UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 11, 1999
NEFF CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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<S> <C> <C>
DELAWARE 001-14145 65-0626400
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(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission File (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Number) Identification No.)
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3750 N.W. 87th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33178
(Address or principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (305) 513-3350
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
On October 7, 1999, Neff Corp., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
announced that it agreed to sell its 65% equity interest in Sullair Argentina
S.A. to Alejandro Oxenford, the President of Sullair Argentina S.A., for $65
million. This transaction is expected to close on November 18, 1999.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
EXHIBIT NO. DOCUMENT
10.1 Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Neff Corp. and
Alejandro Pablo Oxenford
10.2 Stock Pledge Agreement between Alejandro P. Oxenford
and Neff Corp.
99.1 Press release, dated October 6, 1999.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Neff Corp.
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Registrant
Date: October 14, 1999 /s/ Mark Irion
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Mark Irion
Chief Financial Officer
On behalf of the registrant and as
Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit Description Page
- ----------- ------------------------------------------------------ ----------
10.1 Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Neff Corp. and
Alejandro Pablo Oxenford
10.2 Stock Pledge Agreement between Alejandro P. Oxenford
and Neff Corp.
99.1 Press release, dated October 6, 1999.
EXHIBIT 10.1
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
NEFF CORP.,
AND
ALEJANDRO PABLO OXENFORD
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OCTOBER 1, 1999
----------
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I - SALE AND PURCHASE OF SHARES...................................2
SECTION 1.01 SALE AND PURCHASE OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK...........2
SECTION 1.02 PURCHASE PRICE AND PAYMENT..........................2
SECTION 1.03 TERMINATION OF SELLER'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER EARN-OUT..3
SECTION 1.04 CURRENCY PAYMENT....................................3
ARTICLE II - CLOSING......................................................4
SECTION 2.01 CLOSING.............................................4
SECTION 2.02 DELIVERIES BY SELLER TO THE BUYER...................4
SECTION 2.03 DELIVERIES BY THE BUYER TO THE SELLER...............4
SECTION 2.04 TERMINATION IN ABSENCE OF CLOSING...................5
ARTICLE III - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER................5
SECTION 3.01 AUTHORITY; APPROVAL AND ENFORCEABILITY..............6
SECTION 3.02 NO PROCEEDINGS......................................6
SECTION 3.03 BROKERAGE...........................................6
SECTION 3.04 DISCLOSURE; DUE DILIGENCE...........................6
SECTION 3.05 TITLE TO THE SHARES.................................7
SECTION 3.06 NO SELLER DEFAULTS OR CONSENTS......................7
ARTICLE IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER..................7
SECTION 4.01 AUTHORITY, APPROVAL AND ENFORCEABILITY..............7
SECTION 4.02 NO DEFAULTS OR CONSENTS.............................8
SECTION 4.03 NO PROCEEDINGS......................................8
SECTION 4.04 BROKERAGE...........................................8
ARTICLE V - OBLIGATIONS PRIOR TO CLOSING..................................8
SECTION 5.01 BUYER'S ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND ASSETS............8
SECTION 5.02 COMPANY'S CONDUCT OF BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS........9
SECTION 5.03 GENERAL RESTRICTIONS................................9
SECTION 5.04 NOTICE REGARDING CHANGES............................11
SECTION 5.05 PREFERENTIAL PURCHASE RIGHTS........................12
SECTION 5.06 CONSENTS AND BEST EFFORTS...........................12
ARTICLE VI - CONDITIONS TO SELLER'S AND BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS...............12
SECTION 6.01 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF ALL PARTIES............12
SECTION 6.02 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF SELLER.................13
SECTION 6.03 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE BUYER..............14
ARTICLE VII - SURVIVAL....................................................16
ARTICLE VIII - POST-CLOSING OBLIGATIONS...................................16
SECTION 8.01 FURTHER ASSURANCES..................................16
SECTION 8.02 PUBLICITY...........................................16
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ARTICLE IX - MISCELLANEOUS................................................17
SECTION 9.01 COSTS AND EXPENSES..................................17
SECTION 9.02 NOTICES.............................................17
SECTION 9.03 GOVERNING LAW; VENUE................................18
SECTION 9.04 ENTIRE AGREEMENT, AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS............19
SECTION 9.05 BINDING EFFECT AND ASSIGNMENT.......................19
SECTION 9.06 ENFORCEMENT OF AGREEMENT............................19
SECTION 9.07 REMEDIES............................................19
SECTION 9.08 EXHIBITS............................................19
SECTION 9.09 MULTIPLE COUNTERPARTS...............................19
SECTION 9.10 REFERENCES..........................................20
SECTION 9.11 ATTORNEYS' FEES.....................................20
ARTICLE X - DEFINITIONS...................................................20
SECTION 10.01 AFFILIATE...........................................20
SECTION 10.02 COMPANY ASSETS......................................20
SECTION 10.03 DAMAGES.............................................20
SECTION 10.04 GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES............................21
SECTION 10.05 KNOWLEDGE...........................................21
SECTION 10.06 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS..................................21
SECTION 10.07 PERMITS.............................................21
SECTION 10.08 PROPERTIES..........................................21
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LIST OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit A -- Opinion of the law firm Basilico, Fernandez Madero & Duggan.
Exhibit B -- Opinion of Baker & McKenzie.
Exhibit C -- Form of pledge agreement for the Shares.
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STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of October 1, 1999, by and among (i) NEFF CORP., a Delaware
corporation (the "Seller"), and (ii) Alejandro P. Oxenford (the "Buyer").
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS:
A. On June 29, 1998, the Seller, SULLAIR ARGENTINA, S.A., a corporation
organized under the laws of the Republic of Argentina (the "Company") , the
Buyer and Sullair Corp. (together with the Buyer, the "Shareholders")entered
into a Stock Purchase and Subscription Agreement (the "Original Purchase
Agreement"), pursuant to which the Seller purchased from the Company and the
Shareholders an aggregate of 58,246 shares of the capital stock of the Company,
representing after such purchase 65% of the issued and outstanding shares of
capital stock of the Company (the "Shares").
B. The Buyer now desires to purchase the Shares from the Seller, and
the Seller desires to sell the Shares to the Buyer, upon the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth herein.
C. Capitalized terms used herein which have not been defined prior to
such use shall have the respective meanings given such terms in Article X
hereof.
AGREEMENT
In consideration of the premises and the respective mutual agreements,
covenants, representations and warranties herein contained, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
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ARTICLE I
SALE AND PURCHASE OF SHARES
SECTION 1.01 SALE AND PURCHASE OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK.
(a) On the terms and subject to the conditions of this
Agreement, at the Closing, the Seller shall sell, transfer, convey and, subject
to Section 1.02(b) hereof, deliver to the Buyer, and the Buyer shall purchase,
acquire and accept from the Seller, the Shares, representing 65% of the issued
and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company.
(b) To effect the transfer contemplated by Section 1.0 1(a),
at the Closing, subject to Section 1.02(b) hereof, the Seller shall deliver, or
cause to be delivered, to the Buyer, stock certificates representing the Shares
being sold by the Seller hereunder together with a notice to the Company for
transfer of the Shares to the Buyer on the books of the Company against payment
therefor in accordance with Section 1.02 hereof.
SECTION 1.02 PURCHASE PRICE AND PAYMENT.
(a) The aggregate purchase price for the Shares being
purchased by the Buyer from the Seller (the "Purchase Price") shall be forty-two
million five-hundred thousand United States dollars (U.S. $42,500,000).
(b) Buyer shall have the option, at its own discretion, to pay
the Purchase Price in any of the following manners:
(i) to pay the Purchase Price entirely at Closing (the
"Full-Cash Alternative"); or
(ii) to pay (x) at Closing, a sum not less than thirty million
United States dollars (U.S. $ 30,000,000) (the "Initial Payment"); and (y) the
balance thereof (U.S. $ 12,500,000 or such lesser amount if the Initial Payment
exceeds U.S. $ 30,000,000), within one hundred and eighty (180) days as from the
Closing (the "Final Payment") (this alternative, the "Finance Alternative").
(c) Buyer shall give notice to the Seller, on or prior to
October 25, 1999, as to its election of the manner in which the Purchase Price
shall be paid. Absent receipt of such notice within the foregoing period, it
shall be understood that the Buyer has elected the Finance Alternative.
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(d) If the Buyer has elected the Full-Cash Alternative, at the
Closing, the Purchase Price hereunder, shall be paid by the Buyer to the Seller
by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account or accounts
designated for this purpose, at least five (5) working days prior to the
Closing, by the Seller to the Buyer.
(e) If the Buyer has elected, or pursuant to point (c) above
is deemed to have elected, the Finance Alternative, at Closing, the Buyer shall
pay the Initial Payment to the Seller by wire transfer of immediately available
funds to an account or accounts designated for this purpose, at least five (5)
working days prior to the Closing, by the Seller to the Buyer. The Final Payment
shall accrue interest at an annual rate of ten per cent. (10 %) and shall be
paid by the Buyer by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account
or accounts designated for this purpose by the Seller to the Buyer. In the case
the Final Payment is made by the Buyer within ninety (90) days of the Closing,
no interest shall accrue on the Final Payment and Buyer's obligation shall be
limited to the balance of the Purchase Price.
SECTION 1.03 TERMINATION OF SELLER'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER EARN-OUT. As an
additional consideration for the transfer of the Shares, at the Closing, all
obligations whatsoever of the Seller to the Buyer, including those under the
earn-out provisions of Section 1.05 of the Original Purchase Agreement, shall
terminate and expire, and no payments shall be due to the Buyer. In addition,
the Buyer, at the time so specified in the Original Purchase Agreement, shall
pay to Sullair Corp. the proportion of the Earn-Out Payments (as defined
therein) to which Sullair Corp. is entitled under the provisions of the Original
Purchase Agreement, and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Seller from
and against any claim by Sullair Corp. against the Seller for Earn-Out Payments
or any portion thereof.
SECTION 1.04 CURRENCY PAYMENT. All payments under this Agreement shall
be made in freely available U.S. Dollars. In the event that payment in freely
available U.S. Dollars is legally impracticable, payments hereunder shall be
made in Argentine currency in the amount necessary to purchase in New York or
Montevideo, the amount of U.S. Dollar denominated Argentine securities as
elected by the Seller, to purchase, net of taxes, commissions and expenses, the
amounts due in U.S. Dollars.
ARTICLE II
CLOSING
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SECTION 2.01 CLOSING. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions
stated in Article VI of this Agreement, the closing of the transactions
contemplated hereby (the "Closing") shall be held at 10:00 a.m., Buenos Aires
time, on November 18, 1999 or, if the conditions set forth in Sections 6.01
through 6.03 have not been satisfied or waived on such date, no later than seven
(7) days after all such conditions shall have been satisfied or waived, at the
offices of Basilico, Fernandez Madero & Duggan, Marcelo T. de Alvear 684, 2(0)
Piso, (1395) Buenos Aires, Argentina, unless another date or place is agreed to
in writing by the parties hereto. The date upon which the Closing occurs is
hereinafter referred to as the "Closing Date." The Closing shall be deemed
completed as of 11:59 p.m. Buenos Aires time on the night of the Closing Date,
and all transactions described in Article I hereof shall be deemed to have
occurred concurrently.
SECTION 2.02 DELIVERIES BY SELLER TO THE BUYER. At or prior to the
Closing, the Seller shall deliver to the Buyer:
(i) certificates representing the Shares;
(ii) the resignations of the members of the board of
directors of the Company pursuant to Section 6.03(e);
(iii) a certificate executed by the Seller to the
effect that the conditions set forth in Sections 6.03(a) through 6.03(c), have
been satisfied;
(iv) the opinion of counsel set forth in Section
6.03(d);
(v) evidence of the consents required pursuant to
Section 6.03(g);
(vi) notice of transfer of the Shares from the Seller
addressed to the Company; and
(vii) in the case the Buyer has elected, or is deemed
to have elected, the Finance Alternative, an executed copy of a pledge agreement
for the shares substantially in the form of Exhibit C (the "Pledge Agreement").
SECTION 2.03 DELIVERIES BY THE BUYER TO THE SELLER.
(a) At or prior to the Closing, the Buyer shall deliver to the
Seller:
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(i) by wire transfer in immediately availa4.Me funds
to the Seller, the payment of the entire Purchase Price or the Initial Payment,
as the case may be, required to be made at the Closing pursuant to Section 1.02;
(ii) a certified copy of all necessary action on the
Buyer's behalf approving the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement pursuant to Section 6.02(a);
(iii) a certificate executed by the Buyer to the
effect that the conditions set forth in Sections 6.02(b) and 6.02(c) have been
satisfied; and
(iv) the opinion of counsel set forth in Section
6.02(d); and
(v) an executed copy of the Pledge Agreement.
SECTION 2.04 TERMINATION IN ABSENCE OF CLOSING. If by the close of
business on December 31, 1999 (the "Termination Date"), the Closing has not
occurred, then any party hereto may thereafter terminate this Agreement by
written notice to such effect, to the other parties hereto, without liability of
or to any party to this Agreement or any shareholder, director, officer,
employee or representatives of such party unless the reason for Closing having
not occurred is (i) such party's willful breach of the provisions of this
Agreement, or (ii) if all of the conditions to such party's obligations set
forth in Article VI have been satisfied or waived in writing by the date
scheduled for the Closing pursuant to Section 2.01, the failure of such party to
perform its obligations under this Article II on such date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that any termination pursuant to this Section 2.04 shall not relieve any party
hereto who was responsible for Closing having not occurred as described in
clauses (i) or (ii) above of any liability for (x) such party's willful breach
of the provisions of this Agreement, or (y) if all of the conditions to such
party's obligations set forth in Article VI have been satisfied or waived in
writing by the date scheduled for the Closing pursuant to Section 2.01, the
failure of such party to perform its obligations under this Article II on such
date.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER
The Seller represents and warrants to the Buyer that:
SECTION 3.01 AUTHORITY, APPROVAL AND ENFORCEABILITY. This Agreement has
been duly executed and delivered by the Seller, and the Seller has all requisite
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power and legal authority to execute and deliver this Agreement to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby and to perform its respective obligations
hereunder. This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of
the Seller, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such
enforceability may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally, and except as the availability of equity remedies
may be limited by the application of general principles of equity (regardless of
whether such equitable principles are applied in a proceeding at law or in
equity). The execution and delivery by the Seller of this Agreement and the
performance by the Seller of this Agreement in accordance with its terms and
conditions will not (i) result in a violation or conflict with the by-laws of
the Seller; (ii) require the approval or consent of any foreign, federal, state,
county, local or other governmental or regulatory body or the approval or
consent of any other person; (iii) conflict with or result in any breach or
violation of any of the terms and conditions of, or constitute (or with notice
or lapse of time or both constitute) a default under, any statute, regulation,
order, judgment or decree applicable to the Seller or to the Shares, or any
instrument, contract or other agreement to which the Seller is a party or by or
to which the Seller is or the Shares are bound or subject; or (iv) result in the
creation of any lien or other encumbrance on the Shares.
SECTION 3.02 NO PROCEEDINGS. No suit, action or other proceeding is
pending or, to the Knowledge of the Seller, threatened before any Governmental
Authority seeking to restrain the Seller or prohibit its entry into this
Agreement or prohibit the Closing, or seeking damages against the Company, or
its Properties, as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.
SECTION 3.03 BROKERAGE. There are no claims for brokerage commissions,
finder's fees or similar compensation in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement based on any arrangement or agreement made by the
Seller.
SECTION 3.04 DISCLOSURE; DUE DILIGENCE. This Agreement and the Exhibits
hereto, when taken as a whole with other documents and certificates furnished by
the Seller to the Buyer or its counsel, do not contain any untrue statement of
material fact or omit any material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein not misleading. The Buyer hereby states that the Buyer has
been provided ample opportunity to conduct due diligence in the Company to the
Buyer's satisfaction and further acknowledges that the Buyer has been
responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Company since its inception
and, as such has complete knowledge of the business, financial condition and
prospects of the Company.
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SECTION 3.05 TITLE TO THE SHARES. As of the Closing Date, the Seller
shall own free and clear of any lien, option or other encumbrance, and shall
have full power and authority to convey free and clear of any liens or other
encumbrances, the Shares being sold to the Buyer hereunder, and, upon delivery
of and payment for such Shares as herein provided, the Seller will convey to the
Buyer good and valid title thereto, free and clear of any lien or other
encumbrance.
SECTION 3.06 NO SELLER DEFAULTS OR CONSENTS. The execution and delivery
of this Agreement by the Seller and the performance by the Seller of its
obligations hereunder will not violate any provision of law or any judgment,
award or decree or any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the
Seller is a party, or by which the Seller or any properties or assets of the
Seller is bound or affected, or conflict with, result in a breach of or
constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, any such
indenture, agreement or other instrument, or result in the creation or
imposition of any lien, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any nature
whatsoever upon any of the properties or assets of the Seller. Any and all
consents required to be obtained by the Seller shall be obtained and copies
thereof delivered to the Buyer upon execution of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER
The Buyer represents and warrants to the Seller that:
SECTION 4.01 AUTHORITY, APPROVAL AND ENFORCEABILITY. This Agreement has
been duly executed and delivered by the Buyer and the Buyer has all requisite
power and legal capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby, and to perform his obligations hereunder. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly authorized and
approved by all action necessary on behalf of the Buyer. This Agreement
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Buyer, enforceable in
accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar
laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and except as the
availability of equity remedies may be limited by the application of general
principles of equity (regardless of whether such equitable principles are
applied in
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a proceeding at law or in equity).
SECTION 4.02 NO DEFAULT OR CONSENTS. Neither the execution and delivery
of this Agreement nor the carrying out of the transactions contemplated hereby
will:
(i) violate any Legal Requirements applicable to the
Buyer;
(ii) result in the creation of any lien, charge or
other encumbrance on the shares of capital stock or any Property of the Buyer;
or
(iii) require the Buyer to obtain or make any waiver,
consent, action, approval or authorization of, or registration, declaration,
notice or filing with, any private non-governmental third party or any
Governmental Authority.
SECTION 4.03 NO PROCEEDINGS. No suit, action or other proceeding is
pending or, to the Buyer's knowledge, threatened before any Governmental
Authority seeking to restrain the Buyer or prohibit his entry into this
Agreement or prohibit the Closing, or seeking Damages against the Buyer or his
Properties as a result of the consummation of this Agreement.
SECTION 4.04 BROKERAGE. Except for the fees that are to be paid to MBA
Merchant Bankers Asociados S.A., that shall be entirely borne by the Buyer,
there are no claims for brokerage commissions, finder's fees or similar
compensation in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
based on any arrangement or agreement made by the Company or the Buyer.
ARTICLE V
OBLIGATIONS PRIOR TO CLOSING
SECTION 5.01 BUYER'S ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND ASSETS. The Company has
permitted the Buyer and its authorized employees, agents, accountants, legal
counsel and other representatives, at Buyer's own expense, reasonable access to
the books, records, employees, counsel, accountants, and other representatives
of the Company when reasonably requested by the Buyer for the purpose of
conducting an investigation of each of the Company's financial condition,
corporate status, operations, business and Properties. The Company has made
available to the Buyer for examination, at Buyer's own expense, certain
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documents and data relating to the Company in possession or control of, or
subject to reasonable access by, the Seller or the Company and relating to the
Company Assets (whether stored in paper, magnetic or other storage media) and
all agreements, instruments, contracts, assignments, certificates-, orders, and
amendments thereto. Also, the Company has allowed the Buyer, at Buyer's own
expense, access to, and the right to inspect, the Company Assets, except to the
extent that such Company Assets are operated by a third-party operator, in which
case the Company has used its best efforts to cause the operator of such Company
Assets to allow the Buyer access to, and the right to inspect, such Company
Assets. The Buyer undertakes to keep confidential all information received
pursuant to this Section 5.01.
From the date of this Agreement through the Closing:
SECTION 5.02 COMPANY'S CONDUCT OF BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS. The Company
shall keep the Buyer advised as to all material operations and proposed material
operations relating to the Company or the Company Assets. The Company shall (a)
conduct its business in the ordinary course, (b) use its reasonable efforts to
keep available to the Company the services of present employees, (c) maintain
and operate Company Assets in a good and workmanlike manner, (d) pay or cause to
be paid all costs and expenses (including but not limited to insurance premiums)
incurred in connection therewith in a timely manner, (e) use reasonable efforts
to keep all in full force and effect, (f) comply with all of the covenants
contained in all such material Contracts, (g) maintain in force until the
Closing Date insurance policies equivalent to those in effect on the date hereof
and (h) comply in all material respects with all applicable Legal Requirements.
Except as otherwise contemplated in this Agreement, the Company shall use its
best efforts to preserve the present relationships of the Company with persons
having significant business relations therewith.
SECTION 5.03 GENERAL RESTRICTIONS. Except as otherwise expressly
permitted in this Agreement, without the prior written consent of the Buyer, the
Seller will not take any action which would cause the Company to:
(i) (x) declare, set aside or pay any dividends on,
or make any other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect
of, any of its capital stock, (y) split, combine or reclassify any of its
capital stock or issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in
respect of, in view of or in substitution for shares of its capital stock, or
(z) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of the
Company or any other securities thereof or any rights, warrants or options to
acquire any such shares or other securities;
(ii) issue, deliver, sell, pledge or otherwise
encumber any
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shares of its capital stock, any other voting securities or any securities
convertible into, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire, any such
shares, voting securities or convertible securities;
(iii) amend its By-laws;
(iv) acquire or agree to acquire (x) by merging or
consolidating with, or by purchasing a substantial portion of the assets of, or
by any other manner, any business of any corporation, partnership, joint
venture, association or other business organization or division thereof or (y)
any assets that are material, individually or in the aggregate, to the Company,
except purchases of assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice;
(v) sell, lease, license, mortgage or otherwise
encumber or otherwise dispose of, or agree to sell, transfer, lease, mortgage,
encumber or otherwise dispose of, any Properties except (i) in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice or (ii) pursuant to any
Contract;
(vi) (y) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or
guarantee any such indebtedness of another person, issue or sell any debt
securities or warrants or other rights to acquire any debt securities of the
Company, guarantee any debt securities of another person, enter into any "keep
well" or other agreements to maintain any financial statement condition of
another person or enter into any arrangement having the economic effect of the
foregoing, except for borrowings incurred in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice or (z) make any loans, advances or capital
contributions to, or investments in, any other person;
(vii) make or agree to make any new capital
expenditure or expenditures which, in the aggregate, are in excess of $50,000
(other than those required pursuant to currently outstanding Contracts or in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice);
(viii) make any material tax election or settle or
compromise any material tax liability;
(ix) pay, discharge, settle or satisfy any claims,
liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted,
contingent or otherwise), other than the payment, discharge, settlement or
satisfaction, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
or in the accordance with their terms, of liabilities reflected or reserved
against in, or contemplated by, the Company's financial statements (or the notes
thereto) or incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, or waive any material benefits of
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or agree to modify in any material respect, any confidentiality, standstill or
similar agreements to which the Company is a party;
(x) except in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, modify, amend or terminate any Contract;
(xi) except in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, enter into any contracts, agreements,
arrangements or understandings relating to the rental, distribution, sale or
marketing by third parties of the Company's rental equipment, inventory or other
products;
(xii) except as required to comply with applicable
law (a) adopt, enter into, terminate or amend any Plan or other arrangement for
the benefit or welfare of any director, officer or current or former employee,
(b) increase in any manner the compensation or fringe benefits of, or pay any
bonus to, any director, officer or employee (except for normal increases or
bonuses in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), (c)
pay any benefit not provided for under any Plan, (d) grant any awards under any
bonus, incentive, performance or other compensation plan or arrangement or Plan
(including the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock based or
stock related awards, performance units or restricted stock, or the removal of
existing restrictions in any Plans or agreement or awards made thereunder) or
(e) take any action to fund or in any other way secure the payment of
compensation or benefits under any employee plan, agreement, contract or
arrangement or Plan. For purposes of this Agreement a "Plan" means each employee
benefit plan, as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended and arrangements or practices that
provide for severance pay, deferred compensation, incentive, bonus or
performance awards, and stock ownership or stock options;
(xiii) make any change in any method of accounting or
accounting practice or policy other than those required by generally accepted
accounting principles; or
(xiv) authorize any of, or commit or agree to take
any of, the foregoing actions.
SECTION 5.04 NOTICE REGARDING CHANGES. The Seller shall promptly inform
the Buyer in writing of any change in facts and circumstances that could render
any of the representations and warranties made herein by the Seller inaccurate
or misleading if such representations and warranties had been made upon the
occurrence of the fact or circumstance in question. The Buyer shall promptly
inform the Seller in writing of any change in facts and circumstances that could
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render any of the representations and warranties made herein by it inaccurate or
misleading if such representations and warranties had been made upon the
occurrence of the fact or circumstance in question.
SECTION 5.05 PREFERENTIAL PURCHASE RIGHTS. To the extent there are any
parties entitled or who may become entitled to exercise preferential purchase or
consent rights with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, the Seller
shall promptly obtain the agreement in writing of such parties to waive or not
exercise such rights, which request and agreement shall be in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to and approved by the Buyer.
SECTION 5.06 CONSENTS AND BEST EFFORTS. Each of the parties hereto
shall use all commercially reasonable good faith efforts to take, or cause to be
taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper
or advisable under applicable laws and regulations, and consult and fully
cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to each other party and their
respective representatives in order to consummate and make effective the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement as promptly as practicable
hereafter, including without limitation, (i) using all commercially reasonable
good faith efforts to make all filings, applications, notifications, reports,
submissions and registrations with, and to obtain all consents, approvals,
authorizations or permits of, governmental entities or other persons or entities
as are necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and (ii) taking such actions and doing such things as any other party
hereto may reasonably request in order to cause any of the conditions to such
other party's obligation to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby as
specified in Article VI of this Agreement to be fully satisfied.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS TO SELLER'S AND BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS
SECTION 6.01 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF ALL PARTIES. The respective
obligations of each party to carry out the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement are subject to the satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the Closing
Date of the following conditions:
(a) All filings with all Governmental Authorities required to
be made in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been
made, and all orders, permits, waivers, authorizations, exemptions, and
approvals of such entities required to be in effect on the date of the Closing
in connection
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with the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been issued, and all such
orders, permits, waivers, authorizations, exemptions or approvals shall be in
full force and effect on the date of the Closing; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no
provision of this Agreement shall be construed as requiring any party to accept,
in connection with obtaining any other requisite approval, clearance or
assurance of non-opposition, avoiding any challenge, or negotiating settlement,
any condition that would materially change or restrict the manner in which the
Company or the Buyer conducts or proposes to conduct its business.
(b) None of the parties hereto shall be subject to any
statute, rule, regulation, decree, ruling, injunction or other order issued by
any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction (collectively, an
"Injunction") which prohibits, restrains, enjoins or restricts the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(c) All notices required to be given in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been duly and timely
given, and there shall not be any preferential purchase rights or consent
requirements with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
that have not expired or been waived.
SECTION 6.02 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF SELLER. The obligations of
the Seller to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are
subject, at the option of Seller, to the satisfaction, or waiver by Seller, of
the following conditions:
(a) The Buyer shall have furnished Seller with a copy of all
necessary action on its behalf approving its execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement.
(b) That certain Irrevocable Letter of Credit (number S-12596)
for the account of Seller in favor of Buyer and Sullair Corporation, as joint
beneficiaries, shall have been terminated without liability of, or recourse to,
the Seller or any of Seller's Affiliates.
(c) All representations and warranties of the Buyer contained
in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects at and as of the
Closing, as if such representations and warranties were made at and as of the
Closing, except for changes contemplated by the terms of this Agreement and
except as and to the extent that the facts and conditions upon which such
representations and warranties are based are expressly required or permitted to
be changed by the terms thereof, and the Buyer shall have performed and
satisfied in all material
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respects all covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed
and satisfied by the Buyer at or prior to the Closing; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
the Seller shall not be entitled to refuse to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby in reliance upon its own breach or failure to perform.
(d) As of the Closing Date, no suit, action or other
proceeding (excluding any such matter initiated by or on behalf of the Seller)
shall be pending or threatened before any Governmental Authority seeking to
restrain the Seller or prohibit the Closing or seeking Damages against the
Seller as a result of the consummation of this Agreement.
(e) The Seller shall have received the opinion of the law firm
Basilico, Fernandez Madero & Duggan, counsel to the Buyer, dated as of the
Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Seller, as to
the matters set forth on EXHIBIT A. In rendering such opinion, Basilico,
Fernandez Madero & Duggan may rely as to factual matters on certificates of
officers and directors of the Buyer and on certificates of governmental
officials, and as to legal matters on opinions of other counsel reasonably
acceptable to the Seller.
(f) The Seller shall have received written evidence in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Seller, of the consent to the
transactions contemplated by this agreement, from all governmental, quasi
governmental and private third parties which are required to be obtained prior
to the Closing.
(g) All proceedings to be taken by the Buyer and the Company
in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and all documents
incident thereto shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the
Seller and its counsel, and the Seller and said counsel shall have received all
such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as it
or they may reasonably request.
(h) Sullair Corp. shall have fully released in writing the
Seller of any and all of the Seller's obligations under the Earn-Out Payments
under the Original Purchase Agreement.
SECTION 6.03 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE BUYER. The obligations of
the Buyer to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are
subject, at the option of the Buyer, to the satisfaction, or waiver by the
Buyer, of the following conditions:
(a) The Seller shall have furnished Buyer with a copy of all
necessary action on its behalf approving the execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement.
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(b) All representations and warranties of Seller contained in
this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects at and as of the
Closing as if such representations and warranties were made at and as of the
Closing, except for changes contemplated by the terms of this Agreement and
except as and to the extent that the facts and conditions upon which such
representations and warranties are based are expressly required or permitted to
be changed by the terms thereof, and the Seller shall have performed and
satisfied in all material respects all agreements and covenants required by this
Agreement to be performed and satisfied by the Seller at or prior to the
Closing; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Buyer shall not be entitled to refuse to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby in reliance upon its own breach
or failure to perform.
(c) As of the Closing Date, no suit, action or other
proceeding (excluding any such matter initiated by or on behalf of the Buyer)
shall be pending or threatened before any court or governmental agency seeking
to restrain the Buyer or prohibit the Closing or seeking Damages against the
Buyer, the Company or its Properties as a result of the consummation of this
Agreement.
(d) The Buyer shall have received the opinion of the law firm
Baker & McKenzie, counsel to the Seller, dated as of the Closing Date, in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer, as to the matters set forth
on EXHIBIT B. In rendering such opinion, Baker & McKenzie may rely as to factual
matters on certificates of officers, directors and shareholders of the Seller
and on certificates of governmental officials, and as to legal matters on
opinions of other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Buyer.
(e) The Buyer shall have received the resignation of all of
the members of the board of directors and syndics of the Company of whom
resignations are requested by the Buyer effective as of the Closing Date,
irrevocably waiving any rights any such persons might have to receive any fees
thereunder.
(f) All proceedings to be taken by the Seller in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby and all documents incident thereto
shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Buyer and its
counsel, and the Buyer and said counsel shall have received all such counterpart
originals or certified or other copies of such documents as it or they may
reasonably request.
(g) The Buyer shall have received written evidence, in form
and substance satisfactory to the Buyer, of the consent to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement of all governmental, quasi-governmental and
private third parties required to be obtained prior to the Closing.
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ARTICLE VII
SURVIVAL
Notwithstanding any right of the Buyer to fully investigate the affairs
of the Company and notwithstanding any knowledge of the facts determined or
determinable by the Buyer pursuant to such investigation or right of
investigation, the Buyer has the right to rely fully upon the representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements of the Seller contained in this Agreement,
or in any certificate delivered pursuant to any of the foregoing. All
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Buyer and the
Seller in this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and shall terminate upon and as of the second anniversary of the
Closing. Subject to the foregoing limitations (i) the Seller agrees to
indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Buyer from and against all losses,
liabilities, damages, deficiencies, costs or expenses (including, but not
limited to, interest, penalties and reasonable attorneys' fees) based upon,
arising out of or otherwise in respect of any inaccuracy in or any breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of the Seller contained in this
Agreement; and (ii) the Buyer agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the
Seller from and against all losses, liabilities, damages, deficiencies, costs or
expenses (including, but not limited to, interest, penalties and a reasonable
attorneys' fees) based upon, arising out of or otherwise in respect of any
inaccuracy in or any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or
agreement of the Buyer contained in this Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII
POST-CLOSING OBLIGATIONS
SECTION 8.01 FURTHER ASSURANCES. Following the Closing, each of the
Buyer and Seller shall execute, or cause to be executed, and deliver, or cause
to be delivered, such documents, and take, or cause to be taken, such other
action, as shall be reasonably requested by any other party hereto to carry out
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 8.02 PUBLICITY. None of the parties hereto shall issue or make,
or cause to have issued or made, any public release or announcement concerning
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, without the advance
approval
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in writing of the form and substance thereof by the other party, and the parties
shall endeavor jointly to agree on the text of any announcement or circular so
approved or required; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Buyer shall be permitted to
publicly disclose this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby to the
extent required under applicable U.S. securities laws.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 9.01 COSTS AND EXPENSES. Each of the parties to this Agreement
shall bear its own expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation,
preparation, execution and closing of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby.
SECTION 9.02 NOTICES. Any notice, request, instruction, correspondence
or other document to be given hereunder by any party hereto to another (herein
collectively called "Notice") shall be in writing and delivered personally or
mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid and return receipt
requested, or by telecopier, as follows:
SELLER: Neff Corp.
3750 N.W. 87th Avenue
Suite 400
Miami, Florida 33178
Attention: Mr. Kevin Fitzgerald
Telecopy No.: (305) 513-3350
WITH A COPY TO:
Baker & McKenzie
1200 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1900
Miami, Florida 33131
Attention: Andrew Hulsh, Esq.
Telecopy No.: (305) 789-8953
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THE COMPANY OR ANY
OF THE SHAREHOLDERS: Sullair Argentina, S.A.
Goncalvez Diaz 1145
Buenos Aires (1276)
Attention: Alejandro Oxenford
Telecopy No.: (54-11) 4303-0626
WITH A COPY TO:
Basilico, Fernandez Madero & Duggan
Marcelo T. de Alvear 684
1395-Buenos Aires
Attention: Dr. Carlos Alberto Basilico
Telecopy No.: (54-11) 43 10-3919
Each of the above addresses for notice purposes may be changed by providing
appropriate notice hereunder. All notices shall be effective upon actual
receipt. All Notices by telecopier shall be confirmed by the sender thereof
promptly after transmission in writing by registered mail or personal delivery.
Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, notices to any party
hereto shall not be deemed effective with respect to such party until such
Notice would, but for this sentence, be effective both as to such party and as
to all other persons to whom copies are provided above to be given.
SECTION 9.03 GOVERNING LAW; VENUE.
(a) The provisions of this Agreement and the documents delivered
pursuant hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the Republic of Argentina (excluding any conflict of law rule or principle
that would refer to the laws of another jurisdiction).
(b) Each party hereto irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the
Commercial Courts in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in any action or proceeding
arising out of or relating to this Agreement and each party hereby irrevocably
agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding must be
brought and/or defended in such court, and each party irrevocably waives, to the
fullest extent each may effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum
to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
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SECTION 9.04 ENTIRE AGREEMENT, AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. This Agreement,
together with all exhibits attached hereto, constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions,
whether oral or written, of the parties, and there are no warranties,
representations or other agreements between the parties in connection with the
subject matter hereof except as set forth specifically herein or contemplated
hereby. No supplement, modification or waiver of this Agreement shall be binding
unless executed in writing by the party to be bound thereby. No waiver of any of
the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of
any other provision hereof (regardless of whether similar), nor shall any such
waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided.
SECTION 9.05 BINDING EFFECT AND ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
permitted successors and assigns; but neither this Agreement nor any of the
rights, benefits or obligations hereunder shall be assigned, by operation of law
or otherwise, by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other
party, provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit the assignment of
the Buyer's rights to any wholly-owned subsidiary of the Buyer. Nothing in this
Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any person or entity
other than the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and
assigns, any rights, benefits or obligations hereunder.
SECTION 9.06 ENFORCEMENT OF AGREEMENT. The parties hereto agree that
irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this
Agreement was not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was
otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties will be entitled
to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to
enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court of the
Republic of Argentina having jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other
remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.
SECTION 9.07 REMEDIES. The rights and remedies provided by this
Agreement are cumulative, and the use of any one right or remedy by any party
hereto shall not preclude or constitute a waiver of its right to use any or all
other remedies. Such rights and remedies are given in addition to any other
rights and remedies a party may have by law, statute, or otherwise.
SECTION 9.08 EXHIBITS. The exhibits referred to herein are attached
hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.
SECTION 9.09 MULTIPLE COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in
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one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of
which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
SECTION 9.10 REFERENCES. Whenever required by the context, and is used
in this Agreement, the singular number shall include the plural and pronouns and
any variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine,
neuter, singular or plural, as the identification the person may require.
References to monetary amounts and specific named statutes are intended to be
and shall be construed as references to United States dollars and statutes of
the United States of the stated name, respectively, unless the context otherwise
requires.
SECTION 9.11 ATTORNEYS' FEES. In the event any suit or other legal
proceeding is brought for the enforcement of any of the provisions of this
Agreement, the parties hereto agree that the prevailing party or parties shall
be entitled to recover from the other party or parties upon final judgment on
the merits reasonable attorneys' fees (and sales taxes thereon, if any),
including attorneys' fees for any appeal, and costs incurred in bringing such
suit or proceeding.
ARTICLE X
DEFINITIONS
Capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the respective
meanings ascribed to such terms in this Article X, unless otherwise defined in
this Agreement.
SECTION 10.01 AFFILIATE. The term "Affiliate" shall mean, with respect
to any Person, any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common
control with such Person. The term "Control" as used in the preceding sentence
means, with respect to a corporation, the right to exercise, directly or
indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting rights attributable to
the shares of the controlled corporation and, with respect to any Person other
than a corporation, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person.
SECTION 10.02 COMPANY ASSETS. The term "Company Assets" shall mean,
with respect to the Company, all of the Properties, Contracts, and Permits, that
were Used by the Company.
SECTION 10.03 DAMAGES. The term "Damages" shall mean any and all
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damages, liabilities, obligations, penalties, fines, Judgments, claims,
deficiencies, losses, costs, expenses and assessments (including without
limitation income and other taxes, interest, penalties and attorneys' and
accountants' fees and disbursements).
SECTION 10.04 GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES. The term "Governmental
Authorities" shall mean any nation or country and any commonwealth, territory or
possession thereof and any political subdivision of any of the foregoing,
including but not limited to courts, departments, commissions, boards, bureaus,
agencies, ministries or other instrumentalities.
SECTION 10.05 KNOWLEDGE. The term "Knowledge" shall mean the actual
knowledge of a party or, in the case of the Company or the Buyer, any of their
respective directors or executive officers with respect to the representation
being made.
SECTION 10.06 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. The term "Legal Requirements", when
described as being applicable to any Person, shall mean any and all laws
(statutory, judicial or otherwise), ordinances, regulations, judgments, orders,
directives, injunctions, writs, decrees or awards of, and any Contracts with,
any Governmental Authority, in each case as and to the extent applicable to such
Person or such Person's business, operations or Properties.
SECTION 10.07 PERMITS. The term "Permits" shall mean any and all
permits or orders under any Legal Requirement or otherwise granted by any
Governmental Authority.
SECTION 10.08 PROPERTIES. The term "Properties" shall mean any and all
properties and assets (real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible).
EXECUTED as of the date first written above.
SELLER:
NEFF CORPORATION
By: /s/ Kevin Fitzgerald
Kevin Fitzgerald, President
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BUYER:
By: /s/ Alejandro Oxenford
Alejandro Oxenford
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EXHIBIT A
Legal Opinion shall address the following:
1. Authority, approval and enforceability.
2. Title to the Shares.
3. Validity and perfection of security interest and pledge
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EXHIBIT B
Legal Opinion shall address the following:
1. Authority, approval and enforceability.
2. Title to the Shares.
28
EXHIBIT 10.2
EXHIBIT C
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
ALEJANDRO P. OXENFORD
(AS PLEDGOR)
NEFF CORP.
(AS CREDITOR)
AND
MBA MERCHANT BANKERS ASOCIADOS S.A.
(AS ESCROW AGENT)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT
This STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT (the "STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT") is
made as of November 25, 1999 by and between (I) ALEJANDRO P. OXENFORD an
individual resident in the Republic of Argentina (the "Pledgor"); (ii) NEFF
CORP., a corporation organised and existing under the laws of the State of
Delaware, United States of America (the "Creditor"); and [[MBA Merchant Bankers
Asociados S.A.]], a corporation organised and existing under the laws of the
Republic of Argentina (the "ESCROW AGENT"). The Pledgor and the Creditor are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Parties".
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Parties have entered into a Stock Purchase
Agreement (the "SPA") on October 1, 1999 under which the Pledgor is acquiring
from the Creditor shares representing sixty five per cent (65%) of the votes and
capital of Sullair Argentina, S.A. (the "Company"), a corporation organised and
existing under the laws of the Republic of Argentina;
WHEREAS, the Pledgor, at closing of the SPA, shall acquire
ownership of 58,246 shares of the capital stock of the Company (the "PLEDGED
SHARES", which term shall include all additional and replacement shares issued
by the Company from time to time);
WHEREAS, under the Finance Alternative, as defined in the SPA,
after the closing of the SPA, the Pledgor shall owe to the Creditor the Final
Payment (as defined in the SPA);
WHEREAS, the Parties have agreed that, if the Pledgor elects
the Finance Alternative, the Pledged Shares shall be subject to a pledge
agreement to be executed at closing of the SPA;
WHEREAS, the Pledgor desires to grant to the Creditor as a
security for the obligations assumed by the Pledgor under the SPA, a pledge of
and a security interest in the Pledged Shares;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the
mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and in the SPA, and in order to
induce the Creditor to make available the financing entailed by the Finance
Alternative under the SPA, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
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ARTICLE I
PLEDGE OF THE COLLATERAL
SECTION 1.01. PLEDGE OF COLLATERAL. (a) The Pledgor hereby
pledges to the Creditor and grants to the Creditor a first priority pledge and
security interest under the terms of Section 580 ET SEQ. of the Argentine
Commercial Code (the "Pledge") in the following (the "ORIGINAL COLLATERAL"):
(i) the Pledged Shares and subject to the provisions of
Section 5.01 of this Stock Pledge Agreement all
dividends, cash, instruments, subscription rights and
other property from time to time received,
receivable, or otherwise distributed or distributable
in respect of or in exchange for any or all of the
Pledged Shares;
(ii) all other rights to receive monies with respect to
the Pledged Shares, including but not limited to any
monies to be delivered by virtue of any reduction
and/or repayment of the capital stock and/or any
redemption, amortisation and/or repayment, either
total or partial of the Pledged Shares; and
(iii) all proceeds of any of the foregoing, including cash,
instruments, securities and other property from time
to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed
or distributable in respect of or in exchange for all
or any of the Pledged Shares and all claims for such
proceeds due or to become due to the owners of any or
all of the Pledged Shares.
(B) Consequently, this Pledge extends also to: (A) all other
shares of the Company that the Pledgor, hereinafter and while this Stock Pledge
Agreement is in effect, may have the right to receive for no consideration in
connection with the Pledged Shares, either because of a stock-split, of a
distribution of dividends, reserves or amounts arising from the revaluation of
assets, because of any other distribution of fully paid-in stock, because of a
merger or a spin-off in the Company, or for whatever other reason; (B) any full
or partial redemption, repayment or reimbursement of the Pledged Shares or of
any of the shares referred to in sub-paragraph (A); (C) all the shares that for
whatever reason may be issued by the Company and pertain to its shares; and (D)
the pre-emptive rights on new shares of the Company that may accrue in favour of
the Pledged Shares or any of the other shares referred to in sub-paragraphs (A),
(B) and (C) above (the "ADDITIONAL SHARES" and together with the Original
Collateral, the "COLLATERAL").
SECTION 1.02. INCORPORATION OF ADDITIONAL SHARES; ETC. The
incorporation of the Additional Shares and the funds and proceeds described in
items (a)
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(ii) and (iii) of Section 1.01 herein in the Pledge created by this Stock Pledge
Agreement, shall operate automatically and as a matter of law, and therefore,
any other act, contract, document and/or proceeding shall not be necessary,
except for the delivery thereof and the formal requirements, registrations and
other acts required to that end by Argentine law.
ARTICLE II
GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS
SECTION 2.01. SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS. The Pledge created by
this Stock Pledge Agreement secures the full and timely payment (whether at
stated maturity, upon mandatory prepayment, upon acceleration or otherwise) and
faithful performance of the Final Payment of the Pledgor to the Creditor under
the SPA (the "GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS"), including, without limitation, (i) the
obligation of the Pledgor to pay the balance of the Purchase Price (as defined
in the SPA); (ii) all interest due under the SPA with respect to the Final
Payment, (iii) any and all costs, liabilities and expenses (including, but not
limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from the Pledgor's breach of its
obligation to effect the Final Payment under the SPA.
SECTION 2.02. EFFECTIVE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT. This Stock
Pledge Agreement shall remain effective even in the event of any change in the
term, manner and/or place of payment of all or any of the Guaranteed
Obligations. The Pledge hereunder granted shall survive until the Pledgor has
fully complied with all and each of the Guaranteed Obligations.
ARTICLE III
NOTICES TO THE COMPANY
DELIVERY AND REGISTRATION OF COLLATERAL
SECTION 3.01. NOTICES TO THE COMPANY. To all legal effects and
in order to comply with the provisions of Section 215, /section/ 1, of the
Argentine Corporation and Partnership Law No. 19,550, as amended (the "Law"),
the Pledgor hereby notifies the Company about the creation of the Pledge, and
causes the Pledge to be registered in the stock ledger of the Company.
SECTION 3.02. DELIVERY OF COLLATERAL. As of the date of this
Stock Pledge Agreement, certificates representing the Company's shares
(including the Pledged Shares) have been issued. In order to perfect the
security interest, the Pledged Shares are delivered by the Pledgor to the Escrow
Agent. The Escrow Agent shall act as a depository of the Pledged Shares and
shall deliver the Pledged Shares in accordance with
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the following instructions: (I) if the Escrow Agent receives a joint written
notice executed by the Pledgor and the Creditor to the effect that the
Guaranteed Obligations have been complied with, it shall deliver the Pledged
Shares to the Pledgor; or (ii)if, within one hundred and eighty (180) days as
from the date of this Stock Pledge Agreement, the notice referred to in (i) has
not been received by the Escrow Agent, the Escrow Agent shall deliver the
Pledged Shares to the Creditor.
SECTION 3.03. INDEMNITY OF THE ESCROW AGENT. In the event that
the Escrow Agent becomes involved in any action, proceeding or investigation
brought by or against any person, including the Parties and other shareholders
of the Company, in connection with or as a result of this Stock Pledge
Agreement, the SPA or any matter related thereto, the Parties agree to, jointly
and severally, reimburse Escrow Agent for its legal and other expenses
(including the cost of any investigation and preparation) incurred in connection
herewith. The Parties shall also, jointly and severally, indemnify and keep
Escrow Agent harmless against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities
to any such person in connection with or as a result of any matter related to
this Stock Pledge Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
FURTHER ASSURANCES
SECTION 4.01. FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Pledgor agrees that at
any time and from time to time, at the sole expense of the Pledgor, the Pledgor
will promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents and take
all further action that may be necessary or desirable or that the Creditor, at
its sole discretion, may request in order to perfect, maintain and protect the
security interest granted or purported to be granted hereby or to enable the
Creditor to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect
to any Collateral. Failure to comply with the obligations undertaken by the
Pledgor under this paragraph shall be considered an event of default under this
Stock Pledge Agreement.
ARTICLE V
VOTING RIGHTS
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
SECTION 5.01. VOTING RIGHTS. DIVIDENDS. ETC.
(i) The Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all
voting and other rights pertaining to the Collateral or any part thereof for any
purpose, unless and until the Pledged Shares are delivered to the Creditor
pursuant to Section 3.02(ii), above.
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In order to allow the Pledgor to exercise its voting rights on the Pledged
Shares, and at its request and expense, the Creditor shall perform any
appropriate activity to enable the exercise of the Pledgor's voting rights.
(ii) The Pledgor shall be entitled to receive and retain any
and all dividends, interest, principal and all other gains, distributions and
income paid in respect of the Collateral; provided however, that any and all (a)
amounts paid or payable other than in cash in respect of, and instruments and
other property received, receivable, or otherwise distributed or distributable
in connection with, or in exchange for, any of the Pledged Shares, (b) dividends
and other distributions paid or payable in cash in respect of any of the Pledged
Shares in connection with a partial or total liquidation or dissolution or in
connection with a reduction of capital, capital surplus, or paid-in-surplus, and
(c) cash paid, payable, or otherwise distributed in respect of principal of or
in redemption of or in exchange for any Collateral shall be and shall be
forthwith delivered to the Creditor to hold as Collateral, and shall if received
by the Pledgor be received in trust for the benefit of the Creditor.
ARTICLE VI
TRANSFERS AND OTHER LIENS
SECTION 6.01. TRANSFERS AND OTHER LIENS. The Pledgor, agree
that it will not:
(I) sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of or grant any option
with respect to any of the Collateral; or
(II) create or permit to exist any lien, security interest, or
other charge or encumbrance upon or with respect to any of the Collateral,
except for the first priority security interest created under this Stock Pledge
Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS
SECTION 7.01. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The Pledgor shall take all actions
necessary to satisfy the requirements of any law of the Argentine Republic as
may be determined by the Creditor to be necessary or advisable to give effect to
the Pledge created herein or the exercise by the Creditor of its rights
hereunder.
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ARTICLE VIII
REMEDIES UPON DEFAULT
SECTION 8.01. REMEDIES UPON DEFAULT. Upon the occurrence of
the event indicated in Section 3.02(u), the Creditor shall be entitled to: (A)
enforce the Pledge as provided in Section 8.02 below; and (B) apply the proceeds
derived from said enforcement to discharge the Guaranteed Obligations.
SECTION 8.02. PROCEDURE FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THE PLEDGE. When
the Creditor is entitled to enforce the Pledge, as provided under Section 8.01
above, the Creditor may, with no need to make any claim in court or out of
court, enforce the Pledge pursuant to the procedure described below:
(A) the Collateral shall be sold, for which purposes the
Creditor shall retain an investment bank to be chosen at its discretion from the
following (A) Merrill Lynch; (B) Goldman Sachs; (C) Lehman Brothers; Salomon
Smith Barney Inc.; (D) J.P. Morgan; and (E) Merchant Bankers Asociados S.A.
locally or abroad, at public or private sale, at any exchange, broker's board or
at any of the Creditor's offices or elsewhere, for cash or credit or for future
delivery and upon such other terms as the Creditor may deem commercially
reasonable, all together or broken down into different portions;
(B) the proceeds from the sale of the Collateral shall be paid
as follows, and in the following order:
(I) the Guaranteed Obligations shall be paid in full to the
Creditor;
(II) the expenses and fees incurred by the Creditor in connection
with any enforcement of the Pledge shall be deducted from the
proceeds of the sale; and
(III) any remaining proceeds from the sale of the Collateral (in
cash or in shares) after the application of the proceeds as
set forth in Section 8.02(B) (i) and (ii) shall be delivered
to the Pledgor.
(C) in all cases, the Creditor shall submit to the Pledgor a
final statement of accounts.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 9.01. SEVERABILITY. Any provision contained in this
Stock Pledge Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction
shall not be
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effective in any such jurisdiction to the extent of such prohibition or
unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof. Any
prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or
render such provision unenforceable in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 9.02. SECTION HEADINGS. ETC. All headings used in this
Stock Pledge Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to
effect the construction hereof or be taken into consideration in the
interpretation hereof. All references to any Section, are references to a
Section in this Agreement, unless otherwise specified.
SECTION 9.03. NO WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. The Creditor
shall not be deemed to have waived any right or remedies afforded it under this
Stock Pledge Agreement or to have acquiesced in any default, event of default or
violation of any term and condition under this Stock Pledge Agreement on account
of any act, delay, indulgence, failure or otherwise. A waiver on the part of the
Creditor of any right or remedy vested in it under this Stock Pledge Agreement
on any one or more occasions shall not be construed as a bar to any right or
remedy which the Creditor would otherwise be entitled to in the future. No
failure to exercise nor any delay in exercising any right, power or privilege
shall be deemed as a waiver thereof and the single or partial exercise of any
right, power or privilege arising from this Stock Pledge Agreement shall not
preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
right, power or privilege. All rights and remedies herein foreseen are
cumulative and may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of
any right and remedy granted under the law.
SECTION 9.04. COUNTERPARTS. This Stock Pledge Agreement may be
executed in any number of counterparts and each party may execute a different
counterpart which will, once executed and delivered, be deemed as an original
counterpart and all such counterparts will be deemed as one and the same
document.
SECTION 9.05. ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES. All notices and other
communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing in the English
language, shall be delivered by hand or by mail, telegram, cable, telex, or
facsimile transmission, postage prepaid, and shall be deemed to have been duly
given when sent to the addressee at the address, or transmitted to the fax
machine, as follows:
IF TO PLEDGOR:
IF TO THE CREDITOR:
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IF TO ESCROW AGENT:
or as to any party at such other address as shall be designated by such party in
a written notice to the other parties complying as to delivery with the terms of
this Section.
SECTION 9.06. GOVERNING LAW JURISDICTION. This Stock Pledge
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
Republic of Argentina without regard to its conflicts of law principles.
For purposes of enforcement of this Stock Pledge Agreement,
the Pledgor hereby submits to the jurisdiction of the Ordinary Commercial Courts
of the City of Buenos Aires, waiving any other court or jurisdiction.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Stock Pledge Agreement is executed on
the date above shown by the Creditor, the Escrow Agent and the Pledgor through
their duly authorised representatives.
/s/ Alexandro Pablo Oxenford
- ----------------------------------------------
ALEJANDRO PABLO OXENFORD
/s/ Kevin F. Fitzgerald
- ----------------------------------------------
NEFF CORP.
Name: KEVIN F. FITZGERALD
Title: PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
- ----------------------------------------------
MBA MERCHANT BANKERS ASOCIADOS S.A.
Name:
Title:
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EXHIBIT 99.1
NEFF CORP. ANNOUNCES
SALE OF EQUITY INTEREST IN SULLAIR ARGENTINA S.A.
MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 6, 1999--Neff Corp. (NYSE:NFF), announced today
that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its 65% equity interest in
Sullair Argentina, S.A. (S.A. Argentina) to Alejandro Oxenford, S.A. Argentina's
President. S.A. Argentina had aggregate 1998 revenues of approximately $54
million.
Neff Corp. will receive $42.5 million from the sale of its equity interest in
S.A. Argentina and the closing of this transaction is expected to occur sometime
in the next 60 days.
Kevin P. Fitzgerald, Neff Corp.'s President and Chief Executive Officer, stated,
"The sale of our interest in S.A. Argentina is an important first step in our
previously stated objective of increasing shareholder value through the
strategic evaluation process we initiated earlier this year."
Neff Corp. is one of the fastest growing equipment rental companies in the
United State, with 94 locations in 18 states. Its headquarters are in Miami.
Note: This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation reform Act. Actual results may differ
materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Risks that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward
- -looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks inherent in the
company's growth strategy, such as the uncertainty that the company will be able
to identify, acquire and integrate attractive acquisition candidates; the
Company's dependence on additional capital for future growth; and the degree to
which the Company is leveraged. Additional information concerning these and
other risks and uncertainties is contained from time-to-time in the Company's
SEC filings. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no
assurance that the results referred to in forward-looking statements made in
this press release will in fact occur.
