EX-10.3



 





Exhibit 10.3




REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

by and among

COMPASS GROUP DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS LLC,




COMPASS DIVERSIFIED TRUST

and

CGI DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS, LP




Dated as of April 3, 2007




 









 





REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT




     THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of the
3rd day of April, 2007, by and among: Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), on its own behalf and as the sponsor of
Compass Diversified Trust, a statutory trust under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act (the “Trust”
and, together with the Company, the “Registrants”), the Trust, and CGI Diversified Holdings, LP
(“Shareholder). Each party hereto shall be referred to as, individually, a “Party” and,
collectively, the “Parties.”



     WHEREAS, the Trust has issued undivided beneficial interests in the Trust (collectively,
“Shares”);



     WHEREAS, the Shareholder holds as of the date hereof (or contemporaneously herewith is
acquiring) that number of Shares set beside its name on Schedule A hereto (collectively, the
“Restricted Shares,” as further defined herein);



     WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement to provide the Shareholder
with certain rights relating to the registration of the Restricted Shares;



     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and
for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:



     1. DEFINITIONS. Except as otherwise noted, for all purposes of this Agreement, the following
terms shall have the respective meanings set forth in this Agreement, which meanings shall apply
equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms so defined and the words “herein,” “hereof”
and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole. The
following capitalized terms used herein have the following meanings:



          “Agreement” means this Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified
from time to time.




          “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banks in the
City of New York are required, permitted or authorized, by applicable law or executive order, to be
closed for regular banking business.




          “Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or such successor federal agency or
agencies as may be established in lieu thereof.




          “Company” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.




          “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and
regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.




          “Indemnifying Party” is defined in Section 4.3.




          “Maximum Number of Shares” is defined in Section 2.2.2.




          “Notices” is defined in Section 6.3.




          “Piggy-Back Registration” is defined in Section 2.2.1.




2









 








          “Prospectus” means a prospectus relating to a Registration Statement, as amended or
supplemented, and all materials incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.




          “Register,” “registered” and “registration” mean a registration effected by preparing and
filing a registration statement or similar document under the Securities Act and such registration
statement becoming effective.




          “Registrants” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.




          “Registration Statement” means a registration statement filed by the Registrants with the
Commission in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder for a public offering and sale of Shares (other than a registration statement on Form
S-4 or Form S-8, or their successors, or any registration statement covering only securities
proposed to be issued in exchange for securities or assets of another entity).




          “Regular Trustees” means the Persons identified as the “Regular Trustee” in the Second Amended
and Restated Trust Agreement of the Trust dated January 9, 2007, each solely in his own capacity as
Regular Trustee of the Trust and not in his own individual capacity, or such Regular Trustee’s
successor in interest in such capacity, or any successor in interest in such capacity, or any
successor Regular Trustee appointed as herein provided.




          “Restricted Shares” mean all of the Shares owned or held by Shareholder or its permitted
transferees; provided, that such Shares shall cease to be Restricted Shares when: (a) a
Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such Restricted Shares shall have become
effective under the Securities Act (as defined below) and such Restricted Shares shall have been
sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (b)
such Restricted Shares shall have been otherwise transferred pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities
Act (or any similar provisions thereunder, but not Rule 144A), and new certificates for them not
bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Trust and subsequent
public distribution of them shall not require registration under the Securities Act or such
Restricted Securities are saleable pursuant to Rule 144(k) of the Securities Act; or (c) such
Restricted Shares shall have ceased to be outstanding.




          “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
of the Commission promulgated thereunder.




          “Shareholder” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.




          “Shareholder Indemnified Party” is defined in Section 4.1.




          “Shares” means the shares of the Trust, each representing one undivided beneficial interest
issued by the Trust corresponding to one underlying Trust Interest held by the Trust.




          “Shelf Registration Statement” is defined in Section 2.1.1. “Trust” is defined in the preamble
to this Agreement.




          “Trust Interests” means limited liability company membership interests issued by the Company
to the Trust, each of which corresponds to one share issued by the Trust.




          “Underwriter” means a securities dealer who purchases any Restricted Shares as principal in an
underwritten offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.




3









 








     2. REGISTRATION RIGHTS.



          2.1 Mandatory Shelf Registration.




          2.1.1 Filing of Shelf Registration Statement. The Registrants shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to prepare, and, promptly following May 16, 2007, file with the Commission a
Registration Statement or Registration Statements (as is necessary) on Form S-3 or, if such form is
unavailable for such a registration, on such other form as is available for such a registration
(the form or forms so filed referred to collectively as the “Shelf Registration Statement”),
covering the resale of all of the Restricted Shares. The date upon which the Shelf Registration
Statement is actually filed is referred to herein as the “Initial Filing Date.” The Registrants
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have the Shelf Registration Statement declared
effective by the Commission within ninety (90) days after the Initial Filing Date. The Registrants
further undertake to use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement
effective during the Initial Registration Period (as defined below) with respect to all Shares and
the resale thereof at all times during the Initial Registration Period. The Shelf Registration
Statement (including each amendment or supplement thereto, and each request for acceleration of
effectiveness thereof) shall be provided to and approved by the Shareholder and one legal counsel
selected by such Shareholder prior to the Registrants’ filing or other submission (such approval
not to be unreasonably withheld) and the Registrants will not file any document in a form to which
such counsel reasonably objects. For purposes hereof, the term “Initial Registration Period” shall
mean the period beginning on the date the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective by the
Commission (the “Shelf Registration Effective Date”) and ending on the first to occur of (i) the
date on which all Restricted Shares have been sold, (ii) the date on which the Shelf Registration
Statement is no longer effective, or (iii) the date that is three (3) years from the Shelf
Registration Effective Date.




     2.1.2 Additional Shelf Registration. In the event that the Securities Act or the
rules governing the use of a particular form of Registration Statement prohibit the registration
of all Restricted Shares on the Shelf Registration Statement, or if following the Initial
Registration Period any Restricted Shares registered thereon remain unsold, the Registrants shall
promptly use commercially reasonable efforts to prepare, file with the Commission, and cause to
become effective a Registration Statement or Registration Statements (as is necessary) on Form S-3
(or, if such form is unavailable for such a registration, on such other form as is available for
such a registration) covering the resale of the then-unsold Restricted Shares, and to keep such
Registration Statement Effective until such time as all Restricted Shares have been sold.



          2.2 Piggy-Back Registration.




               2.2.1 Piggy-Back Rights. If at any time on or after the date that is six (6) months
from the date hereof, the Registrants propose to file a Registration Statement under the Securities
Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations
exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, equity securities, by the Trust for its own
account or for shareholders of the Trust for their account (or by the Trust and by shareholders of
the Trust), other than a Registration Statement (i) filed in connection with any employee stock
option or other benefit plan, (ii) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the
Trust’s existing shareholders, (iii) for an offering of debt securities that are convertible into
equity securities of the Trust, (iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan or (v) filed on Form S-4,
then the Registrants shall (x) give written notice of such proposed filing to the holders of
Restricted Shares as soon as practicable but in no event less than ten (10) Business Days before
the anticipated filing date, which notice shall describe the amount and type of securities to be
included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed
managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, of the offering, and (y) offer to the holders of
Restricted Shares in such notice the opportunity to register the sale of such number of Restricted
Shares as such holders may request in writing within five (5) Business Days following receipt of
such notice (a



4









 




“Piggy-Back Registration”). The Registrants shall cause such Restricted Shares to be included
in such registration and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the managing
Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed underwritten offering to permit the Restricted Shares
requested to be included in a Piggy-Back Registration to be included on the same terms and
conditions as any similar securities of the Trust and to permit the sale or other disposition of
such Restricted Shares in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All
holders of Restricted Shares who propose to distribute securities through a Piggy-Back Registration
that involves an Underwriter or Underwriters shall enter into an underwriting agreement in
customary form with the Underwriter or Underwriters selected for such Piggy-Back Registration and
complete and execute any questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements,
securities escrow agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such
underwriting agreement, and furnish to the Registrants such information as the Registrants may
reasonably request in writing for inclusion in the Registration Statement.




               2.2.2 Reduction of Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters for a
Piggy-Back Registration that is to be an underwritten offering advises the Registrants and the
holders of Restricted Shares in writing that the dollar amount or number of Shares which the
Registrants desire to sell, taken together with Shares, if any, as to which registration has been
demanded pursuant to written contractual arrangements with persons other than the holders of
Restricted Shares hereunder, the Restricted Shares as to which registration has been requested
under this Section 2.2, and the Shares, if any, as to which registration has been requested
pursuant to the written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other shareholders of the
Trust, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of shares that can be sold in such
offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing the distribution
method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum
number of shares, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Shares”) then the Registrants shall
include in any such registration:




     (a) If the registration is undertaken for the Registrants’ account: (i) first, the shares or other securities that the Registrants desire to sell that can be sold without
exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number
of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the shares, if any,
including the Restricted Shares as to which registration has been requested pursuant to
written contractual piggy-back registration rights of security holders (pro rata in
accordance with the number of shares which each such person has actually requested to be
included in such registration, regardless of the number of shares with respect to which
such persons have the right to request such inclusion) that can be sold without exceeding
the Maximum Number of Shares; and




     (b) If the registration is a “demand” registration undertaken at the demand of persons
other than the Shareholder pursuant to written contractual arrangements with such persons,
(i) first, the shares for the account of the demanding persons that can be sold without
exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number
of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the Shares or other
securities that the Registrants desire to sell that can be sold without exceeding the
Maximum Number of Shares; and (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares
has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the Restricted Shares as to
which registration has been requested under this Section 2.3 (pro rata in accordance with
the number of shares of Restricted Shares held by each such Shareholder); and (iv) fourth,
to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing
clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), the shares, if any, as to which registration has been
requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights which other
holders of Shares desire to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of
Shares.



5









 





               2.3.3 Withdrawal. Any holder of Restricted Shares may elect to withdraw such holder’s
request for inclusion of Restricted Shares in any Piggy-Back Registration by giving written notice
to the Registrants of such request to withdraw prior to the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement. The Registrants may also elect to withdraw a registration statement at any time prior to
the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding any such withdrawal, the
Registrants shall pay all expenses incurred by the holders of Restricted Shares in connection with
such Piggy-Back Registration as provided in Section 3.3.



     3. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.



          3.1 Filings; Information. Whenever the Registrants are required to effect the
registration of any Restricted Shares pursuant to Section 2, the Registrants shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to effect the registration and sale of such Restricted Shares in accordance with
the intended method(s) of distribution thereof as expeditiously as practicable, and in connection
with any such request:




               3.1.1 Filing Registration Statement.. The Registrants shall, as
expeditiously as possible prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement on any
form for which the Registrants then qualify or which counsel for the Registrants shall deem
appropriate and which form shall be available for the sale of all Restricted Shares to be
registered thereunder and the intended method(s) of distribution thereof, and shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become and remain
effective for the period required by Section 3.1.3; provided, however, that the Registrants shall
have the right to defer the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement for up to thirty (30) days
and any Piggy-Back Registration for such period as may be applicable to deferment of any demand
registration to which such Piggy-Back Registration relates, in each case if the Registrants shall
furnish to the holders a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Trust stating
that, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Trust, it would be materially
detrimental to the Trust and its shareholders for such Registration Statement to be effected at
such time; provided, further, that the Shareholder shall provide at least fifteen (15) Business
Days notice of the date on which they wish the Registrants to prepare and file a Registration
Statement with the Commission in accordance with this Agreement.



               3.1.2 Copies. The Registrants shall, prior to filing a Registration Statement or
Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the holders of
Restricted Shares included in such registration, and such holders’ legal counsel, copies of such
Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration
Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference
therein), the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary
Prospectus), and such other documents as the holders of Restricted Shares included in such
registration or legal counsel for any such holders may reasonably request in order to facilitate
the disposition of the Restricted Shares owned by such holders.



               3.1.3 Amendments and Supplements. The Registrants shall prepare and file with the
Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements to such
Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep
such Registration Statement effective and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act
until all Restricted Shares, and all other securities covered by such Registration Statement, have
been disposed of in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution set forth in such
Registration Statement (which period shall not exceed the sum of one hundred eighty (180) days
plus any period during which any such disposition is interfered with by any stop order or
injunction of the Commission or any governmental agency or court) or such securities have been
withdrawn.



6









 





               3.1.4 Notification. After the filing of a Registration Statement, the Registrants
shall promptly, and in no event more than two (2) Business Days after such filing, notify the
holders of Restricted Shares included in such Registration Statement of such filing, and shall
further notify such holders promptly and confirm such advice in writing in all events within two
(2) Business Days of the occurrence of any of the following: (i) when such Registration Statement
becomes effective; (ii) when any post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement becomes
effective; (iii) the issuance or threatened issuance by the Commission of any stop order (and the
Company shall take all actions required to prevent the entry of such stop order or to remove it if
entered); and (iv) any request by the Commission for any amendment or supplement to such
Registration Statement or any Prospectus relating thereto or for additional information or of the
occurrence of an event requiring the preparation of a supplement or amendment to such Prospectus so
that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the securities covered by such Registration
Statement, such Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, and promptly make available to the holders of Restricted Shares included in such
Registration Statement any such supplement or amendment; except that before filing with the
Commission a Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, including
documents incorporated by reference, the Registrants shall furnish to the holders of Restricted
Shares included in such Registration Statement and to the legal counsel for any such holders,
copies of all such documents proposed to be filed sufficiently in advance of filing to provide such
holders and legal counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review such documents and comment
thereon, and the Registrants shall not file any Registration Statement or Prospectus or amendment
or supplement thereto, including documents incorporated by reference, to which such holders or
their legal counsel shall reasonably object.



               3.1.5 State Securities Laws Compliance. The Registrants shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to (i) register or qualify the Restricted Shares covered by the Registration
Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as
the holders of Restricted Shares included in such Registration Statement (in light of their
intended plan of distribution) may request and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such
Restricted Shares covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such
other federal or state authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of
the Registrants and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to
enable the holders of Restricted Shares included in such Registration Statement to consummate the
disposition of such Restricted Shares in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the
Registrants shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it
would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3.1.5 or subject itself to taxation
in any such jurisdiction.



               3.1.6 Agreements for Disposition. The Registrants shall enter into customary
agreements (including, if applicable, an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such
other actions as are reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of
such Restricted Shares. The representations, warranties and covenants of the Registrants in any
underwriting agreement which are made to or for the benefit of any Underwriters, to the extent
applicable, shall also be made to and for the benefit of the holders of Restricted Shares included
in such registration statement. For the avoidance of doubt, the holders of Restricted Shares may
not require the Registrants to accept terms, conditions or provisions in any such agreement which
the Registrants determine is not reasonably acceptable to the Registrants, notwithstanding any
agreement to the contrary herein. No holder of Restricted Shares included in such registration
statement shall be required to make any representations or warranties in the underwriting
agreement except as reasonably requested by the Registrants and, if applicable, with respect to
such holder’s organization, good standing, authority, title to Restricted Shares, lack of conflict
of such sale with such holder’s material agreements and organizational documents, and with respect
to written information relating to such holder that such holder has



7









 




furnished in writing expressly for inclusion in such Registration Statement.




               3.1.7 Cooperation. The Regular Trustees of the Trust and the Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the principal accounting officer of the Company and
all other officers and members of the management of the Company shall cooperate fully in any
offering of Restricted Shares hereunder, which cooperation shall include, without limitation, the
preparation of the Registration Statement with respect to such offering and all other offering
materials and related documents, and participation in meetings with Underwriters, attorneys,
accountants and potential investors. Holders of Restricted Shares shall not be required to make any
representations or warranties to or agreements with the Registrants or the underwriters except as
they may relate to such holders and their intended methods of distribution. Such holders, however,
shall agree to such covenants and indemnification and contribution obligations for selling
stockholders as are customarily contained in agreements of that type. Further, such holders shall
cooperate fully in the preparation of the registration statement and other documents relating to
any offering in which they include securities pursuant to this Section 3. Each holder shall also
furnish to the Registrants such information regarding itself, the Restricted Shares held by such
holder, and the intended method of disposition of such securities as shall be reasonably required
to effect the registration of the Restricted Shares.



               3.1.8 Records. The Registrants shall make available for inspection by the holders of
Restricted Shares included in such Registration Statement, any Underwriter participating in any
disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other
professional retained by any holder of Restricted Shares included in such Registration Statement or
any Underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of
the Company and Trust, as shall be necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence
responsibility, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information
reasonably requested by any of them in connection with such Registration Statement.



               3.1.9 Opinions and Comfort Letters. The Registrants shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to furnish to each holder of Restricted Shares included in any Registration Statement a
signed counterpart, addressed to such holder, of (i) any opinion of counsel to the Registrants
delivered to any Underwriter and (ii) any comfort letter from the Registrants’ independent public
accountants delivered to any Underwriter. In the event no legal opinion is delivered to any
Underwriter, the Registrants shall furnish to each holder of Restricted Shares included in such
Registration Statement, at any time that such holder elects to use a Prospectus, an opinion of
counsel to the Registrants to the effect that the Registration Statement containing such
Prospectus has been declared effective and that no stop order is in effect.



               3.1.10 Earnings Statement. The Registrants shall comply with all applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission and the Securities Act, and make generally available to its
shareholders, as soon as practicable, an earnings statement covering a period of twelve (12)
months, beginning within six (6) months after the effective date of the Registration Statement,
which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and
Rule 158 thereunder.



               3.1.11 Listing. The Registrants shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all
Restricted Shares included in any registration to be listed on such exchanges or otherwise
designated for trading in the same manner as similar Shares of the Trust are then listed or
designated or, if no such similar securities are then listed or designated, in a manner
satisfactory to the holders of a majority of the Restricted Shares that are included in such
registration.



          3.2 Obligation to Suspend Distribution. Upon receipt of any notice from the
Registrants of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3.1.4(iv), or, in the
case of a



8









 







resale registration pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, upon any suspension by the Registrants,
pursuant to a written insider trading compliance program adopted by the Company’s Board of
Directors, of the ability of all “insiders” covered by such program to transact in the Trust’s
securities because of the existence of material non-public information, each holder of Restricted
Shares included in any registration shall immediately discontinue disposition of such Restricted
Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement covering such Restricted Shares until such holder
receives the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 3.1.4(iv) or the
restriction on the ability of “insiders” to transact in the Trust’s securities is removed, as
applicable, and, if so directed by the Registrants, each such holder will deliver to the
Registrants all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such holder’s possession, of the
most recent Prospectus covering such Restricted Shares at the time of receipt of such notice.




          3.3 Registration Expenses. The Registrants shall bear all customary costs and
expenses incurred in connection with any shelf registration effected pursuant to Section 2.1 and
any Piggy-Back Registration effected pursuant to Section 2.2, and all reasonable expenses incurred
in performing or complying with its other obligations under this Agreement, whether or not the
Registration Statement becomes effective, including, without limitation: (i) all registration and
filing fees; (ii) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or “blue sky” laws (including
fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Restricted
Shares, subject to the limit set forth in paragraph (ix) below); (iii) printing expenses; (iv) the
Registrants’ internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of their
respective officers and employees); (v) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the
listing of the Restricted Shares, as required by Section 3.1.11; (vi) National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. fees; (vii) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Registrants and
fees and expenses for independent certified public accountants retained by the Registrants
(including the expenses or costs associated with the delivery of any opinions or comfort letters
requested pursuant to Section 3.1.9); (viii) the fees and expenses of any special experts retained
by the Registrants in connection with such registration and (ix) the fees and expenses of one
legal counsel selected by the holders of a majority-in-interest of the Restricted Shares that are
included in such registration (not to exceed, including the reasonable fees and disbursements to
counsel in paragraph (ii) above, $20,000. The Registrants shall have no obligation to pay any
underwriting discounts or selling commissions attributable to the Restricted Shares being sold by
the holders thereof, which underwriting discounts or selling commissions shall be borne solely by
such holders. Additionally, in an underwritten offering, all selling shareholders and the
Registrants shall bear the expenses of the underwriter pro rata in proportion to the respective
amount of shares each is selling in such offering.




          3.4 Information. The holders of Restricted Shares shall provide such information as
may reasonably be requested by the Registrants, or the managing Underwriter, if any, in connection
with the preparation of any Registration Statement, including amendments and supplements thereto,
in order to effect the registration of any Restricted Shares under the Securities Act pursuant to
Section 2 and in connection with the Registrants’ obligation to comply with federal and applicable
state securities laws.




          3.5 Holder Obligations. No holder of Restricted Shares may participate in any
underwritten offering pursuant to Section 2 unless such holder (i) agrees to sell only such
holder’s Restricted Shares on the basis reasonably provided in any underwriting agreement, and
(ii) completes, executes and delivers any and all questionnaires, lock-up agreements, powers of
attorney, custody agreements, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably
required by or under the terms of any underwriting agreement or as reasonably requested by the
Registrants.





9









 




     4. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.




          4.1 Indemnification by the Company. The Registrants agree to indemnify and hold
harmless each Shareholder and each other holder of Restricted Shares, and each of their respective
officers, employees, affiliates, directors, partners, members, attorneys and agents, and each
person, if any, who controls a Shareholder and each other holder of Restricted Shares (within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) (each, a
“Shareholder Indemnified Party”), from and against any expenses, losses, judgments, claims,
damages or liabilities, whether joint or several, arising out of or based upon any untrue
statement (or allegedly untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any Registration
Statement under which the sale of such Restricted Shares was registered under the Securities Act,
any preliminary Prospectus, final Prospectus or summary Prospectus contained in the Registration
Statement, or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement, or arising out of or
based upon any omission (or alleged omission) to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such
expense, loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or
allegedly untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such Registration Statement,
preliminary Prospectus, final Prospectus, or summary Prospectus, or any such amendment or
supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Registrants, in
writing, by such selling holder expressly for use therein, the use of any Registration Statement,
any preliminary Prospectus, final Prospectus or summary Prospectus during a period when a stop
order has been issued in respect thereof or any proceeding for that purpose have been initiated,
or the use of any Registration Statement, any preliminary Prospectus, final Prospectus or summary
Prospectus has been suspended by the Registrants pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;
provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity shall not inure to the benefit of any holder (or
to the benefit of any person controlling such holder) from whom the person asserting such losses,
claims or liabilities purchased the Restricted Shares, if a copy of the Prospectus (as then
amended or supplemented if the Registrants shall have furnished any amendments or supplements
thereto) was not sent or given by or on behalf of such holder to such person, if required by law
so to have been delivered at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of the Restricted
Shares to such person, and if the Prospectus (as so amended or supplemented) would have cured the
defect giving wise to such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, unless such failure is the
result of noncompliance by the Registrants with Section 3.1.3 hereof.




          4.2 Indemnification by Holders of Restricted Shares. Each selling holder of Restricted
Shares will, with respect to any Registration Statement where Restricted Shares were registered
under the Securities Act, indemnify and hold harmless the Trust, the Trust’s Regular Trustees, the
Company, each of the Company’s directors and officers, and each other person, if any, who controls
the Trust and the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of
the Exchange Act), against any losses, claims, judgments, damages or liabilities, whether joint or
several, insofar as such losses, claims, judgments, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or allegedly untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Registration Statement under which the sale of such Restricted
Shares was registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary Prospectus, final Prospectus or
summary Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment or supplement to the
Registration Statement, or arise out of or are based upon any omission or the alleged omission to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement therein not
misleading, if the statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished in writing to the Registrants by such selling holder expressly for use
therein, and shall reimburse the Trust, the Trust’s Regular Trustees, the Company, the Company’s
directors and officers, and each such controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by any of them in connection with investigation or defending any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action. Each selling holder’s indemnification obligations hereunder shall be several
and not joint and shall be limited to the amount of any net proceeds actually received by such
selling holder.




10









 








          4.3 Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. Promptly after receipt by any person of
any notice of any loss, claim, damage or liability or any action in respect of which indemnity may
be sought pursuant to Section 4.1 or 4.2, such person (the “Indemnified Party”) shall, if a claim
in respect thereof is to be made against any other person for indemnification hereunder, promptly
notify such other person (the “Indemnifying Party”) in writing of the loss, claim, judgment,
damage, liability or action. If the Indemnified Party is seeking indemnification with respect to
any claim or action brought against the Indemnified Party, then the Indemnifying Party shall be
entitled to participate in such claim or action, and, to the extent that it elects, retain counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party to represent the Indemnified Party, and any others
the Indemnifying Party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable fees and
disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, the Indemnified
Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel
shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless (i) the Indemnified Party and the
Indemnifying Party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel, or (ii) the named
parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnified Party
and the Indemnifying Party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be
inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interest between them. The Indemnifying Party
shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but
if settled with such consent or there is a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Party
agrees to indemnify the Indemnified Party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such
settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Party
shall have requested an Indemnifying Party to reimburse the Indemnified Party for fees and expenses
of counsel as contemplated in this Section 4.3, the Indemnifying Party agrees that it shall be
liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (x) such
settlement is entered into more than thirty (30) days after receipt by such Indemnifying Party of
the aforesaid request, and (y) such Indemnifying Party shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified
Party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement (other than
reimbursement for fees and expenses the Indemnifying Party is contesting in good faith). No
Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, consent to
entry of judgment or effect any settlement of any claim or pending or threatened proceeding in
respect of which the Indemnified Party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been
sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party, unless such judgment or settlement includes an
unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such claim or
proceeding.




          4.4 Contribution.




               4.4.1 If the indemnification provided for in the foregoing Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 is
unavailable to any Indemnified Party in respect of any loss, claim, damage, liability or action
referred to herein, then each such Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified
Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such
loss, claim, damage, liability or action in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by the Indemnified Parties on the one hand and the Indemnifying Parties
on the other from the offering. If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding
sentence is not permitted by applicable law or if the Indemnified Party failed to give the notice
required under Section 4.3 above, then each Indemnifying Party shall contribute to such amount paid
or payable by such Indemnified Party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such
relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Indemnified Parties on the one hand and the
Indemnifying Parties on the other in connection with the actions or omissions which resulted in
such loss, claim, damage, liability or action, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of any Indemnified Party and any Indemnifying Party shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by such Indemnified Party or such Indemnifying Party and the parties’



11









 




relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.




               4.4.2 The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution
pursuant to this Section 4.4 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of
allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the
immediately preceding Section 4.4.1. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result
of any loss, claim, damage, liability or action referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph
shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses
incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or
claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4.4, no holder of Restricted Shares shall be
required to contribute any amount in excess of the dollar amount of the net proceeds (after payment
of any underwriting fees, discounts, commissions or taxes) actually received by such holder from
the sale of Restricted Shares which gave rise to such contribution obligation. No person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.



     5. UNDERWRITING AND DISTRIBUTION.



          5.1 Rule 144. The Registrants covenant that it shall file any reports required to be
filed by them under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and shall take such further action as
the holders of Restricted Shares may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to
time to enable such holders to sell Restricted Shares without registration under the Securities Act
within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or any
similar provision thereto, but not Rule 144A.




     6. MISCELLANEOUS.



          6.1 Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement and the rights, duties
and obligations of the Registrants hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Registrants in
whole or in part. This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the holders of
Restricted Shares hereunder may be freely assigned or delegated by such holder of Restricted Shares
in conjunction with and to the extent of any permitted transfer of Restricted Shares by any such
holder in accordance with applicable law. This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding
upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and their respective successors and the
permitted assigns of the Shareholder or holder of Restricted Shares or of any assignee of the
Shareholder or holder of Restricted Shares. This Agreement is not intended to confer any rights or
benefits on any persons that are not party hereto other than as expressly set forth in Section 4
and this Section 6.1.




          6.2 Notices. All notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals or other
communications (collectively, “Notices”) required or permitted to be given hereunder or which are
given with respect to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be personally served, delivered
by reputable air courier service with charges prepaid, or transmitted by hand delivery, telegram,
telex or facsimile, addressed as set forth below, or to such other address as such party shall have
specified most recently by written notice provided in accordance with this Section 6.2. Notice
shall be deemed given on the date of service or transmission if personally served or transmitted by
telegram, telex or facsimile; provided, that if such service or transmission is not on a Business
Day or is after normal business hours, then such notice shall be deemed given on the next Business
Day. Notice otherwise sent as provided herein shall be deemed given on the next Business Day
following timely delivery of such notice to a reputable air courier service with an order for
next-day delivery.




12









 







To the Registrants:



Compass Diversified Trust

Sixty One Wilton Road, Second Floor

Westport, Connecticut 06880



with a copy to:



Squire, Sanders and Dempsey, L.L.P.

312 Walnut Street, Suite 3500

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Attention: Stephen C. Mahon




     To Shareholder, to the address specified in writing from time to time sent to the Registrants
in accordance with this Section 6.2.



          6.3 Severability. This Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or
unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
this Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, if any ten ii or provision
hereof shall be deemed to be invalid or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall mutually agree upon
an amendment to this Agreement to include a term or provision as similar in purpose to such invalid
or unenforceable term or provision as may be reasonably possible and which term or provision is
valid and enforceable.




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




          6.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including all agreements entered into pursuant
hereto and all certificates and instruments delivered pursuant hereto and thereto) constitute the
entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior
and contemporaneous agreements, representations, understandings, negotiations and discussions
between the parties, whether oral or written.




          6.6 Modifications and Amendments. No amendment, modification or termination of this
Agreement shall be binding upon any party unless executed in writing by such party.




          6.7 Titles and Headings. Titles and headings of sections of this Agreement are for
convenience only and shall not affect the construction of any provision of this Agreement.




          6.8 Waivers and Extensions. Any party to this Agreement may waive any right, breach or
default which such party has the right to waive, provided, that such waiver will not be
effective against the waiving party unless it is in writing, is signed by such party, and
specifically refers to this Agreement. Waivers may be made in advance or after the right waived has
arisen or the breach or default waived has occurred. Any waiver may be conditional. No waiver of
any breach of any agreement or provision herein contained shall be deemed a waiver of any preceding
or succeeding breach thereof nor of any other agreement or provision herein contained. No waiver or
extension of time for performance of any obligations or acts shall be deemed a waiver or extension
of the time for performance of any other obligations or acts.




          6.9 Remedies Cumulative. In the event that the Registrants fail to observe or perform
any covenant or agreement to be observed or performed under this Agreement, the Shareholder or any

13









 








other holder of Restricted Shares may proceed to protect and enforce its rights by suit in
equity or action at law, whether for specific performance of any term contained in this Agreement
or for an injunction against the breach of any such term or in aid of the exercise of any power
granted in this Agreement or to enforce any other legal or equitable right, or to take any one or
more of such actions, without being required to post a bond. None of the rights, powers or
remedies conferred under this Agreement shall be mutually exclusive, and each such right, power or
remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to any other right, power or remedy, whether conferred
by this Agreement or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.




          6.10 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts formed and to be
performed entirely within the State of New York, without regard to the conflicts of law provisions
thereof to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of the laws
of another jurisdiction. The Company and the holders of the Restricted Shares irrevocably and
unconditionally submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the
Southern District of New York or, if such court does not have jurisdiction, the New York State
Supreme Court in the Borough of Manhattan, in any action arising out of or relating to this
Agreement, agree that all claims in respect of the action may be heard and determined in any such
court and agree not to bring any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any other
court. In any action, the Registrants and the holders of the Restricted Shares irrevocably and
unconditionally waive and agree not to assert by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise any
claims that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of the above court, that such action is brought
in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such action is improper. Without limiting the
foregoing, the Registrants and the holders of the Restricted Shares agree that service of process
at each parties respective addresses as provided for in Section 6.2 above shall be deemed effective
service of process on such party.




          6.11 Waiver of Trial by Jury. Each party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives
the right to a trial by jury in any action, suit, counterclaim or other proceeding (whether based
on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of, connected with or relating to this Agreement, the
transactions contemplated hereby, or the actions of the Shareholder in the negotiation,
administration, performance or enforcement hereof.




          6.12 Lock-Up Period. The Shareholder and its transferees hereby agree that in no event
may any Restricted Shares be offered for resale on behalf of such Shareholder or transferees
pursuant to the terms hereof except in accordance with the terms and conditions of any lock-up
agreement to which they may be subject from time to time.




14









 








          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights Agreement to be executed
and delivered by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.




	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	COMPASS GROUP DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS LLC
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	Name: I. Joseph Massoud
	 	 	Title: Chief Executive Officer
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	COMPASS DIVERSIFIED TRUST
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	By: COMPASS GROUP DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS LLC,

as Sponsor
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	By:	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	Name: James J. Bottiglieri
	 	 	 	 	Title: Chief Financial Officer
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	SHAREHOLDER:
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	CGI DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS, LP
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	By: NAVCO MANAGEMENT, INC.,
as General
Partner
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	By:	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	Name: Lindsey Cancino
	 	 	 	 	Title: Director






 









 






Schedule A

To

Registration Rights Agreement




	 	 	 
	 

	 	Number of Shareholder
	 

	 	Restricted Shares
	 
	 	 
	CGI Diversified Holdings, LP

	 	[                    ]