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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (date of earliest event reported): October 1, 1998
BELL INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
California 1-11471 95-2039211
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(State of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Identification No.)
2201 E. El Segundo Boulevard El Segundo, CA 90245
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (310) 563-2355.
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N/A
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
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Item 5. Other Information
On October 1, 1998, Bell Industries, Inc., a California corporation
("Bell" or the "Registrant") agreed to sell its Electronic Distribution Group
"EDG" to Arrow Electronics, Inc., a New York based distributor of electronic
components and computer products. The purchase price is approximately $185
million in cash and the assumption of substantially all the liabilities of
EDG, subject to post closing adjustments.
The sale of EDG will be structured as a sale of substantially all the
assets of the EDG operations. The purchase price was determined based on
negotiations between the parties.
The sale requires approval by Bell's shareholders, along with customary
regulatory review, and is expected to close around yearend.
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Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits
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(2.1) Agreement of Purchase and Sale dated as of October 1, 1998,
as amended from time to time, by and between Bell Industries,
Inc. and Arrow Electronics, Inc. (The exhibits and schedules
to such agreement, as described therein, have been omitted in
accordance with Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. A copy of
such exhibits and schedules shall be furnished supplementally
to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request).
(99.1) Stock Option Agreement dated as of October 1, 1998, by and
between Arrow Electronics, Inc., and Bell Industries, Inc.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
BELL INDUSTRIES, INC.
Dated: October 14, 1998 By: /s/ TRACY A. EDWARDS
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Tracy A. Edwards
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
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AGREEMENT OF PURCHASE
AND SALE
DATED AS OF OCTOBER 1, 1998
BY AND BETWEEN
BELL INDUSTRIES, INC.
AND
ARROW ELECTRONICS, INC.
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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1 Purchase and Sale of the Business.....................................................9
(a) Assets Transferred................................................................9
(b) Excluded Assets..................................................................12
(c) Assumed Liabilities..............................................................13
(d) Retained Liabilities.............................................................14
2. Purchase Price.......................................................................16
(a) Calculation of Purchase Price....................................................16
(b) Closing Payments.................................................................16
(c) Allocation.......................................................................16
(d) Distribution of Payments.........................................................17
3. Audited Balance Sheet; Adjustment to the Estimated Purchase Price....................17
4. Closing..............................................................................19
5. Obligations of Seller and Purchaser at Closing; Further Assurances...................19
6. Representations and Warranties of Seller.............................................20
(a) Organization, Standing and Qualification.........................................20
(b) The Electronics Components Distribution Business.................................20
(c) Execution, Delivery and Performance of Agreement; Authority......................21
(d) Ownership and Capitalization.....................................................21
(e) Financial Statements.............................................................22
(f) Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities...............................................23
(g) Absence of Changes or Events.....................................................23
(h) Litigation.......................................................................24
(i) Compliance with Laws and Other Instruments.......................................25
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
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(j) Title to Properties..............................................................25
(k) Contracts........................................................................26
(l) Patents, etc.....................................................................27
(m) Employee Benefit Plans...........................................................27
(n) Taxes............................................................................28
(o) Proxy Statement..................................................................29
(p) Affiliate Transactions...........................................................30
(q) Inventory; Accounts Receivable...................................................30
(r) Rights of Return.................................................................30
(s) Insurance........................................................................30
(t) Environmental Matters............................................................31
(u) Determination of Taxability......................................................33
(v) Vote Required....................................................................33
(w) Article SEVEN of Seller's Articles of Incorporation Not Applicable...............33
(x) Subsidiary Ownership of Real Property............................................33
(y) Proxies..........................................................................33
(z) Labor Matters....................................................................33
(aa) Supplier Audits..................................................................33
(bb) Trading Practices; Ethical Standards.............................................33
(cc) Value-Added Business.............................................................33
7. Purchaser's Representations and Warranties............................................34
(a) Organization and Standing........................................................34
(b) Execution, Delivery and Performance of Agreement.................................34
(c) Information to be Included in the Definitive Proxy Statement.....................34
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
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(d) Litigation.......................................................................34
(e) Ownership of Seller Common Stock.................................................35
8. Certain Agreements...................................................................35
(a) Observance of Operations of the Business.........................................35
(b) Maintain Business................................................................35
(c) Approval of Shareholders; Proxy Statement........................................36
(d) Insurance........................................................................37
(e) Hiring of Employees..............................................................37
(f) Tax Matters......................................................................37
(g) Option Agreement.................................................................38
(h) Transition Services..............................................................38
9. Certain Covenants of Seller..........................................................39
(a) Obtain Consents..................................................................39
(b) Accomplish Sale..................................................................39
(c) Cooperate with Purchaser.........................................................39
(d) No Solicitation..................................................................39
(e) Access to Information............................................................40
(f) Employee Benefits Plan...........................................................40
(g) Hart-Scott Compliance............................................................40
(h) Elimination of Intercompany Indebtedness.........................................41
(i) Delivery of Documents............................................................41
(j) Resignations of Directors........................................................41
(k) Real Property....................................................................41
(l) Canadian Antitrust Compliance....................................................41
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
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(m) Security Deposits................................................................41
(n) Delivery of Books and Records, etc.; Removal of Property.........................41
(o) Noncompetition...................................................................42
(p) Takeover Statutes................................................................43
(q) Declaration of Distribution......................................................43
(r) Use of Name......................................................................43
10. Certain Covenants of Purchaser.......................................................43
(a) Obtain Consents..................................................................43
(b) Accomplish Sale..................................................................43
(c) Cooperate with Seller............................................................43
(d) Hart-Scott Compliance............................................................43
(e) Employee Benefits and Employee Benefit Plans.....................................43
(f) Required Documents...............................................................44
(g) Canadian Antitrust Compliance....................................................44
(h) License of Bell Name.............................................................44
11. Conditions Precedent to Purchaser's Obligations......................................44
12. Conditions Precedent to Seller's Obligations.........................................45
13. Indemnification......................................................................46
(a) Indemnification and Reimbursement of Purchaser...................................46
(b) Indemnification and Reimbursement of Seller......................................46
(c) Defense of Claims by Third Parties...............................................46
(d) Notice of Other Claims; Non-Waiver...............................................47
(e) Threshold........................................................................47
(f) Exclusive Remedy.................................................................47
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
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14. Commission and Finder's Fees.........................................................48
15. Survival of Representations and Warranties...........................................48
16. Expenses.............................................................................48
17. Termination..........................................................................48
18. Notices..............................................................................49
19. Entire Agreement, Amendments and Certain Other Matters...............................49
20. Assignment...........................................................................50
21. Counterparts.........................................................................50
22. Effectiveness........................................................................50
23. Consent to Jurisdiction and Governing Law............................................50
24. Severability.........................................................................50
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
LIST OF EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES
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Exhibit A Valuation Principles
Exhibit B General Assignment and Bill of Sale
Exhibit C Assumption Agreement
Exhibit D Trademark License Agreement
Exhibit E Certificate of Non-Foreign Status
Exhibit F Opinion of Counsel to Seller
Exhibit G Opinion of Counsel to Purchaser
Exhibit H Stock Option Agreement
Schedule 1(a)(i) Real Property
Schedule 1(a)(ii)(A) Real Property Leases (Seller as Lessor or Sublessor)
Schedule 1(a)(ii)(B) Real Property Leases (Seller as Lessee or Sublessee)
Schedule 1(a)(v) Tangible Personal Property
Schedule 1(a)(vi)(A) Personal Property Leases (Seller as Lessor or Sublessor)
Schedule 1(a)(vi)(B) Personal Property Leases (Seller as Lessee or Sublessee)
Schedule 1(a)(viii) Prepaid Expenses
Schedule 1(a)(ix) Intangible Personal Property
Schedule 1(a)(x) Business Licenses
Schedule 1(a)(xi) Vehicles
Schedule 1(a)(xiv) Business Litigation
Schedule 1(a)(xv) Acquired Subsidiaries
Schedule 1(b)(vii) Excluded Contracts and Inventory
Schedule 1(b)(viii) Excluded Real Estate
Schedule 1(b)(ix) Remaining Businesses
Schedule 1(c)(ii) Accounts Payable
Schedule 1(c)(v) Accrued Expenses
Schedule 1(c)(x) Ontario Warehouse Agreements
Schedule 1(c)(xii) Employment Agreements
Schedule 1(d)(i) Certain Indebtedness
Schedule 1(d)(vi) Retained Litigation Liabilities
Schedule 3(d) Terminated Lines
Schedule 6(b) Shared Facilities or Services
Schedule 6(c)(i) Conflicting Contracts - Seller
Schedule 6(c)(ii) Merger/Consolidation Conflicts
Schedule 6(d)(ii) Capitalization of Subsidiaries
Schedule 6(e)(ii) Exceptions to Financial Statements
Schedule 6(f) Certain Liabilities
Schedule 6(g) Material Changes Since June Balance Sheet
Schedule 6(g)(vi) Contractual Commitments to Employees
Schedule 6(h) Litigation
Schedule 6(j)(i) Exceptions to Good Title (Tangible Personal Property)
Schedule 6(j)(ii)(B) Exceptions to Good Title (Real Property)
Schedule 6(j)(ii)(C) Defaults under Real Property Lease
Schedule 6(j)(ii)(E) Tenant's Purchase Rights
Schedule 6(j)(ii)(F) Exceptions to Condition of Improvements
Schedule 6(k) Contracts and Material Defaults
Schedule 6(l) Exceptions to Patents
Schedule 6(n) Tax Filing Exceptions
Schedule 6(p) Affiliate Agreements
Schedule 6(q)(i) Inventory Exceptions
Schedule 6(q)(ii) Accounts Receivable Exceptions
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
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Schedule 6(r) Inventory - Subject to a Right of Return
Schedule 6(s) Seller's Insurance Policies
Schedule 6(t) Environmental Matters
Schedule 6(y) Proxies
Schedule 6(z) Labor Matters
Schedule 6(aa) Supplier Audits
Schedule 7(b) Conflicting Contracts - Purchaser
Schedule 10(e)(i) Exceptions to Employees
Schedule 11(i) Ontario Warehouse Consents
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
AGREEMENT OF PURCHASE AND SALE
AGREEMENT dated as of October 1, 1998 (the "Agreement") by and
between BELL INDUSTRIES, INC., a California corporation having its principal
office at 2201 East El Segundo Boulevard, El Segundo, California 90245
("Seller") and ARROW ELECTRONICS, INC., a New York corporation having its
principal office at 25 Hub Drive, Melville, New York 11747 ("Purchaser").
RECITALS
Seller is engaged, among other things, in the distribution of
electronic components, including primarily semiconductors, passive components,
connectors and power supplies and board-level products, and the provision of
value-added services, including primarily kitting, turnkey, SMART (automated
replenishment system), assembly of custom cables, harnesses and connectors,
contract purchasing and direct programming of chips (collectively, the
"Business"). Purchaser wishes to purchase and acquire from Seller the Business
(but specifically excluding the other businesses conducted by Seller). Seller
will sell, transfer and assign to Purchaser, and Purchaser will purchase and
acquire from Seller, the assets, and assume the liabilities of the Business for
the consideration and on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
Simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Seller and
Purchaser have entered into a stock option agreement in the form of Exhibit H
(the "Option Agreement").
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Purchase and Sale of the Business.
(a) Assets Transferred. On the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement, Seller will, or will cause its
subsidiaries to, sell, transfer, convey, assign and deliver to Purchaser, and
Purchaser will purchase and pay for, at the Closing, all of Seller's, or its
applicable subsidiary's, right, title and interest in, to and under the
following Assets and Properties of Seller (or its subsidiaries) used or held for
use in connection with the Business (except as otherwise provided in Section
1(a)(xvi)), as the same shall exist on the Closing Date (the "Assets"):
(i) Real Property. The real property set forth on Schedule
1(a)(i), and all of the rights arising out of the ownership thereof or
appurtenant thereto (the "Real Property"), together with all buildings,
structures, facilities, fixtures and other improvements thereto (the
"Improvements");
(ii) Real Property Leases. Subject to Section 5(c), (A)
the leases and subleases of real property set forth on Schedule
1(a)(ii)(A) as to which Seller (and its applicable subsidiaries) is the
lessor or sublessor and (B) the leases and subleases of real property
set forth on Schedule 1(a)(ii)(B) as to which Seller (and its applicable
subsidiaries) is the lessee or sublessee, other than such leases and
subleases involving annual rental payments of less than $75,000
individually or $500,000 in the aggregate (which shall be included in
the updated Schedule 1(a)(ii)(B) to be redelivered to Purchaser within
thirty (30) days after the date hereof), together with any options to
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
purchase the underlying property and leasehold improvements thereon, and
in each case all other rights, subleases, licenses, permits, deposits
and profits appurtenant to or related to such leases and subleases (the
leases and subleases described in subclauses (A) and (B), the "Real
Property Leases");
(iii) Inventory. All inventories of raw materials,
work-in-process, finished goods, products under research and
development, demonstration equipment, office and other supplies, parts,
packaging materials and other accessories related thereto which are held
at, or are in transit from or to, the locations at which the Business is
conducted, or located at customers' premises on consignment or at the
premises of third party processors, in each case, which are used or held
for use by Seller (or its applicable subsidiaries) in the conduct of the
Business, including any of the foregoing purchased subject to any
conditional sales or title retention agreement in favor of any other
Person, together with all rights of Seller (or its applicable
subsidiaries) against suppliers of such inventories (the "Inventory");
(iv) Accounts Receivable. All trade accounts receivable
and all notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness of and rights
to receive payments arising out of sales occurring in the conduct of the
Business, and any security arrangements and collateral securing the
repayment or other satisfaction thereof or related thereto, including
any rights of Seller (or its applicable subsidiaries) with respect to
any third party collection procedures or any other actions, suits,
proceedings, arbitrations, or Governmental Entity investigation or audit
which have been commenced in connection therewith (the "Accounts
Receivable");
(v) Tangible Personal Property. All furniture, fixtures,
equipment, machinery and other tangible personal property (other than
Inventory and Vehicles) used or held for use in the conduct of the
Business at the locations at which the Business is conducted or at
customers' premises on consignment, or otherwise used or held for use by
Seller (or its applicable subsidiaries) in the conduct of the Business
(including but not limited to the items set forth on Schedule 1(a)(v),
including any of the foregoing purchased subject to any conditional
sales or title retention agreement in favor of any other Person (the
"Tangible Personal Property"));
(vi) Personal Property Leases. Subject to Section 5(c),
(A) the leases or subleases of Tangible Personal Property including but
not limited to the items set forth on Schedule 1(a)(vi)(A) as to which
Seller (or any of its applicable subsidiaries) is the lessor or
sublessor (which Schedule shall be updated and redelivered to Purchaser
within five (5) days prior to the Closing Date) and (B) the leases of
Tangible Personal Property including but not limited to the items set
forth on Schedule 1(a)(vi)(B) as to which Seller (or its applicable
subsidiaries) is the lessee or sublessee (which Schedule shall be
updated and redelivered to Purchaser within five (5) days prior to the
Closing Date), together with any options to purchase the underlying
property (the leases and subleases described in subclauses (A) and (B),
the "Personal Property Leases");
(vii) Business Contracts. Subject to Section 5(c), all
contracts (other than the Real Property Leases, the Personal Property
Leases and the Accounts Receivable) to which Seller (or any of its
applicable subsidiaries) is a party and which are utilized in the
conduct of the Business, including without limitation, contracts
relating to
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
suppliers, sales representatives, distributors, purchase orders,
marketing arrangements and manufacturing arrangements (the "Business
Contracts");
(viii) Prepaid Expenses. All prepaid expenses to the
extent relating to the Business, including but not limited to the items
set forth on Schedule 1(a)(viii) (the "Prepaid Expenses"); provided,
however, that the extent to which any such Asset relates to the
Remaining Businesses (as defined in Section 1(b)(ix)) shall be expressly
noted on such Schedule and if not so noted shall be an Asset;
(ix) Intangible Personal Property. All Intellectual
Property to the extent used or held for use in the conduct of the
Business (including Seller's or its applicable subsidiaries, goodwill
therein) and all rights, privileges, claims, causes of action and
options relating or pertaining to the Business or the Assets, including
but not limited to the items set forth on Schedule 1(a)(ix) (the
"Intangible Personal Property"); provided, however, that the extent to
which any such Asset relates to the Remaining Businesses shall be
expressly noted on such Schedule and if not so noted shall be an Asset;
(x) Licenses. To the extent their transfer is permitted
under applicable laws, rules and regulations and subject to Section
5(c), all licenses (including applications therefor) to the extent
utilized in the conduct of the Business, including but not limited to
the licenses set forth on Schedule 1(a)(x) (the "Business Licenses")
(which Schedule shall be updated and redelivered to Purchaser within
thirty (30) days after the date hereof); provided, however, that the
extent to which any such Asset relates to the Remaining Businesses shall
be expressly noted on such Schedule and if not so noted shall be an
Asset;
(xi) Vehicles. All motor vehicles owned or leased by
Seller (or its applicable subsidiaries) and used or held for use in the
conduct of the Business, including but not limited to the vehicles set
forth on Schedule 1(a)(xi) (the "Vehicles");
(xii) Security Deposits. All security deposits deposited
by or on behalf of Seller (or its applicable subsidiaries) as lessee or
sublessee under the Real Property Leases (the "Tenant Security
Deposits");
(xiii) Books and Records. All Books and Records used or
held for use in the conduct of the Business or otherwise relating to the
Assets, other than the Excluded Books and Records (the "Business Books
and Records");
(xiv) Litigation Claims. Any rights (including
indemnification) and claims and recoveries under litigation of Seller
(or its applicable subsidiaries) against third parties arising out of or
relating to the Business set forth on Schedule 1(a)(xiv) (the "Business
Litigation");
(xv) Subsidiary Stock. All of the right, title and
interest of Seller in, to and under the issued and outstanding shares of
capital stock (the "Acquired Shares") of the subsidiaries of Seller set
forth on Schedule 1(a)(xv) (the "Subsidiaries");
(xvi) Tradenames and Logos. All of Seller's right, title
and interest in, to and under the names "Bell Industries", "Bell", "BI"
and "Milgray Electronics" and all derivatives thereof and all logos and
typestyles used or registered by Seller, and all goodwill associated
therewith, whether or not used or held for use in connection with the
Business (the "Acquired Names"); and
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
(xvii) Other Assets and Properties. All other Assets and
Properties of Seller (or its applicable subsidiaries) used or held for
use in connection with the Business except as otherwise provided in
Section 1(b) (the "Other Assets").
To the extent any of the Business Books and Records are items
susceptible to duplication and are either (x) used in connection with any of
Seller's businesses other than the Business or (y) are required by any law, rule
or regulation to be retained by Seller, Seller may deliver photostatic copies or
other reproductions from which, in the case of Business Books and Records
referred to in clause (x), information solely concerning Seller's businesses
other than the Business has been deleted. To the extent any of the Business
Books and Records relates to the Remaining Businesses, Purchaser will afford the
other party, its counsel and its accountants, during normal business hours,
reasonable access to such Business Books and Records and the right to make
copies and extracts therefrom. Further, Purchaser agrees for a period extending
six (6) years after the Closing Date not to destroy or otherwise dispose of any
such Business Books and Records unless Purchaser shall first offer in writing to
surrender such Business Books and Records to Seller and Seller shall not agree
in writing to take possession thereof during the ten (10) day period after such
offer is made.
(b) Excluded Assets. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement
to the contrary, the following Assets and Properties of Seller and its
applicable subsidiaries used or held for use in connection with the Business
shall be excluded from and shall not constitute Assets (the "Excluded Assets"):
(i) Cash. Cash (including checks received prior to the
close of business on the Closing Date, whether or not deposited or
cleared prior to the close of business on the Closing Date), commercial
paper, certificates of deposit and other bank deposits, treasury bills
and other cash equivalents;
(ii) Insurance. Life insurance policies of officers and
other employees of Seller and all other insurance policies relating to
the operation of the Business;
(iii) Employee Benefit Plans. All assets owned or held by
any Employee Benefit Plans (as defined in Section 6(m));
(iv) Tax Refunds. All refunds or credits, if any, of Taxes
due to or from Seller;
(v) Excluded Books and Records. The minute books, stock
transfer books and corporate seal of Seller and its subsidiaries other
than the Subsidiaries and any other Books and Records relating primarily
to the Excluded Assets or the Retained Liabilities (the "Excluded Books
and Records");
(vi) Litigation Claims. Any rights (including
indemnification) and claims and recoveries under litigation of Seller
against third parties arising out of or relating to the Business, except
the Business Litigation set forth on Schedule 1(a)(xiv);
(vii) Excluded Contracts and Inventory. The rights of
Seller in, to and under all of the contracts and inventory set forth on
Schedule 1(b)(vii);
(viii) Excluded Real Estate. The real property set forth
on Schedule 1(b)(viii), together with all buildings, structures,
facilities, fixtures and the improvements thereto;
(ix) Other Business. All of Seller's Assets and Properties
that are not used or held for use in connection with the Business,
including, without limitation, those
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
businesses set forth on Schedule 1(b)(ix) (the "Remaining Businesses")
and the shares of any direct or indirect subsidiaries of Seller other
than the Subsidiaries;
(x) Claims Against Third Parties. Claims against third
parties for damages suffered in connection with Excluded Assets and
Retained Liabilities; and
(xi) Agreements. Seller's rights under this Agreement, the
Option Agreement and any other agreements, instruments or documents
executed by Seller pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby.
To the extent any Excluded Books and Records relate to the
Business, Seller will afford the other party, its counsel and its accountants,
during normal business hours, reasonable access to such Excluded Books and
Records and the right to make copies and extracts therefrom. Further, Seller
agrees for a period extending six (6) years after the Closing Date not to
destroy or otherwise dispose of any such Excluded Books and Records unless
Seller shall first offer in writing to surrender such Excluded Books and
Records to Purchaser and Purchaser shall not agree in writing to take
possession thereof during the ten (10) day period after such offer is made.
(c) Assumed Liabilities. In connection with the sale, transfer,
conveyance, assignment and delivery of the Assets pursuant to this Agreement, on
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the
Closing, Purchaser will assume and agree to pay, perform and discharge when due
all of the obligations of Seller (or its applicable subsidiaries) relating
exclusively to the Business and arising in connection with the ordinary course
of operation of the Business other than the Retained Liabilities (the "Assumed
Liabilities"), including but not limited to the following:
(i) Real Property Lease Obligations. All obligations of
Seller (or its applicable subsidiaries) under the Real Property Leases;
(ii) Accounts Payable. All obligations of Seller (or its
applicable subsidiaries) with respect to accounts payable reflected or
reserved against in the June Balance Sheet (as defined in Section
6(e)(i)) or those arising in the ordinary course of business since June
30, 1998, including but not limited to the items set forth on Schedule
1(c)(ii) (the "Accounts Payable");
(iii) Personal Property Lease Obligations. All obligations
of Seller (or its applicable subsidiaries) under the Personal Property
Leases;
(iv) Obligations under Contracts and Licenses. All
obligations of Seller (or its applicable subsidiaries) under the
Business Contracts and Business Licenses;
(v) Accrued Expenses. All obligations of Seller (or its
applicable subsidiaries) with respect to accrued expenses reflected or
reserved against in the June Balance Sheet or those incurred in the
ordinary course of business since June 30, 1998, including without
limitation the items set forth on Schedule 1(c)(v) (the "Accrued
Expenses");
(vi) Returned Goods. All obligations with respect to the
Business of Seller (or its applicable subsidiaries) for replacement of,
or refund for, damaged, defective or returned goods, except Retained
Returned Goods (as defined in Section 1(d)(x));
(vii) Product Liabilities. All liabilities with respect to
the Business arising out of claims of third parties for damage or injury
suffered as the result of
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
defective products sold by Seller (or its applicable subsidiaries) prior
to the Closing Date, except the Retained Product Liabilities (as defined
in Section 1(d)(xi));
(viii) Security Deposits. All obligations of Seller (or
its applicable subsidiaries) with respect to any security deposit held
as lessor or sublessor under the Real Property Leases (the "Landlord
Security Deposits");
(ix) Sales Tax Liabilities. All sales and use Taxes
collected from customers with respect to the Business and held by Seller
on the Closing Date, except the Retained Sales Tax Liabilities (as
defined in Section 1(d)(viii)) (the "Assumed Sales Tax Liabilities");
(x) Ontario Warehouse Agreements. All obligations of
Seller (or its applicable subsidiaries) under the agreements set forth
on Schedule 1(c)(x);
(xi) Litigation Claims. All obligations and liabilities of
Seller and its applicable subsidiaries arising from litigation of third
parties against Seller or its applicable subsidiaries arising out of the
activities of the Business, except the Retained Litigation (as defined
in Section 1(d)(vi));
(xii) Employment Agreements. All obligations of Seller
under the employment agreements and severance agreements set forth on
Schedule 1(c)(xii) (the "Assumed Employment Agreements"); and
(xiii) Other Liabilities. All other liabilities reserved
or reflected on the Audited Balance Sheet.
(d) Retained Liabilities. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, Purchaser shall not assume by virtue of this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, and shall have no liability
for, any of the following liabilities of Seller or any of its subsidiaries (the
"Retained Liabilities"):
(i) Certain Indebtedness. All obligations of Seller and
its subsidiaries for indebtedness set forth on Schedule 1(d)(i);
(ii) Tax Liabilities. All obligations of Seller and its
subsidiaries for Taxes other than the Assumed Sales Tax Liabilities;
(iii) Liabilities under this Agreement. Seller's
liabilities under this Agreement, the Option Agreement and any other
agreements, instruments or documents executed by Seller pursuant to or
in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby;
(iv) Employee Benefit Plan Liabilities. All liabilities
and obligations under each of the Employee Benefit Plans (as defined in
Section 6(m)(i)) or any employee benefit plan, agreement or other
arrangement, program or policy maintained or sponsored by Seller or any
of its subsidiaries;
(v) Post-Retirement Medical Plan Liabilities. All
obligations of Seller and its subsidiaries under any post-retirement
medical benefits plan;
(vi) Litigation Claims. All liabilities of Seller and its
subsidiaries arising from claims and recoveries under litigation of
third parties against Seller or its subsidiaries set forth on Schedule
1(d)(vi) (the "Retained Litigation");
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
(vii) Excluded Assets. All obligations of Seller and its
subsidiaries arising in connection with the Excluded Assets;
(viii) Retained Sales Tax Liabilities. All sales, use or
other Taxes collected from customers by Seller for delivery to a taxing
authority, except those Taxes reflected as liabilities on the Audited
Balance Sheet (the "Retained Sales Tax Liabilities");
(ix) Other Businesses. All obligations of Seller related
to the Remaining Businesses;
(x) Retained Returned Goods. All obligations of Seller (or
its applicable subsidiaries) for replacement of, or refund for, damaged,
defective or returned goods to the extent that (A) such goods are not
subject to full return privileges from the supplier thereof or (B) such
goods are not non-franchised products sold in the ordinary course of
Seller's value-added business (the "Retained Returned Goods");
(xi) Retained Product Liabilities. All liabilities arising
out of claims of third parties for damages or injury suffered as the
result of defective products sold by Seller (or its applicable
subsidiaries) that (A) were not sold under customary authorized
distributor agreements, (B) were not sold in the ordinary course under
Seller's value-added business or (C) arise out of the negligent acts or
willful misconduct of Seller, its subsidiaries or its employees or
agents (the "Retained Product Liabilities"); and
(xii) Retained Employment Agreements. All obligations of
Seller under employment agreements and severance agreements, except the
Assumed Employment Agreements.
Seller shall discharge, or shall cause the discharge, in a timely manner or
shall make adequate provision for all of the Retained Liabilities, provided that
Seller shall have the ability to contest, in good faith, any such claim of
liability asserted in respect thereof by any Person other than Purchaser and its
affiliates.
For purposes of this Agreement:
"Assets and Properties" of any Person means all assets and
properties of every kind, nature, character and description (whether
real, personal or mixed, whether tangible or intangible, whether
absolute, accrued, contingent, fixed or otherwise and wherever
situated), including the goodwill related thereto, operated, owned or
leased by such Person, including without limitation cash, cash
equivalents, investment assets, accounts and notes receivable, chattel
paper, documents, instruments, general intangibles, real estate,
equipment, inventory, goods and Intellectual Property.
"Books and Records" of any Person means all files, documents,
instruments, papers, books and records relating to the business,
operations, condition of (financial or other), results of operations and
Assets and Properties of such Person, including without limitation
financial statements, Returns and related work papers and letters from
accountants, budgets, pricing guidelines, ledgers, journals, deeds,
title policies, minute books, stock certificates and books, stock
transfer ledgers, contracts, licenses, customer lists, computer files
and programs, retrieval programs, operating data and plans and
environmental studies and plans.
"Governmental Entity" means any nation or government, any state
or other political subdivision thereof, including any municipality,
town, village, and subdivision
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
thereof, and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial,
regulatory, or administrative functions of, or pertaining to,
governance.
"Intellectual Property" means all patents and patent rights,
trademarks and trademark rights, trade names and trade name rights,
service marks and service mark rights, service names and service name
rights, brand names, inventions, processes, formulae, copyrights and
copyright rights, trade dress, business and product names, logos,
slogans, trade secrets, industrial models, processes, designs,
methodologies, computer programs (including all source codes) and
related documentation, technical information, manufacturing, engineering
and technical drawings, know-how and all pending applications for and
registrations of patents, trademarks, service marks and copyrights.
"Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation
(including a business trust), joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
association, joint venture or other entity, or a Governmental Entity.
2. Purchase Price.
(a) Calculation of Purchase Price. The purchase price (the
"Purchase Price") to be paid by Purchaser hereunder shall be $187,600,000, as
adjusted pursuant to Section 3.
(b) Closing Payments. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof,
Purchaser shall, subject to the adjustments, if any, contemplated under Section
3, pay to Seller an amount (the "Closing Cash Payment") equal to (A)
$187,600,000 less the Estimated Balance Sheet Adjustment (as defined below), if
any (the "Estimated Purchase Price") less (B) $20,000,000. Seller shall prepare
and deliver to Purchaser an estimated consolidated balance sheet (the "Estimated
Balance Sheet") of the Business as of the last day of the month immediately
prior to the Closing Date (the "Preceding Month"), or in the event the Closing
Date shall be within the first ten (10) days of any calendar month, as of the
last day of the month immediately prior to the Preceding Month. Such Estimated
Balance Sheet shall be prepared on the same terms and basis as specified in the
second sentence of Section 3(a) with respect to the Preliminary Audited Balance
Sheet (as defined in Section 3). If the net investment shown on the Estimated
Balance Sheet is at least $155 million, then there shall be no Estimated Balance
Sheet Adjustment. If the net investment shown on the Estimated Balance Sheet is
less than $135 million, Purchaser may at its option (1) terminate this Agreement
or (2) proceed with the transactions contemplated herein, including the
determination of the Closing Cash Payment as reduced by the Estimated Balance
Sheet Adjustment described in the following sentence. If the net investment
shown on the Estimated Balance Sheet is less than $155 million (the difference
between the net investment and $155 million is hereinafter referred to as the
"Estimated Shortfall"), then the Closing Cash Payment shall be reduced on a
dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount of the Estimated Shortfall (such reduction
being referred to as the "Estimated Balance Sheet Adjustment").
(c) Allocation. (i) As promptly as practicable after the Audited
Balance Sheet Date (as defined in Sections 3(b)), Purchaser and Seller shall use
their best efforts to agree on the allocation of the Purchase Price among the
Assets. As promptly as practicable and in any event not later than fifteen (15)
days following the Audited Balance Sheet Date, Purchaser shall deliver to Seller
an initial schedule allocating the Purchase Price among the Assets (the "Initial
Allocation"). The Initial Allocation shall be final and binding upon Seller and
Purchaser unless within ten (10) days of receipt thereof
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
Seller gives written notice to Purchaser that it does not agree with the Initial
Allocation. If Seller so notifies Purchaser within the ten-day period, Purchaser
and Seller will use good faith efforts to resolve any disagreements within seven
(7) days after Purchaser's receipt of Seller's written notice. If Seller and
Purchaser cannot reach agreement during such seven-day period, their
disagreements shall be promptly submitted to an independent public accounting
firm jointly selected by Purchaser and Seller (the "Independent Accountant"),
which will conduct such review as it deems necessary to resolve their
disagreements regarding the Initial Allocation. The allocation of the Purchase
Price among the Assets determined under this Section 2(c)(i) is referred to the
"Final Allocation".
(ii) The review of the Independent Accountant will be
restricted as to scope to address only those matters as to which Seller
and Purchaser have not reached agreement pursuant to Section 2(c)(i).
The Independent Accountant's decision resolving any disagreements will
be binding on Seller and Purchaser and will be provided in writing to
the parties as promptly as practicable and in any event not later than
thirty (30) days after the disagreements are submitted to the
Independent Accountant pursuant to Section 2(c)(i). The fees and
expenses incurred by the Independent Accountant in connection with
resolving any disagreements pursuant to Sections 2(c)(i) will be shared
equally by Seller and Purchaser.
(iii) Each of Seller and Purchaser agrees: (A) that the
Final Allocation will be consistent with the requirements of Code
Section 1060, (B) to complete jointly and to file separately Form 8594
with its federal income Tax Return consistent with the Final Allocation
for the tax year in which the Closing Date occurs and (C) that no party
will take a position on any federal, state or local Tax Return, before
any Governmental Entity charged with the collection of any tax or in any
action or proceeding that is in any manner inconsistent with the terms
of the Final Allocation without the consent of the other party.
(d) Distribution of Payments. Following the receipt by Seller of
the Closing Cash Payment due under Section 2(b), Seller shall, subject to
applicable fraudulent conveyance laws and to the provisions of Section 500 et
seq. of the California Corporations Code (the "CCC"): (i) first apply the
Closing Cash Payment to the repayment of the outstanding principal under the
Credit Agreement dated as of January 7, 1997, as amended from time to time, by
and among Seller, Bell Ontario Holding, Inc., the lenders thereunder and Union
Bank of California N.A., as agent (as amended, the "Credit Agreement") as may be
necessary to obtain the release of any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, security
interest, encumbrance, lease, license or claim ("Encumbrance") on the Assets
securing indebtedness under the Credit Agreement except as otherwise provided in
this Agreement; and (ii) except as otherwise provided in Section 9(q) of this
Agreement, prior to the Audited Balance Sheet Date, make no payments, dividends
or distributions to its shareholders (including the adoption by its Board of
Directors of a resolution declaring a dividend or distribution or declaring a
record date with respect thereto).
3. Audited Balance Sheet; Adjustment to the Estimated Purchase
Price.
(a) After the Closing, Purchaser shall prepare or cause to be
prepared, and shall cause Ernst & Young LLP, independent accountants (the
"Accountants"), to prepare a certification of an audited consolidated balance
sheet as of the Closing Date for the
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
Business (the "Preliminary Audited Balance Sheet"). The Preliminary Audited
Balance Sheet shall (i) be prepared from the books and records of the Business
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, applied on a basis
consistent with the Financial Statements, (ii) be prepared in accordance with
Seller's valuation principles attached as Exhibit A, and (iii) reflect no
write-up of any individual asset of the Business which was included in the
Financial Statements and is included in the Preliminary Audited Balance Sheet to
a book value greater than its book value in the Financial Statements. As a part
of the preparation of the Preliminary Audited Balance Sheet, Purchaser and its
employees shall conduct a complete physical inventory of the Business as of the
Closing Date, and the results of such inventory shall be reflected in the
Preliminary Audited Balance Sheet. Purchaser shall deliver the Preliminary
Audited Balance Sheet, and shall use its reasonable efforts to cause the
Accountants to deliver the form of the Accountants' report thereon, to Seller as
promptly as practicable and, in any event, not later than ninety (90) days after
the Closing Date.
(b) Employees of Seller and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PWC
Representatives") shall have the right, at Seller's expense, to observe and
reasonably review and comment to the Accountants upon the preparation of the
Preliminary Audited Balance Sheet. In addition, Seller and PWC Representatives
shall have the right to observe the taking of the physical inventory and to
comment to the Accountants with respect thereto. In the event that Seller shall
object to any matter relating to the Preliminary Audited Balance Sheet (which
objections shall be solely on the basis that such balance sheet has not been
prepared in accordance with the second sentence of Section 3(a) above or is
derived from obvious mathematical errors), Seller shall, as promptly as
practicable but in any event within thirty (30) days after receipt of the
Preliminary Audited Balance Sheet, notify Purchaser of such objections in
writing. The parties shall use their best efforts to resolve any such objections
as promptly as practicable. If the parties are unable to resolve any such
objections within twenty (20) days after the date that Seller delivers such
notice of objection to Purchaser, then a nationally recognized independent
public accounting firm as shall be mutually agreed by the parties shall be
appointed as arbitrator to resolve the dispute in accordance with Section 3(a)
above as soon as practicable and its determination with respect to such
dispute shall be final and binding upon both parties hereto. The costs of such
accounting firm in connection with its acting as such arbitrator shall be
borne 50% by Seller and 50% by Purchaser. The final audited balance sheet,
reflecting the results of any resolution of objections or arbitrated settlement,
accompanied by the Accountants' report thereon, shall be the "Audited Balance
Sheet" and the date of delivery thereof to Purchaser and Seller shall be the
"Audited Balance Sheet Date".
(c) If the net investment shown on the Audited Balance Sheet is
greater than $155 million, then the Purchase Price shall be increased on a
dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount equal to the lesser of (i) the difference
between such net investment and $155 million and (ii) $10 million. If the net
investment shown on the Audited Balance Sheet is $155 million or less (the
difference between such net investment and $155 million is hereinafter referred
to as the "Audited Shortfall"), then the Purchase Price shall be reduced on a
dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount of the Audited Shortfall.
(d) The Purchase Price shall also be reduced by the amount, if
any, of the Terminated Lines Reduction. The "Terminated Lines Reduction" shall
be the sum of (i) the inventory related to terminated lines described on
Schedule 3(d) which has not been returned for full credit to the applicable
manufacturer prior to the Closing Date and for which value has
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
been given on the Audited Balance Sheet and (ii) to the extent reflected as an
asset on the Audited Balance Sheet, the pending debits related to terminated
lines described on Schedule 3(d) which have not been honored by the applicable
manufacturer prior to the Closing Date.
(e) Within five (5) business days after the Audited Balance Sheet
Date: (i) in the event that the Purchase Price is greater than the Closing Cash
Payment, Purchaser shall promptly pay to Seller such difference with interest
thereon (accruing from the Closing Date until such payment is made) at the
Interest Rate (as defined below); and (ii) in the event that the Purchase Price
is less than the Closing Cash Payment, Seller shall promptly pay to Purchaser
such difference with interest thereon (accruing from the Closing Date until such
payment is made) at the Interest Rate. For purposes of this Agreement, "Interest
Rate" means 6% per annum (based on a year of 360 days). The payments required
pursuant to this Section 3(e) shall not be subject to any right of setoff,
counterclaim or recoupment.
4. Closing. The Closing (the "Closing") shall take place at 10:00
A.M., local time, on the earliest practicable date after all of the conditions
set forth in Sections 11 and 12 shall have been satisfied or waived but in any
event not later than three (3) business days after such date (the "Closing
Date"), at the offices of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy, 1 Chase Manhattan
Plaza, New York, New York, or such other time and place as the parties may
agree.
5. Obligations of Seller and Purchaser at Closing; Further
Assurances.
(a) At the Closing:
(i) Seller will assign and transfer to Purchaser all of
its right, title and interest in and to the Assets (free and clear of
all Encumbrances) by delivery of (A) a General Assignment and Bill of
Sale substantially in the form of Exhibit B, duly executed by Seller,
(B) an assignment of the Intellectual Property in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser, (C) general warranty deeds in
proper statutory form for recording and otherwise in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser conveying title to the Real
Property, (D) such other good and sufficient instruments of conveyance,
assignment and transfer, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to
Purchaser's counsel, as shall be effective to vest in Purchaser good
title to the Assets;
(ii) Seller will deliver the other documents, certificates
and opinions specified in Section 9;
(iii) Purchaser will pay to Seller, by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to the account previously designated by
Seller to Purchaser, an amount equal to the Closing Cash Payment;
(iv) Purchaser will assume from Seller the due payment,
performance and discharge of the Assumed Liabilities by delivery of (A)
an Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit C duly
executed by Purchaser, (B) such other good and sufficient instruments of
assumption, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Seller's
counsel, as shall be effective to cause Purchaser to assume the Assumed
Liabilities as and to the extent provided in Section 1(c); and
(v) Purchaser will deliver the other documents,
certificates and opinions specified in Section 10.
(b) At any time and from time to time after the Closing, at
Purchaser's request and without further consideration, Seller will take all
action necessary to execute and deliver such other instruments of sale,
transfer, conveyance, assignment and confirmation and take such
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
action as Purchaser may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to more
effectively transfer, convey and assign to Purchaser the Business.
(c) To the extent that any Real Property Lease, Personal Property
Lease, Business Contract or Business License is not assignable without the
consent of another party, this Agreement shall not constitute an assignment or
an attempted assignment thereof if such assignment or attempted assignment would
constitute a breach thereof or a default thereunder. Seller and Purchaser shall
use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the consent of such other party to
the assignment of any such Real Property Lease, Personal Property Lease,
Business Contract or Business License to Purchaser in all cases in which such
consent is or may be required for such assignment. If any such consent shall not
be obtained, Seller shall cooperate with Purchaser in any reasonable arrangement
designed to provide for Purchaser the benefits intended to be assigned to
Purchaser under the relevant Real Property Lease, Personal Property Lease,
Business Contract or Business License, including enforcement at the cost and for
the account of Purchaser of any and all rights of Seller against the other party
thereto arising out of the breach or cancellation thereof by such other party or
otherwise. If and to the extent that such arrangement cannot be made, Purchaser
shall have no obligation pursuant to Section 1(c) or otherwise with respect to
any such Real Property Lease, Personal Property Lease, Business Contract or
Business License. The provisions of this Section 5(c) shall not affect the right
of Purchaser not to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
if the condition to its obligations hereunder contained in Section 11(i) has not
been fulfilled.
6. Representations and Warranties of Seller. Seller represents
and warrants to Purchaser, as of the date of this Agreement as follows:
(a) Organization, Standing and Qualification. Each of Seller and
the Subsidiaries is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation, and has
the corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now being
conducted and to own, lease or operate its properties; and each of Seller and
the Subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed and in good standing as a foreign
corporation authorized to do business in all of the jurisdictions where the
nature of the activities conducted by it or the character of the properties
owned, leased or operated by it requires such qualification or licensing, except
where the failure to be so qualified or licensed would not result in loss,
liability, cost, expense (including but not limited to attorneys fees and
expenses), damage or decline in value to the business, condition or properties
of the Business, taken as a whole, or to Purchaser (collectively, "Losses") in
excess of $25,000 individually or $100,000 in the aggregate. Seller has
delivered to Purchaser true and complete copies (initialed by the Secretary of
Seller) of the certificates of incorporation (and all amendments thereto) and
the by-laws as presently in effect of Seller and each of the Subsidiaries.
(b) The Electronics Components Distribution Business. The
Business is conducted solely through Seller's Electronic Distribution Group
(excluding any Remaining Businesses) and the Subsidiaries. The sale of the
Assets by Seller to Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement will convey to
Purchaser the entire Business and all of the tangible and intangible property
used by Seller (whether owned, leased or held under license by Seller, by any of
Seller's affiliates or by others) in connection with the conduct of the Business
as heretofore conducted by Seller (except for the Excluded Assets) including,
without limitation, all Assets and Properties of Seller and its subsidiaries
reflected in the June Balance Sheet (as defined in Section 6(e)) included in the
Financial Statements and Assets and Properties acquired since June 30, 1998 used
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
or held for use in connection with the Business, other than the Excluded Assets
and Assets and Properties disposed of since such date, consistent with Section
6(g)(iii). Except as set forth on Schedule 6(b),with respect to the Assets or
the Business, there are no shared facilities or services which are used in
connection with any business or other operations of Seller or any of Seller's
affiliates other than the Business.
(c) Execution, Delivery and Performance of Agreement; Authority.
The execution, delivery and performance of the Agreement in accordance with its
terms by Seller will not, with or without the giving of notice or the passage of
time, or both, conflict with, result in a violation of, result in a default,
right to accelerate or loss of rights under, or result in the creation of any
Encumbrance pursuant to, any provision of the articles of incorporation (or
certificate of incorporation, as the case may be) or by-laws (and all amendments
thereto), of Seller or any of the Subsidiaries, or any mortgage, deed of trust,
lease, license, agreement (including any debt instrument), law, rule,
regulation, order or judgment or decree to which Seller, or any of the
Subsidiaries, is a party or by which any of them may be bound or affected,
except (i) as set forth on Schedule 6(c)(i) or as specifically noted on Schedule
1(a)(ii)(B), (ii) those which would not result in Losses in excess of $25,000
individually or $100,000 in the aggregate and (iii) any agreements pursuant to
which Seller or any of the Subsidiaries purchases inventory from the
manufacturers thereof ("Franchise Agreements"). Except as set forth on Schedule
6(c)(ii), the merger, consolidation, combination or amalgamation of any or all
of the Subsidiaries with or into Purchaser or its affiliates or, the transfer of
any or all of the Assets or any of the Subsidiaries to Purchaser or its
affiliates will not, with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time
or both, conflict with, result in a default, right to accelerate or loss of
rights under, or result in the creation of any Encumbrance, under any provision
of any mortgage, deed of trust, lease, license, material agreement (including
any debt instrument) to which Seller, any of its subsidiaries is a party or by
which any of them may be bound or affected that would have a materially adverse
effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations or properties
of Purchaser or of the Business taken as a whole. Seller has the full power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and the full power and authority to carry
out the transactions contemplated hereby. The Board of Directors of Seller has,
subject to approval by Seller's shareholders, approved the entering into by
Seller of this Agreement, and there are no other corporate proceedings required
to be taken by Seller, except for such shareholders' approval, to authorize the
execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement constitutes
a valid and binding obligation of Seller, enforceable against Seller in
accordance with its terms, except as limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws affecting the enforcement
of creditors' rights generally and subject to usual equity principles.
(d) Ownership and Capitalization. (i) Seller is the lawful record
and beneficial owner of all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital
stock of the Subsidiaries, free and clear of all Encumbrances, except those
created pursuant to the Credit Agreement. Upon completion of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, Purchaser will acquire as of the Closing Date
good and valid title to the Acquired Shares, free and clear of all Encumbrances.
(ii) The capitalization of the Subsidiaries consists of
the number of authorized shares of capital stock at the stated par
values, the number of issued and outstanding shares and the number of
treasury shares, if any, set forth on
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
Schedule 6(d)(ii). All of the Acquired Shares have been validly issued
and are fully paid and non-assessable. Except for the rights created
pursuant to this Agreement and the Option Agreement, there are no
outstanding options, warrants or other rights of any kind to acquire any
additional shares of capital stock of the Subsidiaries or securities
convertible or exchangeable for, or which otherwise confer on the holder
thereof any right to acquire, any such additional shares, nor is Seller
or any of the Subsidiaries committed to issue any such option, warrant,
right or security.
(e) Financial Statements. (i) Seller has delivered to
Purchaser copies (initialed by the chief financial officer of Seller and
identified with a reference to this section of this Agreement) of the
following financial statements (the financial statements set forth in
clauses (A), (B) and (C) are hereinafter collectively called the
"Financial Statements"): (A) audited consolidated balance sheets of
Seller as of December 31, 1997, December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995
and the related statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash
flows for the years then ended, and the unaudited consolidated balance
sheet of Seller as of June 30, 1998 and the related statement of income,
shareholders' equity and cash flows for the period then ended; (B)
unaudited combined balance sheets of the Business as of December 31,
1997, December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995 and the related statements
of income for the years then ended, including Milgray Electronics, Inc.
("Milgray") from the date of Seller's acquisition thereof, and the
unaudited combined balance sheet of the Business as of June 30, 1998
("June Balance Sheet") and the related statement of income for the
period then ended; and (C) the management accounts for the period ending
August 31, 1998 for the Business (the "Management Accounts").
(ii) The Financial Statements set forth in clause (A) of
Section 6(e)(i) and, except as set forth on Schedule 6(e)(ii), the
Financial Statements set forth in clauses (B) and (C) of Section 6(e)(i)
have been prepared from the Books and Records of Seller and its
subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, consistently applied and maintained throughout the periods
indicated (except as disclosed therein), and present fairly the
consolidated financial condition of Seller (with respect to the
Financial Statements set forth in clause (A) of Section 6(e)(i)) and the
Business (with respect to the Financial Statements set forth in clauses
(B) and (C) of Section 6(e)(i) as at their respective dates and the
results of their operations for the periods covered thereby in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. With respect
to the statements of income contained in the Financial Statements set
forth in clauses (B) and (C) of Section 6(e)(i), such statements of
earnings do not contain any items of extraordinary or non-recurring
income or any other income not earned in the ordinary course of business
which in the aggregate for any period presented do not exceed $100,000,
except as set forth therein.
(iii) The Management Accounts are the only management
accounts relating to the Business prepared by Seller with respect to the
period covered thereby and have been prepared in the ordinary course of
business.
(iv) Seller has delivered to Purchaser copies (initialed
by the chief financial officer of Seller and identified with a reference
to this section of this Agreement) of the following financial statements
of Milgray (collectively, the "Milgray Financial Statements"): audited
consolidated balance sheets of Milgray as of
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
September 30, 1996 and September 30, 1995, and the related statements of
income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the years then ended.
The Milgray Financial Statements have been prepared from the Books and
Records of Milgray and its subsidiaries in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, consistently applied and maintained
throughout the periods indicated (except as disclosed therein), and
present fairly the consolidated financial condition of Milgray as at
their respective dates and the results of their operations for the
periods covered thereby in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
(f) Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. (i) All of the
liabilities reflected or reserved against on the June Balance Sheet were
incurred in bona fide transactions incurred in the ordinary course of
business, except for any such liabilities that were incurred outside the
ordinary course of business and would not result in Losses in excess of
$25,000 individually or $100,000 in the aggregate. There are no
liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of Seller or any of the
Subsidiaries which are, in accordance with generally accepted accounting
required to be reserved against or disclosed on the June Balance Sheet
which are not so reserved or disclosed.
(ii) Except as set forth on Schedule 6(f), neither Seller
nor any of the Subsidiaries has any liabilities (contingent or
otherwise) with respect to the Business under any guarantee, indemnity,
bond, reimbursement agreement or pledge agreement with respect to any
obligation of third parties or under any joint or joint and several
contractual obligation of Seller or any of the Subsidiaries with any
other person that are not reflected in or reserved against on the June
Balance Sheet or the notes thereto.
(g) Absence of Changes or Events. Except as set forth on
Schedule 6(g) or otherwise contemplated under this Agreement, since the
date of the June Balance Sheet, each of Seller and its subsidiaries has
conducted the Business only in the ordinary course and consistent with
its prior practice and, with respect to the Business each of Seller and
its subsidiaries has not:
(i) incurred any obligation or liability, absolute,
accrued, contingent or otherwise, whether due or to become due, except
liabilities or obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business
and consistent with its prior practice;
(ii) mortgaged, pledged or subjected to any other
Encumbrance, or restriction any of its property, business or assets,
tangible or intangible except pursuant to the Credit Agreement or in the
ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice;
(iii) sold, transferred, leased to others or otherwise
disposed of any of its assets, except for inventory sold to customers or
returned to vendors in the ordinary course of business and consistent
with its prior practice; or canceled or compromised any debt or claim,
or waived or released any right of substantial value, except (y) in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with its prior practice and
(z) outside the ordinary course of business debts, claims or rights
having a value less than $25,000 individually or $100,000 in the
aggregate;
(iv) suffered any damage, destruction or casualty or theft
loss of assets that is not covered by insurance, except for damage,
destruction or loss that is less than $25,000 individually or $100,000
in the aggregate;
(v) encountered any labor union organizing activity or had
any actual or threatened employee strikes, work stoppages, slow-downs or
lock-outs;
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
(vi) made any change in the rate of compensation,
commission, bonus or other direct or indirect remuneration payable, or
paid or agreed or orally promised to pay, conditionally or otherwise,
any bonus, extra compensation, pension or severance or vacation pay, to
any employee, except (A) in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with its practice prior to the date hereof, (B) with respect
to any payments of pension, severance or vacation after the date hereof,
in accordance with the existing policies of Seller or the relevant
subsidiary, as the case may be, (C) promises and commitments made
jointly with, or with the consent of Purchaser to secure the services of
Seller's employees pending and following the Closing or (D) as to which
there is a contractual commitment entered into before the signing of
this Agreement; provided, however that any such prior contractual
commitment to any employee having total compensation in excess of
$100,000 or to a category of employees having more than five persons
shall be set forth on Schedule 6(g)(vi);
(vii) made any capital expenditures or capital additions
or betterments in excess of $250,000;
(viii) suffered any change, event or condition which has
materially and adversely affected the business, financial condition,
results of operations or properties of the Business taken as a whole,
except for such as may result from the announcement or disclosure of the
transactions contemplated hereby or actions by Purchaser;
(ix) issued or sold any shares of capital stock, or issued
or sold any options, warrants to purchase or rights to subscribe for, or
issued any debt instrument or security convertible into, or entered into
any arrangement or contract with respect to, any shares of capital stock
or any of the Subsidiaries or made any other changes in its capital
structure;
(x) made any material change in (A) any pricing,
investment, accounting, financial reporting, inventory, credit,
allowance or tax practice or policy of the Business or (B) any method of
calculating any bad debt, contingency or other reserve of the Business
for accounting, financial reporting or tax purposes;
(xi) entered into any amendment, modification, termination
(partial or complete) or granted a waiver under or given any consent
with respect to (A) any contract which is required (or had it been in
effect on the date hereof would have been required) to be set forth on
Schedule 6(k) pursuant to Section 6(k) or (B) any Business License;
(xii) entered into any transaction with any officer,
director or affiliate or Seller or any of its subsidiaries; or
(xiii) entered into a contract to do or engage in any of
the foregoing after the date hereof.
(h) Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 6(h), no action,
suit, litigation, arbitration, dispute, proceeding, governmental investigation
or governmental audit is pending against, or to the knowledge (as defined at the
end of this Section 6) of Seller threatened against, the Business or the Assets.
None of such action, suit, litigation, arbitration, dispute, proceeding,
governmental investigation or governmental audit is reasonably likely to have a
material adverse effect on Seller's ability to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. To Seller's knowledge, there is no set of facts
or circumstances which could result in any action, suit, litigation,
arbitration, dispute, proceeding, governmental investigation or governmental
audit which could reasonably be expected to result in Losses in excess of
$25,000 individually or
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<PAGE> 25
EXHIBIT (2.1)
$100,000 in the aggregate. Except as set forth on Schedule 6(h), there are no
orders, judgments or decrees of any court or governmental agency in which Seller
or any of its subsidiaries is named and which apply specifically to the Business
or the Assets and which involve Losses in excess of $25,000 individually or
$100,000 in the aggregate.
(i) Compliance with Laws and Other Instruments. Except with
respect to environmental matters (which are covered by Section 6(t)), Seller and
each of its subsidiaries has complied in all material respects with all laws,
rules, regulations, ordinances, orders, judgments and decrees applicable to the
Business or the Assets. Except with respect to environmental matters (which are
covered by Section 6(t)), neither the ownership by Seller or any of its
subsidiaries, nor the use by Seller or any of its subsidiaries, of the Assets
nor the conduct of the Business by Seller or any of its subsidiaries conflicts
with the rights of any other Person or violates, in any material respect, any
law, ordinance, rule or regulation, or any order, judgment or decree to which
Seller or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it may be bound or
affected. Except with respect to environmental matters (which are covered by
Section 6(t)), neither Seller nor any of its subsidiaries has violated or
defaulted under any terms or provisions of its articles of incorporation or
by-laws, as presently in effect, or any lien, mortgage, lease, agreement or
instrument relating to the Business, except for (i) defaults under leases set
forth on Schedule 6(c)(i) as requiring consent to this transaction by the
landlord thereunder where such consent is not obtained; or (ii) violations or
defaults which will not hereafter result in Losses in excess of $25,000
individually or $100,000 in the aggregate. Except with respect to environmental
matters (which are covered by Section 6(t)), Seller and each of its subsidiaries
has all approvals, authorizations, consents, licenses, orders, and other permits
from all governmental agencies, whether federal or local ("Approvals"), required
to permit the operation of the Business as presently conducted other than any
Approvals the absence of which will not result in Losses in excess of $25,000
individually or $100,000 in the aggregate.
(j) Title to Properties. (i) Except as set forth on Schedule
6(j)(i), (A) Seller and its subsidiaries have good title to all of the Tangible
Personal Property and (B) none of the Tangible Personal Property is subject to
any Encumbrance of any nature whatsoever, direct or indirect, whether accrued,
absolute, contingent or otherwise, except such as are created pursuant to the
Credit Agreement.
(ii) (A) Other than the Real Property set forth on
Schedule 1(b)(viii), Schedule 1(a)(i) contains a true and correct list
of each parcel of real property owned by Seller or its subsidiaries and
used or held for use in connection with the Business, and Schedules
1(a)(ii)(A) and 1(a)(ii)(B) contain true and correct lists of each
parcel of real property leased by Seller or its subsidiaries (as lessor
and lessee, respectively) and used or held for use in connection with
the Business.
(B) Seller or its subsidiaries has good and
marketable fee simple title to the Real Property, free and clear
of all Encumbrances other than: (1) the exceptions to title, if
any, set forth on Schedule 6(j)(ii)(B) or as set forth in any
applicable title policies or reports attached to such Schedule,
(2) Encumbrances for real estate taxes and assessments not yet
delinquent, and (3) zoning ordinances and governmental
regulations (which have not been violated by the existing
improvements or the use thereof), covenants, conditions,
limitations, declarations, easements, restrictions, matters of
record (other than mortgages and other Encumbrances) and minor
irregularities of title, which do not
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
individually or in the aggregate materially detract from the
value or materially interfere with the use of any of the Real
Property or Real Property Leases (the items set forth in clauses
(1), (2) and (3) above are collectively called the "Real Estate
Encumbrances"). Either Seller or one of its subsidiaries is in
possession of the Real Property. Either Seller or one of its
subsidiaries has adequate rights of ingress and egress with
respect to the Real Property and the Improvements. None of the
Real Property or the Improvements, or the use thereof,
contravenes or violates any building, zoning, administrative,
occupational safety and health or other applicable law in any
material respect (whether or not permitted on the basis of prior
nonconforming use, waiver or variance).
(C) Either Seller or one of its subsidiaries has a
valid and subsisting leasehold estate in and the right to quiet
enjoyment of the real properties subject to the Real Property
Leases set forth on Schedule 1(a)(ii)(B) for the full term
thereof. Each Real Property Lease is a legal, valid and binding
agreement, enforceable in accordance with its terms, of Seller or
its subsidiaries and of each other Person that is a party
thereto, and except as set forth on Schedule 6(j)(ii)(C), there
is no, nor has Seller or its subsidiaries received any notice of
any, default (or any condition or event which, after notice or
lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) thereunder.
Neither Seller nor any of its subsidiaries owes any brokerage
commissions with respect to any such leased space.
(D) Seller has delivered to Purchaser prior to the
execution of this Agreement true and complete copies of (i) all
deeds, leases, mortgages, deeds of trust, certificates of
occupancy, title insurance policies, title reports, surveys and
similar documents, and all amendments thereof, with respect to
the Real Property, and (ii) all Real Property Leases (including
any amendments and renewal letters) and, to the extent reasonably
available, all other documents referred to in clause (i) of this
paragraph (D) with respect to the real property subject to the
Real Property Leases set forth on Schedule 1(a)(ii)(B).
(E) Except as set forth on Schedule 6(j)(ii)(E), no
tenant or other party in possession of any of the real properties
subject to the Real Property Leases set forth on Schedule
1(a)(ii)(A) has any right to purchase, or holds any right of
first refusal to purchase, such properties.
(F) Except as set forth on Schedule 6(j)(ii)(F),
the Improvements are in good operating condition and in a state
of good maintenance and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted,
are adequate and suitable for the purposes for which they are
presently being used and, to the knowledge of Seller, there are
no condemnation or appropriation proceedings pending or
threatened against any of the Real Property or the Improvements.
(k) Contracts. All of the contracts, leases and other agreements
of Seller and its subsidiaries and relating to the Business were entered into in
bona fide transactions in the ordinary course of business. Schedule 6(k) sets
forth a complete and correct list of all contracts and other agreements to which
Seller or any of its subsidiaries is a party and relating to the Business.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Schedule 6(k) need not disclose (i) contracts
involving obligations not exceeding $250,000 individually or $1,000,000 for any
one kind of related
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<PAGE> 27
EXHIBIT (2.1)
contract in the aggregate, (ii) the leases set forth on Schedules 1(a)(ii)(A)
and 1(a)(ii)(B), (iii) purchase orders with Seller's customers or suppliers in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (iv) value-added
contracts in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and
(v) contracts that are no longer in effect. Except as set forth on Schedule
6(k), to the knowledge of Seller, there is not under any such contract any
existing default by Seller or any of its subsidiaries, or any event or
circumstance which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a
default by Seller or any of its subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of Seller, by
the other party, or result in a right to accelerate or loss of rights as against
Seller or any of its subsidiaries which would in each such case result in Losses
in excess of $25,000 individually or $100,000 in the aggregate for all kinds of
contracts. There are no contracts, leases or agreements which are required under
generally accepted accounting principles to be disclosed in the Financial
Statements which have not been so disclosed.
(l) Patents, etc. Except as set forth on Schedule 6(l), each of
Seller and each of the Subsidiaries owns, or has the right to use or possess,
all Intellectual Property used in the Business as it is presently operated,
including, without limitation, the names Bell, Bell Industries, Bell
Electronics, Milgray and Milgray Electronics and variants thereof. Except to the
extent that no Losses in excess of $25,000 individually or $100,000 in the
aggregate would result, neither Seller nor any of the Subsidiaries is infringing
upon or otherwise acting adversely to any copyrights, trademarks, trademark
rights, service marks, service names, trade names, patents, patent rights,
licenses or trade secrets owned by any person or persons, and there is no claim
or action pending, or to the knowledge of Seller threatened, with respect
thereto.
(m) Employee Benefit Plans. There are no Encumbrances against
the Assets under Section 412(n) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), or Sections 302(f) or 4068 of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"). Neither Seller nor any corporation,
trade, business or other entity under common control with Seller, within the
meaning of Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code, or under Section 4001
of ERISA (an "ERISA Affiliate") is or was obligated to contribute to any
multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA or any plan
subject to Title IV of ERISA. As of and after the Closing Date, Purchaser will
have no obligation to contribute to, or any liability in respect of, (i) any
employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, or (ii) any
employment, severance or other agreement, arrangement, policy or plan (whether
written or oral) providing for insurance coverage (including without limitation
self-insured arrangements), workers' compensation, disability benefits,
supplemental unemployment benefits, vacation benefits or retirement benefits, or
for profit sharing, deferred compensation, bonuses, stock options, stock
appreciation or other forms of incentive compensation or post-retirement
insurance, or any other forms of compensation or benefits (an "Employee Benefit
Plan"), sponsored or maintained by Seller or any ERISA Affiliate, or to which
Seller or any ERISA Affiliate is or was obligated to contribute, except for the
agreements set forth on Schedule 1(c)(xii). Each Employee Benefit Plan of Seller
which has been required to comply with the provisions of Section 4980B of the
Code and Sections 601 through 608 of ERISA has complied in all material
respects. Seller does not maintain any plans, arrangements, contracts or other
programs outside the United States for the purpose of providing or otherwise
making available retirement or other benefits to employees of the Business. The
Bell Industries Savings and Profit Sharing Plan has received a favorable
determination letter regarding its qualification under Section 401(a) of the
Code, and nothing has occurred, to the knowledge of Seller, since the
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
date of such determination which would cause the loss of such qualification.
Neither Seller nor any ERISA Affiliate maintains or participates in any
voluntary employees' beneficiary association governed by Section 501(c)(9) of
the Code. There are no actions, suits or claims (other than routine claims for
benefits in the ordinary course) rising in connection with the Employee Benefit
Plans of Seller pending or, to the knowledge of Seller, threatened, and to the
knowledge of Seller, there are no facts which could give rise to any such
actions, suits or claims (other than routine claims for benefits in the ordinary
course) for which Purchaser could be liable. Neither Seller nor any ERISA
Affiliate nor any other "disqualified person" or "party-in-interest" (as defined
in Section 3 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code, respectively) has, with
respect to any such plan, engaged in a prohibited transaction, as such term is
defined in Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA, which would subject
Purchaser to any Taxes, penalties or other liabilities resulting from prohibited
transactions under Section 4975 of the Code or under Sections 409 or 502(i) or
ERISA.
(n) Taxes. (i) For purposes of this Agreement, (A) "Tax"
or "Taxes" shall mean any federal, state, local, foreign or other taxes
(including, without limitation, income (net or gross), gross receipts, profits,
alternative or add-on minimum, franchise, license, capital, capital stock,
intangible, services, premium, mining, transfer, gains, sales, use, ad valorem,
payroll, wage, severance, employment, occupation, property (real or personal),
windfall profits, import, excise, custom, stamp, withholding or estimated
taxes), fees, duties, assessments, withholdings or governmental charges of any
kind whatsoever (including interest, penalties, additions to tax or additional
amounts with respect to such items) and (B) "Returns" shall mean all returns,
declarations, reports, estimates, information returns and statements of any
nature regarding Taxes required to be filed by Seller, any of its subsidiaries,
or any affiliate of Seller or any of its subsidiaries.
(ii) Except as set forth on Schedule 6(n), (A) all Returns
have been or will be timely filed when due in accordance with all applicable
laws; (B) all Taxes shown on such Returns have been or will be timely paid when
due; (C) such Returns completely, accurately and correctly in all material
respects reflected or will reflect the facts regarding the income, properties,
operations and status of any entity required to be shown thereon; (D) the
charges, accruals, and reserves for Taxes due, or accrued but not yet due,
relating to the income, properties or operations of Seller or any of its
subsidiaries as reflected on their books are and will be adequate to cover such
Taxes; (E) there are no agreements or consents currently in effect for the
extension or waiver of the time (1) to file any Return or (2) for assessment or
collection of any Taxes relating to the income, properties or operations of
Seller or any of its subsidiaries, and none of Seller, its subsidiaries, or any
affiliate of Seller or any of its subsidiaries, has been requested in writing to
enter into any such agreement or consent; (F) all federal income tax Returns
with respect to taxable years ended on or prior to June 30, 1994 have been
examined and closed, or are Returns with respect to which the applicable statute
of limitations, after giving effect to any extensions and waivers, has expired;
(G) all Taxes which Seller or any of its subsidiaries is required by law to
withhold or collect have been duly withheld or collected, and have been timely
paid over to the appropriate governmental authorities to the extent due and
payable; (H) there is no action, suit, proceeding, investigation, audit or claim
currently pending, or to the knowledge of Seller, threatened, regarding any
Taxes relating to the
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
income, properties or operations of Seller or any of its subsidiaries or any
group of which any of the Subsidiaries is now or was formerly a member; (I) all
Tax deficiencies which have been claimed, proposed or asserted in writing
against Seller or any of its subsidiaries or any group of which any of the
Subsidiaries is now or was formerly a member, have been fully paid, finally
settled or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; (J)
none of Seller, its subsidiaries, or any affiliate of Seller or its subsidiaries
has executed or entered into a closing agreement pursuant to Code Section 7121
(or any comparable provision of state, local or foreign law) that is currently
in force and determines the Tax liabilities of any of the Subsidiaries; (K)
there is no, and will not be any, agreement or consent made under Code Section
341(f) (or any comparable provision of state, local or foreign law) affecting
either of the Subsidiaries; (L) none of the Subsidiaries (1) is required to
treat any asset as owned by another person pursuant to the "safe harbor" leasing
provisions of the Code or as "tax-exempt use property" within the meaning of
Code Section 168(h) or (2) is required to apply any of the foregoing rules under
any comparable foreign, state or local Tax provision; (M) none of the
Subsidiaries is a party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or plan that
would result, separately or in the aggregate, in the payment of any "excess
parachute payments" within the meaning of Code Section 280G (or any comparable
provision of state, local or foreign law); (N) none of the Subsidiaries has
agreed, or is required, to make any adjustment under Code Section 481(a) (or any
comparable provision of state, local or foreign law) by reason of a change in
accounting method or otherwise; (O) none of the Subsidiaries has been or is
included in any consolidated, affiliated, combined, unitary or other similar
Returns that include Seller or any affiliate of Seller; (P) no power of attorney
is currently in effect, and no Tax ruling has been requested of any governmental
authority, with respect to any Tax matter relating to the income, properties or
operations of any of the Subsidiaries; (Q) there are no liens for Taxes upon any
of the Assets and, to the knowledge of Seller, no event has occurred which with
the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, could reasonably be
expected to result in a lien for Taxes on any of the Assets; and (R) Seller is
not a United States real property holding corporation (as defined in Code
Section 897(c)(2)) and has not been a United States real property holding
corporation during any period specified in Code Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii).
(o) Proxy Statement. The proxy statement relating to the Seller's
Shareholders Meeting (as defined in Section 8(c)), as amended or supplemented
from time to time (as so amended and supplemented, the "Proxy Statement"), and
any other documents to be filed by Seller with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") or any other Governmental Entity in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby will not, on the date of its filing or, in the
case of the Proxy Statement, at the date it is mailed to shareholders of Seller
and at the date of Seller's Shareholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, except that no
representation is made by Seller with respect to information supplied in writing
by or on behalf of Purchaser expressly for inclusion therein. The Proxy
Statement and any such other documents filed by Seller with the SEC under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), will comply as
to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act.
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
(p) Affiliate Transactions. Each contract, agreement or
arrangement between any of Seller or any affiliate of Seller, existing as of the
date of this Agreement and relating to the Business ("Affiliate Agreements") is
described as set forth on Schedule 6(p) annexed hereto, and all such Affiliate
Agreements will be terminated effective as of the close of business on the
Closing Date except as set forth on Schedule 6(p).
(q) Inventory; Accounts Receivable. (i) Except (A) as set forth
on Schedule 6(q)(i), (B) for inventory having an aggregate book value not
greater than $500,000 and (C) for inventory purchased for use in kitting, none
of the items of the Business' inventory was purchased from a source other than
the manufacturer thereof or a distributor duly licensed or franchised to
distribute such items by such manufacturer and, except for inventory purchased
for customer specific requirements (so long as subject to a contract for the
purchase thereof by such customer), all such items of inventory meet the
requirements for return to the manufacturer under the applicable Franchise
Agreement other than as a result of quantity limitations with respect to such
return rights. Except as set forth on Schedule 6(q)(i), to the extent that any
items of inventory intended to be sold to the military are, in order to meet
military or similar specifications, required to be accompanied by (or the seller
thereof is required to maintain) traceability, testing or other documentation,
all such documentation has been so maintained and is in the possession of Seller
or its subsidiaries at one of their respective offices.
(ii) Except as set forth on Schedule 6(q)(ii), the Accounts
Receivable (A) arose from bona fide sales transactions in the ordinary course of
business of the Business and are payable consistent with past practice, (B) are
legal, valid and binding obligations of the respective debtors enforceable in
accordance with their terms, (C) are not subject to any valid set-off or
counterclaim except as may be required by law, (D) do not represent obligations
for goods sold on consignment, on approval or on a sale-or-return basis or
subject to any other repurchase or return arrangement, (E) are collectible in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice of the Business in
the aggregate recorded amounts thereof, net of any applicable reserve reflected
in the balance sheet included in the Financial Statements, and (F) are not the
subject of any action, suit or proceeding brought by or on behalf of Seller.
Schedule (6)(q)(ii) sets forth a description of any security arrangements and
collateral securing the repayment or other satisfaction of the Accounts
Receivable. All steps necessary to render all such security arrangements set
forth on Schedule 6(q)(ii) legal, valid, binding and enforceable, and to give
and maintain for Seller a perfected security interest in the related collateral,
have been taken.
(r) Rights of Return. Except as set forth on Schedule 6(r), none
of Seller and its subsidiaries has sold any inventory of the Business which the
purchaser thereof has the right to return to Seller or any subsidiary or cause
the seller thereof to repurchase for any reason except (i) pursuant to the
customary express warranties of Seller or the relevant subsidiary, as the case
may be, for product quality or mistake in shipment or implied warranties at law
for title and against infringement, (ii) to the extent the same will be
reflected in reserves on the Audited Balance Sheet or (iii) for inventory having
a value not exceeding $50,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate.
(s) Insurance. Schedule 6(s) sets forth a complete and accurate
list of all of Seller's Insurance Policies (as defined in Section 8(d)). Each of
Seller's Insurance
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
Policies is in full force and effect, and, to the knowledge of Seller, there is
not under any of Seller's Insurance Policies, any existing default by Seller or
any of the Subsidiaries, or any event which, after notice or lapse of time or
both, would constitute a default by Seller or any of the Subsidiaries.
(t) Environmental Matters. Except as set forth on Schedule 6(t)
hereto:
(i) The operations of the Business and, to the knowledge
of Seller, the respective tenants of Seller and its subsidiaries are in
compliance with all Environmental Laws, except for noncompliance which
may result in Environmental Liabilities and Costs which individually or
in the aggregate could not have a material adverse effect on the
Business;
(ii) With respect to any currently or previously owned or
leased property of Seller and its subsidiaries utilized in the current
or previous operation of the Business, none of Seller, its subsidiaries,
and (to the knowledge of Seller) their respective tenants is or are
subject to any outstanding or threatened order or notice from or
agreement with any Governmental Entity or other Person or is subject to
any judicial or docketed administrative proceeding with respect to (A)
failure to comply with Environmental Laws, (B) Remedial Action under
Environmental Laws, (C) any Environmental Liabilities and Costs, or (D)
any Release or threatened Release of Contaminants, except (I) as set
forth on Schedule 6(h) or (II) for orders, notices, agreements, or
proceedings which may result in Environmental Liabilities and Costs
which individually or in the aggregate could not have a material adverse
effect on the Business;
(iii) There are no conditions or events associated with
the currently or previously owned or leased properties of Seller or any
of its subsidiaries or current or previous operations of the Seller and
its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Seller, their respective
tenants, that may result in any Environmental Liabilities and Costs
which individually or in the aggregate could have a material adverse
effect on the Business;
(iv) Neither the facilities utilized in the current or
previous operations of the Business of Seller or any of its subsidiaries
nor, to the knowledge of Seller, such facilities of their respective
tenants, is a treatment, storage or disposal facility requiring a permit
under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901
et seq. ("RCRA"), the regulations promulgated thereunder, or any
analogous provision of state law;
(v) None of Seller, its subsidiaries and to the knowledge
of Seller, their respective tenants, has caused or allowed any Release
of Contaminants, relating to any property owned or leased or previously
owned or leased by the Seller or any of its subsidiaries that may result
in Environmental Liabilities and Costs which individually or in the
aggregate could have a material adverse effect on the Business;
(vi) With respect to any currently or previously owned or
leased property of Seller and its subsidiaries utilized in the current
or previous operation of the Business, none of Seller and any of its
subsidiaries has entered into any agreement that may require any of them
to pay to, reimburse, guarantee, pledge to, defend, indemnify, or hold
harmless any Person for or against Environmental Liabilities and Costs;
(vii) With respect to any currently or previously owned or
leased property of Seller and its subsidiaries utilized in the current
or previous operation of the Business, none of Seller and its
subsidiaries has ever directly or indirectly disposed of
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
any Hazardous Material (as defined below) at any site or location that
is listed on any estate or federal list of sites requiring Remedial
Action.
For the purposes of this Agreement:
"Contaminant" means any substance regulated or forming the basis
of liability under any Environmental Law, including, without limitation,
any waste, pollutant, hazardous substance, toxic substance, hazardous
waste, special waste, petroleum or petroleum-derived substance or waste,
or any material of which such substance or waste is a constituent.
"Environmental Laws" means all federal, state, and local laws,
statutes, ordinances and regulations in effect as of the date hereof,
and any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including,
without limitation, any judicial or administrative order, consent decree
or judgment relating to the regulation and protection of human health,
safety, the environment and natural resources (including, without
limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, wetlands, land
surface or subsurface strata, wildlife, aquatic species and vegetation).
Environmental Laws include but are not limited to the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as
amended (42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq.) ("CERCLA"); the Hazardous
Material Transportation Act, as amended (49 U.S.C. Section 5101 et
seq.); the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as
amended (7 U.S.C. Section 136 et. seq.); RCRA; the Toxic Substances
Control Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. Section 2601 et seq.); the Clean Air
Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. Section 7401 et seq.); the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. Section 1251 et seq.); and
the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. Section 300f and
their foreign, state and local counterparts or equivalents, and any
transfer or ownership notification or approval statutes such as the New
Jersey Industrial Site Recovery Act (N.J. Stat. Ann. Section 13:1K-6 et
seq.).
"Environmental Liabilities and Costs" means as to any Person, all
liabilities, obligations, responsibilities, Remedial Actions, losses,
damages, treble damages, costs and expenses (including, without
limitation, all fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel, experts and
consultants, and costs of investigation and feasibility studies), fines,
penalties, sanctions and interest incurred as a result of any claim or
demand by any other Person, whether based on contract, tort, implied or
express warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute,
including, without limitation, any thereof arising under any
Environmental Law, license, permit, order or agreement with any
Governmental Entity or other Person, and which relate to any
environmental, health or safety condition, or a Release or threatened
Release.
"Release" means, as to any Person, any release, spill, emission,
leading, pumping, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal,
leaching or migration of Contaminants into the indoor or outdoor
environment or into, onto or from any property owned or leased by such
Person, including, without limitation, the movement of Contaminants
through or in the air, soil, surface water, groundwater or property.
"Remedial Action" means all actions required to (i) clean up,
remove, treat or in any other way address Contaminants in the indoor or
outdoor environment, (ii) prevent the Release or threat of Release or
minimize the further Release of Contaminants so they do not migrate or
endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
or outdoor environment, or (iii) perform preremedial studies and
investigations and post-remedial monitoring and care.
(u) Determination of Taxability. No event or circumstance exists
which could reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect on the exemption of
interest on the Ontario Industrial Development Authority, Adjustable Tender
Industrial Development Revenue Bonds (L.D. Brinkman & Co. - West Coast Project)
Series 1985 from federal income taxation.
(v) Vote Required. Assuming the accuracy of the representation
and warranty contained in Section 7(e), the approval by the affirmative vote of
a majority of the outstanding shares of the common stock of Seller ("Seller
Common Stock") entitled to vote is the only vote of the holders of any class or
series of the capital stock of Seller required to approve the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Option Agreement.
(w) Article SEVEN of Seller's Articles of Incorporation Not
Applicable. Seller has taken all necessary actions so that the provisions of
Article SEVEN of Seller's Articles of Incorporation will not, before the
termination of this Agreement, apply to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Option Agreement.
(x) Subsidiary Ownership of Real Property. None of the
Subsidiaries has now, or has had at any time, any rights arising out of or
appurtenant to the ownership or leasing of real property.
(y) Proxies. Each of the directors and officers of Seller named
on Schedule 6(y) has on the date hereof granted to Purchaser an irrevocable
proxy to vote the shares of Seller Common Stock beneficially owned by such
person to approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(z) Labor Matters. Except as set forth on Schedule 6(z), neither
Seller nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any collective bargaining
agreement with any labor union, confederation or association and there are no
discussions, negotiations, demands or proposals that are pending or have been
conducted or made with or by any labor union, confederation or association. To
Seller's knowledge, there are not pending or threatened against Seller or any of
its subsidiaries any general labor disputes, strikes or work stoppages. There is
no present or former employee, manager or director of Seller or any of its
subsidiary who has made any claim since January 1, 1998 against Seller or any of
its subsidiaries (whether under law, any employment agreement or otherwise) on
account of or for: (i) overtime pay, other than overtime pay for the current
payroll period; (ii) wages or salaries, other than wages or salaries for the
current payroll period; (iii) vacations, sick leave, time off or pay in lieu of
vacation, sick leave or time off, other than vacation, sick leave or time off
(or pay in lieu thereof) earned in the twelve-month period immediately preceding
the date of this Agreement; or (iv) termination of employment, and to Seller's
knowledge, there is no basis for any such claim.
(aa) Supplier Audits. Schedule 6(aa) sets forth the dates of each
audit conducted since January 1, 1995 by each material supplier to the Business
and its subsidiaries.
(bb) Trading Practices; Ethical Standards. The directors,
employees and independent commission agents of Seller and its subsidiaries are
in compliance with ethical standards and other trading practices mandated by
applicable laws and contractual arrangements and have not made payments to any
third parties other than in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to
contracts.
(cc) Value-Added Business. The products assembled and sold by or
on behalf of Seller under Seller's value-added business (i) are first quality
merchandise, useable and
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
saleable in the ordinary course of business within a period of not more than
twelve (12) months, (ii) were assembled in conformity in all material respects
with applicable specifications and quality control standards and in conformity
with all applicable laws, rules and regulations and (iii) are not obsolete,
damaged, defective or shopworn.
For purposes of this Agreement, "knowledge" of Seller shall mean
and be limited to the actual knowledge of any director of Seller or Tracy
Edwards, Russell Doll, Steven Weeks, D.J. Hough or Peter Resnick, in each case,
at the date hereof.
7. Purchaser's Representations and Warranties. Purchaser
represents and warrants to Seller, as of the date of this Agreement, as follows:
(a) Organization and Standing. Purchaser is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
New York.
(b) Execution, Delivery and Performance of Agreement. The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Purchaser will not,
with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time, or both, conflict
with, result in violation of, result in a default, right to accelerate or loss
of rights under, or result in the creation of any Encumbrance pursuant to, any
provision of Purchaser's certificate of incorporation or bylaws or any mortgage,
deed of trust, lease, license, material agreement (including any debt
instrument), law, rule, regulation, order or judgment or decree to which
Purchaser is a party or by which it may be bound or affected, except as set
forth on Schedule 7(b) or as could not be reasonably expected to have a material
adverse effect on Purchaser's ability to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. Purchaser has the full corporate power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transactions
contemplated hereby. The Board of Directors of Purchaser has approved the
entering into by Purchaser of this Agreement. There are no other corporate
proceedings required to be taken by Purchaser to authorize the execution,
delivery and performance by Purchaser of this Agreement and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement constitutes a valid and
binding obligation of Purchaser, enforceable against Purchaser in accordance
with its terms, except as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium and other laws affecting the enforcement of
creditor's rights generally and subject to usual equity principles.
(c) Information to be Included in the Definitive Proxy Statement.
Neither the information supplied or to be supplied in writing by or on behalf of
Purchaser for inclusion in the Proxy Statement in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby will, at the date it is mailed to shareholders
of Seller and at the date of the Seller's Shareholders Meeting, contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any, material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.
(d) Litigation. No action, suit, litigation, arbitration,
dispute, proceeding or governmental investigation or governmental audit is
pending against, or to the knowledge (as defined at the end of this Section 7)
of Purchaser, threatened against, Purchaser or any of its properties, assets or
businesses, or any direct or indirect shareholder of Purchaser in its or his
capacity as such, which individually or in the aggregate is reasonably likely to
have a material adverse effect on Purchaser's ability to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. There are no orders, judgments or
decrees of any court or governmental agency in which the Purchaser is named and
which apply specifically to the Purchaser or any of its properties, assets or
businesses and which individually or in the aggregate is reasonably likely to
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
have a material adverse effect on Purchaser's ability to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(e) Ownership of Seller Common Stock. Neither Purchaser nor any
of its subsidiaries beneficially owns more than 100 shares of Seller Common
Stock.
8. Certain Agreements.
(a) Observance of Operations of the Business. From the date
hereof until the Closing Date, Purchaser may, at its election, have a reasonable
number of representatives (which shall be employees of Purchaser or existing
consultants of Purchaser who are acting as such in connection with this
Agreement) at the facilities of Seller and its subsidiaries to observe and
consult with representatives of Seller and its subsidiaries with respect to the
management of the operations of the Business, except as otherwise provided in
Section 8(b). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, all
rights of Purchaser or its representatives to access to or inspection of the
Business or to obtain information with respect to the Business pursuant to
Sections 8(a), 8(b), 9(c) and 9(e) shall be effected solely through Gordon
Graham, Tracy Edwards or such other persons as may be mutually agreed by the
parties hereto and shall be subject to the right of a representative of Seller
to accompany Purchaser or its representative in connection therewith.
(b) Maintain Business. From the date hereof to the Closing,
except as otherwise provided in this Section 8(b), Seller shall, and shall cause
each of its subsidiaries to, conduct the Business only in the ordinary course
and consistent with its prior practice (including with respect to the
collections of Accounts Receivable and replenishment of Inventory), maintain,
keep and preserve the Assets and the assets and properties of the Subsidiaries
in good condition and repair and shall use its best efforts to maintain
insurance thereon in accordance with present practices, and Seller shall, except
as provided in this Section 8(b), use its best efforts to act in such manner to
preserve the business and organization of the Business intact, to use its best
efforts, at current compensation levels, to keep available to Purchaser the
services of present employees of the Business and to use its best efforts to
preserve for the benefit of Purchaser the goodwill of suppliers and customers
and others having business relations with the Business. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, unless Purchaser shall have otherwise consented in
writing, Seller shall:
(i) permit Purchaser's representatives to communicate,
orally, in writing or by other media, with the employees of Seller and
of the Subsidiaries in connection with matters other than integration
planning, due diligence and purchase price determination, as long as
such communications are made jointly with designated representatives of
Seller and are reviewed and approved in advance by Seller;
(ii) not, and cause each of the Subsidiaries not to,
conduct the Business in a manner such that the provisions of Section
6(g) will not remain true and correct in all material respects without
the consent of Purchaser;
(iii) not cause any of the Subsidiaries to change its
charter or by-laws in any manner or merge or consolidate or obligate
themselves to do so with or into any other entity;
(iv) cause those employees of Seller as shall be
designated by Gordon Graham and Tracy Edwards and as may be mutually
agreed by the parties hereto to assist Purchaser in the human resource
planning and the planning of the integration of the
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
Business with and into the businesses of Purchaser (it being agreed that
such plans shall not be implemented prior to the Closing without the
consent of Seller);
(v) not modify or change any existing Franchise Agreement
or contract required to be set forth on Schedule 6(k) or renew or extend
any existing Real Property Lease (unless such renewal or extension is
for no more than six (6) months and is otherwise on terms substantially
similar to such renewed or extended lease);
(vi) not open any new facility in respect of the Business;
(vii) not fail to pay all Taxes as they become due and
payable, except in cases where the payment of such Taxes is being
disputed in good faith by Seller with appropriate reserves reflected or
to be reflected in the Audited Balance Sheet;
(viii) with respect to any employee of the Business having
total compensation in excess of $100,000 annually, not hire, promote or
fire any such employee other than for cause;
(ix) not make any capital expenditures or capital
additions or betterment in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate in
respect of the Business;
(x) not make any payment, loan, or other transfer of any
assets to, or assume any obligations or liabilities of, Seller or any
affiliates of Seller except in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice of the Business; and
(xi) consult with and advise Purchaser with respect to (A)
any inventory purchases out of the ordinary course of business or
inconsistent with past practice and (B) inventory management.
(c) Approval of Shareholders; Proxy Statement. (i) Seller shall
cause a meeting of its shareholders (the "Seller's Shareholders
Meeting") to be duly called and held as soon as reasonably practicable
for the purpose of voting to approve the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement (the "Seller Shareholders' Approval"). The Board of
Directors of Seller shall recommend to its shareholders the approval of
all such matters and shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain the
approval of such shareholders; provided, however, that nothing herein
shall require the Board of Directors of Seller to act, or refrain from
acting, in any manner that it may determine, after consultation with its
outside counsel, to be necessary to the proper discharge of the
directors' fiduciary duties to its shareholders. In the event that the
Seller Shareholders' Approval is not obtained on the date on which the
Seller's Shareholders Meeting is initially convened, the Board of
Directors of Seller agrees to adjourn such Seller's Shareholders Meeting
at least twice for the purpose of obtaining the Seller Shareholders'
Approval and to use its best efforts during any such adjournments to
obtain the Seller Shareholders' Approval, unless failure to obtain the
Shareholders' Approval is caused by the holders of a majority of
outstanding shares of Seller Common Stock voting against the approval of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(ii) In connection with Seller's Shareholders Meeting,
Seller shall prepare and file a preliminary proxy statement relating to
the transactions contemplated hereby (the "Preliminary Proxy Statement")
with the SEC, and Seller shall use its best efforts to respond to the
comments of the SEC and to cause a definitive proxy statement (the
"Definitive Proxy Statement") to be mailed to its shareholders, all as
soon as reasonably practicable. Seller shall notify Purchaser as soon as
reasonably practicable of the receipt of any comments from the SEC and
of any requests by the SEC for
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
amendments or supplements to the Preliminary Proxy Statement or the
Definitive Proxy Statement or for additional information, and shall as
soon as reasonably practicable supply to Purchaser copies of all
correspondence between it or its representatives and the SEC or members
of its staff with respect to the Preliminary Proxy Statement or the
Definitive Proxy Statement. If at any time prior to Seller's
Shareholders Meeting, any event should occur relating to Seller, any of
the Subsidiaries, Purchaser, their respective officers or directors or
otherwise, which should be set forth in an amendment of, or a supplement
to, the Definitive Proxy Statement, the first party learning of such
event shall promptly notify the other, and Seller, with Purchaser's
reasonable cooperation, shall thereupon promptly prepare and mail such
amendment or supplement. Anything to the contrary contained herein
notwithstanding, Seller shall not (except to the extent required by law)
include in its Preliminary Proxy Statement or Definitive Proxy Statement
any information with respect to Purchaser, or any of its officers,
directors, affiliates or associates, or Purchaser's plans or intentions,
the form and content of which shall not have been approved by Purchaser
prior to such inclusion, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.
(d) Insurance. (i) To the extent that (A) there are third-party
insurance policies maintained by Seller and its affiliates covering any
loss, liability, damage or expense relating to the Assets, operations,
conduct, products and employees (including former employees) of the
Business ("Seller's Insurance Policies") (all such losses, liabilities,
claims, damages or expenses regardless of the availability of insurance
coverage, are herein referred to collectively as the "Business
Liabilities") and relating to or arising out of occurrences prior to the
Closing, and (B) Seller's Insurance Policies continue after the Closing
to permit claims ("Claims") to be made with respect to such Business
Liabilities relating to or arising out of occurrences prior to the
Closing, Seller agrees to cooperate and cause its affiliates to
cooperate with Purchaser in submitting Claims on behalf of Purchaser or
the Subsidiaries under Seller's Insurance Policies with respect to such
Business Liabilities relating to occurrences prior to the Closing,
except for Claims relating to Retained Liabilities.
(ii) Seller shall maintain each of Seller's Insurance
Policies in full force and effect until the Closing.
(e) Hiring of Employees. Seller and Purchaser agree that pending
the Closing, and in the event of termination of this Agreement, until six months
after such termination, (i) Purchaser will not hire, employ, solicit, or offer
employment to any present employee of Seller or any of its subsidiaries, whether
or not such employee remains in the employ of Seller or any of its subsidiaries,
after the date hereof, without Seller's written consent, except for discussions
prior to the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 8(b)(i)
with employees relating to their employment by Purchaser after the consummation
of the transactions contemplated herein, and (ii) Seller will not, and will
cause each of its subsidiaries not to, hire, employ, solicit or offer employment
to any present employee of Purchaser, whether or not such employee remains in
the employ of Purchaser after the date hereof, without Purchaser's written
consent. The foregoing mutual covenants shall survive any breach or alleged
breach of this Agreement or the termination of this Agreement for any reason.
(f) Tax Matters. (i) Any and all existing Tax sharing,
allocation, compensation or like agreements or arrangements, whether or
not written, that include
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
any of the Subsidiaries, including without limitation any arrangement by
which any of the Subsidiaries makes compensating payments to each other
or any other member of any affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary
or other similar Tax group for the use of certain tax attributes, shall
be terminated as to the Subsidiaries on or prior to the Closing Date
(pursuant to a writing executed on or before the Closing Date by all
parties concerned) and shall have no further force or effect as to the
Subsidiaries. Any and all powers of attorney relating to Tax matters
concerning any of the Subsidiaries shall be terminated as to that
Subsidiary on or prior to the Closing Date and shall have no further
force or effect.
(ii) After the Closing Date, Purchaser and Seller shall
provide each other, and Purchaser shall cause the Subsidiaries to
provide Seller, with such cooperation and information relating to the
Subsidiaries as either party reasonably may request in (A) filing any
Tax return, amended return or claim for refund, (B) determining any Tax
liability or a right to refund of Taxes, (C) conducting or defending any
audit or other proceeding in respect of Taxes or (D) effectuating the
terms of this Agreement. The parties shall retain, and Purchaser shall
cause the Subsidiaries to retain, all returns, schedules and work
papers, and all material records (including accounting records) and
other documents relating thereto, until the expiration of the statute of
limitation (and, to the extent notified by any party, any extensions
thereof) of the taxable years to which such returns and other documents
relate and, unless such returns and other documents are offered and
delivered to Seller or Purchaser, as applicable, until the final
determination of any Tax in respect of such years. Any information
obtained under this Section 8(f)(ii) shall be kept confidential, except
as may be otherwise necessary in connection with filing any Tax return,
amended return, or claim for refund, determining any Tax liability or
right to refund of Taxes, or in conducting or defending any audit or
other proceeding in respect of Taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
neither Seller nor Purchaser, nor any of their affiliates, shall be
required unreasonably to prepare any document, or determine any
information not then in its possession, in response to a request under
this Section 8(f)(ii).
(iii) Purchaser shall have received, on or before the
Closing Date, an affidavit in the form of Exhibit E that Bell Ontario
Holding, Inc. is not a "foreign person" within the meaning of Code
Section 1445. If, on or before the Closing Date, Purchaser shall not
have received such affidavit, Purchaser may withhold from the Purchase
Price payable at Closing to the Seller pursuant hereto such sums as are
required to be withheld therefrom under Code Section 1445.
(iv) Seller shall pay when due, any transfer, gains,
documentary, sales, use, registration, stamp, value added or other
similar Taxes payable by reason of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or attributable to the sale, transfer or delivery of the
Acquired Shares hereunder, and Purchaser shall reimburse Seller one-half
of any such payment, provided that the amount of reimbursement by
Purchaser shall not exceed $500,000. Seller shall, at its own expense,
file all necessary Tax Returns and other documentation with respect to
all such Taxes.
(g) Option Agreement. Seller and Purchaser will perform fully
their respective obligations under the Option Agreement.
(h) Transition Services. At Purchaser's request, Seller agrees to
provide to Purchaser and the Business data processing and other computer
services, data-induced
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
communications, accounting services, human resources and other administrative
support to the extent used by the Business prior to the Closing Date, and the
facilities and services set forth on Schedule 6(b) and the facility set forth on
Schedule 1(b)(viii) (collectively, the "Transition Services") for up to twelve
(12) months from the Closing Date. Purchaser shall reimburse Seller for all
out-of-pocket costs incurred in providing the Transition Services, including any
reasonable payments deemed necessary by Seller (and consented to in advance by
Purchaser, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) to ensure
continuing services of the personnel performing such services during such
period.
9. Certain Covenants of Seller.
(a) Obtain Consents. Seller will, and will cause each of its
subsidiaries to, upon the request of Purchaser, use its reasonable efforts to
obtain the consents necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby with respect to each (i) of the items set forth on Schedule 6(c)(i), (ii)
lease set forth on Schedules 1(a)(ii)(A) and 1(a)(ii)(B) and (iii) Franchise
Agreement, and deliver to Purchaser evidence thereof, it being understood
however that (A) neither Seller nor any of its subsidiaries shall be required to
pay any consideration or relinquish valuable rights to obtain such consents and
(B) Purchaser shall cooperate with Seller in obtaining such consents.
(b) Accomplish Sale. Seller will, and will cause each of its
subsidiaries to, enter into no transaction and make no agreement or commitment
which would prevent or unreasonably delay the Closing, and will, and will cause
each of its subsidiaries to, act in such manner to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and will, and will cause each of its subsidiaries
to, use its reasonable efforts not to permit any event to occur which would
result in any of its representations, warranties or covenants contained in this
Agreement or delivered in connection herewith not being true and correct at and
as of the time immediately after the occurrence of such transaction or event
except to the extent Purchaser has (y) consented thereto or (z) requested Seller
to take or omit to take an action (and Seller has complied with such request),
in each case where such consent or request has resulted in such representation
and warranty not being true and correct, it being agreed that Purchaser shall
notify Seller of any breach of this provision of which it has actual knowledge
and provide Seller with a reasonable opportunity to cure such breach.
(c) Cooperate with Purchaser. Subject to Section 8(b), Seller
shall, and shall cause each of its subsidiaries and shall direct each of their
respective officers and employees to, reasonably cooperate and assist Purchaser
and Purchaser's accountants, attorneys, employees, lenders and other
representatives in consummating the transactions contemplated under this
Agreement.
(d) No Solicitation. Seller shall not, and shall direct each of
its subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees, representatives and
agents not to, directly or indirectly, induce, solicit or initiate discussions
or negotiations with, or provide any non-public information to, any corporation,
partnership, person or other entity or group concerning any merger, sales of
substantial assets, sales of shares of capital stock or similar transactions
involving Seller or any subsidiary or division of Seller if such transaction
involves the Business or any of the Assets ("Alternative Proposal") or enter
into any agreement with respect thereto; provided that, prior to the receipt of
the Seller Shareholders' Approval and upon receipt of advice of Seller's legal
counsel that such provision, discussion or negotiation is required pursuant to
fiduciary
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
obligations under applicable law, Seller may provide information (including
non-public information, but only pursuant to a confidentiality agreement in
customary form, including customary standstill provisions), and enter into (or
induce) discussions or negotiations with, any person who has made a bona fide
unsolicited Alternative Proposal in respect of such a transaction which the
Board of Directors of Seller in good faith determines is a better offer than the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Seller will promptly communicate to
Purchaser the terms of any Alternative Proposal (including the maker thereof)
which it may receive in respect of all such transactions prohibited by the
foregoing and keep Purchaser informed of the status and material information
with respect to such discussions or negotiations. Nothing in this Section 9(d)
shall (x) permit Seller to terminate this Agreement (except as specifically
provided in Section 17, (y) permit Seller to enter into any agreement with
respect to an Alternative Proposal for so long as this Agreement remains in
effect (it being agreed that for so long as this Agreement remains in effect,
Seller shall not enter into any agreement with any person or group that provides
for, or in any way facilitates, an Alternative Proposal (other than a
confidentiality agreement under the circumstances described above)), or (z)
affect any other obligation of Seller under this Agreement.
(e) Access to Information. Prior to the Closing or termination of
this Agreement in accordance with its terms, Seller will, and will cause each of
its subsidiaries to, (i) give Purchaser and its authorized representatives
reasonable access during normal business hours to all offices and other
facilities relating to the Business and to all its books and records relating to
the Business and will request that its independent accountants allow Purchaser's
independent accountants access to all of their work papers, including, but not
limited to, all plan documents, audit programs, lists of proposed adjustments
and conclusion memoranda, (ii) permit Purchaser to make such inspections as it
may reasonably require, and (iii) subject to Section 8(b), cause its officers to
furnish Purchaser with such financial and operating data and other information
with respect to the Business and their properties as Purchaser may from time to
time reasonably request, in each case to the extent that the same does not
unreasonably interfere with the operations of the Business (it being understood
that Seller shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries to, develop (with the
cooperation of Purchaser) such information as may be reasonably required in
connection with Purchaser's integration planning, provided that such development
does not unreasonably interfere with the operations of the Business or conflict
with applicable law or the provisions of any existing confidentiality agreement
and there exists sufficient underlying data to develop such information).
Purchaser will, and will direct each of its representatives to, hold all such
information and documents confidential in accordance with and subject to the
terms of the Confidentiality Agreement dated April 8, 1998 executed by Purchaser
and Seller (the "Confidentiality Agreement"); provided, however, that the terms
of the Confidentiality Agreement relating to the Assets and the Business shall
not apply to Purchaser after the Closing Date. Seller shall hold all information
relating to the Assets or the Business confidential in accordance with and
subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement as if Seller were the
recipient of such information.
(f) Employee Benefits Plan. As of the Closing Date, each employee
of the Business shall become 100% vested in his or her interest in or his or her
accrued benefits under all Employee Benefit Plans.
(g) Hart-Scott Compliance. Seller shall promptly prepare and file
all reports and provide all additional information required under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended ("Hart-Scott"), and use its best efforts to
obtain all approvals required thereunder.
(h) Elimination of Intercompany Indebtedness. Other than
intercompany indebtedness and receivables between the Subsidiaries, prior to the
Closing Date, Seller shall cause all intercompany indebtedness involving the
Business to be canceled or eliminated or contributed to the Subsidiaries and all
intercompany receivables involving the Business to be canceled or eliminated or
distributed to Seller.
(i) Delivery of Documents. Seller shall cause to be delivered to
Purchaser all documents required to be delivered to Purchaser at or prior to the
Closing.
(j) Resignations of Directors. Seller shall cause to be delivered
to Purchaser at or prior to the Closing the resignations of the boards of
directors of each of the Subsidiaries as Purchaser shall have requested.
(k) Real Property. At or prior to the Closing, the following
shall occur:
(i) Subject to Section 8(f)(iv), all real estate transfer
and gains Taxes payable by reason of the transaction contemplated
hereunder shall be paid and borne by Seller. Seller and Purchaser shall
cooperate to prepare and file all required documents and filings with
applicable authorities.
(ii) Seller shall deliver to Purchaser and its title
insurer such evidence as may be reasonably required by Purchaser or its
title insurer of the due authorization, execution and delivery of this
Agreement.
(iii) In connection with Purchaser's efforts to obtain an
owner's title insurance policy or policies (the "Policies") for any of
the Real Property, Seller shall provide for the delivery of such
executed and acknowledged affidavits and/or agreements as Purchaser's
title insurer shall reasonably require in order to omit from each of the
Policies all exceptions (other than Real Estate Encumbrances) for (A)
judgments, bankruptcies or other returns against persons or entities
whose names are the same as or similar to name of Seller or any of the
Subsidiaries, (B) rights of tenants, (C) mechanics' and materialmen's
Encumbrances not reflected on the June Balance Sheet and (D) unrecorded
documents to which any of the Subsidiaries or Seller is a party or of
which any of the Subsidiaries or Seller has knowledge.
(iv) Seller shall cause its subsidiary Bell Ontario
Holding, Inc. to deliver to Purchaser the general warranty deed for the
Real Property located in the City of Ontario, County of San Bernardino,
State of California, sometimes commonly referred to as 1251 South
Rockefeller Avenue, Ontario, California.
(l) Canadian Antitrust Compliance. Seller shall promptly file any
notice and provide any information required under Investment Canada and the
Competition Act of Canada.
(m) Security Deposits. Seller will take all actions necessary to
transfer to Purchaser on the Closing Date all of Seller's or its applicable
subsidiaries' right, title and interest in and to the Tenant Security Deposits
and the Landlord Security Deposits.
(n) Delivery of Books and Records, etc.; Removal of Property.
(i) On the Closing Date, Seller will deliver or make available to
Purchaser at the locations at which the Business is conducted all of the
Business Books and Records and such other Assets as are in Seller's or
its applicable subsidiaries' possession at other locations, and if at
any time after the Closing Seller discovers in its possession or under
its control any other
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<PAGE> 42
EXHIBIT (2.1)
Business Books and Records or other Assets, it will forthwith deliver
such Business Books and Records or other Assets to Purchaser.
(ii) Within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, Seller
shall remove all Assets and Properties not being sold to Purchaser
hereunder from the Real Property and Improvements. Such removal shall be
at the sole cost and risk of Seller, including risk of loss and damage
to such Assets and Properties. Purchaser shall have no liability to
Seller with respect to such removal and transportation. Seller shall be
responsible for all repairs to the Real Property and Improvements due to
damage caused by Seller and its employees and agents in connection with
the removal of Seller's Assets and Properties.
(o) Noncompetition. (i) Seller will, for a period of five (5)
years from the Closing Date, refrain from, either alone or in
conjunction with any other Person, or directly or indirectly through its
present or future affiliates;
(A) causing or attempting to cause (A) any client,
customer or supplier of the Business to terminate or materially
reduce its business with Purchaser or any of its affiliates or
(B) any officer, employee or consultant of Purchaser or any of
its affiliates engaged in the Business to resign or sever a
relationship with Purchaser or any of its affiliates;
(B) disclosing (unless compelled by judicial or
administrative process) or using any confidential or secret
information relating to the Business or any client, customer or
supplier of the Business; or
(C) participating or engaging in, or otherwise
lending assistance (financial or otherwise) to any Person
participating or engaged in, any of the lines of business which
comprised the Business on the Closing Date; provided, however,
that nothing in this clause (C) will be deemed to prohibit Seller
from continuing the business conducted by its Computer Division
(as set forth on Schedule (1)(b)(ix)), namely selling computer
systems and related items and value-added services to businesses,
governmental agencies and academic institutions.
(ii) The parties hereto recognize that the laws, rules,
regulations and public policies of the various states of the United
States may differ as to the validity and enforceability of covenants
similar to those set forth in this Section 9(o). It is the intention of
the parties that the provisions of this Section 9(o) be enforced to the
fullest extent permissible under the laws and policies of each
jurisdiction in which enforcement may be sought, and that the
unenforceability (or the modification to conform to such laws, rules,
regulations or policies) of any provisions of this Section 9(o) shall
not render unenforceable, or impair, the remainder of the provisions of
this Section 9(o). Accordingly, if any provision of this Section 9(o)
shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or
unenforceability shall be deemed to apply only with respect to the
operation of such provision in the particular jurisdiction in which such
determination is made and not with respect to any other provision or
jurisdiction.
(iii) The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that any
remedy at law for any breach of the provisions of this Section 9(o)
would be inadequate, and Seller hereby consents to the granting by any
court of an injunction or other equitable relief, without the necessity
of actual monetary loss being proved, in order that the breach or
threatened breach of such provisions may be effectively restrained.
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<PAGE> 43
EXHIBIT (2.1)
(p) Takeover Statutes. If any "fair price", "moratorium",
"control share acquisition" or other form of antitakeover statute or regulation
shall become applicable to the transactions contemplated hereby, Seller and the
members of the Board of Directors of Seller shall grant such approvals and take
such actions as are reasonably necessary so that the transactions contemplated
hereby may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated
hereby and thereby and otherwise act to eliminate or minimize the effects of
such statute or regulation on the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
(q) Declaration of Distribution. Seller shall not take any action
to declare a dividend or to make any distribution of the Purchase Price to the
holders of Seller Common Stock (including the adoption by its Board of Directors
of a resolution declaring such distribution and establishing a record date and
such distribution date), unless (i) such action occurs after the Audited Balance
Sheet Date, (ii) such distribution would not constitute a fraudulent conveyance
under applicable bankruptcy laws and (iii) such distribution would not violate
Section 500 et seq. of the CCC.
(r) Use of Name. Following the Closing and continuing thereafter
indefinitely, Seller shall not, and shall cause its subsidiaries not to,
directly or indirectly, use or otherwise exploit the name "Milgray Electronics"
or any derivatives thereof or any other trade name, domain name, trademark or
service mark similar or confusingly similar thereto or used or held for use in
the Business. Within one (1) week after the Closing Date, Seller shall cause
each of its subsidiaries to change its name to no longer contain the name
"Milgray" or any derivatives thereof.
10. Certain Covenants of Purchaser.
(a) Obtain Consents. Purchaser will use its best efforts to
obtain and deliver to Seller all consents necessary to the transactions
contemplated hereunder.
(b) Accomplish Sale. Purchaser will enter into no transaction and
make no agreement or commitment which would prevent or unreasonably delay the
Closing and will act in such manner, and cause its officers to act in such
manner, to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and will
use its reasonable efforts not to permit any event to occur which would result
in any of its representations, warranties or covenants contained in this
Agreement or delivered in connection herewith not being true and correct at and
as of the time immediately after the occurrence of such transaction event.
(c) Cooperate with Seller. Purchaser shall, and shall direct each
of its officers and employees to, cooperate fully and assist Seller and Seller's
accountants, attorneys, employees and other representatives in completing the
transactions contemplated under this Agreement.
(d) Hart-Scott Compliance. Purchaser shall promptly prepare and
file all reports and provide all additional information required under
Hart-Scott, and use its best efforts to obtain all approvals required
thereunder.
(e) Employee Benefits and Employee Benefit Plans. (i) Purchaser
shall offer employment to all persons who were employed by Seller or its
subsidiaries primarily in connection with the Business on the date immediately
preceding the Closing Date, including those on disability and vacation
("Employees"), except those Employees set forth on Schedule 10(e)(i). Each such
Employee shall be eligible to participate in all Employee Benefit Plans
maintained or sponsored by Purchaser, or to which Purchaser contributes, and in
which comparable employees of Purchaser are entitled to participate.
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<PAGE> 44
EXHIBIT (2.1)
Each such Employee's period of service with Seller or its subsidiaries
shall be counted in determining eligibility for participation under each
Employee Benefit Plan of Purchaser, including, without limitation,
Purchaser's ESOP and Capital Accumulation Plan, and such service shall
be counted in determining vesting of benefits under each Employee
Benefit Plan of Purchaser other than Purchaser's ESOP; provided,
however, that such service shall not be counted for benefit contribution
or accrual purposes under any Employee Benefit Plans of Purchaser. Each
such Employee shall be eligible to be covered as of his date of hire
under any Employee Benefit Plan of Purchaser providing health care
benefits (whether or not through insurance) without regard to any
waiting period or any condition or exclusion based on any pre-existing
conditions, and shall receive full credit for any copayments or
deductible payments made before the Closing Date. Purchaser shall use
its reasonable best efforts to cause its Capital Accumulation Plan to
accept direct rollovers of eligible rollover distributions (within the
meaning of Section 402(f)(2)(A) of the Code) received by Employees under
the Bell Industries Savings and Profit Sharing Plan.
(ii) Purchaser shall be responsible for any legally
mandated continuation of health care coverage with respect to any "group
health plan" (as such term is defined in Section 607(l) of ERISA and
Section 5000(b)(1) of the Code) as may be required under Section 4980B
of the Code ("COBRA Liability"), for Employees and/or their dependents
who have a loss of health care coverage under Section 4980B of the Code
due to a qualifying event (within the meaning of Section 4980B(f)(iii)
of the Code) which occurs after the Closing Date ("Post-Closing COBRA
Liability").
(iii) Purchaser agrees that it shall not, at any time
prior to sixty days after the Closing Date, effectuate a "plant closing"
or "mass layoff'" as those terms are defined in the Worker Adjustment
and Retraining Notification Act of 1988 ("WARN") affecting in whole or
in part any facility, site of employment, operating unit or Employee of
Seller or any of the Subsidiaries to the extent that the requirements of
WARN are applicable under the circumstances without complying fully with
the applicable requirements of WARN.
(f) Required Documents. Purchaser shall cause to be delivered to
Seller all documents required to be delivered to Seller at or prior to the
Closing.
(g) Canadian Antitrust Compliance. Purchaser shall promptly file
any notice and provide any information required under Investment Canada and the
Competition Act of Canada.
(h) License of Bell Name. At the Closing, Purchaser shall grant
to Seller a royalty-free, paid up, transferable, non-exclusive license, in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit D, to use the name "Bell Industries", "Bell" or
any derivatives thereof.
11. Conditions Precedent to Purchaser's Obligations. All
obligations of Purchaser hereunder are subject to the fulfillment or waiver of
each of the following conditions at or prior to the Closing:
(a) All representations and warranties of Seller contained in
this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects when made and
shall be deemed to have been made again at and as of the date of the Closing,
and shall then be true and correct in all material respects.
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
(b) There shall not have been any breach in any material respect
by Seller of any of its covenants, agreements and obligations required by the
terms of this Agreement to be performed by Seller at or before the Closing.
(c) Since the date of this Agreement, none of the following shall
have occurred: (i) improper conduct by Seller or any of its subsidiaries
constituting fraud in connection with transactions with a significant supplier
of inventory to Seller or any of its subsidiaries and (ii) violations of
government contract laws, rules and practices committed by Seller or any of its
subsidiaries that both (A) result in a termination or suspension of performance
under a government prime or subcontract or debarment and (B) significantly
impair the ability of Seller or any of its subsidiaries to conduct business as a
government prime contractor or subcontractor.
(d) There shall have been no material adverse change since June
30, 1998 in the Assets or the financial condition, results of operations,
prospects or business of the Business taken as a whole; provided that the
foregoing shall not include the termination of any Franchise Agreements due to
the public announcement of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby.
(e) There shall be delivered to Purchaser a certificate executed
by the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Seller, dated the
Closing Date, certifying, in their capacities as such officers, that the
conditions set forth in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 11 have
been fulfilled.
(f) Seller shall have obtained evidence in form reasonably
satisfactory to Purchaser that any Encumbrances on the Assets pursuant to the
Credit Agreement have been or will, immediately following the Closing, be
released by the lenders thereunder.
(g) The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
shall not have been enjoined by any court or federal, state or foreign
governmental agency, including, without limitation, the Department of Justice,
the Federal Trade Commission or the SEC.
(h) Seller shall have filed all reports and satisfied all
requests for additional information pursuant to Hart-Scott, and all applicable
waiting periods shall have expired.
(i) The consents set forth on Schedule 11(i) shall have been
obtained and shall be in full force and effect and not subject to any condition
that has not been satisfied or waived.
(j) Purchaser shall have received the opinion of Irell & Manella
LLP, counsel to Seller, substantially in the form of Exhibit F.
(k) There shall not be a moratorium on commercial bank lending
declared by a federal or New York State regulatory authority or other
circumstances or state of facts constituting a disruption in the financial
markets causing banks and other financial institutions not to extend credit.
12. Conditions Precedent to Seller's Obligations. All obligations
of Seller hereunder are subject to the fulfillment or waiver of each of the
following conditions at or prior to the Closing:
(a) All representations and warranties of Purchaser contained
in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects when made
and shall be deemed to have been made again at and as of the Closing, and shall
then be true and correct in all material respects.
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
(b) There shall not have been any breach in any material
respect by Purchaser of any of its covenants, agreements and obligations
required by the terms of this Agreement to be performed by Purchaser at or
before the Closing.
(c) There shall be delivered to Seller a certificate executed
by the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Purchaser, dated
the Closing Date, certifying that the conditions set forth in paragraphs (a) and
(b) of this Section 12 have been fulfilled.
(d) The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
shall not have been enjoined by any court or federal, state or governmental
agency, including, without limitation, the Department of Justice, the Federal
Trade Commission or the SEC.
(e) Purchaser shall have filed all reports and satisfied all
requests for additional information pursuant to Hart-Scott and all applicable
waiting periods shall have expired.
(f) The shareholders of Seller shall have approved the
transactions contemplated hereby in accordance with applicable law and with the
articles of incorporation and by-laws of Seller.
(g) The banks under the Credit Agreement shall have consented
to the transactions contemplated hereby.
(h) Seller shall have received the opinion of Milbank, Tweed,
Hadley & McCloy, special counsel to Purchaser, substantially in the form of
Exhibit G.
13. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification and Reimbursement of Purchaser. Seller
agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Purchaser and its successors and
assigns, against and in respect of any and all loss, liability, cost, expense,
damage, or decline in value, including all costs and expenses incurred in
enforcing rights under this Section 13, but after deducting the benefits
actually or reasonably expected to be received (offset by any costs related to
such benefits) with respect to Taxes or insurance (collectively,
"Indemnification Losses"), resulting from, arising out of or relating to (A) (i)
any misrepresentation or breach of warranty by Seller made as a part of or
contained in this Agreement or in any certificate or document executed and
delivered in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
herein and (ii) any failure of the representations and warranties of Seller
contained in Section 6 of this Agreement to be true and correct as if made again
at and as of the Closing Date, (B) any failure by Seller to perform or otherwise
fulfill any covenant or agreement made herein or contemplated hereby and (C)
Retained Liabilities.
(b) Indemnification and Reimbursement of Seller. Purchaser agrees
to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Seller, and its successors and assigns,
against and in respect of any and all Indemnification Losses resulting from,
arising out of or relating to (A) (i) any misrepresentation or breach of
warranty by Purchaser made as a part of or contained in this Agreement or in any
certificate or document executed and delivered in connection with this Agreement
or the transactions contemplated herein and (ii) any failure of the
representations and warranties of Purchaser contained in Section 7 of this
Agreement to be true and correct as if made again at and as of the Closing Date,
(B) any failure by Purchaser to perform or otherwise fulfill any covenant or
agreement made herein or contemplated hereby, (C) the conduct of the Business by
Purchaser after the Closing Date and (D) any Assumed Liabilities.
(c) Defense of Claims by Third Parties. Whenever a claim shall
arise for indemnification under this Section 13 (except in respect of Taxes
which shall be governed by the
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
provisions of Section 8(g)), the party entitled to indemnification (the
"Indemnified Party") shall promptly notify the party from whom indemnification
is sought (the "Indemnifying Party") of such claim and, when known, the facts
constituting the basis for such claim; provided, however, that in the event of
any claim for indemnification hereunder resulting from or in connection with any
claim or legal proceedings by a third party, the Indemnified Party shall give
such notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party no later than ten (10) days prior
to the time any response to the asserted claim is required, if possible. In the
event of any such claim for indemnification resulting from or in connection with
a claim or legal proceeding by a third party, the Indemnifying Party may, at its
sole cost and expense, assume the defense thereof. If an Indemnifying Party
assumes the defense of any such claim or legal proceeding, the Indemnifying
Party shall be entitled to select counsel and take all steps necessary in the
defense thereof; provided, however, that, no settlement shall be made without
the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (except that if the
Indemnified Party shall withhold its consent to any settlement proposed by the
Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall in no event be deemed for
purposes of this Section 13 to have suffered losses, liabilities or damages in
connection with such claim or proceeding in excess of the proposed amount of
such settlement); and provided further, however, that the Indemnified Party may,
at its own expense, participate in any such proceeding with the counsel of its
choice. So long as the Indemnifying Party is in good faith defending such claim
or proceeding, the Indemnified Party shall not compromise or settle such claim
without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying
Party does not assume the defense of any such claim or litigation in accordance
with the terms hereof, the Indemnified Party may defend against such claim or
litigation in such manner as it may deem appropriate, including , but not
limited to, settling such claim or litigation (after giving notice of the same
to the Indemnifying Party) on such terms as the Indemnified Party may deem
appropriate, and the Indemnifying Party will promptly indemnify the Indemnified
Party in accordance with the provisions of this Section 13.
(d) Notice of Other Claims; Non-Waiver. Any party claiming
indemnification hereunder shall give reasonably prompt written notice to the
other as soon as practicable after it becomes aware of any condition or event
that gives rise to Indemnification Losses for which indemnification is sought
under this Section 13, except as otherwise provided in Section 13(c). Failure of
an Indemnified Party to give reasonably prompt notice of any claim or claims
shall not release, waive or otherwise affect an Indemnifying Party's obligations
with respect thereto except to the extent of actual loss or prejudice as a
result of such failure.
(e) Threshold. No Indemnified Party shall be entitled to
indemnification pursuant to this Section 13 for any Indemnification Losses
incurred unless the aggregate amount for which indemnification is sought with
respect to the aggregate of all Indemnification Losses is in excess of
$1,000,000 (the "Threshold"). If the amount of claims for Indemnification Losses
exceeds the Threshold, then the Indemnified Party entitled to indemnification
pursuant to this Section 13 shall be entitled to indemnification for all
Indemnification Losses, including the first $1,000,000 of such losses incurred.
(f) Exclusive Remedy. The provisions of this Section 13 shall
constitute the sole and exclusive remedy of and means by which any Indemnified
Party after the Closing may obtain recompense for any damages, including
Indemnification Losses, arising out of, resulting from or incurred in connection
with this Agreement, including, without limitation, any inaccuracy and/or breach
of any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or any
47
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
other agreement under this Agreement or any other agreement or instrument, or
any other act or omission by any party hereto.
14. Commission and Finder's Fees. Each of the parties hereto
represents and warrants to the other that no individual, firm or corporation, as
a result of any action of such party, has any right, interest or valid claim
against or upon the other party for any commission, fee or other compensation as
broker or finder or for acting in any similar capacity. The parties acknowledge
that Seller is obligated to pay a fee to Lincoln Partners LLC for rendering a
fairness opinion in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
15. Survival of Representations and Warranties. The
representations and warranties made by the parties hereto under this Agreement
or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or in any
certificate, list or other instrument delivered pursuant hereto shall survive
the Closing until after the Audited Balance Sheet Date and thereafter until the
earlier of (a) the second anniversary of the Closing Date and (b)(i) the
liquidation of Seller or (ii) the merger of Seller with, or the sale of all of
Seller's equity to, an acquiring Person and thereafter no claim for
indemnification under Section 13 may be made based upon a breach of any
representation or warranty.
16. Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated herein
shall be consummated, each of the parties hereto shall bear and pay all costs
and expenses incurred by it under or in connection with such transactions, and
shall not be liable to any other party for any damages suffered due to the
failure to consummate such transactions; provided, however, that (a) if this
Agreement shall be terminated by Seller pursuant to Section 17(a)(ii) or by
Purchaser pursuant to Section 17(a)(iii), Seller shall promptly thereafter pay
to Purchaser an expenses reimbursement of $5,000,000; (b) if this Agreement
shall be terminated pursuant to Section 17(a)(i)(C), Seller shall promptly
thereafter pay to Purchaser an expenses reimbursement of $750,000, provided,
however, that if the Proxy Statement (or any amendment, supplement or
supplemental mailing by Seller to such shareholders with respect thereto) shall
disclose any Alternative Proposal and the Seller's shareholders shall fail to
approve the transactions hereunder, Seller shall pay $5,000,000 to Purchaser
under this clause (b); and (c) if the Closing shall not occur in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement and the failure to occur is based solely upon the
non-satisfaction of a condition of Closing under Section 11(b) due to a willful
breach by Seller or the non-satisfaction of a condition of Closing under Section
12(b) due to a willful breach by Purchaser, then the party in willful breach
shall promptly pay to the other party, as an expenses reimbursement and not as a
penalty, an amount equal to $5,000,000. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree
that the amount of liquidated damages provided hereby is reasonable in the light
of the anticipated harm caused by the breach, the difficulties of proof of loss,
and the inconvenience and infeasibility of otherwise obtaining an adequate
remedy. Neither Seller nor Purchaser shall be obligated to pay more than
$5,000,000 pursuant to this Section 16.
17. Termination. (a) Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, at any time before the Closing this Agreement
(i) may be terminated by either party;
(A) if the Closing has not occurred on or before
March 31, 1999;
(B) if Hart-Scott clearance is not obtained; or
(C) if approval of Seller's shareholders is not
obtained;
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EXHIBIT (2.1)
(ii) may be terminated by Seller if it receives an
Alternative Proposal providing for terms better, in the good faith
determination of Seller's Board of Directors, than those provided by the
transactions contemplated hereunder provided that Seller shall have
complied with the provisions of Section 8(d) and shall notify Purchaser
promptly of its intention to terminate this Agreement or enter into a
definitive agreement with respect to such Alternative Proposal, but in
no event shall such notice be given less than forty-eight (48) hours
prior to the public announcement of Seller's termination of this
Agreement; provided that Seller's ability to terminate this Agreement
pursuant is conditioned upon the prior payment by Seller to Purchaser of
any amounts owed by it pursuant to Section 16;
(iii) may be terminated by Purchaser if the Board of
Directors of Seller (or any committee thereof) shall have withdrawn or
modified in a manner materially adverse to Purchaser its approval or
recommendation of this Agreement or shall have recommended an
Alternative Proposal to the shareholders of Seller;
(iv) may be terminated by Purchaser if the net investment
shown on the Estimated Balance Sheet is less than $135 million; or
(v) may be terminated by the mutual consent of Seller and
Purchaser.
(b) In the event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to
this Section 17, all further obligations of the parties under this Agreement
shall terminate without further liability of any party to any other party or to
the shareholders, directors or officers of any party (except as set forth in
Section 17(a)(ii)), provided that the obligations of the parties contained in
Section 8(e) and in the Confidentiality Agreement shall survive any such
termination.
18. Notices. Any notice, request, instruction or other document
to be given hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally or sent by
certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, as follows: If to Seller,
addressed to it at 2201 E. El Segundo Blvd., El Segundo, California 90245,
Attention: Gordon Graham, with concurrent copies to Irell & Manella LLP, 333
South Hope Street, Suite 3300, Los Angeles, California 90071, Attention: John
Cost, Esq. and Ben Orlanski, Esq., and if to Purchaser addressed to it at 25 Hub
Drive, Melville, New York 11747, Attention: President, with concurrent copies to
Purchaser's General Counsel at the same address and Milbank, Tweed, Hadley &
McCloy, 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, New York 10005, Attention: Howard S.
Kelberg, Esq. Any party may change the address to which notices are to be sent
by giving written notice of such change of address to the other party.
19. Entire Agreement, Amendments and Certain Other Matters. This
Agreement, including the lists, exhibits, schedules, the Confidentiality
Agreement, the Option Agreement and other agreements and attachments referred to
herein, which are a part hereof, or agreements signed and delivered
contemporaneously herewith, contains the entire understanding of the parties
hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements of the parties, with respect to the
acquisition of all or any part of the Business, the Assets or the Subsidiaries
and may be amended only by a written instrument executed by the parties hereto
or their respective successors or assigns, although any condition to a party's
obligation hereunder may be waived in writing by such party. The section and
paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only
and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
A failure or delay of either party to this Agreement to enforce at any time any
of the provisions of this Agreement, or to exercise any option which is herein
provided, or to require at any time
49
<PAGE> 50
EXHIBIT (2.1)
performance of any of the provisions hereof, shall in no way be construed to be
a waiver of such provisions of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement,
expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any person other than the
parties any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.
20. Assignment. This Agreement is not assignable by Seller.
Purchaser may assign all or a portion of its rights in this Agreement to a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Purchaser provided that Purchaser and assignee
jointly and severally remain fully liable for payment of all monies and
performance of all obligations of Purchaser described in this Agreement.
21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously
in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all
of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
22. Effectiveness. This Agreement will not become effective until
executed by each of the parties hereto.
23. Consent to Jurisdiction and Governing Law. This Agreement
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal substantive
laws and not the choice of law rules of the State of New York. Any judicial
proceeding brought with respect to this Agreement must be brought in any federal
or state court of competent jurisdiction in any state of the United States, and,
by the execution and delivery of this Agreement, each party (i) accepts,
generally and unconditionally, the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any courts and
any related appellate court in the State of New York, and irrevocably agrees to
be bound by any judgment rendered by such courts in connection with this
Agreement and (ii) irrevocably waives any objection it may now or hereafter have
as to the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court
or that such court is an inconvenient forum. In furtherance of the preceding
clause, so long as this Agreement is in effect, Purchaser and Seller (if it is
not a New York corporation and is not qualified to do business in New York as a
foreign corporation) will at all times have an authorized agent in the City of
New York, upon whom process may be served in any legal action or proceeding in
any court of competent jurisdiction in the State of New York arising out of or
in connection with this Agreement. Seller hereby irrevocably appoints CT
Corporation System, as its agent for service of process in New York with respect
to all disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement.
24. Severability. In case any one or more of the provisions
contained in this Agreement should be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions
contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
[Next Page Is Signature Page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and
agreed to all the terms of this Agreement including the exhibits hereto, as of
the date first above written.
BELL INDUSTRIES, INC.
By: /s/ Gordon Graham
------------------------------------
Name: Gordon Graham
Title: President & CEO
ARROW ELECTRONICS, INC.
By: /s/ Robert E. Klatell
------------------------------------
Name: Robert E. Klatell
Title: Executive Vice President
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT (99.1)
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of October 1,
1998, by and between Arrow Electronics, Inc., a New York corporation ("Arrow"),
and Bell Industries, Inc., a California corporation (the "Company").
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, the Company and Arrow are entering into an Agreement of Purchase and
Sale, dated as of the date hereof (the "Purchase Agreement"; capitalized terms
used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the
Purchase Agreement), which provides that, among other things, upon the terms and
subject to the conditions thereof, Arrow will purchase the electronic components
distribution business of the Company; and
WHEREAS, as a condition and inducement to Arrow's willingness to
enter into the Purchase Agreement, Arrow has required that the Company agree,
and the Company has so agreed, to grant to Arrow an option with respect to
certain shares of the Company's common stock on the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the
mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and in the Purchase Agreement,
the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Grant of Option. The Company hereby grants Arrow an
irrevocable option (the "Company Option") to purchase up to 1,888,000
shares (the "Company Shares") of common stock of the Company (the
"Company Common Stock") in the manner set forth below at a price which
shall equal the arithmetic average of the closing sales prices of the
Company Common Stock reported on the New York Stock Exchange for the
ten (10) trading days ending and including the trading day immediately
preceding the date hereof (the "Exercise Price").
2. Exercise of Option. The Company Option may be
exercised by Arrow, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to
time after the Purchase Agreement becomes terminable by Arrow under
circumstances which could entitle Arrow to expenses reimbursement under
Section 16 of the Purchase Agreement (other than the circumstances
contemplated by the forepart of clause (b) thereof, excluding the
proviso thereto). In the event Arrow wishes to exercise the Company
Option, Arrow shall deliver to the Company a written notice (an
"Exercise Notice") specifying the total number of Company Shares it
wishes to purchase. Each closing of a purchase of Company Shares (a
"Closing") shall occur at a place, on a date and at a time designated
by Arrow and reasonably acceptable to the Company in an Exercise Notice
delivered at least six business days prior to the date of the Closing.
The Company Option shall terminate upon the earlier of: (i) the closing
of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement; (ii) the
termination of the Purchase Agreement pursuant to Section 17(a) thereof
(other than a termination in connection with which Arrow is entitled to
the payment specified in Section 16 thereof); and (iii)
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<PAGE> 2
EXHIBIT (99.1)
180 days following any termination of the Purchase Agreement in
connection with which Arrow is entitled to the payment specified in
Section 16 thereof (or if, at the expiration of such 180 day period,
the Company Option cannot be exercised by reason of any applicable
judgment, decree, order, law or regulation, ten business days after
such impediment to exercise shall have been removed or shall have
become final and not subject to appeal, but in no event under this
clause (iii) later than the second anniversary of the date hereof).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company Option may not be exercised
if Arrow is in material breach of any of its representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement or in
the Purchase Agreement.
3. Conditions to Closing. The obligation of the Company
to issue the Company Shares to Arrow hereunder is subject to the
conditions that (i) all waiting periods, if any, under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder ("HSR Act"),
applicable to the issuance of the Company Shares hereunder shall have
expired or have been terminated; (ii) all consents, approvals, orders
or authorizations of, or registrations, declarations or filings with,
any Federal, state or local administrative agency or commission or
other Federal state or local governmental authority or instrumentality,
if any, required in connection with the issuance of the Company Shares
hereunder shall have been obtained or made, as the case may be; (iii)
no preliminary or permanent injunction or other order by any court of
competent jurisdiction prohibiting or otherwise restraining such
issuance shall be in effect; and (iv) Arrow shall not be in material
breach of the Purchase Agreement.
4. Closing. At any Closing, (a) the Company will deliver
to Arrow a single certificate in definitive form representing the
number of the Company Shares designated by Arrow in its Exercise
Notice, such certificate to be registered in the name of Arrow and to
bear the legend set forth in Section 11, and (b) Arrow will deliver to
the Company the aggregate price for the Company Shares so designated
and being purchased by wire transfer of immediately available funds or
certified check or bank check. At any Closing at which Arrow is
exercising the Company Option in part, Arrow shall present and
surrender this Agreement to the Company, and the Company shall deliver
to Arrow an executed new agreement with the same terms as this
Agreement evidencing the right to purchase the balance of the shares of
Company Common Stock purchasable hereunder.
5. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The
Company represents and warrants to Arrow that (a) the Company is a
corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of California and has the corporate power
and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out its
obligations hereunder, (b) the execution and delivery of this Agreement
by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of the Company and no other corporate
proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize this
Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby,
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<PAGE> 3
EXHIBIT (99.1)
(c) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company
and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company, and,
assuming this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of
Arrow, is enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms,
except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other
similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally
and subject to usual equity principles, (d) the Company has taken all
necessary corporate action to authorize and reserve for issuance and to
permit it to issue, upon exercise of the Company Option, and at all
times from the date hereof through the expiration of the Company Option
will have reserved, 1,888,000 unissued Company Shares and such other
shares of Company Common Stock or other securities which may be issued
pursuant to Section 10, all of which, upon their issuance, payment and
delivery in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and free and clear of all
claims, liens, charges, encumbrances and security interests of any
nature whatsoever (other than those created by or through Arrow), (e)
the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company does not,
and the performance of this Agreement by the Company will not conflict
with, or result in any violation of, or material default (with or
without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a
right of termination, cancellation or acceleration of any obligation or
the loss of a material benefit under, or the creation of a lien,
pledge, security interest or other encumbrance on assets pursuant to
(any such conflict, violation, default, right of termination,
cancellation or acceleration, loss or creation, a "Violation"), (A) any
provision of the Restated Articles of Incorporation or Restated By-laws
of the Company or (B) any provisions of any loan or credit agreement,
note, mortgage, indenture, lease, benefit plan or other agreement,
obligation, instrument, permit, concession, franchise, license, except
that the payment upon the exercise by Arrow of its rights under Section
7 would violate the Credit Agreement or (C) any judgment, order,
decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to the
Company or its properties or assets, which Violation, in the case of
each of clauses (B) and (C), individually or in the aggregate would
prevent or materially delay the exercise by Arrow of the Company Option
or any other right of Arrow under this Agreement and (f) except as
described in Section 6(c) of the Purchase Agreement, the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Company does not, and the performance
of this Agreement by the Company will not, require any consent,
approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification
to, any governmental or regulatory authority.
6. Representations and Warranties of Arrow. Arrow
represents and warrants to the Company that (a) Arrow is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the State of New York and has the corporate power and authority to
enter into this Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder,
(b) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Arrow and the
consummation by Arrow of the transactions contemplated hereby have been
duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Arrow
and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Arrow are necessary
to authorize this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated
hereby, (c) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
Arrow and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Arrow, and,
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<PAGE> 4
EXHIBIT (99.1)
assuming this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of
the Company, is enforceable against Arrow in accordance with its terms,
except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other
similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally
and subject to usual equity principles, (d) the execution and delivery
of this Agreement by Arrow does not, and the performance of this
Agreement by Arrow will not, result in any Violation pursuant to, (A)
any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of Arrow,
(B) any provisions of any loan or credit agreement, note, mortgage,
indenture, lease, or other agreement, obligation, instrument, permit,
concession, franchise, license or (C) any judgment, order, decree,
statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to Arrow or its
properties or assets, which Violation, in the case of each of clauses
(B) and (C), would, individually or in the aggregate have a material
adverse effect on Arrow's ability to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, (e) except as described in Section 7(b)
of the Purchase Agreement and Section 3(i) of this Agreement, the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Arrow does not, and the
performance of this Agreement by Arrow will not, require any consent,
approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification
to, any governmental or regulatory authority and (f) any Company Shares
acquired upon exercise of the Company Option will not be, and the
Company Option is not being, acquired by Arrow with a view to the
public distribution or resale in any manner which would be in violation
of federal or state securities laws.
7. Put Right.
(a) Exercise of Put. At any time during which the Company Option is exercisable
pursuant to Section 2 (the "Repurchase Period"), upon demand by Arrow, Arrow
shall have the right to sell to the Company (or any successor entity
thereof) and the Company (or such successor entity) shall be obligated to
repurchase from Arrow (the "Put"), all or any portion of the Company Option,
at the price set forth in subparagraph (i) below, or, at any time prior to
the second anniversary of the date hereof, all or any portion of the Company
Shares purchased by Arrow pursuant hereto, at a price set forth in
subparagraph (ii) below:
(i) the difference between the "Market/Tender Offer Price"
for shares of Company Common Stock as of the date (the "Notice Date")
notice of exercise of the Put is given to the Company (defined as the
higher of (A) the price per share offered as of the Notice Date pursuant
to any tender or exchange offer or other Alternative Proposal which was
made prior to the Notice Date and not terminated or withdrawn as of the
Notice Date (the "Tender Price") and (B) the average of the closing
prices of shares of the Company Common Stock on the New York Stock
Exchange ("NYSE") for the five trading days immediately preceding the
Notice Date, (the "Market Price")), and the Exercise Price, multiplied
by the number of Company Shares purchasable pursuant to the Company
Option (or portion thereof with respect to which Arrow is exercising its
rights under this Section 7);
(ii) the Exercise Price paid by Arrow for the Company
Shares acquired pursuant to the Company Option plus the difference
between the Market/Tender Offer Price and the Exercise Price, multiplied
by the number of Company Shares so purchased.
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<PAGE> 5
EXHIBIT (99.1)
For purposes of this clause (ii), the Tender Price shall be the highest
price per share offered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer or other
Alternative Proposal during the Repurchase Period.
(b) Payment and Redelivery of Company Option or Shares. In the event Arrow
exercises its rights under this Section 7, the Company shall, within five
business days of the Notice Date, pay the required amount to Arrow in
immediately available funds and Arrow shall surrender to the Company the
Company Option or the certificates evidencing the Company Shares purchased
by Arrow pursuant hereto, and Arrow shall warrant that it owns such shares
and that such shares are then free and clear of all liens, claims, charges
and encumbrances of any kind or nature whatsoever.
1. Restrictions on Certain Actions. The Company shall
not adopt any Rights Agreement or shareholder rights plan in any manner
which would cause Arrow, if Arrow has complied with its obligations
under this Agreement, to become an "Acquiring Person" under such Rights
Agreement or shareholder rights plan solely by reason of the beneficial
ownership of the shares purchasable hereunder.
2. Registration Rights.
(a) The Company will, if requested by Arrow at any time and from
time to time within three years of the exercise of the Company Option, as
expeditiously as possible prepare and file up to three registration statements
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") if such
registration is necessary in order to permit the sale or other disposition of
any or all shares of securities that have been acquired by or are issuable to
Arrow upon exercise of the Company Option in accordance with the intended method
of sale or other disposition stated by Arrow, including a "shelf" registration
statement under Rule 415 under the Securities Act or any successor provision,
and the Company will use its best efforts to qualify such shares or other
securities under any applicable state securities laws. The Company will use
reasonable efforts to cause each such registration statement to become
effective, to obtain all consents or waivers of other parties which are required
therefor, and to keep such registration statement effective for such period not
in excess of 180 calendar days from the day such registration statement first
becomes effective as may be reasonably necessary to effect such sale or other
disposition. The obligations of the Company hereunder to file a registration
statement and to maintain its effectiveness may be suspended for up to 90
calendar days in the aggregate if the Board of Directors of the Company shall
have determined that the filing of such registration statement or the
maintenance of its effectiveness would require premature disclosure of material
nonpublic information that would materially and adversely affect the Company or
otherwise interfere with or adversely affect any pending or proposed offering of
securities of the Company or any other material transaction involving the
Company. Any registration statement prepared and filed under this Section 9, and
any sale covered thereby, will be at the Company's expense except for
underwriting discounts or commissions, brokers' fees and the fees and
disbursements of Arrow's counsel related thereto. Arrow will provide and be
responsible for, in connection with indemnification provisions, all information
reasonably requested by the Company for inclusion in any registration statement
to be filed hereunder. If, during the time periods referred to in the first
sentence of this Section 9, the Company effects a registration under the
Securities
5
<PAGE> 6
EXHIBIT (99.1)
Act of Company Common Stock for its own account or for any other stockholders of
the Company (other than on Form S-4 or Form S-8, or any successor form), it will
allow Arrow the right to participate in such registration, and such
participation will not affect the obligation of the Company to effect demand
registration statements for Arrow under this Section 9; provided that, if the
managing underwriters of such offering advise the Company in writing that in
their opinion the number of shares of Company Common Stock requested to be
included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such
offering, the Company will include the shares requested to be included therein
by Arrow after the shares intended to be included therein by the Company have
been included and prior to any shares requested to be included by any third
parties are included. In connection with any registration pursuant to this
Section 9, the Company and Arrow will provide each other and any underwriter of
the offering with customary representations, warranties, covenants,
indemnification, and contribution in connection with such registration. The
Company shall provide to any underwriters such documentation (including
certificates, opinions of counsel and "comfort" letters from auditors) as are
customary in connection with underwritten public offerings as such underwriters
may reasonably require.
(b) If the Company's securities of the same type as the Company
Common Stock beneficially owned by Arrow are then authorized for quotation or
trading or listing on the NYSE, Nasdaq National Market System, or any other
securities exchange or automated quotations system, the Company, upon the
request of Arrow, shall promptly file an application, if required, to authorize
for quotation, trading or listing such shares of Company Common Stock on such
exchange or system and will use its reasonable efforts to obtain approval, if
required, of such quotation, trading or listing as soon as practicable.
3. Adjustment Upon Changes in Capitalization.
(a) In the event of any change in Company Common Stock by reason
of stock dividends, splitups, mergers, recapitalizations, combinations, exchange
of shares or the like, the type and number of shares or securities subject to
the Company Option, and the purchase price per share provided in Section 1,
shall be adjusted appropriately, and proper provision shall be made in the
agreements governing such transaction so that Arrow shall receive, upon exercise
of the Company Option, the number and class of shares or other securities or
property that Arrow would have received in respect of the Company Common Stock
if the Company Option had been exercised immediately prior to such event or the
record date therefor, as applicable.
(b) In the event that the Company shall enter in an agreement:
(i) to consolidate with or merge into any person, other than Arrow or one of its
subsidiaries, and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation of such
consolidation or merger; (ii) to permit any person, other than Arrow or one of
its subsidiaries, to merge into the Company and the Company shall be the
continuing or surviving corporation, but, in connection with such merger, the
then-outstanding shares of Company Common Stock shall be changed into or
exchanged for stock or other securities of the Company or any other person or
cash or any other property or the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock
immediately prior to such merger shall after such merger represent less than 50%
of the outstanding shares and share equivalents of the merged company; or (iii)
to sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of its assets to any
person, other than Arrow or one of its subsidiaries, then, and in each such
case, the agreement
6
<PAGE> 7
EXHIBIT (99.1)
governing such transaction shall make proper provisions so that upon the
consummation of any such transaction and upon the terms and conditions set forth
herein, Arrow shall, upon exercise of the Company Option, receive for each
Company Share with respect to which the Company Option has not been exercised an
amount of consideration in the form of and equal to the per share amount of
consideration that would be received by the holder of one share of Company
Common Stock less the Exercise Price (and, in the event of an election or
similar arrangement with respect to the type of consideration to be received by
the holders of Company Common Stock, subject to the foregoing, proper provision
shall be made so that the holder of the Company Option would have the same
election or similar rights as would the holder of the number of shares of
Company Common Stock for which the Company Option is then exercisable).
4. Restrictive Legends. Each certificate representing
shares of Company Common Stock issued to Arrow hereunder shall include
a legend in substantially the following form:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY
BE REOFFERED OR SOLD ONLY IF SO REGISTERED OR IF AN EXEMPTION
FROM SUCH REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE.
Certificates representing shares sold in a registered public offering pursuant
to Section 9 shall not be required to bear the legend set forth in this Section
11.
5. Binding Effect; No Assignment. This Agreement shall
be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and
their respective successors and permitted assigns. Except as expressly
provided for in this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor the rights
or the obligations of either party hereto are assignable, except by
operation of law, or with the written consent of the other party.
Nothing contained in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to
confer upon any person other than the parties hereto and their
respective permitted assigns any rights or remedies of any nature
whatsoever by reason of this Agreement.
6. Specific Performance. The parties recognize and agree
that if for any reason any of the provisions of this Agreement are not
performed in accordance with their specific terms or are otherwise
breached, immediate and irreparable harm or injury would be caused for
which money damages would not be an adequate remedy. Accordingly, each
party agrees that, in addition to other remedies, the other party shall
be entitled to an injunction restraining any violation or threatened
violation of the provisions of this Agreement. In the event that any
action should be brought in equity to enforce the provisions of this
Agreement, neither party will allege, and each party hereby waives the
defense, that there is adequate remedy at law.
7. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Purchase
Agreement (including the Exhibits and Schedules thereto) constitute the
entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof and supersede all
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<PAGE> 8
EXHIBIT (99.1)
other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among
the parties or any of them with respect to the subject matter hereof.
8. Further Assurances. Each party will execute and
deliver all such further documents and instruments and take all such
further action as may be necessary in order to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby.
9. Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement, which shall
remain in full force and effect. In the event any court or other
competent authority holds any provision of this Agreement to be null,
void or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith
the execution and delivery of an amendment to this Agreement in order,
as nearly as possible, to effectuate, to the extent permitted by law,
the intent of the parties hereto with respect to such provision. Each
party agrees that, should any court or other competent authority hold
any provision of this Agreement or part hereof to be null, void or
unenforceable, or order any party to take any action inconsistent
herewith, or not take any action required herein, the other party shall
not be entitled to specific performance of such provision or part
hereof or to any other remedy, including but not limited to money
damages, for breach hereof or of any other provision of this Agreement
or part hereof as the result of such holding or order.
10. Notices. Any notice or communication required or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and either delivered
personally, telegraphed or telecopied or sent by certified or
registered mail, postage prepaid, and shall be deemed to be given,
dated and received when so delivered personally, telegraphed or
telecopied or, if mailed, five business days after the date of mailing
to the following address or telecopy number, or to such other address
or addresses as such person may subsequently designate by notice given
hereunder.
(a) if to Arrow, to:
Arrow Electronics, Inc.
25 Hub Drive
Melville, New York 11747
Attention: Robert E. Klatell
Telecopy: (516) 391-1683
Telephone: (516) 391-1830
with a copy to:
Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
New York, New York 10005
Attention: Howard S. Kelberg, Esq.
Telecopy: (212) 530-5219
Telephone: (212) 530-5530
8
<PAGE> 9
EXHIBIT (99.1)
and
(b) if to the Company, to:
Bell Industries, Inc.
2201 E. El Segundo Blvd.
El Segundo, California 90245
Attention: Gordon Graham
Telecopy: (310) 563-2355
Telephone: (310) 563-2500
with a copy to:
Irell & Manella LLP
333 South Hope Street
Suite 3300
Los Angeles, California 90071
Attention: John Cost, Esq.
Ben Orlanski, Esq.
Telecopy: (213) 229-0515
Telephone: (213) 620-1555
1. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York
applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such
State without regard to any applicable conflicts of law rules.
2. Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings herein
are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to
be part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
3. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two
or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original,
but all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
4. Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided
herein or in the Purchase Agreement, all costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall
be paid by the party incurring such expenses.
5. Amendments; Waiver. This Agreement may be amended by
the parties hereto and the terms and conditions hereof may be waived
only by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the
parties hereto, or, in the case of a waiver, by an instrument signed on
behalf of the party waiving compliance.
[Next Page is Signature Page]
9
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EXHIBIT (99.1)
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the date first above
written.
ARROW ELECTRONICS, INC.
By: /s/ Robert E. Klatell
------------------------------------
Name: Robert E. Klatell
Title: Executive Vice President
BELL INDUSTRIES, INC.
By: /s/ Gordon Graham
------------------------------------
Name: Gordon Graham
Title: President & CEO
10
