exv10w1



 






Exhibit 10.1




ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT




     This
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of April 30, 2005
by and among INTEGRATED ELECTRICAL SERVICES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent”), TECH
ELECTRIC CO., INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), TECH ELECTRIC CORPORATION, a North
Carolina corporation (the “Buyer”), and ROBERT R. BLACKMON, an individual and resident of the State
of North Carolina (“Guarantor”)



WITNESSETH:




     WHEREAS, the Parent owns, either directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding
capital stock of the Company, which is engaged in the electrical construction and services business
(the “Business”);



     WHEREAS, the Parent and the Company desire to sell to the Buyer substantially all of the
Company’s assets, which are more fully described in Section 1.1 hereof, and the Buyer
desires to acquire such assets in consideration of the payment by the Buyer of the purchase price
and the assumption by the Buyer of the liabilities provided for herein, all upon the terms and
subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth;



     WHEREAS, Guarantor is the President and owner of the Buyer and has agreed to personally
guarantee to the Parent and the Company the Buyer’s performance of all representations, warranties,
covenants, agreements and conditions set forth herein;



     NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and of the respective
representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and conditions of the parties contained herein,
it is hereby agreed as follows:



1. PURCHASE AND SALE OF ASSETS.




     1.1 Transfer of Assets. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement, on the Closing Date (as defined in Section 2.1 hereof), the Company shall sell,
convey, assign, transfer and deliver to the Buyer, and the Buyer shall purchase and acquire from
the Company (except as provided in Section 1.2 hereof) all of the assets, rights and properties of
the Parent or the Company set forth on Schedule 1.1. The assets described in this
Section 1.1 as being sold, conveyed, assigned, transferred and delivered to the Buyer
hereunder are sometimes hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Assets”.



     1.2 Excluded Assets. It is expressly understood and agreed that the Assets shall not
include the following (such assets are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Excluded
Assets”):




     (a) Cash and cash equivalents or similar type investments, such as certificates of
deposit, Treasury bills and other marketable securities;



 









 






     (b) Claims for refunds of taxes and other governmental charges to the extent such
refunds relate to periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date;




     (c) Any asset, tangible or intangible, which is not freely transferable without the
consent of a third party, upon the failure to obtain such consent;




     (d) The original corporate minute books, stock books, financial records, tax returns,
personnel and payroll records and corporate policies and procedures manuals of the Company
and other records required by applicable laws to be retained;




     (e) Any contract or agreement, whether written or oral, between the Company and IES
Contractors, Inc.; and




     (f) Any asset not set forth on Schedule 1.1.



     1.3 Instruments of Conveyance and Transfer.




     (a) At the Closing, the Buyer, the Company and the Parent shall enter into a Bill of
Sale, Assignment and Assumption Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A,
transferring to the Buyer good and indefeasible title to all of the tangible personal
property included in the Assets, subject only to Permitted Encumbrances.




     (b) At the Closing, the Buyer, the Company and the Parent shall deliver such other
instruments of transfer and assignment in respect of the Assets as the Buyer and the Parent
shall reasonably require and as shall be consistent with the terms and provisions of this
Agreement.




     (c) At the Closing, the Guarantor shall, and the Buyer shall cause the Transferred
Employees (as hereinafter defined) to, resign as officers and directors of the Company and
any other affiliates of the Parent.



     1.4 Further Assurances. From time to time after the Closing, the Parent and the
Company will execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, without further
consideration, such other instruments of conveyance, assignment, transfer and delivery and will
take such other actions as the Buyer may reasonably request in order to more effectively transfer,
convey, assign and deliver to the Buyer, and to place the Buyer in possession and control of any of
the Assets or to enable the Buyer to exercise and enjoy all rights and benefits of the Company with
respect thereto.



     1.5 Liabilities. On the Closing Date, the Buyer will assume and agree to pay and
discharge all liabilities of the Company, known or unknown, absolute or contingent (the “Assumed
Liabilities”) other than the liabilities set forth on Schedule 1.5 (the “Retained
Liabilities”), which shall be retained by the Parent or the Company, respectively.



     1.6 Expenses: Consents and Taxes. The Buyer shall pay, or cause to be paid (i) all
costs and expenses of obtaining all consents of third parties for the assignment of any of the
Assets, and (ii) all transfer, stamp, sales, use or other similar taxes or duties payable in
connection with the sale and transfer of the Assets to the Buyer.



2









 





2. CLOSING; PURCHASE PRICE.




     2.1 Closing Date. The consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement
(the “Closing”) shall take place at the offices of Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, 1000 Louisiana, Suite
3400, Houston, Texas at 10:00 a.m., Central time, April 30, 2005 (the “Closing Date”)
contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement, to be effective as of midnight, April 30,
2005.



     2.2 Purchase Price. The aggregate purchase price for the Assets shall be
$1,182,000.00 (the “Purchase Price”), subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 2.3 below,
plus the Buyer’s assumption of the Assumed Liabilities pursuant to Section 1.5 above. The
Purchase Price shall be payable by the Buyer at the Closing to the Company in immediately available
funds by confirmed wire transfer to a bank account to be designated by the Company.



     2.3 Cash Reconciliation. Within 60 days following the Closing Date, the Company shall
prepare and deliver to the Buyer a schedule setting forth, for the period commencing on February 1,
2005, and ending as of the Closing, (a) the cash disbursements funded by the Company, the Parent or
any of their affiliates for the benefit of the Company, to include those made in the ordinary
course to trade vendors and those made in the ordinary course for Company employee benefit plans
(the “Disbursements”), and (b) the cash deposits made by the Company (the “Deposits”). Within
three business days following the Buyer’s receipt of such schedule, (i) the Buyer shall remit to
the Company in immediately available funds, the amount by which the Disbursements exceed the
Deposits, if any; or (ii) the Company shall remit to the Buyer, in like manner and within such
period, the amount by which Deposits exceed the Disbursements, if any. Disbursements shall include,
but not be limited to, actual cash amounts paid by the Company or the Parent on behalf of the
Company with respect to pre-Closing periods, including (i) amounts paid after January 31, 2005 for
checks issued by the Company or Parent on behalf of the Company on or before January 31, 2005 that
had not cleared the banks on January 31, 2005, which amounts were reflected on the January 31, 2005
balance sheet as negative cash amounts, (ii) checks issued by the Company or Parent on behalf of
the Company subsequent to January 31, 2005, but before the Closing that have not cleared the banks
as of the Closing, (iii) workers compensation, general liability, auto insurance, health and
similar insurance premiums paid by the Parent on behalf of the Company with respect to periods
prior to the Closing, whether accrued prior to or after the Closing, and (iv) other amounts paid by
the Company or by the Parent on behalf of the Company with respect to periods prior to the Closing,
but for which invoices are received or accruals are made after the Closing Date. Deposits shall
include, but not be limited to, actual cash amounts received by the Company or the Parent on behalf
of the Company subsequent to January 31, 2005, but before the Closing that have not been reflected
in the Company’s accounts as of the Closing. Disbursements and Deposits will be accounted for in
accordance with Parent’s accounting practices consistent with past periods.



     2.4 Purchase Price Allocation. As soon as practicable after the Closing Date, the
Company shall prepare IRS Form 8594 to report the allocation of the Purchase Price among the
Assets. Each party hereto agrees not to assert, in connection with any tax return, tax audit or
similar proceeding, any allocation that differs from that set forth in such Form 8594.



3









 





3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.




     3.1 Representations and Warranties of the Company and the Parent. The Company and the
Parent represent and warrant to the Buyer as follows:




     (a) Organization, Authority and Qualification of the Company. The Company is a
corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and
the Company has full corporate power and authority to own or lease its properties and to
carry on its business in such state. The Company and the Parent each has the full corporate
power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, and this Agreement has
been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the Parent and constitutes
the valid and legally binding obligation of the Company and the Parent, respectively,
subject to general equity principles, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as
the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting
the rights of creditors generally. All requisite action has been taken by the Company and
its Board of Directors and by the Parent to authorize and approve the execution, delivery
and performance by the Company and the Parent of this Agreement and the instruments of
transfer relating hereto and other documents referred to herein.




     (b) No Violation; No Approvals Required. The Company is not in default under or in
violation of its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement will not violate the organizational documents of the Company
or violate, conflict with, or result in a breach of any material law or regulation, order,
or decree binding upon the Company or the Parent, or result in the imposition of any lien
upon the assets of the Company. No approval or consent of any governmental, administrative
or regulatory body or any other person or entity is required to be obtained for the
execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by the Company or the Parent, except
for those approvals or consents that, if not obtained, would not have a material adverse
effect on the Parent, the Company or the Assets




     (c) Title to Properties; Absence of Liens and Encumbrances. The Company owns good and
indefeasible title to the Assets, free and clear of all claims, liens, security interests,
charges, leases, encumbrances, licenses or sublicenses and other restrictions of any kind
and nature, other than the claims, liens, security interests, charges, leases, encumbrances,
licenses or sublicenses either included among the Assumed Liabilities or specifically set
forth on Schedule 3.1(c) hereto (“Permitted Encumbrances”).



     3.2 Representations and Warranties of the Buyer. The Buyer and Guarantor, jointly and
severally, represent and warrant to the Parent and the Company as follows:




     (a) Organization, Authority and Qualification of the Buyer. The Buyer is a corporation
duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of North Carolina and the
Buyer has full corporate power and authority to own or lease its properties and to carry on
its business in such state. The Buyer has the full corporate power and authority to
execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, and this Agreement has been duly and validly
executed and delivered by the Buyer and constitutes the valid and legally



4









 






binding obligation of the Buyer, subject to general equity principles, enforceable in
accordance with its terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally. All requisite
action has been taken by the Buyer and its Board of Directors to authorize and approve the
execution, delivery and performance by the Buyer of this Agreement and the instruments of
transfer and assumption relating hereto and other documents referred to herein.




     (b) No Violation No Approvals Required. The Buyer is not in default under or in
violation of its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement by the Buyer and the Guarantor and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not violate the organizational documents of
the Buyer or violate, conflict with, or result in a breach of any material law or
regulation, order, or decree binding upon the Buyer or the Guarantor, or result in the
imposition of any lien upon the assets of the Buyer or the Guarantor. No approval or
consent of any governmental, administrative or regulatory body or any other person or entity
is required to be obtained for the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by
the Buyer, except for those consents and approvals which, if not obtained will not have a
material adverse effect on the Buyer or the Guarantor.




     (c) Certain Fees. The Buyer has not employed any broker or finder or incurred any
other liability for any brokerage fees, commissions or finders’ fees in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby.




     (d) Financial Information. The financial and management reports (including, without
limitation, WIP schedules) heretofore delivered or made by Buyer, Guarantor or the Company
to the Parent are true and correct in all material respects and, to the knowledge of the
Guarantor and Sharon Thompson after due inquiry, do not omit to state any fact necessary to
make any of them, in light of the circumstances in which made, not misleading. All executed
change orders have been recorded, all agreed change orders have been executed or are listed
on Schedule 3.2(d), and all checks and cash received by the Company and its
affiliates have been deposited.



     3.3 No Warranty. The Buyer and the Guarantor acknowledge that the Guarantor, through
previous ownership and/or management of the Company, is familiar with the Assets and the operations
of the Company, and has access to any information pertaining thereto and has made such information
available to Buyer. Neither the Company nor the Parent, nor any of their respective directors,
officers, employees, agents or representatives has made, or shall be deemed to have made, and no
such person shall be liable for, or bound in any manner by, and Buyer and the Guarantor have not
relied upon and will not rely upon, any express or implied representations, warranties, guaranties,
promises or statements pertaining to the Business or Assets except as specifically provided in this
Section 3. The Buyer and the Guarantor acknowledge that in making the decision to enter
into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, they have relied solely
on the basis of their own independent investigation of the Business and the Assets and upon the
express written representations, warranties and covenants in this Agreement. Without diminishing
the scope of the express written representations, warranties and covenants of the Company and the
Parent in this Agreement and without affecting or impairing their right to rely thereon, the Buyer
and the Guarantor acknowledge that (a) they have not relied, in whole or in part,



5









 




on any information contained in documents, materials or other information provided to them by,
or on behalf of, Company or the Parent, and (b) neither Company nor the Parent is making any
representations or warranties with respect to (i) any such documents, materials or other
information, other than, in each case, as set forth in this Agreement or (ii) the value, condition,
merchantability, marketability, profitability, suitability or fitness for a particular use or
purpose of the Assets. ACCORDINGLY, THE ASSETS ARE BEING TRANSFERRED “AS IS, WHERE IS.” EXCEPT
FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN SECTION 3.1 OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE
COMPANY AND PARENT MAKE ABSOLUTELY NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
REGARDING THE ASSETS, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR THE ABILITY OF THE COMPANY TO ASSIGN THE ASSETS, OR OBTAIN
CONSENTS TO ANY ASSIGNMENT.




4. COVENANTS; ACTION SUBSEQUENT TO CLOSING.




     4.1 Access to Books and Records. Until the third anniversary of the Closing Date, the
Parent and the Company shall afford, and will cause its affiliates to afford, to the Buyer, its
counsel, accountants and other authorized representatives, during normal business hours, reasonable
access to the books, records and other data of the Company and the Business with respect to periods
ending on or prior to the Closing Date to the extent that such access may be reasonably required by
the Buyer to facilitate (i) the investigation, litigation and final disposition of any claims which
may have been or may be made against the Buyer in connection with the Business or (ii) for any
other reasonable business purpose. Following the Closing, the Buyer shall prepare, on behalf of
the Company, all regularly prepared financial reports and statements for periods up to and
including the Closing Date, shall deliver such reports to the Parent on or before May 12, 2005, and
shall sign a “Representation Compliance Letter” with respect to all such financial reports and
statements, and shall cooperate with and provide assistance to the Parent and the Company in their
financial and tax reporting obligations for the periods up to and including the Closing Date.



     4.2 Mail. The Parent and the Company authorize and empower the Buyer on and after the
Closing Date to receive and open all mail received by the Buyer relating to the Company’s Business
or the Assets and to deal with the contents of such communications in any proper manner. The
Parent and the Company shall promptly deliver to the Buyer any mail or other communication received
by them after the Closing Date pertaining to the Business or the Assets. The Buyer shall promptly
deliver to the Parent any mail or other communication received by it after the Closing Date
pertaining to the Excluded Assets or Retained Liabilities, and any cash, checks or other
instruments of payment in respect of the Excluded Assets. As soon as is practicable after the
Closing Date, and in no event more than ten days thereafter, the Buyer shall mail to its customers
and vendors a notice of the sale in the form provided by the Parent, with such changes thereto as
Buyer and Parent shall agree.



     4.3 No Consent Contracts. To the extent that any contract of the Company included in
the Assets may not be assigned without the consent of any third party, and such consent is not
obtained prior to Closing (such contracts referred to as “No Consent Contracts”), this Agreement
and any assignment executed at Closing pursuant hereto shall not constitute an assignment thereof,
but to the extent permitted by law shall constitute an equitable assignment by the Company and



6









 




assumption by the Buyer of the Company’s rights and obligations under the applicable No
Consent Contract, with the Company making available to the Buyer the benefits thereof and the Buyer
performing the obligations thereunder on the Company’s behalf.




     4.4 Preparation and Filing of Certain Tax Forms. The Buyer shall prepare and timely
submit to Parent for signature and timely filing all Forms W-2, 940, 941 and 1099 with all
appropriate Governmental Entities, including without limitation any summary schedules and
transmittal forms, as well as any similar filings required by any state or local Governmental
Entity, with respect to all wages and other reportable payments or any sales tax liability for the
calendar year 2004 and for the partial year in 2005 ending on the Closing Date. As used herein,
“Governmental Entity” means any court or tribunal in any jurisdiction (domestic or foreign) or any
public, governmental or regulatory body, agency, department, commission, board, bureau or other
authority or instrumentality, domestic or foreign. The Buyer shall pay all administrative amounts
owed as a result of or otherwise related to such filings with the exception of any tax, interest,
or penalties associated with periods prior to the Closing. The Company will pay, on or before they
become due, any employment taxes withheld by it which have not been previously paid. The Buyer,
Parent and the Company shall cooperate in making all such filings and shall make available to the
others such information as any of them requires to assure such filings are made on a timely and
accurate basis.



     4.5 The Parent Name and Logos. As soon as practicable (but in any event within 90
days) after the Closing Date, the Buyer, at its expense, shall remove all the Parent and its
affiliates’ names and logos from all of the Assets. Except as specifically provided in Section
1, nothing in this Agreement shall constitute a license or authorization for the Buyer to use
in any manner any name, logo or mark owned by or licensed to the Company, the Parent or their
respective affiliates which bears any reference to IES or any subsidiary of IES other than the
Company. The name “Tech Electric Co., Inc.” and “Tech Electric” shall become the exclusive
property of the Buyer following the Closing and shall not be used by the Company, Parent or their
respective affiliates; provided that Parent will be given a reasonable period of time (not to
exceed 90 days) to change the Company’s name after the Closing Date.



     4.6 Leased Assets. At the Closing, the Buyer, at its expense, shall pay off or
refinance the leases on the vehicles listed on Schedule 4.6 attached hereto, and in
connection therewith shall obtain the release of Parent and the Company for all liability under
such vehicle leases. As soon as practicable (but in any event within 90 days) after the Closing
Date, the Buyer, at its expense, shall pay off or refinance the leases on the other assets listed
on Schedule 4.6 attached hereto, and in connection therewith shall obtain the release of
Parent and the Company for all liability under such leases.



     4.7 Chubb Bonds. Buyer agrees that at the Closing it shall execute and deliver to the
Federal Insurance Company and its subsidiary or affiliated insurers and any applicable co-sureties
(collectively, “Federal”), a General Agreement of Indemnity in the form attached as Exhibit
B, pursuant to which Buyer and Guarantor agree to (i) indemnify Federal with respect to the
performance and completion of the bonded obligations as set forth therein; and (ii) replace within
ninety (90) days the bonds identified as Cancelable Bonds therein. If, after the Closing, the
amount of bonded obligations is increased due to the issuance of a rider, supplement or amendment
to an existing bond, then Buyer will pay Parent $15 per $1,000 of increase to reimburse Parent for
the



7









 




additional premium it will incur plus handling charges. Buyer further agrees to continue to
provide to Federal monthly written reports (with a copy to the Parent) as to the progress of the
completion of the bonded jobs. Buyer and Guarantor further agree to provide, from time to time and
at the request of the Parent, a certificate or certificates certifying that the Cancelable Bonds
have been replaced, and as to such other matters concerning the performance by the Buyer of its
post-closing obligations under this Agreement as Parent shall request.




     4.8 Retained Claims. The Company shall retain liability for certain insured claims as
set forth in Schedule 1.5, paragraph 5 (the “Retained Claims”). The Buyer and the Guarantor
agree to cooperate with the Company and the Parent in the defense of the Retained Claims and to
make available the Buyer’s personnel and facilities for that purpose. The Company shall retain as
Excluded Assets and not transfer to the Buyer all books and records associated with the Retained
Claims, as well as any reserves established on the books of the Company for the Retained Claims,
which reserves (if any) shall be paid in cash by the Buyer to the Company at Closing.



5. INDEMNIFICATION.




     5.1 Survival. The representations and warranties of the Company, the Parent, the
Buyer and the Guarantor contained in this Agreement, any schedules delivered by or on behalf of the
Company and the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, or in any certificate, instrument, agreement or
other writing delivered by or on behalf of the Company, the Parent, the Buyer or the Guarantor
pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein;
provided that all such representations and warranties of the Company and the Parent shall be of no
further force and effect, and no claim for indemnification by the Buyer pursuant to this
Section 5 may be brought for any reason, after the expiration of twenty-four (24) months
from the Closing Date (the “Survival Period”), except for the representations and warranties
contained in Section 3.1(c), which shall survive indefinitely. Anything to the contrary
notwithstanding, a claim for indemnification which is made but not resolved prior to the expiration
of the Survival Period may be pursued and resolved after such expiration.



     5.2 Indemnification by the Company.




     (a) In accordance with and subject to the provisions of this Section 5, the
Company and the Parent, jointly and severally, shall indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer
from and against and in respect of any and all loss, damage, diminution in value, liability,
cost and expense, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts paid in settlement
(collectively, the “Buyer Indemnified Losses”), suffered or incurred by the Buyer by reason
of, or arising out of (i) any misrepresentation or breach of representation or warranty of
the Company or the Parent contained in this Agreement, or in any schedules delivered to the
Buyer by or on behalf of the Company or the Parent pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) the
breach of any covenant or agreement of the Company or the Parent contained in this
Agreement; or (iii) the Retained Liabilities.




     (b) The Company and the Parent, jointly and severally, shall reimburse the Buyer on
demand for any Buyer Indemnified Losses suffered by the Buyer with respect to



8









 






matters other than claims, actions or demands brought, made or instituted by a third
party (“Third Party Claims”). With respect to Third Party Claims, the Company and the
Parent shall, jointly and severally, reimburse the Buyer on demand for any Buyer Indemnified
Losses suffered by the Buyer, based on the judgment of any court of competent jurisdiction
or pursuant to a bona fide compromise or settlement in respect of any Buyer Indemnified
Losses. The Company and the Parent shall have the opportunity to defend at their expense
any claim, action or demand for which the Buyer claims indemnity against the Company or the
Parent; provided that: (i) the defense is conducted by reputable counsel; (ii) the defense
is expressly assumed in writing within twenty (20) days after written notice of the claim,
action or demand is delivered to the Company and the Parent; and (iii) counsel for the Buyer
may participate at all times and in all proceedings (formal and informal) relating to the
defense, compromise and settlement of the claim, action or demand at the expense of the
Buyer.



     5.3 Indemnification by the Buyer.




     (a) In accordance with and subject to the provisions of this Section 5, the
Buyer and Guarantor shall, jointly and severally, indemnify and hold harmless the Company,
the Parent and their respective affiliates (for purposes of this Section 5, the
“Company Indemnitees”) from and against and in respect of any and all loss, damage,
diminution in value, liability, cost and expense, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and
amounts paid in settlement (collectively, the “Company Indemnified Losses”), suffered or
incurred by the Company Indemnitees by reason of, or arising out of (i) any
misrepresentation or breach of representation or warranty of the Buyer or Guarantor
contained in this Agreement, or in any schedules delivered to the Company or the Parent by
or on behalf of the Buyer or Guarantor pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) or the breach of any
covenant or agreement of the Buyer or Guarantor contained in this Agreement; (iii) the
Assumed Liabilities, including, without limitation, any liability to sureties with respect
to bonded jobs; or (iv) the operation of the Business following the Closing, including, but
not limited to, any claims made by Transferred Employees concerning COBRA, the WARN Act,
unemployment claim liability, or any similar matters as a result of the termination by Buyer
of the Transferred Employees.




     (b) The Buyer and the Guarantor, jointly and severally (the “Buyer Indemnifying
Parties”), shall reimburse the Company Indemnitees on demand for any Company Indemnified
Losses suffered by the Company Indemnitees with respect to matters other than Third Party
Claims. With respect to Third Party Claims, the Buyer Indemnifying Parties shall reimburse
the Company Indemnitees on demand for any Company Indemnified Losses suffered by the Company
Indemnitees, based on the judgment of any court of competent jurisdiction or pursuant to a
bona fide compromise or settlement in respect of any Company Indemnified Losses. The Buyer
Indemnifying Parties shall have the opportunity to defend at their expense any claim, action
or demand for which the Company Indemnitees claim indemnity against the Buyer Indemnifying
Parties; provided that: (i) the defense is conducted by reputable counsel; (ii) the defense
is expressly assumed in writing within twenty (20) days after written notice of the claim,
action or demand is delivered to the Buyer Indemnifying Parties; and (iii) counsel for the
Company and the Parent may participate at all



9









 






times and in all proceedings (formal and informal) relating to the defense, compromise
and settlement of the claim, action or demand at the expense of the Company and the Parent.



     5.4 Limitation and Payment on Claims. No claim shall be brought under this
Section 5 for breach of any representation or warranty, and no party hereto shall be
entitled to receive any payment with respect thereto, until such time as, and only to the extent
that, the aggregate amount of such claim(s) that such party has equals or exceeds $25,000 (the
“Deductible”); provided, however, that the Deductible shall not apply to any obligations under
Section 2.3. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company and the Parent shall
not be liable under this Section 5 for Buyer Indemnified Losses in excess of the Purchase
Price.



     5.5 Sole Remedy. The sole remedy of the Company, the Parent and the Buyer
Indemnifying Parties for breach of the representations and warranties set forth in Section
3 shall be pursuant to this Section 5.



6. DISPUTE RESOLUTION.




     6.1 Arbitration.




     (a) Any controversy, dispute or claim arising out of or relating in any way to this
Agreement or the other agreements contemplated by this Agreement or the transactions arising
hereunder (including the validity, interpretation or applicability of this Section
6.1) shall be settled exclusively by final and binding arbitration in Houston, Texas.
Such arbitration will apply the laws of the State of Texas and the commercial arbitration
rules of AAA to resolve the dispute, and will be administered by the AAA.




     (b) Written notice of arbitration must be given within one year after the notifying
party has knowledge of accrual of the claim on which the notice is based. If the claiming
party fails to give notice of arbitration within that time, the claim shall be deemed to be
waived and shall be barred from either arbitration or litigation.




     (c) Such arbitration shall be conducted by one independent and impartial arbitrator to
be selected by mutual agreement of the parties, if possible. If the parties fail to reach
agreement regarding appointment of an arbitrator within thirty (30) days following receipt
by one party of the other party’s notice of arbitration, the arbitrator shall be selected
from a list or lists of proposed arbitrators submitted by AAA. Unless the parties agree
otherwise, the arbitrator shall be a licensed attorney with at least ten years of experience
in the practice of law. The selection process shall be that which is set forth in the AAA
commercial arbitration rules then prevailing, except that (A) the number of preemptory
strikes shall not be limited and (B), if the parties fail to select an arbitrator from one
or more lists, AAA shall not initially have the power to make an appointment but shall
continue to submit additional lists until an arbitrator has been selected, but if no such
arbitrator is selected within sixty (60) days after the receipt of the first notice of
arbitration, the AAA shall have the power to make an appointment and shall promptly do so.
Initially, however, promptly following its receipt of a request to submit a list of proposed
arbitrators, AAA shall convene the parties in person or by telephone and attempt to
facilitate their selection of



10









 






an arbitrator by agreement. If the arbitrator should die, withdraw or otherwise become
incapable of serving, a replacement shall be selected and appointed in a like manner.




     (d) The arbitrator shall render an opinion setting forth findings of fact and
conclusions of law with the reasons therefor stated. A transcript of the evidence adduced
at the hearing shall be made and shall, upon request, be made available to either party.
The fees and expenses of the arbitrator shall be shared equally by the parties and advanced
by them from time to time as required; provided that at the conclusion of the arbitration,
the arbitrator may award costs and expenses (including the costs of the arbitration
previously advanced and the fees and expenses of attorneys, accountants and other experts).
No pre-arbitration discovery shall be permitted, except that the arbitrator shall have the
power in his or her sole discretion, on application by either party, to order
pre-arbitration examination of the witnesses and documents that the other party intends to
introduce in its case-in-chief at the arbitration hearing. The arbitrator shall render his
or her opinion and/or award within ninety (90) days of the conclusion of the arbitration
hearing. The arbitrator shall not be empowered to award to either party any punitive
damages in connection with any dispute between them arising out of or relating in any way to
this Agreement or the other agreements contemplated hereby or the transactions arising
hereunder or thereunder, and each party hereby irrevocably waives any right to recover such
damages. The arbitration hearings and award shall be maintained in confidence.


Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided in this Section 6.1 and without prejudice
to the above procedures, either party may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for
temporary injunctive or other provisional judicial relief if such action is necessary to avoid
irreparable damage or to preserve the status quo until such time as the arbitrator is selected and
available to hear such party’s request for temporary relief. The award rendered by the arbitrator
shall be final and not subject to judicial review and judgment thereon may be entered in any court
of competent jurisdiction.




7. EMPLOYEE MATTERS.




     7.1 Hiring.




     (a) The Buyer shall hire (subject to each employee’s agreement), effective as of the
Closing Date, all of the employees of the Company on the day immediately prior to the
Closing Date, active or inactive (such employees being hereafter referred to as the
“Transferred Employees”) at a comparable job and at a rate of pay not less than each such
Transferred Employee’s pay as of the Closing Date. Upon request of the Buyer, the Company
shall provide the Buyer reasonable access to data (including computer data) regarding the
ages, dates of hire, compensation and job description of the Transferred Employees.




     (b) The Buyer shall assume and be responsible for any severance costs associated with
the termination of the Transferred Employees’ employment with the Company. The Buyer shall
discharge all liabilities and claims based on occurrences or conditions first occurring or
commencing on or after the Closing Date with respect to Transferred Employees arising out of
their employment with the Buyer after the Closing



11









 






Date, including, but not limited to, any claims arising out of any employee benefit
plan, policy, program or arrangement maintained at any time by the Buyer (a “Buyer Plan” or
collectively, the “Buyer Plans”), except Buyer shall not assume any liabilities with respect
to the WARN Act or COBRA benefits for any terminations occurring prior to the Closing Date
(unless provided otherwise by law or pursuant to applicable regulations) nor shall the
Company or the Parent be liable under the WARN Act, COBRA, or state unemployment claims law
for any Transferred Employee terminated by Buyer after the Closing.




     (c) At Closing, the Buyer shall establish and make available a group medical plan for
the Transferred Employees and their dependents that is substantially similar to the group
medical plan available to the Transferred Employees immediately prior to Closing. The Buyer
shall credit the Transferred Employees with all service of the Transferred Employees
recognized under the employee benefit plans, policies, programs, or arrangements maintained
by the Parent or the Company (the “Parent Plans”) as service with the Buyer for purposes of
eligibility to participate, vesting and levels of benefits available, under all Buyer Plans.
The Buyer shall waive any coverage waiting period, pre-existing condition and
actively-at-work requirements under the Buyer Plans for the Transferred Employees and shall
provide that any expenses incurred before the Closing Date by a Transferred Employee (and
his or her dependents) during the calendar year of the Closing shall be taken into account
for purposes of satisfying the applicable deductible, coinsurance and maximum out-of-pocket
provisions, and applicable annual and/or lifetime maximum benefit limitations of the Buyer
Plans. The Buyer Plans shall not require contributions by Transferred Employees at a rate
that exceeds the rate in effect for other similarly situated employees of the Buyer. Any
reports or other information provided to Buyer by the Company or the Parent in connection
with Buyer performing his obligations under this Section 7.1(c) shall be at the sole
expense of the Buyer.



     7.2 Benefits. Except as provided in Section 7.1(b), the Buyer shall be
responsible for the payment of all amounts of wages, bonuses and other remuneration (including
discretionary benefits and bonuses) payable to the Transferred Employees of the Company accrued
with respect to periods on or prior to the Closing (except for any employment taxes actually
withheld by the Company) together with amounts payable to such employees in connection with events
occurring on or prior to the Closing. In addition, the Buyer shall be responsible for:




     (a) all vacation pay and pay for other compensated absences earned or accrued by the
Transferred Employees as of the close of business on the Closing Date to the appropriate
employee, including any related payroll burden (FICA and other pension or other employee
benefit plan contributions and employment taxes) with respect thereto to the appropriate
Governmental Entity or other person, to the extent such pay has been accrued on the books of
the Company at such close of business, based upon the remuneration of such employees
normally used in computing such pay for other compensated absences; and




     (b) amounts accrued under the Integrated Electrical Services, Inc. 401(k) Retirement
Savings Plan (the “Parent 401(k) Plan”) for the Transferred Employees as of the Closing Date
but not yet transferred to the trustee of the Parent 401(k) Plan, including without
limitation, the accrued match, accrued payroll deductions representing elective deferrals,
loan repayments and accrued profit sharing contribution, if any.




12









 





     7.3 Parent 401(k) Plan. The Company, the Parent and the Buyer agree that, as soon as
practicable after Closing, but in any event within 90 days of the Closing Date, the account
balances in the Parent 401(k) Plan of the Transferred Employees shall be transferred to a qualified
401(k) retirement savings plan established by the Buyer (the “Buyer’s 401(k) Plan”) in accordance
with Section 414(l) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the
regulations promulgated thereunder. In connection with such transfer, the following provisions
shall apply:




     (a) The account balances of the Transferred Employees transferred to the Buyer’s 401(k)
Plan shall be subject to the provisions of the Buyer’s 401(k) Plan effective as of the date
of transfer; provided, however that the Buyer’s 401(k) Plan shall continue any benefits
under the Parent 401(k) Plan as required under Section 411(d)(6) of the Code; and




     (b) The outstanding loan of any Transferred Employee shall not be in default as a
result of the Transferred Employee’s termination of employment with the Parent or the
Company, but such loan shall be transferred to the Buyer’s 401(k) Plan in accordance with
(a) above.


The Buyer shall provide acceptable evidence to the Parent that the Buyer’s 401(k) Plan meets the
requirements of Section 401(a) of the Code prior to the date of such transfer. The Buyer, the
Parent and the Company agree to take whatever action, including but not limited to plan amendments
and resolutions, to effectuate the transfer of the Transferred Employee’s account balances
according to this section from the Parent 401(k) Plan to the Buyer’s 401(k) Plan.



Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 7 shall be deemed or construed to
give rise to any rights, claims, benefits, or causes of action to any Transferred Employee or third
party whatsoever (including any Governmental Entity).




8. MISCELLANEOUS.




     8.1 Notices. All notices and communications required or permitted hereunder shall be
in writing and may be given by (a) depositing the same in the United States mail, addressed to the
party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested,
(b) by delivering the same in person to an officer or agent of such party, or (c) overnight
delivery service. Such notice shall be deemed received on the date (i) on which it is actually
received if sent by overnight delivery service or hand delivery, or (ii) on the third business day
following the date on which it is mailed. For purposes of notice, the addresses of the parties
hereto shall be:



          If to the Parent or the Company:




Integrated Electrical Services, Inc.

1800 West Loop South, Suite 500

Houston, Texas 77027

Attention: Chief Financial Officer



13









 





          With a copy to:




Integrated Electrical Services, Inc.

1800 West Loop South, Suite 500

Houston, Texas 77027

Attention: Chief Legal Officer



          If to the Buyer or Guarantor:




Robert R. Blackmon

3200 Glen Royal Road, #109

Raleigh, NC 27612



          With a copy to:




Stephen T. Byrd

Manning, Fulton & Skinner P.A.

3605 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 500

Raleigh, NC 27612


or such other address as any party hereto shall specify pursuant to this Section 8.1 from
time to time.




     8.2 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.



     8.3 Governing Law. The validity and effect of this Agreement shall be governed by and
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its
conflicts of laws rules.



     8.4 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted heirs, successors and assigns.
Neither the Company, the Parent, the Buyer nor the Guarantor may assign, delegate or otherwise
transfer any of their rights or obligations under this Agreement without the written consent by
each other party hereto.



     8.5 Partial Invalidity and Severability. All rights and restrictions contained herein
may be exercised and shall be applicable and binding only to the extent that they do not violate
any applicable laws and are intended to be limited to the extent necessary to render this Agreement
legal, valid and enforceable. If any term of this Agreement, or part thereof, not essential to the
commercial purpose of this Agreement shall be held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable by a
forum of competent jurisdiction, it is the intention of the parties that the remaining terms
hereof, or part thereof, shall constitute their agreement with respect to the subject matter
hereof, and all such remaining terms, or parts thereof, shall remain in full force and effect. To
the extent legally permissible, any illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision of this Agreement
shall be replaced by a valid provision which will implement the commercial purpose of the illegal,
invalid or unenforceable provision.



14









 





     8.6 Waiver. Any term or condition of this Agreement may be waived at any time by the
party which is entitled to the benefit thereof, but only if such waiver is evidenced by a writing
signed by such party. No failure on the part of any party hereto to exercise, and no delay in
exercising, any right, power or remedy created hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor
shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or remedy by either party preclude any
other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. No waiver
by either party hereto of any breach of or default in any term or condition of this Agreement shall
constitute a waiver of or assent to any succeeding breach of or default in the same or any other
term or condition hereof.



     8.7 Headings. The headings of particular provisions of this Agreement are inserted
for convenience only and shall not be construed as a part of this Agreement or serve as a
limitation or expansion on the scope of any term or provision of this Agreement.



     8.8 Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement supersedes all prior discussions and
agreements between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof (including without
limitation any letters of intent executed by the parties), and this Agreement contains the sole and
entire agreement between the parties with respect to the matters covered hereby. This Agreement
shall not be altered or amended except by an instrument in writing signed by or on behalf of the
party against whom enforcement is sought.



     8.9 Disclosure of Agreement Terms. Neither Buyer nor the Guarantor shall disclose the
terms and conditions of this Agreement to any person or entity without the prior written consent of
an executive officer of the Parent or as required by applicable law or an order from a court or
administrative body of competent jurisdiction (but only to the extent so required and only after
giving reasonable prior notice to the Company and the Parent and cooperating with the Company and
the Parent in any efforts to legally oppose such disclosure). The foregoing notwithstanding, the
Buyer and the Guarantor shall be permitted to make such disclosures to their accountants, lawyers,
financial institutions, lending sources, senior employees and related parties as may be
appropriate, provided that such parties are bound by the foregoing nondisclosure provisions.



     8.10 Number and Gender. Where the context requires, the use of the singular form
herein shall include the plural, the use of the plural shall include the singular, and the use of
any gender shall include any and all genders.



[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]




15









 






     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed effective as of the date set forth
above.


	 	 	 	 	 
	 	PARENT:



INTEGRATED ELECTRICAL SERVICES, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ David Miller
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	David Miller 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Senior Vice President 	 
	 
	 	COMPANY:



TECH ELECTRIC CO., INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/  Curt L. Warnock
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Curt L. Warnock 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Vice President 	 
	 
	 	BUYER:



TECH ELECTRIC CORPORATION

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Robert R. Blackmon
 	 
	 	 	Robert R. Blackmon, President 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	GUARANTOR:

 	 
	 	/s/ Robert R. Blackmon
 	 
	 	ROBERT R. BLACKMON 	 
	 	 	 
	 





16










 






EXHIBIT A




BILL OF SALE, ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT




     This BILL OF SALE, ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (“Bill of Sale”) is entered into as of
the ___day of ___2005, by and among INTEGRATED ELECTRICAL SERVICES, INC., a Delaware
corporation (the “Parent”), TECH ELECTRIC CO., INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and
TECH ELECTRIC CORPORATION, a North Carolina corporation (the “Buyer”).



RECITALS




     WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of that certain Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase
Agreement”) dated as of even date herewith by and among the Buyer, the Parent, the Company, and
Robert R. Blackmon, individual, the Company and the Parent agreed to convey the Assets to the Buyer
and the Buyer agreed to assume the Assumed Liabilities. In order to evidence such conveyance and
assumption, the parties desire to enter into this Bill of Sale.



     WHEREAS, all capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Purchase Agreement.



ASSIGNMENT




     NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants, agreements, and benefits
contained herein, the sum of TEN DOLLARS ($10.00) and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Parent do hereby
BARGAIN, GRANT, SELL, CONVEY, TRANSFER, DELIVER and ASSIGN unto Buyer all the Assets.



     The Assets are hereby conveyed free and clear of all encumbrances other than the Permitted
Encumbrances.



     TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Assets unto the Buyer and its successors and assigns forever; and the
Company and the Parent do hereby bind themselves and their successors and assigns to WARRANT AND
FOREVER DEFEND title to the Assets in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Purchase
Agreement.



     The Buyer, upon execution below, accepts this Bill of Sale, and to the extent provided for in
the Purchase Agreement, hereby assumes the Assumed Liabilities, but no others.



     This assignment shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and
their respective permitted successors and assigns.



 









 





     This Bill of Sale may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each counterpart shall
for all purposes be deemed to be an original.



     This Bill of Sale is subject to all terms and conditions contained in the Purchase Agreement
and nothing herein shall be deemed to alter, amend, or supersede the Purchase Agreement, the terms
of which shall in all respects be controlling.



[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]




 









 








     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Bill of Sale effective as of the
date set forth above.



	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	PARENT:
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	INTEGRATED ELECTRICAL SERVICES, INC.
	 
	 	 	 	 
	

	 	By:	 	 
	

	 	 	 	 
	

	 	Name:	 	 
	

	 	 	 	 
	

	 	Title:	 	 
	

	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	COMPANY:
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	TECH ELECTRIC CO., INC.
	 
	 	 	 	 
	

	 	By:	 	 
	

	 	 	 	 
	

	 	Name:	 	 
	

	 	 	 	 
	

	 	Title:	 	 
	

	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	BUYER:
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	TECH ELECTRIC CORPORATION
	 
	 	 	 	 
	

	 	By:	 	 
	

	 	 	 	 
	

	 	Name:	 	 
	

	 	 	 	 
	

	 	Title:	 	 
	

	 	 	 	 






 









 






EXHIBIT B




FORM OF GENERAL AGREEMENT OF INDEMNITY





 









 






CHUBB GROUP OF INSURANCE COMPANIES



	 	 	 
	
	15 Mountain View Road, P.O. Box 1615, Warren, New Jersey 07061-1615






GENERAL AGREEMENT OF INDEMNITY



     WHEREAS, the undersigned (hereinafter individually and collectively called “Indemnitor”)
desires FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY or any of its subsidiary or affiliated insurers (hereinafter
called “Company”) to execute bonds including undertakings and other like obligations (hereinafter
referred to as bond or bonds) on its behalf and also desires the execution of bonds on behalf of
individuals, partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies or any other similarly
unincorporated associations of members (hereinafter called “Affiliates”).



     WHEREAS, from time to time the Indemnitor may be a participant in joint ventures with others,
and bonds will be required on behalf of the Indemnitor along with the other participants in such
joint ventures.



     WHEREAS, Indemnitor is the successor-in-interest to TECH ELECTRIC CO., INC., a Delaware
corporation (along with any other affiliate or related entity whose assets have been or will be
assigned to Indemnitor hereinafter individually and collectively called “Seller”) as the assignee
of all bonded contract obligations, which Indemnitor has expressly assumed without reservation



     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the Company executing said bond or bonds, and the
undersigned Indemnitor hereby requests the execution thereof, and in consideration of the consent
of Company to the assignment and assumption of the bonded obligations formerly undertaken by the
Seller, as well as the sum of One Dollar paid to the Indemnitor by said Company, the receipt
whereof is hereby acknowledged, the Indemnitor, being benefited by the execution and delivery of
said bond or bonds, including, without limitation all Bonds previously issued prior to the date of
this Agreement for the Seller, the bonded obligations of which have been expressly assumed without
reservation by Indemnitor(s) and as to which Indemnitor(s) have agreed, and do hereby agree, to
assume full responsibility for work in place as well as the prompt and proper performance and
completion of all such bonded obligations, including, without limitation those bonded obligations
listed on Exhibit A attached hereto, hereby agrees that it will at all times jointly and severally
indemnify and save harmless said Company from and against any and all loss, cost, damage or
expense, including court costs and attorneys’ fees, which it shall at any time incur by reason of
its execution and/or delivery of said bond or bonds or its payment of any claim or liability
thereunder and will place the said Company in funds to meet all its liability under said bond or
bonds promptly on request and before it may be required to make any payment thereunder and that the
voucher or other evidence of payment by said Company of any such loss, cost, damage, expense,
claim, or liability shall be prima facie evidence of the fact and amount of the Indemnitor’s
liability to said Company under this Agreement.



     IT IS UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED that with respect to any bonds on behalf of the Indemnitor
participating in a joint venture that if specific application is filed with the Company for such
bonds the liability of the Indemnitor to the Company with respect to such joint venture bonds shall
be limited to the amount expressly set forth in said application.



     IT IS UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED that all of the terms, provisions, and conditions of this
Agreement shall be extended to and for the benefit not only of the Company either as a direct
writing company or as a co-surety or reinsurer but also for the benefit of any surety or insurance
company or companies with which the Company may participate as a co-surety or reinsurer and also
for the benefit of any other company which may execute any bond or bonds at the request of the
Company on behalf of the Indemnitor .



     IT IS UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED that this Agreement is in addition to all other rights and
agreements which Company may have or be a party to in connection with Bonds previously issued for
the benefit of Seller and that the assumption of responsibility therefor by Indemnitors as herein
provided shall not constitute a waiver or release by Company of any rights Company may have to seek
and recover indemnity from third parties having liability in connection with the issuance of such
Bonds including, but not limited to, the obligations and liabilities of Integrated Electrical
Services, Inc., Tech Electric Co., Inc., or their affiliates.



     IT IS UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
Indemnitor’s agreements, covenants, and all obligations under this General Agreement of Indemnity
is limited to (1) the obligations assumed by Indemnitor (the “Assumed Obligations”) under the Asset
Purchase Agreement (“APA”) by and among Integrated Electrical Services, Inc. (“IES”), Tech Electric
Co., Inc., Tech Electric Corporation, and Robert R. Blackmon, and (2) Company’s obligations under
the bonds listed on Exhibit A attached hereto. Furthermore, Indemnitor has acknowledged and agreed
that Indemnitor’s obligation to perform or otherwise discharge the Assumed Obligations is secured
by certain assets acquired by Indemnitor under the APA (the “Collateral”), said Collateral acquired
subject to that certain Underwriting, Continuing Indemnity, and Security Agreement dated as of
January 14, 2005, executed by and among Company, IES, and certain IES affiliates, including Tech
Electric Co., Inc.



     IT IS FURTHER UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED that the Indemnitor, its heirs, successors and assigns are
jointly and severally bound by the foregoing conditions of this Agreement.



 









 





     IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Indemnitor has signed this instrument this, the ___day of
___, 2005.



	 	 	 	 	 
	WITNESS:
	 	TECH ELECTRIC CORPORATION, a North Carolina corporation
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 



	 	By:
	 	 


	

	 	Its:
	 	 


	WITNESS:
	 	ROBERT R. BLACKMON
	 
	 	 	 	 
	

	 	







CORPORATE ACKNOWLEDGMENT



STATE OF                                         

COUNTY OF                                         




     On this ___day of                     , 2005, before me personally came
                     to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he resides
in the State of                     ; and that he is the                      of TECH ELECTRIC
CORPORATION, a North Carolina corporation, the corporation described in and which executed the
foregoing instrument; that he knows the corporate seal of said Corporation; that the seal affixed
to said instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by order and authority of the
Board of Directors of said Corporation; and that he signed his name thereto by like order and
authority.



	 	 	 
	(SEAL)

	 	

	

	 	NOTARY PUBLIC






My commission expires:




_________________________________




INDIVIDUAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT



STATE OF                                         

COUNTY OF                                         




     On this ___day of                     , 2005, before me personally came ROBERT R.
BLACKMON, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he resides in the State
of North Carolina; and that he executed the foregoing instrument for the purposes therein
contained.



	 	 	 
	(SEAL)

	 	

	

	 	NOTARY PUBLIC






My commission expires:




_________________________________




2