Document:

Document

Certain information has been omitted from this exhibit in places marked “[***]” because it contains personally identifiable information omitted from this exhibit pursuant to Item 601(a)(6) under Regulation S-K.
THIS WARRANT AND THE SHARES ISSUABLE HEREUNDER HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 6.3 AND 6.4 BELOW, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SAID ACT AND LAWS OR, IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, SUCH OFFER, SALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM SUCH REGISTRATION.
WARRANT TO PURCHASE STOCK

This WARRANT TO PURCHASE STOCK (as amended and in effect from time to time, this “Warrant”) is issued as of the issue date set forth on Schedule I hereto (the “Issue Date”) by the company set forth on Schedule I hereto (the “Company”) to Sacramento Municipal Utility District (“SMUD”) in connection with that certain Joint Collaboration Agreement of even date herewith among SMUD and the Company (as amended and/or modified and in effect from time to time, the “Agreement”).  The parties agree as follows:

SCHEDULE I. WARRANT PROVISIONS.
						
	Warrant Section	Warrant Provision
	Recitals – “Issue Date”	September 16, 2022
	Recitals – “Company”	ESS Tech, Inc., a Delaware corporation
	1.1 – “Vesting Schedule”	The Warrant shall only be exercisable in whole or in part, according to the following vesting schedule:
•2.5% of the Shares will vest upon satisfaction of the Tranche 1 Conditions (as that term is defined in the Agreement);
•2.5% of the Shares will vest upon satisfaction of the Tranche 2 Conditions (as that term is defined in the Agreement);
•95% of the Shares will vest upon satisfaction of the Tranche 3 Conditions (as that term is defined in the Agreement);
•all otherwise unvested Shares will vest upon satisfaction of the Full Vesting Conditions (as that term is defined in the Agreement); and
•in the event ESS terminates the Agreement early for a reason other than for “cause” as such term is defined in the Agreement, Shares shall vest according to the Early Termination Vesting Conditions (as that term is defined in the Agreement).

	1.1 – “Class”
	Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share
	1.1 – “Exercise Price”
	$4.296 per Share
	1.2 – “Shares”	500,000

			
	

						
	4.1(c) – Share percentage as of the Issue Date
	0.328% of the Company’s total fully-diluted shares outstanding
	6.1 – “Expiration Date”
	December 31, 2030

SECTION 1.RIGHT TO PURCHASE SHARES.
1.1Grant of Right.  For good and valuable consideration, the Company hereby grants to SMUD (together with any successor or permitted assignee or transferee of this Warrant or of any shares issued upon exercise hereof, “Holder”) the right, and Holder is entitled, to purchase from the Company, subject to the vesting schedule set forth on Schedule I hereto (“Vesting Schedule”), up to the number of fully paid and non-assessable shares (as determined pursuant to Section 1.2 below) of the class set forth on Schedule I hereto (the “Class”), at a purchase price per Share set forth on Schedule I hereto (the “Exercise Price”), subject to the provisions and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Warrant.  If the Agreement expires or is terminated by either Party, unvested Shares shall be forfeited effective as of the date of such termination, and any vested Shares that have not been exercised as of such termination or expiration shall remain in effect and exercisable at the Holder’s option, in accordance with this Warrant.
1.2Number of Shares.  This Warrant shall be exercisable for the number of shares of the Class set forth on Schedule I hereto (as may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant, the “Shares”).
SECTION 2.EXERCISE.
2.1Method of Exercise.  Holder may exercise this Warrant in whole or in part at any time and from time to time prior to the expiration or earlier termination of this Warrant, by delivering to the Company the original of this Warrant together with a duly executed Notice of Exercise in substantially the form attached hereto as Appendix 1 and, unless Holder is exercising this Warrant pursuant to a cashless exercise set forth in Section 2.2 below, a check, wire transfer of same-day funds (to an account designated by the Company), or other form of payment acceptable to the Company for the aggregate Exercise Price for the Shares being purchased.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, to the extent that the original of this Warrant is an electronic original, in no event shall an original ink-signed paper copy of this Warrant be required for any exercise of a Holder’s rights hereunder, nor shall this Warrant or any physical copy hereof be required to be physically surrendered at the time of any exercise hereof.  
2.2Cashless Exercise.  On any exercise of this Warrant, in lieu of payment of the aggregate Exercise Price in the manner specified in Section 2.1 above, Holder may elect to surrender to the Company Shares having an aggregate value equal to the aggregate Exercise Price.  If Holder makes such election, the Company shall issue to Holder such number of fully paid and non-assessable Shares determined by the following formula:
    X = Y(A-B)/A
    where:
    X =    the number of Shares to be issued to Holder;
    Y =    the number of Shares with respect to which this Warrant is being exercised (inclusive of
        the Shares surrendered to the Company in payment of the aggregate Exercise Price);
    A =    the fair market value (as determined pursuant to Section 2.3 below) of one Share; and
    B =    the Exercise Price.
2.3Fair Market Value.  If shares of the Class are then traded or quoted on a nationally recognized securities exchange, inter-dealer quotation system or over-the-counter market (a “Trading Market”), the fair market value of a Share shall be the average of the closing price of a share of the Class reported for the ten (10) trading days immediately prior to the date on which Holder delivers this Warrant together with its Notice of Exercise to the Company.  If shares of the Class are not then traded in a Trading Market, the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine the fair market value of a Share in its reasonable good faith judgment.
			
	

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2.4Delivery of Certificate and New Warrant.  Within a reasonable time after Holder exercises this Warrant in the manner set forth in Sections 2.1 or 2.2 above, the Company shall deliver to Holder a certificate (or, in the case of uncertificated securities, provide notice of book entry) representing the Shares issued to Holder upon such exercise and, if this Warrant has not been fully exercised and has not expired, a new warrant of like tenor representing the Shares not so acquired (or surrendered in payment of the aggregate Exercise Price).
2.5Replacement of Warrant.
(a)Paper Original Warrant.  To the extent that the original of this Warrant is a paper original, on receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, on delivery of an indemnity agreement reasonably satisfactory in form, substance and amount to the Company or, in the case of mutilation, on surrender of this Warrant to the Company for cancellation, the Company shall, within a reasonable time, execute and deliver to Holder, in lieu of this Warrant, a new warrant of like tenor and amount.
(b)Electronic Original Warrant.  To the extent that the original of this Warrant is an electronic original, if at any time this Warrant is rejected by any person (including, but not limited to, paying or escrow agents) or any such person fails to comply with the terms of this Warrant based on this Warrant being presented to such person as an electronic record or a printout hereof, or any signature hereto being in electronic form, the Company shall, promptly upon Holder’s request and without indemnity, execute and deliver to Holder, in lieu of electronic original versions of this Warrant, a new warrant of like tenor and amount in paper form with original ink signatures.
2.1Treatment of Warrant Upon Acquisition of Company.
(c)Acquisition.  “Acquisition” means any transaction or series of related transactions involving: (i) the sale, lease, exclusive license, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company into or with another person or entity (other than a merger or consolidation effected exclusively to change the Company’s domicile), or any other corporate reorganization, in which the stockholders of the Company in their capacity as such immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or reorganization, own less than a majority of the Company’s (or the surviving or successor entity’s) outstanding voting power immediately after such merger, consolidation or reorganization; or (iii) any sale or other transfer by the stockholders of the Company of shares representing at least a majority of the Company’s then-total outstanding combined voting power.  For the avoidance of doubt, “Acquisition” shall not include any sale and issuance by the Company of shares of its capital stock or of securities or instruments exercisable for or convertible into, or otherwise representing the right to acquire, shares of its capital stock to one or more investors for cash in a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is a bona fide equity financing of the Company.
(d)Treatment of Warrant in Cash/Public Acquisition.  In the event of an Acquisition in which the consideration to be received by the holders of the outstanding shares of the Class (in their capacity as such) consists solely of cash, solely of Marketable Securities (as hereinafter defined) or a combination of cash and Marketable Securities (a “Cash/Public Acquisition”), and the fair market value of one Share as determined in accordance with Section 2.3 above would be greater than the Exercise Price in effect as of immediately prior to the closing of such Cash/Public Acquisition, and Holder has not previously exercised this Warrant in full, then, in lieu of Holder’s exercise of the unexercised portion of this Warrant, this Warrant shall, as of immediately prior to such closing (but subject to the occurrence thereof), automatically cease to represent the right to purchase Shares and shall, from and after such closing, represent solely the right to receive the aggregate consideration that would have been payable in such Acquisition on and in respect of all Shares for which this Warrant was exercisable as of immediately prior to the closing thereof, net of the aggregate Exercise Price therefor, as if such Shares had been issued and outstanding to Holder as of immediately prior to such closing, as and when such consideration is paid to the holders of the outstanding shares of the Class.  In the event of a Cash/Public Acquisition in which the fair market value of one Share as determined in accordance with Section 2.3 above would be equal to or less than the Exercise Price in effect as of immediately prior to the closing of such Cash/Public Acquisition, then this Warrant will automatically and without further action of any party terminate as of immediately prior to such closing.
(e)Treatment of Warrant in non-Cash/Public Acquisition.  Upon the closing of any Acquisition other than a Cash/Public Acquisition, the acquiring, surviving or successor entity shall assume this Warrant and the Company’s obligations hereunder, and this Warrant shall thereafter be exercisable for the same securities and/or other property as would have been paid for the Shares issuable upon exercise of the unexercised portion of this Warrant as if such Shares were outstanding on and as of the closing of such Acquisition, at an aggregate Exercise Price equal to the aggregate Exercise Price in effect as of immediately prior to such closing, all subject to further adjustment from time to time thereafter in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant.
			
	

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(f)Marketable Securities.  “Marketable Securities” means securities meeting all of the following requirements (determined as of immediately prior to the closing of the Acquisition): (i) the issuer thereof is then subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and is then current in its filing of all required reports and other information under the Act and the Exchange Act; (ii) the class and series of shares or other security of the issuer that would be received by Holder in connection with the Acquisition were Holder to exercise this Warrant on or prior to the closing thereof is then traded in a Trading Market; and (iii) following the closing of such Acquisition, Holder would not be restricted from publicly re-selling all of the issuer’s shares and/or other securities that would be received by Holder in such Acquisition were Holder to exercise this Warrant in full on or prior to the closing of such Acquisition, except to the extent that any such restriction (x) arises solely under federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, and (y) does not extend beyond six (6) months from the closing of such Acquisition.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(d), securities held in escrow or subject to holdback to cover indemnification-related claims shall be deemed to be Marketable Securities if they would otherwise be Marketable Securities but for the fact that they are held in escrow or subject to holdback to cover indemnification-related claims.
2.6Exercise Restrictions. The Company acknowledges that SMUD, a municipal utility district and political subdivision of the state California, is prohibited from subscribing for stock, or to becoming a stockholder in any corporation per Article XVI Section 6 of the California Constitution (“Stock Prohibition”).  Public Utilities Code Section 12773 authorizes SMUD to establish a pilot program allowing SMUD to acquire and hold nonstock securities under a pilot program in return for SMUD’s contribution to the development of services or goods (“Pilot Program”). The Company and SMUD acknowledge that the services to be provided by Company to SMUD under the Agreement and this Warrant are part of such Pilot Program.  Accordingly, the Company and SMUD agree that in no event shall SMUD be entitled to exercise any portion of this Warrant until such time as SMUD is entitled to hold stock securities without violating the Stock Prohibition and the Company shall not issue any Shares directly to SMUD. Nothing in this Section 2.7 shall limit SMUD’s ability to assign and transfer this Warrant to another Holder pursuant to Sections 6.3 and 6.4 below or limit the ability of such subsequent Holder to exercise this Warrant.
SECTION 3.CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SHARES, CLASS AND EXERCISE PRICE.
3.1Stock Dividends, Splits, Etc.  If the Company declares or pays a dividend or distribution on the outstanding shares of the Class payable in additional shares of the Class (including fractional shares) or other securities or property (other than cash), then upon exercise of this Warrant, for each Share acquired, Holder shall receive, without additional cost to Holder, the total number and kind of securities and property which Holder would have received had Holder owned the Shares of record as of the date the dividend or distribution occurred.  If the Company subdivides the outstanding shares of the Class by reclassification or otherwise into a greater number of shares, the number of Shares purchasable hereunder shall be proportionately increased, even if such number would include fractional shares, and the Exercise Price shall be proportionately decreased.  If the outstanding shares of the Class are combined or consolidated, by reclassification or otherwise, into a lesser number of shares, the Exercise Price shall be proportionately increased and the number of Shares shall be proportionately decreased, even if such number would include fractional shares.
3.2Reclassification, Exchange, Combination or Substitution.  Upon any event whereby all of the outstanding shares of the Class are reclassified, exchanged, combined, substituted, or replaced for, into, with or by Company securities of a different class and/or series, then from and after the consummation of such event, “Class” shall mean such securities and this Warrant will be exercisable for the number of such securities that Holder would have received had the Shares been outstanding on and as of the consummation of such event, at an aggregate Exercise Price equal to the aggregate Exercise Price in effect as of immediately prior to such event, all subject to further adjustment thereafter from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant.  The provisions of this Section 3.2 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, exchanges, combinations, substitutions, replacements or other similar events.
3.3Adjustment to Exercise Price on Cash Dividend.  In the event that the Company at any time or from time to time prior to the exercise in full of this Warrant pays any cash dividend on the outstanding shares of the Class or makes any cash distribution on or in respect of all outstanding shares of the Class (other than a distribution of cash proceeds received by the Company in connection with an Acquisition described in Section 2.6(a)(i) above), then on and as of the date of each such dividend payment and/or distribution, the Exercise Price shall be reduced by an amount equal to the amount paid or distributed upon or in respect of each outstanding share of the Class; provided that in no event shall the Exercise Price be reduced below the then-par value, if any, of a share of the Class.
3.4No Fractional Share.  No fractional Share shall be issued upon exercise of this Warrant, and the number of Shares to be issued shall be rounded down to the nearest whole Share.  If a fractional Share interest arises upon any exercise of this Warrant, the Company shall eliminate such fractional Share interest by paying Holder in cash an amount equal to (a) such fractional interest, multiplied by (b)(i) the fair market value (as determined in 
			
	

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accordance with Section 2.3 above) of a full Share, less (ii) the then-effective Exercise Price (the “Fractional Share Value”), unless Holder otherwise elects, in its sole discretion, to waive such payment.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, if this Warrant becomes exercisable for a fractional Share interest at any time or from time to time prior to the exercise in full of this Warrant, and the Company eliminates such fractional Share interest prior to any exercise of this Warrant, then the then-effective aggregate Exercise Price shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Fractional Share Value, unless Holder otherwise elects, in its sole discretion, to waive such reduction.
3.5Certificate as to Adjustments.  Within a reasonable time following each adjustment of the Exercise Price, Class and/or number of Shares pursuant to the terms of this Warrant, the Company, at its expense, shall deliver a certificate of its Chief Financial Officer or other authorized officer to Holder setting forth the adjustments to the Exercise Price, Class and/or number of Shares and the facts upon which such adjustments are based.  The Company shall, at any time and from time to time within a reasonable time following Holder’s written request and at the Company’s expense, furnish Holder with a certificate of its Chief Financial Officer or other authorized officer setting forth the then-current Exercise Price, Class and number of Shares and the computations or other determinations thereof.
SECTION 4.REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.
4.1The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, Holder, that:
(g)All Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant, shall, upon issuance, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and free of any liens and encumbrances except for restrictions on transfer provided for herein or under the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Amended and Restated Bylaws, each as amended and in effect from time to time (the “Charter Documents”) or applicable federal and state securities laws; 
(h)It shall at all times cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued capital stock such number of shares of the Class and other securities as will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of this Warrant; and
(i)The number of Shares set forth on Schedule I hereto represents not less than the share percentage set forth on Schedule I hereto, calculated on and as of the Issue Date hereof on a fully-diluted, common stock-equivalent basis (but without excluding shares of capital stock that are not convertible into shares of common stock) assuming (i) the conversion into common stock of all outstanding securities and instruments (including, without limitation, securities deemed to be outstanding pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 4.1(c)) convertible by their terms into shares of common stock (regardless of whether such securities or instruments are by their terms now so convertible), (ii) the exercise in full of all outstanding options, warrants (including, without limitation, this Warrant) and other rights to purchase or acquire shares of common stock or securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of common stock (regardless of whether such options, warrants or other rights to purchase or acquire are by their terms now exercisable); and (iii) the inclusion of all shares of common stock reserved for issuance under all of the Company’s incentive stock and stock option plans and not now subject to outstanding grants or options.
4.2Notice of Certain Events.  If the Company proposes at any time to:
(j)declare any dividend or distribution upon the outstanding shares of the Class, whether in cash, stock or other securities or property and whether or not a regular cash dividend;
(k)offer for subscription or sale pro rata to all holders of the outstanding shares of the Class any additional securities of the Company (other than pursuant to contractual pre-emptive or first refusal rights);
(l)effect any reclassification, exchange, combination, substitution, reorganization or recapitalization of the outstanding shares of the Class; or
(m)effect an Acquisition, or to liquidate, dissolve or wind up the Company;
then, in connection with each such event, the Company shall give Holder notice thereof at the same time and in the same manner as it notifies holders of the outstanding shares of the Class thereof.
4.1Certain Company Information.  The Company will provide such information requested by Holder from time to time, within a reasonable time following each such request, that is reasonably necessary to enable Holder to comply with Holder’s accounting or reporting requirements.  
SECTION 5.REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF HOLDER.
			
	

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Holder represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Company as follows:
5.1Investment Representations.
(n)Purchase for Own Account.  This Warrant and the Shares to be acquired upon exercise hereof are being acquired for investment for Holder’s account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the public resale or distribution within the meaning of the Act.  Holder also represents that it has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring this Warrant or the Shares.
(o)Disclosure of Information.  Holder is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has received or has had full access to all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to make an informed investment decision with respect to the acquisition of this Warrant and its underlying securities.  Holder further has had an opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of this Warrant and its underlying securities and to obtain additional information (to the extent the Company possessed such information or could acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify any information furnished to Holder or to which Holder has access.
(p)Investment Experience.  Holder understands that the purchase of this Warrant and its underlying securities involves substantial risk.  Holder can bear the economic risk of such Holder’s investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities for an indefinite period of time, and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that Holder is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities.
(q)Accredited Investor Status.  Holder is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Act.
(r)The Act.  Holder understands that this Warrant and the Shares issuable upon exercise hereof have not been registered under the Act or registered or qualified under the securities laws of any state, and are issued in reliance upon specific exemptions therefrom, which exemptions depend upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the Holder’s investment intent as expressed herein.  Holder understands that the Company is under no obligation to so register or qualify this Warrant, the Shares or such other securities.  Holder understands that this Warrant and the Shares issued upon any exercise hereof are “restricted securities” under applicable federal and state securities laws and must be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Act and registered or qualified under applicable state securities laws, or unless exemptions from such registration and qualification are otherwise available.  Holder is aware of the provisions of Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.
5.2No Stockholder Rights.  Without limiting any provision of this Warrant, Holder agrees that as a Holder of this Warrant it will not have any rights (including, but not limited to, voting rights) as a stockholder of the Company with respect to the Shares issuable hereunder unless and until the exercise of this Warrant and then only with respect to the Shares issued on such exercise.
5.3Regulation FD.    Holder acknowledges that some of the information provided by the Company in connection with the Agreement constitutes “material non-public information” within the meaning of Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act. Holder acknowledges and agrees that Holder is prohibited from any buying or selling of the Company’s securities on the basis of this material non-public information until after the information either becomes publicly available by the Company (such as in a Current Report on Form 8-K or in the Company’s Form 10-K or Form 10-Q) or ceases to be material, and in no event for at least thirty (30) days from the date hereof. 
SECTION 6.MISCELLANEOUS.
6.1Term. Subject to the provisions of Sections 2.6 and 2.7 above, this Warrant is exercisable in whole or in part at any time and from time to time on or before 6:00 PM, Pacific time, on the expiration date set forth on Schedule I hereto (the “Expiration Date”) and shall be void thereafter.
6.2Legends.  Each certificate or notice of book entry evidencing Shares shall be imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form (together with such additional legends as may be required by the Charter Documents):
THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THAT CERTAIN WARRANT TO PURCHASE STOCK ISSUED BY THE ISSUER TO SACRAMENTO MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT DATED SEPTEMBER 16, 2022, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR 
			
	

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OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SAID ACT AND LAWS OR, IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER, SUCH OFFER, SALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM SUCH REGISTRATION.
6.3Compliance with Securities Laws on Transfer.  This Warrant and the Shares issued upon exercise hereof may not be transferred or assigned in whole or in part except in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws by the transferor and the transferee (including, without limitation, the delivery of investment representation letters and legal opinions reasonably satisfactory to the Company, as reasonably requested by the Company).  
6.4Transfer Procedure.  Subject to the provisions of Section 6.3 and upon providing the Company with written notice, SMUD and any subsequent Holder may transfer all or part of this Warrant or the Shares issued upon exercise of this Warrant to any permitted transferee; provided that in connection with any such transfer, SMUD or any subsequent Holder will give the Company notice of the portion of the Warrant and/or Shares being transferred with the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the transferee, and Holder will surrender this Warrant, or the certificates or other evidence of such Shares or other securities, to the Company for reissuance to the transferee(s) (and to Holder if applicable); and provided further, that any subsequent transferee shall make substantially the representations set forth in Section 5.1 above including that such transferee is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Act and shall agree in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Warrant.
6.5Notices.  All notices and other communications hereunder from the Company to the Holder, or vice versa, shall be deemed delivered and effective (i) when given personally, (ii) on the third (3rd) Business Day after being mailed by first-class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, (iii) upon actual receipt if given by electronic mail and such receipt is confirmed in writing by the recipient, or (iv) on the first Business Day following delivery to a reliable overnight courier service, courier fee prepaid, in any case at such address as may have been furnished to the Company or Holder, as the case may be, in writing by the Company or such Holder from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.5.  All notices to Holder shall be addressed as follows until the Company receives notice of a change of address in connection with a transfer or otherwise:
Sacramento Municipal Utility District 
Attn: Russell Mills
6201 S Street, Mail Stop B355
Sacramento, CA 95817
Telephone:  [***]
Email: [***]

All notices to the Company shall be addressed as follows until Holder receives notice of a change in address:
ESS Tech, Inc.
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
26440 SW Parkway Avenue, Bldg. 83
Wilsonville, OR 97070
Telephone: 855.423.9920
Email: [***]
            
with a copy to [***]

6.6Amendment and Waiver.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein or in the Agreement, this Warrant may be amended and any provision hereof waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only by an instrument in writing signed by Holder, Company, and any party against which enforcement of such amendment or waiver is sought.
6.7Counterparts; Electronic Signatures; Status as Certificated Security.  This Warrant may be executed by one or more of the parties hereto in any number of separate counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  The Company, Holder and any other party hereto may execute this Warrant by electronic means and each party hereto recognizes and accepts the use of electronic signatures and the keeping of records in electronic form by any other party hereto in connection with the execution and storage hereof.  To the extent that this Warrant or any agreement subject to the terms hereof or any amendment hereto is executed, recorded or delivered electronically, it shall be binding to the same extent as though it had been executed on paper with an original ink signature, as provided under applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the 
			
	

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Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.  The fact that this Warrant is executed, signed, stored or delivered electronically shall not prevent the transfer by any Holder of this Warrant pursuant to Section 6.4 or the enforcement of the terms hereof.  To the extent that the original of this Warrant is an electronic original, this Warrant, and any copies hereof, shall NOT be deemed to be a “certificated security” within the meaning of Section 8102(a)(4) of the California Commercial Code.  Physical possession of the original of this Warrant or any paper copy thereof shall confer no special status to the bearer thereof.
6.8Headings.  The headings in this Warrant are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning of any provision of this Warrant.
6.9Business Days.  “Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banks in California are closed.
SECTION 7.GOVERNING LAW, VENUE.
7.1Governing Law.  This Warrant shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to its principles regarding conflicts of law.
7.2Jurisdiction and Venue.  The Company and Holder each irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State and Federal courts in Sacramento County, California; provided, however, that nothing in this Warrant shall be deemed to operate to preclude Holder from bringing suit or taking other legal action in any other jurisdiction to enforce a judgment or other court order in favor of Holder.  The Company expressly, irrevocably and unconditionally submits and consents in advance to such jurisdiction in any action or suit commenced in any such court, and the Company hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection that it may have based upon lack of personal jurisdiction, improper venue, or forum non conveniens and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consents to the granting of such legal or equitable relief as is deemed appropriate by such court.  The Company hereby waives personal service of the summons, complaints, and other process issued in such action or suit and agrees that service of such summons, complaints, and other process may be made by registered or certified mail addressed to the Company in accordance with Section 6.5 of this Warrant and that service so made shall be deemed completed upon the earlier to occur of the Company’s actual receipt thereof or three (3) days after deposit in the U.S. mails, proper postage prepaid.
7.3Survival.  This Section 7 shall survive the termination of this Warrant.
 [Signature page follows]

			
	

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    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Warrant To Purchase Stock to be executed by their duly authorized representatives effective as of the Issue Date written above.

COMPANY:

ESS TECH, INC.

By: /s/ Eric P. Dresselhuys

Name: Eric P. Dresselhuys

Title: Chief Executive Officer

HOLDER:

SACRAMENTO MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT

By: /s/ Paul Lau

Name: Paul Lau

Title: Chief Executive Officer and General Manager

			
	

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APPENDIX 1

Form of Notice of Exercise of Warrant

1.The undersigned Holder hereby exercises its right to purchase ___________ shares of the Common Stock of ESS TECH, Inc. (the “Company”) in accordance with the attached Warrant To Purchase Stock, and tenders payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for such shares as follows: 

[    ]    Check in the amount of $________ payable to order of the Company enclosed herewith
[    ]    Wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Company’s account 
[    ]    Cashless exercise pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Warrant, resulting in the issuance of __________________ shares of the Common Stock of the Company
[    ]    Other [Describe] __________________________________________
2.Please issue a certificate or certificates (or evidence of book entry) representing the Shares in the name specified below:

___________________________________________
    Holder’s Name

___________________________________________

___________________________________________
    (Address)

3.By its execution below and for the benefit of the Company, Holder hereby makes each of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5.1 of the Warrant To Purchase Stock as of the date hereof.

                            HOLDER:

                            _________________________

By:_________________________
Name:________________________
Title:_________________________

                            (Date):______________________

			
	

Appendix 1ex_440953.htm

Exhibit 10.1

 

THIRD AMENDMENT TO ABL LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

THIS THIRD AMENDMENT TO ABL LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of November 2, 2022, by and among ROCKY BRANDS, INC., an Ohio corporation (“Parent”), LIFESTYLE FOOTWEAR, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Lifestyle”), ROCKY BRANDS US, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Rocky US”), LEHIGH OUTFITTERS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Lehigh”), ROCKY OUTDOOR GEAR STORE, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company (“Rocky Outdoor”), US FOOTWEAR HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“US Footwear”; Parent, Lifestyle, Rocky US, Lehigh, Rocky Outdoor and US Footwear, each, a “Borrower” and together, the “Borrowers”), the Lenders party hereto and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders (the “Agent”).

 

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

 

WHEREAS, the Borrowers, the other Obligors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and the Agent are parties to that certain ABL Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2021 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Loan Agreement”; the Existing Loan Agreement, as amended hereby, the “Loan Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, Borrowers have requested that Agent and Lenders make certain amendments to the Existing Loan Agreement as set forth herein and Agent and the Lenders party hereto are willing to make such amendments to the Existing Loan Agreement, in accordance with the terms of the Existing Loan Agreement and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

1.    Defined Terms. Except as otherwise provided herein, all capitalized undefined terms used in this Agreement (including, without limitation, in the introductory paragraph and the preliminary statements hereto) shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Loan Agreement.

 

2.    Amendments to Loan Agreement. Upon the Third Amendment Effective Date (as defined below), in reliance upon the representations and warranties of each Obligor set forth in Section 4 below and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions to effectiveness set forth in Section 3 below, the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

 

(a)    Section 1.1 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended by amending clause (b) of the definition of “EBITDA” by (i) replacing the word “minus” at the end of subclause (xiii) thereof with the word “plus” and (ii) inserting a new subclause (xiv) immediately after subclause (xiii) as follows:

 

(xiv)         overpayments in cash of tariffs and other custom duties in an amount not to exceed (a) $1,200,000 during the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2021, (b) $1,700,000 during the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2022, (c) $1,700,000 during the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2022, (d) $1,000,000 during the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2022, and (e) $1,300,000 during the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2022; minus

 

 

 

 

(b)    Section 1.1 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended by amending clause (c) of the definition of “EBITDA” by (i) replacing the word “minus” at the end of subclause (ii) thereof with the word “plus” and (ii) inserting a new subclause (iii) immediately after subclause (ii) as follows:

 

(iii)         refunds received in cash during such period from the overpayment of tariffs and other custom duties to the extent such overpayments were previously added-back to determine EBITDA pursuant to clause (b)(xiv) above; minus

 

3.    Conditions to Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective as of the day and year set forth above (the “Third Amendment Effective Date”) upon satisfaction (or waiver by Agent) of each of the following conditions (in each case, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Agent):

 

(a)    Executed Agreement. Agent shall have received this Agreement executed by a Responsible Officer of each Obligor dated as of the Third Amendment Effective Date.

 

(b)    Term Loan Amendment. Agent shall have received the Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement executed by the Obligors, the Term Loan Agent and the Term Loan Lenders party thereto.

 

(c)    Intercreditor Agreement. Agent shall have received the Third Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement executed by the Obligors, ABL Agent and Term Loan Agent.

 

(d)    Fees and Expenses. Agent shall have received from Borrowers all outstanding fees and expenses required to be paid on or prior to the Third Amendment Effective Date and all fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement required to be paid in accordance with the Loan Agreement.

 

(e)    No Default. Immediately prior to and immediately after giving effect to this Agreement, no Default or Event of Default exists.

 

(f)    Representations and Warranties. Immediately after giving effect to this Agreement (and deeming this Agreement to be a Loan Document), each of the representations and warranties contained in the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents is true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein), except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which event such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein) as of such earlier date).

 

4.    Representations and Warranties. Each of the Obligors represents and warrants as follows:

 

(a)    immediately after giving effect to this Agreement (and deeming this Agreement to be a Loan Document), each of the representations and warranties contained in the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents is true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein), except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which event such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein) as of such earlier date); and

 

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(b)    immediately prior to and immediately after giving effect to this Agreement, no Default or Event of Default exists.

 

5.    Effect of this Agreement. Except as expressly provided herein, the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain unmodified and in full force and effect. Except as expressly set forth herein, this Agreement shall not be deemed (a) to be a waiver of, or consent to, a modification of or amendment of, any other term or condition of the Existing Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, (b) to prejudice any other right or rights which the Agent or the Lenders may now have or may have in the future under or in connection with the Loan Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any of the instruments or agreements referred to therein, as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, (c) to be a commitment or any other undertaking or expression of any willingness to engage in any further discussion with the Loan Parties or any other Person with respect to any waiver, amendment, modification or any other change to the Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents or any rights or remedies arising in favor of the Agent or the Lenders, or any of them, under or with respect to any such documents or (d) to be a waiver of, or consent to or a modification or amendment of, any other term or condition of any other agreement by and among any Loan Party, on the one hand, and the Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand. References in the Loan Agreement to “this Agreement” (and indirect references such as “hereunder”, “hereby”, “herein”, and “hereof”) and in any Loan Document to “the Loan Agreement” or words of like import shall be deemed to be references to the Existing Loan Agreement as modified by this Agreement. This Agreement shall constitute a “Loan Document” under and as defined in the Loan Agreement.

 

6.    Reaffirmations. Each Obligor (a) agrees that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall not limit or diminish the obligations of such Person under, or release such Person from its obligations under, the Loan Agreement and each Loan Document to which it is a party, (b) confirms, ratifies and reaffirms its obligations under the Loan Agreement and each Loan Document to which it is a party, and (c) agrees that the Loan Agreement and each Loan Document to which it is a party remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed.

 

7.    Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be valid under Applicable Law. If any provision is found to be invalid under Applicable Law, it shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

8.    Counterparts; Electronic Execution. This Agreement may be in the form of an Electronic Record and may be executed using Electronic Signatures. An Electronic Signature on or associated with a Communication shall be valid and binding on each Obligor and other party thereto to the same extent as a manual, original signature, and any Communication entered into by Electronic Signature shall constitute their legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable to the same extent as if a manually executed original signature were delivered to Agent. Any Communication may be executed in as many counterparts as necessary or convenient, including both paper and electronic counterparts, but all such counterparts are one and the same Communication. The parties may use or accept manually signed paper Communications converted to electronic form (such as scanned into PDF), or electronically signed Communications converted into other formats, for transmission, delivery and/or retention. Agent and Lenders may, at their option, create one or more copies of any Communication in the form of an Electronic Copy which shall be deemed created in the ordinary course of the Person’s business, and destroy the original paper document. All Communications in the form of an Electronic Record, including an Electronic Copy, shall be considered an original for all purposes, and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record. Notwithstanding anything herein, Agent is under no obligation to accept an Electronic Signature in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed by it pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided (a) if Agent has agreed to accept such Electronic Signature, Agent and each Secured Party shall be entitled to rely on any such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of an Obligor without further verification; and (b) upon the request by Agent or any Secured Party, an Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by a manually executed counterpart. “Electronic Record” and “Electronic Signature” are used herein as defined in by 15 USC §7006.

 

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9.    Entirety. This Agreement (together with the Existing Loan Agreement) constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all prior understandings and agreements, among the parties relating to the subject matter thereof.

 

10.    Governing Law; Etc. UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, THIS AGREEMENT AND ALL CLAIMS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES EXCEPT FEDERAL LAWS RELATING TO NATIONAL BANKS.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the date first above written.

 

	 	
			BORROWERS:

			 

			ROCKY BRANDS, INC.

			 

			 

			By:    /s/ Thomas D. Robertson                      

			Name: Thomas Robertson

			Title: Chief Financial Officer

			 

			LIFESTYLE FOOTWEAR, INC.

			 

			 

			By:    /s/ Thomas D. Robertson                      

			Name: Thomas Robertson

			Title: Chief Financial Officer

			 

			ROCKY BRANDS US, LLC

			 

			 

			By:    /s/ Thomas D. Robertson                       

			Name: Thomas Robertson

			Title: Chief Financial Officer

			 

			LEHIGH OUTFITTERS, LLC

			 

			 

			By:    /s/ Thomas D. Robertson                      

			Name: Thomas Robertson

			Title: Chief Financial Officer

			 

			ROCKY OUTDOOR GEAR STORE, LLC

			 

			 

			By:    /s/ Thomas D. Robertson                      

			Name: Thomas Robertson

			Title: Chief Financial Officer

			 

			US FOOTWEAR HOLDINGS LLC

			 

			 

			By:    /s/ Thomas D. Robertson                      

			Name: Thomas Robertson

			Title: Chief Financial Officer

			

 

 

 

 

	 	
			BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

			as Agent and as a Lender

			 

			By:  /s/ Brian Scawinski                                 

			Name: Brian Scawinski

			Title: Vice President

			 

			

 

 

 

 

	 	
			WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

			as a Lender

			 

			By:  /s/ Daniel Clark Jr.                                 

			Name: Daniel Clark Jr.

			Title: AVP

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