<PAGE>
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1999
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934
Commission File Number 0-22101
IAT MULTIMEDIA, INC.
--------------------
(exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 13-3920210
- -------- ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S Employer
Incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
70 East 55th Street
24th Floor
New York, New York 10022
------------------------
(212) 754 - 4271
----------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
--- ---
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the close of the latest practicable date.
Class Outstanding at November 12, 1999
----- --------------------------------
Common Stock, $.01 par value 9,875,569 shares
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IAT MULTIMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORM 10-Q INDEX
FOR QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page No.
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<S> <C> <C>
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 1999 3
(unaudited) and December 31, 1998
Consolidated Statements of Operations for Three Months 4
ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 (unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Operations for Nine Months 5
ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 (unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for Nine Months 6
ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 (unaudited)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 7-11
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of 12-20
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures 20
About Market Risk
Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 21
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds 21
Item 3. Default upon Senior Securities 21
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 21
Item 5. Other Information 21-23
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 23
Signature Page 24
</TABLE>
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
IAT MULTIMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30,
1999 December 31,
(unaudited) 1998
------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,101,571 $ 5,614,182
Marketable securities 746,156 750,000
Securities held for sale 2,940,000
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of
$142,283 in 1999 and $166,159 in 1998 1,964,710 1,564,945
Inventories 1,713,492 2,359,896
Other current assets 176,563 396,924
------------ ------------
Total current assets 12,642,492 10,685,947
Equipment and improvements, net 391,125 578,939
Other assets:
Other receivables 602,413 580,385
Notes receivable from affiliates 0 562,286
Excess of cost over net assets acquired, net 3,436,681 4,155,972
Other assets 523,503 300,541
------------ ------------
$ 17,596,214 $ 16,864,070
============ ============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Notes payable, banks $ 355,615 $
Accounts payable 1,902,298 2,696,911
Other current liabilities 958,882 1,104,774
------------ ------------
Total current liabilities 3,216,795 3,801,685
------------ ------------
Convertible debenture 2,848,000 3,000,000
------------ ------------
Minority interest 26,596 72,079
------------ ------------
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares,
issued 2,000 shares in 1999 and nil shares in 1998 20
Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 50,000,000 shares,
issued 10,123,824 in 1999 and 10,048,826 in 1998 101,238 100,488
Capital in excess of par value 32,595,559 30,416,979
Accumulated deficit (19,391,550) (20,982,472)
Accumulated comprehensive income 403,833 661,571
Treasury stock (248,255 shares in 1999 and 50,000
shares in 1998) (2,204,277) (206,260)
------------ ------------
Total stockholders' equity 11,504,823 9,990,306
------------ ------------
$ 17,596,214 $ 16,864,070
============ ============
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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IAT MULTIMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
September 30,
-----------------------------------
1999 1998
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 9,610,457 $ 8,093,257
Cost of sales 9,290,702 7,516,272
----------- -----------
Gross margin 319,755 576,985
----------- -----------
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses 535,228 710,698
General and administrative expenses 130,854 133,705
----------- -----------
666,082 844,403
----------- -----------
Operating loss before corporate overhead
depreciation and amortization (346,327) (267,418)
Corporate overhead 305,968 317,803
Depreciation and amortization 194,359 165,409
----------- -----------
Operating loss (846,654) (750,630)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (58,125) (52,225)
Interest income 67,448 99,154
Other income (expense) 3,459,158 (31,453)
Minority interest in net loss of subsidiary (1,156) 53,754
----------- -----------
Income (loss) before income taxes (benefit) 2,620,671 (681,400)
Income taxes (benefit) (5,296) (203,560)
----------- -----------
Net income (loss) $ 2,625,967 $ (477,840)
=========== ===========
Net income (loss) per share - basic $ 0.28 $ (0.05)
=========== ===========
Net income (loss) per share - diluted $ 0.25 $ (0.05)
=========== ===========
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding
- basic 9,350,021 9,401,919
=========== ===========
- diluted 10,632,021 9,401,919
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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IAT MULTIMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
-----------------------------------
1999 1998
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 31,164,654 $ 23,544,503
Cost of sales 29,375,953 21,524,407
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Gross margin 1,788,701 2,020,096
------------ ------------
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses 1,824,327 1,752,816
General and administrative expenses 453,905 492,926
------------ ------------
2,278,232 2,245,742
------------ ------------
Operating loss before corporate overhead
depreciation and amortization (489,531) (225,646)
Corporate overhead 954,460 807,560
Depreciation and amortization 558,577 463,839
------------ ------------
Operating loss (2,002,568) (1,497,045)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (157,854) (107,344)
Interest income 194,253 252,666
Discount on convertible debenture (448,277)
Other income (expense) 3,452,588 (24,528)
Minority interest in net loss of subsidiary 104,064 68,844
------------ ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes (benefit) 1,590,483 (1,755,684)
Income taxes (benefit) (439) (334,666)
------------ ------------
Net income (loss) $ 1,590,922 $ (1,421,018)
============ ============
Net income (loss) per share - basic $ 0.17 $ (0.15)
============ ============
Net income (loss) per share - diluted $ 0.16 $ (0.15)
============ ============
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding
- basic 9,332,005 9,278,444
============ ============
- diluted 10,614,005 9,278,444
============ ============
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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<PAGE>
IAT MULTIMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
-------------------------------------
1999 1998
----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ 1,590,922 $(1,421,018)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
cash provided (used) in operating activities:
Discount on convertible debenture 0 448,277
Gain on sale of intellectual property (3,440,268)
Depreciation of equipment 219,740 199,798
Amortization of goodwill 338,837 264,041
Common stock issued for services and interest expense 8,276 37,500
Minority interest in loss (104,064) (68,844)
Deferred taxes payable (508) (356,719)
Increase (decrease) in cash attributable to
changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (540,349) (640,100)
Inventories 433,078 228,189
Other current assets 91,796 111,872
Other assets 25,425 (13,855)
Accounts payable and other current liabilities (661,979) (1,614,395)
----------- -----------
Net cash used in operating activites (2,039,094) (2,825,254)
----------- -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Loans to and investments in, affiliated companies (966,725)
Repayment of loans receivable, affiliates 695,271
Purchases of equipment and improvements (343,257) (224,206)
Proceeds from sale of intellectual property 3,440,268
Sale (purchase) of investments (2,462,599) 1,976,865
----------- -----------
Net cash provided by investing activities 1,329,683 785,934
----------- -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of loans payable, stockholders (1,326,923)
Proceeds from (repayment of) convertible debenture 3,000,000
Proceeds from issuance of Common stock, net proceeds 1,608,698
Capital contribution, stockholders 464,002
Proceeds from (repayments of) shortterm bank loan 356,098 (54,845)
----------- -----------
Net cash provided by financing activities 356,098 3,690,932
----------- -----------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (159,298) 94,476
----------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash (512,611) 1,746,088
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 5,614,182 5,472,928
----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 5,101,571 $ 7,219,016
=========== ===========
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information,
Cash paid during the period for interest $ 28,704 $ 66,899
=========== ===========
Cash paid during the period for income related taxes $ 34,187 $ 96,748
=========== ===========
Supplemental disclosure of noncash financing activities,
Common stock issued for repayment of convertible
debentures $ 160,276 $ 0
=========== ===========
Common stock issued for services $ 0 $ 37,500
=========== ===========
Spinoff of assets and liabilities held for disposition $ 0 $ 1,077,920
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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<PAGE>
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION - The unaudited interim consolidated
financial statements contain all adjustments consisting of normal recurring
adjustments, which are, in the opinion of the management of IAT Multimedia, Inc.
(hereinafter the "Company" or "IAT"), necessary to present fairly the
consolidated financial position of the Company as of September 30, 1999, and the
consolidated results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods
presented. Results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily
indicative of the results for the full fiscal year. These financial statements
should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements
and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31,
1998.
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION - The consolidated financial statements
include the accounts of IAT, its wholly-owned subsidiaries IAT AG, Switzerland
("IAT AG"), IAT Multimedia Bremen ("IAT GmbH"), 100% of the General Partner of
FSE Computer-Handel GmbH & Co. KG, and 80% of the limited partnership interest
of FSE (collectively "FSE"), and 100% of each of Columbus-Computer-Handels und
Vertriebs-Verwaltungs GmbH and Columbus Computerhandel und Vertrieb, Branch
office of IAT Multimedia Gmbh ("Columbus") (collectively the "Company"). All
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
EXCESS OF COST OVER NET ASSETS ACQUIRED - Goodwill represents the
excess of cost over the fair market value of net assets of acquired businesses
and is amortized over a period of 10 years from the acquisition date. The
Company monitors the cash flows of the acquired operations to assess whether any
impairment of recorded goodwill has occurred. Amortization for the nine month
periods ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 was approximately $338,000 and
$264,000, respectively.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION - The Company has determined that the
local currency of its Switzerland subsidiary, Swiss Francs, is the functional
currency for IAT AG and IAT GmbH and the Deutsch Mark is the functional currency
for FSE and Columbus. The financial statements of the subsidiaries have been
translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 52 (SFAS 52), "Foreign Currency Translation". SFAS 52
provides that all balance sheet accounts are translated at period-end rates of
exchange ( 1.50 and 1.37 Swiss Francs and 1.84 and 1.67 Deutsch Marks for each
U.S. dollar at September 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998, respectively), except
for equity accounts which are translated at historical rates. Income and expense
accounts and cash flows are translated at the average of the exchange rates in
effect during the period. The resulting translation adjustments are included as
a separate component of other comprehensive income in the statements of
stockholders' equity and consolidated statement of comprehensive loss, whereas
gains or losses arising from foreign currency transactions are included in
results of operations.
LOSS PER COMMON SHARE - Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and
is computed by dividing loss applicable to common stockholders by the weighted
average number of common shares outstanding for the period. The weighted average
number of common shares excludes shares of the Company's common stock (the
"Common Stock") placed in escrow upon the completion of the Company's initial
public offering in March 1997. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential
dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue Common Stock
were exercised or converted into Common Stock or resulted in the issuance of
Common Stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity.
-7-
<PAGE>
Diluted loss per common share is the same as basic loss per common share for the
period ended September 30, 1998. The Company has unexercised options and
warrants in addition to shares issuable upon conversion of its convertible
debentures which are not included in the computation of diluted loss per share
for the period ended Sepember 30,1998 because their effect would have been
antidilutive as a result of the Company's losses.
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - Effective January 1, 1998 the Company adopted SFAS
130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income".
NOTE 2. INVENTORIES:
September 30, December 31,
1999 1998
------------- ------------
Work in process.......................... $ 0 $ 70,659
Purchased finished goods................. 1,713,492 2,289,237
---------- ----------
$1,713,492 $2,359,896
========== ==========
NOTE 3 - SPINOFFS:
On March 6, 1998, the Company transferred the business and
substantially all of the assets and the liabilities of its majority-owned
subsidiary, IAT GmbH, to a newly-formed German company, Algo Vision Systems (the
"German Spinoff"). Algo Vision Systems was substantially owned by an entity
controlled by the former co-chairman of the Board of Directors. The German
Spinoff was effective on January 1, 1998 and required the Company to infuse
approximately $650,000 of capital. In connection with the German Spinoff, IAT AG
purchased the remaining 25.1% interest in IAT GmbH from the minority stockholder
for a purchase price of approximately $100,000. In addition, the Company
provided Algo Vision Systems with a loan of approximately $300,000 for working
capital requirements through March 6, 1998, which accrued interest at a rate of
5% per annum. The loan was repaid in two installments 1998 and 1999 and the 15 %
interest in Algo Vision Systems owned by the Company was exchanged for shares of
Algo Vision plc. (See Note 5).
On March 24, 1998, the Company transferred the business and certain of
the assets and liabilities of its wholly-owned subsidiary IAT AG to a
newly-formed Swiss company, Algo Vision Schweiz (the "Swiss Spinoff"). Algo
Vision Schweiz was substantially owned by an entity controlled by the former
co-chairman of the Board of Directors. The Swiss Spinoff was effective January
1, 1998. At closing, the Company received a note ("Purchase Note"), due March
24, 2001, for approximately $325,000 representing the value of the assets in
excess of the liabilities that were transferred on March 24, 1998. In addition,
the Company loaned Algo Vision Schweiz $250,000 for operating cash flow, which
note was due the earlier of the date that Algo Vision Schweiz raises either debt
or equity financing in excess of SF 1,000,000 or March 24, 2001. Both notes
provided for the payment of interest semi-annually beginning September 1, 1998
at a rate of 3% per annum. The notes were repaid in August 1999 in connection
with the Algo Vision Transaction and the 15% interest in Algo Vision Schweiz
owned by the Company was exchanged for shares of Algo Vision plc.(See Note 5).
-8-
<PAGE>
NOTE 4 - CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE:
The Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the
"Purchase Agreement"), dated as of June 19, 1998. The transaction consisted of
the issuance of 198,255 shares of the Company's common stock and $3 million
aggregate principal amount of the Company's 5% Convertible Debenture due 2001
(the "Debenture") for $5 million. The Debenture is convertible into shares of
common stock at the option of either the Company (subject to certain
limitations) or the investor. Sales of the shares of common stock issuable upon
conversion by the investor are subject to certain volume limitations. Any
portion of the Debenture remaining unconverted on October 27, 2000 shall convert
automatically into shares of common stock. The number of shares of common stock
issuable upon conversion of the Debenture is the lesser of (i) $13.45 or (ii)
87% of the average of the five lowest closing bid prices during the 15 trading
days immediately preceding the conversion date. The Company recorded a discount
on the Debenture due to the conversion feature of approximately $450,000 which
is included in interest expense in the nine month period ended September 30,
1998.
In January 1999, the Company exchanged the 198,255 shares of common
stock issued in June 1998 for 2,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred
Stock ("Series B Stock"). Each share of Series B Stock shall be convertible into
shares of common stock, and at the option of the holder, at any time from the
issue date at $10.88 per share. The Series B Stock shall be convertible into
shares of common stock, at the option of the Company, at any time on or after
December 30, 1999, if certain conditions are met, or prior to such time if the
common stock reaches certain thresholds. All shares of Series B Stock not
previously converted into shares of common stock shall automatically convert in
January 2002.
To date, the holder of the Debenture has converted an aggregate of
$152,000 of the principal amount of the Debenture, plus accrued interest, on the
principal amount converted, and received an aggregate of 66,437 shares of the
Company's common stock.
As of September 30, 1999, $2,848,000 principal amount, plus accrued
interest, remained on the Debenture. Under the terms of Debenture, the holder
will have the right to accelerate repayment of the Debenture upon the Company's
previously announced transaction with Spigadoro. (See Note 7).
NOTE 5 - ALGO VISION TRANSACTION:
In connection with the transfer of our research and development
activities in March 1998, the Company granted Algo Vision Schweiz AG, one of the
entities formed in connection with the transfer, an option to purchase a 50%
co-ownership interest in the Company's visual communications intellectual
property. In July 1999, as part of the reorganization of the Algo Vision
entities, Algo Vision Schweiz and Algo Vision Systems Gmbh, the other entity
formed in connection with the transfer, became wholly-owned subsidiaries of Algo
Vision plc, an English company whose shares began trading on the European
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System on July 23, 1999.
Under the terms of a series of agreements between the Company, Algo Vision plc
and Algo Vision Schweiz, (i) Algo Vision Schweiz transferred its option to
purchase the Company's intellectual property rights to Algo Vision plc, (ii)
Algo Vision plc agreed to purchase the Company's visual communications
intellectual property rights ( other than the IAT name or
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<PAGE>
mark) and (iii) the Company agreed to exchange its 15% equity interest in each
of Algo Vision Systems and Algo Vision Schweiz, for shares of capital stock of
Algo Vision plc. Dr. Vogt, one of the Company's former directors, owns
approximately 26.2% of the outstanding shares of Algo Vision plc.
Under the terms of the agreements, Algo Vision plc purchased a 50%
interest in the Company's visual communications intellectual property rights for
$1,000,000 in July 1999 and purchased the remaining 50% interest for an
additional $2,500,000 in August 1999. Algo Vision plc also agreed to pay the
Company royalties (ranging from 5% to 10%) on the sale of certain products
utilizing the visual communications technology until August 2001. In connection
with the transaction, Algo Vision Schweiz repaid in August 1999 outstanding
loans, aggregating approximately $500,000, made by the Company to Algo Vision
Schweiz in March 1998.
In addition, as part of the reorganization of the Algo Vision
entities, the Company exchanged its 15% interest in each of Algo Vision Systems
and Vision Schweiz, for 500,000 shares of Algo Vision plc. These shares are
subject to a lock-up agreement until January 24, 2000, subject to certain
exceptions. In August 1999, the Company purchased an additional 250,000 shares
of Algo Vision plc for a purchase price of $2,500,000. These shares were subject
to a lock-up agreement which expired in November 1999.
This transaction resulted in a one time gain during the three months
ended September 30,1999 of approximately $3,500,000, approximately $2,500,000 of
which was used to purchase the Algo Vision shares.
NOTE 6 - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
1999 1998 1999 1998
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net income (loss) $ 2,625,967 $ (477,840) $1,590,922 $(1,421,018)
Other comprehensive
income (loss) net of tax- Foreign
currency translation adjustments 120,362 330,437 (706,516) 333,735
Gain on securities held available
for sale 448,778 - 448,778 -
----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
$ 3,195,107 $ (147,403) $1,963,184 $(1,087,283)
=========== ========== ========== ===========
</TABLE>
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NOTE 7 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On November 3, 1999, the Company entered into a definitive Stock
Purchase Agreement with Gruppo Spigadoro, N.V. under which the Company will
acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Petrini, S.p.A. Petrini is an
Italian company that produces and sells animal feed and pasta and flour products
principally in Italy, and also in the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia.
Under the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company will issue
47,354,465 shares of the Company's common stock to Spigadoro, subject to
adjustment if the anti-dilution provisions of the agreement are triggered. The
Company will also assume approximately $20 million of short term indebtedness of
Spigadoro in the acquisition, of which $12.5 million will be convertible into
shares of the Company's common stock. All of the indebtedness will be payable or
convertible into the Company's common stock during 2000.
Consummation of the acquisition is subject to a number of conditions,
including stockholder approval of the issuance of the shares of the Company's
common stock to be issued in the acquisition and other proposals. Following the
acquisition, the Company intends to sell its computer business. The Board of
Directors of the Company authorized management to evaluate and seek candidates
for the potential sale of the computer business. Management has commenced
discussions relating to the sale of the computer business. However, no agreement
has been reached with any party regarding the terms of a potential transaction
and the Company cannot assure that it will be able to sell the computer business
on terms favorable to the Company or at all.
-11
<PAGE>
IAT MULTIMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
Unless the context otherwise requires, "we" or "us" refers to IAT
Multimedia, Inc., the Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. The
subsidiaries are:
o FSE Computer-Handel GmbH & Co. KG, a German limited partnership of
which we own 80% of the partnership interest, and FSE Computer-Handel
Verwaltungs GmbH, a German corporation of which we own 100% of the
stock ; and
o the following subsidiaries of which we own 100% of the equity:
o Columbus Computer Handel und Vertrieb , Branch office of IAT
Multimedia Gmbh, and Columbus Computer Handels- und Vertriebs-
Verwaltungs GmbH, a German corporation;
o IAT AG, a Swiss corporation, and
o IAT Multimedia Gmbh, a German corporation
This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
"safe Harbor" provision under Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We use forward-looking
statements in our description of our plans and objectives for future operations
and assumptions underlying these plans and objectives. Forward-looking
terminology includes the words "may", "expects", "believes", "anticipates",
"intends", "projects", or similar terms, variations of such terms or the
negative of such terms. These forward-looking statements are based on
management's current expectations and are subject to factors and uncertainties
which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in
such forward-looking statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation or
undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking
statements contained in this Form 10-Q to reflect any change in our expectations
or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any
forward-looking statement is based. Factors which could cause such results to
differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include
those set forth under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in, or incorporated by
reference from time to time into our filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. These factors include risks relating to the proposed acquisition and
the following: we have experienced significant operating losses, changed our
principal business and we cannot predict whether we will become profitable; our
operating results will be adversely affected by charges from acquisitions; our
strategy of acquiring other companies for growth may not succeed; we need
additional funds for future acquisitions; our substantial debt reduces cash
available for our business, may adversely affect our ability to obtain
additional funds and increase our vulnerability to economic or business
downturns; we face intense competition in the German PC industry; risks relating
to foreign operations and other risks.
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<PAGE>
OVERVIEW
We were formed in September 1996 as a holding company for the existing
business of IAT AG and IAT Germany, which were engaged in developing products
for the visual communications industry. In November 1997, we acquired 100% of
the shares of capital stock of the general partner of FSE and 80% of the
outstanding limited partnership interests of FSE. Effective October 31, 1998, we
acquired 100% of the shares of capital stock of the general partner of Columbus
and all of the outstanding limited partnership interests of Columbus.
Through FSE and Columbus, we market in Germany, high-performance PCs
assembled according to customer specifications and sold under the trade name
"Trinology," as well as components, software and peripherals for PCs. Our
product line includes high-performance IBM-compatible desktop PCs as well as
components, such as motherboards, hard disks, graphic cards and plug-in cards,
peripherals, such as printers, monitors and cabinets, and software. Our clients
are corporate customers, including industrial, pharmaceutical, service and trade
companies, the military and value added resellers. We market our products
directly through our internal sales force to dealers and end-users and also
maintain two retail showrooms and a mail-order department. We work directly with
a wide range of suppliers to evaluate the latest developments in PC-related
technology and engage in extensive testing to optimize the compatibility and
speed of the components which are sold and integrated into Trinology PCs.
In connection with the Columbus acquisition we consolidated a portion
of our existing peripherals business into that of Columbus. FSE concentrates
primarily on the marketing of its high-performance built-to-order PCs and
Columbus focuses primarily on the distribution of components and peripherals.
In July 1999, we sold a 50% interest in our visual communications
intellectual property rights to Algo Vision plc. In August 1999, Algo Vision plc
purchased the remaining 50% interest in our visual communications intellectual
property and agreed to pay us royalties (ranging from 5% to 10%) on the sale of
certain products utilizing the visual communications technology until August
2001. In connection with the transaction, Algo Vision Schweiz, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Algo Vision plc, repaid outstanding loans, aggregating
approximately $500,000, made by us to Algo Vision Schweiz as a part of the
spin-off in March 1998. (See "Note 5 - Algo Vision Transaction" and "Item 5
- -Other Information").
In addition, as a part of the reorganization of the Algo Vision
entities, we exchanged our 15% interest in each of Algo Vision Systems and Algo
Vision Schweiz, for 500,000 shares of Algo Vision plc. These shares are subject
to a lock-up agreement until January 24, 2000, subject to certain exceptions. In
August 1999, we purchased an additional 250,000 shares of Algo Vision plc. (See
"Note 5 - Algo Vision Transaction" and "Item 5 - Other Information").
On November 3, 1999, we entered into a definitive Stock Purchase
Agreement with Gruppo Spigadoro, N.V. under which we will acquire all of the
outstanding common stock of Petrini, S.p.A. Petrini is an Italian company that
produces and sells animal feed and pasta and flour products principally in
Italy, and also in the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia. Under the terms
of the Stock Purchase Agreement, we will issue 47,354,465 shares of the
Company's common stock to Spigadoro, subject to adjustment if the anti-dilution
provisions of the agreement are triggered. We will also assume approximately $20
million of short term indebtedness of Spigadoro in the acquisition, of which
$12.5 million will be convertible into
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shares of our common. All of the indebtedness will be payable or convertible
into our common stock during 2000.
Spigadoro is controlled by affiliates of Vertical Financial Holdings,
one of our principal stockholders. Jacob Agam, our Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer, is the Chairman of the Board of Spigadoro and Vertical
Financial Holdings. As a result, a special committee of the Board of Directors
comprised of independent directors was established to review the transaction.
The special committee and the entire Board of Directors have each concluded that
the transaction is fair and in the best interests of all of our stockholders.
Consummation of the acquisition is subject to a number of conditions,
including stockholder approval of the issuance of the shares of our common stock
to be issued in the acquisition and other proposals. Following the acquisition,
we intend to sell our computer business. The Board of Directors of the Company
also authorized us to evaluate and seek candidates for the potential sale of our
computer business. We have commenced discussions relating to the sale of our
computer business. However, no agreement has been reached with any party
regarding the terms of a potential transaction and we cannot assure that we will
be able to sell our computer business on terms favorable to us or at all (See
"Item 5 - Petrini Acquisition").
Our sales are made to customers principally in Switzerland and Germany
with revenues created in Deutsche Marks and Swiss Francs. The functional
currency of IAT Switzerland and IAT Germany is the Swiss Franc. The functional
currency of Columbus and FSE is the Deutsche Mark. We currently engage in
limited hedging transactions, which are not material to our operations, to
offset the risk of currency fluctuations. We may increase or discontinue these
hedging activities in the future.
In the following discussions, most percentages and dollar amounts have
been rounded to aid presentation. As a result, all such figures are
approximations.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 COMPARED TO THREE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
The average exchange rate for the U.S. Dollar increased as compared to the Swiss
Franc and the Deutsch Mark by approximately 6.3% and 6.9% respectively. The
average Swiss Franc to U.S. Dollar exchange rate was SF1.53 = $1.00 in the third
quarter of 1999 as compared to SF 1.44 = $1.00 in the third quarter of 1998. The
average Deutsch Mark to U.S. Dollar exchange rate was DM 1.86 = $1.00 in the
third quarter of 1999 as compared to DM 1.74 = $1.00 in the third quarter of
1998.
We acquired FSE in November 1997 and Columbus effective as of October
31, 1998 and transferred the assets and liabilities and the businesses of one of
our German subsidiaries and our Swiss subsidiary in March 1998, effective
January 1998. These transactions cause a lack of quarter to quarter
comparability because our results of operations for the three months ended
September 30, 1999 include the operations of FSE and Columbus, while our results
of operations for the three months ended September 30, 1998 include only the
operations of FSE.
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REVENUES. Revenues for the third quarter 1999 increased by 18.7% to
$9,610,000 from $8,093,000 in the third quarter 1998. This increase is primarily
a result of Columbus's PC peripheral sales, which are not included in the third
quarter 1998, partially offset by a decrease of FSE's PC and PC-component sales
primarily due to the restructuring of the FSE business.
COST OF SALES. Cost of sales increased by 23.6% to $9,291,000 in the
third quarter 1999 from $7,516,000 in the third quarter 1998. The cost of sales
as a percentage of sales increased to 96.7% in the third quarter 1999 from 92.9%
in the third quarter 1998 primarily as a result of an increase in sales of PC
components, which generally produce lower profit margins than fully assembled
PC's. In addition cost of sales increased due to certain inventory adjustments.
SELLING EXPENSES. Selling expenses decreased by 24.8% to $535,000 in
the third quarter 1999 from $711,000 in the third quarter 1998. This decrease is
due primarily to a reduction of selling expenses incurred by FSE due to the
restructuring of FSE, including the termination of sales and warehousing
personnel, partially offset by selling expenses incurred by Columbus which are
not included in the third quarter 1998.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. General and administrative
expenses decreased by 2.2% to $131,000 in the third quarter 1999 from $134,000
in the third quarter 1998, primarily due to a reduction of expenses incurred by
FSE as a result of our restructuring of FSE, partially offset by administrative
expenses incurred by Columbus which are not included in the third quarter 1998.
CORPORATE OVERHEAD. Corporate overhead decreased by 3.8% to $306,000 in
the third quarter 1999 from $318,000 in the third quarter 1998, primarily due to
cost reduction for professional services and consulting expenses.
INTEREST. Interest expense increased by 11.5% to $58,000 in the third
quarter 1999 from $52,000 in the third quarter 1998. This increase is primarily
a result of interest expenses incurred by FSE on short-term bank overdrafts,
which were incurred for working capital purposes.
Interest income decreased by 32.3% to $67,000 in the third quarter 1999
from $99,000 in the third quarter 1998, primarily as a result of a reduction of
our interest bearing time deposits and marketable securities and a reduction of
interest rates in the market-place.
NET INCOME. The net income for the third quarter 1999 increased to
$2,626,000 from a net loss of $478,000 for the third quarter 1998. Net income
for the third quarter 1999 is the result of the sale of our intellectual
property to Algo Vision plc included in other income in the amount of $
3,440,000, net of expenses incurred. Excluding the one time gain relating to the
Algo Vision transaction, net loss for the third quarter 1999 would have
increased by 70,3% to $814,000 in the third quarter 1999 from $478,000 in third
quarter 1998 primarily as a result of reduced gross profit margins and a
reduction of deferred income taxes benefit.
OPERATING LOSS BEFORE CORPORATE OVERHEAD, INTEREST, INCOME TAXES,
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION. Operating loss before corporate overhead,
interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization in the third quarter 1999
increased to $346,000 from $267,000 in the third quarter 1998. This increase is
primarily the result of a decline of gross profit margins due to higher PC
peripheral sales and reduced PC-sales and certain inventory adjustments,
partially offset by a reduction in operating expenses.
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Operating loss before corporate overhead; interest, income taxes,
depreciation and amortization should not be considered an alternative to
operating income, net income, cash flows or any other measure of performance as
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, as an
indicator of operating performance or as a measure of liquidity.
NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 COMPARED TO NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
The average Swiss Franc to U.S. Dollar exchange rate was SF1.49 = $1.00
in the nine months ended September 30, 1999 as compared to SF1.47 = $1.00 in the
nine months ended September 30, 1998. The average Deutsch Mark to U.S. Dollar
exchange rate was DM1.82 =$1.00 in the nine months ended September 30, 1999 and
DM1.78 = $1.00 in the nine months ended September 30, 1998.
We acquired FSE in November 1997 and Columbus effective as of October
31, 1998 and transferred the assets and liabilities and the businesses of one of
our German subsidiaries and our Swiss subsidiary in March 1998, effective
January 1998. These transactions cause a lack of comparability because our
results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 include the
operations of FSE and Columbus, while our results of operations for the nine
months ended September 30, 1998 include only the operations of FSE.
REVENUES. Revenues for the nine month ended September 30, 1999
increased by 32.4% to $31,165,000 from $23,545,000 in the nine month ended
September 30, 1998. This increase is a result of Columbus's PC peripheral sales,
which are not included in the third quarter 1998, partially offset by a decrease
of FSE's sales due primarily to restucturing of the FSE business, including the
closing of one of the retail stores.
COST OF SALES. Cost of sales increased by 36.5% to $29,376,000 in the
nine month ended September 30, 1999 from $21,524,000 in the nine month ended
September 30, 1998. The cost of sales as a percentage of sales increased to
94.3% in nine month ended September 30, 1999 from 91.4% in the nine month ended
September 30, 1998 primarily as a result of an increase in sales of PC
components, which generally produce lower gross profit margins than fully
assembled PCs. In addition, many of the components purchased by us during the
nine months ended September 30, 1999 were purchased in U.S. Dollars and we
incurred higher costs for these components as a result of the strengthening of
the U.S. Dollar against the Deutsch Mark of approximately 10% since January 1,
1999. In addition cost of sales increased due to certain inventory adjustments.
SELLING EXPENSES. Selling expenses increased by 4.1% to $1,824,000 in
the nine month ended September 30, 1999 from $1,753,000 in the nine month ended
September 30, 1998. This increase is due to selling expenses incurred by
Columbus which are not included in the nine month ended September 30, 1998,
partially offset by a reduction of selling expenses incurred by FSE due to the
restructuring of FSE.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. General and administrative
expenses decreased by 7.9% to $454,000 in the nine month ended September 30,
1999 from $493,000 in the nine month ended September 30, 1998, primarily due to
a reduction of expenses incurred by FSE as a result of our restructuring of FSE,
partially offset by administrative expenses incurred by Columbus which are not
included in the nine month ended September 30, 1998.
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CORPORATE OVERHEAD. Corporate Overhead increased by 18.2% to $954,000
in the nine month ended September 30, 1999 from $808,000 in the nine month ended
September 30, 1998, primarily due to a new corporate structure resulting from
the Columbus and FSE acquisitions.
INTEREST. Interest expense increased by 47.7% to $158,000 in the nine
month ended September 30, 1999 from $107,000 in the nine month ended September
30, 1998. This increase is primarily a result of interest accrued on our 5%
convertible debentures.
Interest income decreased by 23.3% to $194,000 in the nine month ended
September 30, 1999 from $253,000 in the nine month ended September 30, 1998,
primarily as a result of a reduction of our interest bearing time deposits and
marketable securities and a reduction of interest rates in the market-place.
NET INCOME. The net income for the nine months ended September 30, 1999
increased to $1,591,000 from a net loss of $1,421,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 1998. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 is
the result of the sale of our intellectual property to Algo Vision plc. included
in other income in the amount of $3,440,000, net of expenses incurred. Excluding
the one time gain relating to the Algo Vision transaction, net loss for the nine
months ended September 30, 1999 would have increased by 30.1% to $1,849,000 from
$1,421,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 primarily as a result of
reduced gross profit margins, a reduction of the deferred income taxes benefits,
partially offset by a one time charge for discount on convertible debenture
recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 1998.
OPERATING LOSS BEFORE CORPORATE OVERHEAD, INTEREST, INCOME TAXES,
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION. Operating loss before corporate overhead,
interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization in the nine months ended
September 30, 1999 increased to $490,000 from $226,000 in the nine months ended
September 30, 1998. This increase is primarily a result of increased costs for
components purchased by us during the first quarter 1999 in U.S. Dollars
resulting in lower gross profit margins due to the strengthening of the U.S.
Dollar against the Deutsch Mark. Operating loss before corporate overhead;
interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization should not be considered
an alternative to operating income, net income, cash flows or any other measure
of performance as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, as an indicator of operating performance or as a measure of
liquidity.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of September 30, 1999, the Company's cash and cash equivalents and
investments in corporate bonds decreased to $5,102,000 and $746,000,
respectively, as compared to $5,614,000 and $750,000, respectively, at December
31, 1998.
Net cash used in operating activities totaled $2,039,000 during the
nine months ended September 30, 1999 compared to $2,825,000 net cash used in
operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 1998. The
decrease of net cash used in operating activities is primarily the result of a
reduction of cash used for the payment of accounts payable and other current
liabilities.
Net cash provided by investing activities totaled $1,330,000 during the
nine months ended September 30, 1999 compared to $786,000 net cash provided by
investing activities
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during the nine months ended September 30, 1998. During the nine months ended
September 30, 1999 cash was primarily used for the purchase of Algo Vision plc
shares in the amount of $2,466,000 and for the purchase of equipment and for the
new accounting, procuring, order management and invoicing system, offset by the
repayment of certain loans by Algo Vision in the amount of $695,000 and the net
proceeds from the sale of intellectual property to Algo Vision in the amount of
$3,440,000. During the nine months ended September 30, 1998 cash was used to pay
for the acquisition of 25.1% of the common stock of IAT Germany and for 15% each
of the common stock of Algo Vision Systems and Algo Vision Schweiz in the
aggregate amount of $135,000 and for loans to the Algo Vision companies in the
aggregate amount of $832,000 and for the purchase of equipment. These payments
were offset by the sale of marketable securities in the amount of $1,977,000.
Net cash provided by financing activities during the nine month ended
September 30, 1999 amounted to $356,000 due to an increase in short-term bank
loans as compared to $3,691,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 1998.
During the nine months ended September 30, 1998 cash was primarily provided from
the issuance of common stock and the issuance of convertible debentures in the
aggregate amount of $4,609,000. In addition, cash was provided by a capital
contribution by certain stockholders. These amounts were partially offset by the
repayment of stockholder loans, including the third installment of the FSE
purchase price and the repayment of short-term bank loans.
Cash, cash equivalents and investments in corporate bonds at September
30, 1999 amounted to $5,848,000. We believe that our funds should be sufficient
to finance our working capital requirements and our capital and debt service
requirements for approximately the 12 months period following September 30,
1999, depending on acquisitions. If the proposed Petrini acquisition is
completed, we will assume $20 million of short term indebtedness, of which $12.5
million will be convertible into shares of our common stock. All of the
indebtedness will be payable in 2000 and, as a result, we may need to obtain
additional funds to repay this debt if the acquisition is completed. We may also
require additional funds for acquisitions and integration and management of
acquired businesses. However, we have no commitments or arrangements to obtain
any additional funds and we cannot predict whether additional funds will be
available on terms favorable to us or at all. If we cannot obtain funds when
required, the growth of our business may be adversely affected.
In June 1998, we sold $3,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our 5%
Convertible Debenture due 2001. As of September 30, 1999 the holder of the
debenture converted an aggregate of $152,000 of such debenture, plus accrued
interest on the principal amount converted, and received an aggregate of 66,437
shares of our common stock. As a result, as of September 30, 1999, $2,848,000
aggregate principal amount of such debenture, plus interest, remained
outstanding. (See Note 4).
In July 1999, we sold a 50% interest in our visual communications
intellectual property rights to Algo Vision plc for $1,000,000. In August 1999,
Algo Vision purchased the remaining 50% interest in our visual communication
intellectual property for an additional $2,500,000 and agreed to pay us
royalties (ranging from 5% to 10%) on the sale of certain products utilizing the
visual communications technology until August 2001. In connection with the
transaction, Algo Vision Schweiz, a wholly owned subsidiary of Algo Vision plc,
repaid in August 1999, outstanding loans, aggregating approximately $500,000
made by us to Algo Vision Schweiz as part of the spin-off in March 1998.
In addition, as part of the reorganization of the Algo Vision entities,
we exchanged our 15% interest in each of Algo Vision Systems and Algo Vision
Schweiz, for 500,000 shares of
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Algo Vision plc. These shares are subject to a lock-up agreement until January
24, 2000, subject to certain exceptions. In August 1999, we purchased an
additional 250,000 shares of Algo Vision plc for a purchase price of $2,500,000.
These shares were subject to a lock-up agreement which expired in November 1999.
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
The Year 2000 issue is the result of using only the last two digits to
indicate the year in computer hardware and software programs and embedded
technology such as micro-controllers. As a result, these programs do not
properly recognize a year that ends with "00" instead of the familiar "99." If
uncorrected, such programs will be unable to interpret dates beyond the year
1999, which could cause computer system failure or miscalculations and could
disrupt our operations and adversely affect its cash flows and results of
operations.
We recognize the importance of the Year 2000 issue and have established
a project team with the objective to ensure an uninterrupted transition to the
year 2000 by assessing, testing and modifying products and information
technology and non-IT systems so that such systems and software will perform as
intended and information and dates can be processed with expected results. The
scope of the Year 2000 compliance effort includes (i) IT such as software and
hardware; (ii) non-IT systems or embedded technology; and (iii) the readiness of
key third parties, including suppliers and customers, and the electronic date
interchange with those key third parties.
Independent of the Year 2000 issue, we have installed new financial
accounting, procurement, order management and invoicing systems. These systems
are fully operational. Testing of these systems for Year 2000 compliance has
been completed and we believe that such systems are Year 2000 compliant. In the
event such systems are not Year 2000 compliant, we have developed a contingency
plan which includes increasing normal inventories of critical supplies prior to
December 31, 1999 and ensuring that all critical staff are available or
scheduled to work prior to, during and immediately after December 31, 1999.
THIRD PARTIES. In addition to internal Year 2000 IT and non-IT remediation
activities, we are in contact with key suppliers and vendors to minimize
disruptions in the relationship between us and these important third parties
from the Year 2000 issue. We have requested Year 2000 compliance certification
from each of such vendors and suppliers for their hardware and software products
and for their internal business applications and processes. While we cannot
guarantee compliance by third parties, we will consider alternate sources of
supply, which we believe are generally available in the event a key supplier
cannot demonstrate its systems or products are Year 2000 compliant.
OUR PRODUCTS. We believe that all hardware products included in Trinology PCs
shipped since the fourth quarter of 1997 are Year 2000 compliant and hardware
products included in Trinology PCs shipped prior to such time can be made Year
2000 compliant through upgrade of software patches. We have requested Year 2000
compliance certificates from each of our suppliers and vendors from parts and
components installed in our Trinology PCs.
The replacement of our existing financial accounting, procurement,
order management and invoicing systems is estimated at approximately $350,000,
however, only a portion of the cost of these systems is attributable to the Year
2000 issue. While we estimate that the Year 2000 effort will have a nominal cost
impact, there can be no assurance as to the ultimate cost of the Year 2000
effort or the total cost of information systems.
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Our current estimates of the amount of time and costs necessary to
achieve Year 2000 compliance are based on the facts and circumstances existing
at this time. The estimates were made using assumptions of future events
including the continued availability of certain resources, Year 2000
modification plans, implementation success by key third-parties, and other
factors. New developments may occur that could affect our estimates of the
amount of time and costs needed to achieve Year 2000 compliance. These
developments include, but are not limited to: (i) the availability and cost of
personnel trained in this area; (ii) unanticipated failures in our IT and non-IT
systems; and (iii) the planning and Year 2000 compliance success that suppliers
and vendors attain.
We cannot determine the impact of these potential developments on the
current estimate of probable costs of achieving Year 2000 compliance.
Accordingly, we are not able to estimate our possible future costs beyond the
current estimate of costs. As new developments occur, these cost estimates may
be revised to reflect the impact of these developments on the costs to us of
making our products and IT and non-IT systems Year 2000 compliant. Such
revisions in costs could have a material adverse impact on our results of
operations in the quarterly period in which they are recorded. Although we
consider it unlikely, such revisions could also have a material adverse effect
on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Like virtually every company, we are at risk for the failure of major
infrastructure providers to adequately address potential Year 2000 problems. We
are highly dependent on a variety of public and private infrastructure providers
to conduct our business in numerous jurisdictions throughout the country.
Failures of the banking system, basic utility providers, telecommunication
providers and other services, as a result of Year 2000 problems, could have a
material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business. While we are
cognizant of these risks, a complete assessment of all such risks is beyond the
scope of our Year 2000 assessment or our ability to address. We have focused our
resources and attention on the most immediate and controllable Year 2000 risks.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not Applicable.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Not Applicable.
ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
We did not issue any equity securities during the three months ended
September 30, 1999 which were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
except as follows:
In August 1999, we issued 47,599 shares of our common stock to the
holder of our 5% Convertible Debentures upon the conversion of $100,000 of the
principal amount of the debenture, plus accrued interest on the principal amount
converted.
In September 1999, we issued 12,206 shares of our common stock to the
holder of our 5% Convertible Debentures upon the conversion of $25,000 of the
principal amount of the debenture, plus accrued interest on the principal amount
converted.
The above transactions were private transactions not involving a public
offering and were exempt from the registration provisions of the Securities Act
of 1933 under Section 4(2) or Regulation D of the Securities Act. The sale of
such securities was without the use of an underwriter, and the certificates for
the shares contain a restrictive legend permitting the transfer of such
securities only upon registration of the shares or an exemption under the
Securities Act.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Not Applicable.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
At an annual stockholders meeting held on September 27, 1999, the
following matters were approved:
o election of five directors; and
o approval and ratification of the appointment of Rothstein, Kass &
Company, P.C. as independent auditors for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 1999.
The respective vote tabulations are detailed below:
Proposal 1 For Withhold
- ---------- --- --------
Jacob Agam 5,136,443 12,690
Klaus Grissemann 5,136,443 12,690
Marc S. Goldfarb 5,136,443 12,690
Dr. Erich Weber 5,136,443 12,690
Robert Weiss 5,136,443 12,690
Proposal 2 For Against Abstain
- ---------- --- ------- -------
Appointment of Rothstein, 5,140,243 8,200 690
Kass & Company, P.C.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
ALGO VISION TRANSACTION
In connection with the transfer of our research and development
activities in March 1998, we granted Algo Vision Schweiz AG, one of the entities
formed in connection with the transfer, an option to purchase a 50% co-ownership
interest in our visual communications intellectual property. In July 1999, as
part of the reorganization of the Algo Vision entities, Algo Vision Schweiz and
Algo Vision Systems GmbH, the other entity formed in connection with the
spin-off, became wholly-owned subsidiaries of Algo Vision plc, an English
company whose shares began trading on the European Association of Securities
Dealers Automated Quotation System on July 23, 1999. Under the terms of a series
of agreements between us, Algo Vision plc and Algo Vision Schweiz (i) Algo
Vision Schweiz transferred its option to purchase our intellectual property
rights to Algo Vision plc, (ii) Algo Vision plc agreed to purchase our visual
communications intellectual property rights ( other than the IAT name or mark)
and (iii) we agreed to exchange our 15% equity interest in each of Algo Vision
Systems
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and Algo Vision Schweiz, for shares of capital stock of Algo Vision plc.
Dr. Vogt, one of our former directors, owns approximately 26.2% of the
outstanding shares of Algo Vision plc.
Under the terms of the agreements, Algo Vision plc purchased a 50%
interest in our visual communications intellectual property rights for
$1,000,000 in July 1999 and purchased the remaining 50% interest for an
additional $2,500,000. In August 1999 Algo Vision plc also agreed to pay us
royalties (ranging from 5% to 10%) on the sale of certain products utilizing the
visual communications technology until August 2001. In connection with the
transaction, Algo Vision Schweiz repaid outstanding loans, aggregating
approximately $500,000 made by us to Algo Vision Schweiz in March 1998.
In addition, as part of the reorganization of the Algo Vision
entities, we exchanged our 15% interest in each of Algo Vision Systems and
Vision Schweiz, for 500,000 shares of Algo Vision plc. These shares are subject
to a lock-up agreement until January 24, 2000, subject to certain exceptions. In
August 1999, we purchased an additional 250,000 shares of Algo Vision plc for a
purchase price of $2,500,000. These shares were subject to a lock-up agreement
which expired in November 1999.
PETRINI ACQUISITION
On November 3, 1999, we entered into a definitive Stock Purchase
Agreement with Gruppo Spigadoro, N.V. under which we will acquire all of the
outstanding common stock of Petrini, S.p.A. Petrini is an Italian company that
produces and sells animal feed and pasta and flour products principally in
Italy, and also in the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia. Under the terms
of the Stock Purchase Agreement, we will issue 47,354,465 shares of common stock
to Spigadoro, subject to adjustment if the anti-dilution provisions of the
agreement are triggered. We will also assume approximately $20 million of short
term indebtedness of Spigadoro in the acquisition, of which $12.5 million will
be convertible into shares of our common. All of the indebtedness will be
payable or convertible into our common stock during 2000. Of the shares of
common stock to be issued to Spigadoro, 12,241,400 shares will be transferred to
Carlo Petrini, the former owner of Petrini, to satisfy a part of Spigadoro's
obligations to Mr. Petrini incurred when Spigadoro acquired Petrini in July
1998.
Spigadoro is controlled by affiliates of Vertical Financial Holdings,
one of our principal stockholders. Jacob Agam, our Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer, is the Chairman of the Board of Spigadoro and Vertical
Financial Holdings. As a result, a special committee of the Board of Directors
comprised of independent directors was established to review the transaction.
The special committee and the entire Board of Directors have each concluded that
the transaction is fair and in the best interests of all of our stockholders.
If we issue any shares of our common stock prior to the completion of
the acquisition at a price of less than $2.50 per share or following the closing
of the acquisition upon conversion of our Series A Convertible Debenture, we
have agreed to issue additional shares of our common stock to Spigadoro to
partially offset the dilutive effect of the issuance.
After the acquisition, Mr. Petrini will become a director of IAT.
Following the closing of the acquisition, Spigadoro and Mr. Petrini will own
approximately 61.4% and 21.4%, respectively, of our outstanding common stock and
Vertical Financial Holdings, and entities affiliated with Vertical, will have
the ability to vote approximately 58.4% of our outstanding common stock.
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Consummation of the acquisition is subject to a number of conditions,
including stockholder approval of the issuance of the shares of our common stock
to be issued in the acquisition and other proposals. Following the acquisition,
we intend to sell our computer business. The Board of Directors also authorized
us to evaluate and seek candidates for the potential sale of our computer
business. We have commenced discussions relating to the sale of our computer
business. However, no agreement has been reached with any party regarding the
terms of a potential transaction and we cannot assure that we will be able to
sell our computer business on terms favorable to us or at all.
The Stock Purchase Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1 and is
incorporated herein by reference.
1999 STOCK OPTION PLAN
On November 2, 1999, our Board of Directors approved our 1999 Stock
Option Plan under which we have reserved for issuance 2,500,000 shares of
our common stock. Shares of our common stock may be issued to our officers,
directors, employees and consultants.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Exhibits
2.1 Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of November 3, 1999 by and
between the Company and Gruppo Spigadoro,N.V.
10.62 Agreement for the Acquisition of Intellectual Property Rights dated
July 22,1999 among the Company, IAT AG, Algo Vision Schweiz AG and Algo
Vision plc (1).
10.63 Intellectual Property Assignment dated July 22, 1999 among the
Company, IAT AG and Algo Vision plc (1).
10.64 Intellectual Property Assignment dated July 22, 1999 among the
Company, IAT AG and Algo Vision plc (1).
10.65 Share Exchange and Subscription Agreement dated July 22, 1999
between Algo Vision plc and IAT AG (1).
10.66 Second Subscription Agreement dated July 22, 1999 between Algo
Vision plc and IAT AG (1).
10.67 Lock-In Agreement dated July 22, 1999 among Algo Vision plc,
Beeson Gregory Limited and IAT AG (1).
10.68 1999 Stock Option Plan
27.1 Financial Data Schedule
- ----------
(1) Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August
4, 1999.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K. During the quarter ended September 30, 1999 we filed a
Current Report on Form 8-K on August 4, 1999 and a Current Report on Form
8-K/A on August 24, 1999, reporting information under Item 2.
-23-
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
IAT MULTIMEDIA, INC.
By: /s/ Jacob Agam
-----------------------------
Jacob Agam
Chairman of the Board of
Directors and Chief Executive
Officer
/s/ Klaus Grissemann
-----------------------------
Klaus Grissemann
Chief Financial Officer
Date: November 12, 1999
-24-
<PAGE>
Exhibit 2.1
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
DATED
NOVEMBER 3, 1999
BY AND BETWEEN
GRUPPO SPIGADORO, N.V.,
AND
IAT MULTIMEDIA, INC.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
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PAGE
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<S> <C> <C>
ARTICLE I ................................................ 1
Section 1.1 Certain Definitions ..................... 1
Section 1.2 Interpretation........................... 3
ARTICLE II ............................................... 3
Section 2.1 Purchase and Sale of Stock............... 3
Section 2.2 Purchase Price .......................... 3
Section 2.3 Purchase Price Adjustment ............... 3
Section 2.4 Closing.................................. 4
Section 2.5 Deliveries and Actions at Closing........ 4
ARTICLE III .............................................. 4
Section 3.1 Organization and Qualification of the
Company.................................. 4
Section 3.2 Organization and Qualification of
Spigadoro................................ 4
Section 3.3 Authorization; Execution and Delivery;
Enforceability........................... 4
Section 3.4 Non-Contravention........................ 5
Section 3.5 No Consents.............................. 5
Section 3.6 Capitalization........................... 5
Section 3.7 Title to the Shares...................... 5
Section 3.8 Options, Warrants, etc................... 5
Section 3.9 Real Property............................ 5
Section 3.10 No condemnation.......................... 6
Section 3.11 Inventory................................ 6
Section 3.12 Financial Statements; Books & Records.... 7
Section 3.13 Absence of Certain Developments.......... 7
Section 3.14 Governmental Authorizations; Licenses;
Etc. .................................... 8
Section 3.15 Litigation............................... 8
Section 3.16 Taxes ................................... 8
Section 3.17 Insurance................................ 9
Section 3.18 Environmental Matters.................... 9
Section 3.19 Employee Matters......................... 10
Section 3.20 Intellectual Property.................... 11
Section 3.21 Contracts................................ 11
Section 3.22 Title to the Property and Assets......... 12
Section 3.23 Condition of Assets...................... 12
Section 3.24 Customers and Suppliers ................. 12
Section 3.25 Brokers ................................. 12
Section 3.26 Absence of Questionable Payments......... 12
Section 3.27 Transactions with Affiliates ............ 12
Section 3.28 Registration Statement; Prospectus/Proxy
Statement ............................... 13
Section 3.29 Year 2000 ............................... 13
Section 3.30 Indemnity under 1998 Stock Agreement .... 13
Section 3.31 Full Disclosure ......................... 13
</TABLE>
i
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
ARTICLE IV ................................................ 14
Section 4.1 Organization and Qualification ........... 14
Section 4.2 Authorization; Execution and Delivery;
Enforceability ........................... 14
Section 4.3 Capitalization of the Purchaser .......... 14
Section 4.4 Non-Contravention ........................ 15
Section 4.5 No Consents .............................. 15
Section 4.6 Board Recommendation ..................... 15
Section 4.7 Registration Statement; Prospectus/Proxy
Statement ................................ 15
Section 4.8 SEC Filings .............................. 15
Section 4.9 Opinions of Financial Advisors ........... 16
Section 4.10 Brokers .................................. 16
ARTICLE V ................................................. 16
Section 5.1 Access and Information ................... 16
Section 5.2 The Seller's Affirmative Covenants ....... 17
Section 5.3 Purchaser's Affirmative Covenants ........ 17
Section 5.4 The Seller's Negative Covenants .......... 18
Section 5.5 Purchaser's Negative Covenants ........... 19
Section 5.6 Closing Documents ........................ 19
Section 5.7 Transfer and Other Taxes ................. 19
Section 5.8 Employment Agreements .................... 20
Section 5.9 Public Announcements ..................... 20
Section 5.10 Purchaser Special Meeting ................ 20
Section 5.11 Preparation of the Prospectus/Proxy
Statement and the Registration Statement . 20
Section 5.12 Nasdaq Listing ........................... 21
Section 5.13 Non-Competition and Confidentiality
Agreement ................................ 21
Section 5.14 Best Efforts; Further Assurances ......... 21
Section 5.15 Third Party Proposals .................... 21
Section 5.16 Hart-Scott-Rodino Filings ................ 22
Section 5.17 Affiliates of the Company ................ 22
Section 5.18 Purchaser's Post Closing Covenants ....... 22
Section 5.19 Financial Statements for a Current Report
on Form 8-K .............................. 23
ARTICLE VI ................................................ 23
Section 6.1 Conditions to the Obligations of Each
Party .................................... 23
Section 6.2 Conditions to the Purchaser's Obligations 24
Section 6.3 Conditions to the Seller's Obligations ... 25
ARTICLE VII ............................................... 26
Section 7.1 Termination and Amendment ................ 26
Section 7.2 Effect of Termination .................... 27
Section 7.3 Amendment ................................ 27
Section 7.4 Extension; Waiver ........................ 27
ARTICLE VIII .............................................. 27
Section 8.1 Survival of Representations and Warranties 27
Section 8.2 Indemnification .......................... 27
Section 8.3 Procedures for Third Party Claims ........ 28
Section 8.4 Procedures for Inter-Party Claims ........ 28
</TABLE>
ii
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<TABLE>
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<S> <C> <C>
ARTICLE IX .................................................... 29
Section 9.1 Notices ....................................... 29
Section 9.2 Expenses ...................................... 29
Section 9.3 Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction ........ 29
Section 9.4 Assignment; Successors and Assigns; No Third
Party Rights .................................. 30
Section 9.5 Counterparts .................................. 30
Section 9.6 Titles and Headings ........................... 30
Section 9.7 Entire Agreement .............................. 30
Section 9.8 Waiver ........................................ 30
Section 9.9 Severability .................................. 30
Section 9.10 No Strict Construction ........................ 30
</TABLE>
iii
<PAGE>
DEFINED TERMS
<TABLE>
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TERM SECTION
- ------------------------------------ ----------------
<S> <C>
Accountants Section 3.12
Acquisition Proposal Section 5.15
Additional Shares Section 2.3
Affiliate Letter Section 5.17
Amended and Restated Certificate Section 4.1
Antitrust Division Section 5.16
Assumed Debt Section 2.2
Capital Stock Section 3.6
Closing Section 2.3
Closing Date Section 2.3
Common Stock Section 2.1
Company Recitals
Damages Section 8.2
Employee Benefit Plans Section 3.19
Environmental Laws Section 3.18
Environmental Permits Section 3.18
Financial Statements Section 3.12
FTC Section 5.16
Indemnifying Party Section 8.2
Intellectual Property Rights Section 3.20
Inventory Section 3.11
Leased Properties Section 3.19
Majority Interest Recitals
Material Contracts Section 3.21
Minority Interest Recitals
New Employment Agreements Section 5.8
1998 Stock Agreement Section 3.30
Owned Properties Section 3.9
Prospectus/Proxy Statement Section 3.28
Purchase Price Section 2.2
Purchaser Heading
Purchaser Common Stock Section 2.2
Purchaser Preferred Stock Section 4.3
Purchaser SEC Reports Section 4.8
Purchaser Special Meeting Section 3.28
Registration Statement Section 3.28
Report Section 5.16
Seller Heading
Shares Section 2.1
Spigadoro Heading
Tax Return Section 3.16
Third Party Claim Section 8.3
U.S. Subsidiary Section 3.16
Year 2000 Compliant Section 3.29
</TABLE>
iv
<PAGE>
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated as of November 3, 1999, by and between
Gruppo Spigadoro N.V., a corporation organized under the laws of The
Netherlands, with a registered office in Amsterdam, Strawinskylaan 1725, 1077
XX and registered with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Amsterdam
under no. 24286977 ("Spigadoro" or the "Seller") and IAT Multimedia, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Purchaser").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Seller is the legal and beneficial owner of 67% (the
"Majority Interest") of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Petrini
S.p.A., a corporation organized under the laws of Italy (the "Company"); and
WHEREAS, the Seller holds an exclusive option to acquire the remaining 33%
(the "Minority Interest") of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the
Company from the bankruptcy of F.lli Pardini S.pA.; and
WHEREAS, the Seller desires to sell and transfer to the Purchaser, and the
Purchaser desires to purchase from the Seller, all of the outstanding shares
of capital stock of the Company, all as more specifically provided herein;
and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors and the Special Committee of the Board of
Directors of the Purchaser have determined that the transactions contemplated
herein are desirable and in the best interests of its respective stockholders
and, by resolutions duly adopted, have approved and adopted this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein,
and intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1. Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following
terms have the respective meanings set forth below.
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person who
directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. The term
"control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise,
and the terms "controlled" and "controlling" have meanings correlative
thereto, provided that in the case of the Seller, the term Affiliate shall
not include the Company.
"Applicable Laws" means all applicable laws, statutes, orders, rules,
regulations, policies or guidelines promulgated, or judgments, decisions or
orders entered, by any Governmental Authority.
"Authorization" means any governmental license, permit, concession,
application, filing, registration and other authorization necessary for the
Company or for any Subsidiary to carry on the Business as presently or
previously conducted or for the ownership or use of its property and assets.
"Books and Records" means all technical, business and financial records,
(including those which are relevant from a tax viewpoint) financial books and
records of account, books, data, reports, files, drawings, plans, briefs,
customer and supplier lists, deeds, certificates, contracts, surveys, or any
other documentation and information in any form whatsoever (including
written, printed, electronic or computer printout form) relating to the
Company and its Subsidiaries.
"Buildings and Fixtures" means all plant, buildings, structures,
erections, improvements, appurtenances and fixtures (including fixed
machinery and fixed equipment) situated on the Owned Properties or the Leased
Properties or any of them as the context requires.
1
<PAGE>
"Business" means, collectively, the businesses presently and heretofore
carried on by the Company and its Subsidiaries and in particular the
activities in the agricultural and food market related to the pasta
production, zootechnics feeds, distribution of foodstuffs and certain
breeding activities.
"Business Day" means a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which
commercial banks in New York are open for the general transaction of
business.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Company Material Adverse Change" means a material adverse change in the
Business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects (financial
and other) of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
"Commission" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Environmental Laws" means any European regulation, directive or decision
and any Italian law, ordinance, rule, regulation, license, permit,
authorization, approval, consent, court order, directives, judgment, decree,
injunction, code, requirement or agreement with any Governmental Authority,
(x) relating to pollution (or the cleanup thereof or the filing of
information with respect thereto), human health or the protection of air,
surface water, ground water, drinking water supply, land (including land
surface or subsurface), plant and animal life or any other natural resource,
or (y) concerning exposure to, or the use, storage, recycling, treatment,
generation, transportation, processing, handling, labeling, production or
disposal of Polluting Substances, in each case as amended and as now or
hereafter in effect.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Governmental Authority" means any United States, European or national,
provincial, regional, municipal or local government, foreign or domestic, or
any entity, court, authority, agency, ministry or other similar body
exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative
authority or functions of or pertaining to government.
"HSR Act" means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Anti-Trust Improvements Act of 1976,
as amended.
"Italian GAAP" means generally accepted Italian accounting principles as
in effect in the Republic of Italy on the date of this Agreement recommended
by the "Consigli Nazionali dei Dottori Commercialisti e dei Ragionieri" and
the accounting principles and rules set out in the Italian Civil Code applied
consistently with past practice.
"Liens" means any pledge, claim, defect of title, mortgage, liens of any
kind, restriction including, without limitation, restriction of the use,
voting, transfer, receipt of income or other attributes of full ownership and
any third parties rights including, without limitation, options and
preemption rights.
"Loans" means those agreements (written or oral) of the Company and its
Subsidiaries for the borrowing of funds or the granting of credit, including,
without limitation, letters of credit and guarantees with any Person.
"Material Contracts" is defined in Section 3.21 hereof.
"Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, joint stock
company, unincorporated organization or association, trust or joint venture,
or consortia (including, without limitation, pure consortia, mandatory
consortia or societ|f2 consortili).
"Polluting Substances" means pollutants, contaminants, hazardous or toxic
substances, compounds or related materials or chemicals, hazardous materials,
hazardous waste, flammable explosives, radon, radioactive materials,
asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls,
petroleum and petroleum products (including, but not limited to, waste
petroleum and petroleum products) as regulated under applicable Environmental
Laws.
"Proprietary Information" means the know-how and trade secrets owned,
licensed, or utilized by the Company and/or its subsidiaries.
"Purchaser Material Adverse Change" means a material adverse change in the
business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects (financial
and other) of Purchaser and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
2
<PAGE>
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Subsidiary" means with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited
liability company or partnership of which such Person owns, either directly
or indirectly, (a) more than 50% of (i) the total combined voting power of
all classes of voting securities of such corporation or (ii) the capital or
profit interests therein in the case of a partnership; (b) or otherwise has
the power to vote or direct the voting of sufficient securities to elect a
majority of the board of directors or similar governing body of a Person.
"Taxes" means any tax, imposed by or payable to any Governmental Authority
any income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance,
stamp, business, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental
(including without limitation taxes under section 59A of the Code), capital
stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or similar),
unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales, use,
transfer, registration, or value added tax, any alternative or add on minimum
tax, any estimated tax, and any levy, impost, duty, assessment, withholding
or any other governmental charge of any kind whatsoever, in each case
including any interest, penalty, or addition thereto, whether disputed or
not.
"Tax Return" means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or
information return or statement relating to Taxes, including any schedule or
attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.
"U.S. GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in
the United States on the date of this Agreement.
Section 1.2. Interpretation. Unless otherwise indicated to the contrary
herein by the context or use thereof: (i) the words, "herein," "hereto,"
"hereof" and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and
not to any particular Section or paragraph hereof; (ii) words importing the
masculine gender shall also include the feminine and neutral genders, and
vice versa; and (iii) words importing the singular shall also include the
plural, and vice versa.
ARTICLE II
PURCHASE AND SALE OF STOCK;
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS
Section 2.1. Purchase and Sale of Stock. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of this Agreement and on the basis of the representations,
warranties and agreements contained herein, at the Closing (as defined in
Section 2.3), the Seller shall sell, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to
the Purchaser an aggregate of 40,700,000 shares of the capital stock of the
Company ("Common Stock"), constituting all of the issued and outstanding
shares (represented by the certificates described on Schedule 3.6) of the
Company's capital stock (the "Shares"), and the Purchaser shall purchase such
Shares from the Seller for the consideration described in Section 2.2 hereof.
Section 2.2. Purchase Price. The purchase price for the Shares (the
"Purchase Price") shall be equal to and paid for through the (i) issuance and
delivery of an aggregate of 47,354,465 shares of common stock, par value $.01
per share, of the Purchaser ("Purchaser Common Stock") and (ii) the
assumption by the Purchaser of indebtedness of the Seller in the principal
amount not to exceed Twenty Million Four Hundred Eighty Seven Thousand
Dollars (US $20,487,000) by way of the issuance of the promissory notes
described on Schedule 2.2 (the "Assumed Debt"). At the Closing, the Purchaser
shall pay the Purchase Price by issuing and delivering to the Seller (i) a
stock certificate or certificates, registered in accordance with instructions
received from Seller not less than three business days before the Closing,
representing an aggregate of 47,354,465 shares of Purchaser Common Stock and
(ii) the promissory notes representing the Assumed Indebtedness.
Section 2.3. Purchase Price Adjustment.
(a) If on or before the Closing, the Purchaser issues any shares of
Purchaser Common Stock (or securities convertible into Purchaser Common
Stock) to a third party without consideration or for a consideration less
than US $2.50, the Purchaser shall, within the later of the date of the
Closing or 10 days
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<PAGE>
following the date of such issuance, issue to Seller such number of
additional shares of Purchaser Common Shares as shall equal the product of
(i) 0.82 multiplied by (ii) the difference between (A) the number of shares
issued in the third party transaction and (B) the quotient obtained by
dividing (x) the consideration received by the Purchaser in respect of such
third party issuance by (y) the per share Fair Market Value of the Purchaser
Common Stock on the date of such issuance, provided however, that the
anti-dilution protection of this Section 2.3 shall apply to the conversion of
Purchaser's Series A Convertible Debenture whether such conversion occurs
before or after the Closing. For purposes of this Section 2.3, Fair Market
Value prior to the Closing of the transactions contemplated hereunder shall
be deemed to be US $2.50 and thereafter shall be the average closing price
reported by the primary stock market or exchange on which the Purchaser
Common Stock is traded for the five (5) trading days prior to the conversion
date.
(b) The number of shares so delivered under (a) above shall be further
adjusted by the Board of Directors of Purchaser or, an authorized committee
thereof, to reflect any issuance of new stock, stock dividend, common stock
split, share combination, exchange of shares, merger, consolidation,
recapitalization, separation, reorganization, liquidation or extraordinary
dividend or similar transaction occurring prior to Closing payable in stock
of Purchaser all for the purpose of providing dilution protection for Seller.
Section 2.4. Closing. The closing of the transactions contemplated hereby
(the "Closing") shall take place, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of
the conditions set forth in Article VI hereof, at the offices of Lowenstein
Sandler PC, 65 Livingston Avenue, Roseland, New Jersey, at 10:00 a.m. within
five Business Days of the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth
in Article VI, or at such other time and place as is mutually agreed by the
Purchaser and the Seller. The time and date of the Closing is herein called
the "Closing Date".
Section 2.5. Deliveries and Actions at Closing. At the Closing, Seller
shall (i) endorse in favor of and deliver to Purchaser the certificates of
the Company representing the Shares free and clear of any Liens and (ii)
cause a member of the board of directors of the Company to enter the transfer
of the Shares to Purchaser in the shareholders' ledger of the Company, and
the Purchaser shall issue the promissory notes representing the Assumed
Indebtedness.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING THE COMPANY AND THE SELLER
The Seller represents and warrants to the Purchaser that, except as set
forth in the Schedules hereto:
Section 3.1. Organization and Qualification of the Company. The Company
and each of its Subsidiaries are companies duly incorporated, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of their
organization and have full corporate power and authority to own their
property and to carry on their business as now conducted. The Company and its
Subsidiaries are each duly qualified to do business in all jurisdictions in
which the nature of their assets or their business makes such qualification
necessary. Correct and complete copies of the certificates of incorporation
and of the current by-laws of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries are
attached to Schedule 3.1. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries are
in violation of any provisions of their respective organizational documents.
The business of the Company is conducted solely through the Company and its
Subsidiaries.
Section 3.2. Organization and Qualification of Spigadoro. The Seller is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the Netherlands, with full power and authority, corporate and other,
to own or lease its property and assets and to carry on its business as
presently conducted.
Section 3.3. Authorization; Execution and Delivery; Enforceability. The
Seller has full power and authority, corporate and other, to execute and
deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, all of which
have been duly and validly authorized by all requisite corporate or other
action. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
the Seller and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Seller,
enforceable against the Seller in accordance with its terms, subject
4
<PAGE>
to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium
and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors'
rights and to general equity principles.
Section 3.4. Non-Contravention. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement by the Seller and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby will not result in: (a) the breach or violation of any of the provisions
of, or constitute a default under, or conflict with or cause the acceleration
of, any obligation of the Company or of any of it's Subsidiaries, under: (i) any
Material Contract; (ii) any Authorization; (iii) any provision of the
constituent documents, by-laws or resolutions of the board of directors (or any
committee thereof) or of the shareholders of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries; (iv) any judgment, injunction, decree, order or award of any
Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, having a material effect on the transactions contemplated herein;
(v) any license, permit, approval, consent or authorization necessary to the
ownership or disposition of the Shares and the operation of the Business; or
(vi) any Applicable Law; or (b) the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of
the Shares.
Section 3.5. No Consents. Except for the consents and approvals set forth
in Schedule 3.5, no declaration or filing with any Governmental Authority is
required to be obtained or made on the part of the Seller, the Company or of
any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by the Seller and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereunder.
Section 3.6. Capitalization. The authorized and issued capital stock of
the Company is equal to Lit. 40,700,000,000 and the shares of the Company
which are issued and outstanding are 40,700,000, Lit. 1,000 par value each
(the "Capital Stock"), and the Persons owning the Capital Stock are: the
Seller and the bankruptcy of F.lli Pardini SpA. All such issued and
outstanding shares have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully
paid and are owned as indicated above and are represented by the share
certificates listed under Schedule 3.6. Except as set forth in the Company's
bylaws, there are no pre-emptive or other subscription rights with respect to
any shares of the Company's Capital Stock and all of the issued and
outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Company have been duly authorized,
validly issued, are fully paid and are nonassessable, and were issued in
compliance with all applicable securities laws and without violating any
preemptive rights. Except for the Subsidiaries, the Company does not directly
or indirectly own any interest in any corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture or other business association or entity.
Section 3.7. Title to Shares. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.7, the
shares representing the Majority Interest are owned by the Seller as the
registered and beneficial owner thereof with a good and valid title thereto.
As of the Closing Date, Seller will also be the registered and beneficial
owner of the shares representing the Minority Interest with a good and valid
title thereto. The delivery of the Shares at the Closing by the Seller to the
Purchaser pursuant to the provisions hereof will transfer to the Purchaser
good and valid title to all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of
the Company, free and clear of all Liens, options, charges and encumbrances
of any kind. As of the Closing, all existing Liens shall have been removed.
Section 3.8. Options, Warrants, etc. As of the Closing, no Person other
than the Purchaser will have any option, warrant, right, call, commitment,
conversion right, right of exchange or other agreement (written or oral) or
any right or privilege (whether by law, preemptive or contractual) capable of
becoming an option, warrant, right, call, commitment, conversion right, right
of exchange or other agreement (i) for the purchase from the Seller, the
Company or its Subsidiaries of any shares of the Companyor any of its
Subsidiaries, (ii) for the purchase, subscription or issuance of any unissued
shares in the capital of the Company or in the capital of any of its
Subsidiaries of any securities of the Company and of any of its Subsidiaries
and (iii) for the voting of any of the Shares.
Section 3.9. Real Property.
(a) Schedule 3.9 sets forth a complete list of all real property and
interests in real property owned in fee by the Company and its Subsidiaries
("Owned Properties"). Except as set forth in Schedule 3.9, each of the
Company and its Subsidiaries has good and marketable title to its interest in
the Owned Properties, free and clear of all Liens.
5
<PAGE>
(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.9, neither the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is the owner of, or under any agreement or option to own, any
real property or any interest therein, other than the Owned Properties.
(c) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.9, all of the Buildings and Fixtures
on the Owned Properties were built in accordance with all Applicable Laws and
with all required authorizations validly issued pursuant thereto. Except as
set forth in Schedule 3.9, all of the Buildings and Fixtures on the Owned
Properties and the Leased Properties: (i) are in good operating condition and
in a state of good maintenance and repair, except for normal wear and tear;
and (ii) are adequate and suitable for the purposes for which they are
presently being used; and (iii) with respect to each of them, the Company and
its Subsidiaries have adequate rights of ingress and egress for the operation
of their business in the ordinary course. None of the Owned Properties or the
Buildings and Fixtures thereon, nor the use, operation or maintenance thereof
for the purpose of carrying on the Business, violates any restrictive
covenant or any provision of any Applicable Law or encroaches on any property
owned by any other Person and the same is the case regarding the Leased
Properties.
(d) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.9, there are no outstanding work
orders with respect to any of the Owned Properties, the Leased Properties or
the Buildings or Fixtures thereon, from or required by any municipality,
police department, fire department, sanitation, health or safety authorities
or from any other Person and there are no matters under discussion with or by
the Company or its Subsidiaries relating to work orders.
(e) Schedule 3.9 contains a true, complete, and correct list of the
building amnesties duly filed by the Companies and its Subsidiaries, in
compliance with the Applicable Laws, with respect to Buildings, Fixtures and
Owned Properties. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.9, all the amounts due in
connection with such amnesties indicated under this subsection (e) have been
fully paid and no further obligations are pending towards the relevant
Governmental Authority and no claims have been filed or are expected to be
filed by such Governmental Authority.
(f) Schedule 3.9 sets forth a complete list of all real property and
interests in real property leased by the Company and its Subsidiaries
("Leased Properties"), together with a brief description of each of the
Leased Properties, the term of each Leased Property, the rental payments
thereunder, any rights of renewal and the term thereof and any restrictions
on assignment concerning the Company and its Subsidiaries. Except as set
forth in Schedule 3.9, none of the Company or its Subsidiaries are a party
to, or under any agreement or option to become a party to, any lease with
respect to real property used or to be used in the Business, other than the
Leased Properties. Each Leased Property is in good standing, creates a good
and valid leasehold estate in the Leased Properties thereby demised and is in
full force and effect without amendment thereto. Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.9, with respect to each Leased Property (i) all rents and
additional rents due thereunder have been paid; (ii) neither the lessor nor
the lessee is in material default thereunder; (iii) no waiver, indulgence or
postponement of the lessee's obligations thereunder has been granted by the
lessor; (iv) there exists no event of default or event, occurrence, condition
or act (including, without limitation, the purchase of the Shares) which,
with the giving of notice, the lapse of time or the happening of any other
event or condition, would become a default under any such Leased Properties;
(v) neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries have violated any of the terms
or conditions under any such Leased Properties in any material respect; and
(vi) all of the covenants to be performed by any other party under any such
Leased Properties have been fully performed.
Section 3.10. No Condemnation. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.10,
neither the whole nor any portion of the Owned Property or Leased Property is
subject to any governmental decree or order to be sold nor have any
proceedings for the condemnation, expropriation or other taking of all or any
portion of the Owned Property or Leased Property been instituted or, to the
Seller's best knowledge, threatened by any Governmental Authority, with or
without payment therefor.
Section 3.11. Inventory. Except for such items which, in the aggregate,
are not material to the Company or its Business, all raw material
inventories, warehouse stock, parts, inventories, material, supplies,
work-in-process and finished products, including without limitation,
packaging and shipping
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materials (the "Inventory") used or held for sale by the Company and its
Subsidiaries are good and merchantable and of a quantity and quality usable
and saleable in the regular and ordinary course of business consistent with
past practices at prices at least equal to their value on the books of the
Company and its Subsidiaries. The Company and its Subsidiaries have good and
marketable title to all of such Inventory, free and clear of any Liens.
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is under any liability or
obligation with respect to the return of Inventory in the possession of its
customers.
Section 3.12. Financial Statement; Books & Records.
(a) All Books and Records of the Company and its Subsidiaries have been
fully, properly and accurately kept and completed in accordance with
respective applicable GAAP and respective Applicable Laws and there are no
material inaccuracies or discrepancies of any kind contained or reflected
therein. All of the records, systems, controls, data or information of the
Company and its Subsidiaries are under the exclusive ownership and the direct
control of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
(b) The Company has previously furnished to the Purchaser (i) a true and
complete copy of the balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of
December 31, 1998 and the related statements of income, cash flows and
changes in stockholders' equity for each of the years in the three year
period then ended, certified by Reconta Ernst & Young (the "Accountants"),
and (ii) a true and complete copy of the unaudited balance sheet of the
Company and its Subsidiaries as of June 30, 1999 and the related unaudited
statements of income, cash flows and changes in stockholders' equity for the
six month period then ended (collectively, the "Financial Statements"). The
Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with Italian GAAP
applied on a basis consistent with those of previous fiscal periods and
present fairly, respectively: (a) the property, assets, liabilities (whether
accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) and the financial condition the
Company and its Subsidiaries, as of December 31, 1998; (b) the financial
position of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as of June 30, 1999; and (c)
the sales and earnings of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the period
covered by the said Financial Statements. There are no other liabilities,
actual or contingent, except for those reflected in the Financial Statements
that would be required to be reflected in such Financial Statements.
(c) Schedule 3.12 lists and describes all loan agreements, overdraft,
discounted notes and similar credit facilities, to which each of the Company
and its Subsidiaries is a party, directly or indirectly, including, without
limitation, off-balance sheet loans or similar financing arrangements. All
such loan agreements and credit facilities are in full force and effect and
there has been, on the part of the Company and its Subsidiaries, no material
default or delay of payments of principal or interest in respect thereof.
Section 3.13. Absence of Certain Developments. Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.13, since January 1, 1999, there has not been any Company Material
Adverse Change, or any development which could reasonably be expected to
result in a prospective Company Material Adverse Change. Except as set forth
in Schedule 3.13, since January 1, 1999 the Company and each Subsidiary has
conducted its business in the ordinary and usual course consistent with past
practices and has not (i) sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of
any of the assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries (other than dispositions
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices), (ii)
terminated or amended in any material respect any contract or lease to which
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or to which it or any of
its Subsidiaries is bound or to which its or any of its Subsidiaries'
properties are subject, (iii) amended the Articles of Incorporation or
by-laws (or other organizational documents) of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or taken any action in contemplation of an amendment to the
Articles of Incorporation or by-laws (or other organizational documents) of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or in contemplation of the liquidation
or dissolution of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and, to the Seller's
best knowledge, no such action has been taken by the shareholders, directors
or officers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iv) declared, set
aside for payment or paid any dividend or distribution on any shares of the
capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (v) repurchased or
otherwise acquired any shares of the capital stock of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries or any option, warrant, right, call or commitment relating
to its or their capital stock or any outstanding securities or obligations
convertible into or exchangeable for, or giving any Person any right to
subscribe for or acquire from the Company, any shares of the capital stock of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
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(vi) suffered any material loss, damage or destruction whether or not covered
by insurance, (vii) made any change in the accounting methods or practices
followed by the Company and its Subsidiaries, whether for general financial
or tax purposes, (viii) incurred any liabilities (other than in the ordinary
course of business) none of which, individually or in the aggregate, would
result in a Company Material Adverse Change, (ix) incurred, created or
suffered to exist any Liens on the assets of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or created in the ordinary course of business, none of which,
individually or in the aggregate, would result in a Company Material Adverse
Change, (x) increased the compensation payable or to become payable to any of
the officers or employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
increased any bonus, severance, accrued vacation, insurance, pension or other
Employee Benefit Plan (as defined in Section 3.19), payment or arrangement
made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for or with any such officers
or employees, (xi) suffered any labor dispute, strike or other work stoppage,
(xii) made or obligated itself or any of its Subsidiaries to make any capital
expenditures in excess of ITL. 200,000,000 individually or in the aggregate,
(xiii) entered into any contract or other agreement requiring the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries to make payments in excess of ITL. 100,000,000 per
annum, individually or in the aggregate, other than in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practices, or (xiv) entered into any agreement
to do any of the foregoing.
Section 3.14. Governmental Authorizations; Licenses; Etc. The business of
the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has been operated in compliance with
all Applicable Laws. All Authorizations required for the operation of the
business of the Company and its Subsidiaries are listed and described on
Schedule 3.14, except for such Authorizations the absence of which would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries is in
default, nor has it received any notice of any claim in default, with respect
to any such Authorizations. No threat of revocation exists and there is no
reason to revoke any of the Authorizations. All such Authorizations are
renewable by their terms or in the ordinary course of business without the
need for the Company or its Subsidiaries to comply with any special
qualification or procedure or to pay any amounts other than routine filing
fees.
Section 3.15. Litigation. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.15, neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any pending litigation,
whether before the ordinary courts or before administrative or other courts
or arbitrators, and no such litigation is threatened by or against the
Company or its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries are
presently subject to any judgment, order or decree entered in any law suit or
proceeding. It is understood that litigation which, individually or in the
aggregate, potentially would expose the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
liability of less than ITL 100,000,000 is not subject to inclusion in
Schedule 3.15.
Section 3.16. Taxes.
(a) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has filed or caused to be
filed, within the times and within the manner prescribed by Applicable Law,
all tax returns, tax reports and social security returns which are required
to be filed by each of them. Such returns and reports reflect accurately all
liabilities for Taxes of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries for the
periods covered thereby. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16, all Taxes
(including interest and penalties) payable by or due from each of the Seller,
the Company or its Subsidiaries (as a result of a fiscal assessment or
otherwise), have been fully paid or adequately disclosed and fully provided
for in the Books and Records and the Financial Statements. Each of the
Company and its Subsidiaries has duly applied for the tax and social security
amnesties deemed necessary and has effected payment of the entire amounts due
for such amnesties. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16, no amount is still
due or will be due in consequence of the filing for the said amnesties in
order for the Company and its Subsidiaries to keep the right to the benefits
provided for by the above-mentioned amnesties.
(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16, neither the Company nor any of
its Affiliates, other than Petrini Foods International, Inc. (the "U.S.
Subsidiary"), has at any time been engaged in a trade or business within the
United States, maintained a permanent establishment or fixed place of
business within the United States. Neither the Company nor any of its
Affiliates, other than the U.S. Subsidiary, is obligated to pay any Taxes to
the United States or any Governmental Authority therein.
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(c) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16, the U.S. Subsidiary has duly
filed (and until the Closing Date will so file) all tax returns required to
be filed by it (including, without limitation, all tax returns required to be
filed on a consolidated, combined or unitary basis) ("Tax Returns"). All such
Tax Returns were correct and complete as filed. The U.S. Subsidiary has duly
paid (and until the Closing Date will so pay) all Taxes due and payable,
whether or not shown on any Tax Return, other than Taxes disclosed on
Schedule 3.16 which Taxes are being contested in good faith. The U.S.
Subsidiary has established (and until the Closing Date will establish) on its
Books and Records reserves that are adequate for the payment of all Taxes not
yet due and payable to the extent required by U.S. GAAP (consistently
applied). The Company has provided to the Purchaser correct and complete
copies of all Tax Returns filed by the U.S. Subsidiary since December 31,
1998.
(d) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16, there is no Lien on any asset of
any of the U.S. Subsidiary that arose in connection with any failure or
alleged failure to pay any Tax. Schedule 3.16 identifies all income or
franchise Tax Returns filed with respect to the U.S. Subsidiary which have
been examined by any Governmental Authority within the past six years. Except
as set forth in Schedule 3.16, no deficiency was asserted as a result of any
such examination which deficiency has not been finally resolved and paid in
full. To the best knowledge of the Company and the U.S. Subsidiary, there are
no audits or other administrative or court proceedings presently pending nor
any other disputes pending with respect to, or claims asserted for, any Taxes
of the U.S. Subsidiary. The U.S. Subsidiary has not given any currently
outstanding waivers or comparable consents regarding the application of the
statute of limitations with respect to any Taxes or Tax Returns.
(e) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16, the U.S. Subsidiary (i) has not
requested any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return which Tax
Return has not since been filed, (ii) is not a party to any agreement
providing for the allocation or sharing of Taxes, (iii) is not required to
include in income any adjustment pursuant to Section 481(a) of the Code by
reason of a voluntary change in accounting method initiated by the U.S.
Subsidiary (nor does the U.S. Subsidiary have any knowledge that the United
States Internal Revenue Service has proposed any such adjustment or change of
accounting method), (iv) has not filed a consent pursuant to Section 341(f)
of the Code or agreed to have Section 341(f)(2) of the Code apply, (v) has
not been a United States real property holding corporation as defined in
section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period specified in
section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code, and (vi) has no liability for the Taxes
of any Person other than the U.S. Subsidiary under Treas. Reg. Section
1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), as a
transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise.
(f) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16, the U.S. Subsidiary has complied
in all respects with all Applicable Laws relating to the withholding and
payment of Taxes with respect to all amounts paid or owing to any employee,
independent contractor, creditor, stockholder or other third party.
Section 3.17. Insurance. The Company and its Subsidiaries carry insurance
of the kind and in the amounts used for companies in businesses similar to
the Business. Schedule 3.17 contains a correct and complete list of insurance
policies which are maintained by the Companies and its Subsidiaries with
respect to the Business, with an indication of the type of policy, name of
insurer, coverage allowance, expiration dates, annual premiums and any
pending claims thereunder. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.17, neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default with respect to the payment
of any premiums under any such insurance policy and has not failed to give
any notice or to present any claim under any such insurance policy in a due
and timely fashion. Such insurance policies are in full force and effect free
from any right of termination on the part of the insurers, except upon notice
as stipulated in such policies.
Section 3.18. Environmental Matters. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.18,
(a) each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been and is in material
compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws relating to the protection
of the environment, the manufacture, processing, distribution, use,
treatment, storage, disposal, discharge, transport or handling of any
Polluting Substances.
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(b) each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has obtained all
Authorizations, certificates and registrations under Environmental Laws
(hereinafter, "Environmental Permits") required for the operation of the
Business and each part thereof, all of which are described in Schedule 3.18.
Each Environmental Permit is valid, subsisting and in good standing; neither
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are in default or breach of any
Environmental Permit and no proceeding is pending or threatened, to revoke or
limit any Environmental Permit.
(c) neither the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have used or permitted
to be used, except in compliance with all Environmental Laws, any of its
Owned Properties or Leased Properties or facilities or any property or
facility that it previously owned or leased, to generate, manufacture,
process, distribute, use, treat, store, dispose of, transport or handle any
Polluting Substance.
(d) neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries have received any notice of,
nor been prosecuted for an offense alleging non-compliance with any
Environmental Laws, and the Company nor its Subsidiaries have not settled any
allegation of non-compliance short of prosecution. There are no orders or
directions relating to environmental matters requiring any work, repairs,
construction or capital expenditures with respect to the Business or any part
thereof or any property of the Company or of any its Subsidiaries, nor has
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries received notice of any of the same.
(e) neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries has caused or permitted, the
release, in any manner whatsoever, of any Polluting Substance on or from any
of the Owned Properties or Leased Properties or assets or any property or
facility that were previously owned or leased by the Company or by any of its
Subsidiaries or any such release on or from a facility owned or operated by
third parties but, with respect to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is or may reasonably be alleged to have liability regardless of
any violation of Environmental Laws. All Polluting Substances and all other
wastes and other materials and substances used in whole or in part by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or resulting from the Business have been
disposed of, treated and stored in compliance with all Environmental Laws.
Schedule 3.18 identifies all of the locations where Polluting Substances,
used in whole or in part by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been
or are being stored or disposed.
(f) neither the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice
that it is potentially responsible for state, municipal or local clean-up
site or corrective action under any Environmental Laws.
(g) there are no environmental audits, evaluations, assessments or studies
relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the Business (or any
part thereof) in the possession of the Seller, the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries which have not been delivered to the Purchaser.
Section 3.19. Employee Matters.
(a) Schedule 3.19 sets forth a complete list of employees of each of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, their position and length of service with the
Company and its Subsidiaries, their salary, bonuses and any other employee
benefits other than those provided by law, and whether any written employment
agreements exist relating to any such employees.
(b) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries are in material compliance
with all Applicable Laws and applicable labour collective agreements
respecting employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of
employment, pay equity and wages and hours, and laws and regulations
concerning health and safety in the workplace including the D.L. GS 626/94.
(c) There is no labour strike, dispute, slowdown or stoppage actually
pending or involving or threatened against the Company and its Subsidiaries
with respect to the Business or any part thereof.
(d) No employment related complaint or grievance exists which might
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect upon the Company and
its Subsidiaries or the conduct of the Business or any part thereof.
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(e) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.19, neither the Company nor its
Subsidiaries are bound by any collective bargaining or similar agreement nor
are any such agreements currently being negotiated.
(f) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.19, no employee of the Company and
its Subsidiaries has any agreement as to length of notice required to
terminate his employment, other than such as may be required by Applicable
Law from the employment of an employee without agreement as to such notice or
as to length of employment.
(g) All vacation pay (including all banked vacation pay), bonuses,
commissions and other employee benefit payments are reflected and have been
accrued in the Books and Records.
(h) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.19, no payments of salary, pension,
bonuses or other remuneration of any nature has been made or authorized since
December 31, 1998 to any officers, directors, former directors, shareholder
or employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries, or to any Person not
dealing at arm's length with any of the foregoing, except in the ordinary
course of business and at regular rates.
(i) Schedule 3.19 contains an accurate and complete list of all employee
benefit plans or any other foreign pension, welfare or retirement benefit
plans (hereinafter, "Employee Benefit Plans") of the Company and its
Subsidiaries.
(j) Full payment has been made of all amounts which the Company and its
Subsidiaries are required, under Applicable Law or under any Employee Benefit
Plan or any agreement relating to any Employee Benefit Plan to which the
Company and its Subsidiaries are a party, to have paid as contributions
thereto as of the last day of the most recent fiscal year of such Employee
Benefit Plan ended prior to the date thereof. The Company and its
Subsidiaries have made adequate provision for reserves to meet contributions
that have not been made because they are not yet due under the terms of any
Employee Benefit Plan or related agreements. Benefits under all Employee
Benefit Plans are as represented and have not been increased subsequent to
the date as of which documents have been provided.
(k) The Company and its Subsidiaries have delivered or caused to be
delivered to the Purchaser and their counsel true and complete copies of all
Employee Benefit Plans as in effect, together with all amendments thereto
which will become effective at a later date.
Section 3.20. Intellectual Property. Schedule 3.20 is a true and correct
list (including, where applicable, registration numbers and dates of filing
renewal and termination) of all the patents, patent applications, registered
designs and models, trademarks registrations and applications therefor,
service marks, service mark registrations and applications therefor, trade
names (whether or not registered or registrable), registered copyrights and
registered copyright applications, used or held for use by the Company and
its Subsidiaries in the conduct of the Business as currently, and as proposed
to be, conducted (collectively, "Intellectual Property Rights"). The Company
and its Subsidiaries are the true, lawful and exclusive owners of all right,
title and interest in and to the Intellectual Property Rights and the
Proprietary Information, free and clear of all Liens, and the Intellectual
Property Rights and Proprietary Information are valid and subsisting. With
regard to any intellectual property rights of third parties, Schedule 3.20
lists and describes all such rights, including the terms and conditions of
their use by the Company and its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company or its
Subsidiaries have conveyed, assigned, licensed or encumbered any of the
Intellectual Property Rights and Proprietary Information. The Company and its
Subsidiaries have the exclusive right to use such Intellectual Property
Rights and Proprietary Information. Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries
are a party to any pending litigation, whether before the ordinary courts or
before administrative or other courts or arbitrators, and no such litigation
is threatened by or against the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to
Intellectual Property Rights. The conduct of the Business of the Company and
its Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of
any other Person.
Section 3.21. Contracts. The contracts listed and described in Schedule
3.21 constitute all of the contracts, agreements or commitments of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, except those contracts, agreements or
commitments entered into in the ordinary course of business which do not have
a
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contractual value in excess of Lit. 100,000,000 (the "Material Contracts").
Each of the Material Contracts is in full force and effect, unamended, and,
at the date hereof, there exists no default or event of default or event,
occurrence, condition or act which, with the giving of notice, the lapse of
time or the happening of any other event or condition, would become a default
or event of default thereunder. The Company and its Subsidiaries have not
violated or breached, in any material respect, any of the terms or conditions
of any Material Contract, and all the covenants to be performed by any other
party thereto have been fully performed.
Section 3.22. Title to the Property and Assets. Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.22, the Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable
title to and legal and beneficial ownership of all their respective
properties and assets, free and clear of all Liens. All Liens granted by the
Company and its Subsidiaries to secure fully repaid loan agreements,
overdraft, discount notes or other credit facilities have been duly canceled.
The Company and its Subsidiaries have obtained the consent from the relevant
bank institutions for the cancellation of the registered mortgages pertaining
to Loans and obligations fully reimbursed. No Person has any written or oral
agreement, option, understanding or commitment, or any right or privilege
capable of becoming such for the purchase from the Company or its
Subsidiaries of any of their respective properties or assets.
Section 3.23. Condition of Assets. All of the property and assets owned or
used by each of the Company and its Subsidiaries are in good operating
condition and are in a state of good repair and maintenance, having regard to
the age and use thereof, reasonable wear and tear excepted. During the two
years preceding the date of this Agreement, there has not been any
significant interruption of operations (being an interruption of more than
seven days) of the Business due to inadequate maintenance of any of the
property and assets owned and used by each of the Company and its
Subsidiaries.
Section 3.24. Customers and Suppliers. (a) Except as set forth in Schedule
3.24, no customer has notified or otherwise indicated to the Seller, the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries that it will stop, or decrease the rate
of, its purchases of materials, products or services from the Company and its
Subsidiaries, and no customer has, during the year ending December 31, 1999,
ceased or materially decreased its purchases of any such materials, products
or services from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(b) No supplier has notified or otherwise indicated to the Seller, the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries that it will stop, or decrease the rate
of, or, other than publicly announced generally applicable price increases,
materially increase the cost of, its supply of materials, products or
services used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and no supplier has,
during the year ending December 31, 1999, ceased, materially decreased the
rate of or materially raised the cost of, any such materials, products or
services.
Section 3.25. Brokers. No Person is or will be entitled to a broker's,
finder's, investment banker's, financial adviser's or similar fee from the
Company or the Seller in connection with this Agreement or any of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 3.26. Absence of Questionable Payments. Neither the Company or any
Subsidiary nor any Affiliate, director, officer, employee, agent,
representative or other Person acting on behalf of the Company or any
Subsidiary has: (i) used any corporate or other funds for unlawful
contributions, payments, gifts or entertainment, or made any unlawful
expenditures relating to political activities to government officials or
others, or (ii) accepted or received any unlawful contributions, payments,
gifts or expenditures.
Section 3.27. Transactions with Affiliates. To the Seller's best
knowledge, no director or executive officer of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries (a) owns, directly or indirectly, any interest in (excepting not
more than 1% stock holdings for investment purposes in securities of publicly
held and traded companies) or is an officer, director, employee or consultant
of, any Person which is a competitor, lessor, lessee, customer or supplier of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (b) owns, directly or indirectly, in
whole or in part, any tangible or intangible property which the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries is using
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or the use of which is necessary for its respective business or (c) has any
cause of action or other claim whatsoever against, or owes any amount to, the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries except for claims in the ordinary course
of business, such as for accrued vacation pay, accrued benefits under
Employee Benefit Plans and similar matters and agreements.
Section 3.28. Registration Statement; Prospectus/Proxy Statement. None of
the information supplied by the Company or the Seller for inclusion in the
registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
registering the Purchaser Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Agreement
(such registration statement, as amended by any amendments thereto, being
referred to herein as the "Registration Statement") or the prospectus/proxy
statement to be sent to the stockholders of the Purchaser in connection with
the special meeting of stockholders of the Purchaser at which such
stockholders will be asked to approve the Amended and Restated Certificate
and the issuance of Purchaser Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement (the
"Purchaser Special Meeting") (such prospectus/proxy statement, as amended by
any amendments thereto, being referred to herein as the "Prospectus/Proxy
Statement"), including all amendments and supplements to the Registration
Statement and Prospectus/Proxy Statement, shall, in the case of the
Registration Statement, at the time the Registration Statement becomes
effective and, in the case of the Prospectus/Proxy Statement, on the date or
dates the Prospectus/Proxy Statement is first mailed to the Purchaser
stockholders and on the date of the Purchaser Special Meeting, contain any
untrue statements of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
Section 3.29. Year 2000. To the extent that any functionality of any
computer system used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is dependent
upon or interdependent with the use or specification of any calendar date,
the Company and its Subsidiaries have used commercially reasonable efforts
(including without limitation seeking written confirmations from all material
vendors that such vendors' computer systems are "Year 2000 Compliant") in
implementing and have implemented, a plan pursuant to which any such computer
system shall be "Year 2000 Compliant", except where failure to do so will not
result in a Company Material Adverse Change. For purposes of this Agreement,
the term "Year 2000 Compliant" means that neither the performance nor the
functionality of such computer systems shall be materially affected by dates
in, into and between the 20th and 21st centuries. To be deemed "Year 2000
Compliant", such computer systems shall conform in all material respects to
the following basic requirements: (i) no value for a current date shall cause
any interruption in the operations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(or of the Company's or its Subsidiaries' vendors) in which computer systems
are used; and (ii) any date-based functions shall operate and perform in a
consistent manner for date in, into and between the 20th and 21st centuries
and such computer systems shall calculate, manipulate and represent dates
correctly, although no such computer systems shall use particular date values
for special meanings.
Section 3.30. Indemnity under 1998 Stock Agreement. To the best knowledge
of the Seller, neither party to that certain Stock Purchase Agreement dated
July 29, 1998 (the "1998 Stock Agreement") between Carlo Petrini and Vertical
Capital, Ltd. has made any claim for indemnity from the other party pursuant
to the terms of the 1998 Stock Agreement. Seller is not aware of any contest,
challenge, dispute or claim respecting the transactions contemplated by the
1998 Stock Agreement.
Section 3.31. Full Disclosure. All the financial and business and other
information, provided by the Seller, the Company and its Subsidiaries to the
Purchaser are accurate, complete and correct in all material respects.
Neither this Agreement nor any document to be delivered pursuant to this
Agreement by the Seller, the Company or its Subsidiaries nor any certificate,
report, statement or other document furnished by the Seller, the Company or
its Subsidiaries in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement
contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or
will omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained
herein or therein not misleading. There has been no event, transaction or
information that has come to the attention of the Seller, that could
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the assets,
business, earnings, properties or conditions (financial or otherwise) of the
Company and its Subsidiaries that has not been disclosed to the Purchaser in
writing.
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ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING THE PURCHASER
The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Seller as follows:
Section 4.1. Organization and Qualification. The Purchaser is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Delaware, with full power and authority, corporate and
other, to own or lease its property and assets and to carry on its business
as presently conducted. The Purchaser is duly qualified to do business as a
foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the
nature of the business conducted by it or the property it owns, leases or
operates, makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be
so qualified or in good standing would not reasonably be expected to result
in a Purchaser Material Adverse Change. The Purchaser has previously provided
to the Seller true and complete copies of its Amended and Restated
Certification of Incorporation (the "Amended and Restated Certificate") and
by-laws and any amendments thereto.
Section 4.2. Authorization; Execution and Delivery; Enforceability. The
Purchaser has full power and authority, corporate and other, to execute and
deliver this Agreement and, upon obtaining the requisite approval of the
holders of Purchaser Common Stock at the Purchaser Special Meeting of
stockholders or any adjournment thereof with respect to the Amended and
Restated Certificate of the Purchaser and the issuance of shares of Purchaser
Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement, to perform its obligations
hereunder, all of which will have been duly authorized by all requisite
corporate action. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and
validly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Purchaser, and except as
stated in the preceding sentence, no other corporate proceedings on the part
of the Purchaser are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate
transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by the Purchaser and, subject to stockholder approval
as aforesaid, constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Purchaser,
enforceable against the Purchaser in accordance with its terms, subject to
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and
similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors'
rights and to general equity principles.
Section 4.3. Capitalization of the Purchaser. (a) As of September 30,
1999, the Purchaser's authorized capital stock consisted solely of (i)
50,000,000 shares of Purchaser Common Stock, of which (A) 9,875,569 shares
were issued and outstanding, (B) 248,255 shares were issued and held in
treasury and (C) 6,171,726 shares were reserved for issuance upon the
exercise or conversion of options, warrants or convertible securities granted
or issuable by the Purchaser and (ii) 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock,
par value $.01 per share (the "Purchaser Preferred Stock"), of which 2,000
shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.
Each outstanding share of Purchaser Common Stock is, and all shares of
Purchaser Common Stock to be issued in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby will be, duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership
thereof, and each outstanding share of Purchaser Common Stock has not been,
and all shares of Purchaser Common Stock to be issued in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby will not be subject to or issued in
violation of any preemptive or similar rights. The shares of Purchaser Common
Stock are registered under the Exchange Act. As of September 30, 1999, except
as set forth above or in the "Purchaser SEC Documents" (as defined herein),
the Purchaser does not have and is not bound by any outstanding
subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, commitments or agreements of any
character calling for the purchase or issuance of any shares of Purchaser
Common Stock or Purchaser Preferred Stock or any other equity securities of
the Purchaser or any securities representing the right to purchase or
otherwise receive any shares of Purchaser Common Stock or Purchaser Preferred
Stock.
(b) Schedule 4.3 sets forth a list of all of the Subsidiaries of the
Purchaser. The Purchaser owns directly or indirectly each of the outstanding
shares of capital stock of each of its Subsidiaries free and clear of any
Liens.
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Section 4.4. Non-Contravention. Neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement nor the performance by the Purchaser of its obligations hereunder
will, subject to obtaining the requisite approval of the Amended and Restated
Certificate and the issuance of the shares of Purchaser Common Stock pursuant
to this Agreement by the Purchaser, (i) contravene any provision contained in
the Purchaser's Amended and Restated Certificate or by-laws, (ii) violate or
result in a breach (with or without the lapse of time, the giving of notice
or both) of or constitute a default under (A) any contract, agreement,
commitment, indenture, mortgage, lease, pledge, note, license, permit or
other instrument or obligation or (B) any Applicable Law, in each case to
which it is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its assets or
properties are subject, (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any
Liens on any of its assets or properties, (iv) result in the acceleration of,
or permit any Person to accelerate or declare due and payable prior to its
stated maturity, any of its obligations, except where in the case of (i),
(ii), (iii) or (iv) such violation, contravention, Lien or acceleration would
not reasonably be expected to result in a Purchaser Material Adverse Change.
Section 4.5. No Consents. Except for actions to be taken in connection
with (a) the filing of the amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate,
(b) the filing and effectiveness of the Registration Statement, (c) the
filings required under and in connection with the applicable requirements of
the HSR Act, (d) filings required pursuant to any state securities or "blue
sky" laws, (e) filings and other matters relating to the listing on Nasdaq of
the shares of Purchaser Common Stock required to be issued pursuant to this
Agreement, (f) filings and approvals as may be required under Italian and EU
antitrust laws, (g) approval by the stockholders of Purchaser of the issuance
of Purchaser Common Stock required to be issued pursuant to this Agreement
and other related matters and (h) any other filings, notices, disclosures or
registrations set forth on Schedule 4.5, no notice to, filing with, or
authorization, registration, consent or approval of any Governmental
Authority or other Person is necessary for the execution, delivery or
performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby by the Purchaser.
Section 4.6. Board Recommendation. The Board of Directors and the Special
Committee of the Board of Directors of the Purchaser have, by a unanimous
vote at the meetings of the Board of Directors and Special Committee duly
each held on November 2, 1999, approved and adopted this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby. At such meetings, the Board and the Special
Committee recommended that the holders of Purchaser Common Stock approve the
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate and the issuance of shares
of Purchaser Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 4.7. Registration Statement; Prospectus/Proxy Statement. None of
the information supplied by the Purchaser for inclusion in, and none of the
information regarding the Purchaser and its subsidiaries incorporated by
reference in, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus/Proxy Statement,
including all amendments and supplements thereto, shall, in the case of the
Registration Statement, at the time the Registration Statement becomes
effective, and, in the case of the Prospectus/Proxy Statement, on the date or
dates the Prospectus/Proxy Statement is first mailed to the Purchaser's
stockholders and on the date of the Purchaser Special Meeting, contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
The Registration Statement and the Prospectus/Proxy Statement will comply as
to form in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as the case may be.
Section 4.8. SEC Filings. (a) The Purchaser has filed with the Commission
all required forms, reports and documents required to be filed by it with the
Commission since March 26, 1997 (collectively, the "Purchaser SEC Reports"),
all of which, when filed (in the case of forms, reports and documents filed
pursuant to the Exchange Act) or when declared effective (in the case of
registration statements filed pursuant to the Securities Act), complied as to
form in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as the case may be. As of their
respective dates, the Purchaser SEC Reports (including documents included as
exhibits thereto or incorporated by reference therein) did not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
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(b) The Purchaser will deliver to the Seller as soon as they become
available, true and complete copies of any report or statement mailed by the
Purchaser to its security holders generally or filed by it with the
Commission, in each case subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the
Closing Date. As of their respective dates, such reports and statements
(excluding any information therein provided by the Company and the Seller, as
to which the Purchaser makes no representation) will comply as to form in all
material respects with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act and
the Exchange Act, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
are made, not misleading, and will further comply in all material respects
with all applicable requirements of law, except for such failures to comply
as to form, untrue statements or omissions or further failures to comply
which would not be reasonably likely to result in, individually or in the
aggregate, a Purchaser Material Adverse Change. The audited consolidated
financial statements and unaudited consolidated interim financial statements
of the Purchaser and its subsidiaries to be included or incorporated by
reference in such reports and statements will be prepared in accordance with
U.S. GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved
(except as may be indicated in the notes to such financial statements), and
in accordance with all applicable published accounting requirements under the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and will fairly present in all material
respects the consolidated financial position of the Purchaser and its
subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of
operations and consolidated cash flows of the Purchaser and its subsidiaries
for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of any unaudited interim
financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments and to the extent that
they may not include footnotes or may be condensed or summary statements);
provided, however, that any pro forma financial statements will not
necessarily be indicative of the consolidated financial position of the
Purchaser and its subsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof and the
consolidated results of operations and cash flows of the Purchaser and its
subsidiaries for the periods indicated.
Section 4.9. Opinions of Financial Advisors. The Purchaser has received
the written opinion of Royce Investment Group, its financial advisor, to the
effect that, as of the date of this Agreement, the number of shares of
Purchaser Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
is fair to the Purchaser stockholders from a financial point of view. The
Purchaser has heretofore provided copies of such opinion to the Seller.
Section 4.10. Brokers. Except for Royce Investment, Inc., no Person is or
will be entitled to a broker's, finder's, investment banker's, financial
adviser's or similar fee from the Purchaser in connection with this Agreement
or any of the transactions contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
Section 5.1. Access and Information. (a) Prior to the Closing, and except
for disclosures which would cause the Company to waive the attorney-client
privilege or otherwise violate Applicable Law or any material confidentiality
agreement, the Purchaser shall be entitled to make or cause to be made such
investigation of the Company, and the financial and legal condition thereof,
as the Purchaser deems necessary or advisable, and the Seller shall cause the
Company to cooperate with any such investigation. In furtherance of the
foregoing, but not in limitation thereof, the Seller shall cause the Company
to (a) permit the Purchaser and its agents and representatives or cause them
to be permitted to have full and complete access to the premises, operating
systems, computer systems (hardware and software) and books and records of
the Company upon reasonable notice during regular business hours, (b) furnish
or cause to be furnished to the Purchaser such financial and operating data,
projections, forecasts, business plans, strategic plans and other data
relating to the Company and its businesses as the Purchaser shall request
from time to time, (c) cause the Company's accountants to furnish to the
Purchaser and its accountants access to all work papers relating to any of
the periods covered by financial statements provided by the Company to the
Purchaser hereunder and (d) furnish to the Purchaser's financial advisor
complete and
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accurate information comparable to the types of information heretofore
furnished by the Purchaser to the Purchaser's financial advisor in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby and such other information as such
financial advisor may reasonably request in order to perform its financial
advisory role on behalf of the Purchaser.
(b) Prior to the Closing, and except for disclosures which would cause the
Purchaser or any of its subsidiaries to waive the attorney-client privilege
or otherwise violate any Applicable Laws or any material confidentiality
agreement, the Purchaser shall provide complete and accurate information to
the Seller and its representatives in response to reasonable requests for
information made in order to enable the Seller to make such investigation of
the Purchaser and the financial and legal condition thereof, as the Seller
deems necessary or advisable.
(c) Prior to the Closing, neither party hereto shall use any information
provided to it in confidence for any purposes unrelated to this Agreement.
Except with respect to publicly available documents, in the event that this
Agreement is terminated, (i) the Purchaser will return to the Seller all
documents obtained by them from the Seller or the Company in confidence and
any copies thereof in the possession of the Purchaser or its agents and
representatives or, at the option of the Purchaser, the Purchaser shall cause
all of such documents and all of such copies to be destroyed and shall
certify the destruction thereof to the Seller and (ii) the Seller will return
to the Purchaser all documents obtained by them from the Purchaser and its
subsidiaries in confidence and any copies thereof in the possession of the
Seller or its agents and representatives or, at the option of the Seller, the
Seller shall cause all of such documents and all of such copies to be
destroyed and shall certify the destruction thereof to the Purchaser.
(d) No investigation by any party hereto or hereafter made shall modify or
otherwise affect any representations and warranties of the other party
hereto, which shall survive any such investigation, or the conditions to the
obligation of the parties hereto to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby.
Section 5.2. The Seller'sAffirmative Covenants. Prior to the Closing,
except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Seller shall cause the
Company and each of its Subsidiaries to:
(a) conduct its business only in the ordinary and regular course of
business consistent with past practices;
(b) keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and all material
rights, franchises, Intellectual Property Rights, Proprietary Information and
goodwill relating or obtaining to its business;
(c) endeavor to retain its employees and preserve its present
relationships with customers, suppliers, contractors, distributors and such
employees, and continue to compensate such employees consistent with past
practices;
(d) maintain the Intellectual Property Rights and Proprietary Information
so as not to affect adversely the validity or enforcement thereof; maintain
the other assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries in customary repair,
order and condition and maintain insurance reasonably comparable to that in
effect on the date of this Agreement; and in the event of any casualty, loss
or damage to any of the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
repair or replace such assets with assets of comparable quality;
(e) maintain the books, accounts and records of the Company and its
Subsidiaries in accordance with Italian GAAP, to the extent applicable,
consistent with past practices;
(f) use its best efforts to obtain all authorizations, consents, waivers,
approvals or other actions necessary or desirable to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and to cause the other conditions to the
Purchaser's obligation to close to be satisfied; and
(g) promptly inform the Purchaser in writing of any material breach of or
change in the representations and warranties contained in Article III.
Section 5.3. Purchaser's Affirmative Covenants. Prior to the Closing,
except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Purchaser shall, and the
Purchaser shall cause each of its subsidiaries to:
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(a) conduct its business only in the ordinary and regular course of
business consistent with past practices, provided that the Purchaser shall
have the right to dispose of the assets relating to its current business upon
written consent of the Seller which shall not be unreasonably withheld;
(b) maintain the books, accounts and records of the Purchaser and its
subsidiaries in accordance with U.S. GAAP, to the extent applicable,
consistent with past practices;
(c) use its best efforts to obtain all authorizations, consents, waivers,
approvals or other actions necessary or desirable to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and to cause the other conditions to the
Seller's obligation to close to be satisfied; and
(d) promptly inform the Seller in writing of any material breach of or
change in the representations and warranties contained in Article IV hereof.
Section 5.4. The Seller's Negative Covenants. (a) Prior to the Closing,
without the prior written consent of the Purchaser or as otherwise expressly
provided herein, the Seller will not, and will cause the Company and its
Subsidiaries not to:
(i) take any action or omit to take any action which would result in the
Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' (A) incurring any trade accounts
payable outside of the ordinary course of business or making any
commitment to purchase quantities of any item of inventory in excess of
quantities normally purchased in the ordinary course of business; (B)
increasing any of its indebtedness for borrowed money except in the
ordinary course of business; (C) guaranteeing the obligations of any
entity other than its Subsidiaries; (D) merging or consolidating with,
purchasing substantially all of the assets of, or otherwise acquiring any
business or any proprietorship, firm, association, limited liability
company, corporation or other business organization; (E) increasing or
decreasing the rate or type of compensation payable to any officer,
director, employee or consultant of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(other than regularly scheduled increases in base salary and annual
bonuses consistent with prior practice); (F) other than in the ordinary
course of business, entering into or amending any collective bargaining
agreement, or creating or modifying any pension or profit-sharing plan,
bonus, deferred compensation, death benefit, or retirement plan, or any
other employee benefit plan, or increasing the level of benefits under any
such plan, or extending the exercisability of any outstanding stock option
or increasing or decreasing any severance or termination pay benefit or
any other fringe benefit; (G) making any representation to anyone
indicating any intention of the Purchaser or its subsidiaries to retain,
institute, or provide any employee benefit plans; (H) declaring or paying
any dividend or making any distribution with respect to, or purchasing or
redeeming, shares of the capital stock of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries; (I) selling or disposing of any assets otherwise than in the
ordinary course of business of the Company and its Subsidiaries; (J)
making any capital expenditures other than in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practices and in no event in excess of US
$100,000 in the aggregate; (K) issuing any shares of the capital stock of
any kind of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, transferring from the
treasury of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries any shares of the
capital stock of the Company or its Subsidiaries or issuing or granting
any subscriptions, options, rights, warrants, convertible securities or
other agreements or commitments to issue, or contracts or any other
agreements obligating the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, or
to transfer from treasury, any shares of capital stock of any class or
kind, or securities convertible into any such shares; (L) modifying,
amending or terminating any material contract other than in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practices; or (M) entering into
any other transaction outside of the ordinary course of business;
(ii) change any method or principle of accounting in a manner that is
inconsistent with past practice, except to the extent required by Italian
GAAP as advised by the Company's regular independent accountants;
(iii) take any action that would likely result in the representations and
warranties set forth in Article III (other than representations made as of
a particular date) becoming false or inaccurate in any material respect
(or, as to representations and warranties, which, by their terms, are
qualified as to materiality, becoming false or inaccurate in any respect);
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(iv) incur or create any Liens on assets;
(v) except as contemplated herein, take any action or omit to take any
action which would prejudice the Purchaser's rights to consummate each of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to compel performance
of each of the obligations of the Seller under this Agreement;
(vi) take or omit to be taken any action, or permit any of its Affiliates
to take or to omit to take any action, which would reasonably be expected
to result in a Company Material Adverse Change;
(vii) agree or commit to take any action precluded by this Section 5.4.
(b) Prior to the Closing, without the prior written consent of the
Purchaser or as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Seller will not:
(i) enter into any contract, agreement or commitment or take any other
action which, if entered into or taken prior to the date of this
Agreement, would cause any representation or warranty of the Seller to be
untrue or be required to be disclosed on one or more Schedules referred to
in Article III;
(ii) take or omit to be taken any action, or permit its Affiliates to
take or to omit to take any action, which could reasonably be expected to
result in a Company Material Adverse Change; or
(iii) agree or commit to take any action prescribed by this Section 5.4.
Section 5.5. Purchaser's Negative Covenants. Prior to the Closing, without
the prior written consent of the Seller or as otherwise expressly provided
herein, the Purchaser will not, and the Purchaser will cause its subsidiaries
not to:
(a) change any method or principle of accounting in a manner that is
inconsistent with past practice, except to the extent required by U.S. GAAP
as advised by Purchaser's regular independent accountants;
(b) take any action, except as otherwise provided herein, that would
likely result in the representations and warranties set forth in Article IV
(other than representations made as of a particular date) becoming false or
inaccurate in any material respect (or, as to representations and warranties,
which, by their terms, are qualified as to materiality, becoming false or
inaccurate in any respect);
(c) except as contemplated herein, take any action or omit to take any
action which would prejudice the Seller's rights to consummate each of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to compel performance of each
of the obligations of the Purchaser under this Agreement;
(d) except as contemplated herein, take or omit to be taken any action, or
permit any of its Affiliates to take or to omit to take any action, which
would reasonably be expected to result in a Purchaser Material Adverse
Change; or
(e) agree or commit to take any action precluded by this Section 5.5.
Section 5.6. Closing Documents. The Seller shall, prior to or on the
Closing Date, execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered to
the Purchaser, the documents or instruments described in Section 6.2. The
Purchaser shall, prior to or on the Closing Date, execute and deliver, or
cause to be executed and delivered, to the Seller, the documents or
instruments described in Section 6.3.
Section 5.7. Transfer and Other Taxes. (a) The Purchaser shall pay any
stamp, stock transfer, sales, purchase, use or similar tax under the laws of
any Governmental Authority arising out of or resulting from the purchase of
the Shares. The Purchaser shall prepare and file the required tax returns and
other required documents with respect to the taxes and fees required to be
paid by them pursuant to the preceding sentence.
(b) The Seller shall (i) prepare and file all income tax returns reporting
the income of the Seller arising on the Closing Date from the sale to the
Purchaser of the Shares, (ii) be responsible for the conduct of all tax
examinations relating to the tax returns referred to in (i) above, and (iii)
pay all taxes owing with respect to the tax returns referred to in (i) above.
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Section 5.8. Employment Agreements. Prior to the Closing Date, Jacob Agam
and Lucio De Luca will have executed and delivered to the Company employment
agreements satisfactory to Purchaser (the "New Employment Agreements").
Section 5.9. Public Announcements. Unless otherwise required by Applicable
Laws or requirements of Nasdaq (and in that event only if time does not
permit), at all times prior to the earlier of the Closing Date or termination
of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1, the Purchaser and the Seller shall
(and the Seller shall cause the Company to) consult with each other before
issuing any press release with respect to the transactions contemplated
hereby and shall not issue any such press release prior to such consultation.
Section 5.10. Purchaser Special Meeting. Subject to Article VII, the
Purchaser shall take all action in accordance with the federal securities
laws, the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Purchaser's Amended and
Restated Certificate and by-laws, as amended, necessary to convene the
Purchaser Special Meeting to be held on the earliest practical date, and to
obtain the consent and approval of the Purchaser's stockholders with respect
to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including (in the
absence of conditions that would justify the termination of this Agreement)
recommending such approval to the Purchaser's stockholders.
Section 5.11. Preparation of the Prospectus/Proxy Statement and the
Registration Statement. The Purchaser shall, as soon as is reasonably
practicable, prepare the Prospectus/Proxy Statement to be included in the
Registration Statement. The Seller shall cause the Company to cooperate with
the Purchaser in providing to the Purchaser such consolidated financial
statements, financial data and accountant's reports as the Purchaser shall
reasonably request with respect to the filing of the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus/Proxy Statement. Once both parties consent to the filing
of the Prospectus/Proxy Statement with the SEC (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld), the Purchaser shall file the Prospectus/Proxy
Statement with the SEC, which filing shall be made on a confidential basis to
the extent permitted by the regulations of the SEC with respect to such
filings. Prior to the mailing of the Proxy Statement included in the
Prospectus/Proxy Statement, Gianni, Origoni & Partners, counsel to the
Company and the Seller, shall deliver its opinion, dated as of the mailing
date, in such form as shall be reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser. The
Purchaser shall prepare and file the Registration Statement with the SEC as
soon as is reasonably practicable following clearance of the Prospectus/Proxy
Statement by the SEC and reasonable approval of the Prospectus/Proxy
Statement by the Purchaser, and the Seller shall cause the Company to use all
reasonable efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective by
the SEC as promptly as practicable thereafter and to maintain the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement through the Closing Date. If, at
any time prior to the Closing Date, the Purchaser or the Seller shall obtain
knowledge of any information contained in or omitted from the Registration
Statement that would require an amendment or supplement to the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus/Proxy Statement, the party obtaining such
knowledge will promptly so advise the other parties in writing and the
Purchaser and the Seller shall (and the Seller shall cause the Company to)
promptly take such action as shall be required to amend or supplement the
Registration Statement and/or the Prospectus/Proxy Statement. The Seller
shall cause the Company to promptly furnish to the Purchaser all financial
and other information concerning it as may be required for the
Prospectus/Proxy Statement and any supplements or amendments thereto. The
Purchaser and the Seller shall (and the Seller shall cause the Company to)
cooperate in the preparation of the Prospectus/ Proxy Statement in a timely
fashion and shall use all reasonable efforts to clear the Prospectus/Proxy
Statement and the Registration Statement with the staff of the SEC. Promptly
after the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, the
Purchaser shall use all reasonable efforts to mail at the earliest
practicable date to its stockholders the Prospectus/Proxy Statement, which
shall include all information required under Applicable Law to be furnished
to the Purchaser's stockholders in connection with the transactions
contemplated thereby and shall include the recommendation of the Board of
Directors and the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of the
Purchaser to the extent not previously withdrawn and the written opinion of
Royce Investment Group described in Section 4.9. The Purchaser also shall
take such other reasonable actions (other than qualifying to do business in
any
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jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or submitting to taxation in any
jurisdiction in which it is not subject to taxation) required to be taken
under any applicable state securities laws in connection with the issuance of
Purchaser Common Stock, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
Section 5.12. Nasdaq Listing. The Purchaser shall use its reasonable
efforts to cause the Purchaser Common Stock issuable pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement to be approved for listing on Nasdaq prior to the Closing
Date.
Section 5.13. Non-Competition and Confidentiality Agreement. Neither the
Seller nor its Affiliates will (a) for a period ending the earlier of five
years after the Closing Date or such time as Purchaser consummates a
Termination Transaction (as hereinafter defined), directly or indirectly,
anywhere in the world engage in the manufacture or distribution of animal
feed, flour or pasta products; or (b) for a period of five years after the
Closing Date, directly or indirectly employ, engage, contract for or solicit
the services in any capacity of any Person who is employed by the Company on
the date hereof, unless the employment of such Person is terminated by the
Purchaser prior to any solicitation of employment or employment; or (c) use
for its own benefit or divulge or convey to any third party, any Confidential
Information (as hereinafter defined) relating to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries. For purposes of this Agreement, (i) "Termination Transaction"
shall mean (x) the merger or consolidation of Purchaser with another
corporation which is not Affiliated with Purchaser or Seller where the
stockholders of Purchaser, immediately prior to the merger or consolidation,
do not beneficially own immediately after the merger or consolidation, shares
of the corporation issuing cash or securities in the merger or consolidation
entitling such shareholders to the majority of all votes (without
consideration of the rights of any class of stock to elect directors by a
separate class vote) to which all stockholders of such corporation would be
entitled in the election of directors, or (y) the sale or disposition of all
or substantially all of the assets or equity of Purchaser to a corporation
not Affiliated with Purchaser or Seller and (ii) "Confidential Information"
consists of all information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries including, without limitation, customer and supplier
lists, formulae, trade know-how, processes, secrets, consultant contracts,
pricing information, marketing plans, product development plans, business
acquisition plans and all other information relating to the operation of the
Company not in the public domain or otherwise publicly available. Information
which enters the public domain or is publicly available loses its
confidential status hereunder so long as neither the Seller nor its
Affiliates directly or indirectly cause such information to enter the public
domain.
The Seller acknowledges that the restrictions contained in this Section
5.13 are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the
Purchaser and that any breach by the Seller of any provision hereof will
result in irreparable injury to the Purchaser. The Seller acknowledges that,
in addition to all remedies available at law, the Purchaser shall be entitled
to equitable relief, including injunctive relief, and an equitable accounting
of all earnings, profits or other benefits arising from such breach and shall
be entitled to receive such other damages, direct or consequential, as may be
appropriate. The Purchaser shall not be required to post any bond or other
security in connection with any proceeding to enforce this Section 5.13.
Section 5.14. Best Efforts; Further Assurances. Subject to the terms and
conditions herein provided, each of the parties hereto shall use its best
efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action, and to do, or cause to be
done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable under applicable
laws and regulations to consummate and make effective the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. Each of the Purchaser and the Seller shall
(and the Seller shall cause the Company to) use their respective best efforts
to obtain consents of all Governmental Authorities and third parties
necessary to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. In the event that at any time after the Closing any further action
is necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, each of the
Purchaser and the Seller shall (and the Seller shall cause the Company to)
take all such action without any further consideration therefor.
Section 5.15. Third Party Proposals. Neither the Seller nor any Affiliate
of the Seller shall (nor shall the Seller cause the Company or any of its
Affiliates) to solicit or encourage inquiries or proposals with respect to,
or, except as required by law or a fiduciary obligation in the written
opinion of counsel,
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furnish any information relating to or participate in any negotiations or
discussions concerning, any acquisition or purchase of all or a substantial
portion of the assets of, or of a substantial equity interest in, the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or any business combination with the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries other than as contemplated by this Agreement (each,
an "Acquisition Proposal"). The Seller shall notify the Purchaser immediately
if any Acquisition Proposal is received by, any such information is requested
from, or any such negotiations or discussions are sought to be initiated
with, the Seller, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The Seller and its
Affiliates shall (and the Seller shall cause the Company and its Affiliates
to) immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing activities,
including discussions or negotiations with any parties, conducted prior to
the date hereof with respect to any Acquisition Proposal. If any Person
(other than the Purchaser or their respective agents and representatives) has
been provided with any confidential information or data relating to an
Acquisition Proposal, the Seller shall cause such information or data to be
immediately returned to it. The Seller shall and the Seller shall cause the
Company and their respective officers, directors, agents, advisors and
Affiliates to comply with the provisions of this Section 5.15.
Section 5.16. Hart-Scott-Rodino Filings. As soon as practicable, but in no
event more than seven (7) Business Days from the date hereof, the Purchaser
and the Seller shall file with the Antitrust Division of the Department of
Justice (the "Antitrust Division") and the Federal Trade Commission (the
"FTC") the notification and report form (the "Report") required under the HSR
Act, with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby. Each of the
Purchaser and the Seller shall (and the Seller shall cause the Company to)
cooperate with each other to the extent necessary to assist the Seller and
the Purchaser in the preparation of the Report, shall request early
termination of the waiting period required by the HSR Act and, if requested,
will promptly amend or furnish additional information thereunder if requested
by the Antitrust Division and/or the FTC.
Section 5.17. Affiliates of the Company. The Seller shall cause each
person who may be on the Closing Date or was on the date hereof an
"affiliate" of the Company for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities Act,
to execute and deliver to the Purchaser no less than five days prior to the
date of the Closing, the written undertakings in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit A (the "Affiliate Letter"). No later than ten days prior to the date
of the Closing, Seller, after consultation with its outside counsel, shall
provide the Purchaser with a letter (reasonably satisfactory to the
Purchaser's counsel) specifying all of the persons or entities who, in the
Seller's opinion, may be deemed to be "affiliates" of the Company under the
preceding sentence. The foregoing notwithstanding, the Purchaser shall be
entitled to place legends as specified in the Affiliate Letter on the
certificates evidencing any shares of the Purchaser Common Stock to be
received by (i) any such "affiliate" of the Company specified in such letter
or (ii) any person the Purchaser reasonably identifies (by written notice to
the Seller and the Company) as being a person who may be deemed an
"affiliate" for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities Act, and to issue
appropriate stop transfer instructions to the transfer agent for Purchaser
Common Stock, consistent with the terms of the Affiliate Letter, regardless
of whether such person has executed the Affiliate Letter and regardless of
whether such person's name appears on the letter to be delivered pursuant to
the preceding sentence.
Section 5.18. Purchaser's Post Closing Covenants. (a) For so long as
Spigadoro (or its current shareholders), their respective Affiliates and
Carlo Petrini collectively hold at least (i) 50% of the outstanding shares of
Purchaser Common Stock, Spigadoro or its assignee shall have the right, but
not the obligation, to nominate 50% of the members of the management slate
for election to the Purchaser's Board of Directors by the stockholders of the
Purchaser, (ii) 25% of the outstanding shares of Purchaser Common Stock,
Spigadoro or its assignee shall have the right, but not the obligation, to
nominate 25% of the members of the management slate for election to the
Purchaser's Board of Directors by the stockholders of the Purchaser and (iii)
10% of the shares of Purchaser's Common Stock, Spigadoro or its assignee
shall have the right, but not the obligation, to nominate a single member of
the management slate for election to the Purchaser's Board of Directors by
the stockholders of the Purchaser. In each case, the Purchaser agrees to use
its best efforts to ensure that such person or persons are duly elected.
(b) At the Closing Date, Seller and/or its Affiliates will have pledged
6,000,000 shares of Purchaser Common Stock (the "Pledged Stock") as security
for re-payment of certain of the Assumed Indebtedness
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identified as item 4 on Schedule 2.2. In the event that Purchaser should
default on such indebtedness and the creditor should forclose, in whole or in
part, upon the Pledged Stock, Purchaser agrees to promptly issue replacement
shares ("Additional Shares") of Purchaser Common Stock to Seller on a share
for share basis. At the time of issuance, the Additional Shares will not be
registered for re-sale or distribution by the Seller under the Securities Act
and applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws. Accordingly, the Seller
may not pledge, transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of any of the Shares (or
any interest therein) unless such transfer or disposition is registered under
the Securities Act and such laws or an exemption from registration is
available with respect thereto. In order to perfect an exemption from
registration for the issuance of the Shares to the Seller, at the time of
issuance thereof and as a condition precedent thereto, the Seller will be
required to represent and warrant to the Purchaser that, among other things,
(i) it is an "accredited investor" as such term is defined pursuant to the
Securities Act, (ii) it has sufficient sophistication and experience to
evaluate an investment in the Purchaser, (iii) an investment in the Shares is
suitable for it, and (iv) it understands the nature of the restrictions on
their ability to effect a transfer or disposition of the Additional Shares.
The Seller also will be obligated to agree to other customary provisions
designed to ensure that no transfer or disposition of the Additional Shares
will occur in violation of the Securities Act. In the event that the Seller
seeks to distribute Additional Shares to its stockholders, any approval of
such transfer will be conditioned upon, among other things, (i) receipt of an
opinion of counsel to the Seller in form and substance satisfactory to the
Purchaser to the effect that such distribution may be effected without
violation of the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws, and
(ii) receipt of an agreement from such stockholders to be bound by the
provisions hereof.
Section 5.19. Financial Statements for a Current Report on Form 8-K. (a)
Prior to the Closing, the Seller shall cause the Company to provide to the
Purchaser, regardless of when the Closing occurs, (i) audited consolidated
balance sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999
and 1998, (ii) audited consolidated statements of income, cash flows and
changes in shareholders' equity of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the
years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, (iii) an unqualified report
with respect to such audited financial statements by the Accountants, which
report shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Purchaser, and (iv) unaudited consolidated balance sheets of the Company and
its Subsidiaries and unaudited consolidated statements of income, cash flows
and changes in shareholders' equity of the Company and its Subsidiaries
necessary for the filing of the Purchaser's current report on Form 8-K. Such
financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP,
consistently applied, and shall conform in all material respects to all
provisions of the SEC's Regulation S-X, so that such financial statements
meet the requirements for filing by Purchaser with the SEC.
(b) At the Closing, the Seller shall cause the Accountants to deliver to
the Purchaser an executed consent, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Purchaser and suitable for filing by the Purchaser with
the SEC, which consent shall authorize the Purchaser to file with the SEC the
report delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) above.
(c) Prior to the Closing, the Seller shall cause the Company to cooperate
with the Purchaser in providing to the Purchaser such consolidated financial
statements, financial data and accountants' reports as the Purchaser shall
reasonably request with respect to any filing that the Purchaser shall make
under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
Section 6.1. Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party. The obligations
of the Purchaser and the Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby shall be subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by each party, to the
extent permitted by law) of the following conditions:
(a) The issuance of the shares of Purchaser Common Stock to be issued
hereunder shall have been approved by the Purchaser's stockholders in the
manner required by any Applicable Law and the applicable rules of Nasdaq.
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(b) No Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have
enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule,
regulation, judgment, decree, injunction or other order which is in effect,
which would prohibit consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or which would result in a Purchaser Material Adverse Change or a
Company Material Adverse Change after the Closing Date and after giving
effect to consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(c) The waiting period required by the HSR Act, and any extensions thereof
obtained by request or other action of the FTC and/or the Antitrust Division,
shall have expired or been terminated by the FTC and the Antitrust Division.
(d) The SEC shall have declared the Registration Statement effective under
the Securities Act, and no stop order or similar restraining order suspending
the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect and no
proceedings for such purpose shall be pending before or threatened by the SEC
or any state securities administrator.
Section 6.2. Conditions to the Purchaser's Obligations. The obligations of
the Purchaser to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
shall be subject to the fulfillment prior to or at the Closing of each of the
following conditions:
(a) All representations and warranties made by the Seller in this
Agreement and the Schedules hereto shall be true, correct and complete on the
date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though such representations and
warranties were made as of the Closing Date, and the Seller shall have duly
performed or complied with all of the covenants, obligations and conditions
to be performed or complied with by them under the terms of this Agreement on
or prior to or at the Closing.
(b) There shall have been no (i) Company Material Adverse Change, or any
development which could reasonably be expected to result in a prospective
Company Material Adverse Change, or (ii) material damage, destruction or loss
to the Company's assets, regardless of insurance coverage.
(c) (i) All authorizations, consents, waivers, approvals or other actions
required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by the Seller and the consummation by the Seller of the
transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained and shall be in
full force and effect; (ii) the Seller and shall cause the Company to have
obtained any authorizations, consents, waivers, approvals or other actions
required to prevent a material breach or default by the Company under any
contract to which the Company is party or for the continuation of any
agreement to which the Company is a party; and (iii) all authorizations,
consents, waivers, approvals or other actions necessary to permit the
Purchaser to own the Shares shall have been obtained and shall be in full
force and effect.
(d) The Purchaser shall have completed its investigation of the Company
and the Purchaser shall be satisfied in their sole discretion with the
condition of the Company and its future prospects.
(e) Prior to or at the Closing, the Seller shall have (i) delivered such
documents and instruments acceptable to Purchaser and its counsel so as to
transfer all rights, title and interest in the name "Spigadoro" and all
variations thereof, it being the intent of the Seller and the Purchaser that
from and after the Closing Date, the Purchaser will have the sole right as
against the Seller and all other persons to conduct any business under such
name and that the Purchaser may commence doing so immediately on and after
the Closing Date, and (ii) amended its organizational documents to change its
corporate name to a name that does not include the word "Spigadoro".
(f) Prior to or at the Closing, the Seller shall (and the Seller shall
have caused the Company to) deliver such other closing documents as shall be
requested by the Purchaser in form and substance acceptable to the
Purchaser's counsel, including the following:
(i) a certificate of the President or a Vice President of the Seller,
dated the Closing Date, to the effect that (1) the Person signing such
certificate is familiar with this Agreement and (2) the conditions
specified in Section 6.2(a), (b) and (c) have been satisfied;
(ii) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Seller,
dated the Closing Date, as to the incumbency of any officer of the Seller
executing this Agreement or any document related thereto and covering such
other matters as the Purchaser may reasonably request;
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(iii) a certified copy of (1) the Certificate of Incorporation and
by-laws of the Seller and all amendments thereto and (2) a certified copy
of the resolutions of the Seller's Board of Directors authorizing the
execution, delivery and consummation of this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby;
(iv) an opinion of Gianni, Origoni & Partners, counsel to the Company and
the Seller, dated the Closing Date, in such form as shall be reasonably
satisfactory to Purchaser;
(v) the Affiliate Letters pursuant to Section 5.17;
(vi) The Purchaser shall have received from each of Rothstein, Kass &
Company, P.C. and Reconta Ernst & Young, S.p.A. (i) a letter dated as of
the date of the mailing of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and (ii) a
letter dated as of the effective date of the Registration Statement on
Form S-4 ("Registration Statement"), each addressed to the Purchaser, (a)
confirming that they are independent public accountants within the meaning
of the Securities Act and are in compliance with the applicable
requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01
of Regulation S-X of the Commission and (b) stating, as of the date of the
letter (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments
since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is
given in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement and the prospectus contained in
the Registration Statement, as the case may be, as of a date not more than
five days prior to the date of the letter), the conclusions and findings
of such firm with respect to the financial information contained in the
documents referred to above.
(vii) such other documents or instruments as Purchaser or the Purchaser
reasonably requests to effect the transactions contemplated hereby.
(g) The Purchaser shall have received the executed Employment Agreements
referenced on Schedule 5.8.
Section 6.3. Conditions to the Seller's Obligations. The obligations of
the Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
shall be subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Closing of each of the
following conditions:
(a) All representations and warranties made by the Purchaser in this
Agreement shall be true, correct and complete on the date hereof and as of
the Closing Date as though such representations and warranties were made as
of the Closing Date, and the Purchaser shall have duly performed or complied
with all of the covenants, obligations and conditions to be performed or
complied with by it under the terms of this Agreement on or prior to or at
the Closing.
(b) There shall have been no (i) Purchaser Material Adverse Change, or any
development which could reasonably be expected to result in a prospective
Purchaser Material Adverse Change, or (ii) material damage, destruction or
loss to the Purchaser's assets, regardless of insurance coverage.
(c) All authorizations or approvals or other action required in connection
with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the
Purchaser and the consummation by the Purchaser of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby shall have been obtained and shall be in full
force and effect.
(d) Prior to or at the Closing, the Purchaser shall have delivered to the
Seller such closing documents as shall be reasonably requested by the Seller
in form and substance reasonably acceptable to its counsel, including the
following:
(i) a certificate of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of the Purchaser, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that (1)
the Person signing such certificate is familiar with this Agreement and
(2) the conditions specified in Section 6.3(a) and (b) have been
satisfied;
(ii) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the
Purchaser, dated the Closing Date, as to the incumbency of any officer of
the Purchaser executing this Agreement or any document related thereto and
covering such other matters as the Seller may reasonably request;
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(iii) a certified copy of (1) the Amended and Restated Certificate and
by-laws of the Purchaser and all amendments thereto and (2) the
resolutions of the Board of Directors (or any committee thereof) of the
Purchaser authorizing the execution, delivery and consummation of this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby;
(iv) the shares of Purchaser Common Stock, as set forth in Section 2.2;
and
(v) such other documents or instruments as the Seller reasonably request
to effect the transactions contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION
Section 7.1. Termination and Amendment. This Agreement may be terminated
at any time prior to Closing as follows (notwithstanding any approval of this
Agreement by the Purchaser's stockholders):
(a) by mutual consent of the Seller and the Purchaser;
(b) by the Purchaser if any authorization, consent, waiver or approval
required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall
require the divestiture or cessation of any of the present business or
operations conducted by the Purchaser and its subsidiaries or the Company and
its Subsidiaries or shall impose any other condition or requirement, which
divestiture, cessation, condition or requirement the Purchaser determines, in
its good faith judgment, to be materially burdensome or to deny to the
Purchaser in any material respect the benefits intended to be obtained by the
Purchaser pursuant to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(c) by either the Seller or the Purchaser if at the Purchaser Special
Meeting (including any adjournment or postponement thereof) the requisite
vote (under all Applicable Laws and the rules and regulations of Nasdaq) of
the Purchaser's stockholders to approve the transactions contemplated hereby
shall not have been obtained;
(d) either the Seller or the Purchaser if any representation or warranty
made in this Agreement for its benefit is untrue in any material respect
(other than representations and warranties which are qualified as to
materiality, which representations and warranties will give rise to
termination if untrue in any respect); provided that, in each case, (a) the
party seeking to terminate this Agreement is not then in material breach of
any material representation or warranty contained in this Agreement, (b) such
untrue representation or warranty cannot be or has not been cured within 30
days after receipt of written notice of such breach and (c) in the case of
the Seller, except for the representations and warranties contained in
Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.6 and 3.15, and in the case of the Purchaser, except for
the representations and warranties contained in Sections 4.1 and 4.2 such
untrue representation and warranty has, or is reasonably likely to result in
a Company Material Adverse Change or a Purchaser Material Adverse Change, as
the case may be, and in each case after the Closing Date and after giving
effect to consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(e) by either the Seller or the Purchaser if the other party shall have
defaulted in the performance of any material covenant or agreement under this
Agreement; provided that, in each case, (a) the party seeking to terminate
this Agreement has complied with its covenants and agreements under this
Agreement in all material respects and (b) such failure to comply cannot be
or has not been cured within 30 days after receipt of written notice of such
default;
(f) by the Purchaser, in the event that the conditions to their
obligations set forth in Article VI hereof have not been satisfied or waived;
(g) by the Seller, in the event that the conditions to their obligations
set forth in Article VI hereof have not been satisfied or waived; and
(h) by either the Seller or the Purchaser if the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement shall not have been consummated on or before April 30, 2000
(or such later date as may be agreed upon in writing by the parties hereto).
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Section 7.2. Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is terminated
pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof, all rights and obligations of the Seller and
the Purchaser hereunder shall terminate and no party shall have any liability
to the other party, except for obligations of the parties hereto in Sections
5.1, 5.9 and 9.2, which shall survive the termination of this Agreement, and
except nothing herein will relieve any party from liability for any breach of
any representation, warranty, agreement or covenant contained herein prior to
such termination.
Section 7.3. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the parties
hereto, at any time before or after adoption of this Agreement by the
Purchaser's stockholders, but after any such approval, no amendment shall be
made which by law requires further approval or authorization by the
Purchaser's stockholders without such further approval or authorization.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may not be amended except by an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto.
Section 7.4. Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Closing Date, the
Purchaser (with respect to the Seller) and the Seller (with respect to the
Purchaser) by action taken or authorized by their respective Boards of
Directors (or any committee thereof), may, to the extent legally allowed, (a)
extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts
of such party, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and
warranties contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and
(c) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions contained
herein. Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such extension or
waiver shall be valid only if set forth in a written instrument signed on
behalf of such party.
ARTICLE VIII
SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.1. Survival of Representations and Warranties. Except as set
forth below, the representations and warranties provided for in this
Agreement shall survive the Closing and remain in full force and effect for
eighteen (18) months from the Closing Date for the benefit of the parties
hereto and their successors and assigns. The representations and warranties
provided for in Sections 3.15 (Litigation), 3.16 (Taxes) and 3.18
(Environmental) shall survive the Closing and remain in effect for the
statute of limitations applicable to such matters. The representations and
warranties provided for in Sections 3.7 (Title to Shares), 3.8 (Options,
Warrants, etc.), and 3.25 (Brokers) shall survive the Closing and remain in
full force and effect forever. The survival period of each representation or
warranty as provided in this Section 8.1 is hereinafter referred to as the
"Survival Period."
Section 8.2. Indemnification. (a) The Seller, subject to the limitations
set forth in Section 8.2(d), shall indemnify and hold harmless the Purchaser
and its respective Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents and
representatives, and any Person claiming by or through any of them, against
and in respect of any and all claims, costs, expenses, damages, liabilities,
losses or deficiencies (including, without limitation, counsel's fees and
other costs and expenses incident to any suit, action or proceeding) (the
"Damages") arising out of, resulting from or incurred in connection with (i)
any inaccuracy in any representation or the breach of any warranty made by
the Seller in this agreement for the applicable Survival Period, and (ii) the
breach by the Seller of any covenant or agreement to be performed by it
hereunder.
(b) The Purchaser subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8.2(d),
shall indemnify and hold harmless the Seller and its respective Affiliates,
officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives, and any Person
claiming by or through any of them, against and in respect of any and all
Damages arising out of, resulting from or incurred in connection with (i) any
inaccuracy in any representation or the breach of any warranty made by the
Purchaser in this Agreement for the applicable Survival Period, or (ii) the
breach by the Purchaser of any covenant or agreement to be performed by it
hereunder.
(c) Any Person providing indemnification pursuant to the provisions of
this Section 8.2 is hereinafter referred to as an "Indemnifying Party" and
any Person entitled to be indemnified pursuant to the provisions of this
Section 8.2 is hereinafter referred to as an "Indemnified Party."
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(d) Neither parties' indemnification obligation contained in Section
8.2(a) or (b) hereunder shall apply to any claim for Damages until the
aggregate of all such claims of such party total US $250,000 in which event
such party's indemnity obligation shall apply to the total amount in excess
of US $250,000, subject to a maximum of US $75,000,000 for all claims in the
aggregate. All such claims made during the relevant Survival Period shall be
counted in determining whether the thresholds specified above have been
achieved.
(e) The Seller may elect to satisfy its indemnification obligation
hereunder other than by payment of cash by returning to the Purchaser shares
of Purchaser Common Stock issued in connection with this Agreement valued at
the average closing price reported by the primary stock market or exchange on
which the Purchaser Common Stock is traded for the ten (10) trading days
prior to the date on which such payment is due.
(f) The provisions of this Article VIII shall constitute the sole and
exclusive remedy of any Indemnified Party for Damages arising out of,
resulting from or incurred in connection with any inaccuracy in any
representation or breach of any warranty made by the Purchaser or the Seller
in this Agreement.
Section 8.3. Procedures for Third Party Claims. In the case of any claim
for indemnification arising from a claim of a third party (a "Third Party
Claim"), an Indemnified Party shall give prompt written notice to the
Indemnifying Party of any claim or demand which such Indemnified Party has
knowledge and as to which it may request indemnification hereunder. The
Indemnifying Party shall have the right to defend and to direct the defense
against any such Third Party Claim, in its name or in the name of the
Indemnified Party, as the case may be, at the expense of the Indemnifying
Party, and with counsel selected by the Indemnifying Party unless (i) such
Third Party Claim seeks an order, injunction or other equitable relief
against the Indemnified Party, or (ii) the Indemnified Party shall have
reasonably concluded that (x) there is a conflict of interest between the
Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party in the conduct of the defense of
such Third Party Claim or (y) the Indemnified Party has one or more defenses
not available to the Indemnifying Party. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, the Indemnified Party shall, at the expense of the
Indemnifying Party, cooperate with the Indemnifying Party, and keep the
Indemnifying Party fully informed, in the defense of such Third Party Claim.
The Indemnified Party shall have the right to participate in the defense of
any Third Party Claim with counsel employed at its own expense; provided,
however, that, in the case of any Third Party Claim described in clause (i)
or (ii) of the second preceding sentence or as to which the Indemnifying
Party shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of such
Third Party Claim, the reasonable fees and disbursements of such counsel
shall be at the expense of the Indemnifying Party. The Indemnifying Party
shall have no indemnification obligations with respect to any Third Party
Claim which shall be settled by the Indemnified Party without the prior
written consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed.
Section 8.4. Procedures for Inter-Party Claims. In the event that an
Indemnified Party determines that it has a claim for Damages against an
Indemnifying Party hereunder (other than as a result of a Third Party Claim),
the Indemnified Party shall give prompt written notice thereof to the
Indemnifying Party, specifying the amount of such claim and any relevant
facts and circumstances relating thereto. The Indemnified Party shall provide
the Indemnifying Party with reasonable access to its books and records for
the purpose of allowing the Indemnifying Party a reasonable opportunity to
verify any such claim for Damages. The Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying
Party shall negotiate in good faith regarding the resolution of any disputed
claims for Damages. Promptly following the final determination of the amount
of any Damages claimed by the Indemnified Party, the Indemnifying Party shall
pay such Damages to the Indemnified Party by wire transfer or check made
payable to the order of the Indemnified Party, without interest. In the event
that the Indemnified Party is required to institute legal proceedings in
order to recover Damages hereunder, the cost of such proceedings (including
costs of investigation and reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements)
shall be added to the amount of Damages payable to the Indemnified Party.
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ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1. Notices. All notices or other communications required or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, by
facsimile or sent by certified, registered or express air mail, postage
prepaid, and shall be deemed given when so delivered personally, or by
facsimile, or if mailed, five days after the date of mailing, as follows:
If to Purchaser IAT Multimedia, Inc
70 East 55th Street
New York, NY 10022
Telephone: (212) 754-4445
Facsimile: (212) 754-4044
Attention: Jacob Agam
With a copy to: Lowenstein Sandler PC
65 Livingston Avenue
Roseland, New Jersey 07068
Telephone: (973) 597-2500
Facsimile: (973) 597-2400
Attention: Steven M. Skolnick, Esq.
If to the Seller: Gruppo Spigadoro N.V.
Strawinskylaan 1725, 1077 XX
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Telephone: 31 305722306
Facsimile: 31 206647557
Attention: Marc S. Goldfarb
With a copy to: Gianni, Origoni & Partners
00184 Roma
Via Quattro Fontane, 20
Italy
Telephone: (39) 06-478751
Facsimile: (39) 06-4871101
Attention: Mario Amoroso, Esq.
or to such other address as any party hereto shall notify the other parties
hereto (as provided above) from time to time.
Section 9.2. Expenses. Regardless of whether the transactions provided for
in this Agreement are consummated, except as otherwise provided herein, each
party hereto shall pay its own expenses incident to this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated herein (including without limitation legal fees,
accounting fees and investment banking fees).
Section 9.3. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall
be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the
State of New York, without reference to the choice of law principles thereof.
Each of the parties hereto irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive
jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New Jersey and the United States
District Court for the District of New Jersey for the purpose of any suit,
action, proceeding or judgment relating to or arising out of this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby. Service of process in connection
with any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on each party hereto
anywhere in the world by the same methods as are specified for the giving of
notices under this Agreement. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably consents
to the jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit, action or proceeding
and to the laying of venue in such court. Each party hereto irrevocably
waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or
proceeding brought in such courts and irrevocably waives any claim that any
such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in
an inconvenient forum.
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Section 9.4. Assignment; Successors and Assigns; No Third Party Rights.
Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement may not be assigned by
operation of law or otherwise, and any attempted assignment shall be null and
void. The Purchaser may assign all of its rights under this Agreement to any
of its Affiliates; provided such Affiliate assumes all of the obligations of
the Purchaser hereunder. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns
and legal representatives. This Agreement shall be for the sole benefit of
the parties to this Agreement and their respective successors, assigns and
legal representatives and is not intended, nor shall be construed, to give
any Person, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors,
assigns and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or
claim hereunder.
Section 9.5. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original agreement, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 9.6. Titles and Headings. The headings and table of contents in
this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not in any way
affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 9.7. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the Schedules and
Exhibits attached thereto, constitutes the entire agreement among the parties
with respect to the matters covered hereby and supersedes all previous
written, oral or implied understandings among them with respect to such
matters.
Section 9.8. Waiver. Any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement may
be waived at any time by the party or parties entitled to the benefit
thereof, but only by a writing signed by the party or parties waiving such
terms or conditions.
Section 9.9. Severability. The invalidity of any portion hereof shall not
affect the validity, force or effect of the remaining portions hereof. If it
is ever held that any restriction hereunder is too broad to permit
enforcement of such restriction to its fullest extent, such restriction shall
be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Section 9.10. No Strict Construction. Each of the Purchaser and the Seller
acknowledge that this Agreement has been prepared jointly by the parties
hereto, and shall not be strictly construed against either party.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
GRUPPO SPIGADORO, N.V.
By: /s/ Jacob Agam
---------------------------
Name: Jacob Agam
Title: Chairman
IAT MULTIMEDIA, INC.
By: /s/ Klaus Grissemann
---------------------------
Name: Klaus Grissemann
Title: Chief Financial Officer
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Exhibit 10.68
IAT MULTIMEDIA, INC.
1999 STOCK OPTION PLAN
1. Purpose.
The purpose of this plan (the "Plan") is to secure for IAT Multimedia,
Inc. (the "Company") and its shareholders the benefits arising from capital
stock ownership by employees, officers and directors of, and consultants or
advisors to, the Company who are expected to contribute to the Company's
future growth and success. Except where the context otherwise requires, the
term "Company" shall include all present and future parent and subsidiary
corporations of the Company as defined, respectively, in Sections 424(e) and
424(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or replaced from time
to time (the "Code"). Those provisions of the Plan which make express
reference to Section 422 shall apply only to Incentive Stock Options (as that
term is defined in the Plan).
2. Type of Options and Administration.
(a) Types of Options. Options granted pursuant to the Plan shall be
authorized by action of the Board of Directors of the Company (or a Committee
designated by the Board of Directors) and may be either incentive stock
options ("Incentive Stock Options") meeting the requirements of Section 422
of the Code or non-statutory options which are not intended to meet the
requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
(b) Administration. The Plan will be administered by a committee (the
"Committee") appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company, which
Committee can include all of the members of the Board of Directors, whose
construction and interpretation of the terms and provisions of the Plan shall
be final and conclusive. The delegation of powers to the Committee shall be
consistent with applicable laws or regulations (including, without
limitation, applicable state law and Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), or any successor rule
("Rule 16b-3")). The Committee may in its sole discretion grant options to
purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock, $.01 par value per share
("Common Stock") and issue shares upon exercise of such options as provided
in the Plan. The Committee shall have authority, subject to the express
provisions of the Plan, to construe the respective option agreements and the
Plan, to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the
Plan, to determine the terms and provisions of the respective option
agreements, which need not be identical, and to make all other determinations
in the judgment of the Committee necessary or desirable for the
administration of the Plan. The Committee may correct any defect or supply
any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any option
agreement in the manner and to the extent it shall deem expedient to carry
the Plan into effect and it shall be the sole and final judge of such
expediency. No director or person acting pursuant to authority delegated by
the Board of Directors shall be liable for any action or determination under
the Plan made in good faith. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 15
below, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to
Options granted to any person in a calendar year shall not exceed 35% of the
maximum number of shares which may be issued and sold under the Plan, as set
forth in Section 4 hereof, as such section may be amended from time to time.
(c) Applicability of Rule 16b-3. Those provisions of the Plan which make
express reference to Rule 16b-3 shall apply to the Company only at such time
as the Company's Common Stock is registered under the Exchange Act, subject
to the last sentence of Section 3(b), and then only to such persons as are
required to file reports under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act (a
"Reporting Person").
3. Eligibility.
(a) General. Options may be granted to persons who are, at the time of
grant, employees, officers or directors of, or consultants or advisors to,
the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company as
defined, respectively, in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code
("Participants") provided,
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that Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to individuals who are
employees of the Company (within the meaning of Section 3401(c) of the Code).
A person who has been granted an option may, if he or she is otherwise
eligible, be granted additional options if the Committee shall so determine.
(b) Grant of Options to Reporting Persons. The selection of a director or
an officer who is a Reporting Person (as the terms "director" and "officer"
are defined for purposes of Rule 16b-3) as a recipient of an option, the
timing of the option grant, the exercise price of the option and the number
of shares subject to the option shall be determined either (i) by the Board
of Directors or (ii) by a committee consisting of two or more directors
having full authority to act in the matter, each of whom shall be an "Outside
Director" as defined by Rule 1.162-27 of the Code.
4. Stock Subject to Plan.
The stock subject to options granted under the Plan shall be shares of
authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock. Subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 15 below, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock of
the Company which may be issued and sold under the Plan is 2,500,000 shares.
If an option granted under the Plan shall expire, terminate or is cancelled
for any reason without having been exercised in full, the unpurchased shares
subject to such option shall again be available for subsequent option grants
under the Plan.
5. Forms of Option Agreements.
As a condition to the grant of an option under the Plan, each recipient of
an option shall execute an option agreement in such form not inconsistent
with the Plan as may be approved by the Committee. Such option agreements may
differ among recipients and may contain all terms and conditions as the
Committee considers advisable, including, but not limited to, non-compete,
non-solicitation and confidentiality covenant, representations and warranties
of the Participant and provisions to ensure compliance with all applicable
laws, regulations and rules.
6. Purchase Price.
(a) General. The purchase price per share of stock deliverable upon the
exercise of an option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of
grant of such option; provided, however, that in the case of an Incentive
Stock Option, the exercise price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair
Market Value (as hereinafter defined) of such stock, at the time of grant of
such option, or less than 110% of such Fair Market Value in the case of
options described in Section 11(b). "Fair Market Value" of a share of Common
Stock of the Company as of a specified date for the purposes of the Plan
shall mean the closing price of a share of the Common Stock on the principal
securities exchange (including the Nasdaq National Market) on which such
shares are traded on the day immediately preceding the date as of which Fair
Market Value is being determined, or on the next preceding date on which such
shares are traded if no shares were traded on such immediately preceding day,
or if the shares are not traded on a securities exchange, Fair Market Value
shall be deemed to be the average of the high bid and low asked prices of the
shares in the over-the-counter market on the day immediately preceding the
date as of which Fair Market Value is being determined or on the next
preceding date on which such high bid and low asked prices were recorded. If
the shares are not publicly traded, Fair Market Value of a share of Common
Stock (including, in the case of any repurchase of shares, any distributions
with respect thereto which would be repurchased with the shares) shall be
determined in good faith by the Committee.
(b) Payment of Purchase Price. Options granted under the Plan may provide
for the payment of the exercise price by delivery of cash or a check to the
order of the Company in an amount equal to the exercise price of such
options, or by any other means which the Committee determines are consistent
with the purpose of the Plan and with applicable laws and regulations
(including, without limitation, the provisions of Rule 16b-3 and Regulation T
promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board).
7. Option Period.
Subject to earlier termination as provided in the Plan, each option and
all rights thereunder shall expire on such date as determined by the
Committee and set forth in the applicable option agreement, provided, that
such date shall not be later than (10) ten years after the date on which the
option is granted.
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8. Exercise of Options.
Each option granted under the Plan shall be exercisable either in full or
in installments at such time or times and during such period as shall be set
forth in the option agreement evidencing such option, subject to the
provisions of the Plan. Subject to the requirements in the immediately
preceding sentence, if an option is not at the time of grant immediately
exercisable, the Committee may (i) in the agreement evidencing such option,
provide for the acceleration of the exercise date or dates of the subject
option upon the occurrence of specified events, and/or (ii) at any time prior
to the complete termination of an option, accelerate the exercise date or
dates of such option.
9. Nontransferability of Options.
No option granted under this Plan shall be assignable or otherwise
transferable by the optionee except by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution. An option may be exercised during the lifetime of the optionee
only by the optionee. In the event an optionee dies during his employment by
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or during the three-month period
following the date of termination of such employment, his option shall
thereafter be exercisable, during the period specified in the option
agreement, by his executors or administrators to the full extent to which
such option was exercisable by the optionee at the time of his death during
the periods set forth in Section 10 or 11(d).
10. Effect of Termination of Employment or Other Relationship.
Except as provided in Section 11(d) with respect to Incentive Stock
Options and except as otherwise determined by the Committee at the date of
grant of an Option, and subject to the provisions of the Plan, an optionee
may exercise an option at any time within three months following the
termination of the optionee's employment or other relationship with the
Company or within one (1) year if such termination was due to the death or
disability of the optionee but, except in the case of the optionee's death,
in no event later than the expiration date of the Option. If the termination
of the optionee's employment is for cause or is otherwise attributable to a
breach by the optionee of an employment or confidentiality or non-disclosure
agreement, the option shall expire immediately upon such termination. The
Committee shall have the power to determine what constitutes a termination
for cause or a breach of an employment or confidentiality or non-disclosure
agreement, whether an optionee has been terminated for cause or has breached
such an agreement, and the date upon which such termination for cause or
breach occurs. Any such determinations shall be final and conclusive and
binding upon the optionee.
11. Incentive Stock Options.
Options granted under the Plan which are intended to be Incentive Stock
Options shall be subject to the following additional terms and conditions:
(a) Express Designation. All Incentive Stock Options granted under the
Plan shall, at the time of grant, be specifically designated as such in the
option agreement covering such Incentive Stock Options.
(b) 10% Shareholder. If any employee to whom an Incentive Stock Option is
to be granted under the Plan is, at the time of the grant of such option, the
owner of stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of
all classes of stock of the Company (after taking into account the
attribution of stock ownership rules of Section 424(d) of the Code), then the
following special provisions shall be applicable to the Incentive Stock
Option granted to such individual:
(i) The purchase price per share of the Common Stock subject to such
Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market
Value of one share of Common Stock at the time of grant; and
(ii) The option exercise period shall not exceed five years from the date
of grant.
(c) Dollar Limitation. For so long as the Code shall so provide, options
granted to any employee under the Plan (and any other incentive stock option
plans of the Company) which are intended to constitute Incentive Stock
Options shall not constitute Incentive Stock Options to the extent that such
options, in the aggregate, become exercisable for the first time in any one
calendar year for shares of Common Stock with an aggregate Fair Market Value,
as of the respective date or dates of grant, of more than $100,000.
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(d) Termination of Employment, Death or Disability. No Incentive Stock
Option may be exercised unless, at the time of such exercise, the optionee
is, and has been continuously since the date of grant of his or her option,
employed by the Company, except that:
(i) an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised within the period of three
months after the date the optionee ceases to be an employee of the
Company (or within such lesser period as may be specified in the
applicable option agreement), provided, that the agreement with
respect to such option may designate a longer exercise period and that
the exercise after such three-month period shall be treated as the
exercise of a non-statutory option under the Plan;
(ii) if the optionee dies while in the employ of the Company, or within
three months after the optionee ceases to be such an employee, the
Incentive Stock Option may be exercised by the person to whom it is
transferred by will or the laws of descent and distribution within the
period of one year after the date of death (or within such lesser
period as may be specified in the applicable option agreement); and
(iii) if the optionee becomes disabled (within the meaning of Section
22(e)(3) of the Code or any successor provisions thereto) while in the
employ of the Company, the Incentive Stock Option may be exercised
within the period of one year after the date the optionee ceases to be
such an employee because of such disability (or within such lesser
period as may be specified in the applicable option agreement).
For all purposes of the Plan and any option granted hereunder, "employment"
shall be defined in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.421-7(h) of
the Income Tax Regulations (or any successor regulations). Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions, no Incentive Stock Option may be exercised after
its expiration date.
12. Additional Provisions.
(a) Additional Option Provisions. The Committee may, in its sole
discretion, include additional provisions in option agreements covering
options granted under the Plan, including without limitation restrictions on
transfer, repurchase rights, rights of first refusal, commitments to pay cash
bonuses, to make, arrange for or guaranty loans or to transfer other property
to optionees upon exercise of options, or such other provisions as shall be
determined by the Committee; provided, that such additional provisions shall
not be inconsistent with any other term or condition of the Plan and such
additional provisions shall not cause any Incentive Stock Option granted
under the Plan to fail to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option within the
meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(b) Acceleration, Extension, Etc. The Committee may, in its sole
discretion, (i) accelerate the date or dates on which all or any particular
option or options granted under the Plan may be exercised or (ii) extend the
dates during which all, or any particular, option or options granted under
the Plan may be exercised; provided, however, that no such extension shall be
permitted if it would cause the Plan to fail to comply with Section 422 of
the Code or with Rule 16b-3 (if applicable).
13. General Restrictions.
(a) Investment Representations. The Company may require any person to whom
an Option is granted, as a condition of exercising such option, to give
written assurances in substance and form satisfactory to the Company to the
effect that such person is acquiring the Common Stock subject to the option
or award, for his or her own account for investment and not with any present
intention of selling or otherwise distributing the same, and to such other
effects as the Company deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with
federal and applicable state securities laws, or with covenants or
representations made by the Company in connection with any public offering of
its Common Stock, including any "lock-up" or other restriction on
transferability.
(b) Compliance With Securities Law. Each Option shall be subject to the
requirement that if, at any time, counsel to the Company shall determine that
the listing, registration or qualification of the shares subject to such
option upon any securities exchange or automated quotation system or under
any
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state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental or
regulatory body, or that the disclosure of non-public information or the
satisfaction of any other condition is necessary as a condition of, or in
connection with the issuance or purchase of shares thereunder, such option
may not be exercised, in whole or in part, unless such listing, registration,
qualification, consent or approval, or satisfaction of such condition shall
have been effected or obtained on conditions acceptable to the Committee.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to require the Company to apply for or to
obtain such listing, registration or qualification, or to satisfy such
condition.
14. Rights as a Stockholder.
The holder of an option shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect
to any shares covered by the option (including, without limitation, any
rights to receive dividends or non-cash distributions with respect to such
shares) until the date of issue of a stock certificate to him or her for such
shares. No adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which
the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued.
15. Adjustment Provisions for Recapitalizations, Reorganizations and Related
Transactions.
(a) Recapitalizations and Related Transactions. If, through or as a result
of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split,
reverse stock split or other similar transaction, (i) the outstanding shares
of Common Stock are increased, decreased or exchanged for a different number
or kind of shares or other securities of the Company, or (ii) additional
shares or new or different shares or other non-cash assets are distributed
with respect to such shares of Common Stock or other securities, an
appropriate and proportionate adjustment shall be made in (x) the maximum
number and kind of shares reserved for issuance under or otherwise referred
to in the Plan, (y) the number and kind of shares or other securities subject
to any then outstanding options under the Plan, and (z) the price for each
share subject to any then outstanding options under the Plan, without
changing the aggregate purchase price as to which such options remain
exercisable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no adjustment shall be made
pursuant to this Section 15 if such adjustment (i) would cause the Plan to
fail to comply with Section 422 of the Code or with Rule 16b-3 or (ii) would
be considered as the adoption of a new plan requiring stockholder approval.
(b) Reorganization, Merger and Related Transactions. All outstanding
Options under the Plan shall become fully exercisable for a period of sixty
(60) days following the occurrence of any Trigger Event, whether or not such
Options are then exercisable under the provisions of the applicable
agreements relating thereto. For purposes of the Plan, a "Trigger Event" is
any one of the following events, but shall not include the events
contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of November 3, 1999
between the Company and Gruppo Spigadoro, N.V.:
(i) the date on which shares of Common Stock are first purchased pursuant
to a tender offer or exchange offer (other than such an offer by the
Company, any Subsidiary, any employee benefit plan of the Company or
of any Subsidiary or any entity holding shares or other securities of
the Company for or pursuant to the terms of such plan), whether or not
such offer is approved or opposed by the Company and regardless of the
number of shares purchased pursuant to such offer;
(ii) the date the Company acquires knowledge that any person or group
deemed a person under Section 13(d)-3 of the Exchange Act (other than
the Company, any Subsidiary, any employee benefit plan of the Company
or of any Subsidiary or any entity holding shares of Common Stock or
other securities of the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any
such plan or any individual or entity or group or affiliate thereof
which acquired its beneficial ownership interest prior to the date the
Plan was adopted by the Board), in a transaction or series of
transactions, has become the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly
(with beneficial ownership determined as provided in Rule 13d-3, or
any successor rule, under the Exchange Act), of securities of the
Company entitling the person or group to 30% or more of all votes
(without consideration of the rights of any class or stock to elect
directors by a separate class vote) to which all shareholders of the
Company would be entitled in the election of the Board of Directors
were an election held on such date;
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(iii) the date, during any period of two consecutive years, when
individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board
of Directors of the Company cease for any reason to constitute at
least a majority thereof, unless the election, or the nomination for
election by the stockholders of the Company, of each new director was
approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still
in office who were directors at the beginning of such period; and
(iv) the date of approval by the stockholders of the Company of an
agreement (a "reorganization agreement") providing for:
(A) The merger or consolidation of the Company with another
corporation where the stockholders of the Company, immediately
prior to the merger or consolidation, do not beneficially own,
immediately after the merger or consolidation, shares of the
corporation issuing cash or securities in the merger or
consolidation entitling such shareholders to 80% or more of all
votes (without consideration of the rights of any class of stock
to elect directors by a separate class vote) to which all
stockholders of such corporation would be entitled in the
election of directors or where the members of the Board of
Directors of the Company, immediately prior to the merger or
consolidation, do not, immediately after the merger or
consolidation, constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of
the corporation issuing cash or securities in the merger or
consolidation; or
(B) The sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the
assets of the Company.
(c) Board Authority to Make Adjustments. Any adjustments under this
Section 15 will be made by the Board of Directors, whose determination as to
what adjustments, if any, will be made and the extent thereof will be final,
binding and conclusive. No fractional shares will be issued under the Plan on
account of any such adjustments.
16. Merger, Consolidation, Asset Sale, Liquidation, etc.
(a) General. In the event of any sale, merger, transfer or acquisition of
the Company or substantially all of the assets of the Company in which the
Company is not the surviving corporation, and provided that after the Company
shall have requested the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate
thereof), that equivalent options shall be substituted and such successor
corporation shall have refused or failed to assume all options outstanding
under the Plan or issue substantially equivalent options, then any or all
outstanding options under the Plan shall accelerate and become exercisable in
full immediately prior to such event. The Committee will notify holders of
options under the Plan that any such options shall be fully exercisable for a
period of sixty (60) days from the date of such notice, and the options will
terminate upon expiration of such notice.
(b) Substitute Options. The Company may grant options under the Plan in
substitution for options held by employees of another corporation who become
employees of the Company, or a subsidiary of the Company, as the result of a
merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the Company or a
subsidiary of the Company, or as a result of the acquisition by the Company,
or one of its subsidiaries, of property or stock of the employing
corporation. The Company may direct that substitute options be granted on
such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors considers appropriate in
the circumstances.
17. No Special Employment Rights.
Nothing contained in the Plan or in any option shall confer upon any
optionee any right with respect to the continuation of his or her employment
by the Company or interfere in any way with the right of the Company at any
time to terminate such employment or to increase or decrease the compensation
of the optionee.
18. Other Employee Benefits.
Except as to plans which by their terms include such amounts as
compensation, the amount of any compensation deemed to be received by an
employee as a result of the exercise of an option or the sale
6
<PAGE>
of shares received upon such exercise will not constitute compensation with
respect to which any other employee benefits of such employee are determined,
including, without limitation, benefits under any bonus, pension,
profit-sharing, life insurance or salary continuation plan, except as
otherwise specifically determined by the Board of Directors.
19. Amendment of the Plan.
(a) The Board of Directors may at any time, and from time to time, modify
or amend the Plan in any respect; provided, however, that if at any time the
approval of the stockholders of the Company is required under Section 422 of
the Code or any successor provision with respect to Incentive Stock Options,
the Board of Directors may not effect such modification or amendment without
such approval; and provided, further, that the provisions of Section 3(c)
hereof shall not be amended more than once every six months, other than to
comport with changes in the Code or the rules thereunder.
(b) The modification or amendment of the Plan shall not, without the
consent of an optionee, affect his or her rights under an option previously
granted to him or her. With the consent of the optionee affected, the Board
of Directors may amend outstanding option agreements in a manner not
inconsistent with the Plan. The Board of Directors shall have the right to
amend or modify (i) the terms and provisions of the Plan and of any
outstanding Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan to the extent
necessary to qualify any or all such options for such favorable federal
income tax treatment (including deferral of taxation upon exercise) as may be
afforded incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code and (ii) the
terms and provisions of the Plan and of any outstanding option to the extent
necessary to ensure the qualification of the Plan under Rule 16b-3.
20. Withholding.
(a) The Company shall have the right to deduct from payments of any kind
otherwise due to the optionee any federal, state or local taxes of any kind
required by law to be withheld with respect to any shares issued upon
exercise of options under the Plan. Subject to the prior approval of the
Company, which may be withheld by the Company in its sole discretion, the
optionee may elect to satisfy such obligations, in whole or in part, (i) by
causing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable
pursuant to the exercise of an option or (ii) by delivering to the Company
shares of Common Stock already owned by the optionee. The shares so delivered
or withheld shall have a Fair Market Value equal to such withholding
obligation as of the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be
determined. An optionee who has made an election pursuant to this Section
20(a) may only satisfy his or her withholding obligation with shares of
Common Stock which are not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled
vesting or other similar requirements.
(b) The acceptance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of an Incentive
Stock Option shall constitute an agreement by the optionee (i) to notify the
Company if any or all of such shares are disposed of by the optionee within
two years from the date the option was granted or within one year from the
date the shares were issued to the optionee pursuant to the exercise of the
option, and (ii) if required by law, to remit to the Company, at the time of
and in the case of any such disposition, an amount sufficient to satisfy the
Company's federal, state and local withholding tax obligations with respect
to such disposition, whether or not, as to both (i) and (ii), the optionee is
in the employ of the Company at the time of such disposition.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Reporting Person whose
options have been granted in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(b)
herein, no election to use shares for the payment of withholding taxes shall
be effective unless made in compliance with any applicable requirements of
Rule 16b-3.
21. Cancellation and New Grant of Options, Etc.
The Board of Directors shall have the authority to effect, at any time and
from time to time, with the consent of the affected optionees, (i) the
cancellation of any or all outstanding options under the Plan and the grant
in substitution therefor of new options under the Plan covering the same or
different numbers of shares of Common Stock and having an option exercise
price per share which may be lower or higher
7
<PAGE>
than the exercise price per share of the cancelled options or (ii) the
amendment of the terms of any and all outstanding options under the Plan to
provide an option exercise price per share which is higher or lower than the
then-current exercise price per share of such outstanding options.
22. Effective Date and Duration of the Plan.
(a) Effective Date. The Plan shall become effective when adopted by the
Board of Directors, but no Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan
shall become exercisable unless and until the Plan shall have been approved
by the Company's stockholders. If such stockholder approval is not obtained
within twelve months after the date of the Board's adoption of the Plan, no
options previously granted under the Plan shall be deemed to be Incentive
Stock Options and no Incentive Stock Options shall be granted thereafter.
Amendments to the Plan not requiring stockholder approval shall become
effective when adopted by the Board of Directors; amendments requiring
shareholder approval (as provided in Section 21) shall become effective when
adopted by the Board of Directors, but no Incentive Stock Option granted
after the date of such amendment shall become exercisable (to the extent that
such amendment to the Plan was required to enable the Company to grant such
Incentive Stock Option to a particular optionee) unless and until such
amendment shall have been approved by the Company's stockholders. If such
stockholder approval is not obtained within twelve months of the Board's
adoption of such amendment, any Incentive Stock Options granted on or after
the date of such amendment shall terminate to the extent that such amendment
to the Plan was required to enable the Company to grant such option to a
particular optionee. Subject to this limitation, options may be granted under
the Plan at any time after the effective date and before the date fixed for
termination of the Plan.
(b) Termination. Unless sooner terminated in accordance with Section 16,
the Plan shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the close of business on the
day next preceding the tenth anniversary of the date of its adoption by the
Board of Directors, or (ii) the date on which all shares available for
issuance under the Plan shall have been issued pursuant to the exercise or
cancellation of options granted under the Plan. If the date of termination is
determined under (i) above, then options outstanding on such date shall
continue to have force and effect in accordance with the provisions of the
instruments evidencing such options.
23. Provision for Foreign Participants.
The Board of Directors may, without amending the Plan, modify awards or
options granted to participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside
the United States to recognize differences in laws, rules, regulations or
customs of such foreign jurisdictions with respect to tax, securities,
currency, employee benefit or other matters.
24. Governing Law.
The provisions of this Plan shall be governed and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the principles of
conflicts of laws.
Adopted by the Board of Directors on November 2, 1999.
8
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<PAGE>
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