated in Section 11.1 relating to (i)
disability, medical and dental benefits relating to events occurring on
or prior to the Closing Date to the extent covered by the Plans; and (ii)
workers' compensation benefits when the same become due and payable,
whether prior to or after the Closing Date. Seller shall be solely
responsible for any retiree medical liabilities and related costs of
medical and life insurance for persons who shall have retired from Seller
prior to the Closing Date. Seller shall be responsible for employee
benefit claims of employees (or their eligible dependents) with respect
to Claim Events, hereinafter defined, occurring prior to the Closing
Date, and to the extent that Buyer implements benefit plans for
employees, Buyer shall be responsible for such claims with respect to
Claim Events occurring on and after the Closing Date. A "CLAIM EVENT"
shall be defined as the illness or injury giving rise to the reimbursable
event. Subsequent to the Closing Date, Seller shall remain responsible
for and Buyer shall not assume any obligations arising under COBRA
relating to continuation health care coverage with respect to: (i) those
of Seller's employees who continue in Seller's employ subsequent to the
Closing Date and the qualifying dependents of such employees; (ii) those
of Seller's employees who cease employment with Seller as a result of the
transaction contemplated by this Agreement and the qualifying dependents
of such employees; and (iii) those of Seller's former employees and the
qualifying dependents of such former employees who remain eligible for
COBRA benefits.
10.5.3 BUYER'S EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. Buyer may, but shall not be
required to, sponsor and maintain employee benefit plans previously
maintained by Seller for Seller's employees who become employed by Buyer
after the Closing Date.
SECTION 10.6 COLLECTION OF ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. Buyer shall use
commercially reasonable efforts in connection with collecting the Accounts
Receivable. Payments received by Buyer from an account debtor who has incurred
obligations both prior and subsequent to Closing shall be applied first to the
Accounts Receivable. Any Account Receivable that becomes the subject of a
Claim under Article 11 shall, upon resolution of the Claim in accordance with
the provisions of Article 11, be reassigned to Seller.
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SECTION 10.7 FURTHER ASSURANCES. From time to time, at Buyer's request
, and without further consideration and at the expense of Buyer, Seller and the
Shareholders will execute and deliver to Buyer such other documents, and take
such other action, as Buyer may reasonably request in order to consummate more
effectively the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and to vest in
Buyer good, valid and marketable title to the Purchased Assets.
ARTICLE 11
INDEMNIFICATION
From and after the Closing, the parties hereto shall be indemnified as
set forth below.
SECTION 11.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF BUYER. Seller and Shareholders, to the
extent provided in Section 11.8, covenant and agree with Buyer that they shall
reimburse and indemnify and hold Buyer harmless, from, against and in respect
of the following claim(s):
A. Any and all damage, loss, liability, claim or deficiency incurred
by Buyer resulting from, or which exists or arises due to, any untruth,
inaccuracy, breach or omission of, from or in, the representations and
warranties made to Buyer herein; or any claim, suit or proceeding under
New York bulk sale laws and regulations from a claimant under such laws
and regulations which is not included in Exhibit 3.1.1 or which is
included, but with respect to whom the liability owed is an amount
greater than that disclosed in Exhibit 3.1.1, but only to the extent of
the excess; or any nonfulfillment of any covenant or agreement of the
Shareholders or Seller under this Agreement; or from any untruth,
inaccuracy, breach or omission of, from or in, any representation or
warranty, or any nonfulfillment of any covenant or agreement made by
Shareholders or Seller in the Exhibits or any other written statement,
list, certificate or other instrument furnished to Buyer by or on behalf
of Shareholders or Seller pursuant to this Agreement;
B. Any liabilities and obligations of Seller that are not Assumed
Liabilities, including without limitation the Excluded Liabilities;
C. Any fees, expenses or other payments incurred or owed by Seller
to any brokers or comparable third parties retained or employed by it in
connection with the transactions contemplated by the Agreement;
D. Any claims, suits or proceedings brought against Buyer by any
third parties arising out of or relating to the operation of the Business
prior to the Closing Date;
E. Any claim made by a third party alleging facts which, if true,
would entitle Buyer to indemnification pursuant to the above;
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F. Any claim for environmental liability arising out of the use of
past chemicals by Seller before Closing which is declared to be a
hazardous substance after the Closing Date unless such chemicals are used
by Buyer after the Closing Date; and
G. Any and all actions, suits, claims, proceedings, investigations,
audits, demands, assessments, fines, judgments, costs and other expenses
(including, without limitation, reasonable audit and legal fees) incurred
by Buyer resulting from the circumstances described in Section 11.1(A)
through (F) above.
SECTION 11.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF SELLER AND SHAREHOLDERS. Buyer
covenants and agrees with Seller and Shareholders that it shall reimburse and
indemnify and hold Shareholders and Seller harmless from, against and in
respect of the following claim(s):
A. Any and all damage, loss, liability, claim or deficiency incurred
by Seller and Shareholders resulting from, or which exists or arises due
to, any untruth, inaccuracy, breach or omission of, from or in, the
representations and warranties made to Seller and Shareholders herein; or
any nonfulfillment of any covenant or agreement of Buyer or Lason, Inc.
under this Agreement; or from any untruth, inaccuracy, breach or omission
of, from or in, any representation or warranty, or any nonfulfillment of
any covenant or agreement made by Buyer in the Exhibits or any other
written statement, list, certificate or other instrument furnished to
Seller and Shareholders by or on behalf of Buyer or Lason, Inc. pursuant
to this Agreement;
B. Any liabilities and obligations of Seller or any of the
Shareholders that are Assumed Liabilities;
C. Any fees, expenses or other payment incurred or owed by Buyer to
any brokers or comparable third parties retained or employed by it in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
D. Any claims, suits or proceedings brought against Seller and
Shareholders by any third parties arising out of or relating the
operation of the Business from and after the Closing Date;
E. Any claim made by a third party alleging facts which, if true,
would entitle Seller and Shareholders to indemnification pursuant to the
above;
F. Any claim arising out of an untrue statement in the Lason
Prospectus dated August 22, 1997 or the form 10-Q referenced in Section
5.7 hereof.
G. Any liability to any of Seller's employees under the Worker
Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, 29 U.S.C. 2101, et seq.; and
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H. Any and all actions, suits, claims, proceedings, investigations,
audits, demands, fines, judgments, costs and other expenses (including, without
limitation, reasonable audit and legal fees) incurred by Seller and
Shareholders resulting from the circumstances described in Section 11.2(A)
through (G) above.
SECTION 11.3 METHOD OF ASSERTING CLAIMS. The party seeking
indemnification (the "INDEMNITEE") shall give prompt written notice to the
other party or parties (the "INDEMNITOR") of any claims ("CLAIMS") which it
discovers or of which it receives notice after the Closing and which might give
rise to a Claim by it against Indemnitor under the Article, stating the nature,
basis and (to the extent known) amount thereof; provided that failure to give
prompt notice shall not jeopardize Indemnitee's right to indemnification unless
such failure shall have materially prejudiced the ability of Indemnitor to
defend such Claim.
SECTION 11.4 THIRD PARTY CLAIMS. In case of any Claim or suit by a
third party or by any government body, or any legal, administrative or
arbitration proceedings with respect to which Indemnitor may have liability
under the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 11, Indemnitor shall be
entitled to participate therein, and, to the extent desired by Indemnitor, to
assume the defense thereof, and after notice from Indemnitor to Indemnitee of
the election so to assume the defense thereof. Indemnitor shall not be liable
to Indemnitee for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof, other than reasonable costs
of investigation, unless Indemnitor does not actually assume the defense
thereof following notice of such election or the Indemnitee shall have
reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to Indemnitee
which are different from or additional to those available to Indemnitor (in
which case Indemnitor shall not have the right to direct the defense of such
action on behalf of the Indemnitee), in any of which events such fees and
expenses shall be borne by Indemnitor. The parties shall render each other
such assistance as may reasonably be required of each other in order to insure
proper and adequate defense of any such suit, Claim or proceeding. Indemnitee
shall not make any settlement of any Claim which might give rise to liability
of Indemnitor under the indemnity agreements contained in this Article 11
without the written consent of Indemnitor, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld. If Indemnitor shall desire and be able to effect a bona
fide compromise or settlement of any such suit, Claim, or proceeding and
Indemnitee shall unreasonably refuse to consent to such compromise or
settlement, then Indemnitor's liability under this Section 11 with respect to
such suit, Claim or proceeding shall be limited to the amount so offered in
compromise or settlement together with all legal and other expenses which may
have been incurred prior to the date on which Indemnitee has refused to consent
to such compromise or settlement.
SECTION 11.5 SURVIVAL OF SELLER'S AND SHAREHOLDERS' INDEMNITY OBLIGATIONS.
Seller's and Shareholders' liability for a breach of the representations,
warranties and covenants made by the Seller and Shareholders in this Agreement,
or in any schedule, exhibit, certificate or other document delivered in
connection with this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be waived or otherwise
affected by any investigation made by Buyer and shall survive the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby for a period of one (1) year from the Closing Date, except
for Claims relating to Sections 4.4, 4.5, 4.10, 4.15, 4.31 and
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4.32, any of which may be brought during any applicable period of
limitations, and except for claims arising out of, or relating to, the Excluded
Liabilities, as that term is defined in Section 3.2 hereof, which may be
brought at any time following the date hereof.
SECTION 11.6 SURVIVAL OF BUYER'S INDEMNITY OBLIGATIONS. Buyer's
liability for a breach of the representations, warranties and covenants made by
Buyer in this Agreement, or in any schedule, exhibit, certificate or other
document delivered in connection with this Agreement shall not be deemed to be
waived or otherwise affected by any investigation made by Seller and
Shareholders and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby for a period of one
(1) year from the Closing Date.
SECTION 11.7 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND/OR WARRANTIES. All
representations, warranties and covenants made by the Seller and the
Shareholders, on the one hand and Buyer and Lason, Inc. on the other hand, in
this Agreement, or in any schedule, exhibit, certificate or other document
delivered in connection with this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be waived
or otherwise affected by any investigation made by the other party hereto and
shall survive the Closing Date for a period of one (1) year from the Closing
Date, except for the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 4.4,
4.5, 4.10, 4.15, 4.31 and 4.32, each of which shall survive for any applicable
period of limitations.
SECTIONS 11.8 LIMITATION ON INDEMNIFICATION. The following limitations
shall apply to the rights of indemnification set forth in Sections 11.1 and
11.2 hereof, as applicable: (i) the liability of the Indemnitor shall be net of
any insurance benefits received by Indemnitee (or, in the case of
indemnification by Shareholders, insurance benefits received by Buyer) and any
tax benefits received by Indemnitee (or, in the case of indemnification by
Shareholders, tax benefits received by Buyer) in respect of the loss giving
rise to the Claim for indemnification; (ii) any indemnification payments made
by Seller or Shareholders shall constitute a reduction, and any indemnification
payments made by Buyer shall constitute an increase, of the Purchase Price;
(iii) the amount of damages claimed as a subject of indemnification shall be
limited to the actual dollar amount of such losses and shall not include any
multiple of earnings or consequential damages suffered by the Indemnitee except
for attorneys fees and costs; (iv) no indemnification shall be required from
Seller or Shareholders until the aggregate amount of Buyer's damages
(determined in accordance with clause (i) of this Section 11.8) exceeds
$250,000 and then only for the amount in excess of $250,000; and (v) the
liability of each the Shareholders shall be limited, in any one instance, to
one-third ( 1/3) of the finally determined amount of the Claim, and, in the
aggregate, to one-third ( 1/3) of the Purchase Price. Each Shareholder may,
at his option, satisfy any indemnification obligation hereunder by surrendering
Lason Shares valued at the price such shares were issued to such Shareholder;
provided, however, that the foregoing limitations on indemnification are agreed
to be inapplicable to Claims arising out of any of the Excluded Liabilities, as
that term is defined in Section 3.2 hereof.
SECTION 11.9 EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. This Article 11 shall provide the
exclusive remedy for the indemnified parties for any loss or other claim
arising from this Agreement or consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby including, but not limited to, any claim for breach of a
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representation or warranty, except (i) any right of the parties to specific
performance of the terms of this Agreement and (ii) in the case of intentional
fraud.
ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 12.1 FINDER'S OR BROKER'S FEES. Each of the parties represents
and warrants that it has dealt with no broker or finder in connection with any
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and, insofar as it knows,
no broker or other person is entitled to any commission or finder's fee in
connection with any of these transactions, except for The Edward Andrews Group
Inc., for whose fees Seller shall be responsible. Seller and Shareholders,
jointly and severally, and Buyer each agree to indemnify and hold harmless one
another against any loss, liability, damage, cost, claim or expense incurred by
reason of any brokerage, commission or finder's fee alleged to be payable by
reason of any act, omission or statement of the indemnifying party.
SECTION 12.2 EXPENSES. Buyer and Seller and the Shareholders shall,
individually, pay all costs and expenses incurred or to be incurred by any of
them in negotiating and preparing this Agreement and in closing and carrying
out the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 12.3 EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The subject headings of the Articles
and Sections of this Agreement are included for purposes of convenience only,
and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of any of the
provisions hereof.
SECTION 12.4 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; MODIFICATION. This Agreement, together
with all of the exhibits furnished hereunder, constitutes the sole and entire
agreement between the parties pertaining to the subject matter contained
herein, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements,
representations and understandings of the parties. No supplement, modification
or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by
all the parties.
SECTION 12.5 WAIVER. Buyer may waive in writing compliance by Seller and
the Shareholders, and Seller and the Shareholders may waive in writing
compliance by Buyer, with any of the covenants or conditions contained in this
Agreement, except those conditions imposed by law. No act, failure to act,
practice or custom shall constitute an implied waiver of full compliance with
any of the provisions hereof. The granting of a written waiver pursuant to
this Section shall apply, unless expressly set forth therein to the contrary,
only to the specific incident of noncompliance with the specific provisions of
this Agreement set forth therein.
SECTION 12.6 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously
in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all
of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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SECTION 12.7 PARTIES IN INTEREST. Nothing in this Agreement, whether
express or implied, is intended to confer any rights or remedies under or by
reason of this Agreement on any persons other than the parties have to and
their respective successors and assigns, or is intended to relieve or discharge
the obligation or liability of any third persons to any party to this
Agreement. None of the provisions hereof shall be deemed to give any third
persons any right of subrogation or action over or against any party to this
Agreement.
SECTION 12.8 BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall be binding on, and
shall inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective heirs,
legal representatives, successors and assigns.
SECTION 12.9 RECOVERY OF LITIGATION COSTS. Except as otherwise
provided elsewhere in this Agreement, if any legal action or any arbitration or
other proceeding is brought for the enforcement of this Agreement or by reason
of an alleged dispute, breach, default or misrepresentation in connection with
any of the provisions of this Agreement, the prevailing party or parties shall
be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs incurred in
that action or proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which it or they
may be entitled. The "PREVAILING PARTY" means the party determined by the
court or arbitration panel to have most nearly prevailed, even if such party
did not prevail in all matters, and not necessarily the one in whose favor a
judgement is rendered.
SECTION 12.10 NOTICES. Each notice, demand, request, request for
approval, consent, approval, disapproval, designation or other communication
(each of the foregoing being referred to herein as a notice) required or
desired to be given or made under this Agreement shall be in writing (except as
other wise provided in this Agreement), and shall be effective and deemed to
have been received (i) when delivered in person, with receipt acknowledged,
(ii) 5 days after having been mailed by certified or registered Unites States
mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, (iii) the next business day
after having been sent by a nationally recognized overnight mail or courier
service, return receipt requested, or (iv) immediately upon sending, if sent by
telecopier, with confirmation, provided it is sent during business hours on a
business day, but if not, then immediately upon the beginning of the first
business day after being sent. Notices shall be addressed as follows:
TO SHAREHOLDERS AND
SELLER AT:
API Systems, Inc.
601 W. 26th Street
New York, New York 10001
Attention:Steven Fruchter,President
Telecopier No.: (212) 627-8696
WITH A COPY TO: Robinson Brog Leinwand Greene
Genovese & Gluck, P.C.
1345 Avenue of the Americas, 31st Floor
New York, New York 10105-0143
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Attention: Avron I. Brog, Esq.
Telecopier No.: (212) 956-2164
TO BUYER AT: Lason Services, Inc.
1305 Stephenson Highway
Troy, Michigan 48083
Attention: Gary L. Monroe,
President and Chief Executive Officer
Telecopier No.: (248) 597-3412
WITH A COPY TO: Seyburn, Kahn, Ginn, Bess, Deitch and
Serlin, P.C.
2000 Town Center, Suite 1500
Southfield, Michigan 48075-1195
Attention: Laurence B. Deitch, Esq.
Telecopier No.: (248) 353-3727
Any party may change its address for purposes of this paragraph by giving the
other parties written notice of the new address in the manner set forth above.
SECTION 12.11 SCHEDULES. A disclosure made in any exhibit, schedule,
certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto shall be deemed
made in connection with any other exhibit, schedule, certificate or other
document to which such disclosure may also be relevant.
SECTION 12.12 DEFINITIONAL PROVISIONS. All terms defined in this
Agreement shall have such defined meanings when used in any exhibit, schedule,
or any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant thereto or
thereto, unless otherwise defined therein.
SECTION 12.13 CHOICE OF LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving
effect to any choice of law or conflict provision or rule, whether of the State
of New York (or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the State of New York to be applied. In furtherance of
the foregoing, the internal law of the State of New York will control the
interpretation and construction of this Agreement, even if under such
jurisdiction's choice of law or conflict of law or analysis, the substantive
law of some other jurisdiction would ordinarily apply.
SECTION 12.14 ARBITRATION. In the event of a dispute between the
parties hereto concerning any of the provisions of this Agreement, the parties
shall promptly meet and discuss such dispute in a good faith effort to resolve
such dispute. If no resolution is reached within 30 days following the date on
which one party first notifies the other of his or its request that such a
meeting be held, then the dispute shall be resolved by final and binding
arbitration in New York, New York pursuant to the commercial arbitration rules
then prevailing of the American Arbitration Association. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, each party specifically reserves the right (i) to seek equitable
remedies in a Federal or state court of competent jurisdiction sitting in the
State of New York; and (ii) to bring
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a third party action against any other party in any proceeding to which the
party initiating such third party action (the "INITIATING PARTY") is a party
under circumstances in which the basis of the claim of the initiating
party against the other party is that the other party is liable, in whole or in
part, for any claim or counterclaim being asserted against the initiating party
in such proceeding. The decision of the arbitrators when rendered shall be
final and binding on the parties hereto. Judgment upon the award of the
arbitrators may be entered by any court of competent jurisdiction. The cost of
the arbitration proceeding (exclusive of counsel fees) shall be borne equally
by the parties.
THIS AGREEMENT was executed as of the date and year first set forth above.
BUYER:
LASON SERVICES, INC., a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ Gary L. Monroe
-----------------------------------------
GARY L. MONROE
Its: President and Chief Executive
Officer
SELLER:
API SYSTEMS, INC., a New York corporation
By: /s/ Steven Fruchter
-----------------------------------------
STEVEN FRUCHTER
Its: President
[SIGNATURES CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE]
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SHAREHOLDERS:
/s/ Steven Fruchter
---------------------------------------------
STEVEN FRUCHTER
/s/ Philip Fruchter
---------------------------------------------
PHILIP FRUCHTER
/s/ Laurence Braun
---------------------------------------------
LAURENCE BRAUN
LASON, INC.:
LASON, INC., a Delaware corporation (solely for
the purpose of being bound by Articles 2.1,
2.2, 2.3, 5, 6.6 and 6.7 of this Agreement)
By: /s/ Gary L. Monroe
------------------------------------------
GARY L. MONROE
Its: President and Chief Executive Officer
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GUARANTY
The undersigned Lason, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as 100% shareholder
of Lason Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the "Guarantor"), does
hereby guarantee to pay and perform, when due, all obligations of the Buyer,
its subsidiaries and affiliates, under the above-attached Agreement (the
"AGREEMENT").
Guarantor further agrees: (i) to any modifications of any terms or
conditions of the Agreement and/or to any extensions or renewals of time of
payment or performance by Buyer, (ii) that it shall not be necessary for Seller
or Shareholders to resort to legal remedies against Buyer before proceeding
against Guarantor for payment; provided, however, that Guarantor shall have
available to it any defenses which would be available to Buyer under the
Agreement or otherwise. Guarantor waives notice of any election, acceptance,
demand, protest, notice of protest and notice of default, presentment for
payment and due diligence in collection.
No postponement or delay on the part of Seller or Shareholders in the
enforcement of any right hereunder shall constitute a waiver of such right, and
all rights of Seller or Shareholders shall be cumulative and not alternative
and shall be in addition to any other rights granted to Seller or Shareholders
in any other agreement, or by law. If any provisions hereof shall be, or shall
be declared to be, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such illegal or
unenforceable provision shall be and become absolutely null and void and of no
force and effect, but all other covenants, terms, conditions and provisions
hereof shall nevertheless continue to be valid and enforceable and this
Guaranty shall be so construed. This Guaranty may not be terminated by any act
of Guarantor, and shall continue in full force and effect for so long as any
obligations of Buyer under the Agreement remain outstanding.
This Guaranty shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State
of New York without giving effect to conflict of law rules. This Guaranty
shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of Guarantor, Seller and
Shareholders and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and
assigns except that Guarantor may not assign or transfer its obligation
hereunder without the prior written consent of Seller and Shareholders. This
Guaranty shall survive the Closing under the Agreement for so long as any
obligations of Buyer under the Agreement survive.
All capitalized terms which are used but not defined herein shall have the
same meanings attributed to them under the Agreement.
Dated: March 5, 1998
LASON, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION
By: /s/ Gary L. Monroe
-----------------------------------------
Gary L. Monroe
Its: President and Chief Executive Officer
48
