Document:

ex4-1.htm

Exhibit 4.1

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

This Amendment No. 1 (this “Amendment”) to the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated as of  July 31, 2008 (the “Rights Agreement”) between Synthetech, Inc., an Oregon corporation (the “Company”), and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as Rights Agent (the “Rights Agent”) is made as of September 13, 2010.

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, on or about September 13, 2010, the Company proposes to enter into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among the Company, W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn., a Connecticut corporation (“Parent”), and Mallard Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders that the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement be consummated on the terms set forth therein;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger Agreement, certain stockholders of the Company shall enter into voting agreements related to the Merger Agreement and other transactions contemplated thereby (“Voting Agreements”).

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors desires to amend the Rights Agreement such that the execution of the Merger Agreement and Voting Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby will not cause Parent or its Affiliates or Associates to become an Acquiring Person;

 

WHEREAS, Section 27 of the Rights Agreement provides that at any time prior to the time any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, the Company may supplement or amend the Rights Agreement without approval of any holders of the Rights to make provisions with respect to the Rights Agreement which the Company may deem necessary or desirable; and

 

WHEREAS, capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Rights Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the recitals (which are deemed to be a part of this Amendment) and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree to amend the Rights Agreement as follows:

 

1.           The definition of “Acquiring Person” in Section 1 of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended and restated to read, from and after the date hereof, in its entirety as set forth below:

 

  

  

  

“Acquiring Person” shall mean any Person who or which, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the shares of Common Stock of the Company then outstanding, but shall not include (i) the Company, (ii) any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iv) any entity holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or (v) W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn., a Connecticut corporation (“Parent”) or Mallard Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), but only as a result of the execution and delivery of, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by, the Merger Agreement, dated as of September 13, 2010, by and among the Company, Parent, and Merger Sub or any amendment thereto (the “Merger Agreement”) or the Voting Agreements and any amendments to such Voting Agreements.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person shall become an “Acquiring Person” as the result of an acquisition of shares of Common Stock by the Company which, by reducing the number of shares outstanding, increases the proportionate number of shares beneficially owned by such Person to 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company; provided, however, that if a Person shall become the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company by reason of share purchases by the Company and shall, after such share purchases by the Company, become the Beneficial Owner of any additional shares of Common Stock of the Company, then such Person shall be deemed to be an “Acquiring Person.”  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith that a Person who would otherwise be an “Acquiring Person,” as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (a), has become such inadvertently, and such Person divests as promptly as practicable a sufficient number of share of Common Stock so that such Person would no longer be an “Acquiring Person,” as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (a), then such Person shall not be deemed to be an “Acquiring Person” for any purposes of this Agreement.

 

2.           Notwithstanding Section 7(a) of the Rights Agreement, the Rights Agreement shall terminate and the Rights shall expire at the Effective Time, as defined in the Merger Agreement and such time shall be deemed the Final Expiration Date under the Rights Agreement.  The Company shall give the Rights Agent reasonable advance written notice of the Effective Time.

 

3.           Except as expressly amended hereby, the Rights Agreement remains in full force and effect.

 

4.           This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.  A signature to this Amendment transmitted electronically shall have the same authority, effect, and enforceability as an original signature.

 

5.           This Amendment shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Oregon, except that the rights, duties and obligations of the Rights Agent shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely within such Commonwealth.

 

  

  

  

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

SYNTHETECH, INC.

By:           /s/ Gary Weber

Name:      Gary Weber

Title:        Senior Vice President and

  Chief Financial Officer

COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

By:           /s/ Kelli Gwinn

Name:     Kellie Gwinn

Title:       Vice Presidentkurrant_ex101.htm

EXHIBIT 10.1

CONSULTANT SERVICE AGREEMENT

THIS CONSULTANT SERVICE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is deemed made, entered into and effective this 2ndday of June, 2010 (the “Effective Date”).

Between:   KURRANT MOBILE CATERING, INC., Inc., a Colorado Corporation, with its principle business address at 194 Hermosa Circle, Durango, Colorado, 81301;

 

(the “Company").

And:   Lois Arkwright, a Canadian businesswoman having its principal place of business 60 rue Lapointe St-François, Laval, Qc, Canada, H7B 1A6

 (the "Consultant").

WHEREAS:

A.           The Company is a reporting company incorporated under the laws of the State of Colorado, U.S.A., and has its common shares listed for trading on the NASDAQ Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board;

B.           The Company is involved in the principal business of editing and book publishing (collectively, the “Business”);

C.           The Consultant is a professional within the field of event planning and promotional marketing and desires to provide professional consulting services to the Company;

D.           The Company desires to retain the services of the Consultant and the Consultant desires to accept such mandate, in order to provide such related services to the Company (collectively, the “General Services”);

E.           It is the intention of the Company and the Consultant (at times referred to herein as “Parties”) hereby to memoralize all such agreements and understandings between them relating to the terms and conditions of the General Services and, correspondingly, it is their further intention that the terms and conditions of this agreement (the “Agreement”) will replace, in their entirety, all such prior discussions, negotiations, understandings and agreements with respect to the General Services;

F.           The Parties hereto have agreed to enter into this Agreement which replaces, in its entirety, all such prior discussions, negotiations, understandings and agreements, and, furthermore, which necessarily clarifies their respective duties and obligations with respect to the General Services to be provided hereunder, all in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement;

G.           The Parties do not wish this Agreement to be an employment agreement and intend to maintain an independent contractor relationship whereby the Consultant will continue to provide the General Services hereunder.  The Consultant shall allocate, in his discretion, the amount of time appropriate to providing General Services to the Company and the manner of the provision of any part of the General Services.  The Consultant may choose the location from which the Consultant’s General Services are rendered, select the times during which such General Services are rendered, and the optimal form of communication through which to deliver or provide such General Services.  Provided however, all decisions of the Consultant in rendering the General Services must be made in good faith, in the best mutual interests of the Consultant and the Company, and carried out in a manner that is generally consistent with accepted industry standards for the provision of such General Services.

 

  

1

  

H.           This Agreement when duly signed and accepted by the Consultant; will define the duties, responsibilities and obligations of the Consultant; set forth and provide the consideration, expense allowances and any other consideration offered or provided to the Consultant hereunder; and as offered by the Company to other independent contractors providing professional services and consulting services to the Company.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the recited ongoing relationship of the Parties and the promises, covenants, assurances, agreements and financial compensation provided by and between the Parties all of which is mutually acknowledged as good and sufficient consideration, by and between the Parties hereto, and the Company and the Consultant hereby promise, covenant and agree as follows:

	
1. 

	
Remuneration

	
1.1

	
The Company shall pay to the Consultant One million five hundred thousand common shares to be issued in accordance with rule 144 of the Law, such shares being valued at .001 as per the Company’s board resolution attached herewith;.

	
1.2

	
N/A;

 

	
1.3

	
The compensation provided for herein will be inclusive of any remuneration otherwise payable to the Consultant may be for serving the Company or any subsidiary of the Company at the request of the Company during the currency of this Agreement.

	
2. 

	
Expenses

	
2.1

	
The Company shall reimburse the Consultant the full amount for all expenses reasonably incurred by the Consultant in the proper performance of the General Services, where such expenses are pre-approved under this Agreement, pre-approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) or the controller of the Company at any specified rate or amount, or upon the Consultant providing such receipts or other evidence as the Company may reasonably require.

	
3. 

	
Notice of Termination and Termination of the Agreement

	
3.1

	
Any Party can terminate this Agreement upon thirty (30) days written notice (herein called “Notice of Termination”) to the other Parties. If the Company terminates the Agreement prior to the Termination Date for any reason other than the Consultant’s gross negligence, all shares issued.

	
3.2

	
N/A

	
3.3

	
N/A

	
3.4

	
All expenses and other reimbursable cost payable to the Consultant hereunder are payable to the date of effective Notice of Termination as provided hereunder.

	
4. 

	
Term of Agreement

	
4.1

	
Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Parties, this Agreement will commence on the Effective Date and continue on for a Three months period at which date it shall terminate (herein called the “Termination Date”).  The Agreement may be renewed thereafter upon the mutual consent of the Parties.

 

  

2

  

 

	
5. 

	
General Services

	
5.1

	
During the continuance of this Agreement the Consultant also agrees to provide the services as more fully described in Schedule A attached herewith and such related services, as the Board may, from time to time, reasonably assign to the Consultant and as may be necessary for the ongoing maintenance and development of the Company’s various Business interests during the continuance of this Agreement (herein collectively described as the “General Services”). Any extraordinary mandate shall be the object of an agreement between the parties for additional compensation.

 

	
5.3

	
N/A;

	
5.4

	
The Consultant will perform the said General Services faithfully, diligently, to the best of the Consultant’s capabilities with the resources at its disposal and in the best interests of the Company.

	
5.5

	
N/A;

	
5.6

	
In any event the Consultant will not engage in any activity which is in a conflict of interests with its engagement under this Agreement or contrary to the best interests of the Company.  In that regard, the Consultant and the Company shall regularly consult and make necessary and appropriate records available to one another to assure them, and each of them, that no potential or actual conflict of interest arises in the performance of the responsibilities hereunder by the Consultant.

	
6. 

	
Confidentiality, Non-Disclosure, Non-Competition and Non-Circumvention

	
6.1

	
Subject to the provisions of Section 5.6 hereof to prevent conflicts of interest, the Consultant hereby covenants, promises and agrees that he will be provided with confidential, proprietary and valuable information by the Company about its clients, properties, prospects and financial circumstances from time to time during the currency of this Agreement, in order to permit the Consultant to properly, effectively and efficiently carry out its tasks, duties and activities hereunder. However, by providing such disclosure of Confidential Information to the Consultant, the Company relies on the Consultant to hold such information as confidential and only disclose the same to those parties, whether directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives or clients and contacts of the Consultant “who need to know”, in order that the Consultant can carry out the objects of this Agreement as provided for herein and as communicated as between the Company and the Consultant during the currency of this Agreement.  Due to the nature of the relationship of the Consultant to the Company no more precise limitations can be placed on the Consultant’s use and disclosure of Confidential Information received from the Company pursuant hereto than as described herein.

	
6.2

	
The general nature of the Agreement between the Parties is that the Consultant (also called the “Independent Contractor”) acting as an independent contractor and consultant to the Company, whereby the Independent Contractor will act on the Company’s behalf in the promotion of the Company’s interests and by way of introductions, consulting to and advising of the Company on matters related to the Business.  The result of these terms and conditions of disclosure of Confidential Information to the Independent Contractor by the Company is that the Independent Contractor will:

	
(a)    

	
Only disclose such Confidential Information on a “need to know” basis, but it will be up to the Independent Contractor’s reasonable discretion in acting on behalf of and in the best interests of the Company to determine what group or groups “need to know” about such information pursuant to the nature and scope of this Agreement;

	
(b)    

	
The disclosure of Confidential Information from the Company to the Independent Contractor further to the intents and purposes of this Agreement will prohibit the Independent Contractor from directly or indirectly using the Confidential Information in a manner that is in conflict with or contrary to the best interests of the Company, except with the Company’s written consent;

 

  

3

  

 

	
(c)    

	
The Independent Contractor will not use Confidential Information in a manner that in the view of the Company would constitute a direct or indirect use for a purpose which is in competition with the best interests of the Company or would be a circumvention of the Company’s right or interest in a particular Business opportunity.

	
(d)

	
The meaning of Confidential Information (herein called “Confidential Information”) will include any information disclosed by the Company that is declared by the Company either verbally or in writing, depending on the means of communication of such Confidential Information by the Company to the Independent Contractor.

	
(e)

	
The restrictions on disclosure of Confidential Material do not apply to any of the following circumstances:

	
  

	
(i)

	
Information forming part of the public domain, which became such through no disclosure or breach of this Agreement on the Independent Contractor’s behalf;

	
  

	
(ii)

	
Information which the Independent Contractor can independently prove was received from a Third Party, which was legally entitled to disclose such information;

	
  

	
(iii)

	
Information which the Independent Contractor is legally obligated to disclose in compliance with any applicable law, statute, regulation, order, ruling or directive of an official, tribunal or agency which is binding on the Consultant, provided that the Independent Contractor must also provide the Company with notice of such disclosure at or before releasing or disclosing the Confidential Information to such official, tribunal or agency so that the Company is afforded an opportunity to file a written objection to such disclosure with such official, tribunal or agency.

	
6.3

	
The Independent Contractor understands, acknowledges and agrees that the covenants to keep the Confidential Information confidential and not disclose it to Third Parties, except in conformity with this Agreement, is necessary to protect the proprietary interests of Company in such Confidential Information and a breach of these covenants would cause significant loss to the Company in regard to its competitive advantage, market opportunities and financial investment associated with protection of its Confidential Information.

	
6.4

	
The Independent Contractor further understands, acknowledges and agrees that a breach of these covenants of confidentiality, non-disclosure, non-competition and non-circumvention under this Section 6 (in combination the “Covenants of Confidentiality, Non-Circumvention and Non Disclosure”), will likely cause such irreparable harm to the Company that damages alone would be an inadequate remedy and the Independent Contractor consent and agree such equitable remedies including injunctive relief against any further breach which are reasonably justified in addition to any claim for damages based on a breach of these Covenants of Confidentiality, Non-Circumvention and Non Disclosure.

	
6.5

	
The Parties mutually acknowledge, confirm and agree that the Covenants of Confidentiality, Non-Circumvention and Non-Disclosure will survive Termination of this Agreement and will continue to bind the Independent Contractor to protect the Company’s interest in such Confidential Information disclosed pursuant hereto.

  

4

  

 

	
7.

	
           Change of Control.

	
7.1

	
N/A;

General Clauses

	
8. 

	
Governing Law, Jurisdiction and Currency

	
8.1

	
This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law thereof.

	
8.2

	
Unless otherwise mutually agreed to in writing by the Parties, any action, proceeding or arbitration in regard to a dispute or direction relating to the subject matter of this Agreement will be solely within the jurisdiction of the appropriate court, tribunal or arbitrator of competent jurisdiction within the State of Nevada.

	
8.3

	
Unless otherwise expressly provided for herein or agreed upon in writing by the Parties, all references to money or money consideration are deemed to be in United States Currency (“US$”)

 

	
9. 

	
Notice

	
9.1

	
All notices to be given with respect to this Agreement, unless otherwise provided for, shall be given to Cleary, the Company and the Consultant at the respective addresses, fax numbers and email addresses shown below or otherwise communicated by the Parties to each other for such notice and service matters during the currency of this Agreement.

  

5

  

 

	
9.2

	
All notices, requests, demands or other communications made by a Party will be deemed to have been duly delivered: (i) on the date of personal delivery utilizing a process server, courier or other means of physical delivery to the intended recipient (“Personal Service”); or (ii) on the date of facsimile transmission (the “Fax”) on proof of receipt of the Fax; or (iii) on the date of electronic mail (the “email”) with verifiable proof of receipt of such email; or (iv) on the seventh (7th) day after mailing by registered mail with postage prepaid (“Registered Mail”), to the Party’s address, Fax number, email address set out in this Agreement or such other addresses Fax numbers or email address as the Parties or their Representatives may have from time to time during the currency of this Agreement or thereafter and communicated to the other Parties for the purposes of this Agreement.

To:           Kurrant Mobile Catering, Inc.

194 Hermosa Circle

Durango, Colorado

81301

Or

C/o           Diane D. Dalmy, Attorney At Law

8965 W. Cornell Place

Lakewood, Colorado 80227

Tel: (303) 985-9324

Fax: (303) 988-6954

Emaile:ddalmy@earthlink.net

To:           Lois Arkwright

60 rue Lapointe St-François, Laval, Qc, Canada, H7B 1A6

514-265-5285

loisarkwright@hotmail.com

	
10. 

	
Entire Agreement

	
10.1

	
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and replaces, restates in full and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral.

	
10

	
Assignments

	
10.1

	
The Parties agree that neither will assign this Agreement without prior written consent of the other Party.

	
11.

	
Inurement

	
11.1

	
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and authorized assigns. Any attempt by either party to assign any rights, duties or obligations that may arise under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party shall be void.

	
12. 

	
Entire Agreement and Severance

	
12.1

	
This document contains the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and neither Party is relying on any agreement, representation, warranty, or other understanding not expressly stated herein. In the event that any provision of this Agreement will be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any circumstances, the remaining provisions will nevertheless remain in full force and effect and will be construed as if the unenforceable portion or portions were deleted.

 

  

6

  

 

	
13.

	
Time if of the Essence

	
13.1

	
Time is of the essence in this Contract.  A waiver of the strict performance requirements hereunder in on instance will not constitute a waiver for any other instance where time for performance is specified herein..

	
14 

	
Counterparts and Execution Electronically

	
14.1

	
Where the Parties hereto or their authorized signatories have signed, sealed and duly executed this Agreement effective the date above shown whether as a whole document in original form or in several counterparts; each such counterpart shall be considered as an original and in combination comprises the formal execution hereof.  The Parties acknowledge and consent to the execution of this Agreement and all related documents and notices pursuant hereto by electronically scanned signatures or facsimile transmission, either of which will constitute good and sufficient execution, service and notice for all intents and purposes hereunder and will be deemed to be as effective as if an originally “signed-in-hand” physical document was used instead.

THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

  

7

  

IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement is hereby signed, sealed and duly executed by the Parties or their duly authorized signatories on the Effective Date first above written.

 

 

 

	KURRANT MOBILE CATERING INC.	)	 
	 	)	 
	 	)	(C/S)
	 	)	 
	 	 	 
	Authorized Signatory 	)	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	Lois Arkwright	)	 
	 	)	 
	 	)	 
	 	)	 
	 	 	 _______________________________________
	Signature of Witness	)	 
	 	 	 
	 	)	 
	 	)	 
	 Address of Witness 	 	 
	 	)	 
	 	)	 
	 	)	 
	 	 	 
	 Name and Occupation of Witness 	)	 

 

 

  

8

  

 

SCHEDULE A

Analysis of the event marketing strategies related to the launch of the different products.

 

Production of original events for each product.

 

 

 

 

 

  

9

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00178-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00178-of-00352.parquet"}]]