<PAGE>
FORM 8-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 3, 1998
WPI GROUP, INC.
---------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
New Hampshire 0-19717 02-0218767
--------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
<S> <C> <C>
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
</TABLE>
1155 Elm Street, Manchester, New Hampshire 03101
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (603) 627-3500
NONE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Former Name, former address, and former fiscal year, if changed since last
report)
<PAGE>
WPI GROUP, INC.
FORM 8-K
ITEM 1. CHANGES IN CONTROL OF REGISTRANT.
---------------------------------
None.
ITEM 2. ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.
-------------------------------------
On August 3, 1998, WPI Group, Inc. completed the acquisition of the ANG
Instrument division from Allard Nazarian Group, Inc. The Company acquired all
of the assets of the ANG Instruments division for approximately $22.75 million.
ANG Instruments is a leading producer of avionics components and subsystems,
inertial sensors and panel meters.
A more complete description of the transaction is contained in the Asset
Purchase and Sale Agreement which is Exhibit 10.24 to this report and is
incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 3. BANKRUPTCY OR RECEIVERSHIP.
---------------------------
None.
ITEM 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT.
----------------------------------------------
None.
- 2 -
<PAGE>
WPI GROUP, INC.
FORM 8-K
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
-------------
On August 3, 1998, the Company issued a press release announcing that WPI Group,
Inc. had acquired the ANG Instruments division. The press release is Exhibit
99.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.
On August 3, 1998, the Company issued a press release announcing that it had
secured a $75,000,000 credit facility with Fleet Bank - NH. The press release
is Exhibit 99.2 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.
On August 4, 1998, the Company issued a press release announcing that it had
agreed to acquire the Lucas Schaevitz inertial sensor product line from the
Lucas Control Systems Division of Lucas Varity, Plc. The press release is
Exhibit 99.3 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 6. RESIGNATIONS OF REGISTRANT'S DIRECTORS.
---------------------------------------
None.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
----------------------------------
Financial: The financial statements required to be filed are currently not
available and will be filed under Form 8 within the time specified
by Item 7(a)(4) of Form 8-K.
Exhibits: 10.24 - Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement dated July 31,1998.
99.1 - Press release re: ANG Instruments acquisition dated August
3, 1998.
99.2 - Press release re: credit facility dated August 3, 1998.
99.3 - Press release re: Lucas Schaevitz product line acquisition
dated August 4, 1998.
ITEM 8. CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR.
----------------------
Not applicable.
- 3 -
<PAGE>
WPI GROUP, INC.
FORM 8-K
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
WPI GROUP, INC.
Dated: August 4, 1998 By:/s/ Dennis M. Deegan
-------------------------
Dennis M. Deegan
President, Treasurer and
Chief Operating Officer
- 4-
<PAGE>
Exhibit 10.24
ASSET PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT
---------------------------------
Assets of ANG Instruments division of Allard Nazarian Group, Inc.,
Modutec, Inc. and A&M Instrument, Inc.
AGREEMENT made as of July 31, 1998, between WPI Instruments, Inc. (the
"Buyer") a wholly-owned subsidiary of WPI Group, Inc. ("Guarantor"); and Allard
Nazarian Group, Inc., Modutec, Inc., A&M Instrument, Inc. (collectively, the
"Seller") Gerald R. Allard, Trustee of the Gerald R. Allard Revocable Trust of
1994, The Allard Children's Trust f/b/o John R. Allard, The Allard Children's
Trust f/b/o Michael E. Allard, The Allard Children's Trust f/b/o Lisa Dibrigida,
The Allard Children's Trust f/b/o Kim A. Klop, Younes Nazarian, David and Angela
Nazarian, Trustees of The Nazarian Family Trust, and David Nazarian, Trustee of
The Samy Nazarian Trust (the "Shareholders").
The Seller is the owner of and desires to sell all of the assets of its ANG
Instruments Division, which includes the Jewell, Modutec, Emico and A&M product
lines (collectively referred to herein as the "Business").
The parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
- ---------------
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified
or referred to in this Section 1:
"Applicable Contract" - any Contract applicable or related to the Business (a)
under which the Seller or CML has or may acquire any rights, (b) under which the
Seller or CML has or may become subject to any obligation or liability, or (c)
by which the Business or the Purchased Assets is or may become bound.
"Best Efforts" - the efforts that a prudent Person desirous of achieving a
result would use in similar circumstances to ensure that such result is achieved
as expeditiously as possible.
"Breach" - a "Breach" of a representation, warranty, covenant, obligation, or
other provision of this Agreement or any instrument delivered pursuant to this
Agreement will be deemed to have occurred if there is or has been any inaccuracy
in or breach of, or any failure to perform or comply with, such representation,
warranty, covenant, obligation, or other provision.
"Business" - as defined in the recitals of this Agreement.
"Buyer" - as defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
<PAGE>
"Closing" - as defined in Section 4.1.
"Closing Date" - the date and time as of which the Closing actually takes place.
"Consent" - any approval, consent, ratification, waiver, or other authorization
(including any Governmental Authorization).
"Contemplated Transactions" - all of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including:
(a) the sale of the Purchased Assets by Seller to Buyer;
(b) the execution, delivery, and performance of the Noncompetition
Agreements, Severance Agreements, and Promissory Note; and
(c) the performance by Buyer and Seller of their respective covenants and
obligations under this Agreement and any ancillary agreements.
"Contract" - any agreement, contract, obligation, promise, or undertaking
(whether written or oral and whether express or implied) that is legally
binding.
"Damages" - as defined in Section 9.2.
"Employee Program" - as defined in Section 5.13.
"Encumbrance" - any charge, claim, community property interest, condition,
equitable interest, lien, option, pledge, security interest, right of first
refusal, or restriction of any kind, including any restriction on use, voting,
transfer, receipt of income, or exercise of any other attribute of ownership.
"Environment" - soil, land surface or subsurface strata, surface waters
(including navigable waters, ocean waters, streams, ponds, drainage basins, and
wetlands), groundwaters, drinking water supply, stream sediments, ambient air
(including indoor air), plant and animal life, and any other environmental
medium or natural resource.
"Environmental, Health, and Safety Liabilities" - any cost, damages, expense,
liability, obligation, or other responsibility arising from or under
Environmental Law or Occupational Safety and Health Law and consisting of or
relating to:
(a) any environmental, health, or safety matters or conditions (including
on-site or off-site contamination, occupational safety and health, and
regulation of chemical substances or products);
(b) fines, penalties, judgments, awards, settlements, legal or
administrative proceedings, damages, losses, claims, demands and
response, investigative, remedial, or inspection costs and expenses
arising under Environmental Law or Occupational Safety and Health
Law;
<PAGE>
(c) financial responsibility under Environmental Law or Occupational
Safety and Health Law for cleanup costs or corrective action,
including any investigation, cleanup, removal, containment, or other
remediation or response actions ("Cleanup") required by applicable
Environmental Law or Occupational Safety and Health Law (whether or
not such Cleanup has been required or requested by any Governmental
Body or any other Person) and for any natural resource damages; or
(d) any other compliance, corrective, investigative, or remedial measures
required under Environmental Law or Occupational Safety and Health
Law.
The terms "removal," "remedial," and "response action," include the types of
activities covered by the United States Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. ' 9601 et seq., as amended
("CERCLA").
"Environmental Law" - any Legal Requirement that requires or relates to:
(a) advising appropriate authorities, employees, and the public of
intended or actual releases of pollutants or hazardous substances or
materials, violations of discharge limits, or other prohibitions and
of the commencements of activities, such as resource extraction or
construction, that could have significant impact on the Environment;
(b) preventing or reducing to acceptable levels the release of pollutants
or hazardous substances or materials into the Environment;
(c) reducing the quantities, preventing the release, or minimizing the
hazardous characteristics of wastes that are generated;
(d) assuring that products are designed, formulated, packaged, and used so
that they do not present unreasonable risks to human health or the
Environment when used or disposed of;
(e) protecting resources, species, or ecological amenities;
(f) reducing to acceptable levels the risks inherent in the transportation
of hazardous substances, pollutants, oil, or other potentially harmful
substances;
(g) cleaning up pollutants that have been released, preventing the threat
of release, or paying the costs of such clean up or prevention; or
(h) making responsible parties pay private parties, or groups of them, for
damages done to their health or the Environment, or permitting self-
appointed representatives of the public interest to recover for
injuries done to public assets.
"ERISA" - the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or any successor
law, and regulations and rules issued pursuant to that Act or any successor law.
<PAGE>
"Facilities" - any real property, leaseholds, or other interests currently or
formerly owned or operated by the Seller and related to the Business and any
buildings, plants, structures, or equipment (including motor vehicles, tank
cars, and rolling stock) currently or formerly owned or operated by the Seller
and related to the Business.
"GAAP" - generally accepted United States accounting principles, applied on a
basis consistent with the basis on which the Interim Balance Sheet and the other
financial statements referred to in Section 5 were prepared.
"Governmental Authorization" - any approval, consent, license, permit, waiver,
or other authorization issued, granted, given, or otherwise made available by or
under the authority of any Governmental Body or pursuant to any Legal
Requirement.
"Governmental Body" - any:
(a) nation, state, county, city, town, village, district, or other
jurisdiction of any nature;
(b) federal, state, local, municipal, foreign, or other government;
(c) governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any nature (including
any governmental agency, branch, department, official, or entity and
any court or other tribunal);
(d) multi-national organization or body; or
(e) body exercising, or entitled to exercise, any administrative,
executive, judicial, legislative, police, regulatory, or taxing
authority or power of any nature.
"Hazardous Activity" - the distribution, generation, handling, importing,
management, manufacturing, processing, production, refinement, Release, storage,
transfer, transportation, treatment, or use (including any withdrawal or other
use of groundwater) of Hazardous Materials in, on, under, about, or from the
Facilities or any part thereof into the Environment.
"Hazardous Materials" - any waste or other substance that is listed, defined,
designated, or classified as, or otherwise determined to be, hazardous,
radioactive, or toxic or a pollutant or a contaminant under or pursuant to any
Environmental Law, including any admixture or solution thereof, and specifically
including petroleum and all derivatives thereof or synthetic substitutes
therefor and asbestos or asbestos-containing materials.
"Intellectual Property Assets" - as defined in Section 2.1(f).
"Interim Balance Sheet" - as defined in Section 5.4.
"IRC" - the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any successor law, and regulations
issued by the IRS pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code or any successor law.
<PAGE>
"IRS" - the United States Internal Revenue Service or any successor agency, and,
to the extent relevant, the United States Department of the Treasury.
"KIB" - means to the best of the Warrantors' knowledge, information and belief.
"Legal Requirement" - any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign,
international, multinational, or other administrative order, constitution, law,
ordinance, principle of common law, regulation, statute, or treaty applicable or
related to the Business or the Seller's or CML's ownership or use of the assets
related to the Business.
"Marks" - all fictional business names, trading names, registered and
unregistered trademarks, service marks, and applications which are material to
the Business, including those Marks which the Seller has the unrestricted right
to use pursuant to a valid license or other agreement.
"Occupational Safety and Health Law" - any Legal Requirement designed to provide
safe and healthful working conditions and to reduce occupational safety and
health hazards, and any program, whether governmental or private (including
those promulgated or sponsored by industry associations and insurance
companies), designed to provide safe and healthful working conditions.
"Order" - any award, decision, injunction, judgment, order, ruling, subpoena, or
verdict entered, issued, made, or rendered by any court, administrative agency,
or other Governmental Body or by any arbitrator.
"Ordinary Course of Business" - an action taken by a Person will be deemed to
have been taken in the "Ordinary Course of Business" only if such action is
consistent with the past practices of such Person and is taken in the ordinary
course of the normal day-to-day operations of such Person;
"Organizational Documents" - (a) the articles or certificate of incorporation
and the bylaws of a corporation; and (b) any amendment to any of the foregoing.
"Patents" - any and all foreign and domestic patents and patent applications
used by or relating to the Business, including those patents which the Seller
has the unrestricted right to use pursuant to a valid license or other
agreement.
"Person" - any individual, corporation (including any non-profit corporation),
general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture,
estate, trust, association, organization, labor union, or other entity or
Governmental Body.
"Principal Shareholders" - Gerald R. Allard, Trustee of the Gerald R. Allard
Revocable Trust of 1994; The Allard Children's Trust f/b/o John R. Allard; The
Allard Children's Trust f/b/o Michael E. Allard; Younes Nazarian, and David and
Angela Nazarian, Trustees of the Nazarian Family Trust.
"Proceeding" - any action, arbitration, audit, hearing, investigation,
litigation, or suit (whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, or
informal) commenced, brought, conducted, or heard by or before, or otherwise
involving, any Governmental Body or arbitrator.
<PAGE>
"Purchased Assets" - as defined in section 2.1 of this Agreement.
"Release" - any spilling, leaking, emitting, discharging, depositing, escaping,
leaching, dumping, or other releasing into the Environment, whether intentional
or unintentional.
"Representative" - with respect to a particular Person, any director, officer,
employee, agent, consultant, advisor, or other representative of such Person,
including legal counsel, accountants, and financial advisors.
"Seller" - as defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
"Shares" - as defined in Section 2(f).
"Tax Return" - any return (including any information return), report, statement,
schedule, notice, form, or other document or information filed with or submitted
to, or required to be filed with or submitted to, any Governmental Body in
connection with the determination, assessment, collection, or payment of any
tax or in connection with the administration, implementation, or enforcement of
or compliance with any Legal Requirement relating to any tax.
"Threat of Release" - a substantial likelihood of a Release that may require
action in order to prevent or mitigate damage to the Environment that may result
from such Release.
"Threatened" - a claim, Proceeding, dispute, action, or other matter will be
deemed to have been "Threatened" if any demand or statement has been made
(orally or in writing) or any notice has been given (orally or in writing).
"Warrantors" - as defined in Section 5 of this Agreement.
"Working Capital Adjustment" - as defined in Section 4.5.
2. PURCHASE OF THE SELLER'S ASSETS BY THE PURCHASER.
- -------------------------------------------------------
2.1 THE PURCHASED ASSETS.
- --------------------------
At the Closing, as defined in Section 4.1, the Seller shall grant, sell,
convey, transfer, assign and deliver to the Buyer, upon the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, all of the following assets of the Seller used by it in
connection with the Business:
(a) Real Property Leasehold Interests. Any and all rights under leases
----------------------------------
of real property and improvements (the "Real Property Leases") listed
on Schedule 2.1(a).
(b) Personal Property. Any and all personal property, including, without
------------------
limitation:
<PAGE>
(i) all cash, cash equivalents and related bank accounts, including
those listed on Schedule 2.1(b)(i);
(ii) all fixed and moveable machinery and equipment, including that
listed on Schedule 2.1(b)(ii);
(iii) all tooling, including that listed on Schedule 2.1(b)(iii);
(iv) all parts and furniture, including that listed on Schedule
2.1(b)(iv);
(v) all rights under leases of equipment, vehicles or other
tangible personal property, including those listed on
Schedule 2.1(b)(v).
(vi) all vehicles, including those listed on Schedule 2.1(b)(vi).
(c) Inventory. All raw materials, supplies, component parts, work-in-
----------
process and finished goods inventory and all other inventory, whether
located at Seller's Facilities, at various distribution facilities or
otherwise in transit, including that listed on Schedule 2.1(c).
(d) Accounts Receivable. All accounts receivable, including those listed
--------------------
on Schedule 2.1(d).
(e) Permits, etc. All licenses, permits, consents, authorizations,
-------------
approvals, certificates and franchises of any regulatory,
administrative or other agency or body, issued to or held by the
Seller.
(f) Intellectual Property Assets. Any and all of the following
-----------------------------
proprietary rights;
(i) all patents, inventions, copyrights, computer software,
trademarks, names, service marks, trade names, marks, symbols
and logos;
(ii) all trade secrets, processes, proprietary knowledge, know-how,
and other processes which are not filed or registered but which
constitute confidential proprietary information;
(iii) all franchises, licenses, sublicenses, permits or agreements in
respect of any of the foregoing; and
(iv) all filings, registrations, or issuances of any of the
foregoing with or by any federal, state, local or foreign
regulatory, administrative, or governmental authority, and any
applications for any of the foregoing;
in each case which the Seller owns, uses, has used or has the right to
use or to which the Seller is a party (collectively, the "Intellectual
Property Assets"), including those described on Schedule 2.1(f).
<PAGE>
(g) Modutec Limited. 80,000 shares (the "Shares") of common stock of
----------------
Modutec (Barbados) Limited, a Barbados, West Indies corporation
("CML"), which shares represent all of the issued and outstanding
capital stock of CML;
(h) Other Assets. All other assets of the Seller used by it in connection
-------------
with the Business, tangible or intangible, wherever located, and
whether or not any value for the assets is reflected in the Financial
Statements, including contractual or other rights, deposits, prepaid
expenses, actions, claims and privileges, customer lists,
correspondence files and records, accounts payable records, customers'
files, production records, purchasing records, inventory records, and
all other assets necessary for the continued conduct of the Business
by the Buyer. The assets described in subsections (a) through (g) of
this Section are sometimes referred to as the "Purchased Assets".
2.2 EXCLUDED ASSETS
- -------------------
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following assets shall be excluded from the
Purchased Assets:
(a) Any and all assets used by the Seller in connection with its Granite
State Manufacturing division;
(b) any and all rights in and to the trade name "Allard Nazarian Group,
Inc."; and
(c) actions and claims that are asserted by the Seller or a Shareholder as
counterclaims in any Proceeding brought against the Seller or a
Shareholder that arises out of or relates to the Business, including
but not limited to claims for which the Buyer is indemnified under
Section 10.10, and all rights of action and rights to indemnification
pursuant to a certain Stock Purchase Agreement between H.S.
Investments, Inc., BTR Dunlop Holdings (Delaware), Inc., and the
Seller dated as of November 18, 1997.
3. ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES BY THE BUYER
- ------------------------------------------
3.1 LIABILITIES ASSUMED.
- ------------------------
At the Closing, the Buyer shall assume:
(a) the Seller's accounts payable at the Closing Date as set forth on
Schedule 3.1(a);
(b) all accrued operating expenses (defined in accordance with GAAP)
incurred by the Seller in the Ordinary Course of Business which (i)
are reflected as a liability as set forth on the balance sheet and
Interim Balance Sheet or (ii) if incurred after the Interim Balance
Sheet date, are completely and accurately reflected on the Seller'
books and records delivered to the Buyer at the Closing; For the
purposes of this Section 3.1, accrued operating expenses shall not
include any accrued interest expenses, and, except as further provided
below, any taxes, legal, consulting, audit or other professional
expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer shall assume accrued
sales and use taxes relating to the Business and not yet due; accrued
payroll taxes relating to the Business and
<PAGE>
not yet due; accrued legal expenses incurred in the Ordinary Course of
Business; and accrued accounting and professional fees incurred in the
Ordinary Course; accounting fees incurred in connection with tax
analysis of the Contemplated Transactions in an amount not to exceed
$15,000; and professional fees incurred in connection with the asset
purchase described in Section 3.1(f);
(c) the obligations of the Seller arising under the real and personal
property leases listed on Schedules 2.1(a) and 2.1(b)(iv);
(d) the obligations of Seller pursuant to any warranty work and returns by
customers;
(e) any open purchase contracts related to the Business and in existence
on the Closing Date, provided that such contracts were entered into by
the Seller in the ordinary course of business; and
(f) the obligations of the Seller under a certain asset purchase agreement
between Seller and Lucas Controls for the purchase by Seller of the
Lucas-Shaevitz inertial sensor product line. Buyer acknowledges that
Seller has paid to Lucas an earnest money deposit of $75,000. Upon
the closing of such asset purchase or other termination of the asset
purchase agreement (except any termination caused by Seller), Buyer
shall reimburse the Seller for the $75,000 earnest money deposit
promptly upon such closing or termination.
3.2 NO OTHER LIABILITIES ASSUMED
- ----------------------------------
With the exception of the liabilities assumed pursuant to this Section 3, Buyer
shall not assume or otherwise be responsible for any liability or any other
obligation of the Seller of any kind, nature or description, whether such
liability or obligation is mature or not, liquidated or unliquidated, fixed or
contingent, known or unknown, whether arising out of occurrences prior to, at or
after the date of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the
preceding sentence, the assumption by the Buyer of the liabilities, obligations
and contracts of the Seller expressly excludes: (i) any tax, including, but not
limited to, income, sales or use tax, imposed on the Seller because of the sale
of the Purchased Assets; (ii) any liabilities or expenses of the Seller incurred
in connection with this Agreement; or (iii) any obligations incurred by the
Seller after the Closing.
4. CLOSING, TRANSFER PROCEDURES, PURCHASE PRICE
- ------------------------------------------------
4.1 CLOSING.
- -------------
The Closing of the sale and purchase of the Purchased Assets (the
"Closing") shall be held at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time at the offices of
McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton Professional Association at 900 Elm Street,
Manchester, New Hampshire on July 31, 1998, or on such other date and at such
other time and place to which the parties agree.
4.2 TRANSFER OF THE PURCHASED ASSETS.
- -------------------------------------
<PAGE>
At the Closing, the Seller and the Shareholders shall deliver to the Buyer
the following:
(a) Such deeds, bills of sale, endorsements, assignments and other good
and sufficient instruments of conveyance and transfer, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer's counsel, as shall be
effective to vest in the Buyer all of the Seller's right, title and
interest in and to the Purchased Assets;
(b) the Noncompetition Agreement in the form attached to Exhibit 4.2(b);
and
(c) Evidence that all Applicable Contracts or rights of the Seller which
cannot be transferred effectively without the consent of third parties
have received such consent. Provided, however that if an attempted
assignment or transfer of any rights or privilege will constitute a
breach or violation of any Applicable Contract, and if the parties
have been unable to obtain consent to such assignment or transfer, the
Seller agrees that it will, at Buyer's request, cooperate in any
arrangement which the Buyer may reasonably request to provide the
Buyer the benefits under such Applicable Contract. Cooperation may
include, without limitation, an arrangement between the Buyer and the
Seller pursuant to which the Seller complete Seller's performance
under such Applicable Contract by providing goods or services in
conformance with the contract, such goods or services to be provided
by Buyer to Seller for provision to the contracting third party, and
all revenue related to the goods and services so provided to be
remitted by Seller to Buyer. For the purposes of complying with this
Section, the Seller has attached a list of all consents necessary to
assign the Applicable Contracts as Schedule 4.2(c).
The Seller shall, from time to time, after the Closing hereunder and at
the Buyer's request, execute and deliver such other instruments of conveyance
and transfer and take such other action as the Buyer may reasonably require to
vest in the Buyer all of Seller's right, title and interest in and to the
Purchased Assets and to put the Buyer in possession of any of the Purchased
Assets.
4.3 PURCHASE PRICE.
- --------------------
The purchase price for the Purchased Assets shall be equal to $22,750,000, plus
or minus the Working Capital Adjustment (the "Purchase Price"), which shall be
paid as follows:
(a) $20,000,000 shall be paid to the Seller at the Closing in immediately
available funds; and
(b) the Buyer shall deliver to the Seller a promissory note in the form
attached as Exhibit 4.3(b) in the principal amount of $2,750,000,
payable in monthly installments with no interest over four (4) years.
4.4 ALLOCATION OF THE PURCHASE PRICE.
- --------------------------------------
The Purchase Price shall be allocated among the Purchased Assets as set forth on
Schedule 4.4.
<PAGE>
4.5 PURCHASE PRICE ADJUSTMENT.
- -----------------------------
(a) Working Capital Defined. The Purchase Price agreed to by the Parties
-----------------------
assumes that the Working Capital of the Business on the Closing Date
shall equal $5,600,000 ("Required Working Capital"). "Working
Capital" shall mean the sum of the following amounts, all determined
as of the Closing Date: (i) cash and cash equivalents; (ii) the
inventory of the Business, valued at the lower of cost (determined on
a first-in, first-out basis) or market value in accordance with GAAP;
(iii) the accounts receivable of the Business, less an appropriate
allowance for bad debts, returns, discounts and other customer
allowances computed in accordance with GAAP; minus (iv) the trade
payables and accrued liabilities of the Business that are being
assumed by the Buyer computed in accordance with GAAP; all computed
consistently with the working capital computation shown on Schedule
4.5(a).
(b) Adjustment for Working Capital. If the amount of the Working Capital
------------------------------
as shown on the Audited Closing Balance Sheet (the "Actual Working
Capital") is greater than the Required Working Capital, there shall be
an increase in the Purchase Price equal to the amount of the
difference (the "Adjustment"). If the Actual Working Capital is less
than the Required Working Capital, there shall be a decrease in the
Purchase Price in the amount of the Working Capital Adjustment.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Working Capital Adjustment shall be
made unless the amount of the adjustment exceeds $500,000, and then
only that amount above $500,000 shall be used in determining the
increase or decrease in the Purchase Price.
(c) Increase in Purchase Price. If there is an increase in the Purchase
--------------------------
Price based upon the adjustment set forth in Section 4.5 hereof then
the Buyer shall pay to the Seller the amount of the Working Capital
Adjustment on or before ten (10) business days after the expiration of
the Review Period (as hereinafter defined), unless the Seller objects
to the Closing Balance Sheet in accordance with Section 4.6.
(d) Decrease in Purchase Price. If there is a decrease in the Purchase
--------------------------
Price based upon the adjustment set forth in Section 4.5 hereof then
the Seller pay to the Buyer the amount of the Working Capital
Adjustment on or before ten (10) business days after the expiration of
the Review Period, unless Seller objects to the Closing Balance Sheet
in accordance with Section 4.6.
4.6 PURCHASE PRICE ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURES.
- ------------------------------------------
(a) The adjustment, if any, to the Purchase Price specified in Section 4.5
shall be determined based upon the Closing Balance Sheet. The Closing
Balance Sheet shall be prepared by the Buyer and delivered to the
Seller within ninety (90) days of the Closing Date. The Seller and
the Buyer agree that each will cooperate with the other so that the
Closing Balance Sheet is completed within ninety (90) days after the
Closing Date.
<PAGE>
(b) The Seller shall have thirty (30) days from the date of its receipt
of the Closing Balance Sheet (the "Review Period") to review the
Closing Balance Sheet. If the Seller has any disagreements with the
Closing Balance Sheet then the Seller shall notify the Buyer in
writing of its objections within such thirty (30) day period. Buyer
and Seller shall then use their best efforts to reach agreement on the
Closing Balance Sheet. In the event that the Buyer and Seller are
unable to reach agreement within thirty (30) days of the notification
to the Buyer, then any matter in dispute shall be referred to a single
Certified Public Accountant to be agreed upon between them, or in
default of such agreement, to be selected by agreement of each of the
parties' independent public accountants. The certified public
accountant shall act as an expert (and not as an arbitrator) in
connection with the giving of such decision, which shall be binding
upon the parties. Each party agrees to pay one half of the
accountant's fees in connection with such decision. Payment shall be
made within ten (10) days of the decision of the certified public
accountant.
4.7 RIGHT OF OFFSET.
- --------------------
The Buyer shall have the right to offset the amount of the Working Capital
Adjustment owed by Seller against the amount due under the Promissory Note
referenced in Section 4.3(b) provided, however that such right shall not be
exercised unless and until the Buyer has failed to pay Seller after final
settlement of the Adjustment.
5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER.
- --------------------------------------------
Seller, CML (but only as to those matters relating to CML) and the Principal
Shareholders (collectively, the "Warrantors"), jointly and severally, each
represent and warrant to Buyer as follows:
5.1 ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING.
- -----------------------------------
Schedule 5.1 contains a complete and accurate list for each of the Seller and
CML of its name, its jurisdiction of incorporation, other jurisdictions in which
it is authorized to do business, and the identity of each stockholder and the
number of shares held by each. Each of the Seller and CML is a corporation duly
incorporated, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation, with full corporate power and authority to
conduct its business as it is now being conducted, to own or use the properties
and assets that it purports to own or use, and to perform all its obligations
under Applicable Contracts. Each of the Seller and CML is duly qualified to do
business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each
state or other jurisdiction in which either the ownership or use of the
properties owned or used by it, or the nature of the activities conducted by it,
requires such qualification except where such failure to qualify will not have a
material adverse effect on the Business or the Purchased Assets.
5.2 AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT.
- ---------------------------
(a) This Agreement and the attached schedules and ancillary closing
documents constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligation of
Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with
<PAGE>
its terms. Seller has the absolute and unrestricted right, power,
authority, and capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and the
ancillary closing documents and to perform its obligations under this
Agreement and the ancillary closing documents.
(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 5.2, neither the execution and
delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation or performance of any
of the Contemplated Transactions will, directly or indirectly (with or
without notice or lapse of time):
(i) contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation of (A) any
provision of the Organizational Documents of the Seller or CML,
or (B) any resolution adopted by the board of directors or the
stockholders of Seller or CML;
(ii) contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation of, or give
any Governmental Body or other Person the right to challenge any
of the Contemplated Transactions or to exercise any remedy or
obtain any relief under, any Legal Requirement or any Order to
which either Seller, or the Purchased Assets may be subject;
(iii) contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation of any of
the terms or requirements of, or give any Governmental Body the
right to revoke, withdraw, suspend, cancel, terminate, or
modify, any Governmental Authorization that is held by Seller or
CML or that otherwise relates to the Business or the Purchased
Assets;
(iv) contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation or breach of
any provision of, or give any Person the right to declare a
default or exercise any remedy under, or to accelerate the
maturity or performance of, or to cancel, terminate, or modify,
any Applicable Contract; or
(v) result in the imposition or creation of any Encumbrance upon or
with respect to any of the Purchased Assets.
Except as set forth in Schedule 5.2, neither the Seller nor CML is or will be
required to give any notice to or obtain any Consent from any Person in
connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation
or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions.
5.3 CAPITALIZATION.
- -------------------
Schedule 5.3 of this Agreement sets forth the authorized capital, and the issued
and outstanding shares for each of the Seller and CML. All outstanding shares
of the Seller and CML have been validly issued and are fully paid and
nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. Except as disclosed on Schedule
5.3, neither the Seller nor CML have any subsidiaries.
5.4 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
- -------------------------
<PAGE>
Financial Statements. Seller has delivered to Buyer: (a) audited balance sheets
- --------------------
of the Seller as of December 31 in each of the years 1995 through 1997, and the
related audited statements of income for each of the years then ended, and (b)
an unaudited balance sheet of the Business as at July 4, 1998 (the "Interim
Balance Sheet") and the related unaudited statements of income for the six (6)
months then ended, including in each case the notes thereto (collectively, the
"Financial Statements"). Such financial statements and notes fairly present the
financial condition in all material respects and the results of operations of
the Business as at the respective dates of and for the periods referred to in
such financial statements, all in accordance with GAAP; the financial statements
referred to in this Section 5.4 reflect the consistent application of such
accounting principles throughout the periods involved.
5.5 BOOKS AND RECORDS.
- ----------------------
The books of account and other records of the Seller and CML, are complete and
correct and have been maintained in accordance with sound business practices.
The minute books of the Seller and CML contain accurate and complete records of
all meetings held of, and corporate action taken by, the stockholders, the
Boards of Directors, and committees of the Boards of Directors of the Seller and
CML, and no meeting of any such stockholders, Board of Directors, or committee
has been held for which minutes have not been prepared and are not contained in
such minute books.
5.6 TITLE TO PROPERTIES; ENCUMBRANCES.
- --------------------------------------
The Seller has good and marketable title to the Purchased Assets, free and clear
of all liens, pledges, mortgages, security interests, conditional sales
contracts or other encumbrances of any nature whatsoever, except for (i) the
lien of current taxes not yet due and payable, and (ii) as reflected on Schedule
5.6. CML has good and marketable title to, all of its assets, properties and
business, tangible and intangible, free and clear of all liens, pledges,
mortgages, security interests, conditional sales contracts or other encumbrances
of any nature whatsoever, except for (i) the lien of current taxes not yet due
and payable, and (ii) as reflected on Schedule 5.6. Except as set otherwise
forth in this Agreement and the Schedules thereto, no person other than the
Seller and/or CML owns any property, machinery, equipment or other assets which
are material to the Business situated on the premises of the Seller and/or CML.
5.7 CONDITION AND SUFFICIENCY OF ASSETS.
- ----------------------------------------
KIB, the buildings, plants, structures, and equipment of the Business are
structurally sound, are in good operating condition and repair, and are adequate
for the uses to which they are being put, and none of such buildings, plants,
structures, or equipment is in need of maintenance or repairs except for
ordinary, routine maintenance and repairs that are not material in nature or
cost. KIB, the building, plants, structures, and equipment of the Business are
sufficient for the continued conduct of the Business after the Closing in
substantially the same manner as conducted prior to the Closing.
5.8 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
- --------------------------
5.9 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
- --------------------------
<PAGE>
5.10 NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES.
- --------------------------------
Except as set forth the on Schedules to this Agreement, KIB, the Business has no
liabilities or obligations of any nature (whether absolute, accrued, contingent,
or otherwise) except for liabilities or obligations reflected or reserved
against in the Financial Statements and the Interim Balance Sheet and current
liabilities incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business since the respective
dates thereof.
5.11 TAXES.
- -----------
(a) Seller. The Seller has filed all required income tax returns and paid
------
all taxes related to the Business shown to be due thereby. The Seller
has filed with all appropriate governmental agencies all other Tax
Returns and tax reports related to the Business which are required to
be filed by it and has paid all taxes shown to be due thereby. The
liabilities and reserves for taxes reflected on the Interim Balance
Sheet of the Seller are sufficient for the payment of all taxes
assessed to Seller attributable to income earned and include adequate
provision for deferred taxes in accordance with GAAP. Neither the IRS
nor any other Governmental Entity is asserting or threatening to
assert against Seller any deficiency or claim for additional taxes,
interest thereon or penalties in connection therewith.
(b) CML. CML is an "Enclave Enterprise" as that term is defined under the
----
Fiscal Incentives Act of 1976 of the Commonwealth of Barbados. CML
has filed or caused to be filed all Tax Returns that are or were
required to be filed by or with respect to it, either separately or as
a member of a group of corporations, pursuant to applicable Legal
Requirements. CML has paid, or made provision for the payment of, all
taxes that have or may have become due pursuant to those Tax Returns
or otherwise, or pursuant to any assessment received by CML
The charges, accruals, and reserves with respect to taxes on the books
of CML are adequate (determined in accordance with GAAP) and are at
least equal to CML's liability for taxes. There exists no proposed tax
assessment against CML except as disclosed in the Interim Balance
Sheet All taxes that CML is or was required by Legal Requirements to
withhold or collect have been duly withheld or collected and, to the
extent required, have been paid to the proper Governmental Body or
other Person.
All Tax Returns filed by (or that include on a consolidated basis) CML
are true, correct, and complete in all material respects. There is no
tax sharing agreement that will require any payment by CML after the
date of this Agreement.
<PAGE>
5.12 NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE.
- --------------------------------
Since the date of the Interim Balance Sheet, there has not been any material
adverse change in the business, operations, properties, assets, or condition of
the Business, and no event has occurred or circumstance exists that may result
in such a material adverse change.
5.13 EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS.
- -----------------------
(a) Schedule 5.13(a) sets forth a list of every Employee Program (as
defined below) that has been maintained (as such term is further
defined below) by the Seller at any time during the three (3) year
period ending on the date hereof.
(b) Each Employee Program which has been maintained by the Seller and
which has at any time been intended to qualify under Section 401(a) or
501(c)(9) of the Code has received a favorable determination or
approval letter from the IRS regarding its qualification under such
section and has, in fact, been qualified under the applicable section
of the Code from the effective date of such Employee Program through
and including the Closing (or, if earlier, the date that all of such
Employee Program's assets were distributed). KIB no event or omission
has occurred which would cause any such Employee Program to lose such
qualification under the applicable Code section.
(c) Except as otherwise disclosed on Schedule 5.13, there has not been any
failure of any party to comply with any laws applicable to or the
terms of any Employee Programs that have been maintained by the
Seller, except for any failures to comply that, individually or in the
aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on the properties,
financial condition, operations or prospects of the Business. With
respect to any Employee Program now or heretofore maintained by the
Seller, there has occurred no "prohibited transaction," as defined in
Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or breach of any
duty under ERISA or, KIB, other applicable law (including, without
limitation, any health care continuation requirements or any other tax
law requirements, or conditions to favorable tax treatment, applicable
to such plan), which could result, directly or indirectly (including,
without limitation, through any obligation of indemnification or
contribution), in any taxes, penalties or other liability to the
Business or any ERISA Affiliate as defined below. No litigation,
arbitration or governmental administrative proceeding (or
investigation) or other proceeding (other than those relating to
routine claims for benefits) is pending or, KIB, threatened, with
respect to any such Employee Program.
(d) Neither the Seller nor any ERISA Affiliate has ever maintained any
Employee Program subject to Title IV of ERISA.
(e) With respect to each Employee Program maintained by the Seller within
the three years preceding the date hereof, complete and correct copies
of the following documents (if applicable to such Employee Program)
have previously been delivered to the Buyer: (i) all documents
embodying or governing such Employee Program and any funding medium
for the Employee Program (including, without limitation, trust
agreements) as they may have
<PAGE>
been amended to the date hereof; (ii) the most recent IRS
determination or approval letter with respect to such Employee Program
under IRC Section 401 or 501(c)(9) and any applications for
determination or approval subsequently filed with the IRS; (iii) the
three most recently filed IRS Forms 5500, with all applicable
schedules and accountants' opinions attached thereto; (iv) the summary
plan description for such Employee Program (or other descriptions of
such Employee Program provided to employees) and all modifications
thereto; (v) any insurance policy (including any fiduciary liability
insurance policy) related to such Employee Program; and (vi) any
documents evidencing any loan to an Employee Program that is a
leveraged employee stock ownership plan.
(f) The Seller has not made any written or oral representations to its
employees inconsistent with the written description of any Employee
Program maintained by the Seller as of the date hereof.
(g) For purposes of this Section 5.13:
------------
(i) "Employee Program" means all employee benefit plans within the
meaning of ERISA Section 3(3) including, but not limited to,
multiple employer welfare arrangements (within the meaning of
ERISA Section 3(40)), plans to which more than one unaffiliated
employer contributes and employee benefit plans (such as foreign
or excess benefit plans) that are not subject to ERISA. In the
case of an Employee Program funded through an organization
described in Code Section 501(c)(9), each reference to such
Employee Program shall include a reference to such organization;
(ii) an entity "maintains" an Employee Program if such entity
sponsors, contributes to or provides (or has promised to
provide) benefits under such Employee Program, or has any
obligation (by agreement or under applicable law) to contribute
to or provide benefits under such Employee Program, or if such
Employee Program provides benefits to or otherwise covers
employees of such entity (or their spouses, dependents, or
beneficiaries);
(iii) an entity is an "ERISA Affiliate" of the Seller for purposes of
this Section 5.13 if it would have ever been considered a single
employer with the Seller under ERISA Section 4001(b) or part of
the same "controlled group" as the Seller for purposes of ERISA
Section 302(d)(8)(c); and
(iv) "Multiemployer Plan" means a (pension or non-pension) employee
benefit plan to which more than one employer contributes and
that is maintained pursuant to one or more collective bargaining
agreements.
<PAGE>
5.14 COMPLIANCE WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENTS; GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Except as set forth in Schedule 5.14:
(i) the Seller and CML are, in all respects, in full compliance with
each Legal Requirement, except where such lack of full
compliance will not have a material adverse effect on the
Business or the Purchased Assets;
(ii) KIB, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that (with or
without notice or lapse of time) (A) may constitute or result in
a violation by the Seller and CML of, or a failure on the part
of the Seller and CML to comply with, any Legal Requirement, or
(B) may give rise to any obligation on the part of the Seller or
CML to undertake, or to bear all or any portion of the cost of,
any remedial action of any nature; and
(iii) neither the Seller nor CML has received any notice or other
communication (whether oral or written) from any Governmental
Body or any other Person regarding (A) any actual, alleged,
possible, or potential violation of, or failure to comply with,
any Legal Requirement, or (B) any actual, alleged, possible, or
potential obligation on the part of the Seller and CML to
undertake, or to bear all or any portion of the cost of, any
remedial action of any nature.
(b) Schedule 5.14 contains a complete and accurate list of each material
Governmental Authorization that is held by the Seller and CML and that
relates to the Business or the Purchased Assets. Each Governmental
Authorization listed or required to be listed on Schedule 5.14 is
valid and in full force and effect. Except as set forth on Schedule
5.14:
(i) each of the Seller and CML is in full compliance with all of the
terms and requirements of each Governmental Authorization
identified or required to be identified on Schedule 5.14, except
where such lack of full compliance will not have a material
adverse effect on the Business or the Purchased Assets;
(ii) KIB no event has occurred or circumstance exists that may (with
or without notice or lapse of time) (A) constitute or result
directly or indirectly in a violation of or a failure to comply
with any term or requirement of any Governmental Authorization
listed or required to be listed in Schedule 5.14, except where
such violation or failure to comply will not have a material
adverse effect on the Business or the Purchased Assets, or (B)
result directly or indirectly in the revocation, withdrawal,
suspension, cancellation, or termination of, or any modification
to, any Governmental Authorization listed or required to be
listed in Schedule 5.14;
(iii) neither the Seller nor CML has received any notice or other
communication (whether oral or written) from any Governmental
Body or any other Person regarding (A) any actual, alleged,
possible, or potential violation of or failure to
<PAGE>
comply with any term or requirement of any Governmental
Authorization, or (B) any actual, proposed, possible, or
potential revocation, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation,
termination of, or modification to any Governmental
Authorization; and
(iv) all applications required to have been filed for the renewal of
the Governmental Authorizations listed or required to be listed
on Schedule 5.14 have been duly filed on a timely basis with the
appropriate Governmental Bodies, and all other filings required
to have been made with respect to such Governmental
Authorizations have been duly made on a timely basis with the
appropriate Governmental Bodies.
The Governmental Authorizations listed on Schedule 5.14 collectively constitute
all of the Governmental Authorizations necessary to permit the lawful conduct
and operation of the Business in the manner that it is currently conducted and
to permit the Seller and CML to own and use the Purchased Assets in the manner
in which they currently own and use such assets.
5.15 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS; ORDERS.
- -------------------------------
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.15, there is no pending Proceeding:
(i) that has been commenced by or against and served upon the Seller
or CML that relates to or may affect the Business or the
Purchased Assets; or
(ii) that challenges, or that may have the effect of preventing,
delaying, making illegal, or otherwise interfering with, any of
the Contemplated Transactions.
KIB, (1) no such Proceeding has been Threatened, and (2) no event has occurred
or circumstance exists that may give rise to or serve as a basis for the
commencement of any such Proceeding.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.15, there is no Order to which the
Business or the Purchased Assets, is subject;
(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.15:
(i) each of the Seller and CML is in full compliance with all of the
terms and requirements of each Order to which the Business or
the Purchased Assets is or has been subject except where such
lack of compliance will not have a material adverse effect on
the Business or the Purchased Assets;
(ii) no event has occurred or circumstance exists that may constitute
or result in (with or without notice or lapse of time) a
violation of or failure to comply with any term or requirement
of any Order to which the Business or the Purchased Assets is or
has been subject except where such violation or failure to
comply will not have a material adverse effect on the Business
or the Purchased Assets; and
<PAGE>
(iii) neither the Seller nor CML has received any notice or other
communication (whether oral or written) from any Governmental
Body or any other Person regarding any actual, alleged,
possible, or potential violation of, or failure to comply with,
any term or requirement of any Order to which the Business or
the Purchased Assets is or has been subject.
5.16 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES AND EVENTS.
- -------------------------------------------
Except as set forth on Schedule 5.16, since the date of the Interim Balance
Sheet there has not been:
(a) Any material adverse change in the business operations (as now
conducted or as presently proposed to be conducted), assets,
properties or rights, or condition, (financial or otherwise), of the
Business or CML or, any occurrence, circumstance or combination
thereof which reasonably could be expected to result in any such
material adverse change;
(b) any material payment or increase by the Seller or CML of any bonuses,
salaries, or other compensation to any officer, or employee in an
amount greater than $5,000 or entry into any employment, severance, or
similar contract with any director, officer, or employee;
(c) any adoption of, or increase in the payments to or benefits under, any
profit sharing, bonus, deferred compensation, savings, insurance,
pension, retirement, or other employee benefit plan for or with any
employees of the Seller or CML;
(d) any damage to or destruction or loss of any asset or property of the
Business or CML, whether or not covered by insurance, materially and
adversely affecting the properties, assets, business, financial
condition, or prospects of the Business or CML, taken as a whole;
(e) any entry into, termination of, or receipt of notice of termination of
(i) any license, distributorship, dealer, sales representative, joint
venture, credit, or similar agreement, or (ii) any Contract or
transaction involving a total remaining commitment by or to the
Business or CML other than in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(f) any sale (other than sales of inventory in the Ordinary Course of
Business), lease, or other disposition of any asset or property of the
Business or CML, mortgage, pledge, or imposition of any lien or other
encumbrance on any material asset or property of the Business or CML,
including the sale, lease, or other disposition of any of the
Intellectual Property Rights;
(g) cancellation or waiver of any claims or rights with a value to the
Business or CML in excess of $20,000;
(h) material change in the accounting methods used by the Business or CML;
or
<PAGE>
(i) agreement, whether oral or written, by the Seller or CML to do any of
the foregoing.
5.17 CONTRACTS; NO DEFAULTS.
- ----------------------------
(a) Schedule 5.17(a) contains a complete and accurate list, and Seller
have delivered to Buyer true and complete copies, of:
(i) each Applicable Contract that involves performance of services
or delivery of goods or materials by the Business and CML of an
amount or value in excess of $50,000;
(ii) each Applicable Contract that involves performance of services
or delivery of goods or materials to the Business and CML of an
amount or value in excess of $50,000;
(iii) each Applicable Contract that was not entered into in the
Ordinary Course of Business and that involves expenditures or
receipts of the Business and CML in excess of $50,000;
(iv) each lease, rental or occupancy agreement, license, installment
and conditional sale agreement, and other Applicable Contract
affecting the ownership of, leasing of, title to, use of, or
any leasehold or other interest in, any real or personal
property (except personal property leases and installment and
conditional sales agreements having a value per item or
aggregate payments of less than $50,000 and with terms of less
than one year);
(v) each licensing agreement or other Applicable Contract with
respect to patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other
intellectual property, including agreements with current or
former employees, consultants, or contractors regarding the
appropriation or the non-disclosure of any of the Intellectual
Property Assets;
(vi) each collective bargaining agreement and other Applicable
Contract to or with any labor union or other employee
representative of a group of employees;
(vii) each joint venture, partnership, and other Applicable Contract
(however named) involving a sharing of profits, losses, costs,
or liabilities by the Business and CML with any other Person;
(viii) each amendment, supplement, and modification (whether oral or
written) in respect of any of the foregoing.
(b) Each Contract identified or required to be identified on Schedule
5.17(a) is in full force and effect and is valid and enforceable in
accordance with its terms. Each of the Seller and CML is, and at all
times has been, in substantial compliance with all applicable terms
and requirements of each Contract identified or required to be
identified on Schedule 5.17(a),
<PAGE>
and no event has occurred or circumstance exists that (with or without
notice or lapse of time) may contravene, conflict with, or result in a
violation or breach of, or give the Seller, CML or other Person the
right to declare a default or exercise any remedy under, or to
accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel, terminate, or
modify, any Applicable Contract.
5.18 INSURANCE.
- ---------------
Schedule 5.18 contains a description of all insurance policies held by the
Seller concerning the Business. All premiums due to date in respect to such
policies have been paid and no defaults exist under such policies.
5.19 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.
- ---------------------------
Except as set forth on Schedule 5.19:
(a) The Seller, (with respect to the Business and the Purchased Assets)
and CML are, and at all times have been, in full compliance with, and
have not been and is not in violation of or liable under, any
Environmental Law. Neither the Seller nor CML has any basis to expect,
nor has any of them, or KIB any other Person for whose conduct they
are or may be held to be responsible received, any actual or
Threatened order, notice, or other communication from (i) any
Governmental Body, or (ii) the current or prior owner or operator of
any Facilities, of any actual or potential violation or failure to
comply with any Environmental Law, or of any actual or Threatened
obligation to undertake or bear the cost of any Environmental, Health,
and Safety Liabilities with respect to any of the Facilities or any
other properties or assets of the Business, or with respect to any
property or Facility at or to which Hazardous Materials were
generated, manufactured, refined, transferred, imported, used, or
processed by Seller and CML, or any other Person for whose conduct
they are or may be held responsible, or from which Hazardous Materials
have been transported, treated, stored, handled, transferred,
disposed, recycled, or received.
(b) There are no pending or, KIB, Threatened claims, Encumbrances, or
other restrictions of any nature, resulting from any Environmental,
Health, and Safety Liabilities or arising under or pursuant to any
Environmental Law, with respect to or affecting any of the Facilities
or any other properties and assets of the Business.
(c) Neither the Seller nor CML has any basis to expect, nor has any of
them or any other Person for whose conduct they are or may be held
responsible, received, any citation, directive, inquiry, notice,
Order, summons, warning, or other communication that relates to
Hazardous Activity, Hazardous Materials, or any alleged, actual, or
potential violation or failure to comply with any Environmental Law,
or of any alleged, actual, or potential obligation to undertake or
bear the cost of any Environmental, Health, and Safety Liabilities
with respect to any of the Facilities or any other properties or
assets of the Business, or with respect to any property or facility to
which Hazardous Materials
<PAGE>
generated, manufactured, refined, transferred, imported, used, or
processed by Seller and CML, or any other Person for whose conduct
they are or may be held responsible, have been transported, treated,
stored, handled, transferred, disposed, recycled, or received.
(d) There are no Hazardous Materials present on or in the Environment at
the Facilities, including any Hazardous Materials contained in
barrels, above or underground storage tanks, landfills, land deposits,
dumps, equipment (whether moveable or fixed) or other containers,
either temporary or permanent, and deposited or located in land,
water, sumps, or any other part of the Facilities, or incorporated
into any structure therein or thereon. Neither the Seller, CML nor any
other Person for whose conduct they are or may be held responsible,
has permitted or conducted, or is aware of, any Hazardous Activity
conducted with respect to the Facilities or any other properties or
assets of the Business except in full compliance with all applicable
Environmental Laws.
(e) There has been no Release or, KIB, Threat of Release, of any Hazardous
Materials at or from the Facilities or at any other locations where
any Hazardous Materials were generated, manufactured, refined,
transferred, produced, imported, used, or processed from or by the
Facilities, or from or by any other properties and assets of the
Business, KIB, any geologically or hydrologically adjoining property,
whether by Seller, CML, or any other Person.
(f) Seller have delivered to Buyer true and complete copies and results of
any reports, studies, analyses, tests, or monitoring possessed or
initiated by Seller or any Acquired Company pertaining to Hazardous
Materials or Hazardous Activities in, on, or under the Facilities, or
concerning compliance by Seller, CML, or any other Person for whose
conduct they are or may be held responsible, with Environmental Laws.
5.20 EMPLOYEES.
- ---------------
Schedule 5.20 contains a list of all employees of the Seller, stating the rates
of compensation payable to each. The Seller is not delinquent in payments to
any of its employees for any wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses or other
direct compensation for any services performed for it to the date hereof or
amounts required to be reimbursed to such employees. Except as set forth in
Schedule 5.20, upon termination of the employment of any of said employees, the
Seller will not be liable to any of said employees for so-called "severance pay"
or any other payments. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.20, the Seller has no
policy, practice, plan or program of paying severance pay or any form of
severance compensation in connection with the termination of employment.
5.21 LABOR RELATIONS; COMPLIANCE.
- ---------------------------------
Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.21, neither the Seller nor CML has been or is
a party to any collective bargaining or other labor Contract. Except as
disclosed on Schedule 5.21, there has not been, there is not presently pending
or existing, and KIB, there is not Threatened, (a) any strike, slowdown,
picketing, work stoppage, or employee grievance process, (b) any Proceeding
against or affecting the Business or CML relating to the alleged violation of
any Legal Requirement pertaining to labor relations or
<PAGE>
employment matters, including any charge or complaint filed by an employee or
union with the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission, or any comparable Governmental Body, organizational activity, or
other labor or employment dispute against or affecting the Business or CML, or
(c) any application for certification of a collective bargaining agent. KIB, no
event has occurred or circumstance exists that could provide the basis for any
work stoppage or other labor dispute. Each of the Seller and CML has complied in
all material respects with all Legal Requirements relating to employment, equal
employment opportunity, nondiscrimination, immigration, wages, hours, benefits,
collective bargaining, the payment of social security and similar taxes,
occupational safety and health, and plant closing. Neither Seller nor CML is
liable for the payment of any compensation, damages, taxes, fines, penalties, or
other amounts, however designated, for failure to comply with any of the
foregoing Legal Requirements.
5.22 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
- ---------------------------
(a) Agreements - Schedule 5.22(a) contains a complete and accurate list
----------
and summary description, including any royalties paid or received by
the Seller or CML, of all Contracts relating to the Intellectual
Property Assets to which Seller or CML is a party or by which Seller
or CML is bound, except for any license implied by the sale of a
product. There are no outstanding and, KIB, no Threatened disputes or
disagreements with respect to any such agreements. Any and all
software license agreements are fully paid and there are no
unauthorized copies of any software program in use at the Business.
(b) Know-How Necessary for the Business
-----------------------------------
(i) The Intellectual Property Assets are all those necessary for the
operation of the Business as it is currently conducted. Either
Seller or CML is the owner of all right, title, and interest in
and to each of the Intellectual Property Assets, free and clear
of all liens, security interests, charges, encumbrances,
equities, and other adverse claims, or has the right to use
without payment to a third party all of the Intellectual Property
Assets.
(c) Patents
-------
(i) Schedule 5.22(c) contains a complete and accurate list of all
Patents. Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.22(c), either Seller
or CML is the owner of all right, title, and interest in and to,
or has the right to use without payment to a third party, each of
the Patents, free and clear of all liens, security interests,
charges, encumbrances, entities, and KIB other adverse claims.
(ii) Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.22(c), all of the issued
Patents are currently in compliance with formal legal
requirements (including payment of filing, examination, and
maintenance fees and proofs of working or use), are valid and
enforceable, and are not subject to any maintenance fees or taxes
or actions falling due within ninety days after the Closing Date.
<PAGE>
(iii) No Patent has been or is now involved in any interference,
reissue, reexamination, or opposition proceeding. KIB, there is
no potentially interfering patent or patent application of any
third party.
(iv) No Patent is infringed or, KIB, has been challenged or
threatened in any way. None of the products manufactured and
sold, nor any process or know-how used, by Seller relating to
the Business or is alleged to infringe any patent or other
proprietary right of any other Person.
(v) All products made, used, or sold under the Patents have been
marked with the proper patent notice.
(d) Trademarks
----------
(i) Schedule 5.22(d) contains a complete and accurate list and
summary description of all Marks. Either the Seller or CML is
the owner of all right, title, and interest in and to each of
the Marks, free and clear of all liens, security interests,
charges, encumbrances, equities, and KIB other adverse claims.
(ii) All Marks that have been registered with the United States
Patent and Trademark Office are currently in compliance with all
formal legal requirements (including the timely post-
registration filing of affidavits of use and incontestability
and renewal applications), are valid and enforceable, and are
not subject to any maintenance fees or taxes or actions falling
due within ninety days after the Closing Date.
(iii) No Mark has been or is now involved in any opposition,
invalidation, or cancellation and, KIB, no such action is
Threatened with the respect to any of the Marks.
(iv) KIB, there is no Mark that is likely to cause confusion with the
registered trademark (or mark for which a registration
application is pending) of any third party.
(v) KIB no Mark is infringed or has been challenged or threatened in
any way. None of the Marks used by Seller or CML and relating to
the Business, KIB, infringes or is alleged to infringe any trade
name, trademark, or service mark of any third party.
5.23 DISCLOSURE.
- ----------------
No representation or warranty of Seller or CML in this Agreement and no
statement in the attached Schedules omits to state a material fact necessary to
make the statements herein or therein, in light of the circumstances in which
they were made, not misleading. All projections and proforma financial
information delivered by the Seller to the Buyer and described on Schedule 10.9
are based on good faith estimates and assumptions by the management of the
Seller, and the Buyer and Guarantor recognize and acknowledge (i) that
projections as to future events are not to be viewed as fact, (ii) that neither
the
<PAGE>
Seller nor the Shareholders represent or warrant the accuracy of such
projections, and (iii) that actual results during the periods covered by such
projections will differ from the projected results, and the differences may be
material.
5.24 BROKERS OR FINDERS.
- ------------------------
Seller and their agents have incurred no obligation or liability, contingent or
otherwise, for brokerage or finders' fees or agents' commissions or other
similar payment in connection with this Agreement.
6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER.
- -------------------------------------------
Buyer and Guarantor represent and warrant to Seller as follows:
6.1 ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING.
- -----------------------------------
Buyer and Guarantor are each a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing,
and in good standing under the laws of the State of New Hampshire.
6.2 AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT.
- ---------------------------
(a) This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation of
Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms. Buyer
has the absolute and unrestricted right, power, and authority to
execute and deliver this Agreement and the ancillary closing documents
and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the ancillary
closing documents.
(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 6.2, neither the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by Buyer nor the consummation or
performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions by Buyer will give
any Person the right to prevent, delay, or otherwise interfere with
any of the Contemplated Transactions pursuant to:
(i) any provision of Buyer's or Guarantor's Organizational
Documents;
(ii) any resolution adopted by the board of directors or the
stockholders of Buyer or Guarantor;
(iii) any law, ordinance, regulation, order, ruling or judgment to
which Buyer or Guarantor may be subject; or
(iv) any Contract to which Buyer or Guarantor is a party or by which
Buyer or Guarantor may be bound.
Except as set forth in Schedule 5.2, neither Buyer nor Guarantor is or will be
required to obtain any Consent from any Person in connection with the execution
and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation or performance of any of the
Contemplated Transactions.
<PAGE>
6.3 CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS.
- ------------------------
There is no pending Proceeding that has been commenced against Buyer or
Guarantor and that challenges, or may have the effect of preventing, delaying,
making illegal, or otherwise interfering with, any of the Contemplated
Transactions. To the best of Buyer's or Guarantor's knowledge, information and
belief, no such Proceeding has been Threatened.
6.4 BROKERS OR FINDERS.
- -----------------------
Buyer and Guarantor and their officers and agents have incurred no obligation or
liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokerage or finders' fees or agents'
commissions or other similar payment in connection with this Agreement and will
indemnify and hold Seller harmless from any such payment alleged to be due by or
through Buyer or Guarantor as a result of the action of Buyer or Guarantor or
their officers or agents.
7. ADDITIONAL COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES.
- ---------------------------------------
7.1 EMPLOYEES OF THE BUSINESS
- -----------------------------
Buyer shall hire those employees employed in the Business and listed on Schedule
5.20. Such employees shall be hired at their current rate of pay with Seller
and shall be entitled to participate in such plans and programs of the Buyer as
are available to all of Buyer's employees on the same terms as those available
to Buyer's employees.
7.2 REASONABLE ACCESS; COOPERATION.
- -----------------------------------
Buyer and Seller shall each permit the other reasonable access upon prior notice
during regular business hours to books and records relating to the Business and
retained by the other. Further, Buyer and Seller shall each cooperate with the
other on litigation matters involving the Business and shall allow reasonable
access upon prior written notice to certain employees of the Business to provide
information and testimony with respect to such litigation.
8. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BUYER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE.
- -------------------------------------------------------
Buyer's obligation to consummate the Contemplated Transactions and to take the
other actions required to be taken by Buyer at the Closing is subject to the
satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions
(any of which may be waived by Buyer, in whole or in part):
8.1 ACCURACY OF REPRESENTATIONS.
- --------------------------------
All of Seller's and CML's representations and warranties in this Agreement
(considered collectively), and each of these representations and warranties
(considered individually), must have been accurate in all material respects as
of the date of this Agreement, and must be accurate in all material respects as
of the Closing Date as if made on the Closing Date.
<PAGE>
8.2 SELLERS' PERFORMANCE.
- -------------------------
(a) All of the covenants and obligations that Seller and CML are required
to perform or to comply with pursuant to this Agreement at or prior to
the Closing (considered collectively), and each of these covenants and
obligations (considered individually), must have been duly performed
and complied with in all material respects.
(b) Each document required to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement must
have been delivered, and each of the other covenants and obligations
herein must have been performed and complied with in all respects.
8.3 ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS.
- -------------------------
Each of the following documents must have been delivered to Buyer:
(a) an opinion of McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton, Professional
Association, dated the Closing Date, in the form of Exhibit 8.3(a);
(b) estoppel certificates executed dated as of the Closing Date, each in
the form of Exhibit 8.3(b);
(c) warranty bill of sale in the Form attached as Exhibit 8.3(c) and such
other documents of transfer as are necessary to vest title of the
Purchased Assets in and to the Buyer; and
(d) noncompetition agreement of the Seller and John R. Allard and Michael
E. Allard in the form attached as Exhibit 8.3(d); and
(e) such other documents as Buyer may reasonably request for the purpose
of (i) evidencing the accuracy of any of Seller's and CML's
representations and warranties, (iv) evidencing the performance by
Seller and CML of, or the compliance by Seller and CML with, any
covenant or obligation required to be performed or complied with by
them, (iii) evidencing the satisfaction of any condition referred to
in this Section 7, or (v) otherwise facilitating the consummation or
performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions.
8.4 NO PROCEEDINGS.
- --------------------
Since the date of this Agreement, there must not have been commenced or
Threatened, any Proceeding (a) involving any challenge to, or seeking damages or
other relief in connection with, any of the Contemplated Transactions, or (b)
that may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal, or otherwise
interfering with any of the Contemplated Transactions.
8.5 NO CLAIM REGARDING STOCK OWNERSHIP OR SALE PROCEEDS.
- ---------------------------------------------------------
There must not have been made or Threatened by any Person any claim asserting
that such Person (a) is
<PAGE>
the holder or the beneficial owner of, or has the right to acquire or to obtain
beneficial ownership of, any stock of, or any other voting, equity, or ownership
interest in, CML, or (b) is entitled to all or any portion of the Purchase Price
payable for the Purchase Assets.
8.6 NO PROHIBITION.
- --------------------
Neither the consummation nor the performance of any of the Contemplated
Transactions will, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of
time), materially contravene, or conflict with, or result in a material
violation of, any applicable Legal Requirement or Order.
9. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO SELLER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------
Seller's obligation to consummate the Contemplated Transactions and to take the
other actions required to be taken by Seller at the Closing is subject to the
satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions
(any of which may be waived by Seller, in whole or in part):
9.1 ACCURACY OF REPRESENTATIONS.
- --------------------------------
All of Buyer's representations and warranties in this Agreement (considered
collectively), and each of these representations and warranties (considered
individually), must have been accurate in all material respects as of the date
of this Agreement and must be accurate in all material respects as of the
Closing Date as if made on the Closing Date.
9.2 BUYER'S PERFORMANCE.
- ------------------------
(a) All of the covenants and obligations that each of Buyer and Guarantor
is required to perform or to comply with pursuant to this Agreement at
or prior to the Closing (considered collectively), and each of these
covenants and obligations (considered individually), must have been
performed and complied with in all material respects.
(b) Guarantor shall have delivered the severance agreements in the form
attached as Exhibit 8.2(b).
(c) Buyer must have delivered each of the documents required to be
delivered by Buyer and must have made the cash payment required to be
made by Buyer pursuant to Section 4.3(a).
9.3 ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS.
- -------------------------
Each of the following documents must have been delivered to Seller:
(a) an opinion of Michael Tule, Vice President and General Counsel of WPI
Group, Inc., dated the Closing Date, in the form of Exhibit 9.3(a);
(b) estoppel certificates executed dated as of the Closing Date, each in
the form of
<PAGE>
Exhibit 9.3(b);
(c) Assumption Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit 9.3(c); and
(d) such other documents as Seller may reasonably request for the purpose
of (i) evidencing the accuracy of any of Buyer's representations and
warranties, (iv) evidencing the performance by Buyer of, or the
compliance by Buyer with, any covenant or obligation required to be
performed or complied with by it, (iii) evidencing the satisfaction of
any condition referred to in this Section 8, or (v) otherwise
facilitating the consummation or performance of any of the
Contemplated Transactions.
9.4 NO PROCEEDINGS.
- --------------------
Since the date of this Agreement, there must not have been commenced or
Threatened, any Proceeding (a) involving any challenge to, or seeking damages or
other relief in connection with, any of the Contemplated Transactions, or (b)
that may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal, or otherwise
interfering with any of the Contemplated Transactions.
9.5 NO PROHIBITION.
- --------------------
Neither the consummation nor the performance of any of the Contemplated
Transactions will, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of
time), materially contravene, or conflict with, or result in a material
violation of, under any applicable Legal Requirement or Order.
10. SURVIVAL, INDEMNIFICATION; REMEDIES.
- ----------------------------------------
10.1 SURVIVAL; EXCLUSIVE REMEDY.
- --------------------------------
All representations, warranties, covenants, and obligations in this Agreement,
and the attached Schedules, and any other certificate or document delivered
pursuant to this Agreement will survive the Closing for the periods described in
Sections 10.4 and 10.5. The rights to indemnification described in this Article
10 constitute the parties' exclusive remedies for any Damages arising out of or
in connection with the matters described in Sections 10.2 and 10.3,
respectively. The waiver of any condition based on the accuracy of any
representation or warranty, or on the performance of or compliance with any
covenant or obligation, will not affect the right to indemnification, payment of
Damages, or other remedy based on such representations, warranties, covenants,
and obligations.
10.2 INDEMNIFICATION AND PAYMENT OF DAMAGES BY SELLER AND THE SHAREHOLDERS.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seller and each of the Shareholders, severally, will indemnify and hold harmless
Buyer for, and will pay to the Buyer the amount of, any loss, liability, claim,
damage, or expense (including costs of investigation and defense and reasonable
attorneys' fees), whether or not involving a third-party claim (collectively,
"Damages"), arising, directly or indirectly, from or in connection with:
<PAGE>
(a) any Breach of any representation or warranty made by Seller, the
Shareholders or CML in this Agreement or any other certificate or
document delivered by Seller pursuant to this Agreement;
(b) any Breach by the Seller, the Shareholders or CML of any of their
covenants or obligations in this Agreement;
(c) any liability of the Seller not expressly assumed by the Buyer
pursuant to this Agreement; or
(d) any claim by any Person for brokerage or finder's fees or commissions
or similar payments based upon any agreement or understanding alleged
to have been made by any such Person with either Seller or its
subsidiaries (or any Person acting on their behalf) in connection with
any of the Contemplated Transactions.
10.3 INDEMNIFICATION AND PAYMENT OF DAMAGES BY BUYER.
- -----------------------------------------------------
Buyer and Guarantor, jointly and severally, will indemnify and hold harmless
Seller and each of the Shareholders, and will pay to Seller and the Shareholders
the amount of any Damages arising, directly or indirectly, from or in connection
with:
(a) any Breach of any representation or warranty made by Buyer or
Guarantor in this Agreement or in any certificate or other document
delivered by Buyer or Guarantor pursuant to this Agreement;
(b) any Breach by Buyer or Guarantor of any covenant or obligation of
Buyer or Guarantor in this Agreement;
(c) any liability of the Seller expressly assumed by the Buyer pursuant
to this Agreement;
(d) any claim by any Person for brokerage or finder's fees or commissions
or similar payments based upon any agreement or understanding alleged
to have been made by such Person with Buyer or Guarantor (or any
Person acting on either of their behalf) in connection with any of
the Contemplated Transactions; or
(e) Buyer's use of the Purchased Assets and operation and conduct of the
Facilities and Business following the Closing Date, including but not
limited to actions and conduct with respect to employees of the
Business.
10.4 TIME LIMITATIONS - BUYER RECOURSE.
- ---------------------------------------
The recourse by Buyer against the Seller and the Shareholders for any breach or
claim identified in Section 10.2(a), (b) and (d) above shall be limited to
claims for indemnification asserted by the Buyer by notice delivered pursuant to
Section 10.10 or 10.11 prior to January 1, 2000, except in the case of a
breach of the representations and warranties contained in Section 5.19 hereof
(Environmental Matters),
<PAGE>
which shall survive for a period of five (5 ) years from the Closing Date, and
the representations and warranties contained in Section 5.11 hereof (Taxes),
which shall survive for a period of seven (7) years from the Closing Date.
Indemnification claims made under Section 10.2(c) above shall survive
indefinitely.
10.5 TIME LIMITATIONS - SELLER RECOURSE.
- -----------------------------------------
The recourse by Seller against the Buyer or Guarantor for any breach identified
in Section 10.3(a), (b) and (d) above shall be limited to claims for
indemnification that are asserted by the Seller by notice delivered pursuant to
Section 10.10 or 10.11 prior to January 1, 2000. Indemnification claims made
under Section 10.3(c) and (e) above shall survive indefinitely.
10.6 LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNT - SELLER.
- ------------------------------------
Neither Seller nor any Shareholder will have any liability for indemnification
with respect to the matters described in Section 10.2(a), (b) or (d), until the
total of all Damages with respect to such matters exceeds $100,000, and then
only for the amount by which such Damages exceed $100,000 excluding, in all
cases, each matter that constitutes an indemnified Breach or claim with respect
to which the amount of damage or loss is less than $15,000. In no event shall
the Seller or the Shareholders be liable in an amount greater than the Purchase
Price. However, this Section 10.6 will not apply to any indemnification for
matters described in Section 10.2(c) or for Breach of any of Seller'
representations and warranties contained in Section 5.11 (Taxes).
10.7 LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNT - BUYER.
- -----------------------------------
Buyer will have no liability for indemnification with respect to the matters
described in Section 10.3(a), (b) or (d), until the total of all Damages with
respect to such matters exceeds $100,000, and then only for the amount by which
such Damages exceed $100,000 excluding, in all cases, each matter that
constitutes an indemnified Breach or claim with respect to which the amount of
damage or loss is less than $15,000. However, this Section 10.7 will not apply
to any indemnification for matters described in Section 10.3(c) or (e).
10.8 LIMITATIONS ON RECOURSE AGAINST SHAREHOLDERS.
- --------------------------------------------------
The aggregate, cumulative liability of all Shareholders for all claims for
indemnification made pursuant to this Article 10 will in no event exceed
$2,750,000.00, except that the liability of each Shareholder for all claims for
indemnification made pursuant to this Article 10 for Breach of a representation
or warranty contained in Section 5.19 (Environmental Matters) will in no event
exceed the aggregate amount of distributions received by the Shareholder after
the Closing Date in respect of the Shareholder's shares of capital stock of the
Seller, excluding (i) distributions directly related to the payment of federal
or state taxes arising out of the Contemplated Transactions, (ii) distributions
related to the operations or assets of the Granite State Manufacturing division
of Seller, and (iii) distributions related to the corporate operations of Seller
that do not directly pertain to the Business or Purchased Assets, provided that
distributions made pursuant to clauses (ii) and (iii) shall not exclude any
portion of the Purchase Price utilized by Seller in such operations, if any
(collectively "Distributions"). Each Shareholder's several
<PAGE>
liability for any claim for indemnification made pursuant to this Article 10
shall be limited to a portion of the Buyer's claim for indemnification equal to
the ratio of the Shareholder's Distributions to the aggregate Distributions made
to all Shareholders. No payment by a Shareholder to the Buyer for
indemnification pursuant to this Article 10 shall be due until the Buyer has (i)
asserted a claim for indemnification in accordance with Section 10.10 or 10.11,
(ii) any dispute or controversy as to whether the claim is properly covered by
Buyer's indemnification rights provided in this Article 10 has been finally
resolved in favor of the Buyer in a Proceeding (or otherwise resolved by written
Agreement between the Buyer and the Seller), and (iii) Seller subsequently fails
to pay to the Buyer the full amount to which the Buyer is entitled to be
indemnified within 30 days of the earlier of the date of Seller's acknowledgment
of the Buyer's right to indemnification or the final results of any dispute or
controversy as provided in the preceding clause. The Buyer shall have the right
to offset the amount of indemnification determined in accordance with this
Section 10.8 against the amount due under the Promissory Note referenced in
Section 4.3(b), but only after satisfaction of the actions described in clauses
(i) and (ii) in the preceding sentence.
10.9 LIMITATIONS ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Neither Seller nor any Shareholder will have any liability for
indemnification with respect to the matters (i) described in Sections
10.2(a) for Breach of Sellers or any Shareholder's representation or
warranty contained in Sections 5.5 (Books and Records), 5.6 (Title to
Property; Encumbrances), 5.10 (No Undisclosed Liabilities), 5.11
(Taxes), 5.13 (Employee Programs), 5.14 (Compliance With Legal
Requirements; Governmental Authorizations), 5.15 (Legal Proceedings),
5.17 (Contracts), 5.19 (Environmental Matters), 5.21 (Labor
Relations), 5.22 (Intellectual Property), and 5.23 (Disclosure), (ii)
insofar as such representations relate to CML, Modutec, Inc., or A&M
Instrument Inc., (iii) for which a claim for indemnification is not
delivered by the Buyer pursuant to Sections 10.10 or 10.11 at least 15
days prior to the respective dates on which representations,
warranties, and covenants expire pursuant to Section 9.1 of a certain
Stock Purchase Agreement between H.S. Investments, Inc., BTR Dunlop
Holdings (Delaware), Inc., and the Seller dated as of November 18,
1997 (such matters being referred to as, "Modutec-Related Matters"),
except to the extent that a Shareholder or the Seller had knowledge of
the fact that constitutes the Breach of such representation or
warranty. Further, the aggregate, cumulative indemnification
liability of the Seller and the Shareholders for Modutec-Related
matters shall be limited to the respective Dollar Limitations
described in Section 9.5(a) of the Stock Purchase Agreement between
H.S. Investments, Inc., BTR Dunlop Holdings (Delaware), Inc., and the
Seller dated as of November 18, 1997.
(b) The Buyer has conducted an independent inquiry, on which the Seller
has relied, of the Seller, the Business, and the Purchased Assets, and
the Seller has, in particular, delivered the documents and materials
listed on Schedule 10.9 to the Buyer. All matters disclosed in the
documents and materials listed on Schedule 10.9 (and the disclosures
contained in all Schedules) shall be deemed to be disclosed for the
purposes of each Schedule to this Agreement, and neither the Seller
nor the Shareholders will have any liability with respect
<PAGE>
to any claim of Breach identified in Section 10.2 with respect to any
matter disclosed on Schedule 10.9 or on any Schedule to this
Agreement.
10.10 PROCEDURE FOR INDEMNIFICATION - THIRD PARTY CLAIMS.
- ---------------------------------------------------------
(a) Reasonably promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under
Section 10.2 or 10.3 of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding
against it, such indemnified party will, if a claim is to be made
against an indemnifying party under such Section, give notice to the
indemnifying party of the commencement of such claim, but the failure
to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve the indemnifying
party of any liability that it may have to any indemnified party,
except to the extent that the indemnifying party demonstrates that the
defense of such action is prejudiced by the indemnifying party's
failure to give such notice.
(b) If any Proceeding referred to in Section 10.2 or 10.3 is brought
against an indemnified party and it gives notice to the indemnifying
party of the commencement of such Proceeding, the indemnifying party
will be entitled to participate in such Proceeding and, to the extent
that it wishes (unless (i) the indemnifying party is also a party to
such Proceeding and the indemnified party determines in good faith
that joint representation would be inappropriate, or (ii) the
indemnifying party fails to provide reasonable assurance to the
indemnified party of its financial capacity to defend such Proceeding
and provide indemnification with respect to such Proceeding) to assume
the defense of such Proceeding with counsel satisfactory to the
indemnified party and, after notice from the indemnifying party to the
indemnified party of its election to assume the defense of such
Proceeding, the indemnifying party will not, as long as it diligently
conducts such defense, be liable to the indemnified party under this
Section 10 for any fees of other counsel or any other expenses with
respect to the defense of such Proceeding, in each case subsequently
incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense of
such Proceeding, other than reasonable costs of investigation. If the
indemnifying party assumes the defense of a Proceeding, (i) it will be
conclusively established for purposes of this Agreement that the
claims made in that Proceeding are within the scope of and subject to
indemnification; (ii) no compromise or settlement of such claims may
be effected by the indemnifying party without the indemnified party's
consent unless (A) there is no finding or admission of any violation
of Legal Requirements or any violation of the rights of any Person and
no effect on any other claims that may be made against the indemnified
party and (B) the sole relief provided is monetary damages that are
paid in full by the indemnifying party; and (iii) the indemnified
party will have no liability with respect to any compromise or
settlement of such claims effected without its consent. If notice is
given to an indemnifying party of the commencement of any Proceeding
and the indemnifying party does not, within ten days after the
indemnified party's notice is given, give notice to the indemnified
party of its election to assume the defense of such Proceeding, the
indemnifying party will be bound by any determination made in such
Proceeding or any compromise or settlement effected by the indemnified
party.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an indemnified party determines in
good faith that there
<PAGE>
is a reasonable probability that a Proceeding may adversely affect it
or its affiliates other than as a result of monetary damages for which
it would be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, the
indemnified party may, by notice to the indemnifying party, assume the
exclusive right to defend, compromise, or settle such Proceeding, but
the indemnifying party will not be bound by any determination of a
Proceeding so defended or any compromise or settlement effected
without its consent (which may not be unreasonably withheld).
10.11 PROCEDURE FOR INDEMNIFICATION - OTHER CLAIMS.
- ---------------------------------------------------
A claim for indemnification for any matter not involving a third-party claim may
be asserted by notice to the party from whom indemnification is sought.
11. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
- -----------------------
11.1 EXPENSES.
- --------------
Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each party to this
Agreement will bear its respective expenses incurred in connection with the
preparation, execution, and performance of this Agreement and the Contemplated
Transactions, including all fees and expenses of agents, representatives,
counsel, and accountants. In the event of termination of this Agreement, the
obligation of each party to pay its own expenses will be subject to any rights
of such party arising from a breach of this Agreement by another party.
11.2 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS.
- --------------------------
Any public announcement or similar publicity with respect to this Agreement or
the Contemplated Transactions will be issued, if at all, at such time and in
such manner as Buyer determines. Unless consented to by Buyer in advance or
required by Legal Requirements, prior to the Closing Seller shall keep this
Agreement strictly confidential and may not make any disclosure of this
Agreement to any Person.
<PAGE>
11.3 NOTICES.
- -------------
All notices, consents, waivers, and other communications under this Agreement
must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when (a) delivered
by hand (with written confirmation of receipt), (b) sent by telecopier (with
written confirmation of receipt), provided that a copy is mailed by registered
mail, return receipt requested, or (c) when received by the addressee, if sent
by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service (receipt confirmed), in
each case to the appropriate addresses and telecopier numbers set forth below
(or to such other addresses and telecopier numbers as a party may designate by
notice to the other parties):
Seller:
Allard Nazarian Group, Inc.
154 Joliette Street
Manchester, NH 03102
Attention: John R. Allard
Facsimile No.: 603-669-2515
with a copy to:
McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton, Professional Association
900 Elm Street, PO Box 326
Manchester, NH 03105-0326
Attention: William V.A. Zorn, Esq.
Facsimile No.: 603-625-5650
Shareholders:
Younes Nazarian
157 N. Delfern Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90077
Gerald R. Allard Revocable Trust
of 94
92 Riverview Park Road
Manchester, NH 03102
David & Angela Nazarian
Family Trust
1206 Amalfi Drive
<PAGE>
Pacific Palicades, CA 90272
The Samy Nazarian Trust
David Nazarian, Trustee
107 N. Clifford Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Allard Children's Trust
Dr. Lisa Dibrigida
32 Puritan Drive
Bedford, NH 03110
Allard Children's Trust
John R. Allard
96 Riverview Park Road
Manchester, NH 03102
Allard Children's Trust
Michael E. Allard
89 Riverview Park Road
Manchester, NH 03102
Allard Children's Trust
Kim Allard (formerly Klop)
75 Riverview Park
Manchester, NH 03102
Buyer:
WPI Group, Inc.
1155 Elm Street
Manchester, NH 03101
Attention: Michael Tule, Vice President
Facsimile No.: 603-627-3150
11.4 JURISDICTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS.
- --------------------------------------
Any action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any
right arising out of, this Agreement may be brought against any of the parties
in the courts of the State of New Hampshire, County of Hillsborough, or, if it
has or can acquire jurisdiction, in the United States District Court for the
District of New Hampshire, and each of the parties consents to the jurisdiction
of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts) in any such action or
proceeding and waives any objection to venue laid therein. Process in any action
or proceeding referred to in the preceding sentence may be served on any
<PAGE>
party anywhere in the world.
11.5 FURTHER ASSURANCES.
- ------------------------
The parties agree (a) to furnish upon request to each other such further
information, (b) to execute and deliver to each other such other documents, and
(c) to do such other acts and things, all as the other party may reasonably
request for the purpose of carrying out the intent of this Agreement and the
documents referred to in this Agreement.
11.6 WAIVER.
- ------------
Neither the failure nor any delay by any party in exercising any right, power,
or privilege under this Agreement or the documents referred to in this Agreement
will operate as a waiver of such right, power, or privilege, and no single or
partial exercise of any such right, power, or privilege will preclude any other
or further exercise of such right, power, or privilege or the exercise of any
other right, power, or privilege. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable
law, (a) no claim or right arising out of this Agreement or the documents
referred to in this Agreement can be discharged by one party, in whole or in
part, by a waiver or renunciation of the claim or right unless in writing
signed by the other party; (b) no waiver that may be given by a party will be
applicable except in the specific instance for which and as to the specific
party by whom it is given; and (c) no notice to or demand on one party will be
deemed to be a waiver of any obligation of such party or of the right of the
party giving such notice or demand to take further action without notice or
demand as provided in this Agreement or the documents referred to in this
Agreement.
11.7 ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND MODIFICATION.
- ---------------------------------------
This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements between the parties with respect
to its subject matter and constitutes (along with the documents referred to in
this Agreement) a complete and exclusive statement of the terms of the agreement
between the parties with respect to its subject matter. This Agreement may not
be amended except by a written agreement executed by the party to be charged
with the amendment.
11.8 ASSIGNMENTS, SUCCESSORS, AND NO THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS.
- --------------------------------------------------------
Neither party may assign any of its rights under this Agreement without the
prior consent of the other parties, which will not be unreasonably withheld,
except that Buyer may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any
Subsidiary of Buyer. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will
apply to, be binding in all respects upon, and inure to the benefit of the
successors and permitted assigns of the parties. Nothing expressed or referred
to in this Agreement will be construed to give any Person other than the parties
to this Agreement any legal or equitable right, remedy, or claim under or with
respect to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement. This Agreement and
all of its provisions and conditions are for the sole and exclusive benefit of
the parties to this Agreement and their successors and assigns.
11.9 SEVERABILITY.
- ------------------
<PAGE>
If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any court
of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement will remain in
full force and effect. Any provision of this Agreement held invalid or
unenforceable only in part or degree will remain in full force and effect to the
extent not held invalid or unenforceable.
11.10 SECTION HEADINGS, CONSTRUCTION.
- -------------------------------------
The headings of Sections in this Agreement are provided for convenience only and
will not affect its construction or interpretation. All references to "Section"
or "Sections" refer to the corresponding Section or Sections of this Agreement.
All words used in this Agreement will be construed to be of such gender or
number as the circumstances require. Unless otherwise expressly provided, the
word "including" does not limit the preceding words or terms.
11.11 TIME OF ESSENCE.
- ----------------------
With regard to all dates and time periods set forth or referred to in this
Agreement, time is of the essence.
11.12 GOVERNING LAW.
- --------------------
This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of New Hampshire
without regard to conflicts of laws principles.
<PAGE>
11.13 COUNTERPARTS.
- -------------------
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will
be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken
together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Agreement
as of the date first written above.
BUYER
WPI INSTRUMENTS, INC.
By: /s/ Michael Foster
------------------
GUARANTOR
WPI GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ Michael Foster
------------------
SELLER
ALLARD NAZARIAN GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ John R. Allard
------------------
MODUTEC, INC.
By:/s/ John R. Allard
------------------
<PAGE>
A&M INSTRUMENT, INC.
By: /s/ John R. Allard
------------------
GERALD R. ALLARD REVOCABLE TRUST OF 1994
By: /s/ Gerald R. Allard
--------------------
Gerald R. Allard, Trustee
THE ALLARD CHILDREN'S TRUST F/B/O JOHN R. ALLARD
By: /s/ John R. Allard
------------------
THE ALLARD CHILDREN'S TRUST F/B/O MICHAEL E.
ALLARD
By: /s/ Michael E. Allard
---------------------
THE ALLARD CHILDREN'S TRUST F/B/O LISA DIBRIGIDA
By: /s/ Lisa DiBrigida
------------------
THE ALLARD CHILDREN'S TRUST F/B/O KIM A. KLOP
By:/s/ Kim A. Klop by Gerald R.Allard by P.O.A.
--------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
THE NAZARIAN FAMILY TRUST
By: /s/ David Nazarian
-----------------------
David Nazarian, Trustee
By: /s/ Angela Nazarian
------------------------
Angela Nazarian, Trustee
THE SAMY NAZARIAN TRUST
By: /s/ David Nazarian
-----------------------
David Nazarian, Trustee
By: /s/ Younes Nazarian
-----------------------
Younes Nazarian
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.1
[LETTERHEAD OF WPI GROUP, INC. APPEARS HERE]
News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Michael Foster, Chairman & CEO
Dennis Deegan, President & COO
WPI Group, Inc. Acquires ANG Instruments Group, Inc.
Manchester, NH, August 3, 1998: WPI Group, Inc. (WPIC: NASDAQ) announced
today the acquisition of ANG Instruments Group, Inc., a manufacturer of
avionics components and subsystems, inertial sensors and panel meters. ANG
Instruments, based in Manchester, NH, with manufacturing facilities in
Christ Church, Barbados, was acquired from the privately held Allard
Nazarian Group, Inc. for approximately $22.0 million in cash. Financing for
the acquisition was provided by Fleet Bank. The transactions are expected
to close this afternoon. Management expects ANG to be accretive to WPI's
earnings per share in the 1999 Fiscal Year beginning in October of 1998.
ANG Instruments, with annual sales of approximately $20.0 million, is a
market leader in each of its major product lines. Its products are used in
the aerospace, electronic instrumentation, telecommunications, consumer
electronics and a wide variety of other industries. Major customers include
Rockwell International, Lucent Technologies and Newark Electronics.
Commenting on the acquisition, Michael Foster, WPI's Chairman and CEO said:
"We welcome ANG Instruments and its employees to the WPI Group family of
companies. This acquisition moves WPI into the electronic instrument and
sensor markets for the first time. These products present us with new
opportunities in the aerospace and instrumentation industries where WPI
presently has a minor participation. We intend to support ANG's growth with
our financial and technical resources and to look for opportunities to sell
existing WPI products into these new markets. In particular, WPI can
provide access to European markets where ANG does not presently compete.
ANG, under the leadership of John Allard and Carlo
<PAGE>
Carluccio, has demonstrated an ability to deliver rapid profitable growth
through a combination of internal product development and acquisitions."
John Allard, Chairman of ANG Instruments said: "The combination of ANG with
WPI will make available the financial, technical and managerial resources
that ANG will need to accomplish our growth plans. As a neighboring company
in Manchester, NH, we are very familiar with how WPI has grown its
operations and we look forward to contributing to its future growth."
Allard, 33 years old, joins WPI as a member of the Board of Directors and
as Senior Vice President of Business Development. Under his leadership, ANG
Instruments' revenues tripled over the course of four years to the current
$20 million mark. Carluccio, formerly General Manager of ANG Instruments,
now becomes President. ANG Instruments will be renamed WPI Instruments,
Inc., and become part of the WPI Industrial Technology Group -- formerly
known as the WPI Power Solutions Group.
WPI Group, Inc. (WPIC: NASDAQ) manufactures and markets high value-added
products used in mission critical systems through two operating groups:
Information Solutions and Industrial Technology. Information Solutions
offers the world's broadest range of rugged, handheld terminals, PCs and
notebook computers designed for use in harsh environments across a wide
array of industries and it supplies applications software in selected
vertical markets. The Industrial Technology Group manufactures avionics
components and subsystems, inertial sensors, panel meters, industrial power
conversion systems, electronic ballasts and precision solenoids for a
variety of industrial and consumer products.
THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS RELEASE CONCERNING THE COMPANY'S GOALS,
STRATEGIES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL RESULTS ARE
"FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" BASED ON CURRENT EXPECTATIONS. NO ASSURANCES
CAN BE GIVEN THAT THE RESULTS IN ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WILL BE
ACHIEVED AND ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY. PLEASE REVIEW THE
REPORTS THAT THE COMPANY FILES WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING FACTORS WHICH COULD AFFECT THE COMPANY'S
BUSINESS.
###
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.2
[LETTERHEAD OF WPI GROUP, INC. APPEARS HERE]
News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Michael Foster, Chairman & CEO
Dennis Deegan, President & COO
WPI Group, Inc. Announces $75 Million
Loan Agreement With Fleet Bank
Manchester, NH, August 3, 1998: WPI Group, Inc. (WPIC: NASDAQ) announced
today a new loan agreement with Fleet Bank. The new facility totaling $75
million replaces WPI's current $45 million credit facility, also with
Fleet Bank. The transaction is expected to close this afternoon. The new
credit agreement was entered into in conjunction with WPI's acquisition of
ANG Instruments, a Manchester, NH based manufacturer of avionics components
and subsystems, inertial sensors and panel meters.
Michael Foster, WPI's Chairman and CEO said: "We are pleased to have in
place our new loan agreement with the Fleet Bank syndicate. Our long-
standing relationship with Fleet has been an important element in the
growth of WPI in both the United States and Europe. This new agreement,
which makes possible our acquisition of ANG Instruments, is another example
of how Fleet has supported our growth. The term portion of this agreement
provides a solid base of financing for WPI's current business and future
expansion."
WPI Group, Inc. (WPIC: NASDAQ) manufactures and markets high value-added
products used in mission critical systems through two operating groups:
Information Solutions and Industrial Technology. Information Solutions
offers the world's broadest range of rugged, handheld terminals, PCs and
notebook computers designed for use in harsh environments across a wide
array of industries and it supplies applications software in selected
vertical markets. The Industrial Technology Group manufactures avionics
<PAGE>
components and subsystems, inertial sensors, panel meters, industrial power
conversion systems, electronic ballasts and precision solenoids for a
variety of industrial and consumer products.
THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS RELEASE CONCERNING THE COMPANY'S GOALS,
STRATEGIES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL RESULTS ARE
"FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" BASED ON CURRENT EXPECTATIONS. NO ASSURANCES
CAN BE GIVEN THAT THE RESULTS IN ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WILL BE
ACHIEVED AND ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY. PLEASE REVIEW THE
REPORTS THAT THE COMPANY FILES WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING FACTORS WHICH COULD AFFECT THE COMPANY'S
BUSINESS.
###
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.3
[LETTERHEAD OF WPI GROUP, INC. APPEARS HERE]
News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Michael Foster, Chairman & CEO
Dennis Deegan, President & COO
WPI Group, Inc. Announces $75 Million
Loan Agreement With Fleet Bank
Manchester, NH, August 3, 1998: WPI Group, Inc. (WPIC: NASDAQ) announced
today a new loan agreement with Fleet Bank. The new facility totaling $75
million replaces WPI's current $45 million credit facility, also with
Fleet Bank. The transaction is expected to close this afternoon. The new
credit agreement was entered into in conjunction with WPI's acquisition of
ANG Instruments, a Manchester, NH based manufacturer of avionics components
and subsystems, inertial sensors and panel meters.
Michael Foster, WPI's Chairman and CEO said: "We are pleased to have in
place our new loan agreement with the Fleet Bank syndicate. Our long-
standing relationship with Fleet has been an important element in the
growth of WPI in both the United States and Europe. This new agreement,
which makes possible our acquisition of ANG Instruments, is another example
of how Fleet has supported our growth. The term portion of this agreement
provides a solid base of financing for WPI's current business and future
expansion."
WPI Group, Inc. (WPIC: NASDAQ) manufactures and markets high value-added
products used in mission critical systems through two operating groups:
Information Solutions and Industrial Technology. Information Solutions
offers the world's broadest range of rugged, handheld terminals, PCs and
notebook computers designed for use in harsh environments across a wide
array of industries and it supplies applications software in selected
vertical markets. The Industrial Technology Group manufactures avionics
components and subsystems, inertial sensors, panel meters, industrial power
conversion systems, electronic ballasts and precision solenoids for a
variety of industrial and consumer products.
<PAGE>
THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS RELEASE CONCERNING THE COMPANY'S GOALS,
STRATEGIES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL RESULTS ARE
"FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" BASED ON CURRENT EXPECTATIONS. NO ASSURANCES
CAN BE GIVEN THAT THE RESULTS IN ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WILL BE
ACHIEVED AND ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY. PLEASE REVIEW THE
REPORTS THAT THE COMPANY FILES WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING FACTORS WHICH COULD AFFECT THE COMPANY'S
BUSINESS.
###
