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) March 31,2000
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WESTBURY METALS GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New York
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
33-42408-NY 11-3023099
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Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
750 Shames Drive, Westbury, New York 11590
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(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
(516) 997-8333
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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ITEM 2. Acquisition or Disposition of Assets
On March 31,2000, the Registrant, through its wholly owned subsidiary,
Reliable - West Tech, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("RWT"), entered into an
agreement (the "Asset Purchase Agreement") with Southwestern Services, Inc. t/a
S.P.M. Corp. ("SPM"), a Virginia corporation, to purchase those assets
(excluding cash)of SPM which relate to SPM's business in the manufacture,
processing and sale of silver anodes, silver cyanide and potassium silver
cyanide. This transaction, which is scheduled to close on or before April 21,
2000, is subject to the approval of RWT's lending institution, Sovereign Bank of
New England ("Sovereign"), and to the satisfactory completion of RWT's due
diligence investigation. SPM is a manufacturer of silver semi-fabricated
products for the industrial plating industries. RWT will use the purchased
assets to continue the business operations of SPM with respect to the
manufacture, processing and sale of silver anodes, silver cyanide and potassium
silver cyanide.
The purchase price for the assets is $1,300,000. Sixty Five Thousand
Dollars($65,000) has been paid to SPM's attorney in escrow pending the Closing.
One Million Ten Thousand Dollars ($1,010,000) is to be paid in cash at the
Closing with the balance payable with an eight year, eight percent promissory
note in the principal amount of $225,000, providing for monthly installments of
interest only for the first two years and then semi-annual payments of principal
and interest to fully amortize the principal balance of the note over the six
year balance of the term. SPM shall also receive a future payment based upon
sales to certain of SPM's customers in an amount described in the Asset Purchase
Agreement. In addition, RWT has agreed to purchase at the Closing those accounts
receivable of SPM as are approved for purchase by Sovereign. The purchase price
for such receivables shall be the face value thereof. Any of such receivables as
are not collected by RWT within ninety days after the Closing shall be
repurchased by SPM at the face value thereof; this obligation is personally
guaranteed by the principal stockholders of SPM. At the Closing RWT shall
purchase SPM's metals inventory. The cash portion of the purchase price is to be
funded by a combination of the Registrant's funds and its existing line of
credit with Sovereign.
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At the Closing, RWT will enter into a three year employment agreement
(the "Employment Agreement") with Allen O. Woody, III, the President and one of
the principal shareholders of SPM. Mr. Woody shall serve as a senior vice
president of RWT. The employment agreement provides for an annual salary of
$50,000, plus commissions based upon sales originated entirely by Woody to those
customers assigned to Woody by RWT. The amount of the commissions is described
in the Employment Agreement.
ITEM 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Exhibits.
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(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired
No financial statements are provided with respect to the
assets acquired since the value of the assets being purchased is less than the
amount which would necessitate inclusion of financial statements with this
report.
(c) Exhibits
1. Copy of Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of
March 31,2000.
2. Copy of Employment Agreement between Reliable -
West Tech, Inc and Allen O. Woody, III dated as
of April __, 2000.
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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.
WESTBURY METALS GROUP, INC.
(Registrant)
By:
Mark R. Buckley, Chief Financial Officer
DATED: April 17, 2000
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
SOUTHWESTERN SERVICES, INC., AS SELLER
AND
RELIABLE-WEST TECH, INC., AS PURCHASER
THIS ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") entered into as of the
31st day of March, 2000, between SOUTHWESTERN SERVICES, INC., t/a S.P.M. CORP, a
corporation organized under the laws of Virginia ("Seller"), and RELIABLE-WEST
TECH, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Purchaser"). Capitalized terms not
otherwise defined in this Agreement are used as defined in Exhibit A hereto.
WHEREAS, Seller is engaged in the business of manufacturing, processing
and refining metals (hereinafter referred to as the "Business").
WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell and Purchaser desires to acquire from
Seller, as of the Closing Date, certain selected assets of Seller relating to
the manufacture and sale of silver anodes, and the purchasing and distribution
of silver cyanide and potassium silver cyanide which selected assets constitute
the assets used by Seller in its business of the manufacture, processing and
sale of silver anodes, silver cyanide and potassium silver cyanide products
(hereinafter referred to as the Purchased Business"), all upon the terms and
subject to the conditions contained in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants, agreements and warranties herein contained, the parties agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
Purchase and Sale of Assets
1. 1 Agreement to Purchase and Sell. On the terms and subject to the conditions
contained in this Agreement, Purchaser agrees to purchase, acquire and accept
from Seller, and Seller agrees to grant, sell, transfer, convey, assign and
deliver to Purchaser, at the Closing, all right, title and interest in and to
the Purchased Assets. The Purchased Assets shall be sold to Purchaser free and
clear of any Liens.
1.2 Enumeration of Purchased Assets. The term "Purchased Assets" is hereby
defined as those assets used by Seller in the
Purchased Business, including, without limitation, the following items, but
excluding the Excluded Assets:
(a) the equipment listed on Exhibit B (the "Equipment");
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(b) all claims and rights relating to the Purchased Assets or the
Purchased Business with or against all persons whomsoever, including, without
limitation, all rights against suppliers under warranties covering any of the
Equipment;
(c) all goodwill associated with the Purchased Business including
without limitation, Seller's list of customers which purchase silver anodes,
silver cyanide and/or potassium silver cyanide annexed hereto as Exhibit C;
(d) all sales orders and sales contracts, quotations and bids for silver
anodes, silver cyanide and potassium silver cyanide;
(e) all benefits and rights with respect to contracts listed on Section 4.4
of the Disclosure Schedule;
(f) copies of all books, papers, files and records of Seller relating
to the Purchased Business, whether in hard copy, magnetic or other format,
including, without limitation, the following types of files and records: books
of account, current and former customer and supplier files, customer credit
information, pricing information, manufacturing and production information,
market research, equipment maintenance records, equipment warranty information,
sales and advertising material, specifications and drawings, equipment drawings,
manuals and data, industry information and information relating to Seller's
trade secrets and customer specifications with respect to the Purchased
Business;
(g) all prepaid expenses relating exclusively to the Purchased Business
and all security and other deposits and advances made by Seller relating
exclusively to the Purchased Business set forth on Section 1.2(g) of the
Disclosure Schedule (collectively, the "Prepaids");
(h) all inventory of silver cyanide and potassium silver cyanide and
all inventory relating to the Purchased Business which at the time of closing is
on consignment with customers of the Purchased Business relating to the
Purchased Business (all of which is the "Purchased Inventory"); and
(i) Seller's accounts receivable, which are approved prior to Closing by
Bank of Boston (the "Accounts Receivable").
1.3 Excluded Assets. The term "Excluded Assets" shall mean all of Seller's
assets except for those specifically included in the definition of
"Purchased Assets"
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Purchaser is not
purchasing the Excluded Assets.
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ARTICLE II
No Assumption of Liabilities by Purchaser
Except for any obligations which arise after the Closing Date with
respect to the Operating Agreements, (as defined in Section 4.4), Purchaser does
not assume or agree to pay any liability or obligation of Seller, direct or
indirect, known or unknown, absolute or contingent, contractual or otherwise,
including, without limitation, any of Seller's liabilities under collective
bargaining agreements, Employee Benefit Plans, severance and vacation pay of any
kind, or any other commitments or agreements with respect to employment, whether
written or oral, express or implied (all such liabilities not assumed by
Purchaser being referred to herein as the "Excluded Liabilities"). Seller shall
remain responsible for the Excluded Liabilities and Seller, Allen O. Woody, III
("Woody") and Barry Driskill ("Driskill") shall indemnify Purchaser with respect
thereto pursuant to Section 10.2.
ARTICLE III
Purchase Price. Manner of Payment and Closing
3.1 Purchase Price. The purchase price for the Purchased Assets shall be equal
to the sum of One Million Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,300,000) ( the
"Base Purchase Price") plus the "Future Sales Amounts", as defined in Section
3.3, plus the "Inventory Amount" and the face value of the Accounts Receivable.
The Inventory Amount shall be the Handy & Harman noon price minus 2 cents per
Troy ounce, for the Purchased Inventory on the Closing Date plus the
manufacturing fee actually paid by Seller to purchase the silver cyanide and
potassium silver cyanide.
3.2 Payment of the Base Purchase Price. The Base Purchase Price shall be
paid:
(a) At signing of this Agreement Purchaser shall pay a deposit of
$65,000.00 to Seller to be held in escrow by Woods, Rogers & Hazlegrove, P.L.C.,
and applied to the Base Purchase Price at closing. If Purchaser refuses to close
this transaction for a reason other than the fulfillment of the conditions set
forth in Section 7.2 then the deposit shall be paid to Seller as liquidated
damages. If this transaction fails to close for any other reason then the
deposit shall be returned to Purchaser.
(b) At the Closing, Purchaser shall pay the remainder of the Base Purchase
Price as follows:
(i) $1,010,000 shall be paid on the Closing Date in immediately available
funds, and
(ii) $225,000 shall be paid by the execution and delivery of a note
executed by Purchaser (the "Note"). The Note shall provide for 8% interest
with monthly payments of
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interest only during the first twenty four months after the Closing; thereafter
Purchaser shall make twelve equal semi-annual payments of principal and interest
to fully amortize the principal balance of the Note over such six year period.
The first such semi-annual installment shall be payable thirty months after the
Closing. The Note shall be subject to the set-off described in Section 10.7.
3.3 Payment of Inventory Amount and Accounts Receivable. At the Closing,
Purchaser shall pay the Inventory Amount and the face value of the Accounts
Receivable in immediately available funds.
3.4 Additional Payment. Purchaser shall pay to Seller, on a monthly basis, an
additional payment (the "Future Sales Amounts") on all "Qualifying Sales" of
silver anodes, silver cyanide and potassium silver cyanide to the "Qualified
Customers" except as set forth in the next to last paragraph of this Section
3.4. A "Qualified Customer" is a customer of Seller who (i) was a customer prior
to the Closing Date as shown on the customer list delivered to Purchaser by
Seller at the Closing, and (ii) to whom Seller has made sales during the twelve
month period immediately preceding the Closing Date in an amount exceeding
$1,000.00.
A Qualifying Sale is a sale in which the amount of the Fabrication Fee
received by the Purchaser exceeds fifteen cents per ounce. The "Fabrication Fee"
is hereby defined as the total amount of revenue received from the customer with
respect to a sale reduced by the amount which relates to the sale of the raw
material included in the sale.
The Future Sales Amount during the first three years following the
Closing shall be equal to the lesser of (i) 13% of the total Fabrication Fee
received by the Purchaser on each Qualifying Sale, or (ii) the amount, if any,
by which such Fabrication Fee received by the Purchaser on each Qualifying Sale
exceeds fifteen cents per ounce. There shall be no Future Sales Amount due with
respect to sales in which the Fabrication Fee is 15(cent) an ounce or less.
The Future Sales Amount during the second three year period following
the Closing shall be equal to the lesser of (i) 10% of the total Fabrication Fee
received by the Purchaser on each Qualifying Sale, or (ii) the amount, if any,
by which such Fabrication Fee received by the Purchaser on each Qualifying Sale
exceeds fifteen cents per ounce. There shall be no Future Sales Amount due with
respect to sales in which the Fabrication Fee is 15(cent) an ounce or less.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Qualifying Sale is to a "Common
Account" then Seller shall only be entitled to receive 50% of the amount of the
Future Sales Amount described above.
A "Common Account" shall mean a Qualified Customer who was also a
customer of Purchaser during the twelve month period immediately preceding the
Closing Date, provided that the total gross revenues received by Purchaser was
at least 30% of the combined gross revenues received by Purchaser and Seller
from such customer during such twelve month period. It is
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hereby acknowledged that Metalor U.S.A. shall not be considered a "Common
Account" for the purposes of this Agreement.
In addition, if the total gross revenues received by Seller from a
Common Account during such twelve month period is less than 30% of the combined
gross revenues received by Purchaser and Seller from such customer during such
period, then Purchaser shall not be entitled to receive any additional payment
with respect to such customer pursuant to this Section 3.4.
Seller may audit appropriate records of Purchaser during Purchaser's
regular business hours, on reasonable advance written notice to Purchaser to
verify that additional payments are being properly computed and paid.
3.5 Time and Place of Closing. The transaction contemplated by this Agreement
shall be consummated (the "Closing") at 10:00 a.m. at the offices of Woods,
Rogers & Hazlegrove, P.L.C., First Union Tower, Suite 1400, 10 South Jefferson
Street, Roanoke, Virginia 24038-4125, on April 21, 2000, or on such other date,
or at such other time or place, as shall be mutually agreed upon by Seller and
Purchaser. The date on which the Closing occurs in accordance with the preceding
sentence is referred to in this Agreement as the "Closing Date".
3.6 Allocation of Purchase Price. The Purchase Price shall be allocated among
the Purchased Assets in the manner, completed on Forms 8594 attached as Exhibit
D. All tax returns and reports filed by Seller and Purchaser with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be consistent with such
allocation.
3.7 Special Customer. At the Closing, Seller may designate one special
customer. Seller shall be entitled to receive the following amounts with
respect to such special customer:
(i) during the first three years following the Closing such
amount shall be equal to the lesser of (A) 35% of the total Fabrication Fees
received by Purchaser on sales to such customer or (B) the amount, if any, by
which such Fabrication Fees received by Purchaser on sales to such special
customer, exceed fifteen cents per ounce; and
(ii) during the second three year period following the
Closing, such amount shall be equal to the lesser of (A) 25% of the total
Fabrication Fees received by Purchaser on sales to such customer or (B) the
amount, if any, by which such Fabrication Fees received by Purchaser on sales to
such customer exceed fifteen cents per ounce.
3.8 Metalor U.S.A. During the first three years following the Closing, Seller
shall be entitled to receive as part of the Future Sales Amount (regardless of
whether the sale is a Qualifying Sale as defined above) on all sales by
Purchaser to Metalor U.S.A. a sum equal to the lesser of (a) thirteen percent
(13%) of the total Fabrication Fee received by Purchaser from Metalor U.S.A. or
(b) the amount, if any, by which such Fabrication Fee exceeds fifteen cents per
ounce. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amount payable to Seller will be seven
percent (7%)
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of the total Fabrication Fee received by Purchaser from Metalor U.S.A. if the
total Fabrication Fee is less than $0.15 but is at least $0.12. If the
Fabrication Fee received by Purchaser from Metalor U.S.A. is less than $0.12,
then no amount shall be payable hereunder to Seller on such sales. During the
second three year period following the Closing, Seller shall receive an amount
equal to the lesser of (a) ten percent (10%) of the total Fabrication Fee
received by Purchaser on sales to Metalor U.S.A., or (b) the amount, if any, by
which such Fabrication Fee exceeds fifteen cents per ounce. If the total
Fabrication Fee is less than $0.15, but at least $0.12 than Seller shall receive
an amount equal to seven percent of the total Fabrication Fee received by
Purchaser. If the Fabrication Fee is less than $0.12, then no amount shall be
payable hereunder.
3.9 Purchase of Silver. During each of the six calendar years from 2000 through
2005, Purchaser shall purchase from Seller and Seller shall, if Seller has
sufficient inventory on hand, sell to Purchaser at least 30,000 Troy ounces of
silver per month, provided that each ounce of silver purchased shall have a
purity of not less than "99.9 plus" as certified by Seller's assay certificates
to be delivered to Purchaser at the time of each purchase. The purchase price
pursuant to this Section 3.9 shall be the Handy & Harman noon price minus 2
cents per Troy ounce on the date that each order is placed. All deliveries of
silver pursuant to this Agreement shall be made F.O.B. Purchaser at Purchaser's
offices located at 302 Platts Mill Road, Naugatuck, Ct. , 06770, or at such
other location designated by Purchaser.
ARTICLE IV
Seller's Representations and Warranties
Seller, Woody and Driskill jointly and severally represent and warrant
to Purchaser that, except as set forth in the schedule delivered by Seller to
Purchaser concurrently herewith and identified as the "Disclosure Schedule" that
the statements contained in this Article IV are correct and complete as of the
date hereof, and unless a date is specified in such representation and warranty,
will be complete and correct as of the Closing Date as though made on the
Closing Date:
4.1 Corporate.
(a) Seller is a corporation duly organized, existing and in good
standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Seller has all
necessary corporate power and authority to own the Purchased Assets and to
conduct the Purchased Business as now conducted.
(b) All corporate acts required to be taken by Seller to authorize the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and each of the documents and
instruments to be executed by Seller pursuant to this Agreement (Seller's
Ancillary Documents"), the performance of its obligations hereunder and
thereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby, including, without limitation, the approval of Seller's shareholders
and board of
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directors, have been duly and properly taken, and no other corporate proceedings
on the part of Seller are necessary to authorize such execution, delivery and
performance.
(c) This Agreement has been, and Seller's Ancillary Documents will be,
duly executed and delivered by duly authorized officers of Seller. This
Agreement and each of Seller's Ancillary Documents that is a contract
constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Seller, enforceable in
accordance with its terms.
(d) No consent, authorization, order or approval of, or filing or
registration with, any governmental authority or other person is required for
the execution and delivery of this Agreement and Seller's Ancillary Documents
and the consummation by Seller of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and Seller's Ancillary Documents.
(e) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement and Seller's
Ancillary Documents by Seller, nor the consummation by Seller of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, will conflict with or result in a
breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of (i) Seller's Articles of
Incorporation or By-laws, (ii) to the best of Seller's knowledge, any statute or
administrative regulation, (iii) any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree
of any court or any governmental authority or any arbitration award, or (iv)
except as set forth on Schedule 4.1(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, any material
contract or agreement by which the Purchased Assets may be bound, nor give rise
to any default, acceleration or right of termination under any such contract or
agreement.
4.2 Financial.
(a) Seller's financial statements for the years ended 1997 and 1998,
have been delivered to Purchaser; such financial statements are in accordance
with GAAP consistently applied, and fairly present the results of operation for
the periods than ended. Seller's books, accounts and records related to the
Purchased Assets are, and have been, maintained in Seller's usual, regular and
ordinary manner, in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.
(b) Seller will deliver to Purchaser, at Closing, good and marketable
title to, the Purchased Assets, free and clear of any Liens, including without
limitation, any recorded or unrecorded tax liens. No unreleased mortgage, trust
deed, chattel mortgage, security agreement, financing statement or other
instrument encumbering any of the Purchased Assets will exist at Closing, except
those, if any, to be paid and released at Closing.
(c) Section 4.2(c) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and
correct list and brief description of all Equipment included in the Purchased
Assets. All of the Equipment included in the Purchased Assets is in good
operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and is
sufficient and appropriate for current uses.
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(d) Section 4.2(d) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a true and
correct list and description (including coverages, deductibles and expiration
dates) of all insurance policies which are owned by Seller or which name Seller
as an insured and which pertain to the Purchased Assets, or the Purchased
Business. All such insurance policies are in full force and effect, and Seller
has not received notice of termination or non-renewal of any such insurance
policies.
(e) Except for consignment inventory at customer locations as set forth
on Schedule 4.2 (e) of the Disclosure Schedule, all of the Purchased Inventory
is in the physical possession and control of Seller at its facilities or in
transit from suppliers. The Purchased Inventory is in usable and/or saleable
condition and of a quality useable or saleable consistent with past practice.
None of the Purchased Inventory is slow moving, obsolete, below standard quality
or damaged, except as reflected in the Disclosure Schedule.
(f) Seller will make available to Purchaser, after Closing, such
financial information and statements as are in Seller's possession, in order to
enable Purchaser, at Purchaser's expense, to create audited financial statements
regarding sales in the Purchased Business for calendar years 1998 and 1999.
(g) Seller has elected to be treated as an "S" corporation and is currently
an "S" corporation.
4.3 Conduct of Business.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 4.3(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, since
January 1, 1999, Seller has not:
(i) suffered any acceleration, termination, modification or cancellation of
any agreement, contract, lease or license related to the Purchased
Business;
(ii) received any notification, either orally or written, that
any material distributors, customers or suppliers related to the Purchased
Business have terminated, intend to terminate or are considering termination of
their respective business relationships or have modified their relationships
with Seller in such a manner that is less favorable to Seller and Seller has no
knowledge of any facts which would be the basis for such termination or
modification;
(iii) made or suffered any material change in the conduct or nature of any
aspect of the Purchased Business;
(iv) sold or in any way transferred or otherwise disposed of
any of its assets or property used in the Purchased Business, except for (A) use
of Inventory in the usual and
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ordinary course of business, (B) cash applied in payment of Seller's liabilities
in the usual and ordinary course of business, and (C) disposal of obsolete
equipment of Seller listed in Section 4.3(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, none of
which, either individually or in the aggregate, was material to the operation of
the Purchased Business; and
(v) without limitation by the enumeration of any of the
foregoing, except for the execution of this Agreement, (A) entered into any
transaction or taken any action other than in the usual and ordinary course of
business, or (B) taken any action that, if taken after the date hereof, would
constitute a breach of any of the covenants set forth in Article VI hereof.
(b) Seller has not suffered or been threatened with any material
adverse change in the business, operations, assets, liabilities, financial
condition or prospects of the Purchased Business, including, without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, the existence or threat of any labor dispute,
or any material adverse change in, or loss of, any relationship between Seller
and any of its material customers or suppliers.
(c) Section 4.3(c) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and
accurate list of (i) the ten largest distributors for Seller's products with
respect to the Purchased Business indicating the specific product, existing
contractual arrangements, if any, with each such distributor and the volume of
products distributed, and (ii) the ten largest customers (by dollar volume) of
Seller with respect to the Purchased Business for the current fiscal year,
indicating the existing contractual arrangements with each such customer by
product.
(d) During the calendar year 1999, Seller has been processing an
average of not less than 213,275 ounces of silver and silver salts per month.
During such period the average gross margin per ounce on the sale of silver and
silver salts has been not less than $0.28.
4.4 Contracts.
Section 4.4 of the Disclosure Schedule correctly and completely lists
and describes all contracts, leases, and agreements to which Seller is a party
and which relate to the conduct of the Purchased Business, including, without
limitation, all of Seller's contracts to supply silver anodes, silver cyanide
and/or potassium silver cyanide, (the "Operating Agreements") sales
representative, distribution, franchise, advertising and similar agreements;
license agreements; purchase orders and purchase contracts and sales orders and
sales contracts. All contracts, leases and other instruments referred to in this
Section 4.4 are in full force and binding upon the parties thereto. No default
by Seller has occurred thereunder and, to the best of Seller's knowledge, no
default by the other contracting parties has occurred thereunder. No event,
occurrence or condition exists which, with the lapse of time, the giving of
notice, or both, or the happening of any further event or condition, would
become a default by Seller thereunder. None of the Seller's officers, directors,
employees or stockholders (or members of their families) are parties to any of
the Operating Agreements.
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4.5 Employees.
With respect to employees of Seller, except as provided in Section 4.5
of the Disclosure Schedule:
(i) There are no pending or threatened unfair labor practice
charges or employee grievance charges, or investigations or reviews by the
Department of Labor.
(ii) There is no request for union representation, labor
strike, dispute, slowdown or stoppage actually pending or, to the best of
Seller's knowledge, threatened against or directly affecting Seller.
(iii) No grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or
under collective bargaining agreements is pending and no claims therefor exist.
4.6 Litigation and Claims.
Except as set forth in Section 4.6 of the Disclosure Schedule:
(a) There are no claims, litigations, arbitrations, or proceedings, in
law or in equity, and there are no proceedings or governmental investigations
before any commission or other administrative authority, pending or threatened,
against Seller with respect to the consummation of the transaction contemplated
hereby, or the use of the Purchased Assets (whether used by Purchaser after the
Closing or by Seller prior thereto).
(b) To Seller's knowledge, there are no facts which would have a
material adverse effect on the Purchased Business, or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, or on the Purchased Assets.
4.7 General.
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(a) The Purchased Assets constitute (i) all of the assets and property
owned and used by Seller primarily in the Purchased Business and (ii) all of the
assets necessary to conduct the Purchased Business as it is presently conducted.
(b) Since January 1, 1999, there has not been any change which has
resulted in a material adverse effect on the Purchased Business or the Purchased
Assets.
(c) None of the directors, officers, employees or agents of Seller, has
(a) directly or indirectly given or agreed to give any illegal gift,
contribution, payment or similar benefit to any supplier, customer, governmental
official or employee or other person who was, is or may be in a position to help
or hinder Seller (or assist in connection with any actual or proposed
transaction)
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or made or agreed to make any illegal contribution, or reimbursed any illegal
political gift or contribution made by any other person, to any candidate for
federal, state, local or foreign public office (i) which might subject the
Purchased Business or the Purchased Assets to any damage or penalty in any
civil, criminal or governmental litigation or proceeding or (ii) the
non-continuation of which has had or might have, individually or in the
aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Purchased Business or the Purchased
Assets, or (b) established or maintained any unrecorded fund or asset or made
any false entries on any books or records for any purpose.
(d) Seller has not dealt with any person or entity who is entitled to a
broker's commission, finder's fee, investment banker's fee or similar payment
for arranging the transaction contemplated hereby or introducing the parties to
each other.
(e) The representations and warranties of Seller in this Agreement and
in Seller's Ancillary Documents do not omit to state a material fact necessary
in order to make the representations, warranties or statements contained herein
not misleading.
4.8 Environmental Matters. The Purchased Assets, upon delivery to
Purchaser, will be free of any claims for past violations of any
environmental laws, rules or regulations.
4.9 Sales and Transfer Taxes and Fees. To Seller's knowledge, there are no sales
taxes and/or use taxes and fees, recording fees, personal property title
application fees and other transfer taxes which would be owed by Purchaser
arising out of the transfer of the Purchased Assets. All Tax and information
returns required to have been filed by Seller with any government authority have
been duly and timely filed. As of the Closing, Seller will have paid all Taxes
payable by Seller and there will be no Liens for unpaid Taxes with respect to
the Purchased Assets or the Purchased Business.
ARTICLE V
Purchaser's Representations and Warranties
5.1 General. Purchaser represents and warrants to Seller that:
(a) Purchaser is a corporation duly organized, existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
(b) Purchaser has full corporate power and authority to enter into and
perform (i) this Agreement and (ii) all documents and instruments to be executed
by Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement (collectively, "Purchaser's Ancillary
Documents"). This Agreement has been, and Purchaser's Ancillary Documents will
be, duly executed and delivered by duly authorized officers of Purchaser.
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(c) No consent, authorization, order or approval of, or filing or
registration with, any governmental authority or other person is required for
the execution and delivery by Purchaser of this Agreement and Purchaser's
Ancillary Agreements, and the consummation by Purchaser of the transaction
contemplated by this Agreement and Purchaser's Ancillary Documents.
(d) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
Purchaser's Ancillary Documents by Purchaser, nor the consummation by Purchaser
of the transaction herein contemplated, will conflict with or result in a breach
of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of Purchaser's Certificate of
Incorporation or By-laws, or of any statute or administrative regulation, or of
any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or governmental
authority or of any arbitration award.
(e) Neither Purchaser, nor any of its Affiliates, has dealt with any
person or entity who is or may be entitled to a broker's commission, finder's
fee, investment banker's fee or similar payment for arranging the transaction
contemplated hereby or introducing the parties to each other.
ARTICLE VI
Conduct Prior to the Closing
6.1 General. Seller and Purchaser shall have the rights and obligations with
respect to the period between the date hereof and the Closing Date (the "Due
Diligence Period") which are set forth in the remainder of this Article VI.
6.2 Seller's Obligations. The following are Seller's obligations:
(a) Seller shall give to Purchaser's officers, employees, attorneys,
consultants and accountants reasonable access during normal business hours to
the information specified on Schedule 6.2(a).
(b) Seller shall use its reasonable efforts (and Purchaser shall
cooperate with Seller) to obtain all consents specified by Purchaser to the
assignment of, or alternate arrangements satisfactory to Purchaser with respect
to, any contract, lease, insurance policy, agreement, purchase order, sales
order, or other instruments, or Permit which is to be assigned to Purchaser
hereunder and which may be required for such assignment to be effective (the
"Consents").
(c) Seller shall carry on the Purchased Business in the usual and
ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices, and shall use its
reasonable efforts to preserve the Purchased Business and the goodwill of the
customers and suppliers of the Purchased Business and shall maintain the
Purchased Assets in good operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear
excepted.
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(d) Without the prior written consent of Purchaser, Seller shall not,
except in the ordinary course of business:
(i) change any term of existing agreements or terminate any existing
agreements with respect to the Purchased Business; or
(ii) directly or indirectly, enter into or assume any contract, agreement,
obligation, lease, license or commitment with respect to the Purchased
Business.
(e) Seller shall promptly disclose to Purchaser any information
contained in its representations and warranties or the Disclosure Schedule
which, because of an event occurring after the date hereof, is materially
incomplete or is no longer materially correct as of all times after the date
hereof until the Closing Date, provided, however that none of such disclosures
shall be deemed to modify, amend or supplement the representations and
warranties of Seller of the Disclosure Schedule hereto for the purposes of
Article VI hereof.
6.3 Bulk Sales Act. Without implication that such laws apply to the transactions
contemplated hereby, Seller and Purchaser shall not comply with the provisions
of the laws of any state relating to bulk sales and Seller shall indemnify and
hold Purchaser harmless from any costs or expenses incurred by Purchaser to any
of Seller's creditors resulting from the failure to comply with applicable bulk
sales laws.
ARTICLE VII
Conditions to Closing
7.1 Conditions to Seller's Obligations. The obligation of Seller to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby is subject to the fulfillment of all of the
following conditions on or prior to the Closing Date, upon the non-fulfillment
of any of which this Agreement may, at Seller's option, be terminated pursuant
to and with the effect set forth in Article XI:
(a) Each and every representation and warranty made by Purchaser shall
have been true and correct when made and shall be true and correct in all
material respects as if originally made on and as of the Closing Date.
(b) All obligations of Purchaser to be performed hereunder through, and
including on, the Closing Date shall have been performed.
(c) Seller shall have received all of the agreements, certificates,
documents and items specified in Section 8.2.
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(d) No suit, proceeding or investigation shall have been commenced or
threatened by any governmental authority or private person on any grounds to
restrain, enjoin or hinder, or to seek material damages on account of, the
consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby.
(e) No suit, proceeding or investigation shall have been commenced or
threatened by any governmental authority or private person on any grounds to
restrain, enjoin or hinder, or to seek material damages on account of, the
consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby.
(f) Approval of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
Seller's Ancillary Documents by Crestar Bank, N.A.
(g) The amount of the Accounts Receivable to be purchased is acceptable to
Seller in its sole discretion.
7.2 Conditions to Purchaser's Obligations. The obligation of Purchaser to
consummate the transaction contemplated hereby is subject to the fulfillment of
all of the following conditions on or prior to the Closing Date, upon the
non-fulfillment of any of which this Agreement may, at Purchaser's option, be
terminated pursuant to and with the effect set forth in Article XI:
(a) Each and every representation and warranty made by Seller shall
have been true and correct when made and shall be true and correct in all
material respects as if originally made on and as of the Closing Date.
(b) All obligations of Seller to be performed hereunder through, and
including on, the Closing Date shall have been performed.
(c) Purchaser shall have received all of the agreements, certificates,
documents and items specified in Section 8.3.
(d) All of the Consents and all other consents of third parties
required with respect to the transaction contemplated hereby shall have been
obtained.
(e) No suit, proceeding or investigation shall have been commenced or
threatened by any governmental authority or private person on any grounds to
restrain, enjoin or hinder, or to seek material damages on account of, the
consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby.
(f) There shall not have been any material adverse change in the
financial condition, results of operations, business, assets, future prospects
or liabilities of the Purchased Business between January 1, 1999, and the
Closing Date.
(g) Approval of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
Seller's Ancillary Documents by Bank of Boston.
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(h) The contents of Seller's financial statements and all information
reviewed by Purchaser with respect to the Purchased Business or the Purchased
Assets are reasonably acceptable to Purchaser.
ARTICLE VIII
Closing
8.1 Form of Documents. At the Closing, the parties shall deliver the documents,
and shall perform the acts, which are set forth in this Article VIII. All
documents which Seller shall deliver shall be in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Purchaser and Purchaser's counsel. All documents which Purchaser
shall deliver shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Seller
and Seller's counsel.
8.2 Purchaser's Deliveries. Subject to the fulfillment or waiver of the
conditions set forth in Section 7.2, Purchaser shall execute and/or deliver
to Seller at the Closing all of the following:
(a) an amount equal to the sum of One Million Seventy-Five Thousand
Dollars ($1,075,000) by wire transfer to such account as Seller shall designate
by written notice delivered to Purchaser, or by delivery of a certified check or
bank check payable to the order of Seller;
(b) the Note;
(c) an amount equal to the Inventory Amount by wire transfer to such
account as Seller shall designate by written notice delivered to Purchaser, or
by delivery of a certified check or bank check payable to the order of Seller;
(d) an amount equal to the face value of the Accounts Receivable by
wire transfer to such account as Seller shall designate by written notice
delivered to Purchaser, or by delivery of a certified check or bank check
payable to the order of Seller;
(e) the employment agreement between Purchaser and Allen O. Woody, III in
the form annexed hereto as Exhibit E (the "Employment Agreement");
(f) a certified copy of Purchaser's Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws;
(g) a certificate of good standing of Purchaser, issued not earlier than
ten (10) days prior to the Closing Date by the Secretary of State of New
York;
(h) an incumbency and specimen signature certificate with respect to the
officers of Purchaser executing this Agreement and Purchaser's Ancillary
Documents on behalf of Purchaser;
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(i) a certified copy of resolutions of Purchaser's board of directors,
authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and
Purchaser's Ancillary Documents;
(j) a closing certificate executed by an officer of Purchaser (or any
other officer of Purchaser specifically authorized to do so), on behalf of
Purchaser, pursuant to which Purchaser represents and warrants to Seller that
Purchaser's representations and warranties to Seller are true and correct as of
the Closing Date as if then originally made (or, if any such representation or
warranty is untrue in any respect, specifying the respect in which the same is
untrue), that all covenants required by the terms hereof to be performed by
Purchaser on or before the Closing Date, to the extent not waived by Seller in
writing, have been so performed (or, if any such covenant has not been
performed, indicating that such covenant has not been performed), and that all
documents to be executed and delivered by Purchaser at the Closing have been
executed by duly authorized officers of Purchaser;
(k) the written opinion of McLaughlin & Stern, LLP, counsel to
Purchaser, addressed to Seller, dated as of the Closing Date, in substantially
the form of Exhibit F attached hereto;
(l) IRS Forms 8594, in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit D.
(m) without limitation by the specific enumeration of the foregoing,
all other documents required from Purchaser to consummate the transaction
contemplated hereby.
8.3 Seller's Deliveries. Subject to the fulfillment or waiver of the conditions
set forth in Section 7.1, Seller shall deliver to Purchaser , at the Closing,
physical possession of all tangible Purchased Assets, and shall execute (where
applicable in recordable form) and/or deliver or cause to be executed and/or
delivered to Purchaser all of the following:
(a) the Employment Agreement, executed by Woody;
(b) certified copies of Seller's Articles of Incorporation and By-laws;
(c) certificates of good standing of Seller, issued not earlier than ten
(10) days prior to the Closing Date by the State Corporation Commission of
Virginia;
(d) an incumbency and specimen signature certificate with respect to the
officers of Seller executing this Agreement and Seller's Ancillary
Documents on behalf of Seller;
(e) a certified copy of resolutions of Seller's board of directors and
shareholders, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and Seller's Ancillary Documents;
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(f) a bill of sale, executed by Seller, conveying all of the Equipment
and other tangible personal property included in the Purchased Assets to
Purchaser, free and clear of all Liens and containing the warranties of title
set forth in this Agreement;
(g) an assignment to Purchaser executed by Seller, assigning to
purchaser all of the Purchased Assets (other than the Equipment), free and clear
of all Liens and containing the warranties of title set forth in this Agreement.
If necessary in the reasonable opinion of Purchaser's counsel, Seller shall also
execute and deliver (in recordable form where required) separate assignments of
any of the Purchased Assets, where applicable, in the form required by the
applicable governmental agencies, insurance companies, customers, lessors, and
other parties with whom the assignments must be filed;
(h) a closing certificate duly executed by the President and Vice
President if any of Seller, on behalf of Seller, pursuant to which Seller
represents and warrants to Purchaser that Seller's representations and
warranties to Purchaser are true and correct as of the Closing Date as if then
originally made (or, if any such representation or warranty is untrue in any
respect, specifying the respect in which the same is untrue), that all covenants
required by the terms hereof to be performed by Seller on or before the Closing
Date, to the extent not waived by Purchaser in writing, have been so performed
(or, if any such covenant has not been so performed, indicating that such
covenant has not been performed), and that all documents to be executed and
delivered by Seller at the Closing have been executed by duly authorized
officers of Seller;
(i) to the extent obtained, all necessary Consents or alternate
arrangements with respect thereto, all as reasonably acceptable to
Purchaser;
(j) certificates of title or origin (or like documents) with respect to
all vehicles included in the Purchased Assets and other Equipment for which a
certificate of title or origin is required in order for title thereto to be
transferred to Purchaser;
(k) the written opinion of counsel to Seller, addressed to Purchaser,
dated as of the Closing Date, in substantially the form of Exhibit G (it being
understood that Purchaser's lenders may rely upon such opinion); and
(l) IRS Forms 8594, in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit D.
(m) the customer list described in Section 1.2 (c).
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ARTICLE IX
Post-Closing Agreements
9.1 Post-Closing Agreements. From and after the Closing, the parties shall have
the respective rights and obligations which are set forth in the remainder of
this Article IX.
9.2 Inspection of Records. Seller shall keep and make any of its books and
records retained available for inspection by Purchaser, or by Purchaser's duly
accredited representatives, for reasonable business purposes at all reasonable
times during normal business hours, for a seven (7) year period after the
Closing Date, with respect to all transactions occurring prior to and those
relating to the Closing and the historical financial condition, assets,
liabilities, results of operations and cash flows of Seller. Purchaser shall
keep and make any of the books and records of Seller included in the Purchased
Assets available for inspection by Seller, or by Seller's duly accredited
representatives, for reasonable business purposes at reasonable times during
normal business hours, for a seven (7) year period after the Closing Date, with
respect to all transactions occurring prior to the Closing and the historical
financial condition, assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows
of Seller. As used in this Section 9.2, the right of inspection includes the
right to make extracts or copies.
9.3 Certain Assignments. Any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, this Agreement shall not constitute an agreement to transfer or
assign, or a transfer or assignment of, any claim, contract, lease, Permit,
Environmental Permit, commitment, or sales order, or any liability or benefit
arising thereunder or resulting therefrom, if an attempt at transfer or
assignment thereof without the consent required or necessary for such assignment
would constitute a breach thereof or in any way adversely affect the rights of
Purchaser or Seller thereunder. If such a consent or agreement to transfer or
assign is not obtained for any reason, Purchaser and Seller shall cooperate in
any arrangement Purchaser may reasonably request to provide for Purchaser the
benefits under such claim, contract, lease, Permit, Environmental Permit,
commitment or order.
9.4 Disclosure of Confidential Information. As a further inducement for
Purchaser to enter into this Agreement, Seller agrees that for the longest
period permitted by law after the Closing Date, Seller shall, and shall cause
its Affiliates ,Woody and Driskill to hold in strictest confidence, and not,
without the prior written approval of Purchaser, use for their own benefit or
the benefit of any party other than Purchaser or disclose to any person, firm or
corporation other than Purchaser (other than as required by law) any information
of any kind relating to the Purchased Business or this Agreement, except such
information as was publicly available prior to the Closing Date and except such
information that Seller uses or may use in the future in its other businesses.
9.5 Covenants Not to Compete: Not to Solicit. As an inducement for
Purchaser to enter into this Agreement, Seller, Woody, III and Driskill
agree that:
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(a) during the "Restriction Period" (defined below), neither Woody,
Driskill nor Seller nor any of its Affiliates, shall (i) directly or indirectly
engage or participate, anywhere in the Restricted Area, as an owner, partner,
shareholder, consultant or (without limitation by the specific enumeration of
the foregoing) otherwise, in any business which is engaged in the purchase, sale
or fabrication of silver or any silver related products, including without
limitation, silver anodes, silver cyanide, potassium silver cyanide and silver
grain but excluding silver bullion or (ii) hire, enter into any agreement with
or encourage or solicit any of Purchaser's employees, agents, consultants, or
independent contractors to terminate their relationship with Purchaser. The
Restriction Period shall mean the period commencing on the Closing Date and
continuing until the end of the 30th calender month following this effective
date of the termination of Woody's employment with the Purchaser for any reason.
The "Restricted Area" shall mean the continental United States. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in the event that the Purchaser defaults in the payment of any
material monetary obligation to Seller described in this Agreement which is not
cured within ten business days after notice thereof or in the Note which is not
cured within any applicable grace period, if any, or in the event that Purchaser
defaults in the payment of any material monetary obligation to Woody pursuant to
the Employment Agreement which is not cured within ten days after notice
thereof, then the Restriction Period shall immediately terminate.
(b) Woody, Driskill, Seller and its Affiliates recognize that the
territorial, time and scope limitations set forth in this Section 9.5 are
reasonable and are required for the protection of Purchaser, and in the event
that any such territorial, time or scope limitation is deemed to be unreasonable
by a court of competent jurisdiction, Purchaser and Seller agree to the
reduction of any of said territorial, time or scope limitations to such an area,
period or scope as said court shall deem reasonable under the circumstances.
9.6 Injunctive Relief. Seller, Woody and Driskill specifically recognize that
any breach of Section 9.4 or Section 9.5 will cause irreparable injury to
Purchaser and that actual damages may be difficult to ascertain, and in any
event, may be inadequate. Accordingly (and without limiting the availability of
legal or equitable, including injunctive, remedies under any other provisions of
this Agreement), Seller, Woody and Driskill agree that in the event of any such
breach, Purchaser shall be entitled to injunctive relief in addition to such
other legal and equitable remedies that may be available. Seller, Woody and
Driskill and Purchaser recognize that the time limitation in Section 9.5 and the
absence of a time limitation in Section 9.4 and Section 9.5 is reasonable and
properly required for the protection of Purchaser and in the event that such
limitation or absence is deemed to be unreasonable by a court of competent
jurisdiction, Seller, Woody and Driskill agree and submit to the imposition of
such lesser limitation as said court shall deem reasonable.
9.7 Collection of Accounts Receivable. At the Closing, Seller shall provide
Purchaser with a detailed aging report of the Accounts Receivable. Purchaser
shall use reasonable efforts, consistent with good business practices to collect
such Accounts Receivable. Purchaser shall, within fifteen days after the end of
each calendar month following the calendar month of the Closing, deliver to
Seller an accounting showing for such month the amount received in
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collections on the Accounts Receivable, specifying the amount received on each
invoice, and Purchaser shall remit to Seller all amounts received with respect
to Seller's Accounts Receivable. Any amount received from a Qualified Customer
after the Closing Date shall be applied first to reduce the amount of such
customer's oldest receivable owing to Seller or Purchaser whether or not such
receivable was purchased by Purchaser. If on that date which is ninety (90) days
after the Closing, any of Seller's Accounts Receivable remain unpaid, Purchaser
shall transfer such Accounts Receivable back to Seller, which shall then have
the right to pursue collection of them. Simultaneously with transfer of the
Accounts Receivable back to Seller, Seller shall pay Purchaser the then face
amount of the outstanding Accounts Receivable by wire transfer to such account
as Purchaser shall designate.
The obligations of this Section 9.7 are hereby personally guaranteed by Woody
and Driskill. In addition Purchaser shall, in the event of a default by Seller
of its obligations under this Section 9.7, which is not cured within ten (10)
days after written notice thereof, have the right, but not the obligation to
deduct the amounts due from Seller, or any portion thereof, from the amounts
otherwise due to Seller pursuant to the Note or pursuant to this Agreement or
from the amounts due Woody pursuant to the Employment Agreement.
9.8 Further Assurances. The parties shall execute such further documents, and
perform such further acts as may be necessary to transfer and convey the
Purchased Assets to Purchaser, on the terms herein contained, and to otherwise
comply with the terms of this Agreement and to consummate the transaction
contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE X
Indemnification
10.1 General. From and after the Closing, the parties shall indemnify each other
as provided in this Article X. For the purposes of this Article X, each party
shall be deemed to have remade all of its representations and warranties
contained in this Agreement at the Closing with the same effect as if originally
made at the Closing. As used in this Agreement, the term "Damages" shall mean
all liabilities, demands, claims, actions or causes of action, regulatory,
legislative or judicial proceedings or investigations, assessments, levies,
losses, fines, penalties, damages, costs and expenses, including, without
limitation reasonable attorneys', accountants', investigators', and experts'
fees and expenses, sustained or incurred in connection with the defense or
investigation of any such claim.
10.2 Indemnification Obligations of Seller, Woody and Driskill. Subject to the
limitations set forth below, Seller, Woody and Driskill shall jointly and
severally defend, indemnify, save and keep harmless Purchaser and its successors
and permitted assigns and their respective directors, officers, employees and
agents (collectively, the "Purchaser Indemnified Parties") against and from all
Damages in excess of $25,000 sustained or incurred by any of them resulting from
or arising out of or by virtue of:
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(a) any breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made by
Seller, Woody or Driskill in this Agreement or in the Ancillary Document
delivered to Purchaser in connection with this Agreement without giving effect
to any "knowledge" or "materiality" qualifiers in such representations,
warranties and covenants; and
(b) the failure to discharge when due any of the Excluded Liabilities, or
any claim against Purchaser with respect to any Excluded Liability.
(c) any claims by parties other than Purchaser to the extent caused by
acts or omissions of Seller on or prior to the Closing Date, including, without
limitations, claims for Damages which arise or arose out of the Seller's
operations of the Purchased Business on or prior to the Closing Date.
The obligations of Seller, Woody and Driskill under this Section 10.2
shall extend for two (2) years following the Closing Date, except for the
representations and warranties contained in Section 4.2(b) and 4.2(g) and 4.8
which shall extend until the applicable statute of limitations with respect to
Seller's liability for such matters shall have expired, or if no statute of
limitations is applicable for a period of four (4) years.
10.3 Purchaser's Indemnification Covenants. Purchaser shall defend, indemnify,
save and keep harmless Seller and its successors and permitted assigns against
and from all Damages sustained or incurred by any of them resulting from or
arising out of or by virtue of:
(a) any breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made by
Purchaser in this Agreement or in any closing document delivered to Seller
in connection with this Agreement;
(b) any claims by parties other than Seller to the extent caused by the
acts or omissions of Purchaser after the Closing Date and not constituting an
Excluded Liability, including, without limitation, claims for Damages which
arise out of Purchaser's operation of the Purchased Business after the Closing
Date; and
(c) Purchaser's failure to pay the Note in accordance with its
terms.
Purchaser's obligations under Section 10.3, except with respect to
Section 10.3(c) shall extend for two (2) years following the Closing Date.
Purchaser's obligations under Section 10.3(c) shall extend until no further
amounts are due and owing under the Note.
10.4 Subrogation. Each Indemnifying Party shall be subrogated to all rights of
the Indemnified Party against any third party (including, without limitation,
any insurer) with respect to any claim for which indemnity is paid.
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10.5 Limitations.
(a) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any Damages are
covered by insurance, the amounts for which Seller, Woody, Driskill or
Purchaser, as the case may be, shall be liable under this Article X shall be net
of any insurance proceeds received by Purchaser in connection with the facts
giving rise to the right of indemnification by the by the party receiving
indemnification. The Indemnified Party shall not be obligated to make such an
insurance claim if the Indemnified Party, in its reasonable judgment, believes
that the cost of pursuing such an insurance claim, together with any
corresponding increase in insurance premiums or other charge backs to the
Indemnified Party, would exceed the value of the insurance claim relating to any
claim for which the Indemnified Party is seeking indemnification. Article X is
for the sole benefit of the parties and nothing contained in this Agreement or
in Seller's Ancillary Documents shall limit any liability or obligation
whatsoever of any insurance company to pay any claim for any and all damages
which are covered by insurance, and all damages covered by insurance will not be
deemed to be Damages under this Article X.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the indemnification obligations under
Section 10.2 shall not exceed, in the aggregate, $1,300,000.
10.6 Exclusive Remedies. After the Closing the indemnification provisions,
procedures and limitations of this Agreement shall be the exclusive rights,
remedies and procedures relating thereto available to any party as a result of
one or more breaches of the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements
and obligations contained in this Agreement or in any of Seller's Ancillary
Documents.
10.7 Set-Off. After a final arbitrated determination of indemnification
liability by Seller, Woody and Driskill to Purchaser in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement, Purchaser (including on behalf of any such
Indemnified Party of Purchaser) shall have the right, but not the obligation,
upon further notice to Seller, Woody and Driskill, to deduct such amounts from
the amounts otherwise due to Seller pursuant to the Note or pursuant to this
Agreement.
ARTICLE XI
Effect of Termination/Proceeding
11.1 Right to Terminate. This Agreement and the transaction contemplated hereby
may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing by prompt notice given in
accordance with Section 12.2:
(a) by the mutual written consent of Purchaser and Seller; or
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(b) by either of such parties if the Closing shall not have occurred at
or before 11:59 p.m. on April 21, 2000; provided, however, that the right to
terminate this Agreement under this Section 11.1(b) shall not be available to
any party whose willful failure to fulfill any material obligation under this
Agreement has been the cause of or resulted in the failure of the Closing to
occur on or prior to such date.
(c) at Seller's option if the amount of Accounts Receivable to be purchased
is unacceptable to Seller.
11.2 Remedies. In the event of a breach of this Agreement, the non-breaching
party shall not be limited to the remedy of termination of this Agreement, but
shall be entitled to pursue all available legal and equitable rights and
remedies, including the right to specific performance of this Agreement, and
shall be entitled to recover all of its reasonable costs and expenses incurred
in pursuing them (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees).
ARTICLE XII
Miscellaneous
12.1 Publicity. All press releases concerning this transaction shall be made by
Purchaser only, and Seller shall not make any press releases or other publicity
with respect to this transaction. Prior to making any press release, Purchaser
shall give Seller a copy of same and not less than twenty four hours to review
and comment.
12.2 Notices. All notices required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be
in writing and may be delivered by hand, by facsimile, by nationally recognized
private courier, or by United States mail. Notices delivered by mail shall be
deemed given three (3) business days after being deposited in the United States
mail, postage prepaid, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested.
Notices delivered by hand, by facsimile or by nationally recognized private
carrier shall be deemed given on the first business day following receipt;
provided, however, that a notice delivered by facsimile shall only be effective
if such notice is also delivered by hand, or deposited in the United States
mail, postage prepaid, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
on or before two (2) business days after its delivery by facsimile. All notices
shall be addressed as follows:
If to Seller:
Addressed to :
Southwestern Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 538
Montvale, Virginia 24122
Attn: Allen O. Woody, III
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with a copy to:
Dudley Woody, Esq.
Woods Rogers & Hazlegrove
10 South Jefferson Street
Ste 1400
Roanoke, Virginia 24011
If to Purchaser:
Addressed to:
Reliable- West Tech, Inc.
750 Shames Drive
Westbury, N.Y. 11590
Attn: Mandel Sherman
with a copy to:
McLaughlin & Stern, LLP
260 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10016
Attention: Robert M. Weiss
and/or to such other respective addresses and/or addressees as may be designated
by notice given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 12.2.
12.3 Expenses. Except as set forth in Section 9.7, each party hereto shall bear
all fees and expenses incurred by such party in connection with, relating to or
arising out of the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby, including, without
limitation, attorneys', accountants' and other professional fees and expenses.
12.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the instruments to be delivered
by the parties pursuant to the provisions hereof constitute the entire
agreement between the parties. Each exhibit, and the Disclosure Schedule,
shall be considered incorporated into this Agreement.
12.5 Survival; Non-Waiver. All representations, warranties and covenants shall
survive the Closing. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and
signed by an authorized representative of the waiving party.
12.6 Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed and controlled as to
validity, enforcement, interpretation, construction, effect and in all other
respects by the internal laws of the State of New York, excluding its principles
of conflict of laws.
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12.7 Binding Effect: Benefit. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon the parties hereto and their successors and permitted assigns.
Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer on any
person other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and
permitted assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by
reason of this Agreement.
12.8 Assignability. This Agreement shall not be assignable by either party
without the prior written consent of the other party, except that at or prior to
the Closing Purchaser may assign its rights and delegate its duties under this
Agreement to a subsidiary or affiliated corporation, provided that Purchaser
remains liable for all obligations owed under the Note, and may assign its
rights under this Agreement to its lenders or its affiliates for collateral
security purposes. No such assignment shall relieve Purchaser of any of its
liabilities under this Agreement..
12.9 Amendments. This Agreement shall not be modified or amended except pursuant
to an instrument in writing executed and delivered on behalf of each of the
parties hereto.
12.10 Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
12.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same Agreement.
12.12 Arbitration. Any dispute arising out of, relating to, or connected with
this Agreement shall be finally settled and resolved by arbitration in New York,
New York pursuant to the commercial arbitration rules of the American
Arbitration Association. Each party shall bear its owns costs of such
arbitration; provided, however that the costs of the Arbitrators shall be borne
by the party which requests arbitration.
12.13 Schedules & Exhibits. Any schedules and exhibits provided for by the
Agreement and not attached to this Agreement at the time of its execution shall
be supplied by the appropriate party within ten (10) days of signing this
Agreement or at a mutually agreeable time.
12.14 Non-Solicitation Agreement. In the event this transaction does not close
unless the failure to close is a result of Seller exercising its right not to
close pursuant to Section 7.1(g), then Purchaser agrees that for one year from
April 21, 2000, Purchaser will not solicit any business from or accept any
orders from any of Seller's Customers which were disclosed by Seller to
Purchaser except for any customers of Seller which were also Customers of
Purchaser in the twelve (12) months prior to April 21, 2000, and except for
Sumco.
12.15 Customer Contact. Prior to closing Purchaser will not contact any of
Seller's customers which were disclosed by Seller to Purchaser except for any
customers of Seller which were also Customers of Purchaser in the twelve (12)
months prior to April 21, 2000, and except for Sumco.
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ARTICLE XIII
Escrow
13.1 Escrow Provisions.
(a) The $65,000 deposit described in Section 3.2 (a) (the "Deposit")
shall be delivered to and held by Woods Rogers & Hazlegrove, P.L.C. (the "Escrow
Agent") until the Closing at which time the Deposit shall be paid to Seller or
until it is otherwise paid out in accordance with the joint written instructions
of Seller and Purchaser or in accordance with this agreement; provided, however,
that if Purchaser shall terminate this agreement at or prior to the expiration
of the Due Diligence Period, the Deposit shall be disbursed to Purchaser.
(b) The parties agree that the duties of Escrow Agent under this
agreement are subject to the following terms and conditions which shall govern
and control the rights, duties, liabilities and immunities of Escrow Agent.
(c) (i) The parties acknowledge that Escrow Agent is acting solely as a
stakeholder at their request and for their convenience. Escrow Agent is not a
party to and is not bound by any other agreement between the parties. Escrow
Agent is acting in the capacity of a depository only. Escrow Agent shall not be
deemed to be the agent of either of the parties and Escrow Agent shall not be
liable to either of the parties for any act or omission on its part unless taken
or suffered in bad faith, in willful disregard of this agreement or involving
gross negligence. Seller and Purchaser shall jointly and severally indemnify and
hold Escrow Agent harmless from and against all costs, claims and expenses,
including reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements incurred in connection
with the performance of the Escrow Agent's duties hereunder, except with respect
to acts or omissions taken or suffered by Escrow Agent in bad faith, in willful
disregard of this agreement or involving gross negligence on the part of Escrow
Agent.
(ii) Escrow Agent may consult with and obtain advice of legal
counsel in the event of any dispute or question as to the construction of any of
the provisions of this agreement. Escrow Agent shall incur no liability and
shall be fully protected in acting in good faith in accordance with the opinion
and instructions of its counsel.
(d) If the Closing does not occur and either Seller or Purchaser makes
a written demand upon Escrow Agent for payment of the Deposit or any portion of
the Deposit, Escrow Agent shall give at least five (5) business days' written
notice to the other party of such demand and of its intention to release the
Deposit to the other party on a stated date. If Escrow Agent does not receive a
written objection to the proposed payment before the proposed payment date,
Escrow Agent may make the payment. If the other party delivers to Escrow Agent a
written objection to the payment before the proposed payment date or if Escrow
Agent shall be uncertain of its duties or in the event of a dispute, Escrow
Agent shall (i) continue to hold the Deposit until
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otherwise directed by joint written instructions signed by both Seller and
Purchaser or by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, or (ii)
Escrow Agent may deposit all or any portion of the Deposit with a court of
competent jurisdiction and, after giving written notice of such action to Seller
and Purchaser, Escrow Agent shall have no further obligations or liability with
respect to the Deposit.
(e) Escrow Agent is Seller's attorney. Seller and Purchaser each
acknowledge and agree that, if a dispute arises with respect to the Deposit or
otherwise in connection with this agreement, Escrow Agent may continue to
represent Seller.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date first
above written.
SELLER:
SOUTHWESTERN SERVICES, INC.
By:________________________________
Its:
PURCHASER:
RELIABLE-WEST TECH, INC.
By:________________________________
MANDEL SHERMAN
Its: President
As to Articles IV, IX and X
- --------------------------------------
Allen O. Woody III
- --------------------------------------
Barry Driskill
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As to Article XIII
WOODS, ROGERS & HAZLEGROVE, P.L.C.
- --------------------------------------
Dudley F. Woody, Principal
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EXHIBIT A
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
"Accounts Receivable" shall mean trade accounts receivable, both billed and
unbilled, notes receivable, negotiable instruments and chattel paper.
"Affiliate" means any person or entity which controls a party to this Agreement,
which that party controls, or which is under common contract with that party.
"Control" means the power, direct or indirect, to direct or cause the direction
of the management and policies of a person or entity through voting securities,
contracts or otherwise.
"GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect at the date
when applied, consistent with prior periods.
"Indemnified Party" means a party entitled to indemnification under this
Agreement.
"Indemnifying Party" means a party from whom indemnification is sought under
this Agreement.
"Liens" shall mean any lien, charge, security interest, mortgage, restriction,
pledge, option, lease or sublease, claim, demand, easement, encroachment or
encumbrance.
"Restricted Area" means the continental United States.
"Safety Laws" means the Occupational Safety and Health Act and any other
federal, state, and local and foreign law, regulation or legal requirement
relating to health or safety, each as now or hereinafter in effect, including
any such law, regulation or legal requirement relating to the (a) exposure of
employees to any Chemical Substance, air quality or working conditions or noise
or (b) the physical structure, use or condition of a building, facility, fixture
or other structure, including, without limitation, those relating to equipment
or manufacturing processes, or the management, use, storage, disposal, cleanup
or removal of any Chemical Substances, air quality or working conditions.
"Tax" or "Taxes" shall mean all taxes and other charges imposed by any
governmental authority, including, without limitation, taxes or other
governmental charges imposed on income, gross receipts, minimum tax, profits or
gains, property, tangible or intangible assets, transfers, sales, net worth,
license, payroll, employment, excise, use or other tax, together with any
interest or any penalty, additions to tax or additional amount.
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Schedule 6.2(a)
1. Litigation
1.1 A schedule and status report of all significant suits,
actions, litigation, administrative proceedings or other
governmental investigations or inquiries pending or threatened
affecting the Company or its business or operations, providing
a brief description of the following information:
(a) parties;
(b) nature of the proceeding;
(c) date commenced;
(d) amount of damages or other relief sought; and
(e) name and address of counsel.
2. Operations; Sales and Marketing
2.1 A schedule of the ten largest suppliers and the ten largest
customers of the Company, specifying the name and address of
the supplier or customer, the products or services involved
and the total dollar volume for each of the last three years.
2.2 Analyses of the Company prepared within the last three years
by investment banker, engineers, management consultants,
accounts or others, including marketing studies, credit
reports and other types of reports, financial or otherwise.
2.3 A schedule of contract manufacturers specifying the total and
type of purchases from each contract manufactured for each
contract manufacturer for each of the last three years.
3. Financial and Tax Information
3.1 All current financial, sales and other projections for the
silver business of the Company.
3.2 Financial statements of the Company for the last three years.
3.3 All management reports, written with respect to the last
three years, from the
auditors, and the Company's responses to such reports.
3.4 A schedule describing any ongoing tax disputes, together with
copies of revenue agents' reports, correspondence, etc., with
respect to pending federal or state tax proceedings with
regard to open years or items relating to the silver business.
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3.5 Documents pertaining to the current tax status of the Company,
including all tax returns for the last three years, pending
audits, disallowances, abatements, petitions, settlements and
other matters involving the IRS, or
4. Miscellaneous
4.1 A schedule listing and describing (briefly) any patents,
trademarks, trade names, copyrights and other intellectual
property rights either held by the Company or used (by means
of a licensing arrangement or otherwise) by it.
4.2 A schedule of fixed assets purchased for the Company
(including valuation data with respect to each asset, if
available).
Other
1. List of open accounts receivable with aging
2. List of inventory (if possible) by product category
3. Any proprietary rights involving silver business
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is entered into as of April ______,
2000, by and between Reliable-West Tech, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as
the "Company") and Allen O. Woody, III, an individual (hereinafter referred
to as "Employee").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Company has acquired certain assets of Southwestern Services,
Inc., trading as SPM Corp. pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement of even
date herewith (the "Asset Purchase Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, as part of the Company's purchase of certain assets of SPM Corp.,
the Company and Employee have agreed to enter into this Employment
Agreement; and
WHEREAS, capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings
ascribed to such terms in the Asset Purchase Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above-mentioned premises, which
are incorporated into this Agreement as though fully set forth at length herein,
and the mutual promises and covenants of the parties, as hereinafter set forth,
the parties agree as follows:
1. Employment. The Company hereby employs Employee as Senior Vice president of
Sales and Employee agrees to accept such employment. Employee shall be required
to perform such duties as may from time to time be required by the Board of
Directors, President or Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Employee hereby
warrants and confirms that he is under no contractual commitments, whether
written or oral, inconsistent with his obligations as set forth in this
Agreement, and that during the term of this Agreement, he shall not render or
perform services for any other corporation, firm, entity or person related to
the sale of silver or silver related products other than silver bullion.
2. Compensation.
(a) As full consideration and compensation, the Company will provide to
Employee and Employee agrees to accept from the Company, commencing on the
Commencement Date, the following:
(i) Employee's gross salary expressed as an annual amount
shall be $50,000.00 ("Base Salary"). The Base Salary shall be paid in the same
manner as compensation is paid to other employees of the Company.
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(ii) Those fringe benefits which the Company makes available
from time to time generally to the employees of the Company. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Company may change, add to or discontinue, such fringe benefits
from time to time provided it does so for all of its employees.
(iii) Employee commission (the "Commission") determined in
accordance with Section 3.
(iv) An annual bonus in the amount of $1,000.00, payable
on or before May 1 during each year of the term of employment.
(b) All compensation paid to Employee shall be subject to federal,
state and local withholding taxes, social security taxes, and all other
applicable payroll taxes which Employee is obligated to pay. The Company may
also withhold such amounts necessary to provide Employee the benefits described
in clause (ii) above, on the same basis and to the same extent as withholding is
handled for other employees of the Company.
3. Commission. Employee will receive a Commission payable monthly, within twenty
days after the end of each calendar month, on all revenues received by the
Company with respect to sales of silver anodes, silver cyanide, and potassium
silver cyanide to "New Customers", provided that such sales are originated
entirely by Employee. "New Customers" shall mean all customers assigned to
Employee by the President or Chief Executive Officer of the Company to which
silver anodes, silver cyanide and/or potassium silver cyanide are sold by
Employee, except that "New Customers" shall not include those customers who have
been sold silver anodes, silver cyanide or potassium silver cyanide by SPM Corp.
within the twelve (12) months preceding the date of this Agreement.
Employee shall also receive commissions on sales of silver grain as
mutually determined by the Company and Employee.
(a) During the "Initial Term" (defined in Section 6) the amount of the
Commission shall be equal to the lesser of (i) 13% of the total Fabrication Fees
received by the Company from New Customers, or (ii) the amount, if any, by which
such Fabrication Fees received by the Company from New Customers exceed fifteen
cents per ounce. There shall be no Commissions due with respect to sales in
which the Fabrication Fee is 15(cent) an ounce or less.
(b) If this Agreement is extended, then during each of the first three
years following the Initial Term (provided that Employee continues to be
employed by the Company), Employee shall receive a Commission, the amount of
which (except for the Commission on
silver grain), shall be equal to the lesser of (i) 10% of the total Fabrication
Fee received by the Company from each New Customer, or (ii) the amount, if any,
by which the Fabrication Fee
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received by the Company from each New Customer exceeds fifteen cents per ounce.
There shall be no Commissions due with respect to sales of silver anodes, silver
cyanide and/or potassium silver cyanide in which the Fabrication Fee is 15(cent)
per ounce or less. The amount of the Commission on sales of silver grain shall
be 10% of the Fabrication fee regardless of whether or not the Fabrication fee
is greater than 15(cent) an ounce, provided, however, that no Commission shall
be due with respect to any particular sale in which the total revenue received
from such sale does not equal or exceed all costs relating to such sale
including the 10% commission.
(c) Employee may audit appropriate records of the Company during the
Company's regular business hours, on reasonable advance written notice, to
verify that the Commissions are being properly computed and paid.
4. Duties. The duties of Employee are as follows:
(a) As part of Employee's employment Employee shall perform the
ordinary duties of a Senior Vice President of a company such as the Company
including, but not limited to, selling silver anodes, silver cyanide and
potassium silver cyanide.
(b) It is expressly understood that Employee's employment under this
Agreement is not full time and that he may continue to be employed by SPM Corp.
or other entities, provided that such other activities of Employee do not (i)
materially interfere with the performance of his duties as described herein, or
(ii) constitute a violation of the covenants set forth in Section 7 below.
It is further understood, however, that all efforts to sell, and
sales of silver anodes, silver cyanide and potassium silver cyanide, and silver
grain or other silver related products (other than silver bullion) during the
term of Employee's employment with the Company (and any sales efforts relating
to such products (other than silver bullion) during the "Restriction Period"
defined below) , whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, shall be
exclusively for the benefit of the Company.
(c) In performing Employee's duties hereunder, it is understood that
Employee may continue to work out of Southwest Virginia at a site acceptable to
Employee unless otherwise mutually agreed by the Company and Employee.
5. Reimbursement of Expenses. Employee will be reimbursed for ordinary,
necessary and reasonable business expenses actually incurred by Employee in
connection with the performance of Employee's duties described herein, provided
such expenses fall within the Company's guidelines for expense reimbursement,
and provided Employee has obtained all Company approvals for reimbursement
required by the Company guidelines and Employee promptly submits to the Company
documentation sufficient to substantiate such expenses.
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6. Term.
(a) Subject to earlier termination as provided herein, the initial term
of Employee's employment with the Company shall be for a period commencing
effective April 1, 2000 (the "Effective Date"), and ending March 31, 2003 (the
"Initial Term"). Unless, on or before February 1, 2003, either party delivers
written notice to the other of its/his intent not to re-new Employee's
employment, then the term of Employee's employment shall continue for an
extended term beginning April 1, 2003, and ending March 31, 2006, subject to
earlier termination as set forth below.
(b) At the conclusion of each twelve month period during the term (each
such period being referred to as a "Term Year" beginning with the Term Year
ending March 31 2003, Employee shall have the option to terminate his employment
with the Company as provided in Section 6(d).
(c) At the conclusion of each Term Year beginning with the Term Year
ending March 31, 2003, the Company shall have the option to terminate Employee's
employment with the Company, without cause, as provided in Section 6 (d), upon
the following terms and conditions:
(i) If terminated effective the end of the Term Year ending
March 31, 2003, the Company shall pay Employee the sum of $150,000, payable in
three annual installments of $50,000, payable on or before the first business
day in April of calendar years 2003, 2004 and 2005.
(ii) If terminated effective the end of the Term Year ending
March 31, 2004, the Company shall pay Employee the sum of $100,000, payable in
two annual installments of $50,000, payable on or before the first business day
in April of calendar years 2004 and 2005.
(iii) If terminated effective the end of the Term Year ending
March 31, 2005, the Company shall pay Employee the sum of $50,000.00 on or
before the first business day in April, 2005.
(d) For termination to be effective at the conclusion of any Term Year
as provided in this paragraph, notice of intention to terminate must be given no
later than sixty (60) days prior to the end of the Term Year by the Company to
the Employee if the Company desires to terminate, and by Employee to the Company
if Employee desires to terminate.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, the
Company shall have the right to terminate the employment of Employee immediately
upon written notice to Employee at any time, "For Cause." For purposes of this
Agreement "For Cause" shall mean:
(i) Employee's misappropriation of any funds or properties of the Company
or other acts constituting fraud, theft or the acceptance of a bribe or
"kick back";
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(ii) Conviction of Employee of a felony or Employee's engaging in conduct
involving moral turpitude;
(iii) Employee's engaging in conduct constituting (1) willful
gross neglect, or (2) willful gross misconduct in carrying out Employee's duties
under this Agreement; or
(iv) Employee's refusal or failure to perform his obligations
hereunder, provided that Employee fails to cure such refusal or failure within
ten business days after receipt of written notice thereof.
In the event that Employee's employment with the Company is terminated
For Cause, he shall only be entitled to receive payment of Base Salary through
the effective date of termination of employment, and the Commissions payable
with respect to Fabrication Fees received by the Company through the effective
date of termination of employment.
(f) In the event that Employee dies or becomes disabled so as not to be
able to perform his duties as set forth herein for a period of six consecutive
months or for a total of 180 days during any twelve month period, Employee's
employment shall terminate effective as of the date of death or the last day of
such six month period or the 180th day of disability (as the case may be) and
Employee, or his personal representative, as the case may be shall only be
entitled to receive payment of Base Salary through the effective date of
termination of employment, and the Commissions payable with respect to
Fabrication Fees received by the Company through the effective date of
termination of employment.
7. Confidentiality; Non-Solicitation; Non-Compete.
(a) Employee agrees that for the longest period permitted by law after
the date hereof he shall hold in strictest confidence, and shall not, without
the prior written approval of the Company use for the benefit of any party other
than the Company or disclose to any person, firm or corporation other than the
Company (other than as required by law) any information of any kind relating to
the business of the Company except such information as is otherwise publicly
available. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Employee shall not
disclose or use any information pertaining to the business of the Company or any
Affiliate, including, but not limited to, profit figures, names of, or
relationships with customers or advertisers, or the terms of any contracts to
which it or they may be a party.
Employee shall, at the request of the Company, promptly surrender to
the Company or its nominee, upon any termination of his employment hereunder, or
at any time prior thereto, any document, memorandum, record, letter,
specification or other paper in his possession or under his control relating to
the operations, business, customers, or affairs of the Company or its
Affiliates.
(b) During the "Restriction Period" (defined below), Employee shall not (i)
directly or indirectly engage or participate, anywhere in the Restricted
Area, as an owner, partner,
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shareholder, consultant, or (without limitation by the specific enumeration of
the foregoing) otherwise, in any business which is engaged in the purchase, sale
or fabrication of silver or any silver related products, including, without
limitation, silver anodes, silver cyanide, potassium silver cyanide and silver
grain, but excluding silver bullion, or (ii) hire, enter into any agreement
with, or encourage or solicit any of the Company's employees, agents,
consultants, or independent contractors to terminate their relationship with the
Company. The Restriction Period shall mean the period commencing on the date
hereof and continuing until the third anniversary of the termination of
Employee's employment with the Company for any reason. The "Restricted Area"
shall mean the continental United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the
event that the Company defaults in the payment of any material monetary
obligation to Employee herein which is not cured within fifteen days after
receipt of written notice thereof, or in the event the Company defaults in the
payment of any material monetary obligation from the Company to Southwestern
Services, Inc. pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement or the Note which is not
cured within any applicable grace period, or if there is no stated grace period,
within a reasonable time after receipt of written notice thereof, then the
Restriction Period shall immediately terminate.
(c) Employee recognizes that the territorial, time and scope
limitations set forth in this Section 7 are reasonable and are required for the
protection of the Company, and in the event that any such territorial, time or
scope limitation is deemed to be unreasonable by a court of competent
jurisdiction, Employee and the Company agree to the reduction of any of said
territorial, time or scope limitations to such an area, period or scope as said
court shall deem reasonable under the circumstances.
(d) Employee specifically recognizes that any breach of this Section 7
will cause irreparable injury to the Company and that actual damages may be
difficult to ascertain, and in any event, may be inadequate. Accordingly (and
without limiting the availability of legal or equitable, including injunctive,
remedies under any other provisions of this Agreement), Employee agrees that in
the event of any such breach, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief
in addition to such other legal and equitable remedies that may be available.
Employee recognizes that the time limitation in paragraph (b) and the absence of
a time limitation in paragraph (a) is reasonable and properly required for the
protection of the Company and in the event that such limitation or absence is
deemed to be unreasonable by a court of competent jurisdiction, Employee and the
Company agree and submit to the imposition of such a limitation as said court
shall deem reasonable.
(e) The obligations imposed by this Section 7 shall survive the
expiration or other termination of this Agreement.
8. Notices. Any and all notices required or desired pursuant to this
Agreement shall be in writing and delivered in person or by U.S. certified
or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage fully prepaid and
addressed as follows:
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To the Company: Reliable- West Tech, Inc.
750 Shames Drive
Westbury, New York, 11590
Attn: Mandel Sherman
With a copy to: McLaughlin & Stern, LLP
260 Madison Avenue
N.Y., N.Y. 10016
Attn: Robert M. Weiss
To Employee: Allen O. Woody
5200 Fox Ridge Road S.W.
Roanoke, Va. 24014
With a copy to: Dudley Woody, Esq.
Woods Rogers & Hazlegrove, P.L.C.
10 South Jefferson Street
Ste 1400
Roanoke, Va. 24011
Either party shall have the right to change the party and address for notice by
giving notice of any change in the manner herein set forth for notices. For
purposes of this Agreement, a notice mailed shall be deemed received when mailed
and a notice that is hand delivered shall be deemed received when personally
delivered.
9. Set-Off Rights
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, during the period
commencing on the "Effective Date and continuing until the first anniversary of
the Effective Date, the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to
deduct from the amounts payable to Employee hereunder, (i) any amounts which are
not paid to the Company by SPM Corp pursuant to Section 9.7, of the Asset
Purchase Agreement and (ii) the amount of any indemnification liability
determined in accordance with the provisions of Article X of the Asset Purchase
Agreement (but only after a final arbitrated determination of liability pursuant
to Section 10.7 of such Agreement).
10. Miscellaneous.
(a) This Agreement may not be modified unless by a subsequent
instrument in writing signed by Employee and the Company which specifically
states that the purpose of such instrument is to amend this Agreement and such
instrument specifically refers to this Agreement.
(b) It is hereby agreed and acknowledged that this Agreement and the
Asset Purchase Agreement constitute and express the entire agreement of the
parties with reference to the
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employment and remuneration of Employee by the Company. All other prior
promises, undertakings, representations, agreements and understandings with
reference to such employment and remuneration are merged into this Agreement and
are superseded by this Agreement.
(c) Any dispute arising out of , relating to or connected with this
Agreement shall be finally settled and resolved by arbitration in New York, New
York pursuant to the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration
Association. Each party shall bear its own costs of such arbitration, provided,
however the costs of the arbitrator shall be borne by the party commencing such
arbitration proceeding.
(d) If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to
be invalid, illegal or unenforceable by a judicial court of record, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in
any way be affected or impaired thereby.
(e) The obligations of Employee hereunder may not be assigned or delegated
without the prior written consent of the Company.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement effective
as of the date first written above.
RELIABLE-WEST TECH, INC.
By_______________________________
Mandel Sherman
Title: President
---------------------------------
Allen O. Woody, III
