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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): December 23, 1999
(December 17, 1999)
SHOWPOWER, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-14215 94-4678707
(State or other (Commission (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.)
incorporation)
18420 South Santa Fe Avenue, Rancho Dominguez, California 90221
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (310) 604-9676
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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Item 5. Other Events.
On December 17, 1999, Showpower, Inc. (the "Registrant") entered into
an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with GE Energy
Services, Inc. ("Parent"), and GE Power Acquisition Corp., formerly known as
Emmy Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent ("Buyer"), pursuant
to which (a) Buyer agreed to commence a cash tender offer (the "Offer") for all
outstanding shares of common stock of the Registrant (the "Shares") at $7.00
per share; and (b) as soon as reasonably practical after the consummation of
the Offer, Buyer will merge with and into the Registrant, with the Registrant
being the surviving corporation of the merger (the "Merger").
In the Merger, each Share outstanding immediately prior to the
effective time of the Merger (other than Shares held in the treasury of the
Registrant or held by any of the Registrant's wholly-owned subsidiaries, or by
Parent, Buyer or any other wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent and Shares held by
stockholders validly exercising appraisal rights pursuant to the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware) will, by virtue of the Merger and
without any action by the holder thereof, be converted into the right to
receive, without interest, an amount in cash equal to $7.00 (or any higher
price Buyer determines in its sole discretion to pay in the Offer) per Share.
The Offer is subject to satisfaction of certain conditions in the
Merger Agreement. If the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain
circumstances, the Registrant has agreed to pay Parent a termination fee of
$1.5 million.
In connection with the Merger Agreement, the Buyer and Parent entered
into Tender Agreements dated as of December 17, 1999 (the "Tender Agreements")
with each of the following stockholders of the Company: John J. Campion and
Esther Ash, G. Laurence and Thressa Anderson, Stephen R. Bernstein, Jeffrey B.
Stone, Joseph A. Ades, Robert E. Masterson, David C. and Annika Bernstein,
Vincent A. Carrino and Eric C. Jackson (the "Tendering Stockholders"). Pursuant
to the Tender Agreements, the Tendering Stockholders have agreed to tender into
the Offer an aggregate of 1,490,374 Shares owned of record by the Tendering
Stockholders (the "Committed Shares") and, with the exception of Vincent A.
Carrino and Eric C. Jackson, will vote the Committed Shares in favor of the
Merger and against certain competing transactions. Buyer, Parent and each of
the Tendering Stockholders have also entered into Indemnification Agreements
dated as of December 17, 1999 (the "Indemnification Agreements") pursuant to
which, among other things, the Tendering Stockholders have agreed to indemnify
Buyer and Parent with respect to third party claims arising out of or relating
to breaches of the representations and warranties contained in the Merger
Agreement. The Tendering Stockholders have also agreed that, among other
things, unless the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms,
such Tendering Stockholders will not transfer the Committed Shares. The
Committed Shares represent approximately 38.1% of the Shares that, as of
December 17, 1999, were issued and outstanding assuming the exercise of all
"in-the-money" stock options.
The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by the copies
of the Merger Agreement, Tender Agreements and Indemnification Agreements which
are filed as exhibits to this report and such agreements are incorporated by
reference herein.
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Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits:
10.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 17, 1999,
among Parent, Buyer and the Registrant.
10.2 Form of Tender Agreement dated as of December 17, 1999.
10.3 Form of Indemnification Agreement dated as of December 17,
1999.
99.1 Text of press release issued by Parent and the Registrant
dated December 20, 1999.
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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.
Dated: December 23, 1999 SHOWPOWER, INC.
By: /s/ John J. Campion
----------------------------------------
John J. Campion, Chief Executive Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
10.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 17, 1999,
among Parent, Buyer and the Registrant.
10.2 Form of Tender Agreement, dated as of December 17, 1999.
10.3 Form of Indemnification Agreement dated as of December 17,
1999.
99.1 Text of press release issued by Parent and Registrant dated
December 20, 1999.
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EXECUTION COPY EXHIBIT 10.1
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AMONG
GE ENERGY SERVICES, INC.,
EMMY ACQUISITION CORP.
AND
SHOWPOWER, INC.
DATED AS OF DECEMBER 17, 1999
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
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ARTICLE I THE OFFER AND MERGER
Section 1.1. The Offer...................................................
Section 1.2. Consent to Offer; Schedule 14D-9............................
Section 1.3. The Merger..................................................
Section 1.4. Effective Time; Closing.....................................
Section 1.5. Effect of the Merger........................................
Section 1.6. Conversion of Company Common Stock..........................
Section 1.7. Dissenting Shares...........................................
Section 1.8. Stock Option Plans..........................................
Section 1.9. Surrender of Shares of Company Common Stock; Stock Transfer
Books.....................................................
ARTICLE II THE SURVIVING CORPORATION
Section 2.1. Certificate of Incorporation................................
Section 2.2. Bylaws......................................................
Section 2.3. Directors and Officers......................................
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
Section 3.1. Organization and Standing...................................
Section 3.2. Capitalization..............................................
Section 3.3. Authority for Agreement.....................................
Section 3.4. No Conflict.................................................
Section 3.5. Required Filings and Consents...............................
Section 3.6. Compliance..................................................
Section 3.7. SEC Filings, Financial Statements...........................
Section 3.8. Absence of Certain Changes or Events........................
Section 3.9. Taxes.......................................................
Section 3.10. Assets......................................................
Section 3.11. Change of Control Agreements................................
Section 3.12. Litigation..................................................
Section 3.13. Contracts and Commitments...................................
Section 3.14. Information Supplied........................................
Section 3.15. Employee Benefit Plans......................................
Section 3.16. Labor and Employment Matters................................
Section 3.17. Environmental Compliance and Disclosure.....................
Section 3.18. Intellectual Property.......................................
Section 3.19. Year 2000 Compliance........................................
Section 3.20. Brokers.....................................................
Section 3.21. Insurance Policies..........................................
Section 3.22. Notes and Accounts Receivable...............................
Section 3.23. Transactions with Affiliates................................
Section 3.24. No Existing Discussions.....................................
Section 3.25. Company Warrants............................................
Section 3.26. Stockholders' Rights Agreement..............................
Section 3.27. Major Suppliers and Customers...............................
Section 3.28. Disclosure..................................................
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND BUYER
Section 4.1. Organization and Standing...................................
Section 4.2. Authority for Agreement.....................................
Section 4.3. No Conflict.................................................
Section 4.4. Required Filings and Consents...............................
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Section 4.5. Information Supplied........................................
Section 4.6. Brokers.....................................................
Section 4.7. Financing...................................................
Section 4.8. Disclosure..................................................
ARTICLE V COVENANTS
Section 5.1. Conduct of the Business Pending the Merger..................
Section 5.2. Access to Information; Confidentiality......................
Section 5.3. Notification of Certain Matters.............................
Section 5.4. Further Assurances..........................................
Section 5.5. Board Recommendations.......................................
Section 5.6. Stockholder Litigation......................................
Section 5.7. Indemnification.............................................
Section 5.8. Public Announcements........................................
Section 5.9. Acquisition Proposals.......................................
Section 5.10. Company Stockholders' Meeting...............................
Section 5.11. Proxy Statement.............................................
Section 5.12. Stockholder Lists...........................................
Section 5.13. Shares Held by Company Subsidiaries.........................
Section 5.14. Directors...................................................
Section 5.15. Undertakings of Parent......................................
Section 5.16. Director Resignations.......................................
Section 5.17. Company Options.............................................
Section 5.18. Financial Statement Tests...................................
Section 5.19. Environmental Compliance....................................
ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS
Section 6.1. Conditions to the Obligation of Each Party..................
Section 6.2. Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Buyer to Effect the
Merger....................................................
Section 6.3. Conditions to Obligations of the Company to Effect the
Merger....................................................
ARTICLE VII TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
Section 7.1. Termination.................................................
Section 7.2. Effect of Termination.......................................
Section 7.3. Amendments..................................................
Section 7.4. Waiver......................................................
ARTICLE VIII GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 8.1. No Third Party Beneficiaries................................
Section 8.2. Entire Agreement............................................
Section 8.3. Succession and Assignment...................................
Section 8.4. Counterparts................................................
Section 8.5. Headings....................................................
Section 8.6. Governing Law...............................................
Section 8.7. Severability................................................
Section 8.8. Specific Performance........................................
Section 8.9. Construction................................................
Section 8.10. Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties and
Agreements................................................
Section 8.11. Certain Definitions.........................................
Section 8.12. Fees and Expenses...........................................
Section 8.13. Notices.....................................................
ANNEX 1 CONDITIONS OF THE INITIAL OFFER
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "Agreement"), dated as of December
17, 1999, by and among GE Energy Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Parent"), Emmy Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Buyer") and wholly
owned subsidiary of Parent, and Showpower, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement desire to effect the acquisition of
the Company by Buyer;
WHEREAS, in furtherance of the foregoing, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with the Delaware General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL"), Buyer will make the cash
tender offer described in Section 1.1 and thereafter Buyer will merge with and
into the Company (the "Merger") in accordance with the provisions of the DGCL,
with the Company as the surviving corporation;
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
Parent and each of John J. Campion and Esther Ash, G. Laurence and Thressa
Anderson, Stephen R. Bernstein, Jeffrey B. Stone, Joseph A. Ades, Robert E.
Masterson, David C. and Annika Bernstein, Vincent Carrino and Eric G. Jackson
(the "Tendering Stockholders") have entered into a stockholder's agreement,
dated as of the date hereof (the "Tender Agreements"), pursuant to which, among
other things, such stockholders have agreed to tender their shares of the common
stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company ("Company Common Stock") in the
Initial Offer (as hereinafter defined);
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
Parent and each of the Tendering Stockholders have entered into an agreement,
dated as of the date hereof (the "Indemnification Agreements"), pursuant to
which, among other things, such stockholders have agreed to indemnify Parent for
breaches of representations, warranties and covenants of this Agreement, subject
to the terms and conditions contained therein;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has unanimously determined
that the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer (as hereinafter defined), the
Merger and this Agreement are fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company
and the holders of Company Common Stock (the "Company Stockholders");
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Parent and Buyer have each approved this
Agreement, the Merger, the Initial Offer and the Subsequent Offer, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has unanimously approved
this Agreement, the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer and the Merger, and the
transactions contemplated hereby, which approval was based in part on the
opinion of Prime Charter Ltd. (the "Independent Advisor"), independent financial
advisor to the Board of Directors of the Company, that, as of the date of such
opinion and based on the assumptions, qualifications and limitations contained
therein, the consideration to be received by the Company Stockholders for their
shares of Company Common Stock in the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer and
the Merger is fair to these stockholders from a financial point of view;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has unanimously resolved to
recommend acceptance of the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer and the Merger
to the Company Stockholders and has determined that the consideration to be paid
for each share of Company Common Stock in the Initial Offer, the Subsequent
Offer and the Merger is fair to the holders of the Company Common Stock and to
recommend that the Company Stockholders accept the Initial Offer and Subsequent
Offer, as applicable, and approve the Merger, this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this
Agreement and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
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ARTICLE I
THE OFFER AND MERGER
Section 1.1. The Offer.
(a) Provided that this Agreement shall not have been terminated in
accordance with Section 7.1 hereof and nothing shall have occurred that
would result in a failure to satisfy any of the conditions set forth in
Annex I hereto, as promptly as practicable after the date hereof, but in no
event later than five (5) business days following the public announcement
of the terms of this Agreement, Parent shall cause Buyer to commence and
Buyer shall commence (within the meaning of Rule 14d-2 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) an offer to purchase
all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company Common Stock at a
price of $7.00 per share (the "Offer Price") net to the seller in cash, but
subject to any withholding required by law (the "Initial Offer").
(b) The Initial Offer shall be subject to the conditions set forth in
Annex I hereto. Buyer shall not except as expressly contemplated hereby,
without the prior written consent of the Company, make any change in the
terms or conditions of the Initial Offer that is adverse to the holders of
the Company Common Stock in any material respect, decrease the Offer Price
or the Minimum Condition or impose material conditions to the Initial Offer
other than those set forth in Annex I hereto (it being agreed that a waiver
by Buyer of any condition, in its sole discretion, shall not be deemed to
be adverse to the holders of the Company Common Stock); provided that:
(i) if on any scheduled expiration date of the Initial Offer all
conditions to the Initial Offer shall not have been satisfied or waived,
the Initial Offer may, but need not, be extended from time to time
without the consent of the Company for such period of time as is
reasonably expected by Buyer to be necessary to satisfy the unsatisfied
conditions;
(ii) the Initial Offer may be extended by Buyer without the consent
of the Company for any period required by any rule, regulation,
interpretation or position of the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") or the staff thereof applicable to the Initial
Offer; and
(iii) if at any scheduled expiration date of the Initial Offer all
conditions to the Initial Offer shall have been satisfied but less than
a number of shares of Company Common Stock that, together with the
number of shares of Company Common Stock owned by Parent and Buyer,
represents ninety percent (90%) of the outstanding shares of Company
Common Stock, on a fully-diluted basis, shall have been tendered into
the Initial Offer, Buyer shall be entitled to (but not required to)
extend the Initial Offer from time to time without the consent of the
Company in order to permit Buyer to solicit additional shares to be
tendered into the Initial Offer.
Buyer shall, unless Buyer shall have in its sole discretion
exercised its right to extend the termination date of the Initial Offer
pursuant to this Section 1.1(b), on the terms and subject to the prior
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions of the Initial Offer, accept
for payment and purchase, as soon as permitted under the terms of the
Initial Offer, all shares of the Company Common Stock validly tendered
and not withdrawn prior to the expiration date of the Initial Offer. It
is agreed that the conditions to the Initial Offer are solely for the
benefit of Buyer and may be asserted by Buyer regardless of the
circumstances giving rise to any such condition (including any action or
inaction by Buyer) or may, but need not, be waived by Buyer, in whole or
in part at any time and from time to time, in its sole discretion,
except with respect to the Minimum Condition.
(c) The Initial Offer shall be made by means of an offer to purchase
(the "Offer to Purchase") that is subject to the conditions set forth in
Annex I hereto. As soon as practicable on the date of commencement of the
Initial Offer, Buyer (and, to the extent required by law, Parent) shall
file with the SEC a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1 (together with
all supplements and amendments thereto, the "Schedule 14D-1" or the "Offer
Documents"). The Offer to Purchase shall provide for an initial expiration
date of twenty (20) business days (as defined in Rule 14d-1 under the
Exchange Act)
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from the date of commencement, subject to Buyer's right to extend the
expiration date of the Offer pursuant to Section 1.1(b).
(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Buyer may, at its
sole option, after the date the Shares of Company Common Stock are
purchased by Buyer pursuant to the Initial Offer (the "Purchase Date"),
commence a subsequent offer for shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to
Rule 14d-11 (which becomes effective as of January 24, 2000) under the
Exchange Act for such period as Buyer may determine (the "Subsequent
Offer") which Subsequent Offer shall comply in all material respects with
the provisions of all applicable United States securities laws.
(e) The Offer Documents (and any documents filed with the SEC pursuant
to a Subsequent Offer) shall comply in all material respects with the
provisions of all applicable United States federal securities laws. Each
party hereto shall promptly supplement, update and correct any information
provided by it for use in the Offer Documents (and any documents filed with
the SEC pursuant to a Subsequent Offer) if, and to the extent that, it is
or shall have become incomplete, false or misleading. In any such event,
Buyer shall take all steps necessary to cause the Offer Documents (and any
documents filed with the SEC pursuant to a Subsequent Offer) as so
supplemented, updated or corrected to be filed with the SEC and to be
disseminated to the Company Stockholders as and to the extent required by
applicable United States federal securities laws. The Company and its
counsel, with respect to the Schedule 14D-1 (or any documents to be filed
with the SEC pursuant to a Subsequent Offer), shall be given an opportunity
to review and comment on such filing and each supplement, amendment or
response to comments with respect thereto prior to being filed with or
delivered to the SEC.
Section 1.2. Consent to Offer; Schedule 14D-9. The Company hereby approves
of and consents to the Initial Offer and Subsequent Offer and to the inclusion
in the Initial Offer and Subsequent Offer and the related documents thereto the
recommendations of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in Section
3.3(b) hereof. Simultaneously with or as soon as practicable on the day of
filing of the Schedule 14D-1 by Buyer, the Company shall file with the SEC a
Tender Offer Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (together
with all supplements and amendments thereto, the "Schedule 14D-9") that will
comply in all material respects with the provisions of all applicable United
States federal securities laws which shall reflect the recommendations of the
Board of Directors of the Company set forth in Section 3.3(b) hereof. Each party
shall promptly supplement, update and correct any information provided by it for
use in the Schedule 14D-9 if, and to the extent that, it is or shall have become
incomplete, false or misleading. In any such event, the Company shall take all
steps necessary to cause the Schedule 14D-9 as so supplemented, updated or
corrected to be filed with the SEC and to be disseminated to the Company
Stockholders, in each case, as and to the extent required by applicable United
States federal securities laws. Each other party hereto and its respective
counsel shall be given an opportunity to review and comment on the Schedule
14D-9 and each supplement, amendment or response to comments with respect
thereto prior to being filed with or delivered to the SEC. The Company shall
cooperate with Buyer with respect to the Subsequent Offer, if applicable, and
shall provide to Buyer all documentation that Buyer may reasonably request in
connection with respect to such Subsequent Offer.
Section 1.3. The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of
this Agreement, and in accordance with the DGCL, at the Effective Time (as
hereinafter defined), Buyer shall be merged with and into the Company. As a
result of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of Buyer shall cease and
the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation following the Merger
(the "Surviving Corporation"). The corporate existence of the Company, with all
its purposes, rights, privileges, franchises, powers and objects, shall continue
unaffected and unimpaired by the Merger and, as the Surviving Corporation, it
shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.
Section 1.4. Effective Time; Closing. As promptly as practicable (and in
any event within five (5) business days) after the satisfaction or waiver of the
conditions set forth in Article VI hereof, the parties hereto shall cause the
Merger to be consummated by filing a certificate of merger or certificate of
ownership and merger, if applicable (the "Certificate of Merger"), with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and by making all other filings or
recordings required under the DGCL in connection with the Merger, in such
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form as is required by, and executed in accordance with the relevant provisions
of, the DGCL. The Merger shall become effective at such time as the Certificate
of Merger is duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, or
at such other time as the parties hereto agree shall be specified in the
Certificate of Merger (the date and time the Merger becomes effective, the
"Effective Time"). On the date of such filing, a closing (the "Closing") shall
be held at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, at the offices of the King &
Spalding, 191 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, or at such other time
and location as the parties hereto shall otherwise agree.
Section 1.5. Effect of the Merger. At the Effective Time, the effect of
the Merger shall be as provided in the applicable provisions of the DGCL.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the
Effective Time all the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of
the Company and Buyer shall vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all debts,
liabilities, obligations, restrictions, disabilities and duties of the Company
and Buyer shall become the debts, liabilities, obligations, restrictions,
disabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation.
Section 1.6. Conversion of Company Common Stock. At the Effective Time, by
virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Buyer, the Company or
the holders of any of the following securities:
(a) Each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares canceled
pursuant to Section 1.6(c) and Dissenting Shares (as defined in Section
1.7), if any) shall be canceled and, subject to Section 1.7, shall by
virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder
thereof be converted automatically into the right to receive an amount in
cash equal to $7.00 payable, without interest, to the holder of such share
of Company Common Stock, upon surrender of the certificate that formerly
evidenced such share of Company Common Stock in the manner provided in
Section 1.9 (the "Merger Consideration");
(b) Each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time that is owned by Parent or Buyer
and each share of Company Common Stock that is owned by the Company as
treasury stock shall be canceled and retired and cease to exist and no
payment or distribution shall be made with respect thereto;
(c) At the Effective Time, all shares of the Company Common Stock
converted pursuant to Section 1.6(a) shall no longer be outstanding and
shall automatically be canceled and retired and cease to exist, and each
holder of a certificate ("Certificate") representing any such shares of
Company Common Stock shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto,
except the right to receive the Merger Consideration in accordance with
Section 1.6(a); and
(d) Each share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Buyer
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be
converted into and become one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable
share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Surviving
Corporation and shall constitute the only outstanding shares of capital
stock of the Surviving Corporation.
Section 1.7. Dissenting Shares.
(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, shares
of Company Common Stock that are issued and outstanding immediately prior
to the Effective Time and which are held by Company Stockholders who have
demanded and perfected their demands for appraisal of such shares of
Company Common Stock in the time and manner provided in Section 262 of the
DGCL and, as of the Effective Time, have neither effectively withdrawn nor
lost their rights to such appraisal and payment under the DGCL (the
"Dissenting Shares") shall not be converted as described in Section 1.6(a),
but shall, by virtue of the Merger, be entitled to only such rights as are
granted by Section 262 of the DGCL; provided, however, that if such holder
shall have failed to perfect or shall have effectively withdrawn or lost
his, her or its right to appraisal and payment under the DGCL, such
holder's shares of Company Common Stock shall thereupon be deemed to have
been converted, at the Effective Time, as described in Section 1.6(a), into
the right to receive the Merger Consideration set forth in such provisions,
without any interest thereon.
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(b) The Company shall give Parent (i) prompt notice of any demands for
appraisal pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL received by the Company,
withdrawals of such demands, and any other instruments served pursuant to
the DGCL and received by the Company and (ii) the opportunity to direct all
negotiations and proceedings with respect to demands for appraisal under
the DGCL. The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of
Parent or as otherwise required by applicable law, make any payment with
respect to any such demands for appraisal or offer to settle or settle any
such demands.
Section 1.8. Stock Option Plans. The Company shall take all commercially
reasonable efforts necessary to ensure that, pursuant to the Company's 1998
Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the "Company Stock Option Plan"), all
outstanding options to acquire Company Common Stock (the "Company Options")
granted under the Company Stock Option Plans shall be exercised in full
immediately prior to the consummation of the Initial Offer and all Company
Options that are not exercised prior to the consummation of the Initial Offer
will terminate and expire as of the consummation date of the Initial Offer. In
addition, the Company shall, by written notice to each holder of Company
Options, offer to pay such holder upon the consummation of the Initial Offer, in
exchange for the cancellation of such holder's Company Options (regardless of
exercise price) upon the consummation of the Initial Offer, an amount in cash
determined by multiplying (A) the excess, if any, of the Offer Price over the
applicable exercise price per share of the Company Option by (B) the number of
shares of Company Common Stock such holder could have purchased had such holder
exercised such Company Option in full immediately prior to the consummation of
the Initial Offer (such amount, the "Option Consideration"), and each such
Company Option shall thereafter be canceled.
Section 1.9. Surrender of Shares of Company Common Stock; Stock Transfer
Books.
(a) Prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall designate a bank or
trust company to act as agent (the "Paying Agent") for the holders of
shares of Company Common Stock reasonably acceptable to the Company to
receive the funds necessary to make the payments to such holders pursuant
to Section 1.6 upon surrender of their Certificates. Parent will, on or
prior to the Effective Time, deposit with the Paying Agent the Merger
Consideration to be paid in respect of the shares of Company Common Stock
(the "Fund"). The Fund shall be invested by the Paying Agent as directed by
Parent. Any net profit resulting from, or interest or income produced by,
such investments, shall be payable to the Surviving Corporation. Parent
shall replace any monies lost through any investment made pursuant to this
Section 1.9(a). The Paying Agent shall make the payments provided in
Section 1.6.
(b) Promptly after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall
cause to be mailed to each person who was, at the Effective Time, a holder
of record of shares of Company Common Stock entitled to receive the Merger
Consideration pursuant to Section 1.6 a form of letter of transmittal
(which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and
title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the
Certificates to the Paying Agent) and instructions for use in effecting the
surrender of the Certificates pursuant to such letter of transmittal. Upon
surrender to the Paying Agent of a Certificate, together with such letter
of transmittal, duly completed and validly executed in accordance with the
instructions thereto, and such other documents as may be required pursuant
to such instructions, the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to
receive in exchange therefor the Merger Consideration for each share of
Company Common Stock formerly evidenced by such Certificate, and such
Certificate shall then be canceled. Until so surrendered, each such
Certificate shall, at and after the Effective Time, represent for all
purposes, only the right to receive such Merger Consideration. No interest
shall accrue or be paid to any beneficial owner of shares of Company Common
Stock or any holder of any Certificate with respect to the Merger
Consideration payable upon the surrender of any Certificate. If payment of
the Merger Consideration is to be made to a person other than the person in
whose name the surrendered Certificate is registered on the stock transfer
books of the Company, it shall be a condition of payment that the
Certificate so surrendered shall be endorsed in blank or to the Paying
Agent or otherwise be in proper form for transfer and that the person
requesting such payment shall have paid all transfer and other taxes
required by reason of the payment of the Merger Consideration to a person
other than the registered holder of the Certificate surrendered or shall
have established to the satisfaction of the
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Surviving Corporation that such taxes either have been paid or are not
applicable. If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed,
upon making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such
Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by the
Surviving Corporation or Parent, the posting by such person of a bond, in
such reasonable amount as the Surviving Corporation or Parent may direct,
as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to
such Certificate, the Paying Agent will issue in exchange for such lost,
stolen or destroyed Certificate the applicable Merger Consideration such
holder is entitled to receive pursuant to Section 1.6.
(c) At any time following the sixth (6th) month after the Effective
Time, the Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to require the Paying
Agent to deliver to it any portion of the Fund which had been made
available to the Paying Agent and not disbursed to holders of shares of
Company Common Stock (including, without limitation, all interest and other
income received by the Paying Agent in respect of all amounts held in the
Fund or other funds made available to it), and thereafter each such holder
shall be entitled to look only to the Surviving Corporation (subject to
abandoned property, escheat and other similar laws), and only as general
creditors thereof, with respect to any Merger Consideration that may be
payable upon due surrender of the Certificates held by such holder. If any
Certificates representing shares of Company Common Stock shall not have
been surrendered immediately prior to such date on which the Merger
Consideration in respect of such Certificate would otherwise escheat to or
become the property of any Governmental Entity (as hereinafter defined),
any such cash, shares, dividends or distributions payable in respect of
such Certificate shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, become
the property of the Surviving Corporation, free and clear of all claims or
interest of any person previously entitled thereto. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, none of the Surviving Corporation, Parent, Buyer or the Paying
Agent shall be liable to any holder of a share of Company Common Stock for
any Merger Consideration delivered in respect of such share of Company
Common Stock to a public official pursuant to any abandoned property,
escheat or other similar law.
(d) At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of the Company
shall be closed and thereafter there shall be no further registration of
transfers of shares of Company Common Stock on the records of the Company.
From and after the Effective Time, except for Parent and Buyer, the holders
of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall cease to have any rights with respect to such shares
of Company Common Stock except as otherwise provided herein or by
applicable law, and all cash paid pursuant to this Article I upon the
surrender or exchange of Certificates shall be deemed to have been paid in
full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the shares of Company Common
Stock theretofore represented by such Certificate.
(e) Parent, Buyer, the Surviving Corporation and the Paying Agent, as
the case may be, shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the Merger
Consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of
shares of Company Common Stock and Company Options such amounts that
Parent, Buyer, the Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent is required to
deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder or any provision of state, local or
foreign tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld by Parent,
Buyer, the Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent, such amounts shall be
treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the
holder of the shares of Company Common Stock and Company Options in respect
of which such deduction and withholding was made by Parent, Buyer, the
Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent.
ARTICLE II
THE SURVIVING CORPORATION
Section 2.1. Certificate of Incorporation. The Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation,
until the same shall thereafter be altered, amended or repealed in accordance
with applicable law or such Certificate of Incorporation.
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Section 2.2. Bylaws. The Bylaws of the Company as in effect immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation,
until the same shall thereafter be altered, amended or repealed in accordance
with applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation or such Bylaws.
Section 2.3. Directors and Officers. From and after the Effective Time,
until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective
successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified in accordance with
applicable law, (i) the directors of Buyer at the Effective Time shall be the
directors of the Surviving Corporation, and (ii) the officers of Buyer at the
Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company represents and warrants to each of the other parties hereto as
follows:
Section 3.1. Organization and Standing. Each of the Company and each
Subsidiary (as defined below) (i) is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
organization, (ii) has full corporate power and authority and all necessary
government approvals to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to
conduct its business as presently conducted and (iii) is duly qualified or
licensed to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned, leased or operated by
it or the nature of its business makes such qualification or licensing
necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or licensed, individually
or in the aggregate, has not had, or would not reasonably be expected to have, a
Company Material Adverse Effect (as hereinafter defined). The Company has
furnished or made available to Parent true and complete copies of its
certificate of incorporation (including any certificates of designations
attached thereto, the "Company Certificate of Incorporation") and bylaws (the
"Company Bylaws") and the certificate of incorporation and bylaws (or equivalent
organizational documents) of each Subsidiary, each as amended to date. Such
certificate of incorporation, bylaws or equivalent organizational documents are
in full force and effect, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in
violation of any provision of its certificate of incorporation, bylaws or
equivalent organizational documents.
Section 3.2. Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of the Company
consists of 6,500,000 shares of Company Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, $.0l par value per share (the "Preferred Stock"). As of the
date hereof, (i) 3,421,842 shares of Company Common Stock are issued and
outstanding, all of which are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and
free of preemptive rights, (ii) no shares of Company Common Stock are held in
the treasury of the Company, (iii) 969,563 Company Options are outstanding
pursuant to the Company Stock Option Plan, each such option entitling the holder
thereof to purchase one share of Company Common Stock, and 1,000,000 shares of
Company Common Stock are authorized and reserved for future issuance pursuant to
the Company Stock Option Plan, (iv) no shares of Preferred Stock are issued or
outstanding, and (v) 120,000 shares of Company Common Stock are reserved for
future issuance pursuant to the Company Warrants. The Company Disclosure Letter
delivered by the Company to the other parties hereto concurrently with the
execution of this Agreement (the "Company Disclosure Letter") sets forth a true
and complete list of the outstanding Company Options with the exercise price.
Except as set forth above or in the Company Disclosure Letter, there are no
options, warrants, convertible securities, subscriptions, stock appreciation
rights, phantom stock plans or stock equivalents or other rights, agreements,
arrangements or commitments (contingent or otherwise) of any character issued or
authorized by the Company relating to the issued or unissued capital stock of
the Company or any Subsidiary or obligating the Company or any Subsidiary to
issue or sell any shares of capital stock of, or options, warrants, convertible
securities, subscriptions or other equity interests in, the Company or any
Subsidiary. All shares of Company Stock subject to issuance as aforesaid, upon
issuance on the terms and conditions specified in the instruments pursuant to
which they are issuable, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable. Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, there are
no outstanding contractual obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary to
repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of
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Company Stock or any capital stock of any Subsidiary or to pay any dividend or
make any other distribution in respect thereof or to provide funds to, or make
any investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in,
any person. The Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a correct and complete list
of each corporation, association, subsidiary, partnership, limited liability
company or other entity of which the Company controls, directly or indirectly,
30% or more of the outstanding equity interests (each a "Subsidiary" and
collectively, the "Subsidiaries"). Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure
Letter, the Company owns beneficially and of record all of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of each Subsidiary and does not own an equity interest
in any other corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company or
other entity, other than in the Subsidiaries. Each outstanding share of capital
stock of each Subsidiary is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and each such share owned by the Company or another Subsidiary is
free and clear of all security interests, liens, claims, pledges, options,
rights of first refusal, agreements, limitations on the Company's or such other
Subsidiary's voting rights, charges and other encumbrances of any nature
whatsoever.
Section 3.3. Authority for Agreement.
(a) The Company has all necessary power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and, subject
to obtaining necessary stockholder approval, to consummate the Initial
Offer, the Subsequent Offer, the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance by
the Company of this Agreement, and the consummation by the Company of the
Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer, the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action (including, without limitation, the unanimous approval of
the Board of Directors of the Company) and no other corporate proceedings
on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to
consummate the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer, the Merger or the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than, with respect to
the Merger, the approval and adoption of this Agreement by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of
Company Common Stock and the filing and recordation of appropriate merger
documents as required by the DGCL). This Agreement has been duly executed
and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution
and delivery by Parent and Buyer, constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance
with its terms. The affirmative vote of holders of the outstanding shares
of Company Common Stock entitled to vote at a duly called and held meeting
of stockholders is the only vote of the Company's Stockholders necessary to
approve this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.
(b) At a meeting duly called and held on December 16, 1999, the Board
of Directors of the Company unanimously (i) determined that this Agreement
and the Tender Agreements and the Indemnification Agreements and the other
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the Initial Offer,
the Subsequent Offer and the Merger, are fair to and in the best interests
of the Company and the Company Stockholders, (ii) approved, authorized and
adopted this Agreement, the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer, the Merger
and the other transactions contemplated hereby, and (iii) resolved to
recommend acceptance of the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer, and, if
applicable, approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Merger by the
Company Stockholders. The actions taken by the Board of Directors of the
Company constitute approval of the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer, the
Merger, this Agreement and the Tender Agreements and the Indemnification
Agreements and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby by
the Board of Directors of the Company under the provisions of Section 203
of the DGCL such that Section 203 of the DGCL does not apply to this
Agreement, the Tender Agreements, the Indemnification Agreements or the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. Other than Section 203 of the
DGCL, no state antitakeover or similar statute is applicable to Parent or
Buyer in connection with the Merger, the Initial Offer, the Subsequent
Offer, this Agreement, the Tender Agreements or the Indemnification
Agreements or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
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(c) The Independent Advisor has delivered to the Board of Directors of
the Company its written opinion, dated as of the date of this Agreement,
that, as of such date and based on the assumptions, qualifications and
limitations contained therein, the consideration to be received by the
Company Stockholders in the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer and the
Merger is fair to such holders from a financial point of view. A copy of
such opinion is included in the Company Disclosure Letter.
Section 3.4. No Conflict. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by
the Company do not, and the performance of this Agreement by the Company and the
consummation of the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer and the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not, (i) conflict with or
violate the Company Certificate of Incorporation or Company Bylaws or equivalent
organizational documents of any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) subject to Section
3.5, conflict with or violate any United States federal, state or local or any
foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, order, judgment, decree
or any other requirement or rule of law (a "Law") applicable to the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries or by which any property or asset of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries is bound or affected, or (iii) except as set forth in the
Company Disclosure Letter, result in a breach of or constitute a default (or an
event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under,
give to others any right of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation
of, result in triggering any payment or other obligations, or result in the
creation of a lien or other encumbrance on any property or asset of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries in any case that would be material to the Company or
any Subsidiary pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract,
agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation
or Material Contract (as hereinafter defined) to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
any property or asset of any of them is bound or affected.
Section 3.5. Required Filings and Consents. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement by the Company do not, and the performance of this Agreement by
the Company will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of,
or filing with or notification to, any United States federal, state or local or
any foreign government or any court, administrative or regulatory agency or
commission or other governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign (a
"Governmental Entity"), except (i) for applicable requirements, if any, of the
Exchange Act, state securities or "blue sky" laws ("Blue Sky Laws") and filing
and recordation of appropriate merger documents as required by the DGCL, (ii)
for those required by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,
as amended (the "HSR Act"), (iii) for applicable requirements, if any, required
by the Brazilian anti-trust authorities and (iv) for filings contemplated by
Sections 1.1, 1.2 and 3.14 hereof.
Section 3.6. Compliance. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) has
been operated at all times in compliance in all material respects with all Laws
applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by which any property,
business or asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or affected
and (ii) is not in default or violation of any notes, bonds, mortgages,
indentures, contracts, agreements, leases, licenses, permits, franchises, or
other instruments or obligations or Material Contract to which the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or any property or asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
is bound or affected.
Section 3.7. SEC Filings, Financial Statements.
(a) The Company and each Subsidiary, as necessary, has filed all
forms, reports, statements and documents required to be filed with any
regulatory authority established by law in a foreign jurisdiction or with
the SEC since April 21, 1998 (the "SEC Reports," and together with the
foreign jurisdiction reports and UK Accounts (as hereinafter defined), the
"Government Reports"), each of which has complied in all material respects
with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, or the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, or, in the case of a foreign jurisdiction, the relevant laws of
that jurisdiction, each as in effect on the date so filed. None of the
Government Reports (including, but not limited to, any financial statements
or schedules included or incorporated by reference therein) contained when
filed any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state
a material fact required to be stated or incorporated by reference therein
or necessary in order to make the statements
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therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. Except to the extent that information contained in any
Government Report has been revised or superseded by a later filed
Government Report, none of the Government Reports contains any untrue
statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
For purposes of this Agreement, the term "UK Accounts" means the Company's
or its Subsidiaries' individual accounts (as that term is used in section
226 of the UK Companies Act of 1985) and cash flow statement for the
financial year ended December 31, 1998, the auditor's report on those
accounts, the directors' report for that year and the notes to those
accounts.
(b) All of the financial statements included in the Government
Reports, in each case, including any related notes thereto, as filed with
the SEC (those filed with the SEC are collectively referred to as the
"Company Financial Statements") or with relevant authorities in foreign
jurisdictions, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP") applied on a consistent basis throughout the
periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in
the case of the unaudited statements, as may be permitted by Form 10-QSB of
the SEC and subject, in the case of the unaudited statements, to normal,
recurring audit adjustments) and fairly present the consolidated financial
position of the Company and its Subsidiaries at the respective date thereof
and the consolidated results of its operations and changes in cash flows
for the periods indicated. The value shown in the Government Reports or any
financial statement of any real property owned by any foreign Subsidiary of
the Company is not greater than the value that would be ascribed to it by
customary valuation principles in that jurisdiction.
(c) Other than as disclosed in the Company Disclosure Letter, there
are no liabilities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any kind
whatsoever, whether or not accrued and whether or not contingent or
absolute, that are material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, other than (i) liabilities disclosed or provided for in the
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries at December
31, 1998, including the notes thereto, (ii) liabilities disclosed in the
SEC Reports, (iii) liabilities incurred on behalf of the Company in
connection with this Agreement and the contemplated Merger, and (iv)
liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice since December 31, 1998, none of which are, individually or
in the aggregate, reasonably likely to be material to the Company.
(d) The Company has heretofore furnished or made available to Parent a
complete and correct copy of any amendments or modifications which have not
yet been filed with the SEC to agreements, documents or other instruments
which previously had been filed by the Company with the SEC as exhibits to
the SEC Reports pursuant to the Securities Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder or the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
Section 3.8. Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as contemplated
by this Agreement, as disclosed in the SEC Reports filed prior to the date
hereof or as disclosed in Section 3.8 of the Company Disclosure Letter since
December 31, 1998, the Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted their
respective businesses only in the ordinary course and consistent with prior
practice and there has not been (i) any event or occurrence of any condition
that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect, (ii) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or any
other distribution with respect to any of the capital stock of the Company or
any Subsidiary, (iii) any material change in accounting methods, principles or
practices employed by the Company, or (iv) any action of the type described in
Sections 5.1(b) or 5.1(c) which had such action been taken after the date of
this Agreement would be in violation of any such Section.
Section 3.9. Taxes. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have timely
filed all Tax Returns required to be filed by any of them. All such Tax Returns
are true, correct and complete in all material respects. All Taxes of the
Company and its Subsidiaries which are (i) shown as due on such Tax Returns,
(ii) otherwise due and payable or (iii) claimed or asserted by any taxing
authority to be due, have been paid, except for those Taxes being contested in
good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established in
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the financial statements included in the SEC Reports in accordance with GAAP.
There are no liens for any Taxes upon the assets of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, other than statutory liens for Taxes not yet due and payable and
liens for real estate Taxes contested in good faith. The Company does not know
of any proposed or threatened Tax claims or assessments which, if upheld, could
individually or in the aggregate have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has made an election under Section
341(f) of the Code. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has waived
any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or agreed to any extension of
time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency. The Company and each
Subsidiary has withheld and paid over to the relevant taxing authority all Taxes
required to have been withheld and paid in connection with payments to
employees, independent contractors, creditors, Stockholders or other third
parties. The unpaid Taxes of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the current
taxable period (A) did not, as of the most recent Company Financial Statements,
exceed the reserve for Tax liability set forth on the face of the balance sheet
in the most recent Company Financial Statements and (B) do not exceed that
reserve as adjusted for the passage of time through the Closing in accordance
with the past custom and practice of the Company and its Subsidiaries in filing
their Tax Returns. For purposes of this Agreement, (a) "Tax" (and, with
correlative meaning, "Taxes") means any federal, state, local or foreign income,
gross receipts, property, sales, use, license, excise, franchise, employment,
payroll, premium, withholding, alternative or added minimum, ad valorem,
transfer or excise tax, or any other tax, custom, duty, governmental fee or
other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever, together with any
interest or penalty or addition thereto, whether disputed or not, imposed by any
Governmental Entity, and (b) "Tax Return" means any return, report or similar
statement required to be filed with respect to any Tax (including any attached
schedules), including, without limitation, any information return, claim for
refund, amended return or declaration of estimated Tax.
The Company or any Subsidiary is not and has not been a party to or
otherwise involved in any transaction, agreement or arrangement or otherwise
other than by way of a bargain at arm's length, or any transaction, agreement or
arrangement (whether or not by way of a bargain at arm's length) under which it
has been or is or may be required to make any payment for goods services or
facilities provided to it which is in excess of the market value of such goods,
services or facilities or under which it has been, or is or may be required to
provide such goods, services or facilities for a consideration which is less
than the market value of such goods, services or facilities and in consequence
of which it is or will be liable to Tax in respect of an amount deemed for Tax
purposes to be income or gains of the Company or any Subsidiary but not actually
income or gains of the Company or any Subsidiary.
The Company Disclosure Letter sets forth with reasonable specificity: (i)
all jurisdictions in which the Company or any Subsidiary currently has a
presence requiring it to pay Taxes (a "Taxable Presence") and all jurisdictions
in which the Company or any Subsidiary has had a Taxable Presence since January
1, 1996, (ii) all Tax Returns filed or due to be filed applicable to the three
year period ending on the date hereof and (iii) all correspondence with any Tax
authorities (including, without limitation, all audits, notices and requests for
information from or to taxing authorities) since January 1, 1996.
Section 3.10. Assets.
(a) Except as set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 (the "10-K") or in the Company
Disclosure Letter, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries have good and
marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all of their real
and personal properties and assets reflected in the 10-K or acquired after
December 31, 1998 (other than assets disposed of since December 31, 1998 in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), in each
case free and clear of all title defects, liens, encumbrances and
restrictions, except for (i) liens, encumbrances or restrictions which
secure indebtedness which are properly reflected in the 10-K; (ii) liens
for Taxes accrued but not yet payable; (iii) liens arising as a matter of
law in the ordinary course of business with respect to obligations incurred
after December 31, 1998, provided that the obligations secured by such
liens are not delinquent; and (iv) liens that do not individually or in the
aggregate, materially detract from the value of the assets subject thereto
or materially impact the operation of the Company or any Subsidiary. The
Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct and complete list of
all real property (i) owned or leased by the Company or a Subsidiary, (ii)
as to
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which the Company or a Subsidiary has a license, easement or right of way
to use, (iii) as to which the Company or a Subsidiary has the option to
purchase, lease, license or acquire an easement or right of way or (iv) in
which the Company or a Subsidiary has any other interest. Except as set
forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, the Company and each of its
Subsidiaries either own, or have valid leasehold interests in, all
properties and assets used by them in the conduct of their business.
(b) Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any legal obligation, absolute or
contingent, to any other person to sell or otherwise dispose of any of its
assets with an individual value of $50,000 or an aggregate value in excess
of $100,000.
(c) The equipment of the Company and its Subsidiaries is in good
operating condition and repair (ordinary wear and tear excepted) and is
adequate for the uses to which it is being put, and none of such equipment
is in need of maintenance or repairs, except for ordinary routine
maintenance or repairs that are not in the aggregate material in nature or
cost. The equipment of the Company and its Subsidiaries is adequate for the
continued conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries after
the Effective Time in substantially the same manner as conducted prior to
the Effective Time.
Section 3.11. Change of Control Agreements. Except as set forth in the
Company Disclosure Letter, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement
nor the consummation of the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer, the Merger or
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, will (either alone or in
conjunction with any other event) result in, cause the accelerated vesting or
delivery of, or increase the amount or value of, any payment or benefit to any
director, officer or employee of the Company. Except as set forth in the Company
Disclosure Letter, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no amount
paid or payable by the Company in connection with the Initial Offer, the
Subsequent Offer, the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including accelerated vesting of options, (either solely as a result
thereof or as a result of such transactions in conjunction with any other event)
will be an "excess parachute payment" within the meaning of Section 280G of the
Code.
Section 3.12. Litigation. Except for such matters disclosed in the Company
Disclosure Letter which, if adversely determined individually or in the
aggregate, are not, and would not reasonably be expected to be, material to the
Company, there are no claims, suits, actions, investigations, indictments or
information, or administrative, arbitration or other proceedings ("Litigation")
pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries. There are no judgments, orders, injunctions, decrees,
stipulations or awards (whether rendered by a court, administrative agency, or
by arbitration, pursuant to a grievance or other procedure) against or relating
to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
Section 3.13. Contracts and Commitments.
(a) The Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct and
complete list of the following contracts to which the Company or a
Subsidiary is a party (including every amendment, modification or
supplement to the foregoing): (i) any contracts of employment and contracts
or agreements which limit or restrict the Company, any Subsidiary or any
employee from engaging in any business in any jurisdiction, (ii) agreements
or arrangements for the purchase or sale of any assets (otherwise than in
the ordinary course of business), (iii) all bonds, debentures, notes,
loans, credit or loan agreements or commitments, mortgages, indentures or
guarantees or other agreements or contracts relating to the borrowing of
money involving amounts in excess of $100,000, (iv) agreements with unions,
material independent contractor agreements and material leased or temporary
employee agreements, (v) leases of any real or personal property involving
annual rent of $25,000 or more, and (vi) all other contracts, agreements or
commitments involving payments made by or to the Company or a Subsidiary of
$50,000 (individually, a "Material Contract" and collectively, "Material
Contracts"). Prior to the date hereof, the Company has provided to Buyer
and Parent true, correct and complete copies of the following contracts to
which the Company or a Subsidiary is a party (including every amendment,
modification or supplement to the foregoing): (i) all bonds, debentures,
notes, loans, credit or loan agreements or commitments, mortgages,
indentures or guarantees or other agreements or contracts relating to the
borrowing of money involving amounts in excess of $10,000 and (ii) leases
of any real or personal property involving annual rent of $5,000 or more.
Except for agreements, arrangements or commitments
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disclosed in the Company Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor any of
its Subsidiaries is a party to any agreement, arrangement or commitment
which is material to the business of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries. The Company has delivered or made available true, correct and
complete copies of all such agreements, arrangements and commitments to
Parent. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under
any such agreement, arrangement or commitment which defaults individually
or in the aggregate would reasonably be expected to be material to the
Company or any Subsidiary.
(b) Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, each of the
Company's and its Subsidiaries' current and existing contracts with respect
to the provision of equipment or services (a) disclaims all warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular use, (b) limits the Company's
and its Subsidiaries' liability to only amounts paid under such contract
and (c) permits the other party to such contract only to recover actual
damages and not any special, consequential or punitive damages or lost
profits.
Section 3.14. Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to
be supplied by the Company in writing to Parent specifically for inclusion or
incorporation by reference in the Schedule 14D-1 will, at the date such
documents are first published, sent or delivered to Company Stockholders or,
unless promptly corrected, at any time during the pendency of the Initial Offer
of Subsequent Offer contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading. Neither the Schedule 14D-9 at the date such document
is first published, sent or delivered to the Company Stockholders or, unless
promptly corrected, at any time during the pendency of the Initial Offer or
Subsequent Offer, nor the proxy statement to be mailed to the Company
Stockholders in connection with the meeting (the "Stockholder's Meeting") to be
called to consider the Merger (the "Proxy Statement") (if applicable) at the
date such document is first published, sent or delivered to Company Stockholders
or, unless promptly corrected, at any time during the pendency of the
Stockholder's Meeting, will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. The Schedule 14D-9 and the Proxy Statement
(if applicable) will comply as to form and substance in all material respects
with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and
regulations of the SEC thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
representation or warranty is made by the Company with respect to statements
made or incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied by
Parent or Buyer for inclusion or incorporation by reference in any of the
foregoing documents.
Section 3.15. Employee Benefit Plans. All employee benefit plans,
compensation arrangements and other benefit arrangements covering employees of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (the "Company Benefit Plans") and all
employee agreements providing for compensation, severance or other benefits to
any employee or former employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are
listed in the Company Disclosure Letter. True, correct and complete copies of
the following documents with respect to each of the Company Benefit Plans have
been provided by the Company to Parent: (i) any plans and related trust
documents and amendments thereto, (ii) summary plan descriptions and material
modifications thereto, (iii) written communications made since January 1, 1998
to employees relating to the Company Benefit Plans and (iv) written descriptions
of all non-written agreements relating to the Company Benefit Plans. To the
extent applicable, the Company Benefit Plans comply with the requirements of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), and the
Code, and any Company Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a)
of the Code has received a determination letter or is a model prototype plan and
continues to satisfy the requirements for such qualification. Neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any ERISA Affiliate of the Company
maintains, contributes to or has maintained or contributed in the past six (6)
years to any benefit plan which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or Section 412
of the Code. Neither any Company Benefit Plan, nor the Company nor any
Subsidiary has incurred any liability or penalty under Section 4975 of the Code
or Section 502(i) of ERISA or engaged in any transaction that is reasonably
likely to result in any such liability or penalty. Each of the Company and its
Subsidiaries and any ERISA Affiliate which maintains a "group health plan"
within the meaning of Section 5000(b)(1) of the
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Code has complied with the notice and continuation requirements of Section 4980B
of the Code, Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA and the regulations
thereunder (COBRA), and the creditable coverage certification requirements and
limitations on pre-existing condition exclusion requirements of Section 9801 of
the Code, Part 7 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA and the regulations
thereunder (HIPAA). Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, each
Company Benefit Plan has been maintained and administered in compliance with its
terms and with ERISA and the Code to the extent applicable thereto. There is no
pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened or anticipated
Litigation against or otherwise involving any of the Company Benefit Plans and
no Litigation (excluding claims for benefits incurred in the ordinary course of
Company Benefit Plan activities) has been brought against or with respect to any
such Company Benefit Plan. All contributions required to be made as of the date
hereof to the Company Benefit Plans have been made or provided for. Except as
described in the SEC Reports or as required by Law, neither the Company nor any
of its Subsidiaries maintains or contributes to any plan or arrangement which
provides or has any liability to provide life insurance or medical or other
employee welfare benefits to any employee or former employee upon his retirement
or termination of employment, and neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has ever represented, promised or contracted (whether in oral or
written form) to any employee or former employee that such benefits would be
provided.
Any individual who performs services for the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries (other than through a contract with an organization other than such
individual) and who is not treated as an employee for federal income tax
purposes by the Company or its Subsidiaries is not an employee for such
purposes. Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, there are no
agreements in effect between the Company or any Subsidiary and any individual
retained by the Company or any Subsidiary to provide services as a consultant or
independent contractor.
For purposes of this Agreement "ERISA Affiliate" means any business or
entity which is a member of the same "controlled group of corporations," an
"affiliated service group" or is under "common control" with an entity within
the meanings of Sections 414(b), (c) or (m) of the Code, is required to be
aggregated with the entity under Section 414(o) of the Code, or is under "common
control" with the entity, within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA, or
any regulations promulgated or proposed under any of the foregoing Sections.
Section 3.16. Labor and Employment Matters. Except as set forth in the
Company Disclosure Letter:
(a) There are no agreements or arrangements on behalf of any officer,
director or employee providing for payment or other benefits to such person
contingent upon the execution of this Agreement, the Closing or a
transaction involving a change of control of the Company other than the
Company Stock Option Plan.
(b) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, or
bound by, any collective bargaining agreement or other contracts,
arrangements, agreements or understandings with a labor union or labor
organization that was certified by the National Labor Relations Board
("NLRB"). There is no existing, pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company, threatened (i) unfair labor practice charge or complaint, labor
dispute, labor arbitration proceeding or any other matter before the NLRB
or any other comparable state agency against or involving the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) activity or proceeding by a labor union or
representative thereof to organize any employees of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries, (iii) certification or decertification question relating
to collective bargaining units at the premises of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or (iv) lockout, strike, organized slowdown, work stoppage or
work interruption with respect to such employees.
(c) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken any
action that would constitute a "Mass Layoff" or "Plant Closing" within the
meaning of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification ("WARN") Act
or would otherwise trigger notice requirements or liability under any state
or local plant closing notice law. No agreement, arbitration or court
decision or governmental order in any way limits or restricts any of the
Company, any of its Subsidiaries or Parent from relocating or closing any
of the operations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
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(d) Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has failed to pay when due any wages
(including overtime wages), bonuses, commissions, benefits, taxes,
penalties or assessments or other monies, owed to, or arising out of the
employment of or any relationship or arrangement with, any officer,
director, employee, sales representative, contractor, consultant or other
agent. Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, the Company
and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable Laws relating to
employment and the payment of wages and benefits. There are no, and the
Company has no reason to believe there would be any, citations,
investigations, administrative proceedings or formal complaints of
violations of any federal or state wage and hour laws pending or, to the
knowledge of the Company, threatened before the Department of Labor or any
federal, state or administrative agency or court against or involving the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(e) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are in compliance with
all United States immigration laws relating to employment and have properly
completed and maintained all applicable forms (including but not limited to
I-9 forms) and, to the knowledge of the Company, there are no citations,
investigations, administrative proceedings or formal complaints of
violations of the immigration laws pending or threatened before the
Immigration and Naturalization Service or any federal, state or
administrative agency or court against or involving the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries.
(f) There are no investigations, administrative proceedings, charges
or formal complaints of discrimination (including discrimination based upon
sex, age, marital status, race, national origin, sexual preference,
disability, handicap or veteran status) pending or threatened before the
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any federal, state or local
agency or court against or involving the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries. No discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation and/or
wrongful or tortious conduct claim is pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under
the 1866, 1877, 1964 or 1991 Civil Rights Acts, the Equal Pay Act, the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, the Americans with
Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor
Standards Act, ERISA, or any other federal law relating to employment or
any comparable state or local fair employment practices act regulating
discrimination in the workplace, and no wrongful discharge, libel, slander,
invasion of privacy or other claim (including but not limited to violations
of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, as amended, and any applicable
whistleblower statutes) under any state or federal law is pending or, to
the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.
(g) If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a Federal, State or
local contractor obligated to develop and maintain an affirmative action
plan, no discrimination claim, show-cause notice, conciliation proceeding,
sanctions or debarment proceedings is pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company, has been threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
with the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs or any other
Federal agency or any comparable state or local agency or court and no desk
audit or on-site review is in progress.
(h) There are no citations, investigations, administrative proceedings
or formal complaints of violations of local, state or federal occupational
safety and health laws pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission or
any federal, state or local agency or court against or involving the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(i) No workers' compensation or retaliation claim is pending against
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $100,000 in the
aggregate and the Company maintains adequate insurance with respect to
workers' compensation claims pursuant to insurance policies that are
currently in force, or has accrued an adequate liability for such
obligations, including, without limitation, adequate accruals with respect
to accrued but unreported claims and retroactive insurance premiums.
Section 3.17. Environmental Compliance and Disclosure. Except as set forth
in the Company Disclosure Letter:
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(a) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries possesses, and is in
compliance in all material respect with, all permits, licenses and
governmental authorizations and has filed all notices that are required
under, all Environmental Laws (as hereinafter defined) applicable to the
Company or any Subsidiary, as applicable, and the Company and each of its
Subsidiaries is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable
limitations, restrictions, conditions, standards, prohibitions,
requirements, obligations, schedules and timetables contained in those laws
or contained in any Law, regulation, code, plan, order, decree, judgment,
notice, permit or demand letter issued, entered, promulgated or approved
thereunder, including, but not limited to, with respect to the use,
storage, treatment, manufacture, generation, disposal and handling of
Hazardous Materials;
(b) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received notice of actual
or threatened liability under the Federal Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA") or any similar state or
local statute or ordinance from any governmental agency or any third party
and, to the knowledge of the Company, there are no facts or circumstances
which could form the basis for the assertion of any claim against the
Company or any Subsidiary under any Environmental Laws including, without
limitation, CERCLA or any similar local, state or foreign Law with respect
to any on-site or off-site location;
(c) No Hazardous Materials have ever been, are being, or are
threatened to be spilled, released, discharged, disposed, placed or
otherwise caused to become located in buildings or the soil, sub-surface
strata, air, water or ground water under, or upon any plant, facility,
site, area or property currently or previously owned or leased by the
Company or any Subsidiary or on which the Company or any Subsidiary is
conducting or has conducted its business or operations.
(d) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has entered into or agreed
to, nor does it contemplate entering into, any consent decree or order, and
neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is subject to any judgment, decree
or judicial or administrative order relating to compliance with, or the
cleanup of Hazardous Materials under, any applicable Environmental Laws;
(e) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has been subject to any
administrative or judicial proceeding pursuant to and, to the knowledge of
the Company, has not been alleged to be in violation of, applicable
Environmental Laws or regulations either now or any time during the past
five years;
(f) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received notice that it
is subject to any claim, obligation, liability, loss, damage or expense of
whatever kind or nature, contingent or otherwise, incurred or imposed or
based upon any provision of any Environmental Law and arising out of any
act or omission of the Company or any Subsidiary, its employees, agents or
representatives or, to the knowledge of the Company, arising out of the
ownership, use, control or operation by the Company or any Subsidiary of
any plant, facility, site, area or property (including, without limitation,
any plant, facility, site, area or property currently or previously owned
or leased by the Company or any Subsidiary) or any other area on which the
Company or any Subsidiary is conducting or has conducted its business or
operations from which any Hazardous Materials were released into the
environment (the term "release" meaning any spilling, leaking, pumping,
pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching,
dumping or disposing into the environment, and the term "environment"
meaning any surface or ground water, drinking water supply, soil, surface
or subsurface strata or medium, or the ambient air) and there is no basis
for any such notice and, to the knowledge of the Company, none are
threatened or foreseen;
(g) The Company has heretofore provided Parent with true, correct and
complete copies of all files of the Company and each Subsidiary relating to
environmental matters (or an opportunity to review such files). Neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary has paid any fines, penalties or assessments
within the last five years with respect to environmental matters; and
(h) To the Company's knowledge, none of the assets owned by the
Company or any Subsidiary or any real property leased by the Company or any
Subsidiary contain any friable asbestos, regulated PCBs or underground
storage tanks.
As used in this Section 3.17, the term "Environmental Laws" means any and
all past, present and future laws (including without limitation statutes,
regulations, and common law) of the United States, the United
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Kingdom, Brazil, Canada, any State, any Province or political subdivision of any
of them, or any other nation or political subdivision, for the protection of the
environment or human health and safety, including without limitation, judgments,
awards, decrees, regulations, rules, standards, requirements, orders and permits
issued by any court, administrative agency or commission or other Governmental
Entity under such laws, and shall include without limitation the Comprehensive
Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (42 USC 9601 et seq.), the
Clean Air Act (42 USC sec.sec. 7401 et seq.), the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (42 USC sec.sec. 6901 et seq.), the Clean Water Act (33 USC
sec.sec. 1251 et seq.), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 U.S.C.
sec.sec. 651 et seq.), the Toxic Substance Control Act (15 USC sec.sec. 2601 et
seq.), and the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 USC sec.sec. 300f et seq.), as well
as any and all state or local laws that relate to pollution, contamination of
the environment, human health, or safety, and all future amendments to such
laws, and all past, present and future regulations, rules, standards,
requirements, orders and permits issued thereunder.
As used in this Section 3.17, the term "Hazardous Materials" means any
waste, pollutant, hazardous substance, toxic, radioactive, ignitable, reactive
or corrosive substance, hazardous waste, special waste, controlled waste,
industrial substance, by-product, process intermediate product or waste,
petroleum or petroleum-derived substance or waste, chemical liquids or solids,
liquid or gaseous products, or any constituent of any such substance or waste or
any other material which may be harmful to human health or the environment.
Section 3.18. Intellectual Property.
(a) The Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and complete list of
all of the following items which the Company and/or its Subsidiaries own in
whole or in part and/or have a valid claim of ownership in whole or in part
(such as a contract right of assignment from an employee or independent
contractor) (hereinafter referred to as the "Intellectual Property Rights"): (i)
all United States and foreign patents and applications therefor, (ii) all United
States and foreign trademark, trade name, service mark, collective mark, and
certification mark registrations and applications therefor at the federal, state
or local level, (iii) all material trademarks, trade names, service marks,
collective marks, and certification marks which have been used by the Company or
its Subsidiaries in commerce at any time in the last five years (and for each,
the date of first use in commerce and a description of the goods and services in
connection with which it has been used), and (iv) all United States and foreign
and copyright registrations and applications therefor. The Company Disclosure
Letter also sets forth a true and complete list of all items described in
subsections (i) through (iv) of the previous sentence in which the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries own a license (the "Licensed Rights"). Neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary has (i) any unpatented inventions which have been the
subject of a patent application, (ii) any material copyrightable works of
authorship which have not been the subject of a copyright registration or
application therefor, including but not limited to software code, manuals and
other text works, photographs, video recordings, and audio recordings, or (iii)
any mask works. Prior to the date hereof, the Company has provided Parent with
reasonable access to all of the Company's and its Subsidiaries' material trade
secrets, proprietary information, databases and data. The Company represents and
warrants that, except as expressly stated in the Company Disclosure Letter, (i)
the Intellectual Property Rights are free and clear of any liens, claims or
encumbrances, are not subject to any license (royalty bearing or royalty free)
and are not subject to any other arrangement requiring any payment to any person
or the obligation to grant rights to any person in exchange; (ii) the Licensed
Rights are free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances, royalties or other
obligations; and (iii) the Intellectual Property Rights and the Licensed Rights
are all those material rights necessary to the conduct of the business of each
of the Company, its Subsidiaries and the Company's affiliates as presently
conducted. The validity of the Intellectual Property Rights and title thereto
and validity of the Licensed Rights, (i) have not been questioned in any prior
Litigation; (ii) are not being questioned in any pending Litigation; and (iii)
are not the subject(s) of any threatened or proposed Litigation. The business of
each of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as presently conducted, does not
conflict with and, to the knowledge of the Company, has not been alleged to
conflict with any patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks, copyrights or
other intellectual property rights of others. The consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby will not result in the loss or impairment of
any of the Intellectual Property Rights or the Company's or its Subsidiaries'
right to use any of the Licensed Rights.
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There are no third parties using any of the Intellectual Property Rights
material to the business of the Company or its Subsidiaries as presently
conducted.
(b) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries owns, or possesses
sufficiently broad and valid rights to, all computer software programs that are
material to the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
There are no infringement suits, actions or proceedings pending or, to the
knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any Subsidiary with
respect to any software owned or licensed by the Company or any Subsidiary.
Section 3.19. Year 2000 Compliance.
(a) Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, the Company
has reviewed its operations and the operations of each Subsidiary with a
view to assessing whether its business would be adversely effected by not
being Year 2000 Compliant (as hereinafter defined) and has taken such
actions as it deems necessary or advisable to address Year 2000 Compliance.
Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, all of the product(s)
and/or service(s) offered and/or used by the Company or its Subsidiaries,
including each item of hardware, software, and firmware; any system,
equipment, or products consisting of or containing one or more thereof; and
any and all enhancements, upgrades, customizations, modifications,
maintenance and the like, currently or at any time in the past are, as of
the date of this Agreement, Year 2000 Compliant.
(b) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any
pending or threatened regulatory action, proceeding or investigation
concerning the Year 2000 Compliance of the Company's or any of its
Subsidiaries' products, services or operations, and there is no basis for
any such regulatory action, investigation or proceeding. The Company and
its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable regulatory rules,
regulations and requirements in regards to the Year 2000 Compliance of
their products, services and operations. No claim that any of the Company's
or any of its Subsidiaries' products or services are not Year 2000
Compliant, including but not limited to product liability claims, has been
asserted or threatened, and there is no basis for any such claim or action.
The Company and its Subsidiaries have furnished Parent with true, correct
and complete copies of any customer agreements or other materials in which
the Company or any Subsidiary has furnished (or could be deemed to have
furnished) assurances as to the Year 2000 Compliance of the Company's or
such Subsidiary's products or services, including any responses to surveys
or requests for certification of Year 2000 Compliance and letters of
assurance to customers.
(c) To the knowledge of the Company, all vendors of products or
services to the Company and its Subsidiaries, and their respective
products, services and operations, are Year 2000 Compliant, and, to the
knowledge of the Company, each such vendor will continue to furnish its
products or services to the Company and such Subsidiary, without
interruption or material delay, on and after January 1, 2000.
(d) "Year 2000 Compliant" means that (a) the products, services, or
other item(s) at issue accurately process, provide and/or receive date/time
data (including but not limited to calculating, comparing, and sequencing),
within, from, into, and between centuries (including the twentieth and
twenty-first centuries and the years 1999 and 2000), including but not
limited to leap year calculations, and (b) neither the performance nor the
functionality nor the supply of the products, services, and other item(s)
at issue will be affected by dates/times prior to, on, after, or spanning
January 1, 2000. The design of the products, services, and other item(s) at
issue to ensure compliance with the foregoing warranties and
representations includes proper date/time data century recognition and
recognition of 1999 and 2000, calculations that accommodate same century
and multi-century formulae and date/time values before, on, after, and
spanning January 1, 2000, and date/time data interface values that reflect
the century, 1999, and 2000. In particular, but without limitation, (i) no
value for current date/time will cause any error, interruption, or
decreased performance in or for such product(s), service(s), and other
item(s), (ii) all manipulations of date and time related data (including
but not limited to calculating, comparing, sequencing, processing, and
outputting) will produce correct results for all valid dates and times,
including when used in combination with Year 2000 Compliant other products,
services, or items, (iii) all date/time elements in interfaces and data
storage will specify the century to eliminate date
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ambiguity without human intervention, including leap year calculations,
(iv) where any date/time element is represented without a century, the
correct century will be unambiguous for all manipulations involving that
element, (v) authorization codes, passwords, and zaps (purge functions)
will function normally and in the same manner during prior to, on, and
after January 1, 2000, including the manner in which they function with
respect to expiration dates and CPU serial numbers, and (vi) the Company's
and its Subsidiaries' supply of the product(s), service(s), and other
item(s) will not be interrupted, delayed, decreased, or otherwise affected
by the advent of the year 2000.
Section 3.20. Brokers. Except pursuant to the Independent Advisor
Engagement Letter (as hereinafter defined), no broker, finder or investment
banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder's or other fee or commission in
connection with this Agreement, the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer, the
Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon
arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company. The Company Disclosure Letter
includes a complete and correct copy of all agreements between the Company and
the Independent Advisor pursuant to which such firms would be entitled to any
payment relating to this Agreement, the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer, the
Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 3.21. Insurance Policies. The Company has delivered to Parent
prior to the date hereof a complete and accurate list of all insurance policies
in force naming the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or employees thereof as an
insured or beneficiary or as a loss payable payee or for which the Company or
any Subsidiary has paid or is obligated to pay all or part of the premiums.
Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received notice of any pending or
threatened cancellation or premium increase (retroactive or otherwise) with
respect thereto, and each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is in compliance
in all material respects with all conditions contained therein. Except as set
forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, there are no material pending claims
against such insurance policies by the Company or any Subsidiary as to which
insurers are defending under reservation of rights or have denied liability, and
there exists no material claim under such insurance policies that has not been
properly filed by the Company or any Subsidiary. Except for the self-insurance
retentions or deductibles set forth in the policies contained in the
aforementioned list, the policies are adequate in scope and amount to cover all
prudent and reasonably foreseeable risks which may arise in the conduct of the
business of the Company and the Subsidiaries.
Section 3.22. Notes and Accounts Receivable
(a) Except as disclosed in the Company Disclosure Letter, there are no
notes receivable of the Company or any Subsidiary owing by any director,
officer, stockholder or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary
("Affiliate Debt").
(b) Except as disclosed in the Company Disclosure Letter, all accounts
receivable of the Company and any Subsidiary are current or covered by
adequate reserves for uncollectability, and there are no material disputes
regarding the collectibility of any such accounts receivable.
Section 3.23. Transactions with Affiliates. Except as set forth in the
Company Disclosure Letter (other than compensation and benefits received in the
ordinary course of business as an employee or director of the Company or its
Subsidiaries) (collectively, the "Affiliate Transactions"), no director, officer
or other "affiliate" or "associate" (as hereinafter defined) of the Company or
any Subsidiary or any entity in which, to the knowledge of the Company, any such
director, officer or other affiliate or associate, owns any beneficial interest
(other than a publicly held corporation whose stock is traded on a national
securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market and less than 1% of the
stock of which is beneficially owned by any such persons) has any interest with
a value in excess, individually or in the aggregate, of $60,000 in: (i) any
contract, arrangement or understanding with, or relating to the business or
operations of Company or any Subsidiary; (ii) any loan, arrangement,
understanding, agreement or contract for or relating to indebtedness of the
Company or any Subsidiary; or (iii) any property (real, personal or mixed),
tangible, or intangible, used or currently intended to be used in, the business
or operations of the Company or any Subsidiary.
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Section 3.24. No Existing Discussions. As of the date hereof, the Company
is not engaged, directly or indirectly, in any negotiations or discussions with
any other party with respect to an Acquisition Proposal (as hereinafter
defined).
Section 3.25. Company Warrants. Prior to the Purchase Date, all of the
Company's outstanding warrants to acquire shares of Company Common Stock shall
be cancelled.
Section 3.26. Stockholders' Rights Agreement. Neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary has adopted, or intends to adopt, a Stockholders' Rights Agreement or
any similar plan or agreement which limits or impairs the ability to purchase,
or become the direct or indirect beneficial owner of, shares of Company Common
Stock or any other equity or debt securities of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.
Section 3.27. Major Suppliers and Customers.
(a) The Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of each supplier
of goods or services to Company and the Subsidiaries to whom the Company
and the Subsidiaries paid in the aggregate more than $500,000 during the
nine month period ended September 30, 1999 and the 12-month period ended
December 31, 1998 (each a "Major Supplier" and, collectively, "Major
Suppliers"), together with in each case the amount paid during such period.
Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is engaged in any material dispute
with any Major Supplier and, to the knowledge of the Company, no Major
Supplier intends to terminate, limit or reduce its business relations with
the Company or any Subsidiary. Except as set forth in the Company
Disclosure Letter, the Company has no reason to believe that the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder will have any
adverse effect on the business relationship of the Company or any
Subsidiary with any Major Supplier. Except as set forth in the Company
Disclosure Letter, none of the officers or directors of the Company or any
Subsidiary, or any "affiliate" or "associate" of any officer or director of
the Company or any Subsidiary, or any company or other organization in
which any officer or director of the Company or any Subsidiary or any
"affiliate" or "associate" of any officer or director of the Company or any
Subsidiary has a direct or indirect or indirect financial interest, has any
financial interest in any supplier of the Company or any Subsidiary (other
than a publicly held corporation whose stock is traded on a national
securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market and less than 1% of
the stock of which is beneficially owned by any such persons).
(b) The Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of each customer
which accounted for net revenue to the Company and the Subsidiaries in the
aggregate of more than $500,000 during the nine month period ended
September 30, 1999 and the 12-month period ended December 31, 1998 (each a
"Major Customer" and, collectively, "Major Customers") together with the
amount of net revenue produced during such period. Neither the Company nor
any Subsidiary is engaged in any material dispute with any Major Customer
and, to the knowledge of the Company, no Major Customer intends to
terminate, limit or reduce its business relations with the Company or any
Subsidiary. Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, the
Company has no reason to believe that the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereunder will adversely affect the business relationship of
the Company or any Subsidiary with any Major Customer. Except as set forth
in the Company Disclosure Letter, none of the officers or directors of the
Company or any Subsidiary, or any "affiliate" or "associate" of any officer
or director of the Company or any Subsidiary, or any company or other
organization in which any officer or director of the Company or any
Subsidiary or any "affiliate" or "associate" of any officer or director of
the Company or any Subsidiary has a direct or indirect financial interest,
has any financial interest in any customer of the Company or any Subsidiary
(other than a publicly held corporation whose stock is traded on a national
securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market and less than 1% of
the stock of which is beneficially owned by any such persons).
Section 3.28. Disclosure. No representation or warranty made by the
Company in this Agreement or in the Company Disclosure Letter contains an untrue
statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be
stated herein or therein or necessary to make the statements contained herein or
therein not misleading. The representations and warranties of the Company
contained herein, disregarding all qualifications and exemptions contained
therein relating to materiality or a Company Material Adverse Effect, are true
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and correct with only such exemptions as would not in the aggregate reasonably
be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND BUYER
Each of Parent and Buyer represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
Section 4.1. Organization and Standing. Such person (a) is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation, (b) has full corporate power and authority to
own, lease and operate it properties and assets and to conduct its business as
presently conducted and (c) is duly qualified or licensed to do business as a
foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the
character of the properties owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of its
business makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except where the
failure to be so qualified or licensed would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a material adverse effect on Parent or Buyer.
Section 4.2. Authority for Agreement. Such person has all necessary
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform
its obligations hereunder and to consummate the Initial Offer, the Subsequent
Offer, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The
execution, delivery and performance by such person of this Agreement, and the
consummation by each such person of the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer, the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action and no other corporate proceedings
on the part of such person are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to
consummate the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer, the Merger or the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than, with respect to the
Merger, the filing and recordation of appropriate merger documents as required
by the DGCL). This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such person
and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company,
constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of such person
enforceable against such person in accordance with its terms.
Section 4.3. No Conflict. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by
such person do not, and the performance of this Agreement by such person and the
consummation of the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer, the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not, (i) conflict with or
violate the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of such person, (ii) conflict
with or violate any Law applicable to such person or by which any property or
asset of such person is bound or affected, or (iii) result in any breach of or
constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both
would become a default) under, give to others any right of termination,
amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of a lien
or other encumbrance on any property or asset of such person pursuant to, any
note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit,
franchise or other instrument or obligation to which such person is a party or
by which such person or any property or asset of either of them is bound or
affected, except in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) for any such conflicts,
violations, breaches, defaults or other occurrences which would not,
individually or in the aggregate, prevent or materially delay the performance by
such person of its respective obligations under this Agreement or the
consummation of the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer, the Merger or the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 4.4. Required Filings and Consents. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement by such person do not, and the performance of this Agreement by
such person will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of,
or filing with or notification to, any Governmental Entity, except (i) for
applicable requirements, if any, of the Exchange Act, Blue Sky Laws and filing
and recordation of appropriate merger documents as required by the DGCL, (ii)
for those required by the HSR Act, (iii) for applicable requirements, if any,
required by the Brazilian anti-trust authorities, (iv) for filings contemplated
by Sections 1.1, 1.2 and 3.14 and (iv) where failure to obtain such consents,
approvals, authorizations or permits, or to make such filings or notifications,
would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or materially delay the
performance by such person of any of its respective obligations under this
Agreement or the consummation of the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer, the
Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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Section 4.5. Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to
be supplied by such person for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the
Schedule 14D-9 or the Proxy Statement (if applicable) will, at the date such
documents are first published, sent or delivered to Company Stockholders or,
unless promptly corrected, at any time during the pendency of the Initial Offer
or the Subsequent Offer contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order
to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. Neither the Schedule 14D-1, at the date such
document is first published, sent or delivered to the Company Stockholders or,
unless promptly corrected, at any time during the pendency of the Initial Offer
or the Subsequent Offer, nor the Proxy Statement (if applicable) at the date
such document is first published, sent or delivered to Company Stockholders or,
unless promptly corrected, at any time during the pendency of the Stockholder's
Meeting, will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make
the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading. The Schedule 14D-1 will comply as to form and substance in
all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the
applicable rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no representation or warranty is made by such person with respect to
statements made or incorporated by reference therein based on information
supplied by the Company for inclusion or incorporation by reference in any of
the foregoing documents.
Section 4.6. Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled
to any brokerage, finder's or other fee or commission payable by such person in
connection with this Agreement, the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer, the
Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon
arrangements made by or on behalf of such person.
Section 4.7. Financing. Parent has sufficient funds available to purchase,
or to cause Buyer to purchase, the shares of the Company Common Stock pursuant
to the Initial Offer and the Subsequent Offer and the Merger and to pay all of
its and Buyer's fees and expenses related to the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
Section 4.8. Disclosure. No representation or warranty made by Parent or
Buyer in this Agreement or pursuant to the Initial Offer or Subsequent Offer
contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
fact required to be stated herein or therein or necessary to make the statements
contained herein or therein not misleading.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS
Section 5.1. Conduct of the Business Pending Assumption of Control. From
the date hereof until such time as Parent's designees shall constitute a
majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company, the following
provisions shall apply:
(a) The Company covenants and agrees that unless Parent shall
otherwise agree in writing, (i) the business of the Company and its
Subsidiaries shall be conducted only in, and the Company and its
Subsidiaries shall not take any action except in, the ordinary course of
business and in a manner consistent with prior practice, (ii) the Company
and its Subsidiaries shall use reasonable best efforts to preserve intact
their business organizations, to keep available the services of their
current officers and employees and to preserve the current relationships of
the Company and its Subsidiaries with customers, suppliers and other
persons with which the Company or its Subsidiaries has business relations,
(iii) the Company and its Subsidiaries will comply with all applicable Laws
and regulations wherever its business is conducted, including, without
limitation, the timely filing of all reports, forms or other documents with
the SEC required pursuant to the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, (iv)
the Company shall make the capital expenditures identified on the Company's
1999 budget included in the Company Disclosure Letter, however, the Company
shall not make any expenditures to develop a wide area network and (v) the
Company shall make the additional capital expenditures to purchase
equipment as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter.
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(b) The Company covenants and agrees that the Company shall not, nor
shall the Company permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) declare or pay any
dividends on or make other distributions (whether in cash, stock or
property) in respect of any of its capital stock, except for dividends by a
wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or another wholly
owned Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) split, combine or reclassify any of
its capital stock or issue or authorize or propose the issuance of any
other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for shares of
its capital stock; (iii) repurchase or otherwise acquire any shares of its
capital stock; (iv) issue, deliver or sell, or authorize or propose the
issuance, delivery or sale of, any shares of its capital stock or any
securities convertible into any such shares of its capital stock, or any
rights, warrants or options to acquire any such shares or convertible
securities or any stock appreciation rights, phantom stock plans or stock
equivalents, other than the issuance of shares of Company Common Stock upon
(x) the exercise of Company Options outstanding as of the date of this
Agreement, and (y) exercise of warrants outstanding as of the date of this
Agreement or (v) take any action that would, or could reasonably be
expected to, result in any of the conditions to the Initial Offer set forth
in Annex I or any of the conditions set forth in Article VI not being
satisfied.
(c) The Company covenants and agrees that the Company shall not, nor
shall the Company permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) amend its
certificate of incorporation (including any certificate of designations
attached thereto) or bylaws or other equivalent organizational documents;
(ii) create, assume or incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or
guaranty any such indebtedness of another person, other than (A) borrowings
under existing lines of credit (or under any refinancing of such existing
lines) or (B) indebtedness owing to, or guaranties of indebtedness owing
to, the Company; (iii) make any loans or advances to any other person other
than loans or advances between any Subsidiaries of the Company or between
the Company and any of its Subsidiaries (other than loans or advances less
than $25,000 made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice and loans or advances to its Subsidiary in Australia in connection
with the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games which shall in no event exceed $100,000
in the aggregate); (iv) mortgage or pledge any of its assets or properties;
(v) merge or consolidate with any other entity in any transaction, or sell
any business or assets in a single transaction or series of transactions in
which the aggregate consideration is $100,000 or greater; (vi) change its
accounting policies except as required by GAAP; (vii) make any change in
employment terms for any of its directors or officers; (viii) alter, amend
or create any obligations with respect to compensation, severance,
benefits, change of control payments or any other payments to employees,
directors or affiliates of the Company or its Subsidiaries or enter into
any new, or amend any existing, employment agreements; (ix) make any change
to the Company Benefit Plans; (x) amend or cancel or agree to the amendment
or cancellation of any Material Contract; (xi) pay, loan or advance (other
than the payment of compensation, directors' fees or reimbursement of
expenses in the ordinary course of business) any amount to, or sell,
transfer or lease any properties or assets (real, personal or mixed,
tangible or intangible) to, or enter into any agreement with, any of its
officers or directors or any "affiliate" or "associate" of any of its
officers or directors; (xii) form or commence the operations of any
business or any corporation, partnership, joint venture, business
association or other business organization or division thereof; (xiii) make
any tax election (other than in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice) or settle or compensate any tax liability involving
amounts in excess of $50,000 in the aggregate; (xiv) pay, discharge, settle
or satisfy any claims litigation, liabilities or obligations (whether
absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise)
involving amounts in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate; or (xv) make any
capital expenditures inconsistent with or, not provided for by, the
Company's 1999 budget contained in the Company Disclosure Letter or as
otherwise expressly provided for in the Company Disclosure Letter.
Section 5.2. Access to Information; Confidentiality.
(a) From the date hereof to the Effective Time, the Company shall, and
shall cause the officers, directors, employees, auditors, attorneys,
financial advisors, lenders and other agents (collectively, the
"Representatives") of the Company to, afford the Representatives of Parent
and Buyer reasonable access at all reasonable times to the officers,
employees, agents, properties, offices and other facilities, books and
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records of the Company and its Subsidiaries (including, but not limited to,
reasonable access to the Company's and its Subsidiaries' leased properties
to enable Parent to conduct phase I and II environmental testing on such
leased properties), and shall furnish Parent and Buyer with all financial,
operating and other data and information as Parent or Buyer, through its
Representatives, may reasonably request. The Company shall furnish to
Parent and Buyer monthly financial and operating data and information
within 20 days following the end of each calendar month. Parent will remain
subject to the terms of a confidentiality agreement with the Company dated
September 28, 1999 (the "Confidentiality Agreement").
(b) No investigation pursuant to this Section 5.2 shall affect any
representation or warranty in this Agreement of any party hereto or any
condition to the obligations of the parties hereto.
Section 5.3. Notification of Certain Matters. The Company shall give
prompt notice to Parent, and Parent shall give prompt notice to the Company, of
(i) the occurrence, or nonoccurrence, of any event which would be likely to
cause any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement to be untrue or
inaccurate and (ii) any failure by such party (or Buyer, in the case of Parent)
to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied
with or satisfied by it hereunder; provided, however, that the delivery of any
notice pursuant to this Section 5.3 shall not limit or otherwise affect the
remedies available hereunder to the party receiving such notice. If any event or
matter arises after the date of this Agreement which, if existing or occurring
at the date of this Agreement, would have been required to be set forth or
described in the Company Disclosure Letter or which is necessary to correct any
information in the Company Disclosure Letter which has been rendered inaccurate
thereby, then the Company shall promptly supplement, or amend, and deliver to
Parent the Company Disclosure Letter which it has delivered pursuant to this
Agreement.
Section 5.4. Further Assurances.
(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, each of the
parties hereto shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to take, or
cause to be taken, all appropriate action, and to do, or cause to be done,
all things necessary, proper or advisable under Law to consummate the
Initial Offer and the Subsequent Offer and to consummate and make effective
the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
including, without limitation, using all commercially reasonable efforts to
obtain all licenses, permits, consents, approvals, authorizations,
qualifications and orders of each Governmental Entity and parties to
contracts with the Company and its Subsidiaries as are necessary for the
consummation of the Initial Offer and the Subsequent Offer and the Merger
and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to fulfill
the conditions set forth in Article VI. If at any time after the Effective
Time any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes
of this Agreement, the proper officers of each party to this Agreement and
the Surviving Corporation shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to
take all such action.
(b) In connection with, and without limiting the foregoing, the
Company shall (i) take all actions necessary to ensure that no state
antitakeover statute or similar statute or regulation is or becomes
operative with respect to this Agreement, the Initial Offer, the Subsequent
Offer, the Merger or any other transactions contemplated by this Agreement
or the Tender Agreements or the Indemnification Agreements and (ii) if any
state antitakeover statute or similar statute or regulation is or becomes
operative with respect to this Agreement, the Tender Agreements, the
Indemnification Agreements, the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer, the
Merger or any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement or the
Tender Agreements or the Indemnification Agreements, take all actions
necessary to ensure that this Agreement, the Tender Agreements, the
Indemnification Agreements, the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer, the
Merger and any other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
Tender Agreements or the Indemnification Agreements may be consummated as
promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated by this Agreement and the
Tender Agreements and the Indemnification Agreements and otherwise to
minimize the effect of such statute or regulation on the Merger, the
Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer and the other transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and the Tender Agreements and the Indemnification
Agreements.
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Section 5.5. Board Recommendations.
(a) In connection with the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer, the
Merger and Stockholders' Meeting, the Board of Directors of the Company
shall (i) subject to Section 5.5(b), recommend to the holders of the
Company Common Stock to tender their shares of Company Common Stock in the
Initial Offer and Subsequent Offer and vote in favor of the Merger and use
its reasonable best efforts to obtain the necessary approvals by the
Company Stockholders of this Agreement and (ii) otherwise comply with all
legal requirements applicable to such meeting.
(b) Neither the Board of Directors of the Company nor any committee
thereof shall, except as expressly permitted by this Section 5.5(b) (i)
withdraw, qualify or modify, or propose publicly to withdraw, qualify or
modify, in a manner adverse to Parent, the approval or recommendation of
such Board of Directors or such committee of the Initial Offer, the
Subsequent Offer, the Merger or this Agreement, (ii) approve or recommend,
or propose publicly to approve or recommend, any transaction involving an
Acquisition Proposal (as hereinafter defined) from a third party (an
"Alternative Transaction"), or (iii) cause the Company to enter into any
letter of intent, agreement in principle, acquisition agreement or other
similar agreement (each, an "Acquisition Agreement") related to any
Alternative Transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if prior to the
approval of this Agreement by the Company Stockholders, and in any event no
later than the original termination date of the Initial Offer, the Board of
Directors of the Company determines in good faith, after it has received a
Superior Proposal (as hereinafter defined) in compliance with Section 5.9
and after taking into consideration advice from outside counsel with
respect to its fiduciary duties to Company Stockholders under applicable
Delaware law, the Board of Directors of the Company may (subject to this
and the following sentences) inform Company Stockholders that it no longer
believes that the Merger is advisable and no longer recommends approval (a
"Subsequent Determination") and enter into an Acquisition Agreement with
respect to a Superior Proposal, but only at a time that is after the fifth
business day (or the second business day, in the case of a material
amendment to a Superior Proposal) following Parent's receipt of written
notice advising Parent that the Board of Directors of the Company is
prepared to accept a Superior Proposal. Such written notice shall specify
the material terms and conditions of such Superior Proposal (and include a
copy thereof with all accompanying documentation, if in writing), identify
the person making such Superior Proposal and state that the Board of
Directors of the Company intends to make a Subsequent Determination. During
such five business day period (or two business day period in the case of a
material amendment), the Company shall provide an opportunity for Parent to
propose such adjustments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement as
would enable the Company to proceed with its recommendation to its
stockholders without a Subsequent Determination. For purposes of this
Agreement, a "Superior Proposal" means any proposal (on its most recently
amended or modified terms, if amended or modified) made by a third party to
enter into an Alternative Transaction which the Board of Directors of the
Company determines in its good faith judgment (based on, among other
things, the advice of an independent financial advisor) to be more
favorable to the Company Stockholders than the Merger and the Initial Offer
and Subsequent Offer, from a financial point of view (taking into account
whether, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the
Company, after obtaining the advice of such independent financial advisor,
the third party is reasonably able to finance the transaction, and any
proposed changes to this Agreement that may be proposed by Parent in
response to such Alternative Transaction), except that for purposes of the
definition of "Superior Proposal," an "Alternative Transaction" shall mean
an Acquisition Proposal by a third party, provided that the reference to
"25%" in the definition of "Acquisition Proposal" shall be deemed to be
"51%." Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company
shall in no way limit or prevent (i) Company Stockholders from tendering
shares of Company Common Stock in the Initial Offer or Subsequent Offer or
(ii) Buyer from purchasing such shares of Company Common Stock whet her or
not the Board of Directors of the Company makes a Subsequent Determination.
(c) Nothing contained in this Section 5.5 shall prohibit the Company
from taking and disclosing to its stockholders a position contemplated by
Rule 14(e)-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act or from making any
disclosure to the Company Stockholders if, in the good faith judgment of
the Board of
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Directors of the Company, after consultation with outside counsel, failure
so to disclose would be inconsistent with applicable Law; provided,
however, neither the Company nor its Board of Directors nor any committee
thereof shall, except as specifically permitted by Section 5.5(b),
withdraw, qualify, or modify, or propose to withdraw, qualify or modify,
its position with respect to the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer, the
Merger or this Agreement or approve or recommend, or propose to approve or
recommend an Alternative Transaction.
Section 5.6. Stockholder Litigation. The Company shall give Parent the
opportunity to participate in the defense or settlement of any stockholder
Litigation against the Company and its directors relating to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer or the
Merger; provided, however, that no such settlement shall be agreed to without
Parent's consent which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.
Section 5.7. Indemnification.
(a) It is understood and agreed that all rights to indemnification by
the Company now existing in favor of each present and former director and
officer of the Company or its Subsidiaries (the "Indemnified Parties") as
provided in the Company Certificate of Incorporation or the Company Bylaws,
in each case as in effect on the date of this Agreement, or pursuant to any
other agreements in effect on the date hereof, copies of which have been
provided to Parent, shall survive the Merger and Parent shall (i) cause the
Surviving Corporation to continue in full force and effect for a period of
at least six (6) years from the Effective Time and (ii) perform, or cause
the Surviving Corporation to perform, in a timely manner, the Surviving
Corporation's obligation with respect thereto. Parent and Buyer agree that
any claims for indemnification hereunder as to which they have received
written notice prior to the sixth anniversary of the Effective Time shall
survive, whether or not such claims shall have been finally adjudicated or
settled.
(b) Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to, and the Surviving
Corporation shall, maintain in effect for six (6) years from the Effective
Time, if available, the current directors' and officers' liability
insurance policies ("D&O Insurance") covered by such policies (provided
that the Surviving Corporation may substitute therefor policies of at least
the same coverage containing terms and conditions which are not materially
less favorable) with respect to matters occurring prior to the Effective
Time; provided, however, that in no event shall the Surviving Corporation
be required to expend pursuant to this Section 5.7(b) more than an amount
per year equal to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of current annual
premiums paid by the Company for such insurance. In the event that, but for
the proviso to the immediately preceding sentence, the Surviving
Corporation would be required to expend more than one hundred fifty percent
(150%) of current annual premiums, the Surviving Corporation shall obtain
the maximum amount of such insurance obtainable by payment of annual
premiums equal to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of current annual
premiums.
(c) If the Surviving Corporation or any of its successors or assigns
(i) consolidates with or merges into any other person and shall not be the
continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or
merger or (ii) transfers all or substantially all of its properties and
assets to any person, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall
be made so that the successors and assigns of the Surviving Corporation
shall assume the obligations set forth in this Section 5.7.
Section 5.8. Public Announcements. Parent and the Company shall consult
with each other before issuing any press release or otherwise making any public
statements with respect to this Agreement, the Initial Offer, the Subsequent
Offer or the Merger and shall not issue any such press release or make any such
public statement prior to such consultation, except as may be required by Law or
any listing agreement with a national securities exchange or trading system to
which Parent or the Company is a party.
Section 5.9. Acquisition Proposals. The Company shall not, nor shall it
authorize or permit any of its Subsidiaries or Representatives to, directly or
indirectly, (a) solicit, initiate or encourage the submission of any Acquisition
Proposal or (b) participate in or encourage any discussion or negotiations
regarding, or furnish to any person any non-public information with respect to,
or take any other action to facilitate any inquiries or
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the making of, any proposal that constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to
lead to, any Acquisition Proposal; provided, however, that the foregoing shall
not prohibit the Board of Directors of the Company from furnishing information
to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, any person or entity that
makes an unsolicited Acquisition Proposal prior to the initial termination date
of the Initial Offer if, and to the extent that, (A) the Board of Directors of
the Company, after taking into consideration advice of independent outside legal
counsel, determines in good faith that such action is required for the Board of
Directors of the Company to comply with its fiduciary obligations to the Company
Stockholders under applicable Delaware law, (B) prior to taking such action, the
Company receives from such person or entity an executed agreement in reasonably
customary form relating to the confidentiality of information to be provided to
such person or entity and (C) the Board of Directors of the Company concludes in
good faith, based upon advice from its independent financial advisor, that the
Acquisition Proposal is a Superior Proposal. The Company shall provide immediate
oral and written notice to Parent of (a) the receipt of any such Acquisition
Proposal or any inquiry which could reasonably be expected to lead to any
Acquisition Proposal, (b) the material terms and conditions of such Acquisition
Proposal or inquiry, (c) the identity of such person or entity making any such
Acquisition Proposal or inquiry and (d) the Company's intention to furnish
information to, or enter into discussions or negotiations with, such person or
entity. The Company shall continue to keep Parent informed of the status and
details of any such Acquisition Proposal or inquiry. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Acquisition Proposal" means any bona fide proposal with respect to a
merger, consolidation, share exchange, tender offer or similar transaction
involving the Company, or any purchase or other acquisition of all or any
significant portion of the assets of the Company or 25% or more of any class of
Company capital stock.
Section 5.10. Company Stockholders' Meeting.
(a) The Company shall cause the Stockholders' Meeting to be duly
called and held as soon as practicable following the consummation of the
Initial Offer (or, at Buyer's option, the Subsequent Offer, if applicable)
for the purpose of voting on the approval and adoption of this Agreement
and the Merger, if such meeting is required. The Company shall take all
action necessary in accordance with applicable Law and the Company
Certificate of Incorporation and Company Bylaws to duly call, give notice
of, and convene the Stockholders' Meeting, if such meeting is required.
(b) The Company shall, at the direction of Parent, solicit from
holders of shares of Company Stock entitled to vote at the Stockholders'
Meeting proxies in favor of such approval and shall take all other action
necessary or, in the reasonable judgment of Parent, helpful to secure the
vote or consent of such holders required by the DGCL or this Agreement to
effect the Merger.
Section 5.11. Proxy Statement.
(a) If required by applicable Law in connection with the Merger,
Parent and the Company will as promptly as practicable following the
consummation of the Initial Offer (or, at Buyer's option, the Subsequent
Offer, if applicable) jointly prepare, and the Company shall file, the
Proxy Statement with the SEC and will use all commercially reasonable
efforts to respond to the comments of the SEC and to cause the Proxy
Statement to be mailed to the Company Stockholders at the earliest
practical time. The Company shall furnish all information concerning it and
the holders of its capital stock as Parent may reasonably request in
connection with such actions. Each party to this Agreement will notify the
other parties and the Board of Directors of the Company promptly of the
receipt of the comments of the SEC, if any, and of any request by the SEC
for amendments or supplements to the Proxy Statement or for additional
information with respect thereto, and will supply the other parties with
copies of all correspondence between such party or its Representatives, on
the one hand, and the SEC or members of its staff, on the other hand, with
respect to the Proxy Statement, the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer or
the Merger. If (A) at any time prior to the Stockholders' Meeting, any
event should occur relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which
should be set forth in an amendment of, or a supplement to, the Proxy
Statement, the Company will promptly inform Parent and (B) if at any time
prior to the Stockholders' Meeting, any event should occur relating to
Parent or Buyer or any of their respective associates or affiliates, or
relating to the plans of any such persons for the Company after the
Effective Time that should be set forth in an amendment of, or a supplement
to, the Proxy Statement, Parent will
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promptly inform the Company, and in the case of (A) or (B) the Company and
Parent, will, upon learning of such event, promptly prepare, and the
Company shall file and, if required, mail such amendment or supplement to
the Company Stockholders; provided, prior to such filing or mailing, the
Company and Parent shall consult with each other with respect to such
amendment or supplement and shall incorporate the other's comments thereon.
(b) The Company shall include in the Proxy Statement the
recommendation of the Board of Directors of the Company described in
Section 3.3, subject to any modification, amendment or withdrawal thereof,
and represents that the Independent Advisor has, subject to the terms of
its engagement letter with the Company and the Board of Directors of the
Company (the "Independent Advisor Engagement Letter"), consented to the
inclusion of references to its opinion in the Proxy Statement. The Company
and its counsel shall permit Parent and its counsel to participate in all
communications with the SEC and its staff, including any meetings and
telephone conferences, relating to the Proxy Statement, the Initial Offer,
the Subsequent Offer, the Merger or this Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time Buyer and/or any
direct or indirect subsidiary of Parent shall acquire at least 90% of the
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock, Buyer and the Company shall
take all necessary and appropriate action to cause the Merger to become
effective as promptly as practicable after the expiration of the Initial
Offer or Subsequent Offer, if applicable, and the satisfaction or waiver of
the conditions set forth in Article VI without the Stockholders' Meeting in
accordance with Section 253 of the DGCL.
Section 5.12. Stockholder Lists. The Company shall promptly (but in no
event later than three (3) business days after the date of this Agreement), or
shall cause its transfer agent to promptly, furnish Parent and Buyer with
mailing labels containing the names and addresses of all record holders of
shares of Company Stock and with security position listings of shares of Company
Stock held in stock depositories, each as of the most recent practicable date,
together with all other available listings and computer files containing names,
addresses and security position listings of record holders and beneficial owners
of shares of Company Stock. The Company shall furnish Parent and Buyer with such
additional information, including, without limitation, updated listings and
computer files of the Company Stockholders, mailing labels and security position
listings, and such other assistance as Parent, Buyer or their agents may
reasonably request.
Section 5.13. Shares Held by Company Subsidiaries. The Company agrees to
cause each of the Subsidiaries of the Company that owns any shares of Company
Stock not to tender any such shares pursuant to the Initial Offer or Subsequent
Offer.
Section 5.14. Directors. Promptly upon the acceptance for payment of, and
payment by Buyer for, shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Initial
Offer, Buyer shall be entitled to designate such number of directors on the
Board of Directors of the Company as will give Buyer, subject to compliance with
Section 14(f) of the Exchange Act, representation on such Board of Directors
equal to at least that number of directors, rounded up to the next whole number,
which is the percentage that (i) such number of shares of Company Common Stock
so accepted for payment and paid for by Buyer in the Initial Offer plus the
number of shares of Company Stock otherwise owned by Parent, Buyer or any other
subsidiary of Parent bears to (ii) the total number of shares of Company Common
Stock outstanding, and the Company shall, at such time, cause Buyer's designees
to be appointed or elected. Subject to applicable Law, the Company shall take
all action requested by Parent necessary to effect any such appointment or
election, including mailing to its stockholders an information statement
containing the information required by Section 14(f) of the Exchange Act and
Rule 14f-1 promulgated thereunder (either separately or combined with the
Schedule 14D-9), and the Company agrees to make such mailing with the mailing of
the Schedule 14D-9 (provided that Buyer shall have provided to the Company on a
timely basis all information required to be included in such information
statement with respect to Buyer's designees). In connection with the foregoing,
the Company will promptly, at the option of Buyer, use its best efforts to
either increase the size of the Board of Directors of the Company or obtain the
resignation of such number of its current directors as is necessary to enable
Buyer's designee to be elected or appointed to the Board of Directors of the
Company as provided above.
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Section 5.15. Undertakings of Parent. Parent shall perform, or cause to be
performed, when due all obligations of Buyer under this Agreement.
Section 5.16. Director Resignations. The Company shall cause to be
delivered to Parent resignations of all the directors of the Company's
Subsidiaries to be effective upon the purchase of at least a majority of the
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock by Buyer pursuant to the Initial
Offer. The Company shall cause such directors, prior to resignation, to appoint
new directors nominated by Parent to fill such vacancies.
Section 5.17. Company Options. As promptly as practicable following the
date hereof, the Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause
all of the holders of Company Options to agree to the termination and expiration
of their Company Options upon consummation of the Initial Offer in exchange for
the Option Consideration described in Section 1.8.
Section 5.18. Financial Statement Tests. The Company shall provide to KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP ("Parent's Auditor"), Parent's regular outside accounting firm,
reasonable access at all reasonable times to the officers, employees, agents,
properties, offices and other facilities, books and records of the Company and
its Subsidiaries, and shall furnish Parent's Auditor with all financial,
operating and other data and information as Parent's Auditor may reasonably
request for the purpose of determining whether the Company is in compliance with
the Financial Statement Tests. For purposes of this Agreement, the "Financial
Statement Tests" mean (i) that the Company's financial statements included in
the Company's quarterly report on form 10-QSB for the quarter ended September
30, 1999 (the "September 10-Q") were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on
a consistent basis throughout the period involved (except as permitted by Form
10-QSB or as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly present, subject
to normal, recurring audit adjustments, the consolidated financial position of
the Company and its Subsidiaries at the respective date thereof and the
consolidated results of its operations and changes in cash flows for the period
indicated, (ii) the Stockholders' Equity (as determined consistent with the
methodology used in the September 10-Q) as of November 30, 1999 is at least
equal to $16,500,000 and (iii) the Current Liabilities and Long Term Liabilities
(each as determined consistent with the methodology used in the September 10-Q)
as of November 30, 1999 are in the aggregate no greater than $8,660,000;
provided, for purposes of (ii) and (iii), the 1999 annual bonuses to be paid to
John J. Campion and G. Laurence Anderson by the Company shall not be taken into
account when determining Stockholders' Equity, Current Liabilities and Long Term
Liabilities.
Section 5.19. Environmental Compliance. The Company shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to develop and implement as promptly as practicable a plan to
bring the fuel tanks identified in Section 3.17(a), paragraph 2 of the Company
Disclosure Letter into compliance with applicable Environmental Laws. As soon as
practicable beginning 15 days after the date hereof, and in any event prior to
the Purchase Date, the Company shall take all such action as is necessary to
cause the operation of the Company's generator sets in California to be in
compliance with applicable Environmental Laws and permits.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS
Section 6.1. Conditions to the Obligation of Each Party. The respective
obligations of Parent, Buyer and the Company to effect the Merger are subject to
the satisfaction of the following conditions, unless waived in writing by all
parties:
(a) Each of the conditions set forth in Annex I shall have been
satisfied or waived by Buyer, and Buyer or its permitted assignee shall
have purchased the shares of Company Common Stock validly tendered and not
withdrawn pursuant to the terms of the Initial Offer; provided, however,
that this condition shall not be applicable to the obligations of Parent or
Buyer if, in breach of this Agreement or the terms of the Initial Offer,
Buyer or its permitted assignee fails to purchase any shares of Company
Common Stock validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Initial
Offer;
(b) This Agreement and the Merger shall have been approved and adopted
by the requisite vote of the Company Stockholders, if and to the extent
required by the DGCL, the Company Certificate of Incorporation and the
Company Bylaws;
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(c) No temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent
injunction or other order issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or
other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the
Merger shall be in effect; provided, however, that the parties invoking
this condition shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to have any
such order or injunction vacated;
(d) All actions by or in respect of or filings with any Governmental
Entity required to permit the consummation of the Merger shall have been
obtained or made (including the expiration or termination of any applicable
waiting period under the HSR Act); and
(e) The offering period with respect to the Subsequent Offer, if
applicable, shall have expired.
Section 6.2. Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Buyer to Effect the
Merger. The obligations of Parent and Buyer to effect the Merger are further
subject to satisfaction or waiver at or prior to the Effective Time of the
following conditions:
(a)(i) The representations and warranties of the Company in this
Agreement that are qualified by materiality shall be true and correct in
all respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time;
(ii) the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement
that are not qualified by materiality shall be true and correct in all
material respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective
Time; (iii) the Company shall have performed in all material respects all
obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement; and (iv)
the Company shall have delivered to Parent and Buyer a certificate to the
effect that each of the conditions specified in (i), (ii) and (iii) above
is satisfied in all respects;
(b) The Company and its Subsidiaries shall have procured all necessary
third party consents in connection with the consummation of the Merger; and
(c) There shall not be overtly threatened, instituted or pending any
action, proceeding, application or counterclaim by any Governmental Entity
before any court or governmental regulatory or administrative agency,
authority or tribunal which challenges or seeks to challenge, restrain or
prohibit the consummation of the Initial Offer, Subsequent Offer or the
Merger.
Section 6.3. Conditions to Obligations of the Company to Effect the
Merger. The obligations of the Company to effect the Merger are further subject
to satisfaction or waiver at or prior to the Effective Time of the following
conditions:
(a) The representations and warranties of Parent and Buyer in this
Agreement that are qualified by materiality shall be true and correct in
all respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time;
(b) The representations and warranties of Parent and Buyer in this
Agreement that are not qualified by materiality shall be true and correct
in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the
Effective Time;
(c) Parent and Buyer shall have performed in all material respects all
obligations required to be performed by them under this Agreement; and
(d) Parent and Buyer shall have delivered to the Company a certificate
to the effect that each of the conditions specified in Sections 6.3(a), (b)
and (c) is satisfied in all respects.
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
Section 7.1. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger
may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or
after approval of matters presented in connection with the Merger by the Company
Stockholders:
(a) By mutual written consent of duly authorized representatives of
Parent and the Company;
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(b) By any of Parent, Buyer or the Company if any court of competent
jurisdiction or other Governmental Entity shall have issued an order,
decree, ruling or taken any other action permanently restraining, enjoining
or otherwise prohibiting the Initial Offer, the Subsequent Offer or the
Merger and such order, decree, ruling or other action shall have become
final and nonappealable; provided however, that the party terminating this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(b) shall use all commercially
reasonable efforts to have such order, decree, ruling or action vacated;
(c) By any of Parent, Buyer or the Company if the Initial Offer shall
have expired or been terminated and Buyer shall not have purchased any
shares of Company Common Stock pursuant thereto on or before March 31,
2000; provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under
this Section 7.1(c) shall not be available to any party whose failure to
fulfill any obligation under this Agreement has been the primary cause of,
or resulted in, the expiration or termination of the Initial Offer on or
before such date;
(d) By Parent or Buyer if the Board of Directors of the Company (i)
shall have withdrawn or shall have modified in a manner adverse to Parent
or Buyer its approval or recommendation of the Initial Offer, the
Subsequent Offer, the Merger or this Agreement, (ii) causes the Company to
enter into an agreement with respect to an Acquisition Proposal, (iii)
shall have endorsed, approved or recommended any Acquisition Proposal or
(iv) shall have resolved to do any of the foregoing;
(e) By Parent or Buyer, if as a result of the failure of any of the
conditions set forth in Annex I to this Agreement, the Initial Offer shall
have been terminated by Parent or Buyer or expired in accordance with its
terms without Buyer (or any permitted assignee) having purchased any shares
of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Initial Offer; provided however,
that neither Parent nor Buyer shall have the right to terminate this
Agreement under this Section 7.1(e) if such party is in material breach of
this Agreement;
(f) By Parent or Buyer, if (i) any of the conditions set forth in
Section 6.2 shall have become incapable of fulfillment and shall not have
been waived by Parent and Buyer or (ii) the Company shall breach in any
material respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other
obligations hereunder and, within ten (10) days after written notice of
such breach to the Company from Parent, such breach shall not have been
cured in all material respects or waived by Parent or Buyer and the Company
shall not have provided reasonable assurance to Parent and Buyer that such
breach will be cured in all material respects on or before the Effective
Time;
(g) By the Company, if (i) any of the conditions set forth in Section
6.3 shall have become incapable of fulfillment and shall not have been
waived by the Company or (ii) Parent or Buyer shall breach in any material
respect any of their respective representations, warranties or obligations
hereunder and, within ten (10) days after written notice of such breach to
Parent from the Company, such breach shall not have been cured in all
material respects or waived by the Company and Parent or Buyer, as the case
may be, shall not have provided reasonable assurance to the Company that
such breach will be cured in all material respects on or before the
Effective Time;
(h) By any of Parent, Buyer or the Company if Buyer shall have
terminated the Initial Offer without Parent or Buyer (or the voting trust,
if applicable) purchasing any shares of Company Common Stock pursuant
thereto;
(i) By Parent prior to the Purchase Date if Parent determines in its
sole discretion that the matters disclosed in the phase I or phase II
environmental tests with respect to any property leased by the Company or
any Subsidiary would be likely to be material to the Company or any
Subsidiary; or
(j) By Parent if on or prior to the twenty-fifth (25th) business day
following the date hereof, in the good faith judgment of Parent's Auditor,
the Company does not meet each of the Financial Statement Tests.
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Section 7.2. Effect of Termination.
(a) In the event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to
Section 7.1 hereof, this Agreement shall forthwith be terminated and have
no further effect except as specifically provided herein and, except as
provided in this Section 7.2 and in Section 8.12, there shall be no
liability on the part of any party hereto, provided that nothing herein
shall relieve any party from liability for any willful breach hereof.
(b) If (i) Parent or Buyer exercises its right to terminate this
Agreement under Section 7.1(d) or (ii) (A) after the date of this Agreement
any Acquisition Proposal involving the Company shall have been announced,
(B) the Initial Offer shall have remained open until at least the scheduled
expiration date immediately following the date such Acquisition Proposal is
announced, (C) the Minimum Condition shall not have been satisfied at the
expiration of the Initial Offer and (D) this Agreement or the Offer shall
thereafter be terminated, the Company shall pay to Parent upon demand $1.5
million (the "Termination Fee"), payable in same-day funds, as liquidated
damages and not as a penalty to reimburse Parent for its time, expense and
lost opportunity costs of pursuing the Merger and Initial Offer.
(c) If within one year after termination of this Agreement, the
Company shall enter into any agreement relating to, or consummate, an
Acquisition Proposal with a person other than Parent or Buyer, then
immediately prior to, and as a condition of, consummation of such
transaction the Company shall pay to Parent upon demand the Termination
Fee, payable in same-day funds, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty,
to reimburse Parent for its time, expense and lost opportunity costs of
pursuing the Merger; provided that no such amount shall be payable if the
Termination Fee shall have become payable or have been paid in accordance
with Section 7.2(b) of this Agreement or if this Agreement shall have been
terminated in accordance with Section 7.1(a) or 7.1(b) or by the Company in
accordance with clause (ii) of Section 7.1(g).
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this
Agreement, if the Company fails promptly to pay to Parent any amounts due
under this Section 7.2, the Company shall pay the costs and expenses
(including reasonable legal fees and expenses) in connection with any
action, including the filing of any lawsuit or other legal action, taken to
collect payment, together with interest on the amount of any unpaid fee or
obligation at the publicly announced prime rate of Citibank, N.A. in effect
from time to time from the date such fee or obligation was required to be
paid.
Section 7.3. Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended except by
action of the board of directors of each of the parties hereto set forth in an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto; provided,
however, that after approval of the Merger by the Company Stockholders (if
required), no amendment may be made without the further approval of the Company
Stockholders if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the Merger
Consideration or change the form thereof. Following the election or appointment
of Buyer's designees pursuant to Section 5.14 and prior to the Effective Time,
the affirmative vote of the directors of the Company who are not designees of
Buyer shall be required by the Company to (i) amend or terminate this Agreement
by the Company, (ii) exercise or waive any of the Company's rights or remedies
under this Agreement, or (iii) extend the time for performance of Parent's and
Buyer's respective obligations under this Agreement.
Section 7.4. Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, whether
before or after the Stockholders' Meeting, any party hereto, by action taken by
its board of directors, may subject to Section 7.3 (i) extend the time for the
performance of any of the covenants, obligations or other acts of any other
party hereto or (ii) waive any inaccuracy of any representations or warranties
or compliance with any of the agreements, covenants or conditions of any other
party or with any conditions to its own obligations. Any agreement on the part
of a party hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set
forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party by its duly
authorized officer. The failure of any party to this Agreement to assert any of
its rights under this Agreement or otherwise shall not constitute a waiver of
such rights. The waiver of any such right with respect to particular facts and
other circumstances shall not be deemed a waiver with respect to any other facts
and circumstances and each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right that may
be asserted at any time and from time to time.
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ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 8.1. No Third Party Beneficiaries. Other than the provisions of
Sections 5.6 and 5.7 hereof, nothing in this Agreement shall confer any rights
or remedies upon any person other than the parties hereto.
Section 8.2. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
Agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes any prior understandings, agreements, or representations by or among
the parties, written or oral, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
Section 8.3. Succession and Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties named herein and their respective
successors. No party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights,
interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the
other parties; provided, however, that Buyer may freely assign its rights to
another wholly owned subsidiary of Parent without such prior written approval
but no such assignment shall relieve Buyer of any of its obligations hereunder.
Section 8.4. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 8.5. Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement
are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 8.6. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard
to principles of conflicts of law thereof.
Section 8.7. Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement that is
invalid or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect
the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or
the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other
situation or in any other jurisdiction. If the final judgment of a court of
competent jurisdiction declares that any term or provision hereof is invalid or
unenforceable, the parties agree that the court making the determination of
invalidity or unenforceability shall have the power to reduce the scope,
duration, or area of the term or provision, to delete specific words or phrases,
or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a term or
provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the
intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Agreement
shall be enforceable as so modified after the expiration of the time within
which the judgment may be appealed.
Section 8.8. Specific Performance. Each of the parties acknowledges and
agrees that the other party would be damaged irreparably in the event any of the
provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific
terms or otherwise are breached. Accordingly, each of the parties agrees that
the other party shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions to
prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
this Agreement and the terms and provisions hereof in any action instituted in
any court of the United States or any state thereof having jurisdiction over the
parties and the matter, in addition to any other remedy to which it may be
entitled, at law or in equity.
Section 8.9. Construction. The language used in this Agreement shall be
deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual
intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.
Whenever the words "include," "includes" or "including" are used in this
Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without
limitation."
Section 8.10. Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties and
Agreements. Except as expressly set forth in the Indemnification Agreements,
the representations, warranties and agreements in this Agreement shall terminate
at the Effective Time or upon the termination of this Agreement pursuant to
Section 7.1, as the case may be, except that (i) the agreements set forth in
Articles I and VIII and Sections 5.4, 5.6 and 5.7 shall survive the Effective
Time indefinitely and (ii) the agreements set forth in Sections 5.2, 5.6, 5.7
and 7.2 and in Article VIII shall survive the termination of this Agreement
indefinitely.
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Section 8.11. Certain Definitions.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, the terms "associate" and
"affiliate" shall have the same meaning as set forth in Rule l2b-2
promulgated under the Exchange Act, and the term "person" shall mean any
individual, corporation, partnership (general or limited), limited
liability company, limited liability partnership, trust, joint venture,
joint-stock company, syndicate, association, entity, unincorporated
organization or government or any political subdivision, agency or
instrumentality thereof.
(b) For purposes of this Agreement, the phrase "Company Material
Adverse Effect" shall mean, with respect to the Company, any change, event
or effect shall have occurred or been threatened that, when taken together
with all other adverse changes, events or effects that have occurred or
been threatened, is or is reasonably likely to (i) be materially adverse to
the business, operations, prospects, properties, condition (financial or
otherwise), assets, liabilities (including, without limitation, contingent
liabilities) of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (ii)
prevent or materially delay the performance by the Company of any of its
obligations under this Agreement or the consummation of the Initial Offer,
the Subsequent Offer, the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
(c) For purposes of this Agreement, the phrases "to the knowledge of
the Company," "known to the Company," and similar formulations shall mean
matters within the actual knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, of John J.
Campion, G. Laurence Anderson, Stephen R. Bernstein, Jeffrey B. Stone, Pete
Wills and Nicholas Storr.
Section 8.12. Fees and Expenses. Except as provided in Section 7.2, all
costs and expenses incurred by the parties hereto in connection with this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party
incurring such expenses.
Section 8.13. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be
deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by telecopy
or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested)
to the respective parties at the following addresses, or at such other address
for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this
Section 8.13:
If to Parent or Buyer:
General Electric Company
4200 Wildwood Parkway
Atlanta, Georgia 30339
Telecopier: (770) 859-7012
Attention: Briggs L. Tobin, Esq.
with a copy to:
King & Spalding
191 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Telecopier: (404) 572-5100
Attention: C. William Baxley, Esq.
Mark E. Thompson, Esq.
If to the Company:
Showpower, Inc.
18420 South Santa Fe Avenue
Rancho Dominguez, California 90221
Telecopier: (310) 604-1671
Attention: John J. Campion
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with a copy to:
Baker & Daniels
300 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Telecopier: (317) 237-1000
Attention: David C. Worrell, Esq.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company, Parent and Buyer and have caused this
Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above by their respective
officers thereunto duly authorized.
SHOWPOWER, INC.
By:
------------------------------------
Name
Title
GE ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
By:
------------------------------------
Name
Title
EMMY ACQUISITION CORP.
By:
------------------------------------
Name
Title
ANNEX I
CONDITIONS OF THE INITIAL OFFER
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Initial Offer or the Agreement,
and in addition to and not in limitation of Buyer's rights to extend or amend
the Initial Offer at any time, in its sole discretion (subject to the
Agreement), Buyer shall not be required to accept for payment or, subject to any
applicable rules or regulations of the SEC, pay for any shares of Company Common
Stock, and (subject to such rules and regulations) may delay the acceptance of
payment of or, subject to any restriction referred to above, the payment for,
and may (except as provided in the Agreement) terminate the Initial Offer, if
(a) the shares of Company Common Stock tendered pursuant to the Initial Offer by
the expiration of the Initial Offer and not withdrawn, together with the shares
of Company Stock owned by Buyer represent, on a fully diluted basis, less than a
majority of the outstanding voting power of the Company Stock (the "Minimum
Condition"), (b) the waiting periods under the HSR Act applicable to the
transactions contemplated by the Agreement shall not have expired or been
terminated, if applicable, or any other regulatory approvals required under
applicable Law have not been obtained, which if not obtained would prevent the
consummation of the Initial Offer, (c) Baker & Daniels, legal counsel for the
Company, does not deliver an opinion substantially in the form of Exhibit A
hereto, or (d) at any time after the date of this Agreement and prior to the
acceptance for payment of the shares of Company Common Stock, any of the
following conditions exist:
(i) there shall be instituted, pending or threatened any action,
investigation or proceeding by any Governmental Entity, or there shall be
instituted, pending or threatened any action or proceeding by any
35
<PAGE> 39
other person, domestic or foreign, before any Governmental Entity, which is
reasonably likely to be determined adversely to Buyer, (A) challenging or
seeking to make illegal, to delay materially or otherwise, directly or
indirectly, to restrain or prohibit the making of the Initial Offer, the
acceptance for payment of or payment for some of or all the shares of
Company Common Stock by Buyer or the consummation of the Merger, seeking to
obtain material damages or imposing any material adverse conditions in
connection therewith or otherwise, directly or indirectly, relating to the
transactions contemplated by the Initial Offer or the Merger, (B) seeking
to restrain, prohibit or delay the exercise of full rights of ownership or
operation by Buyer or its affiliates of all or any portion of the business
or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or of
Buyer or any of its affiliates, or to compel Buyer or any of its affiliates
to dispose of or hold separate all or any material portion of the business
or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or of
Buyer or any of its affiliates, (C) seeking to impose or confirm
limitations on the ability of Buyer or any of its affiliates effectively to
exercise full rights of ownership of the shares of Company Common Stock,
including, without limitation, the right to vote the shares of Company
Common Stock acquired or owned by Buyer or any of its affiliates on all
matters properly presented to the Company Stockholders, (D) seeking to
require divestiture by Buyer or any of its affiliates of the shares of
Company Common Stock, or (E) that otherwise would reasonably be expected to
have a Company Material Adverse Effect;
(ii) there shall be any action taken, or any statute, rule,
regulation, injunction, order or decree proposed, enacted, enforced,
promulgated, issued or deemed applicable to, or any consent or approval
withheld with respect to, the Initial Offer, the acceptance for payment of
or payment for any shares of Company Common Stock or the Merger, by any
Governmental Entity that, in the reasonable judgment of Buyer, may,
directly or indirectly, result in any of the consequences referred to in
clauses (A) through (E) of paragraph (i) above;
(iii) there shall have occurred any change, condition, event or
development that has resulted in, or would reasonably be expected to result
in, a Company Material Adverse Effect;
(iv) there shall have occurred (A) any general suspension of trading
in, or limitation on prices for, securities on any national securities
exchange or in the over-the-counter market, (B) any decline in either the
Dow Jones Industrial Average or the Standard and Poor's Index of 500
Industrial Companies by an amount in excess of twenty-five percent (25%),
measured from the date of the Agreement, (C) the declaration of any banking
moratorium or any suspension of payments in respect of banks or any
material limitation (whether or not mandatory) on the extension of credit
by lending institutions in the United States, (D) the commencement of a
war, material armed hostilities or other material international or national
calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States that has a
significant adverse effect on the functioning of the financial markets in
the United States, or (E) in the case of any of the foregoing existing at
the time of execution of the Agreement, a material acceleration or
worsening thereof;
(v) (A) the representations and warranties of the Company in the
Agreement that are qualified by materiality shall not be true and correct
in all respects as of the date of the Agreement and as of the Effective
Time; (B) the representations and warranties of the Company in the
Agreement that are not qualified by materiality shall not be true and
correct in all material respects as of the date of the Agreement and as of
the Effective Time; (C) the Company shall not have performed in all
material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under the
Agreement; (D) the directors of the Company's Subsidiaries shall have
resigned and appointed nominees to fill their vacancies as provided in
Section 5.16; and (E) an officer of the Company shall not have delivered to
Parent and Buyer a certificate to the effect that each of the foregoing
conditions is satisfied in all respects;
(vi) the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not have procured all
necessary third party consents (other than from Governmental Entities) with
respect to matters material to the conduct of business by the Company
required in connection with the execution and delivery of the Agreement and
the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
hereby;
(vii) the Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with its
terms; or
36
<PAGE> 40
(viii) the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not have provided Buyer
and Parent with reasonable access for at least twenty (20) business days to
its leased properties to enable Buyer and Parent to conduct phase I and
phase II environmental testing,
which, in the reasonable judgment of Buyer in any such case, and regardless of
the circumstances giving rise to any such condition, makes it inadvisable to
proceed with such acceptance for payment or payment.
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Buyer and may be
asserted by Buyer regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such
condition (including any action or omission by Buyer) or may be waived by Buyer
in whole or in part at any time and from time to time, in its sole discretion.
The failure by Buyer at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall
not be deemed a waiver of any such right; the waiver of any such right with
respect to particular facts and other circumstances shall not be deemed a waiver
with respect to any other facts and circumstances; and each such right shall be
deemed an ongoing right that may be asserted at any time and from time to time.
Should the Initial Offer be terminated pursuant to the foregoing provisions, all
tendered shares of Company Common Stock not theretofore accepted for payment
shall be returned forthwith.
37
<PAGE> 41
EXHIBIT A
The opinions to be delivered on behalf of the Company will be to the
following effect, with only such assumptions and qualifications as are
reasonably satisfactory to Buyer and Parent:
1. Each of the Company and each Subsidiary organized in the United
States (a "U.S. Subsidiary") (i) is a corporation or limited liability
company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) has full power and
authority as a corporation or limited liability company, as applicable, and
all necessary government approvals to own, lease and operate its properties
and assets and to conduct its business as presently conducted and (iii) is
duly qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign corporation or
limited liability company, as applicable, and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned, leased or
operated by it or the nature of its business makes such qualification or
licensing necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or
licensed, individually or in the aggregate, has not had, or would not
reasonably be expected to have, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
2. The Company has all necessary power and authority to execute and
deliver the Agreement, to perform its obligations thereunder and to
consummate the Offer, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by
the Agreement.
3. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the
Agreement, and the consummation by the Company of the Offer, the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated by the Agreement, have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action, (including, without
limitation, the unanimous approval of the Board of Directors of the
Company) and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are
necessary to authorize the Agreement or to consummate the Offer, the Merger
or the other transactions contemplated by the Agreement. The Company has
duly and validly executed and delivered the Agreement.
4. The Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby constitute
the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and moratorium laws, and general
principles of equity.
5. The execution and delivery of the Agreement by the Company do not,
and the performance of the Agreement by the Company and the consummation of
the Offer and the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the
Agreement will not (i) conflict with or violate the Company Certificate of
Incorporation or Company Bylaws equivalent organizational documents of any
of its U.S. Subsidiaries, (ii) conflict with or violate any Law applicable
to the Company or any of its U.S. Subsidiaries by which any property or
asset of the Company or any of its U.S. Subsidiaries is bound or affected
or (iii) to the knowledge of such counsel, except as set forth in the
Company Disclosure Letter, result in a breach of or constitute a default
(or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a
default) under, give to others any right of termination, amendment,
acceleration or cancellation of, result in triggering any payment or other
obligations, or result in the creation of any lien or other encumbrance on
any property or asset of the Company or any of its U.S. Subsidiaries in any
case that would be material to the Company or any U.S. Subsidiary pursuant
to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease,
license, permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation or Material
Contract to which the Company or any of its U.S. Subsidiaries is a party or
by which the Company or any of its U.S. Subsidiaries or any property or
asset of any of them is bound or affected.
6. The Company's authorized capitalization consists of 6,500,000
shares of common stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. To the
knowledge of such counsel, except as disclosed in the Company Disclosure
Letter, there are no rights of first refusal, preemptive rights or other
rights, options, calls, warrants or other securities with rights
outstanding which are convertible into, exercisable for, or convertible
into, exercisable for, or related to any shares of capital stock of the
Company or any U.S. Subsidiary or other agreement either directly or
indirectly for the purchase or acquisition from the Company or any U.S.
Subsidiary of any shares of its capital stock.
38
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.2
FORM OF
TENDER AGREEMENT
THIS TENDER AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated as of December 17, 1999 is
entered into by and among GE Energy Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Parent"), Emmy Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned
subsidiary of Parent ("Buyer"), and , in his capacity as a stockholder
of the Company and a resident of the State of ("Securityholder"), with
respect to certain equity securities owned by Securityholder of Showpower, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and, for purposes of Section 1.7 hereof,
the Company.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Parent, Buyer and the Company have entered into an Agreement and
Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") dated as of the date hereof pursuant to
which Buyer has agreed to make a cash tender offer described therein and
thereafter merge with and into the Company (the "Merger") in accordance with the
provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware;
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Securityholder beneficially owns and has
the power to vote certain shares of the common stock, par value $.01 per share,
of the Company (the "Company Common Stock"); and
WHEREAS, in consideration of Buyer's and Parent's agreements herein and in
the Merger Agreement, Securityholder has agreed to cooperate with Buyer and
Parent with respect to the acquisition of the Company by Parent and Buyer upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in contemplation of the foregoing and in consideration of
the mutual agreements, covenants, representations and warranties contained
herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties
hereto agree as follows:
1. Certain Covenants.
1.1 Lock-Up. Securityholder hereby covenants and agrees during the
term of this Agreement that (a) except as consented to in writing by
Parent in its sole discretion, Securityholder will not, directly or
indirectly, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise
dispose of or limit its right to vote in any manner any of the
Securities (as hereinafter defined), or agree to do any of the
foregoing, and (b) Securityholder will not take any action which would
have the effect of preventing or disabling Securityholder from
performing its obligations under this Agreement.
1.2 No Solicitation. During the term of this Agreement, neither
Securityholder nor any person acting as an agent of Securityholder or
otherwise on Securityholder's behalf shall, directly or indirectly,
solicit, encourage or initiate negotiations with, or provide any
information to, any corporation, partnership, person or other entity or
group (other than Parent or an affiliate or an associate of Parent)
concerning any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition or conversion
of the Securities. Securityholder will immediately cease and cause to be
terminated any existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any
parties conducted heretofore with respect to any of the foregoing.
Securityholder will notify Buyer immediately if any party contacts
Securityholder following the date hereof (other than Buyer or an
affiliate or associate of Buyer) concerning any sale, transfer, pledge
or other disposition or conversion of the Securities.
1.3 Voting Agreement.
(a) Securityholder has revoked or terminated any proxies, voting
agreements or similar arrangements previously given or entered into
with respect to the Securities and hereby irrevocably appoints Buyer,
during the term of this Agreement, as proxy for Securityholder to
vote (or refrain from voting) in any manner as Buyer, in its sole
discretion, may see fit, all of the Securities of Securityholder for
Securityholder and in Securityholder's name, place and stead,
<PAGE> 2
at any annual, special or other meeting or action of the
securityholders of the Company, as applicable, or at any adjournment
thereof or pursuant to any consent of securityholders of the Company,
in lieu of a meeting or otherwise, with respect to (i) the adoption
and approval of the Merger Agreement, (ii) any extraordinary
corporate transaction (other than the Merger), such as a merger,
consolidation, business combination, tender or exchange offer,
reorganization, recapitalization, liquidation or other change of
control involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, including,
but not limited to, any Acquisition Proposal (as defined in the
Merger Agreement), and (iii) any sale or transfer of a material
amount of the assets or securities of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries (other than pursuant to the Merger). The parties
acknowledge and agree that neither Buyer, nor Buyer's successors,
assigns, subsidiaries, divisions, employees, officers, directors,
shareholders, agents and affiliates shall owe any duty to, whether in
law or otherwise, or incur any liability of any kind whatsoever,
including without limitation, with respect to any and all claims,
losses, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses (including
reasonable attorney's fees) and compensation of any kind or nature
whatsoever to Securityholder in connection with, as a result of or
otherwise relating to any vote (or refrain from voting) by Buyer of
the Securities subject to the irrevocable proxy hereby granted to
Buyer at any annual, special or other meeting or action or the
execution of any consent of the securityholders of the Company.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing grant to Buyer of the
irrevocable proxy, in the event Buyer elects not to exercise its
rights to vote the Securities pursuant to the irrevocable proxy,
Securityholder agrees to vote all of the Securities during the term
of this Agreement (i) if the issue on which Securityholder is
requested to vote is a proposal to approve the Merger, Securityholder
agrees to vote in favor of or give its consent to, as applicable,
such transaction or (ii) otherwise in the manner directed by Buyer at
any annual, special or other meeting or action of securityholders of
the Company, in lieu of a meeting or otherwise with respect to any
issue brought before the securityholders of the Company.
1.4 Tender of Securities.
(a) Securityholder agrees to tender, and not withdraw, the
Securities owned by Securityholder to Buyer in the Initial Offer (as
defined in the Merger Agreement), and in any event no later than 10
business days following the commencement of the Initial Offer.
(b) Buyer shall withhold 10% of Securityholder's gross aggregate
Offer Price (as defined in the Merger Agreement) received in the
Initial Offer for the Securities (which amount is equal to
$ at a $7 per share Offer Price) and place such amount into
an escrow account (the "Indemnification Escrow") pursuant to the
terms of an escrow agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit A
hereto (the "Escrow Agreement"). The funds in the Indemnification
Escrow shall secure the indemnification obligations of Securityholder
and shall be distributed to Securityholder on the first anniversary
of the Closing, subject to claims made in accordance with the
Indemnification Agreement (as defined in the Merger Agreement).
1.5 Public Announcement. Securityholder shall consult with Parent
before issuing any press releases or otherwise making any public
statements with respect to the transactions contemplated herein and
shall not issue any such press release or make any such public statement
without the approval of Buyer, except as may be required by law.
1.6 Stop Transfer Instruction. Promptly following the date hereof,
Securityholder and Buyer shall deliver joint written instructions to the
Company and to the Company's transfer agent stating that the Securities
may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, hypothecated or
otherwise disposed of in any manner without the prior written consent of
Buyer or except in accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
1.7 Debt to the Company. Pursuant to the terms of Securityholder's
note payable to the Company and related pledge agreement (collectively,
the "Loan Agreement"), the Company hereby
<PAGE> 3
consents to Securityholder entering into this Agreement and agreeing to
tender the Securities in the Initial Offer.
2. Representation and Warranties.
2.1 Representations and Warranties of Buyer and Parent. Buyer and
Parent, hereby jointly and severally, represent and warrant to
Securityholder, as of the date hereof and as of the date Buyer purchases
shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Initial Offer, as
follows:
(a) Authorization. Each of Buyer and Parent is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of its state of incorporation. Each of Buyer and Parent has all
requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement
and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. Each of Buyer
and Parent has duly authorized, executed and delivered this Agreement
and this Agreement is a legal, valid and binding agreement of Buyer,
enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms.
2.2 Representations and Warranties of
Securityholder. Securityholder hereby represents and warrants to Buyer
and Parent, as of the date hereof and as of the date Buyer purchases
shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Initial Offer, as
follows:
(a) Ownership. Securityholder is the sole record and beneficial
owner of, and has good and marketable title to, shares
of Company Common Stock (collectively, the "Securities"), in each
case free and clear of all liabilities, claims, liens, options,
proxies, charges, participations and encumbrances of any kind or
character whatsoever, except for any security interest securing the
obligations under the Loan Agreement.
(b) Authorization. Securityholder has all requisite power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and has sole voting power and sole
power of disposition, with respect to all of the Securities owned by
Securityholder with no restrictions on its voting rights or rights of
disposition pertaining thereto. Securityholder has duly authorized,
executed and delivered this Agreement and this Agreement is a legal,
valid and binding agreement of Securityholder, enforceable against
Securityholder in accordance with its terms.
(c) No Violation. Neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby will (a) require Securityholder to file or register with, or
obtain any material permit, authorization, consent or approval of,
any governmental agency, authority, administrative or regulatory
body, court or other tribunal, foreign or domestic, or any other
entity, or (b) violate, or cause a breach of or default under, any
contract, agreement or understanding, any statute or law, or any
judgment, decree, order, regulation or rule of any governmental
agency, authority, administrative or regulatory body, court or other
tribunal, foreign or domestic, or any other entity or any arbitration
award binding upon Securityholder. No proceedings are pending which,
if adversely determined, will have a material adverse effect on any
of the Securities. Securityholder has not previously assigned or sold
any of the Securities to any third party.
(d) Securityholder Has Adequate Information. Securityholder is
a sophisticated seller with respect to the Securities and has
adequate information concerning the business and financial condition
of the Company to make an informed decision regarding the sale of the
Securities and has independently and without reliance upon Buyer or
Parent and based on such information as Securityholder has deemed
appropriate, made its own analysis and decision to enter into this
Agreement. Securityholder acknowledges that neither Buyer nor Parent
has made and neither make any representation or warranty, whether
express or implied, of any kind or character except as expressly set
forth in this Agreement. Securityholder acknowledges that the
agreements contained herein with respect to the Securities by
Securityholder are irrevocable, and that Securityholder shall have no
recourse to the Securities or Buyer or Parent, except
<PAGE> 4
with respect to breaches of representations, warranties, covenants
and agreements expressly set forth in this Agreement, and pursuant to
indemnities contained herein.
(e) Buyer's Excluded Information. Securityholder acknowledges
and confirms that (a) Buyer or Parent may possess or hereafter come
into possession of certain non-public information concerning the
Securities and the Company which is not known to Securityholder and
which may be material to Securityholder's decision to sell the
Securities ("Buyer's Excluded Information"), (b) Securityholder has
requested not to receive Buyer's Excluded Information and has
determined to sell the Securities notwithstanding its lack of
knowledge of Buyer's Excluded Information, and (c) Buyer and Parent
shall have no liability or obligation to Securityholder, in
connection with, and Securityholder hereby waives and releases Buyer
and Parent from, any claims which Securityholder or its successors
and assigns may have against Buyer or Parent (whether pursuant to
applicable securities laws or otherwise) with respect to, the
non-disclosure of Buyer's Excluded Information; provided, however,
nothing contained in this Section 2.2(e) shall limit Securityholder's
right to rely upon the express representations and warranties made by
Buyer and Parent in this Agreement, or Securityholder's remedies in
respect of breaches of any such representations and warranties.
(f) No Setoff. Securityholder has no liability or obligation
related to or in connection with the Securities other than the
obligations to Buyer and Parent as set forth in this Agreement. There
are no legal or equitable defenses or counterclaims that have been or
may be asserted by or on behalf of the Company, as applicable, to
reduce the amount of the Securities or affect the validity or
enforceability of the Securities.
3. Survival of Representations and Warranties. The respective
representations and warranties of Securityholder, Parent and Buyer
contained herein or in any certificates or other documents delivered in
connection herewith shall not be deemed waived or otherwise affected by any
investigation made by the other party hereto, and each representation and
warranty contained herein shall survive the closing of the transactions
contemplated hereby until the expiration of the applicable statute of
limitations, including extensions thereof.
4. Specific Performance. Securityholder acknowledges that Buyer and
Parent will be irreparably harmed and that there will be no adequate remedy
at law for a violation of any of the covenants or agreements of
Securityholder which are contained in this Agreement. It is accordingly
agreed that, in addition to any other remedies which may be available to
Buyer and Parent upon the breach by Securityholder of such covenants and
agreements, Buyer and Parent shall have the right to obtain injunctive
relief to restrain any breach or threatened breach of such covenants or
agreements or otherwise to obtain specific performance of any of such
covenants or agreements.
5. Miscellaneous.
5.1 Term. This agreement shall terminate upon the termination of
the Merger Agreement.
5.2 Expenses. Each of the parties hereto shall pay its own
expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement. Each of the parties
hereto warrants and covenants to the others that it will bear all claims
for brokerage fees attributable to action taken by it.
5.3 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their
respective representatives and permitted successors and assigns.
5.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
understanding of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings between the parties with respect to its subject matter.
This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument duly executed
by the parties hereto.
<PAGE> 5
5.5 Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement. Time is of the essence with respect to
all provisions of this Agreement.
5.6 Assignment. This Agreement may not be transferred or assigned
by Securityholder but may be assigned by Buyer to any of its affiliates
or to any successor to its business and will be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of any such affiliate or successor.
5.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but both of which
together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
5.8 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and
shall be deemed to have been duly given if so given) by delivery,
telegram or telecopy, or by mail (registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, return receipt requested) or by any national courier service,
provided that any notice delivered as herein provided shall also be
delivered by telecopy at the time of such delivery. All communications
hereunder shall be delivered to the respective parties at the following
addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by
like notice, provided that notices of a change of address shall be
effective only upon receipt thereof):
(a) If to Parent or Buyer:
General Electric Company
4200 Wildwood Parkway
Atlanta, Georgia 30339
Attention: Briggs L. Tobin, Esq.
Telecopy: (770) 859-7012
with a copy to:
King & Spalding
191 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1763
Attention: C. William Baxley, Esq.
Mark E. Thompson, Esq.
Telecopy: (404) 572-5100
(b) If to Securityholder:
Telecopy:
5.9 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws.
5.10 Enforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall
remain in full force and effect.
5.11 Further Assurances. From time to time at or after the date
Buyer purchases shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Initial
Offer, at Buyer's request and without further consideration,
Securityholder shall execute and deliver to Buyer such documents and
take such action as Buyer may reasonably request in order to consummate
more effectively the transactions contemplated hereby and to vest in
Buyer good, valid and marketable title to the Securities,
<PAGE> 6
including, but not limited to, using its best efforts to cause the
appropriate transfer agent or registrar to transfer of record the
Securities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Buyer, Parent, Securityholder and the Company have
caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above
written.
EMMY ACQUISITION CORP.
By:
--------------------------------------
Name
Title
GE ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
By:
--------------------------------------
Name
Title
--------------------------------------
Securityholder
SHOWPOWER, INC.,
for purposes of Section 1.7 only
By:
--------------------------------------
Name
Title
<PAGE> 7
EXHIBIT A
ESCROW AGREEMENT
THIS ESCROW AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of ,
2000, is entered into by and among GE Energy Services, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Parent"), Emmy Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and
wholly owned subsidiary of Parent ("Buyer"), and G. Lawrence Anderson and John
J. Campion, in their capacity as the stockholder representatives (the
"Stockholder Representatives") of the stockholders identified on Schedule I
hereto (the "Securityholders") of Showpower, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and , a banking corporation, as escrow
agent (the "Escrow Agent"). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in
this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the
Indemnification Agreements (as hereinafter defined).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Parent, Buyer and the Company have entered into an Agreement and
Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") dated as of December , 1999 pursuant
to which Buyer has agreed to make a cash tender offer described therein and
thereafter merge with and into the Company (the "Merger") in accordance with the
provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware;
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Stockholder Representatives are the
representatives of the Securityholders who beneficially own and have the power
to vote in the aggregate [ ] shares of the common stock, par value
$.01 per share, of the Company (the "Company Common Stock") as set forth on
Schedule I hereto;
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger
Agreement, Parent, Buyer, the Stockholder Representatives and each of the
Securityholders have entered into agreements, dated as of the date hereof (the
"Indemnification Agreements"), pursuant to which, among other things, each
Securityholder has irrevocably appointed the Stockholder Representatives as
their agent and attorney-in-fact and has agreed to indemnify Parent and Buyer
for breaches of representations, warranties and covenants contained in the
Merger Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the
Indemnification Agreement;
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger
Agreement, Parent, Buyer, the Company and each of the Securityholders have
entered into agreements, dated as of the date hereof (the "Tender Agreements"),
pursuant to which, among other things, each Securityholder has agreed to tender
his shares of Company Common Stock in the Initial Offer (as defined in the Merge
Agreement);
WHEREAS, Section 1.4(b) of the Tender Agreements provides for Buyer to
withhold from the Offer Price (as defined in Section 1.1(a) of the Merger
Agreement) payable to the Securityholders and deliver to the Escrow Agent
[ ] in the aggregate (the "Indemnification Escrow Fund") (each
Securityholder's portion of such Indemnification Escrow Fund is identified on
Schedule I hereto) on the date the shares of Company Common Stock are purchased
by Buyer pursuant to the Initial Offer (the "Purchase Date"); and
WHEREAS, Parent, Buyer and each Securityholder intend for the
Indemnification Escrow Fund to secure the indemnification obligations of such
Securityholder under Section 3 of the Indemnification Agreements and to be held
by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in contemplation of the foregoing and in consideration of
the mutual agreements, covenants, representations and warranties contained
herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties
hereto agree as follows:
1. Appointment of the Escrow Agent. Parent, Buyer and each
Securityholder hereby appoint and designate the Escrow Agent as escrow
agent to receive, hold and disburse the Indemnification Escrow Fund in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Escrow Agent hereby
accepts its appointment
<PAGE> 8
as the escrow agent and agrees to receive, hold and disburse the
Indemnification Escrow Fund and any income, interest or other amounts
received thereon in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
2. The Indemnification Escrow Fund.
2.1 Receipt of the Indemnification Escrow Fund. The Escrow Agent
hereby acknowledges receipt of the Indemnification Escrow Fund.
2.2 Investment of the Indemnification Escrow Fund. The Escrow
Agent shall invest the Indemnification Escrow Fund as instructed by the
Stockholder Representatives in (i) savings accounts with, repurchase
agreements, or certificates of deposit issued by, federally chartered
banks or trust companies, the assets of which are at least $100,000,000
in excess of their liabilities, (ii) United States Treasury Bills (or an
investment portfolio or fund investing only in United States Treasury
Bills), (iii) commercial paper rated in the highest grade by a
nationally recognized credit rating agency or (iv) the [TREASURY
OBLIGATIONS MONEY MARKET FUND] (as long as such money market fund is
rated AAA by a nationally recognized credit rating agency), with the
income from such invested cash being held by the Escrow Agent as part of
the Indemnification Escrow Fund. The parties hereto agree that the
income from such invested cash shall be recognized as income by each
Securityholder for federal, state and local tax purposes.
2.3 Disbursement of the Indemnification Escrow Fund. The
Indemnification Escrow Fund shall secure each Securityholder's
obligations with respect to a claim by a Buyer Indemnitee (as defined in
Section 3.1 of the Indemnification Agreements) for indemnification from
each Securityholder (an "Indemnity Claim") pursuant to the
indemnification obligations set forth in Section 3 of the
Indemnification Agreements.
(i) The Escrow Agent shall disburse to any Buyer Indemnitee an
amount equal to that Buyer Indemnitee's Indemnity Claim promptly
following receipt of (A) the written consent or agreement of Parent
and the Stockholder Representatives to the payment of such Indemnity
Claim, specifying the amount thereof, or (B) a final decision, order,
judgment or decree of an arbitrator or court having jurisdiction
which is either not subject to appeal or as to which notice of appeal
has not been timely filed or served (a "Final Decision") with respect
to such Indemnity Claim, specifying the amount thereof.
(ii) On the first anniversary of the Closing (as defined in
Section 1.4 of the Merger Agreement), the Escrow Agent shall, subject
to the disbursement of the Indemnification Escrow Fund pursuant to
Section 2.3(i) of this Agreement, disburse to the Stockholder
Representatives, or in the manner directed by the Stockholder
Representatives, the remaining balance of the Indemnification Escrow
Fund, less the amount of any unresolved Indemnity Claims of which the
Escrow Agent has received notice.
All disbursements from the Indemnification Escrow Fund shall be made
by wire transfer of cash in immediately available funds to the person
entitled thereto.
2.4 Stockholder Representatives. Escrow Agent shall be able to
rely conclusively, without inquiry or liability, on the instructions,
agreements and decisions of the Stockholder Representatives, acting
jointly, with respect to all actions or matters permitted to be taken by
the Stockholder Representatives hereunder or under the Indemnification
Agreements, and no party shall have any cause of action against Escrow
Agent for any action taken by Escrow Agent in reliance upon the
agreements, instructions or decisions of the Stockholder Representatives
acting jointly. All actions, agreements, decisions and instructions of
the Stockholder Representatives shall be conclusive and binding upon
each Securityholder.
3. Termination of the Indemnification Escrow Fund. The escrow
provided for hereunder shall terminate upon the disbursement of the
Indemnification Escrow Fund pursuant to Section 2.3(ii) of this Agreement.
<PAGE> 9
4. Covenants of the Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent hereby agrees and
covenants to Parent, Buyer, the Stockholder Representatives and each
Securityholder as follows:
(a) The Escrow Agent agrees to perform all of its obligations
under this Agreement and not to deliver custody or possession of any
of the Indemnification Escrow Fund to anyone except pursuant to the
express terms of this Agreement.
(b) The Escrow Agent agrees to send, within three (3) business
days after receipt of a written notice from any party hereto, one
copy of such written notice to all other parties hereto.
5. Resignation and Removal of the Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent may
resign from the performance of its duties hereunder at any time by giving
thirty (30) days' prior written notice to Parent and the Stockholder
Representatives or may be removed, with or without cause, by Parent at any
time by the giving of thirty (30) days' prior written notice to the Escrow
Agent.
Such resignation or removal shall take effect upon the appointment of
a successor escrow agent as provided herein. Upon any such notice of
resignation or removal, Parent and the Stockholder Representatives shall
appoint a successor escrow agent hereunder, which shall be a commercial
bank, trust company or other financial institution with a combined capital
and surplus in excess of $100,000,000. Upon the acceptance in writing of
any appointment as Escrow Agent hereunder by a successor escrow agent, such
successor escrow agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with
all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Escrow Agent,
and the retiring Escrow Agent shall be discharged from its duties and
obligations under this Agreement, but shall not be discharged from any
liability for actions taken as Escrow Agent hereunder prior to such
succession. After any retiring Escrow Agent's resignation or removal, the
provisions of this Agreement shall inure to its benefit as to any actions
taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Escrow Agent under this
Agreement.
6. Liability of the Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent shall have no
liability or obligation with respect to the Indemnification Escrow Fund
except for the Escrow Agent's willful misconduct or gross negligence. The
Escrow Agent may rely upon any instrument, not only as to its due
execution, validity and effectiveness, but also as to the truth and
accuracy of any information contained therein, which the Escrow Agent shall
in good faith believe to be genuine, to have been signed or presented by
the person or parties purporting to sign the same and to conform to the
provisions of this Agreement. The Escrow Agent may consult legal counsel
selected by it in the event of any dispute or question of the construction
of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the Indemnification Agreements
or seek the assistance of a court of competent jurisdiction, and shall
incur no liability and shall be fully protected in acting in accordance
with the opinion or instruction of such counsel or such court. Provided
that the Escrow Agent shall be in compliance with its duties hereunder,
Parent and each Securityholder hereby jointly agree to indemnify and hold
harmless the Escrow Agent against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and expenses, including reasonable costs of investigation and
counsel fees and disbursement, which may be imposed upon the Escrow Agent
or incurred by the Escrow Agent in connection with its acceptance of
appointment as escrow agent hereunder, or the performance of its duties
hereunder, including any litigation arising from this Agreement or
involving the subject matter hereof of the cash deposited hereunder.
7. Compensation of the Escrow Agent. Parent shall compensate the
Escrow Agent for performing its duties hereunder in accordance with
Schedule II attached hereto.
8. Miscellaneous.
8.1 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their
respective representatives and permitted successors and assigns.
8.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
understanding of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings between the parties with respect to its subject
<PAGE> 10
matter. This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument duly
executed by the parties hereto.
8.3 Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
8.4 Waiver. Any party hereto may, at its option, waive in writing
any or all of the conditions herein contained to which its obligations
hereunder are subject. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement,
however, shall constitute a waiver of any other provision (whether
similar or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing
waiver unless otherwise expressly provided.
8.5 Time of the Essence. Time is of the essence with respect to
all provisions of this Agreement.
8.6 Assignment. This Agreement may not be transferred or assigned
by any Securityholder but may be assigned by Parent or Buyer to any of
its affiliates or to any successor to its business and will be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of any such affiliate or successor.
8.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
8.8 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and
shall be deemed to have been duly given if so given) by delivery,
telegram or telecopy, or by mail (registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, return receipt requested) or by any national courier service,
provided that any notice delivered as herein provided shall also be
delivered by telecopy at the time of such delivery. All communications
hereunder shall be delivered to the respective parties at the following
addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by
like notice, provided that notices of a change of address shall be
effective only upon receipt thereof):
(a) If to Parent or Buyer:
General Electric Company
4200 Wildwood Parkway
Atlanta, Georgia 30339
Attention: Briggs L. Tobin, Esq.
Telecopy: (770) 859-7012
with a copy to:
King & Spalding
191 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1763
Attention: C. William Baxley, Esq.
Mark E. Thompson, Esq.
Telecopy: (404) 572-5146
<PAGE> 11
(b) If to Stockholder Representatives:
Showpower, Inc.
18420 South Sante Fe Avenue
Rancho Dominguez, California 90221
Attention: G. Lawrence Anderson
John J. Campion
Telecopy: (310) 604-1671
with a copy to:
Baker & Daniels
300 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Attention: David C. Worrell, Esq.
Telecopy: (317) 237-1000
(c) If to the Escrow Agent:
Attention:
Telecopy:
8.9 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws.
8.10 Enforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall
remain in full force and effect.
8.11 Further Assurances. From time to time at or after the
Purchase Date, at Parent's or Buyer's request and without further
consideration, the Stockholder Representatives shall execute and deliver
to Parent or Buyer such documents and take such action as Parent or
Buyer may reasonably request in order to consummate more effectively the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
<PAGE> 12
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Buyer, Parent, the Stockholder Representatives and the
Escrow Agent have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and
year first above written.
EMMY ACQUISITION CORP.
By:
------------------------------------
Name
Title
GE ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
By:
------------------------------------
Name
Title
STOCKHOLDER REPRESENTATIVE,
on behalf of the Securityholders
identified on Schedule I hereto
--------------------------------------
G. Lawrence Anderson
STOCKHOLDER REPRESENTATIVE,
on behalf of the Securityholders
identified on Schedule I hereto
--------------------------------------
John J. Campion
[ESCROW AGENT]
By:
------------------------------------
Name
Title
<PAGE> 13
SCHEDULE I
SECURITYHOLDERS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECURITYHOLDER NUMBER OF SHARES PORTION OF ESCROW
-------------- ---------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
John J. Campion and Esther Ash.............................. 209,184 $146,428.80
G. Laurence and Thressa Anderson............................ 104,012 72,808.40
Stephen R. Bernstein........................................ 113,670 79,569.00
Jeffrey B. Stone............................................ 359,828 251,879.60
Joseph A. Ades.............................................. 148,633 104,043.10
Robert E. Masterson......................................... 244,329 171,030.30
David C. and Annika Bernstein............................... 180,093 126,065.10
Vincent A. Carrino.......................................... 55,132 38,592.40
Eric C. Jackson............................................. 75,493 52,845.10
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 14
SCHEDULE II
COMPENSATION OF THE ESCROW AGENT
Escrow Agent's Fee: [$ ]
The Escrow Agent's fee for the term of this Escrow Agreement is due at
signing.
Out of pocket expenses such as, but not limited to, postage, courier,
insurance, overnight mail, long distance telephone, stationery, travel, legal or
accounting, etc., will be billed at cost.
These fees do not include extraordinary services which will be priced
according to time and scope of duties.
It is acknowledged that the schedule of fees shown above is acceptable for
the services mutually agreed upon and the undersigned authorizes
to perform these services.
All escrow agent fees and expense reimbursements shall be paid by
.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.3
FORM OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated as of December 17,
1999 is entered into by and among GE Energy Services, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Parent"), Emmy Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and
wholly owned subsidiary of Parent ("Buyer"), and , in his
capacity as a stockholder of the Company and a resident of the State of
("Securityholder"), with respect to certain equity securities
owned by Securityholder of Showpower, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and for purposes of Section 3.5 hereof, G. Laurence Anderson and
John J. Campion (the "Stockholders' Agents").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Parent, Buyer and the Company have entered into an Agreement and
Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") dated as of the date hereof pursuant to
which Buyer has agreed to make a cash tender offer described therein and
thereafter merge with and into the Company (the "Merger") in accordance with the
provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware;
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Securityholder beneficially owns and has
the power to vote certain shares of the common stock, par value $.01 per share,
of the Company (the "Company Common Stock");
WHEREAS, each of Securityholder and certain other stockholders of the
Company entered into tender agreements (the "Tender Agreements") with Parent,
Buyer and the Company dated as of the date hereof pursuant to which such
stockholders agreed to tender their shares of common stock of the Company to
Buyer in the Initial Offer (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and place a
portion of the proceeds received by such stockholders from the Initial Offer
into an escrow account to secure their indemnification obligations pursuant to
this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, in consideration of Buyer's and Parent's agreements herein and in
the Merger Agreement, Securityholder has agreed to cooperate with Buyer and
Parent with respect to the acquisition of the Company by Parent and Buyer upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in contemplation of the foregoing and in consideration of
the mutual agreements, covenants, representations and warranties contained
herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties
hereto agree as follows:
1. Representation and Warranties.
1.1 Representations and Warranties of Buyer and Parent. Buyer and
Parent, hereby jointly and severally, represent and warrant to
Securityholder, as of the date hereof and as of the date Buyer purchases
shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Initial Offer, as
follows:
(a) Authorization. Each of Buyer and Parent is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of its state of incorporation. Each of Buyer and Parent has all
requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement
and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. Each of Buyer
and Parent has duly authorized, executed and delivered this Agreement
and this Agreement is a legal, valid and binding agreement of Buyer,
enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms.
1.2 Representations and Warranties of
Securityholder. Securityholder hereby represents and warrants to Buyer
and Parent, as of the date hereof and as of the date Buyer purchases
shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Initial Offer, as
follows:
(a) Ownership. Securityholder is the sole record and beneficial
owner of, and has good and marketable title to, shares of
Company Common Stock (collectively, the "Securities"), in each case
free and clear of all liabilities, claims, liens, options, proxies,
charges,
<PAGE> 2
participations and encumbrances of any kind or character whatsoever,
except for the security interest securing the obligations under
Securityholder's note payable to the Company.
(b) Authorization. Securityholder has all requisite power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and has sole voting power and sole
power of disposition, with respect to all of the Securities owned by
Securityholder with no restrictions on its voting rights or rights of
disposition pertaining thereto. Securityholder has duly authorized,
executed and delivered this Agreement and this Agreement is a legal,
valid and binding agreement of Securityholder, enforceable against
Securityholder in accordance with its terms.
(c) No Violation. Neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby will (a) require Securityholder to file or register with, or
obtain any material permit, authorization, consent or approval of,
any governmental agency, authority, administrative or regulatory
body, court or other tribunal, foreign or domestic, or any other
entity, or (b) violate, or cause a breach of or default under, any
contract, agreement or understanding, any statute or law, or any
judgment, decree, order, regulation or rule of any governmental
agency, authority, administrative or regulatory body, court or other
tribunal, foreign or domestic, or any other entity or any arbitration
award binding upon Securityholder. No proceedings are pending which,
if adversely determined, will have a material adverse effect on any
of the Securities. Securityholder has not previously assigned or sold
any of the Securities to any third party.
(d) No Setoff. Securityholder has no liability or obligation
related to or in connection with the Securities other than the
obligations to Buyer and Parent as set forth in this Agreement. There
are no legal or equitable defenses or counterclaims that have been or
may be asserted by or on behalf of the Company, as applicable, to
reduce the amount of the Securities or affect the validity or
enforceability of the Securities.
(g) Company Representations and Warranties. The representations
and warranties of the Company contained in Article III of the Merger
Agreement are hereby incorporated into this Agreement in their
entirety as representations and warranties of Securityholder and,
notwithstanding anything contained in the Merger Agreement to the
contrary, such representations and warranties shall survive for
purposes of this Agreement for the periods described in Article 3 of
this Agreement.
2. Survival of Representations and Warranties. The respective
representations and warranties of Securityholder, Parent and Buyer
contained herein or incorporated herein by reference or in any certificates
or other documents delivered in connection herewith shall not be deemed
waived or otherwise affected by any investigation made by the other party
hereto, and each representation and warranty contained herein or
incorporated herein by reference shall survive the closing of the
transactions contemplated hereby until the expiration of the applicable
statute of limitations, including extensions thereof. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the representations and warranties of the Company contained in
Article III of the Merger Agreement or incorporated herein by reference
shall survive for a period of twelve months following the Closing (as
defined in the Merger Agreement).
3. Indemnification.
3.1 Indemnification by Securityholder.
(a) Indemnity. Securityholder shall defend and indemnify Buyer,
Parent and the Company and their agents, affiliates, subsidiaries,
controlling persons, officers, directors, and employees
(collectively, the "Buyer Indemnitees"), and hold the Buyer
Indemnitees wholly harmless from and against, any and all losses,
liabilities, damages, costs (including, without limitation, court
costs) and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable
attorneys' fees) which the Company or any Buyer Indemnitee incurs as
a result of, or with respect to, any third party claims made against
the Company or any Buyer Indemnitee and arising out of or based
<PAGE> 3
upon or relating to (i) any inaccuracy in or breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement by or on behalf of
Securityholder or the Company contained in this Agreement (including
the representations and warranties incorporated herein by reference
pursuant to Section 2.2(g)), the Merger Agreement or contained in any
certificate, instrument, agreement or document of Securityholder or
the Company delivered to Buyer or Parent in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder or thereunder
and (ii) any of the matters contained in the Company Disclosure
Letter with respect to the representations and warranties contained
in Sections 3.9, 3.15, 3.16, 3.17 and 3.18 of the Merger Agreement
which are incorporated by reference herein (collectively "Losses").
For purposes of this Agreement, third party claims shall exclude any
claim brought by or on behalf of any wholly-owned subsidiary of
Parent, unless such third party claim arises out of or is related to
actions or events affecting such subsidiary which occurred on or
prior to the date hereof.
(b) Claims. In the event that any Buyer Indemnitee shall
receive written notice of any claim or proceeding against such Buyer
Indemnitee that, if successful, might result in a claim under this
Section 3.1, such Buyer Indemnitee shall give Securityholder prompt
written notice of such claim or proceeding and shall permit
Securityholder to participate in the defense of such claim or
proceeding by counsel of Securityholder's own choosing and at the
expense of Securityholder. In addition, upon written request of such
Buyer Indemnitee, Securityholder shall assume the carriage of the
defense of any such claim or proceeding.
(c) Right to Indemnification. In no event shall
Securityholder's right to receive indemnification pursuant to Section
5.7 of the Merger Agreement affect or in any way limit
Securityholder's obligation to indemnify the Buyer Indemnitees
hereunder.
3.2 Specific Performance. Securityholder acknowledges that Buyer
and Parent will be irreparably harmed and that there will be no adequate
remedy at law for a violation of any of the covenants or agreements of
Securityholder which are contained in this Agreement. It is accordingly
agreed that, in addition to any other remedies which may be available to
Buyer and Parent upon the breach by Securityholder of such covenants and
agreements, Buyer and Parent shall have the right to obtain injunctive
relief to restrain any breach or threatened breach of such covenants or
agreements or otherwise to obtain specific performance of any of such
covenants or agreements.
3.3 Exclusive Remedy. From and after the Effective Date (as
defined in Merger Agreement), recourse of any Buyer Indemnitee to the
aggregate amount of the property held in the Indemnification Escrow (as
defined in the Tender Agreements) pursuant to each of the Tender
Agreements shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of the Buyer
Indemnitees for monetary damages for any claim for indemnification under
this Article 3, other than with respect to claims made by a Buyer
Indemnitee against Securityholder for fraud, bad faith or willful
misconduct.
3.4 Defense of Third Party Claims. Securityholder may participate
in (but not control) the defense and Buyer Indemnitee will have the sole
right to control the defense of third party claims made pursuant to
Article 3 by using counsel selected by Buyer Indemnitee. Buyer
Indemnitee shall have the sole right to make any significant decisions
with respect to the defense of such claim, except as to the settlement
or compromise of such claim which Buyer Indemnitee shall have the right
to settle, adjust or compromise with the consent of Securityholder;
provided, however, that such consent may not be unreasonably withheld.
Securityholder shall make available to Buyer Indemnitee any documents
and materials in his or its possession or control that may be necessary
to the defense of, and shall otherwise cooperate with Buyer Indemnitee
in the defense of, such claim or legal proceeding.
3.5 Stockholders' Agents.
(a) Appointment. In order to efficiently administer, among
other matters, the defense and/or settlement of any claims for which
Securityholder may be required to indemnify the Buyer Indemnitees
pursuant to Section 3.1, Securityholder hereby irrevocably designates
and
<PAGE> 4
appoints G. Laurence Anderson and John J. Campion, as the lawful
agent and attorney-in-fact (the "Stockholders' Agents") with full
powers of substitution to act in the name, place and stead of
Securityholder with respect to the authority provided in paragraph
(b) below. Securityholder hereby ratifies and confirms all that the
Stockholders' Agents shall do or cause to be done by virtue of his
appointment as a Stockholders' Representative and Jeffrey B. Stone
and John J. Campion hereby accept such designation and appointment.
(b) Authority. The Stockholders' Agents, acting jointly, are
empowered and authorized, acting specifically and not generally on
behalf of Securityholder (i) to take all action necessary in
connection with the defense and/or settlement of any claims for which
the Securityholder may be required to indemnify the Buyer Indemnitees
pursuant to Section 3.1; (ii) to execute and deliver the Escrow
Agreement (as defined in the Tender Agreements); (iii) to give and
receive all notices required to be given under the Escrow Agreement;
(iv) to receive, hold and distribute to the Securityholder hereto any
moneys received as a distribution pursuant to the Escrow Agreement or
any other sums received by the Stockholders' Agents in such capacity,
and to retain same or a portion thereof as a reserve for expenses
(inclusive without limitation of the expenses referred to in
paragraph (f) below) or for other possible payments or liabilities,
all as determined in the sole discretion of the Stockholders' Agents
with such retained or reserved amounts to be distributed upon or
after the payment of such expenses, making such payments or discharge
of such liabilities; (vi) to employ such legal counsel and other
representatives as the Stockholders' Agents shall select from time to
time; and (vii) to take any and all additional action as is
contemplated or permitted to be taken by or on behalf of the
Securityholder as the Stockholders' Agents deem necessary or
appropriate by the terms of this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement.
(c) Successor. In the event that one of the Stockholders'
Agents dies, becomes unable to perform his responsibilities hereunder
or resigns, Stephen R. Bernstein is hereby appointed and constituted
as one of the Stockholders' Agents, and he shall become and be deemed
one of the Stockholders' Agents.
(d) Decisions Binding. All decisions and actions, taken
jointly, by the Stockholders' Agents, whatsoever shall be binding
upon Securityholder, and Securityholder shall not have the right to
object, dissent, protest or otherwise contest the same.
(e) Further Agreements. By execution of this Agreement,
Securityholder agrees that:
(i) The appointment of the Stockholders' Agents shall be
deemed coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable and the
Buyer Indemnitees and the escrow agent under the Escrow Agreement
shall be able to rely conclusively, without inquiry or liability,
on the instructions, agreements and decisions of the
Stockholders' Agents, acting jointly, as to the settlement of any
claims for indemnification pursuant to Section 3.1 or any other
actions required or permitted to be taken by the Stockholders'
Agents hereunder or under the Escrow Agreement, and no party
hereunder shall have any cause of action against the Buyer
Indemnitees for any action taken by the Buyer Indemnitees in
reliance upon the agreements, instructions or decisions of the
Stockholders' Agents, acting jointly;
(ii) all actions, agreements, decisions and instructions of
the Securityholders' Agents shall be conclusive and binding upon
Securityholder and Securityholder shall not have any cause of
action against the Stockholders' Agents for any action taken,
decision made or instruction given by the Stockholders' Agents,
acting jointly, under this Agreement, except for fraud or bad
faith;
(iii) the provisions of this Section 3.5 are independent and
severable, are irrevocable and coupled with an interest and shall
be enforceable notwithstanding any rights or remedies that
Securityholder may have in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement;
<PAGE> 5
(iv) the provisions of this Section 3.5 shall be binding
upon the executors, heirs, legal representatives and successors
of each Securityholder, and any references in this Agreement to
Securityholder shall mean and include the successors to the
Securityholder's rights hereunder, whether pursuant to
testamentary disposition, the laws of descent and distribution or
otherwise; and
(v) the Buyer Indemnitees and the escrow agent under the
Escrow Agreement shall, upon receipt of any writing which
reasonably appears to have been signed by the Stockholders'
Agents, act upon such writing without any further duty of inquiry
as to the genuineness of the writing.
(f) Expenses. All reasonable fees and expenses incurred by the
Stockholders' Agents or otherwise required to be paid by
Securityholder, may be withheld by the Stockholders' Agents and paid
from sums paid to the Stockholders' Agents as a distribution pursuant
to the Escrow Agreement or any other sums received by the
Stockholders' Agents in such capacity.
4. Trade Secrets, Confidential Information and Noncompetition
Covenants.
4.1 Definitions. For the purposes of this Section 4, the following
definitions shall apply:
(a) "Company Activities" shall mean all activities of the type
conducted or provided by the Company within one year prior to the
date of this Agreement. For purposes of reference, such activities at
the date of this Agreement include the provision of temporary power
generation and temperature control rental equipment and support
services on a worldwide basis for entertainment, corporate and
special events.
(b) "Confidential Information" shall mean any data or
information, other than Trade Secrets, which is valuable to the
Company and not generally known to competitors of the Company.
(c) "Confidentiality Period" shall mean the period beginning the
date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of the date hereof.
(d) "Noncompete Period" shall mean the period beginning on the
date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of the date hereof.
(e) "Territory" shall mean the areas where the Company
Activities are conducted as of the date hereof and any area where
customers or actively sought prospective customers of the Company are
present. For purposes of reference, such areas include the geographic
area contained within a 150-mile radius of the current office
locations of the Company.
(f) "Trade Secret" shall mean information, including, but not
limited to, technical or nontechnical data, a formula, pattern,
compilation, program, device, method, technique, drawing, process,
financial data, financial plan, product plan, list of actual or
potential customers or suppliers, or other information similar to any
of the foregoing, which (i) derives independent economic value,
actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being
readily ascertainable by proper means by, the public or to other
persons who can derive economic value from its disclosure or use, and
(ii) is the subject of reasonable efforts under the circumstances by
the Company to maintain its secrecy. For purposes of this Agreement,
the term "Trade Secrets" shall not include information that (i) was
generally known to the public at the time the Company disclosed the
information to Securityholder; (ii) became generally known to the
public after disclosure by the Company through no act or omission of
Securityholder; or (iii) was disclosed to Securityholder by a third
party having a bona fide right both to possess the information and to
disclose the information to Securityholder.
4.2 Trade Secrets. Securityholder shall hold in confidence at all
times on and after the date hereof all Trade Secrets, and shall not
disclose, publish or make use at any time on and after the date hereof
of Trade Secrets without the prior written consent of the Company.
<PAGE> 6
4.3 Confidential Information. During the Confidentiality Period,
Securityholder shall hold in confidence all Confidential Information and
shall not disclose, publish or make use of Confidential Information
without the prior written consent of the Company.
4.4 Noncompetition.
(a) Coverage. Securityholder acknowledges that to protect
adequately the interest of the Company it is essential that any
noncompete covenant with respect thereto cover all Company Activities
and the entire Territory.
(b) Noncompete Covenant. Securityholder hereby agrees that
Securityholder shall not, during the Noncompete Period, in any manner
(other than as an employee of the Company), directly or by assisting
others, engage in, have any equity or profit interest in (except for
an equity interest in a publicly held corporation which does not
exceed one percent (1%) of such corporation's outstanding capital
stock), or render services of any executive, administrative,
supervisory, marketing, production or consulting nature to any
corporation or other entity that conducts the Company Activities in
the Territory.
(c) Customer Nonsolicitation. Securityholder hereby agrees that
Securityholder shall not, during the Noncompete Period, in any manner
(other than as an employee of the Company), directly or by assisting
others, solicit or accept, or attempt to solicit or accept, any
business from any customer of the Company, including actively sought
prospective customers, for purposes of providing products or services
that are competitive with those provided by the Company.
4.5 No-hire Covenant. Securityholder hereby agrees that
Securityholder shall not, during the Noncompete Period, in any manner
(other than as an employee of the Company), directly or by assisting
others, recruit or hire, or attempt to recruit or hire, on the
Securityholder's behalf or on behalf of any other person, firm or
corporation, any employee of the Company.
4.6 Severability, Damages and Tolling. If a judicial or arbitral
determination is made that any of the provisions of this Section 4
constitutes an unreasonable or otherwise unenforceable restriction
against Securityholder, the provisions of this Section 4 shall be
rendered void only to the extent that such judicial or arbitral
determination finds such provisions to be unreasonable or otherwise
unenforceable. In this regard, Securityholder and the Company hereby
agree that any judicial or arbitral authority construing this Agreement
shall be empowered to sever any prohibited business activity, time
period or geographical area from the coverage of this Section 4 and to
apply the provisions of this Section 4 to the remaining business
activities and the remaining time period not so severed by such judicial
or arbitral authority. Moreover, notwithstanding the fact that any
provision of this Section 4 is determined not to be specifically
enforceable, the Company shall nevertheless be entitled to recover
monetary damages as a result of the breach of such provision by
Securityholder. The time period during which the prohibitions set forth
in this Section 4 shall apply shall be tolled and suspended for a period
equal to the aggregate quantity of time during which Securityholder
violates such prohibitions in any respect.
4.7 Injunctive Relief. Securityholder hereby agrees that any
remedy at law for any breach of the provisions contained in Sections
4.2, 4.3, 4.4 or 4.5 hereof shall be inadequate and that the Company
shall be entitled to injunctive relief in addition to any other remedy
the Company might have under this Agreement.
5. Miscellaneous.
5.1 Expenses. Each of the parties hereto shall pay its own
expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement. Each of the parties
hereto warrants and covenants to the others that it will bear all claims
for brokerage fees attributable to action taken by it.
<PAGE> 7
5.2 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their
respective representatives and permitted successors and assigns.
5.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
understanding of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings between the parties with respect to its subject matter.
This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument duly executed
by the parties hereto.
5.4 Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement. Time is of the essence with respect to
all provisions of this Agreement.
5.5 Assignment. This Agreement may not be transferred or assigned
by Securityholder but may be assigned by Buyer to any of its affiliates
or to any successor to its business and will be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of any such affiliate or successor.
5.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but both of which
together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
5.7 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and
shall be deemed to have been duly given if so given) by delivery,
telegram or telecopy, or by mail (registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, return receipt requested) or by any national courier service,
provided that any notice delivered as herein provided shall also be
delivered by telecopy at the time of such delivery. All communications
hereunder shall be delivered to the respective parties at the following
addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by
like notice, provided that notices of a change of address shall be
effective only upon receipt thereof):
(a) If to Parent or Buyer:
General Electric Company
4200 Wildwood Parkway
Atlanta, Georgia 30339
Attention: Briggs L. Tobin, Esq.
Telecopy: (770) 859-7012
with a copy to:
King & Spalding
191 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1763
Attention: C. William Baxley, Esq.
Mark E. Thompson, Esq.
Telecopy: (404) 572-5100
(b) If to Securityholder:
Telecopy:
with a copy to:
Baker & Daniels
300 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Attention: David C. Worrell, Esq.
Telecopy: (317) 237-1000
<PAGE> 8
5.8 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws.
5.9 Enforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall
remain in full force and effect.
5.10 Further Assurances. From time to time at or after the date
Buyer purchases shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Initial
Offer, at Buyer's request and without further consideration,
Securityholder shall execute and deliver to Buyer such documents and
take such action as Buyer may reasonably request in order to consummate
more effectively the transactions contemplated hereby and to vest in
Buyer good, valid and marketable title to the Securities, including, but
not limited to, using its best efforts to cause the appropriate transfer
agent or registrar to transfer of record the Securities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Buyer, Parent, Securityholder and the Stockholders'
Agents have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year
first above written.
EMMY ACQUISITION CORP.
By:
------------------------------------
Name
Title
GE ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
By:
------------------------------------
Name
Title
------------------------------------
Securityholder
STOCKHOLDERS' AGENT, for
purposes of Section 3.5 only
------------------------------------
G. Laurence Anderson
STOCKHOLDERS' AGENT, for
purposes of Section 3.5 only
------------------------------------
John J. Campion
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 99.1
GE POWER SYSTEMS AGREES TO ACQUIRE SHOWPOWER, INC.
Accelerates Global Expansion of GE Energy Rentals Unit
into Entertainment and Special Events Segment
Schenectady, NY December 20, 1999... In a move to accelerate the growth of its
GE Energy Rentals unit, GE Power Systems today announced it has signed
definitive agreements to acquire 100% of Showpower, Inc.'s shares at $7 per
share for an aggregate purchase price of $28 million.
The transaction will take the form of a tender offer by a subsidiary of GE
Energy Services, Inc. for all of the outstanding shares of Showpower at $7 in
cash net per share, followed by a cash merger for the remaining shares at $7.
The tender offer is subject to customary terms and conditions, including at
least a majority of the outstanding shares on a fully diluted basis being
tendered. The tender offer is expected to commence no later than December 27,
1999. In connection with the transaction, holders of approximately 40% of the
outstanding shares of Showpower have agreed to tender their shares pursuant to
the offer.
Showpower's board has unanimously approved the transaction and has received a
fairness opinion from Prime Charter Ltd.
Showpower is a Rancho Dominguez, California based company, publicly traded on
the American Stock Exchange under the symbol SHO, with locations in California,
Texas, New Jersey, Nevada, Florida, Brazil, and the United Kingdom. Showpower
provides temporary power generation and temperature control rental equipment
and support on a worldwide basis for entertainment, corporate and special
events.
GE Energy Rentals was launched earlier this year in response to a growing
demand for temporary distributed power and climate control in the commercial,
industrial, utility, oil and gas, and special event markets. GE has already
expanded the power generation rental industry with its recent introduction of
the TM 2500, the largest mobile gas turbine-generator set available on a rental
basis, producing up to 22.8 megawatts in a single package. Prior to the TM2500,
large power block customers needed multiple diesel sets to achieve that level
of output.
"Showpower is an ideal strategic fit for us," said GE Energy Rentals President
Martin Moore. "Showpower operates on a global basis and its employees possess
the expertise we view as essential to success in mission critical equipment
rental markets worldwide. We are committed to serving the growing markets in
which Showpower currently participates and we anticipate drawing upon the
technical and operational skills that exist at Showpower as we implement our
plans for aggressive growth in the commercial and industrial segments of the
industry."
<PAGE> 2
Showpower CEO, John Campion, described the deal as "a unique opportunity, both
to enhance the level of service provided to Showpower's traditional customers
and to reshape the broader rental industry by leveraging GE Power Systems sales
and services network as well as GE's brand recognition in virtually all
markets." Upon completion of the acquisition, Campion will join the management
team of GE Energy Rentals.
ABOUT GE POWER SYSTEMS AND GE ENERGY RENTALS
GE Power Systems is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation
technology, energy services and energy management systems. The $9.9 billion
business has the largest installed base of power generation equipment in the
industry. GE Energy Rentals, a single source for power and climate control
needs, is among the latest of several GE Power Systems' ventures, acquisitions
and alliances executed during the past two years to deliver total, global
energy solutions.
ABOUT SHOWPOWER
Showpower provides temporary power generation and temperature control rental
equipment and support services on a worldwide basis for entertainment,
corporate and special events. Showpower's customers include corporations, event
producers, television networks, motion picture studios, facility operators and
performers that need electric power and/or temperature control services to
support events at locations where these services are inadequate or unavailable.
Showpower also provides fully integrated, value-added services, including
planning, technical advice, customized installations, on-site operations and
support personnel.
CONTACTS:
Jeff Ignaszak Laurence Anderson
GE Power Systems Showpower
518-385-9713 310-604-9676
