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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
------------------------
Heartland Technology, Inc.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
1-11956 36-1487580
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(Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
547 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60661
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (312) 294-0497
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Item 5. Other Events.
A. 13% Subordinated Notes and Warrants
-----------------------------------
On December 23, 1999 Heartland Technology announced that it received
subscriptions for $2 million in subordinated debentures at an interest rate
of 13% for a two-year term. The subscribers were Ezra Zilkha, chairman,
and Edwin Jacobson, chief executive officer, as well as other investors of
Heartland Technology.
The Debentures were accompanied by warrants which permit the purchase of
165 Heartland Technology common shares per $1,000 principal amount of the
debentures, for 330,000 common shares for the entire $2 million subscribed.
The warrants are exercisable at any time during their four-year duration at
an exercise price of $2-3/8 per share.
The debentures are secured by the class B units of Heartland Partners, L.P.
which are held by Heartland Technology. In the event that Heartland
Partners enters into a loan agreement with Heartland Technology
collateralized by the Class B units, that security interest will be
released. A copy of the Subscription Agreement with its exhibits and
related agreements are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
At March 2, 2000, $ 1,825,000.00 of the $2 million subscriptions had been
funded.
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B. Wells Fargo Business Credit, Inc. Credit and Security Agreement
---------------------------------------------------------------
In January 1999, P.G. Design ("PG") a subsidiary of the registrant,
refinanced its existing debt with General Electric Capital Corporation
("GECC") by entering into an agreement with Wells Fargo Business Credit,
Inc. ("WFBC"). The agreement, effective December 31, 1998, provides for a
line of credit with a maximum available amount of $10,500,000, and a term
loan of $4,500,000.
PG failed to achieve certain profit levels in the second and third quarters
of 1999 and on November 17, 1999, WFBC entered into a third amendment to
the loan agreement that reduced the allowable borrowing base and waived the
defaults. PG continued in the fourth quarter to be in violation of the
loan agreement.
On January 31, 2000 the Vice President - Finance of the registrant received
a letter from WFBC that demanded payment in full, by May 1, 2000, of all
obligations due under the Credit and Security Agreement dated as of
December 31, 1998.
Management has begun efforts to seek other sources of credit for PG.
Copies of the Third Amendment to Credit and Security Agreement dated
November 17, 1999 and the demand letter are attached hereto as Exhibits
99.2 and 99.3, respectively, and incorporated herein by this reference.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits
Exhibit No. Description
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99.1 Form of Subscription Agreement with a form of: 13%
Subordinated Note, Series A Warrant, Security
Agreement, Control Agreement, and Collateral Agent
Agreement.
99.2 Third Amendment to Credit and Security Agreement dated
November 17, 1999.
99.3 Letter from Wells Fargo Business Credit, Inc. dated
January 27, 2000.
This Form 8-K may include statements which are not historical facts and are
considered "forward-looking" within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect the
Company's current views about future events and financial performance. These
forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases
such as "believe," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," and similar expressions
identifying forward-looking statements. Investors should not rely on
forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety or risks,
uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from the Company's expectations, and the Company expressly does
not undertake any duty to update forward-looking statements. Additional
information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in forward looking statements is contained from time
to time in the Company's SEC filings, including but not limited to the 10-K
and 10-Q.
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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.
HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Date: March 9, 2000 By: /s/ Richard P. Brandstatter
----------------------- ----------------------------------
Richard P. Brandstatter
Vice President - Finance
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
- ----------- -----------
99.1 Form of Subscription Agreement with a form of: 13%
Subordinated Note, Series A Warrant, Security
Agreement, Control Agreement, and Collateral Agent
Agreement.
99.2 Third Amendment to Credit and Security Agreement dated
November 17, 1999.
99.3 Letter from Wells Fargo Business Credit, Inc. dated
January 27, 2000.
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EXHIBIT 99.1
HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Subscription Agreement
----------------------
This Subscription Agreement is made by and between Heartland
Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and the person
identified on the signature page hereto (the "Investor"). The Company intends
to borrow up to $2,000,000 from certain investors pursuant to the terms of a 13%
Subordinated Note, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the
---------
"Note"). Each investor shall also receive, as an additional incentive to make a
loan to the Company (each, a "Loan"), a warrant substantially in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Warrant") which will permit the investor to
---------
purchase 165 shares of the common stock of the Company, par value $.01 per share
(the "Common Stock") per $1,000 of principal amount of such investor's Loan.
Warrants for the purchase of up to 330,000 shares of Common Stock will be issued
in the event that the Company borrows the full $2,000,000. Subject to the
approval of the Board of Directors of the Company, the exercise price of the
Warrant to be issued in connection with the Investor Loan shall be equal to the
market price of the Common Stock on the day that this Subscription Agreement is
executed by Investor. For purposes of this Agreement and the Warrant, the
"market price of the Common Stock on the day that this Subscription Agreement is
executed by Investor" shall be the closing price on the American Stock Exchange
(composite transactions) as of the close of trading of the Common Stock on that
trading day which immediately precedes the date on which this Subscription
Agreement is executed by the Investor and received by the Company.
A. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE INVESTOR.
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1. The Investor hereby represents and warrants to and covenants with
the Company as follows:
a. The Investor is a bona fide resident and domiciliary of the state
indicated on the signature page of this Agreement.
b. The Investor understands that (i) neither the Note nor the
Warrant has been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Act"), but is being offered and sold in reliance on exemptions from
registration afforded by the Act and the rules promulgated thereunder; (ii)
the Company has no obligation or intention to file a registration statement
under the Act in connection with the Note or the Warrant; and (iii) the
Company is not obligated to take any future action necessary to make the
benefits of Rule 144 under the Act available for a resale of the Warrant, and
it is not anticipated that there will be any market for resale of the Warrant.
c. The Note and the Warrant are being acquired for the Investor's
own account for investment purposes and not for distribution or resale to
others. The Investor will not sell, assign, pledge or otherwise dispose of
any portion of the Note or the Warrant unless such Note or Warrant is
registered under the Act or unless an exemption from such registration is
available, and such transfer is in compliance with applicable state securities
laws.
d. The Company has made available to the Investor and the Investor's
attorney, accountant or investment adviser all documents that any of them has
requested relating to this investment and has provided the Investor and such
advisers with answers to all of their questions concerning the offering and an
investment in the Company.
e. The Investor's decision to make the Loan and/or to invest in the
Company is the result of independent investigation by the Investor and its
advisers, and the Investor understands that any representations or other
information (whether oral or written) furnished by the Company in any
documents or answers to questions furnished by the Company are not intended to
constitute financial, legal or tax advice.
f. The Investor's overall commitment to investments that are not
readily marketable is not disproportionate to the Investor's net worth, and
the Investor's net worth and ability to provide for current needs and
contingencies are
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adequate such that the Investor is able to withstand the risk, including total
loss, of this investment.
g. The Investor understands the risks related to the Loan and/or the
Warrant. The Investor has such knowledge and experience in business and
financial matters so as to permit the Investor to evaluate the risks and
merits of an investment in the Company.
h. The Investor qualifies as an "accredited investor" as defined in
Rule 501 under the Act because the Investor is (check applicable description):
______ a bank as defined in Section 3(a) 2 of the Act or savings
and loan association or other institution as defined in Section 3(a) 5(A)
of the Act.
______ a broker dealer registered pursuant to Section 15 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
______ an insurance company as defined in Section 2(13) of the
Act.
______ an investment company registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 or a business development company, as defined in
Section 2(a)(48) of that Act.
______ a Small Business Investment Company licensed by the U.S.
Small Business Administration under Section 301(c) or (d) of the Small
Business Investment Act of 1958.
______ an employee benefit plan maintained by a state or a state
agency, instrumentality or political subdivision, with assets in excess
of $5 million.
______ an employee benefit plan within the meaning of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")
having assets in excess of $5 million.
______ a private business development company, as defined in
Section 202(a)(22) of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940.
______ an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the
Code, a corporation, Massachusetts or similar business trust or a Company
with total assets in excess of $5 million.
______ a natural person having a net worth, either individually
or with a spouse, in excess of $1 million or who has had an individual
income in excess of $200,000 or a joint income with a spouse in excess of
$300,000 in each of the last two years, or an individual retirement
account or Keogh plan maintained by such a natural person.
______ a trust with total assets in excess of $5 million.
______ an entity as to which all equity owners are accredited
investors.
The Company reserves the right to request additional information
regarding the Investor in order to determine that the Investor qualifies as an
"accredited investor" under the Act.
i. If the Investor is not a natural person, the Investor was not
formed or organized for the specific purpose of investing in the Company.
j. If the Investor is an employee benefit plan within the meaning of
ERISA, other than an individual retirement account or Keogh plan, it has plan
assets (inclusive of its proposed investment in the Company) of at least $50
million and its proposed investment in the Company does not exceed 10% of its
total plan assets.
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k. If the Investor is a benefit plan investor as defined in
Department of Labor regulation section 2510.3-101(f), the fiduciary or other
person with investment responsibilities has the authority to make an
investment in the Company on behalf of such plan, such investment is
consistent with such plan's investment guidelines, and the decision to invest
in the Company has been made after consultation with its legal and financial
advisers, independent of any advice or recommendation from the Company.
l. The Investor represents and warrants to the Company and each of
its affiliates and advisers that the foregoing representations and warranties
and all information furnished by the Investor in connection with this
Agreement are true, complete and accurate in all respects as of the date
provided and will be true, complete and accurate as of the date of acceptance
hereof by the Company and the date of the payments of the Investor to the
Company of the Loan amount and may be relied upon by the Company and each of
its affiliates and advisers.
m. The Investor agrees to provide the Company with any additional
information it may request. The Investor further agrees to notify the Company
immediately in the event that any of the information furnished to the Company
is no longer complete and accurate, and to promptly furnish the Company with
all additional or substitute information necessary in order to make the
information provided true, complete and accurate.
n. The Investor understands and agrees that:
(i) No federal or state agency has made any finding or
determination as to the fairness of this offering for investment or any
recommendation or endorsement of the Notes or the Warrants.
(ii) The Company may accept or reject (in its sole discretion)
this offer of subscription for any reason whatsoever. If this offer is
accepted, the Investor will be required to fund the Loan amount on
_______________. Upon receipt of such payment, the Company will return
an executed copy of this Agreement to the Investor, an executed Note and
a Warrant.
(iii) The Investor's subscription hereunder will be
irrevocable, except that the Investor will have no obligations hereunder
in the event that this subscription is for any reason rejected or this
offering is for any reason terminated by the Company before this offer of
subscription is accepted.
B. USE AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION PROVIDED.
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1. The Investor understands that the Company will rely upon the
information contained herein in determining whether to offer, sell and accept
the Loan and issue the Warrant to the Investor.
2. The Investor understands that, although the Company and its
affiliates and advisers will use their best efforts to keep any information
provided in connection with this Agreement strictly confidential, they may
disclose such information to such parties as they deem advisable (a) in pursuing
the availability under any federal or state securities laws of an exemption from
registration of the Note and/or the Warrant or (b) if such information is
relevant to any issue in any action, suit or proceeding to which the Company or
its affiliates or advisers is a party or by which they or it are or may be
bound. The Investor hereby agrees that the information provided in connection
with this Agreement may be provided to such persons as the Company deems
necessary in order for the Company to be permitted to make such investments.
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C. MISCELLANEOUS.
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1. Notices required or permitted to be given hereunder will be in
writing and will be deemed to be sufficiently given when personally delivered or
when sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed
to the other party at the address of such party set forth on the signature page
hereof, or to such other address furnished by notice given in accordance with
this paragraph.
2. Failure of the Company or the Investor to exercise any right or
remedy under this Agreement or any other agreement between the Company and the
Investor, or otherwise, or delay by either of them in exercising the same, will
not operate as a waiver thereof. No waiver by the Company will be effective
unless it is in writing and signed by an officer of the Company.
3. This Agreement will be enforced, governed and construed in all
respects in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois (without reference
to the conflicts of laws principles thereof).
4. This Agreement and the rights, powers and duties set forth herein
will be binding upon the Investor and the Investor's heirs, estate, legal
representatives, successors and assigns. In the event that any provision of
this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable under any applicable statute or rule
of law, then such provision will be deemed inoperative to the extent that it may
conflict therewith and will be deemed modified to conform with such statute or
rule of law. Any provision hereof which may prove invalid or unenforceable
under any law will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision hereof.
5. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the
same instrument.
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SIGNATURE PAGE
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SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
The undersigned, desiring to become a lender to the Company, by
executing this Signature Page, hereby adopts and agrees to all of the terms,
conditions and representations applicable to the Investor in the Subscription
Agreement and also to all of the terms and conditions in the Note and the
Warrant.
Total amount of Loan subscribed for
$_______________________________________________
_____________________________ Name of Investor (Type or print full name as it
should appear on the books of the Company)
Warrant for ______________ shares of Common Stock to be issued on funding of the
Loan.
Taxpayer Identification or
Social Security Number Signature(s) of Investor or Authorized Signatory
________________________________________________
________________________________________________ Title of Authorized Signatory
Investor's Residence Address
Date:
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Investor's Mailing Address
Bona fide resident of the State of:
_____________________________ (see Page 1 hereof)
============================= Accepted as of ___________________, 1999 by
HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY, INC.
By:__________________________
Title:_________________________
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EXHIBIT A
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13% Subordinated Note
Due December __, 2001
No. ____
Heartland Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the
"Company", which term includes any successor corporation), for value received,
hereby promises to pay to the order of ___________________ or the registered
holder hereof (the "Holder"), on December __, 2001, the sum of
____________________ Dollars ($__________) and to pay interest thereon, from the
date hereof, quarterly on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 in
each year, at the rate of 13% per annum. Interest shall be computed on the
basis of a 365 or 366 day year and actual days elapsed.
This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Subordinated Notes of the
Company designated as its 13% Subordinated Notes (hereinafter called the
"Notes"), limited in aggregate principal amount to $ 2,000,000. The obligations
of the Company under the Notes and the rights of the Holder of this Note are
subordinated to all loans to the Company by banks or other financial
institutions ("Bank Debt") provided that so long as the Company is not in
default under any Bank Debt, the Company shall make all payments under the Notes
in accordance with the terms hereof. In the event the Company defaults under
any Bank Debt and the default has been cured or waived in conformity with the
terms of the applicable Bank Debt, the Company shall make all required payments
under the Notes.
The Company shall pay interest on this Note to the Registered Holder of
this Note.
The Company shall be entitled, at its option, to prepay all or any portion
of this Note, including all accrued interest thereon, by providing the
registered Holder of this Note with irrevocable written notice of the Company's
election to prepay this Note. Such notice shall be sent to the address of the
registered Holder of this Note and shall include the date on which the Note (or
any portion thereof) shall be paid (the "Call Date") and the amount (if less
than all of the Note) to be prepaid. The Holder of this Note shall surrender
the Note at the principal office of the Company in Chicago, Illinois. To the
extent that less than all of the Note is prepaid at any time, the Company shall
issue to the registered Holder a replacement Note for the amount of the original
Note not prepaid. Once prepaid, no interest shall accrue, and no interest shall
be paid, on any portion of any Note which is so prepaid.
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Note
will be made to the address of the registered Holder of this Note, in such coin
or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal
tender for payment of public and private debts.
The Company represents and warrants to Holder that (a) this Note is a valid
and binding agreement, enforceable according to its terms; (b) the execution,
delivery and performance of its obligations under this Note do not create any
default under any other agreement to which Company is a party; (c) Company has
paid all applicable income and property taxes of whatever kind which are due and
(d) immediately following the borrowing under this Note, Company will be able to
pay its known and reasonably anticipated debts as they mature and will have
assets which will have a fair saleable value greater than the amount of its
indebtedness.
All sums due hereunder shall, at the sole option of Holder (except in the
case of the occurrence of an event described in clause (4), (5), (6), (8) or
(9), in which event such sum shall automatically, without further action, become
immediately due and payable), become due on demand and immediately become due
and payable upon such demand, upon written notice to the Company, upon the
occurrence of any of the following events (each, an "Event of Default"):
(1) the Company shall fail to make any payment of interest on
any Note at the time such payment is due and such failure to pay shall
continue for five days or the Company shall fail to make any payment of
principal on any Note at the time such payment is due; or
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(2) the Company shall default in the due performance and
observance of any term, covenant or agreement contained in this Note and
such default shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days
after notice thereof shall have been given to the Company by the Holder,
provided, however, that if such default cannot be cured within such 30-day
period, all sums due hereunder shall not become due and payable if Company
is diligently and in good faith proceeding to cure such default and such
default is cured within sixty (60) days after notice thereof from Holder to
Company);
(3) the Company shall default in any payment of principal of or
interest on any Bank Debt beyond any period of grace provided with respect
thereto, or shall default in the performance of any agreement, term or
condition contained in any agreement under which any Bank Debt is created
(or if any other default under any such agreement shall occur and be
continuing) if the effect of such default is to cause, or to permit the
holder or holders of any Bank Debt (or a trustee on behalf of such holder
or holders) to cause, such Bank Debt to become due prior to its stated
maturity and such default shall continue for more than 30 days without
being cured or waived by the lender under the applicable Bank Debt; or
(4) a receiver, liquidator or trustee of the Company or of any
property of the Company shall be appointed by court order and such order
shall remain unstayed and in effect for more than 60 days; or the Company
shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent; or any of the property of the
Company shall be restrained, attached, or sequestered by court order or
become subject to any levy of any court and such order shall remain
unstayed and in effect for more than 60 days; or a petition to reorganize
the Company under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium,
or insolvency law or code or other debtor relief proceedings shall be filed
against the Company and shall not be dismissed within 60 days after such
filing or an order for relief shall be entered against the Company (it
being understood that for the purposes of Sections (4), (5), (6), (8) and
(9), the term the "Company" includes any "significant subsidiary" of the
Company as that term is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission);
or
(5) the Company shall file a petition in voluntary bankruptcy or
requesting relief under any provision of any bankruptcy, reorganization, or
insolvency law or shall consent to the filing of any petition against it
under any such law or code; or
(6) the Company shall make an assignment for the benefit of its
creditors or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, or
liquidator of the Company or of all or any part of the property of the
Company; or
(7) final judgments for payment of money aggregating in excess
of $500,000 shall be outstanding against the Company and any one of such
judgments shall have been outstanding for more than 60 days from the date
of its entry and shall not have been discharged in full or stayed; or
(8) the Company shall be dissolved or liquidated or the
existence of the Company shall terminate except pursuant to a merger
pursuant to which the Notes become obligations of the surviving entity; or
(9) any seizure, vesting, or intervention by or under the
authority of any governmental agency by which the management of the Company
is displaced or its authority in the conduct of its business is curtailed
shall occur.
The existence or continuation of any Event of Default shall be irrespective
of whether such Event of Default or the underlying facts shall have come about
voluntarily or involuntarily or shall be beyond the Company's control or shall
have come about or been effected by operation of law or pursuant to or in
compliance with any judgment, decree, or order of any court or any order, rule,
or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.
The obligation of the Company hereunder to pay the principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest on this Note at the times, place and rate, and in
the coin or currency, herein prescribed is absolute and unconditional and is
secured by a pledge of the Class B interests of Heartland Partners, L.P.,
pursuant to a pledge agreement dated the date hereof, which pledge shall be
released upon the full execution of a loan agreement between
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Heartland Partners, L.P. and the Company for the borrowing by the Company of up
to $4 million, and upon the disbursement of $2 million in loan proceeds to the
Company.
This Note is transferable, in whole or in part, by the registered Holder
hereof.
The Company and any agent of the Company may treat the bearer of this Note,
or, if this Note is registered as herein authorized, the person in whose name
the same is registered, as the absolute owner hereof and thereof for all
purposes, whether or not this Note or any payment thereon be overdue, and
neither the Company nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.
If any provision of this Note or the application thereof to any party or
circumstance is held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Note and
the application of such provision to other parties or circumstances will not be
affected thereby and the provisions of this Note shall be severable in any such
instance.
The Company agrees to pay all costs, including attorneys' fees, reasonably
incurred by the holder hereof in enforcing payment hereof and hereby waives to
the fullest extent permitted by law, all right to plead any statute of
limitation as a defense to any action hereunder.
The Company hereby waives presentment for payment, demand, notice of
dishonor and protest of this Note and further agrees that this Note shall be
deemed to have been made under and shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Illinois in all respects, including matters of construction, validity and
performance, and that none of its terms or provisions may be waived, altered,
modified or amended except as the holder hereof may consent thereto in writing
duly signed by such holder or its authorized agent.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be duly executed
under its corporate seal as of the _____/th/ day of December, 1999
HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY, INC.
By ____________________________
Its ____________________________
Attest:
________________________
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EXHIBIT B
---------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR
ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THEY MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE EXCEPT
PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SAID ACT AND ANY
APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAW OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM SUCH
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.
SERIES A WARRANT
DISBURSEMENT DATE: __________________
EXERCISABLE ON OR BEFORE _______________
VOID AFTER 5:00 P.M. NEW YORK CITY TIME ON _________________
NO. W.__________ _____________Shares
WARRANT TO PURCHASE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF
HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY, INC.
This Warrant Certificate certifies that ______________, or registered
assigns, is the registered holder (the "Holder") of Warrants (the "Warrants") to
purchase Common Stock, par value $.01 (the "Common Stock"), of Heartland
Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"). Each Warrant entitles
the holder to purchase from the Company at any time on or before 5:00 p.m. New
York City time on ____________________ (the "Exercise Period") one fully paid
and nonassessable share of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of
$2.375 per full share (the "Exercise Price") upon surrender of this Warrant
Certificate and payment of the Exercise Price at the office of the Company
maintained for that purpose in Chicago, Illinois, or elsewhere, but only subject
to the conditions set forth herein. As used herein, "Shares" refers to the
Common Stock of the Company and, where appropriate, to the other securities or
property issuable upon exercise of a Warrant as provided for herein upon the
happening of certain events. The Exercise Price and the number of Shares
purchasable upon exercise of the Warrants are subject to adjustment upon the
occurrence of certain events as set forth below. No fractional shares of Common
Stock shall be issued upon exercise of any Warrant. In lieu thereof, cash will
be paid in an amount equal to the current market value of such fractional
shares.
1. Exercise Period; Exercise Price. Subject to and in compliance
-------------------------------
with the terms hereof, the Holder hereof is entitled, at its option, at any time
and from time to time before the fourth anniversary of the Disbursement Date to
exercise this Warrant Certificate, in whole or in part, and purchase from the
Company one fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock of the Company,
as said shares shall be constituted on the date of exercise, at the Exercise
Price, subject to adjustment as set forth below for each Warrant.
2. Exercise. In order to exercise a Warrant, the Holder shall
--------
surrender the Warrant to the Company on any business day at the principal
business office maintained by the Company in Chicago, Illinois or such other
location upon notice to the Holder, accompanied by the form of election to
purchase attached hereto duly completed and signed and by payment of the
exercise price. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be made in United States
dollars in cash, by certified or official bank check in immediately available
funds payable to the order of the Company or by wire transfer. As promptly as
practicable (but in no event later than five (5) business days thereafter) after
the receipt of (a) the form of election to purchase, (b) the Exercise Price and
(c) this Warrant as described above, the Company shall issue and deliver, at its
principal business office in Chicago, Illinois or such other location, or cause
the Company's transfer agent to issue and deliver at Harris Bank, a certificate
or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon such
exercise.
3. Net Exercise Provision. The Holder, in lieu of exercising a
----------------------
Warrant for a specified number of shares of Common Stock (the "Exercised
Shares") and paying the aggregate Exercise Price therefor, may elect, at any
time on or before the expiration of the Warrant, to receive a number of shares
of Common Stock equal to the number of Exercised Shares minus a number of shares
of Common Stock having an aggregate market value on such day of election equal
to the Exercise Price. After any such election, the number of shares
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of Common Stock covered by the Holder's Warrant shall be deemed automatically
reduced by the number of Exercised Shares.
4. Effect of Exercise. Exercise shall be deemed to have been
------------------
effected at the time at which the form of election to purchase and the exercise
price shall have been received by the Company and this Warrant shall have been
duly surrendered, and the person or persons in whose name or names any
certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock shall be issuable upon
such exercise shall be deemed to have become on that date the holder or holders
of record of the shares of Common Stock represented thereby; except that if the
stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed on the date of such
surrender, the date of exercise shall be deemed to be the date upon which such
transfer books shall be reopened.
5. Balance of Warrant Certificate. Upon exercise of a Warrant
------------------------------
Certificate in part rather than in whole, the Company shall execute and deliver
to or to the order of the Holder, a new Warrant Certificate evidencing the
number of Warrants remaining unexercised.
6. Adjustment to Exercise Price; Number of Warrants. The exercise
------------------------------------------------
price per share shall be subject to adjustment as follows; provided, however,
that if approval of such adjustment by the Company's stockholders is required
under applicable rules of the American Stock Exchange, such approval shall be
obtained prior to adjustment:
(1) In case the Company shall (i) pay a dividend or make a
distribution to all holders of its Common Stock in shares of its capital stock
(whether shares of Common Stock or of capital stock of any other class), (ii)
subdivide its outstanding shares of Common Stock, (iii) combine its outstanding
shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares; or (iv) issue by
reclassification of its shares of Common Stock any shares of capital stock of
the Company, the exercise price in effect immediately prior to such action shall
be adjusted so that the holder of a Warrant thereafter surrendered for exercise
shall be entitled to receive the number of shares of capital stock of the
Company that such Warrant Holder would have owned immediately following such
action had the Warrant been converted immediately prior thereto. An adjustment
made pursuant to this paragraph shall become effective retroactively immediately
after the record date in the case of a dividend or distribution and shall become
effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision,
combination or reclassification. If, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant
to this paragraph, the holder of this Warrant thereafter surrendered for
exercise shall become entitled to receive shares of two or more classes of
capital stock of the Company, the Board of Directors of the Company shall
determine the allocation of the adjusted exercise price between or among shares
of such classes of capital stock.
(2) In case the Company shall issue rights or warrants to all holders
of its Common Stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common
Stock at a price per share less than the current market price per share on the
record date set for the issuance of such rights or warrants, the Exercise Price
shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal the price determined by
multiplying the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to the date of
issuance of such rights or warrants by a fraction of which the numerator shall
be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the date of issuance of
such rights or warrants plus the number of shares which the aggregate offering
price of the total number of shares so offered would purchase at such current
market price, and the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding on the date of issuance of such rights or warrants plus the number
of additional shares of Common Stock offered for subscription or purchase. Such
adjustment shall become effective retroactively immediately after the record
date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such rights or
warrants.
(3) In case the Company shall distribute to all holders of its Common
Stock evidence of its indebtedness or assets (excluding any cash dividend paid
from retained earnings of the Company) or rights or warrants to subscribe to
securities of the Company or owned by the Company, then in each such case the
Exercise Price shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal the price
determined by multiplying the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to the
date of such distribution by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the
current market price per share of the Common Stock on the record date mentioned
below less the then fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors
of the Company) of the portion of the evidence of indebtedness or assets so
distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants applicable to one share
of Common Stock, and the denominator shall be such current market price per
share of the Common
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Stock. Such adjustment shall become effective retroactively immediately after
the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such
distribution.
(4) No adjustment in the exercise price shall be required unless such
adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in such price,
provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this paragraph are
not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any
subsequent adjustment; and provided further, that adjustment shall be required
and made in accordance with the provisions hereof (other than this paragraph)
not later than such time as may be required in order to protect the tax-free
nature of a distribution to the holders of Warrants or Common Stock. All
calculations hereunder shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one-
hundredth of a share, as the case may be. Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the
Exercise Price, in addition to those required hereby, as it in its discretion
shall determine to be advisable in order that any such dividends, subdivision of
shares, distribution of rights to purchase stock or securities, or distribution
of securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock hereafter made by the
Company to its shareholders shall not be taxable.
(5) Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted as herein provided, the
Company shall promptly mail or cause to be mailed a notice of such adjustment to
the Holder at its last address as it shall appear upon the Company's records.
(6) In the event that at any time as a result of an adjustment made
pursuant hereto, the Holder of a Warrant thereafter surrendered for exercise
shall become entitled to purchase any shares of capital stock of the Company
other than shares of its Common Stock, then the exercise price of such other
shares so receivable upon exercise of a Warrant shall be subject to the same
adjustments as those contained in subparagraphs (1) through (5) hereof.
(7) Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to the
provisions set forth herein, the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable
upon exercise of the Warrant shall simultaneously be adjusted by multiplying the
number of shares initially issuable upon exercise of the Warrant by the exercise
price in effect on the date of issuance of the Warrant and dividing the product
so obtained by the exercise price as adjusted.
(8) For purposes of this Section, the phrase "current market price"
means, as of the date of determination, (i) if the Common Stock is at the time
traded on a securities exchange registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under Section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(a "National Securities Exchange"), the average of the last reported sales price
per share regular way or, in case no such reported sales have taken place on any
such date, the last reported bid price per share regular way, on the five
trading days immediately preceding the date of determination (ii) if the Common
Stock is at the time being traded on Nasdaq and not on a National Securities
Exchange, the average of the last reported sales price per share regular way or,
in the case no such reported sales have taken place on any such date, the
closing bid price per share regular way, on the five trading days immediately
preceding such date of determination, or (iii) if the Common Stock is not listed
for trading on a National Securities Exchange or traded on Nasdaq, an amount
equal to the fair market value of a share of Common Stock (as determined by the
Company's Board of Directors) as of such date of determination as determined by
the Chief Financial Officer of the Company using any reasonable method of
valuation.
7. Merger, Etc. If either of the following shall occur: (a) any
-----------
consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, other than a
consolidation or a merger in which the Company is a continuing corporation and
which does not result in any reclassification of, or change (other than a change
in par value or from par value to no par value or from no par value to par
value, or as a result of a subdivision or combination) in, outstanding shares of
the Common Stock; or (b) any sale or conveyance to another corporation of the
property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety; then the
holder of each Warrant then outstanding shall have the right to pay the exercise
price for such Warrant and receive the same consideration receivable upon such
consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance by a holder of the number of shares of
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such Warrant immediately prior to such
consolidation, merger, sale, or conveyance. The provisions of this paragraph
shall similarly apply to successive consolidations, mergers, sales or
conveyances.
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8. Reservation of Shares. The Company covenants that it will at
---------------------
all times reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, solely for
the purpose of issue upon exercise of the Warrants, such number of shares of
Common Stock as shall be issuable upon the exercise of all outstanding Warrants,
provided, that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude the
Company from satisfying its obligations in respect of the exercise of the
Warrants by delivery of shares of Common Stock which are held in the treasury of
the Company.
9. Registration Rights.
-------------------
9.1 Demand Registration.
-------------------
9.1.1 Request for Registration.
------------------------
9.1.1.1 Long Form. If, at any time that the Company or any
---------
successor to the Company is a registrant entitled to use a Form S-1
under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended (the "Securities Act") and
any other form promulgated after the date of this Agreement applicable
in circumstances substantially comparable to that form, regardless of
its designation (a "Long Form") to register Common Stock of the
Company and any successor to the Company, issued in exchange for the
Series A Warrants (the "Registrable Securities"), the Company or its
successor receives from a holder or holders of Series A Warrants (the
"Warrant Holder" or "Warrant Holders") of more than 51% of the
outstanding Registrable Securities a written request that the Company
effect a registration with respect to an offering of at least 50% of
its outstanding Registrable Securities, the Company shall: (i) within
ten (10) days, give written notice of the proposed registration to all
Warrant Holders and (ii) as soon as practicable, but in any event
within one hundred twenty (120) days after receipt of the request of
the Warrant Holder, use its best efforts to effect such registration
of the Registrable Securities of the Warrant Holder together with all
or such portion of the Registrable Securities of any other Warrant
Holder who has given written notice to the Company within twenty (20)
days after receiving such written notice from the Company pursuant to
clause (i) above on the Long Form specified in the notice. Such
obligation shall include, without limitation, the execution of an
undertaking to file post-effective amendments and to effect
appropriate registrations or qualifications under applicable blue sky
or other state securities laws and appropriate compliance with
exemptive regulations issued under the Securities Act and any other
governmental requirements or regulations. The Company shall have the
right, exercisable one time only, to delay the effectiveness of such
request of the Warrant Holders until up to one hundred eighty (180)
days after delivery of the request if the Board of Directors of the
Company have determined in good faith that such a registration would
be seriously detrimental to the Company at such time. No further
delays after such one hundred eighty (180) days shall be permitted.
The Warrant Holders making the request may withdraw the request during
such one hundred eighty (180) day period, in which event such Warrant
Holders shall not be deemed to have made the request. The Company
shall not be obligated to take any action to effect any registration
pursuant to this Section 9.1.1.1 (i) after the closing of the sale of
Registrable Securities resulting from any previous registration
effected pursuant to requests under this Section 9.1.1.1 or (ii) in
the event the Registrable Securities constitute less than 5% of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company.
9.1.1.2 Short Form. If, at any time that the Company or any
----------
successor to the Company is a registrant entitled to use a Form S-3
under the Securities Act and any other form promulgated after the date
of this Agreement applicable in circumstances substantially comparable
to that form, regardless of its designation (a "Short Form") to
register Registrable Securities, the Company or its successor receives
from the Warrant Holder or Warrant Holders of more than 51% of the
outstanding Registrable Securities a written request that the Company
effect a registration with respect to an offering of at least 50% of
its outstanding Registrable Securities, the Company shall: (i) within
ten (10) days, give written notice of the proposed registration to all
Warrant Holders and (ii) as soon as practicable, but in
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<PAGE>
any event within one hundred twenty (120) days after receipt of the
request of the Warrant Holder, use its best efforts to effect such
registration of the Registrable Securities of the Warrant Holder
together with all or such portion of the Registrable Securities of any
other Warrant Holder who has given written notice to the Company
within twenty (20) days after receiving such written notice from the
Company pursuant to clause (i) above on the Short Form specified in
the notice. Such obligation shall include, without limitation, the
execution of an undertaking to file post-effective amendments and to
effect appropriate registrations or qualifications under applicable
blue sky or other state securities laws and appropriate compliance
with exemptive regulations issued under the Securities Act and any
other governmental requirements or regulations. The Company shall have
the right, exercisable one time only, to delay the effectiveness of
such request of the Warrant Holders until up to one hundred eighty
(180) days after delivery of the request if the Board of Directors of
the Company have determined in good faith that such a registration
would be seriously detrimental to the Company at such time. No further
delays after such one hundred eighty (180) days shall be permitted.
The Warrant Holders making the request may withdraw the request during
such one hundred eighty (180) day period, in which event such Warrant
Holders shall not be deemed to have made the request. The Company
shall not be obligated to take any action to effect any registration
pursuant to this Section 9.1.1.2 (i) after the closing of the sale of
Registrable Securities resulting from two previous registrations
effected pursuant to requests under this Section 9.1.1.2 or (ii) in
the event the Registrable Securities constitute less than 5% of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company.
For the purposes of this Agreement, securities subject to this
Agreement shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (i) they have been
registered under the Securities Act, the registration statement in
connection therewith has been declared effective, and they have been
disposed of pursuant to such registration statement, or (ii) they are
distributed to the public pursuant to Rules 144 or 144A (or any similar
provision then in force) under the Securities Act.
9.1.2 Underwriting. If any Warrant Holder making a demand intends to
------------
use an underwriter to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by its
request, it shall so advise the Company in its request and the Company
shall include such information in its written notice to other Warrant
Holders. In such event, the right of any Warrant Holder to registration
pursuant to this Section 9.1 shall be conditioned upon such Warrant
Holder's participation in such underwriting and the inclusion in the
underwriting of all of the Registrable Securities covered by the request of
such Warrant Holder. The Company shall enter into an underwriting
agreement in customary form with an underwriter selected by the Warrant
Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities proposed to be included
in the underwriting, but subject to the approval of the Company which shall
not be unreasonably withheld. The underwriting agreement may contain
provisions regarding indemnification and contribution from the Company.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 9.1, if the underwriter
advises the Warrant Holders and the Company in writing that marketing
factors require a limitation of the number of shares of Common Stock to be
included in the underwriting, then all shares in the underwriting shall be
excluded from such registration to the extent required by such underwriting
limitation on a pro rata basis and the Company shall so advise all Warrant
Holders of Registrable Securities that would otherwise be included in such
underwriting and registration and the number of shares included in such
underwriting and registration shall be allocated among the Warrant Holders
of Registrable Securities requesting registration in proportion, as nearly
as practicable, to the total number of Registrable Securities held by such
Warrant Holders at the time of the filing of the registration statement.
If the number of shares of Registrable Securities so excluded exceeds
twenty percent (20%) of the number of shares of Registrable Securities
which the Warrant Holders have requested to be included in such
registration, then the Warrant Holders shall be entitled either (i) to
require that the registration be deferred for such period of time as the
Warrant Holders, the Company and the underwriter may mutually agree upon,
but in no event for more than ninety (90) days from delivery of a written
notice of the Warrant Holders to the Company requesting such delay or (ii)
to withdraw the registration request, provided that it shall count as one
of the Warrant Holders' demand registration unless such Warrant Holder
reimburses the Company for its pro rata share of the out-of-pocket
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<PAGE>
expenses incurred by the Company in connection with such withdrawn
registration request. For purposes of the preceding sentence a Warrant
Holder's "pro rata share" shall mean a fraction the numerator of which is
the number of Registrable Securities of such Warrant Holder which were to
have been registered in such registration and the denominator of which is
the total number of shares which were to have been registered in such
registration. If any Warrant Holder of Registrable Securities disapproves
of the terms of the underwriting, such Warrant Holder may elect to withdraw
therefrom by written notice to the Company, the underwriter and the other
Warrant Holders delivered at least seven (7) days prior to the Company's
execution of an underwriting agreement with respect to the registration.
The Registrable Securities so withdrawn also shall be withdrawn from
registration.
9.2 Piggyback Registration.
----------------------
9.2.1 If at any time the Company or any successor to the Company
proposes to register any of its securities under the Securities Act,
whether or not for sale for its own account, on a form and in a manner
which would permit registration of Registrable Securities for sale to the
public under the Securities Act and intends to include in such registration
any of its securities owned by Warrant Holders, it will each such time give
prompt written notice to the Warrant Holder of its intention to do so,
describing such securities and specifying the form and manner and the other
relevant facts involved in such proposed registration, and upon the written
request of the Warrant Holder delivered (which shall not be deemed a
request for a Demand Registration) to the Company within 30 days after the
giving of any such notice (which request shall specify the Registrable
Securities intended to be disposed of by the Warrant Holder and the
intended method of disposition thereof), the Company will effect the
registration under the Securities Act of all shares of Common Stock which
the Company has been so requested to register by the Warrant Holder which
are in the same proportion to total number of shares of Common Stock as the
other shares to be sold by Warrant Holders in the registration to the
extent requisite to permit the disposition (in accordance with the intended
methods thereof as aforesaid) of the shares so to be registered, provided
that:
(a) if, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to
register any of its securities and prior to the effective date
of the registration statement filed in connection with such
registration, the Company shall determine for any reason not to
register such securities, the Company may, at its election,
give written notice of such determination to the Warrant Holder
and thereupon shall be relieved of its obligation to register
any Registrable Securities in connection with such registration
(but not from its obligation to pay the Registration Expenses
already incurred in connection therewith as provided in
subdivision (b) of this Section 9.2);
(b) The Company shall not be obligated to effect any registration
of shares under this Section 9.2 incidental to the registration
of any of its securities in connection with mergers,
acquisitions, exchange offers, dividend reinvestment plans,
employee stock ownership plans or stock option plans, thrift
plans, pension plans or other employee benefit plans; and
(c) The Company shall not be obligated to effect any registration
of Registrable Securities to the extent such shares are validly
excluded from an underwritten distribution pursuant to Section
9.3.2 of this Agreement.
9.2.2 The Company will pay all Registration Expenses in connection
with each registration of shares requested by the Warrant Holder pursuant
to this Section 9.2 or Section 9.1, whether or not such registration has
become effective. The term "Registration Expenses" shall mean all expenses
incident to the Company's performance of or compliance with this Section
including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees; all fees
and expenses of complying with securities or blue sky laws; all printing
expenses; the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and of its
independent public accountants, including the expenses of any special
audits required by or incident to such performance and compliance; and the
reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for all of the Warrant
Holders. In
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<PAGE>
no event shall Registration Expenses include underwriter's fees, expenses,
sales commissions and/or discounts with respect to the Registrable
Securities.
9.3 Registration Procedures.
-----------------------
9.3.1 When the Company is required to use its best efforts to effect
the registration of any Registrable Securities as provided in Section 9.1
or Section 9.2, the Company will as expeditiously as possible:
(a) with respect to registrations under Section 9.1 only, prepare
and (in any event within 90 days after the end of the period
within which requests for registration may be delivered to the
Company) file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a registration statement on the appropriate form
with respect to such Registrable Securities and use reasonable
efforts to cause such registration statement to become
effective as promptly as practicable;
(b) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus
used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such
registration statement effective and to comply with the
provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the
disposition of all shares of Common Stock covered by such
registration statement until the earlier of: (a) such time as
all of such shares have been disposed of in accordance with the
intended methods of disposition by the seller thereof set forth
in such registration statement; or (b) the expiration of nine
months after such registration statement becomes effective;
(c) furnish to the seller of such Registrable Securities such
number of conformed copies of such registration statement and
of each such amendment and supplement thereto (in each case
including all exhibits), such number of copies of the
prospectus included in such registration statement (including
each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus), in
conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, such
documents incorporated by reference in such registration
statement or prospectus, and such other documents, as the
seller may reasonably request;
(d) use reasonable efforts to register or qualify all Registrable
Securities covered by such registration statement under such
other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions within
the United States and its territories as the seller shall
reasonably request with concurrence of the managing
underwriter, if any, and do any and all other acts and things
which may be necessary or advisable to enable the seller to
consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of its
Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement,
except that the Company shall not for any such purpose be
required to qualify generally to do business as a foreign
corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it is not so qualified,
or to subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction, or
to consent to general service of process in any such
jurisdiction;
(e) immediately notify the seller of Registrable Securities covered
by such registration statement, at any time when a prospectus
relating thereto is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of
which the prospectus included in such registration statement,
as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material
fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing, and
at the request of the seller prepare and furnish to the seller
a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an
amendment of such prospectus as may be necessary so that, as
thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable
Securities, such prospectus shall not include an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or
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<PAGE>
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the
light of the circumstances then existing; and
(f) otherwise use reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable
rules and regulations of the Commission, and make available to
its securities holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an
earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve
months, but not more than eighteen months, beginning with the
first month of the first fiscal quarter after the effective
date of such registration statement, which earnings statement
shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11 (a) of the
Securities Act.
9.3.2 If the Company at any time proposes to register any of its
securities under the Securities Act whether or not for sale for its own
account as contemplated by Section 9.2, and such securities are to be
distributed by or through one or more underwriters, the Company shall, if
requested by the Warrant Holder who requests incidental registration of
shares in connection therewith pursuant to Section 9.2, arrange for such
underwriters to include such shares among those securities to be
distributed by or through such underwriters; provided, however, that if the
Company and the underwriters shall jointly determine as provided in Section
9.3.3 that the inclusion of all or a specified portion of such shares would
adversely affect such offering, the Warrant Holder requesting incidental
registration shall have its shares excluded or cut-back from such
underwritten offering as provided in Section 9.3.3. The Warrant Holder on
whose behalf such shares are to be distributed by such underwriters shall
be a party to any such underwriting agreement and the representations and
warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, the Company to and
for the benefit of such underwriters, shall also be made to and for the
benefit of Warrant Holder.
9.3.3 If the Warrant Holder has requested registration of shares
pursuant to Section 9.1, such shares shall have priority for inclusion in
an underwritten offering on a pro rata basis with all other Warrant Holders
of Registrable Securities, notwithstanding (i) any contractual right to
"demand," "piggyback," or "other right to cause incidental" registration
now existing or hereafter arising and (ii) the shares the Company has
requested to be included in the registration. If the Warrant Holder has
requested inclusion of shares in an underwritten offering pursuant to
Section 9.2, such shares may be excluded or the number of shares included
shall be cut-back if the managing underwriter shall have determined (and
shall have advised the Company in writing) that, in its opinion, the
registration and distribution of all or a specified portion of the shares
as part of the proposed distribution of securities by the underwriters will
materially and adversely affect the distribution of such securities (such
opinion to state the specific reasons therefor). Any cut-back as provided
herein shall be pro rata among all owners of shares (other than the
Company) to be sold through such underwritten offering in the same
proportion to total share ownership as the other shares sold by other share
owners in the underwritten offering.
9.3.4 If any registration pursuant to Section 9.2 shall be in
connection with an underwritten public offering in which a Warrant Holder
participates, such Warrant Holder agrees, if so timely required in writing
by the managing underwriters, not to effect any public sale or distribution
of shares of Common Stock (other than as part of such underwritten public
offering) within the period commencing seven days prior to the effective
date of such registration statement and ending no later than one hundred
eighty (180) days after the effective date of such registration statement.
9.4 Indemnification.
---------------
9.4.1 In the event of any registration of any securities of the
Company under the Securities Act pursuant to this Section 9, the Company
will, and hereby does, indemnify and hold harmless Warrant Holder selling
any Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement, its
managers, directors and officers, and each other person, if any, who
controls such Warrant Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act,
against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including
reasonable legal fees and expenses and costs of investigation), joint or
several, to which such Warrant Holder or any such manager, director or
officer or controlling person may become subject under the Securities Act
or otherwise, insofar
20
<PAGE>
as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions or
proceedings in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (i) any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained
in any registration statement under which such securities were registered
under the Securities Act, any preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or
summary prospectus included therein, or any amendment or supplement
thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein, or (ii) any
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, and the Company will reimburse such Warrant Holder, and each
such manager, officer, and controlling person for any legal or any other
expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or
defending any such loss, claim, liability, action or proceeding; provided
that the Company shall not be liable to such an indemnified person in any
such case to the extent (but only to the extent) that any such loss, claim,
damage, liability (or action or proceeding in respect thereof) or expense
arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration
statement, any such preliminary prospectus, final prospectus, summary
prospectus, amendment or supplement or any documents incorporated by
reference in any of the above in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information furnished by such indemnified person to the Company and
designated by such person to be for use in the preparation thereof. Such
indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of such Warrant Holder or any such
manager, officer, or controlling person and shall survive the transfer of
such securities by the Warrant Holder.
9.4.2 The Company shall require, as a condition to including any
shares of Commons Stock in any registration statement filed pursuant to
this Section 9, that the Company shall have received an undertaking
reasonably satisfactory to it from the Warrant Holder, to indemnify and
hold harmless (in the same manner and to the same extent as set forth in
Section 9.4.1) the Company, each director of the Company, each officer of
the Company who shall sign such registration statement and each other
person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the
Securities Act, with respect to any statement in or omission from such
registration statement, any preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or
summary prospectus included therein, or any amendment or supplement thereto
or any documents incorporated by reference in any of the above, if such
statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information furnished to the Company by such Warrant Holder
designating that it is for use in the preparation of such registration
statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus, summary prospectus,
amendment or supplement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and
effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company
or any such member, officer or controlling person and shall survive the
transfer of such securities by such Warrant Holder; provided however, that
to the extent permitted by law, a seller's liability hereunder shall not
exceed the aggregate net offering proceeds received by the Warrant Holder
from the sale of such shares.
9.4.3 If the indemnification provided for in this Section is
unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in
respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses or action in
respect thereof referred to herein, then the indemnifying party shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a
result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses or actions in
such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the
indemnifying party on the one hand, and the indemnified party on the other,
in connection with the statement or omissions which resulted in such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses or actions as well as any
other relevant equitable considerations, including the failure to give the
notice required hereunder. The relative fault of indemnifying party and
the indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or the
indemnified party and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or
omission. The Company and the Warrant Holder agree that it would not be
just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section were
determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation
which did not take account of the equitable considerations referred to
above. The amount paid or payable to an indemnified party as a result of
the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or action in respect thereof,
referred to above, shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred
21
<PAGE>
by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any
such action or claim. Notwithstanding the contribution provisions of this
Section, in no event shall the amount contributed by any seller of shares
exceed the aggregate net offering proceeds received by such seller from the
sale of such shares. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentations
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any person who is not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.
9.4.4 Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party of notice of the
commencement of any action or proceeding involving a claim referred to in
the preceding subdivisions of this Section, such indemnified party will, if
a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party,
give written notice to the latter of the commencement of such action,
provided that the failure of any indemnified party to give notice as
provided herein shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations
under the preceding subdivisions of this Section unless and to the extent
that the indemnifying party is prejudiced by such failure or delay. In case
any such action is brought against an indemnified party, the indemnifying
party shall be entitled to participate in and to assume the defense
thereof, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to
the extent that it may wish, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such
indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to such
indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the
indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party for any
legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the latter in connection
with the defense thereof; provided, however, that if the indemnified party
or parties reasonably determine that there may be a conflict between the
positions of the indemnifying party or parties and of the indemnified party
or parties in conducting the defense of such action or proceeding or that
there may be legal defenses available to such indemnified party or parties
different from or in addition to those available to the indemnified party
or parties such that (and solely to the extent that) joint representation
would be inappropriate under applicable ethical considerations published by
the State Bar of the state applicable to such counsel, then counsel for the
indemnified party or parties shall be entitled to conduct the defense to
the extent reasonably determined by such counsel to be necessary to protect
the interests of the indemnified party or parties (and the indemnifying
party or parties shall bear the reasonable legal and other expenses
incurred in connection therewith). No indemnifying party will consent to
entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include
as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to
such indemnified party of a full and final release from all liability in
respect to such claim or litigation.
9.4.5 Indemnification similar to that specified in the preceding
subdivisions of this Section (with appropriate modifications) shall be
given by the Company and each seller of shares of Common Stock with respect
to any required registration or other qualification of such Registrable
Securities under any federal or state law or regulation of governmental
authority other than the Securities Act.
10. Legality of Issue. The Company covenants that all shares of
-----------------
Common Stock which shall be issued upon exercise of the Warrants will upon issue
be fully paid and non-assessable and free from all taxes, liens, charges and
security interests with respect to the issue thereof.
11. Transfer Taxes. The issuance of certificates of Common Stock
--------------
upon exercise of Warrants shall be made without charge for any stamp or other
similar tax in respect of such issuance. However, if any such certificate is to
be issued in a name other than that of the holder of the Warrant converted, the
person or persons requesting the issuance thereof shall pay to the Company the
amount of any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in
such issuance or shall establish to the satisfaction of the Company that such
tax has been paid.
12. Notice to Warrant Holders. In case: (a) the Company shall take
-------------------------
any action which would require an adjustment in the Exercise Price; or (b) the
Company shall authorize the granting to the holders of its Common Stock of
rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of stock of any class
or of any other rights and notice thereof shall be given to holders of Common
Stock; or (c) there shall be any capital reorganization or reclassification of
the Common Stock (other than a subdivision or combination of the outstanding
Common Stock and other than a change in par value or from
22
<PAGE>
par value to no par value or from no par value to par value of the Common
Stock), or any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party and for
which approval of any shareholders of the Company is required, or any sale or
transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (d) there
shall be a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of
the Company; then the Company shall cause to be given to the Holder at least 10
days prior to the applicable date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (i)
the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of any distribution or
grant to holders of Common Stock, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date
as of which the holders of Common Stock of record to be entitled to such
distribution or grant are to be determined or (ii) the date on which such
reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer,
dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is expected to become effective, and the
date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be
entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock for securities or other
property deliverable upon such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation,
merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up. Failure to give
such notice or any defect therein shall not affect the legality or validity of
the proceedings described in clauses (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this paragraph. The
notice requirements of this paragraph shall be deemed met if the Company
notifies the Holder at the time and in the manner it shall notify the holders of
its Common Stock.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Heartland Technology, Inc. has caused this Warrant
Certificate to be duly executed under its corporate seal.
DATED: As of ____________________
HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY, INC.
ATTEST:
_______________________ By: ___________________________________
Title: Title:
23
<PAGE>
FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
(To be executed upon exercise of Warrant.)
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right,
represented by this Warrant Certificate, to purchase _____________ Shares and
herewith tenders in payment for such shares in United States dollars in cash or
by certified or official bank check in immediately available funds payable to
the order of Heartland Technology, Inc., all in accordance with the terms
hereof. The undersigned requests that the certificate for such Shares be
registered in the name of ____________________________________ whose address is
_____________________________ and that such certificate shall be delivered to
__________________________________________ whose address is
_________________________________________. If said number of Shares is less
than all of the Shares purchasable hereunder, the undersigned requests that a
new Warrant Certificate representing the right to purchase the remaining balance
of the Shares be registered in the name of __________________________________
whose address is _________________________________________________ and that such
Warrant Certificate be delivered to ____________________________________ whose
address is _______________________________.
DATED: ___________________________
(Insert Social Security or
Other Identifying Number of
Holder): ______________________
Signature_______________________________
(Signature must conform in all respect
to name of holder as specified on the
face of the Warrant.)
Signature Guarantee:
(required if an assignment of Shares
acquired on exercise, or an assignment
of Warrants remaining after exercise,
is made upon exercise):
24
<PAGE>
[FORM OF ASSIGNMENT]
(To be executed by the registered holder if such holder
desires to transfer the Warrant Certificate.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned hereby sells, assigns, and transfers unto
______________________________________________________________________________
this Warrant Certificate, together with all right, title, and interest therein,
and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
_____________________________________________________ Attorney, to transfer the
within Warrant Certificate on the books of the within-named Company, with full
power of substitution.
DATED: _____________________
(Insert Social Security or
Other Identifying Number of
Holder): ______________________
Signature Guarantee: Signature_______________________
(Signature must conform in all respect
to name of holder as specified on the
face of the Warrant.)
25
<PAGE>
SECURITY AGREEMENT
------------------
This SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of December __, 1999, (the "Security
--------
Agreement") is entered into between Heartland Technology, Inc., a Delaware
- ---------
corporation (the "Debtor"), and Edwin Jacobson, as Collateral Agent for the
------
benefit of the parties listed on Exhibit A hereto, as secured party (the
"Secured Party").
- --------------
WITNESSETH:
-----------
WHEREAS, Debtor, in order to induce Secured Party under the Subscription
Agreement identified below to make loans and advances to Debtor, desires to
pledge certain "Collateral" (hereinafter defined) to Secured Party;
NOW, THEREFORE for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged by the Debtor, the Debtor and Secured Party hereby agree as
follows:
1. Definitions. The terms defined in this Section shall have the following
defined meanings for all purposes of this Agreement:
1.01. "Class B Limited Partner" shall mean the person shown as the Class B
Limited Partner of the Partnership on the books and records of the
Partnership.
1.02. "Class B Limited Partnership Interest" shall mean the interest of
the Class B Limited Partner in the Partnership.
1.03. "Collateral" shall mean the following whether now or hereafter
existing or acquired:
1.03.01 the Class B Limited Partnership Interest, and any
substitutions, replacements or additions thereto;
1.03.02 all of the Debtor's right, title and interest as a Class B
Limited Partner in the Partnership, including without
limitation, all of the Debtor's right as a Class B Limited
Partner to receive deposits, proceeds, profits,
distributions, special distributions, dividends, interest,
return of capital, and other amounts, at any time or from
time to time, of cash and other property, real, personal or
mixed, rights in any capital account and all other rights,
powers, privileges and benefits relating thereto or arising
therefrom, and the right as a Class B Limited Partner to
receive distributions, special distributions and profits
from the Partnership or in connection with the Property and
the development thereof or upon complete or partial
liquidation of the Partnership or otherwise; and
1.03.03. to the extent not otherwise included, all distributions,
interest, dividends, increases, substitutions, or additions
to any of the foregoing items and all Proceeds and products
of any of the foregoing.
1.04 "Collateral Release Event" shall mean
1.04.01. the full execution of a loan agreement between the
Partnership and the Debtor for a borrowing by the Debtor of
up to $4 million, and the disbursement of $2 million in
loan proceeds to the Debtor, subject only to the release of
the Collateral from the Security Interest granted by this
Security Agreement, or
1.04.02. the satisfaction and payment of all Obligations,
26
<PAGE>
whichever occurs earlier, provided, however, that a
Collateral Release Event shall not occur so long as an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
1.05. "Control Agreement" shall mean a control agreement executed by the
Partnership substantially in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto.
1.06. "Debtor" shall mean Heartland Technology, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.
1.07. "Event of Default" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
the Note.
1.08. "Note" shall mean a 13% Subordinated Note due December __, 2001,
issued by the Debtor to the Secured Party pursuant to the
Subscription Agreement.
1.09. "Obligations" are the following:
1.09.01 the indebtedness evidenced by the Note, and any extensions,
renewals or refinancing thereof;
1.09.02 any sum advanced by the Secured Party in order to preserve
the Collateral; and
1.09.03. in the event of any proceeding to enforce the collection of
the Obligations after default, court costs and reasonable
attorneys' fees.
1.10. "Partnership" shall mean Heartland Partners, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership organized under the Partnership Agreement.
1.11. "Partnership Agreement" shall mean the Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership of Heartland Partners, L.P., dated
as of June 27, 1990, as amended by the Amendment to the Amended and
Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Heartland Partners,
L.P., dated December 4, 1997, as it may be further amended,
supplemented or restated from time to time.
1.12. "Secured Party" shall mean Edwin Jacobson, as Collateral Agent for
the benefit of the parties listed on Exhibit A hereto.
1.13. "Security Interest" shall mean the security interest granted by the
Debtor to the Secured Party in the Collateral pursuant to Section 3
of this Security Agreement.
1.14. "Subscription Agreement" shall mean the Subscription Agreement dated
as of the date hereof among the Debtor and the Secured Party, as it
may be further amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
1.15. "UCC" shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may from
time to time be in effect in the State of Illinois.
1.16. Terms otherwise not specifically defined herein shall have the
meaning ascribed to them in the UCC.
2. Pledge and Grant of Security Interest. To secure the payment of the
Obligations, the Debtor hereby pledges and grants to Secured Party a lien
on, and a security interest in, the Collateral.
3. Additional Collateral.
3.01. In case, upon the redemption of the Class B Limited Partnership
Interest or the dissolution or liquidation (in whole or in part) of
the issuer of the Class B Limited Partnership Interest, any sum
shall be paid in redemption of the Class B Limited Partnership
Interest, or as a liquidating distribution or dividend or otherwise,
such sum shall be paid over to Secured Party, to be held by Secured
Party as additional Collateral hereunder or as otherwise applied by
Secured Party as provided in Section 5(c) below.
27
<PAGE>
3.02. If any distribution of capital shall be made on the Class B Limited
Partnership Interest, or any warrants, rights, obligations or other
property shall be distributed upon or with respect to the Collateral
pursuant to a recapitalization or reclassification of the capital of
the issuer thereof, or pursuant to the dissolution, liquidation (in
whole or in part), bankruptcy or reorganization of such issuer, or
pursuant to the merger or consolidation of such issuer with or into
another corporation, the shares, warrants, obligations, rights or
other property so distributed shall be delivered to Secured Party
with such powers, assignments and endorsements as Secured Party may
request, to be held by it as additional Collateral hereunder, and
all of the same shall constitute Collateral for all purposes hereof.
3.03. Any cash received and retained by Secured Party as additional
Collateral pursuant to this Sections shall be applied (in whole or
in part) by Secured Party to the payment of the outstanding balance
of interest on and/or principal of the obligations under the
Subscription Agreement in such order as Secured Party shall in its
sole discretion determine.
4. Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The Debtor represents, warrants
and covenants that as of the date of execution of this Agreement, and
continuing until the occurrence of the Collateral Release Event:
4.01. The Debtor is duly organized under the law of the State of Delaware,
and shall not change the state of its organization without the prior
consent of the Secured Party.
4.02. The Debtor is the sole owner of 100% of the Class B Limited
Partnership Interest, free and clear of any and all liens and claims
whatsoever, except for the security interest granted to the Debtor
pursuant to this Security Agreement.
4.03. No certificate has been issued to represent the Pledged Collateral,
and the Pledged Collateral is an uncertificated security within the
meaning of UCC (S) 8-102(a)(18).
4.04. Debtor has full power, authority and legal right to execute this
Security Agreement and to grant the Security Interest in the
Collateral to the Secured Party.
4.05. This Security Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the
Debtor and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of
Debtor in accordance with its terms.
4.06. The Partnership is the issuer of the Class B Limited Partnership
Interest and has agreed in writing to comply with any entitlement
orders originated by the Secured Party without further consent by
the Debtor.
4.07. The Class B Limited Partnership Interest is a security within the
meaning of (S) 8-102(a)(15) of the UCC.
4.08. The Partnership has full power, authority and legal right to execute
the Control Agreement.
4.09. The Control Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the
Partnership and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of
the Partnership in accordance with its terms.
5. Debtors' Powers.
5.01. So long as an Event of Default shall not then exist, Debtor shall be
the only party entitled (i) to exercise for any purpose any and all
(1) voting rights and (2)) powers, and (ii) to receive any and all
distributions, in each case arising from or relating to the
Collateral; provided, however, that Debtor shall not exercise such
rights or powers, or consent to any action of the Partnership that
would be in contravention of the provisions of, or constitute an
Event of Default under, this Security Agreement or the Note.
28
<PAGE>
5.02. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, unless Secured Party
designates in writing to Debtor to the contrary, all rights of
Debtor provided in Section 5.01 hereof shall cease, and all voting
rights and powers and rights to distributions included in the
Collateral or otherwise described in such Section 5.01 shall
thereupon become vested in Secured Party, and Secured Party shall
thereafter have the sole and exclusive right and authority to
exercise such voting rights and powers. Debtor shall execute such
documents and instruments, including but not limited to, statements
that Debtor no longer has the right to act as a partner, shareholder
or otherwise relating to such change as Secured Party may request.
6. Secured Party's Remedies upon Event of Default. If an Event of Default
shall occur and the Collateral Release Event shall not have occurred,
Secured Party shall have all of its rights and remedies under the Note, and
in addition thereto:
6.01. Secured Party, without obligation to resort to other security, shall
have the right at any time and from time to time to sell, resell,
assign and deliver, in its discretion, all or any of the Collateral,
in one or more parcels at the same or different times, and all
right, title and interest, claim and demand therein and right of
redemption thereof, on any securities exchange on which the Class B
Limited Partnership Interest or other securities or any of them may
be listed, or at public or private sale, at Secured Party's premises
or elsewhere, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery, and in
connection therewith Secured Party may grant options, Debtor hereby
waiving and releasing any and all equity or right of redemption. If
any of the Collateral is sold by Secured Party upon credit or for
future delivery, Secured Party shall not be liable for the failure
of the purchaser to purchase or pay for the same and, in the event
of any such failure, Secured Party may resell such Collateral. In no
event shall Debtor be credited with any part of the proceeds of sale
of any Collateral until cash payment thereof has actually been
received by Secured Party.
6.02. Secured Party shall be entitled to exercise all rights and to enjoy
all benefits of the Debtor under the Collateral, including, without
limitation, the right to enforce any rights of Debtor with respect
to the Collateral, and to receive, retain and apply to the payment
of the Obligations any and all monies paid upon or for the account
of the Debtor with respect to the Collateral.
6.03. Secured Party shall be entitled to exercise all voting power with
respect to the Collateral and to receive and retain, as additional
Collateral hereunder, any and all interest payments, distributions
or dividends at any time declared or paid upon any of the
Collateral.
6.04. Secured Party shall have the right, for and in the name, place and
stead of Debtor, to execute endorsements, assignments or other
instruments of conveyance or transfer with respect to all or any of
the Collateral.
6.05. Debtor hereby appoints Secured Party as its attorney-in-fact for the
purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Security Agreement
and taking any action and executing any instrument which Secured
Party may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes
hereof. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Secured
Party shall have the right and power to receive, endorse and collect
all checks and other orders for the payment of money made payable to
Debtor representing any interest or dividend or other distribution
payable in respect of the Collateral or any part thereof and to give
full discharge for the same, provided that prior to the occurrence
of a default, Secured Party shall remit to Debtor for its own
account any interest payments, distributions or cash dividends
(other than liquidating distributions or dividends) received by
Secured Party in respect of the Collateral.
7. Application of Securities Laws. Debtor recognizes that Secured Party's
ability to effect a public sale of all or a part of the Collateral may be
limited by reason of certain prohibitions contained in the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, as now or hereafter in effect, the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, as now or
29
<PAGE>
hereafter in effect, or in applicable Blue Sky or other state securities
laws, as now or hereafter in effect, and Secured Party may be compelled to
resort to one or more private sales of the Collateral to a restricted group
of purchasers who may be obliged to agree, among other things, to acquire
such Collateral for their own account, for investment and not with a view
to the distribution or resale thereof. Debtor agrees that private sales so
made may be at prices and other terms less favorable than if such
Collateral were sold at public sales, and that Secured Party has no
obligation to delay sale of any such Collateral for the period of time
necessary to permit the issuer of such Collateral, even if such issuer
would agree, to register such Collateral for public sale under such
applicable securities laws. Debtor agree that private sales made under the
foregoing circumstances shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially
reasonable manner.
8. Remedies Cumulative. The remedies provided herein in favor of Secured Party
shall not be deemed exclusive, but shall be cumulative, and shall be in
addition to all other remedies in favor of Secured Party existing at law or
in equity, including without limitation, those remedies specified in the
Note.
9. No Waiver. No delay on the part of Secured Party or of any holder of the
obligations in exercising any of its options, powers or rights, or partial
or single exercise thereof, shall constitute a waiver thereof. No waiver or
amendment of any provision of this Agreement shall be enforceable unless in
writing and signed by Secured Party and unless it expressly refers to the
provision affected.
10. Termination of the Security Interest. Upon the occurrence of a Collateral
Release Event,
10.01. Secured Party shall terminate and release its Security Interest.
10.02. Debtor shall be entitled to the return of all of the Collateral and
the release by Secured Party of its security interest therein.
11. Notices. Any notice of any sale, lease, other disposition, or other
intended action by Secured Party shall be deemed reasonable if it is in
writing and deposited in the United States mail fifteen (15) days in
advance of the intended disposition or other intended action, first class
postage prepaid, and addressed to Debtor at its address set forth below (or
any other address designated in a written notice by Debtor previously
received by Secured Party).
12. Governing Law. This Security Agreement and the rights and obligations of
Secured Party and Debtor hereunder shall be construed in accordance with
and governed by the internal laws of the State of Illinois, cannot be
changed orally, and shall bind and inure to the benefit of Debtor and
Secured Party and their respective successors and assigns.
13. Counterparts. This Security Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which
taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
14. Secured Party's Signature Not Necessary. The Debtor acknowledges that this
Security Agreement is and shall be effective upon execution of the Debtor
and delivery to and acceptance hereof by the Secured Party, and it shall
not be necessary for the Secured Party to execute any acceptance hereof or
otherwise to signify or express its acceptance hereof to Debtor. This
Agreement may be executed by facsimile signature, but Debtor agrees to
furnish an original to Secured Party within ten business days after
signing.
15. Headings. The article headings of this Security Agreement are for
convenience of reference only, and will not affect the meaning of any of
its provisions.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor and Secured Party have caused this Security
Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
30
<PAGE>
Edwin Jacobson, as Collateral Agent for the benefit of
the parties listed on Exhibit A hereto
HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY, INC.
By ____________________________
Its ____________________________
Attest:
________________________
31
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
SECURED CREDITORS
-----------------
NAME ADDRESS FAX NUMBER
- ---- ------- ----------
and the respective successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.
32
<PAGE>
CONTROL AGREEMENT
This CONTROL AGREEMENT, dated as of December __, 1999, (the "Control
-------
Agreement") is entered into between Heartland Partners, L.P., a Delaware
- ---------
limited liability partnership (the "Partnership"), Heartland Technology, Inc.
-----------
(the "Debtor"), and Edwin Jacobson, as Collateral Agent for the benefit of the
------
parties listed on Exhibit A hereto (the "Secured Party").
-------------
1. The Debtor and the Secured Party have entered into a certain Security
Agreement executed as of the date hereof (the "Security Agreement"). All
------------------
capitalized terms used in this Control Agreement shall have the meaning
ascribed to them in the Security Agreement. Pursuant to the Security
Agreement, the Debtor has granted the Secured Party a security interest in
the Collateral, including the Class B Limited Partnership Interest in the
Partnership (the "Pledged Collateral"). The parties are entering into this
------------------
Control Agreement to perfect the security interest in the Pledged
Collateral.
2. The Partnership represents and warrants to the Secured Party that:
2.1. The Partnership is the issuer of the Pledged Collateral.
2.2. The Pledged Collateral is a security within the meaning of (S) 8-
102(a)(15) of the UCC.
2.3. No certificate has been issued to represent the Pledged Collateral,
and the Pledged Collateral is an uncertificated security within the
meaning of (S) 8-102(a)(18) of the UCC.
2.4. The Partnership does not know of any claim to or interest in the
Pledged Collateral, except for claims and interests of the parties
referred to in this Control Agreement.
3. The Partnership will comply with all notifications it receives directing it
to transfer or redeem the Pledged Collateral (each an entitlement order)
originated by the Secured Party without further consent by the Debtor.
4. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Partnership will comply
with entitlement orders originated by the Debtor without further consent by
the Secured Party. If the Secured Party notifies the Partnership that the
Secured Party will exercise exclusive control over the Pledged Collateral
(a "notice of exclusive control"), the Partnership will cease complying
---------------------------
with entitlement orders or other directions concerning the Pledged
Collateral originated by the Debtor and distributing to the Debtor interest
and dividends on property in the Pledged Collateral. Until the Partnership
receives a notice of exclusive control, the Partnership may distribute to
the Debtor all interest and regular cash dividends on property in the
Pledged Collateral. The Partnership will not comply with any entitlement
order originated by the Debtor that would require the Partnership to make a
free delivery to the Debtor or any other person.
5. The Partnership subordinates in favor of the Secured Party any security
interest, lien, or right of setoff it may have, now or in the future,
against the Pledged Collateral. The Partnership will not agree with any
third party that the Partnership will comply with entitlement orders
originated by the third party.
6. The Partnership will send copies of all statements and confirmations for
the Pledged Collateral simultaneously to the Debtor and the Secured Party.
The Partnership will use reasonable efforts promptly to notify the Secured
Party and the Debtor if any other person claims that it has a property
interest in property in the Pledged Collateral and that it is a violation
of that person's rights for anyone else to hold, transfer, or deal with the
property.
7. Except for permitting a withdrawal, delivery, or payment in violation of
section 4, the Partnership will not be liable to the Secured Party for
complying with entitlement
33
<PAGE>
orders from the Debtor that are received by the Partnership before the
Partnership receives and has a reasonable opportunity to act on a notice of
exclusive control. The Partnership will not be liable to the Debtor for
complying with a notice of exclusive control or with entitlement orders
originated by the Secured Party, even if the Debtor notifies the
Partnership that the Secured Party is not legally entitled to issue the
entitlement order or notice of exclusive control, unless the Partnership
takes the action after it is served with an injunction, restraining order,
or other legal process enjoining it from doing so, issued by a court of
competent jurisdiction, and had a reasonable opportunity to act on the
injunction, restraining order or other legal process, or the Partnership
acts in collusion with the Secured Party in violating the Debtor's rights.
8. This Control Agreement does not create any obligation of the Partnership
except for those expressly set forth in this Control Agreement. In
particular, the Partnership need not investigate whether the Secured Party
is entitled under the Secured Party's agreements with the Debtor to give an
entitlement order or a notice of exclusive control. the Partnership may
rely on notices and communications it believes given by the appropriate
party.
9. The Secured Party and the Debtor will indemnify the Partnership, its
officers, directors, employees, and agents against claims, liabilities, and
expenses arising out of this Control Agreement (including reasonable
attorneys' fees and disbursements), except to the extent the claims,
liabilities, or expenses are caused by the Partnership's gross negligence
or willful misconduct. The Secured Party's and the Debtor's liability under
this section is joint and several.
10. The Secured Party may terminate this Control Agreement by notice to the
Partnership and the Debtor. The Partnership may terminate this Control
Agreement on 30 days' notice to the Secured Party and the Debtor.
11. If the Secured Party notifies the Partnership that the Secured Party's
security interest in the Pledged Collateral has terminated, this Security
Agreement will immediately terminate. Sections 8 and 9 will survive
termination of this Control Agreement.
12. This Control Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of
Illinois. The Partnership and the Debtor may not change the law governing
the Pledged Collateral without the Secured Party's express written
agreement.
13. This agreement is the entire agreement, and supersedes any prior agreements
and contemporaneous oral agreements, of the parties concerning its subject
matter.
14. No amendment of, or waiver of a right under, this Control Agreement will be
binding unless it is in writing and signed by the party to be charged.
15. To the extent a provision of this Control Agreement is unenforceable, this
Control Agreement will be construed as if the unenforceable provision were
omitted.
16. All property credited to the Pledged Collateral will be treated as
financial assets under Article 8 of the Illinois Uniform Commercial Code.
17. A successor to or assignee of the Secured Party's rights and obligations
under the security agreement between the Secured Party and the Debtor will
succeed to the Secured Party's rights and obligations under this Control
Agreement.
18. A notice or other communication to a party under this Control Agreement
will be in writing (except that entitlement orders may be given orally),
will be sent to the party's address set forth below or to such other
address as the party may notify the other parties and will be effective on
receipt.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor and Secured Party have caused this Security Agreement
to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
34
<PAGE>
HEARTLAND PARTNERS, L.P.
By Heartland Technology, Inc.
Its General Partner
By __________________________
Its _____________________
Attest:
________________________
_______________________________________________________
Edwin Jacobson, as Collateral Agent for the benefit of
the parties listed on Exhibit A hereto
HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY, INC.
By ____________________________
Its ____________________________
Attest:
________________________
35
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
SECURED CREDITORS
-----------------
NAME ADDRESS FAX NUMBER
- ---- ------- ----------
and the respective successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.
36
<PAGE>
COLLATERAL AGENT AGREEMENT
THIS COLLATERAL AGENT AGREEMENT, dated as of December __, 1999 (this
"Agreement"), is among Edwin Jacobson (the "Agent") and the parties listed on
the attached Exhibit A (the "Secured Creditors").
R E C I T A L S:
- - - - - - - -
A. Heartland Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Borrower"), has
issued or will issue a series of 13% Subordinated Notes in aggregate principal
amount not to exceed $2,000,000 (the "Notes");
B. The Notes are secured by a pledge of the Class B limited partnership
interest of Heartland Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the
"Collateral") pursuant to the terms of that certain Security Agreement (the
"Security Agreement") made by Borrower in favor of the Secured Creditors;
C. The Secured Creditors and Agent desire enter into this Agreement and
to set forth certain agreements relating to, among other things, the
administration of liens created under the Security Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual
covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS
-----------
1.1 "Agent Claims" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
--------------
2.2(a) of this Agreement.
1.2 "Credit Documents" shall mean, collectively, this Agreement, the
------------------
Security Agreement, the Notes and all agreements, documents and instruments
contemplated thereby or executed in connection therewith, as any and all of the
foregoing documents may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
1.3 "Business Day" shall mean any day of the year on which the Agent is
--------------
open for business in Chicago, Illinois.
1.4 "Collateral" shall have the meaning defined in the Security Agreement.
------------
1.5 "Event of Default" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
------------------
2.6 of this Agreement.
1.6 "Indemnified Lender Amounts" shall mean, at the time any determination
----------------------------
thereof is to be made, all costs, expenses, fees, indemnities, reimbursements
and other amounts then due and payable by Borrower to the Secured Creditors
under the Credit Documents (other than, in each case, costs, expenses, and other
amounts (1) which relate to Nonindemnifiable Litigation Expenses (as hereinafter
defined), or (2) with respect to Secured Creditors, payments to be made by
Secured Creditors pursuant to Section 2.2(c) of this Agreement). For purposes
of this definition and the provisions in which this term is contained, the term
"Secured Creditor" shall be deemed to include any director, officer, attorney,
member, accountant, consultant, agent or employee of the Secured Creditor.
1.7 "Liabilities" shall mean any and all of Borrower's obligations to the
-------------
Secured Creditors, howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or
indirect, absolute or contingent, now or hereafter existing or due or to become
due, under the Credit Documents.
1.8 "Nonindemnifiable Agent Claims" shall have the meaning ascribed
-------------------------------
thereto in Section 2.2(a) of this Agreement.
1.9 "Nonindemnifiable Litigation Expenses" shall mean any costs, expenses,
--------------------------------------
fees, indemnities and other amounts payable by Borrower to the Secured Creditors
which relate to claims made against the Secured Creditors by Borrower or a third
party and which relate to a claim with respect to which it is finally determined
by
37
<PAGE>
a court of competent jurisdiction that the Secured Creditors to whom such
amounts are owed failed to act in good faith or in a manner which is
commercially reasonable.
1.10 "Security Agreement" shall mean that certain Security Agreement to be
--------------------
made by the Borrower in favor of the Secured Creditors.
1.11 Other Definitions. When used herein, the words "good faith" and
-----------------
"reasonableness" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Uniform
Commercial Code, as interpreted by the Federal and state courts having
jurisdiction over Illinois matters.
2. AGENCY AGREEMENT
----------------
2.1 Authorization. The Agent shall act as collateral agent, in a
-------------
fiduciary capacity, for all purposes for the benefit of the Secured Creditors
with respect to the Liabilities. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof,
the Secured Creditors authorize the Agent, on behalf of the Secured Creditors,
to exercise such rights and remedies provided for under this Agreement and the
other Credit Documents in existence on the date hereof or hereafter entered into
with the written consent of Borrower and the Secured Creditors and to take such
other actions as may be reasonably incidental thereto; provided, that the Agent
--------
shall not have the authority to amend, supplement, modify or waive any material
provision of or give any consent under any of the Credit Documents without the
prior written consent of the Secured Creditors; and, provided further, that the
----------------
Agent shall consult regularly and as-needed with the Secured Creditors and shall
act in accordance with any written instructions provided to it by the Secured
Creditors. Subject to its fiduciary obligations, the Agent may perform any of
its duties hereunder by or through agents or employees, and shall be entitled to
retain counsel and to act in reliance on the advice of such counsel concerning
all matters pertaining to the agencies created hereby and its duties hereunder,
and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in
good faith in accordance with the advice of counsel selected by it, except as
provided in Section 2.3 of this Agreement.
2.2 Indemnification.
---------------
(a) The Secured Creditors hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless
the Agent from and against any and all losses, liabilities (including
liabilities for penalties), actions, suits, judgments, demands, damages,
reasonable costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses), reasonably incurred or suffered by the Agent, in
its capacity as such, as a result of any action taken or omitted to be taken by
the Agent in such capacity, or otherwise incurred or suffered by, made upon, or
assessed against the Agent in such capacity, relating to or arising out of this
Agreement, or any other Credit Documents (collectively, "Agent Claims");
provided, however, that (i) the Secured Creditors shall not be required to
- -------- -------
indemnify or hold harmless the Agent from and against any Agent Claims
(collectively, "Nonindemnifiable Agent Claims") resulting from or attributable
to (1) the failure of the Agent or of its officers, employees or agents to act
in its fiduciary capacity, in good faith or in a manner which is commercially
reasonable (2) the Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct, or (3) any
action taken by the Agent in connection with enforcing its and the Secured
Creditors' rights and remedies with respect to the Collateral not consented to
in writing, or deemed to be consented to under Section 2.2(f) of this Agreement,
by the Secured Creditors, except that the Secured Creditors shall indemnify the
Agent to the extent of any amount distributed or distributable to the Secured
Creditors as a result of such unconsented action, and (ii) the Secured
Creditors' payment of any amount to the Agent pursuant to this Section shall not
prejudice the rights of the Secured Creditors to assert a claim, in a separate
action or proceeding, against the Agent to recover any portion of any such Agent
Claims previously reimbursed by the Secured Creditors resulting from or
attributable to Nonindemnifiable Agent Claims. In furtherance of the foregoing,
the Secured Creditors hereby agree that the Agent may retain, from the proceeds
of the Collateral in accordance with Section 2.8 of this Agreement, any out-of-
pocket expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and
expenses) incurred by the Agent in its capacity as Agent and not reimbursed to
the Agent by Borrower or the Secured Creditors, except that the Agent shall not
be reimbursed for costs and expenses incurred by the Agent which constitute, or
which relate to the defense of, Nonindemnifiable Agent Claims
38
<PAGE>
except to the extent otherwise indemnifiable as provided in clause (i)(3) of
this Section 2.2(a). The Secured Creditors may, at their option, reimburse the
Agent any such out-of-pocket expenses at any time. Obligations of the Secured
Creditors and of the Agent under this Section 2.2 shall survive the termination
of this Agreement and the discharge of the Liabilities for the applicable
statute of limitations period with respect to claims against the Agent or the
Secured Creditors.
(b) The Agent hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Secured Creditors from and against any and all losses, liabilities (including
liabilities for penalties), actions, suits, judgments, demands, damages, costs
and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and
expenses), incurred or suffered by the Secured Creditors as a result of any
action taken or omitted to be taken by the Agent in breach of this Agreement, or
as a result of any action taken or omitted to be taken by Agent, or otherwise
incurred or suffered by, made upon, or assessed against the Secured Creditors,
which result from or are attributable to the failure of the Agent to act in a
fiduciary capacity, in good faith or in a manner which is commercially
reasonable.
(c) The Secured Creditors hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless
the Agent from and against any and all actions, suits, judgments, demands,
damages, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses), incurred or suffered by the Agent as a result of
any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Secured Creditors or otherwise
incurred or suffered by, made upon, or assessed against the Agent which result
from or are attributable to the failure of the Secured Creditors to act in good
faith or in a manner which is commercially reasonable.
(d) Any Agent Claims that are not required to be reimbursed by the
Secured Creditors pursuant to the proviso in Section 2.2(a) of this Agreement,
after appropriate court determination, where required, shall not constitute
Indemnified Agent Amounts.
(e) In the event of any third party claim against the Agent or the
Secured Creditors (the "Indemnified Party") with respect to which the Agent or
the Secured Creditors (the "Indemnifying Parties") are obligated to indemnify
the Indemnified Party hereunder, the party which bears the greatest risk of
loss, as determined by the Secured Creditors, with respect to such claim under
the provisions of this Agreement (taking into account, among other things, the
impact of any possible payment of the losses, costs and expenses relating
thereto pursuant to Section 2.8 hereof) shall be called the "Major Indemnifying
Party." With respect to any such third party claim, the Indemnified Party shall
keep the Indemnifying Parties advised as to the status of the claim, any
proceedings initiated with respect thereto and any settlement discussions
occurring with respect thereto, and shall consult with the Major Indemnifying
Party with respect to the defense thereof. The Major Indemnifying Party shall
have the right, at its option and expense, to be represented by counsel of its
choice and to defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with the third
party claim. Each other Indemnifying Party shall have the right to be consulted
with respect to actions to be taken in connection therewith. The Indemnified
Party agrees not to settle any such third party claim in an amount in excess of
$50,000 without the prior written consent of the Major Indemnifying Party (which
consent will not be unreasonably withheld) and agrees not to unreasonably
withhold its agreement to any settlement thereof approved by the Major
Indemnifying Party; provided that, in the event that the Major Indemnifying
Party or the Indemnified Party (the "Requesting Party") reasonably requests the
consent of the other (the "Responding Party") to settle a third party claim and
the Responding Party unreasonably fails to consent to the settlement of the
claim on the terms described by the Requesting Party, the Responding Party shall
indemnify and hold harmless the Requesting Party from and against liabilities
and losses, incurred by the Requesting Party pursuant to a final judgment
rendered with respect to the third party claim in excess of such liabilities and
losses which otherwise would have been incurred by the Requesting Party under
the terms of the settlement offer which the Responding Party declined to accept.
(f) For purposes of this Agreement, the Secured Creditors shall have
seven (7) Business Days following receipt of written notice of any action
proposed to be taken by the Agent in its capacity as Agent in connection with
enforcing its and the Secured Creditors' rights and remedies with respect to the
39
<PAGE>
Collateral to grant its consent, or to disapprove of such action. Failure of
the Secured Creditors to respond in writing to the Agent within seven (7)
Business Days following receipt of such notice from the Agent shall be deemed
consent to the proposed action.
2.3 Exculpation. The Agent shall be entitled to rely upon advice of
-----------
counsel, concerning legal matters, and upon this Agreement, the Credit
Documents, any security agreement, schedule, certificate, statement, report,
notice or other writing which it believes in good faith, after reasonable
inquiry, to be genuine or to have been presented by a proper person. Except to
the extent of its, or their, respective actual knowledge, neither the Agent in
its capacity as such nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents
shall (i) be responsible for any recitals, representations or warranties
contained in, or for the execution, validity, genuineness, effectiveness or
enforceability of this Agreement, the Credit Documents or any instrument or
document delivered under or in connection with any thereof, (ii) be responsible
for the validity, genuineness, perfection, effectiveness, enforceability,
existence, value or enforcement of any collateral security, (iii) subject to the
limitations set forth below, be under any duty to inquire into or pass upon any
of the foregoing matters, or to make any inquiry concerning the performance by
Borrower or any other obligor of its obligations, or (iv) in any event, be
liable as such for any action taken or omitted by it or them, except for
liability resulting from (x) its or their failure to act in a fiduciary
capacity, in good faith or in a manner which is commercially reasonable or (y) a
material breach by the Agent of this Agreement.
2.4 Resignation or Removal. The Agent may resign as such at any time upon
----------------------
at least 30 days' prior notice to Borrower and the Secured Creditors. The
Secured Creditors may remove the Agent upon written notice to the Agent. No
such resignation or removal shall become effective unless and until a successor
Agent under this Agreement is appointed and has accepted the appointment. In
the event of resignation or removal of the Agent hereunder, the Agent shall be
entitled to its fees and expenses to the date of removal. In the event of any
such resignation or removal, the Secured Creditors shall promptly as practicable
appoint a successor Agent mutually satisfactory to them. Upon the acceptance of
any appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent, such successor Agent
shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers,
privileges and duties of the retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be
discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement except the duty
to execute and deliver any documents necessary to vest or confirm the vesting of
such rights, powers, privileges and duties in such successor Agent, and to
cooperate with the Secured Creditors and any successor Agent in the prosecution
or defense of claims by or against the Secured Creditors relating to or arising
out of the Credit Documents. After any retiring Agent's resignation or removal
hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Agreement shall continue in effect
with respect to actions taken or omitted to be taken by said Agent while it was
acting in its capacity as Agent hereunder. After the retiring Agent's
resignation or removal hereunder as Agent, each reference herein to a place for
giving of notice or deliveries to the Agent shall be deemed to refer to the
principal office of the successor Agent or such other office of the successor
Agent as it may specify to the Secured Creditors.
2.5 Custody of Collateral. The Agent shall be responsible for the custody
---------------------
and preservation of the Collateral consisting of securities and act in good
faith and in a commercially reasonable manner with respect to the custody and
preservation of the Collateral in its possession. If Agent resigns or is
replaced, Agent shall follow the written instructions of Secured Creditors with
respect to the delivery of the Collateral to a successor Agent.
2.6 Notice of Default. The Agent shall give the Secured Creditors notice,
-----------------
as soon as reasonably practicable, if the Agent obtains actual knowledge, that
an "event of default" under any Credit Document ("Event of Default") shall have
occurred and be continuing; provided, however, that, in the absence of such
-----------------
knowledge, the Agent shall not be liable to any person or entity for its failure
to give such notice, and such failure shall not impair or otherwise affect the
validity of any action taken by the Agent pursuant to this Agreement or any of
the Credit Documents.
40
<PAGE>
2.7 Enforcement of the Security Interests. The Agent acknowledges that it
-------------------------------------
holds all liens and security interests granted and provided in the Credit
Documents for the benefit of the Secured Creditors with respect to the
Liabilities. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Agent may
exercise from time to time such rights and remedies as are available to it and
the Secured Creditors with respect to the Liabilities under the Credit Documents
and the applicable law with respect to the Collateral, provided that Agent shall
use its best efforts to obtain the written consent of Secured Creditors before
taking any material actions with respect to the Collateral. Subject to the
foregoing, and subject to the instructions of the Secured Creditors, as to which
Agent shall abide, following the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Agent,
in its capacity as such, shall in its reasonable discretion determine the time,
manner and method in which the Agent shall exercise the rights and remedies of
the Secured Creditors under the Credit Documents. The Agent agrees that,
following the occurrence of an Event of Default, upon the request of the Secured
Creditors, it will confer with the Secured Creditors or a representative
selected by the Secured Creditors on a weekly basis (or such other periodic
basis as may be agreed to by the Secured Creditors and the Agent) at a mutually
acceptable time by telephone or other mutually agreeable means, and report to
the Secured Creditors or representative concerning the status of any foreclosure
proceedings and other actions taken or proposed to be taken with respect to the
realization upon the Collateral. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, the Agent shall have no liability to the Secured Creditors for any
action taken or omitted to be taken or for any error in judgment, except for its
failure to act in a fiduciary capacity, in good faith or in a manner which is
commercially reasonable as finally determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction. Anything contained in the Credit Documents to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Secured Creditors agrees that the liens and security
interests granted and provided for in the Credit Documents shall not be enforced
unless permitted by the terms of the applicable law.
2.8 Allocation of Collateral Proceeds All proceeds of Collateral received
---------------------------------
by the Agent from and after the occurrence of an Event of Default shall be
disbursed by the Agent for the following purposes and in the following order of
priority:
First, to reimburse the Agent for unpaid Agent Claims;
-----
Second, to the Secured Creditors in reimbursement for any Agent Claims
------
theretofore paid by the Secured Creditors;
Third, to the Secured Creditors in reimbursement for Indemnified
-----
Lender Amounts;
Fourth, to the Secured Creditors pro rata, based upon the percentage
------
of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Notes held by each
Secured Creditor, in payment of outstanding principal amounts of the Note.
2.9 Secured Creditor Instructions. To the extent that Agent requests
-----------------------------
instructions from the Secured Creditors, or in the event that Agent receives
instructions from the Secured Creditors, Agent shall be entitled to rely on such
instructions if (a) they are in writing and (b) such instructions are signed by
that number of Secured Creditors which represents a majority of the principal
amount of outstanding Notes.
3. MISCELLANEOUS
-------------
3.1 Notices. All notices, demands and other communications provided for
-------
hereunder shall be in writing (including communication by telecopier) and shall
be mailed, telecopied or delivered, if to the Secured Creditors, to the
addresses and telecopier numbers set forth in Exhibit A; if to Collateral Agent,
to it at 547 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60601; telecopier number
(312) 663-9397, or, as to each party, to it at such other address as designated
by such party in a written notice to the other parties. All such notices and
communications shall, (a) when mailed, be effective 3 Business Days after the
same is deposited into the mails with first-class postage prepaid, (b) when sent
for next-day delivery by a reputable freight company or reputable overnight
courier service, be effective 1 Business Day after the same is delivered to such
company or service, as the case may be, and (c) when sent by telecopier, be
effective on the opening of the next Business Day after
41
<PAGE>
sending. Delivery by telecopier of an executed counterpart of any amendment or
waiver of, or consent to, any provision of this Agreement shall be effective as
delivery of an originally executed counterpart thereof.
3.2 No Additional Rights for Borrower Hereunder. If the Secured Creditors
-------------------------------------------
shall enforce their rights or remedies in violation of the terms of this
Agreement, Borrower agrees that it shall not use such violation as a defense to
the enforcement by the Secured Creditors under the Credit Documents nor assert
such violation as a counterclaim or basis for set-off or recoupment against the
Secured Creditors.
3.3 Independent Credit Investigations. The Secured Creditors shall not be
---------------------------------
responsible to any other person, firm or corporation, for the Borrower's
solvency, financial condition or ability to repay any of the Liabilities, or for
statements of the Borrower, oral or written, or for the validity, sufficiency or
enforceability of any of the Liabilities, the Credit Documents, or any liens or
security interests granted by Borrower to the Agent, for the benefit of the
Secured Creditors with respect to the Liabilities, in connection therewith. The
Secured Creditors hereby acknowledge that it has entered into its financing
agreements with Borrower based upon its independent investigation and credit
determination.
3.4 No Waiver/ Amendments. No delay on the part of the Agent or the
---------------------
Secured Creditors in the exercise of any right or remedy shall operate as a
waiver thereof, and no single or partial exercise by the Agent or the Secured
Creditors of any right or remedy shall preclude other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy; no modification or waiver
of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be binding except as expressly
set forth in a writing duly signed and delivered on behalf of the party to be
charged.
3.5 Computations. Where the character or amount of any asset or liability
------------
or item of income or expense is required to be determined, or consolidation or
other accounting computation is required to be made, for the purpose of this
Agreement, such determination or calculation shall, to the extent applicable and
except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, be made in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis consistent with
those at the time in effect.
3.6 Costs, Expenses and Taxes. Borrower agrees to pay on demand all out-
-------------------------
of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and legal
expenses) incurred by the Agent in its capacity as Agent in connection with the
enforcement of this Agreement or the Credit Documents and any such other
instruments or documents or any Collateral. All obligations provided for in
this Section shall survive any termination of this Agreement and the discharge
of the Liabilities.
3.7 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
----------------------
inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of each of the
parties hereto, but does not otherwise create, and shall not be construed as
creating, any rights enforceable by any person not a party to this Agreement
other than a transferee or a participant of the Secured Creditors or the Agent
but only if such party agrees in writing to be bound by the provisions of this
Agreement.
3.8 Governing Law and Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed as to
------------------------------
validity, interpretation, enforcement and effect by the internal laws of the
State of Illinois (without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law).
Each party hereto hereby agrees to irrevocably submit to the nonexclusive
jurisdiction of any Illinois state or Federal court sitting in Cook County,
Illinois over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this
Agreement, and any such party hereby agrees and consents that, in addition to
any methods of service of process provided for in any applicable law, all
service of process in any such suit, action or proceeding in any Illinois state
or Federal court sitting in Cook County, Illinois may be made by certified or
registered mail, return receipt requested, directed to the applicable party at
the address indicated in Section 3.1 hereof, or such other address as such party
shall have given to the other parties hereto in accordance with Section 3.1, and
service so made shall be complete five (5) Business Days after the same shall
have been so mailed.
3.9 Information. Upon the request of the Secured Creditors or the Agent,
-----------
each of the Secured Creditors and Agent agrees to use its reasonable best
efforts to
42
<PAGE>
provide, the other with all information in its possession relating to the
transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents and with any credit or other
information with respect to any of the Collateral.
3.10 Counterparts This Agreement and any amendment or supplement hereto or
------------
any waiver granted in connection herewith may be executed in any number of
counterparts and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original, but
all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same agreement.
3.11 Section Titles. The section titles contained in this Agreement are
--------------
and shall be deemed to be without substantive meaning or content of any kind
whatsoever and are not a part of the agreement between the parties hereto.
3.12 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other documents and
----------------
instruments being executed, delivered or both, concurrently herewith, set forth
the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersede all prior understandings, agreements,
arrangements and communications, whether verbal or written, of the parties
regarding the same subject matter.
* * *
43
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date and
year first above written.
AGENT:
______________________________
Edwin Jacobson
SECURED CREDITORS:
By: ______________________________
Name: ______________________________
By: ______________________________
Name: ______________________________
By: ______________________________
Name: ______________________________
By: _____________________________
Name: _____________________________
44
<PAGE>
The undersigned hereby acknowledges and agrees to the foregoing provisions.
By executing this Agreement, the undersigned agrees to be bound by the
provisions hereof; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall
-----------------
amend, modify, change or supersede the respective terms of the Credit Documents
(or any other document to which any of the undersigned may be a party) as
between the Secured Creditor and the undersigned and, in the event of any
conflict or inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and the Credit
Documents (or any such other documents, as the case may be) the terms of the
Credit Documents (and such other documents) shall govern. The undersigned
further agrees that the terms of this agreement shall not give the undersigned
any substantive rights vis-a-vis the Secured Creditor.
HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY, INC.
By: ______________________________
Name: ______________________________
45
<PAGE>
Exhibit A
SECURED CREDITORS
-----------------
NAME ADDRESS FAX NUMBER
- ---- ------- ----------
and the respective successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.
46
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.2
THIRD AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
THIS THIRD AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of November
_____, 1999, is made by and between P. G. DESIGN ELECTRONICS, INC., a Delaware
corporation (the "Borrower"), and WELLS FARGO BUSINESS CREDIT, INC., a Minnesota
corporation formerly known as Norwest Business Credit, Inc. (the "Lender").
R E C I T A L S:
The Borrower and the Lender have entered into a Credit and Security
Agreement dated as of December 31, 1998, as amended (the "Credit Agreement").
Capitalized terms used in these recitals have the meanings given to them in the
Credit Agreement unless otherwise specified.
The Borrower has requested that the Lender make a special accommodation
advance to the Borrower, which the Lender is willing to make pursuant to the
terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants and agreements herein contained, it is agreed as follows:
1. Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used in this Amendment which are defined
-------------
in the Credit Agreement shall have the same meanings as defined therein, unless
otherwise defined herein. In addition, Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is
amended by adding or amending, as the case may be, the following definitions:
"Borrowing Base" means, at any time the lesser of:
(a) the Maximum Line; or
(b) subject to change from time to time in the Lender's
discretion, the sum of:
(i) the lesser of (A) 85% of Eligible Accounts or (B)
$10,500,000; plus
----
(ii) the lesser of (A) 32% of Eligible Inventory, which
percentage shall continue to be reduced (1) on the
first day of each month by 1% per month commencing on
December 1, 1999 and (2) on the fifteenth day of each
month by 2.5% per month commencing on December 15,
1999, or (B) $1,400,000, which amount shall continue
to be reduced on the fifteenth day of each month by
$100,000 commencing on December 15, 1999; minus
-----
(iii) the Zecal Reserve; plus
----
(iv) the outstanding amount of the Special Accommodation.
"Floating Rate" means an annual rate equal to the sum of the Prime
Rate plus one fourth percent (.25%), which annual rate shall change when
----
and as the Prime Rate changes.
"Prime Rate" means the rate of interest publicly announced from time
to time by Wells Fargo Bank, N. A. as its "prime rate" or, if such bank
ceases to announce a rate so designated, any similar successor rate
designated by the Lender.
"Special Accommodation" has the meaning given in Section 2.1(c).
Further, Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the
definition for "Base Rate."
4. Amendment to Section 2.1. Section 2.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended by
------------------------
adding part (c) to read as follows:
(c) On or after November _____, 1999 the Lender will make a Special
Accommodation (the "Special Accommodation") of up to Two Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($200,000), which Special Accommodation shall be secured by the
Collateral as provided in Article III hereof. The unpaid principal of the
Special Accommodation shall be due and payable in full on December 30,
1999.
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5. No Other Changes. Except as explicitly amended by this Amendment, all of
----------------
the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect and shall apply to any Advance or Letter of Credit thereunder.
Notwithstanding the above revisions to the definition of "Floating Rate," the
Borrower hereby acknowledges that interest under the Credit Agreement is
currently accruing and will hereafter, so long as the current Default Period is
in effect, continue to accrue at the Default Rate (the Floating Rate plus three
----
percent (3%)).
6. Accommodation Fee. In consideration of the Lender's execution of this
-----------------
Amendment, the Borrower hereby agrees to pay to the Lender a fully earned,
nonrefundable fee in the amount of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000).
7. Conditions Precedent. This Amendment shall be effective when the Lender
--------------------
shall have received an executed original hereof, together with each of the
following, each in substance and form acceptable to the Lender in its sole
discretion:
(a) A Certificate of the Secretary of the Borrower certifying as to (i) the
resolutions of the board of directors of the Borrower approving the execution
and delivery of this Amendment, (ii) the fact that the articles of incorporation
and bylaws of the Borrower, which were certified and delivered to the Lender
pursuant to the Certificate of Authority of the Borrower's secretary or
assistant secretary dated as of December 31, 1999 continue in full force and
effect and have not been amended or otherwise modified except as set forth in
the Certificate to be delivered, and (iii) setting forth the sample signatures
of each of the officers and agents of the Borrower authorized to execute and
deliver this Amendment and all other documents, agreements and certificates on
behalf of the Borrower.
(b) The Acknowledgment and Agreement of Guarantors set forth at the end of
this Amendment, duly executed by each Guarantor.
(c) Evidence of an additional contribution of capital or loan to the
Borrower by Heartland of not less than Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000).
(d) Such other matters as the Lender may require.
8. Representations and Warranties. The Borrower hereby represents and
------------------------------
warrants to the Lender as follows:
(a) The Borrower has all requisite power and authority to execute this
Amendment and to perform all of its obligations hereunder, and this Amendment
has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes the legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with its
terms.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this
Amendment have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not
(i) require any authorization, consent or approval by any governmental
department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or
foreign, (ii) violate any provision of any law, rule or regulation or of any
order, writ, injunction or decree presently in effect, having applicability to
the Borrower, or the articles of incorporation or by-laws of the Borrower, or
(iii) result in a breach of or constitute a default under any indenture or loan
or credit agreement or any other agreement, lease or instrument to which the
Borrower is a party or by which it or its properties may be bound or affected.
(c) All of the representations and warranties contained in Article V of the
Credit Agreement are correct on and as of the date hereof as though made on and
as of such date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties
relate solely to an earlier date.
9. References. All references in the Credit Agreement to "this Agreement"
----------
shall be deemed to refer to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby; and any and
all references in the Security Documents to the Credit Agreement shall be deemed
to refer to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby.
10. No Waiver. The execution of this Amendment and acceptance of any documents
---------
related hereto shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any Default or Event of
Default under the Credit Agreement or breach, default or event of default under
any Security
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Document or other document held by the Lender, whether or not known to the
Lender and whether or not existing on the date of this Amendment.
11. Release. The Borrower, and each Guarantor by signing the Acknowledgment
-------
and Agreement of Guarantors set forth below, each hereby absolutely and
unconditionally releases and forever discharges the Lender, and any and all
participants, parent corporations, subsidiary corporations, affiliated
corporations, insurers, indemnitors, successors and assigns thereof, together
with all of the present and former directors, officers, agents and employees of
any of the foregoing, from any and all claims, demands or causes of action of
any kind, nature or description, whether arising in law or equity or upon
contract or tort or under any state or federal law or otherwise, which the
Borrower or such Guarantor has had, now has or has made claim to have against
any such person for or by reason of any act, omission, matter, cause or thing
whatsoever arising from the beginning of time to and including the date of this
Amendment, whether such claims, demands and causes of action are matured or
unmatured or known or unknown.
12. Costs and Expenses. The Borrower hereby reaffirms its agreement under the
------------------
Credit Agreement to pay or reimburse the Lender on demand for all costs and
expenses incurred by the Lender in connection with the Credit Agreement, the
Security Documents and all other documents contemplated thereby, including
without limitation all reasonable fees and disbursements of legal counsel.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower specifically
agrees to pay all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Lender for the
services performed by such counsel in connection with the preparation of this
Amendment and the documents and instruments incidental hereto. The Borrower
hereby agrees that the Lender may, at any time or from time to time in its sole
discretion and without further authorization by the Borrower, make a loan to the
Borrower under the Credit Agreement, or apply the proceeds of any loan, for the
purpose of paying any such fees, disbursements, costs and expenses and the
accommodation fee pursuant to Paragraph 6 hereof.
13. Miscellaneous. This Amendment and the Acknowledgment and Agreement of
-------------
Guarantors may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so
executed and delivered shall be deemed an original and all of which
counterparts, taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Third Amendment to
Credit and Security Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written
above.
WELLS FARGO BUSINESS CREDIT, INC. P. G. DESIGN ELECTRONICS, INC.
By: ______________________________ By: ______________________________
Its: ______________________________ Its: ______________________________
ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND AGREEMENT OF GUARANTORS
The undersigned, each a guarantor of the indebtedness of P. G. Design
Electronics, Inc. (the "Borrower") to Wells Fargo Business Credit, Inc.,
formerly known as Norwest Business Credit, Inc. (the "Lender"), pursuant to a
separate Guaranty each dated as of December 31, 1998 (each, a "Guaranty"),
hereby (i) acknowledges receipt of the foregoing Amendment; (ii) consents to the
terms (including, without limitation, the release set forth in Paragraph 11 of
the Amendment) and execution thereof; (iii) reaffirms its obligations to the
Lender pursuant to the terms of its Guaranty; and (iv) acknowledges that the
Lender may amend, restate, extend, renew or otherwise modify the Credit
Agreement and any indebtedness or agreement of the Borrower, or enter into any
agreement or extend additional or other credit accommodations, without notifying
or obtaining the consent of the undersigned and without impairing the liability
of the undersigned under its Guaranty for all of the Borrower's present and
future indebtedness to the Lender.
HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY, INC.
49
<PAGE>
By: ______________________________
Its: ______________________________
ZECAL CORP.
By: ______________________________
Its: ______________________________
50
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.3
January 27, 2000
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL
Richard P. Brandstatter
Vice President - Finance
CMC Heartland Partners
547 West Jackson Blvd.
Suite 1510
Chicago, IL 60661
RE: P.G. Design Electronics, Inc. Credit and Security Agreement
Dear Rick:
In light of the continuing defaults and circumstances of P.G. Design
Electronics, Inc. (the "Borrower"), Wells Fargo Business Credit, Inc. (the
"Lender") hereby demands payment in full of all obligations due to Lender by the
close of business May 1, 2000. Concurrent with the Lender's demand for payment,
beginning February 1, 2000 an accommodation fee of $10,000 per month will be
charged the first day of each month until the Borrower pays in full all
obligations.
By virtue of this demand by Lender, Lender has no obligation to lend any further
amounts to Borrower. Any additional advances shall not constitute a "course of
dealing" or other evidence of any change in the "demand" nature of the
obligations due to Lender. This letter shall not in any way require Lender to
defer any of its rights or remedies until May 1, 2000, or any other date.
Nothing in this letter shall be deemed to be a waiver of any rights or remedies
nor deemed as an agreement to forbear, or restrict Lender in taking any action
or remedies afforded to it in the Credit and Security Agreement dated as of
December 31, 1998 (as so supplemented and amended, the "Agreement"), or any
other document or as allowed by law. Lender retains any and all rights
available to it.
Lender, at its sole discretion and without any requirement to do so, may
consider to continue to make Advances under the Agreement subject to all of its
rights and remedies.
Lender reserves all rights and remedies following a Default or Event of Default
under any Security Document or other document held by the Lender whether or not
known to the Lender and whether or not existing on the date of this letter.
Sincerely,
WELLS FARGO BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.
Thomas J. Zak
Vice President
51
