Document:

ccmh_ex10-1.htm

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

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AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Amended and Restated Employment Agreement is entered into and effective this 15th day of November, 2010 (the “Effective Date”) between Clear Channel Broadcasting, Inc. (the “Company”) and John Hogan (the “Employee”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee desire to enter into an employment relationship under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, which supersedes the prior employment agreement dated June 29, 2008;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT. Company hereby agrees to employ Employee, and Employee hereby agrees to be employed by Company, in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the period commencing as of the Effective Date and ending on December 31, 2013 (the “Employment Period” or “Term”).  Thereafter, beginning on January 1, 2014, the Employment Period shall be automatically extended from year to year unless either Company or Employee gives written notice of non-renewal on or before October 1, 2013, or annually on each October 1 thereafter, that the Employment Period shall not be extended.  The term “Employment Period” shall refer to the Employment Period if and as so extended. If this Agreement is extended pursuant to the foregoing provisions, all terms and conditions of this Agreement shall remain the same; provided, however, that the terms of this Agreement may be modified in accordance with Section 18.

 

2. TITLE AND EXCLUSIVE SERVICES.

 

(A) TITLE AND DUTIES.  The Employee’s title is President and Chief Executive Officer, Clear Channel Radio.  The Employee will perform job duties that are usual and customary for this position, and will perform additional services and duties that the Company may from time to time designate that are consistent with the usual and customary duties of this position. The Employee will report to either the Operating Committee of the Board of Directors of CC Media Holdings, Inc. through Robert Pittman, Chairman, Media and Entertainment Platforms or the Chief Executive Officer of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. or CC Media Holdings, Inc. (the “CEO”).  Employee acknowledges receipt of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and will review and abide by its terms.

 

(B) EXCLUSIVE SERVICES.  The Employee will devote his full working time and efforts to the business and affairs of Clear Channel Radio; provided that with advance notice to the Chairman of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment or CEO, as applicable, Employee may participate in educational, welfare, social, religious and civic organizations, so long as such activities do not interfere or conflict with Employee’s satisfactory performance of his obligations hereunder or conflict in any material way with the business of the Company.

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

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3. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.

 

(A) BASE SALARY. Employee shall be paid an annual salary of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) (“Base Salary”) and is eligible for annual salary increases commensurate with Company policy.  All payments of base salary will be made in installments according to the Company’s regular payroll practice, prorated monthly or weekly where appropriate, and subject to any increases that are determined to be appropriate by the Board or its Compensation Committee.

 

(B) PERFORMANCE BONUS. No later than March 15 of each calendar year following that in which the Performance Bonus was earned during the Term, Employee will be paid a performance bonus as set forth in the Performance Bonus Calculation attached as “Exhibit A” to this Employment Agreement.

 

(C) EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT PLANS. The Employee will be entitled to participate in all pension, profit sharing, and other retirement plans, all incentive compensation plans, and all group health, hospitalization and disability or other insurance plans, paid vacation, sick leave and other employee welfare benefit plans in which other similarly situated employees of the Company may participate as stated in the employee guide.

 

(D) EXPENSES. The Company will pay or reimburse the Employee for all normal and reasonable travel and entertainment expenses incurred by the Employee in connection with the Employee’s responsibilities to the Company upon submission of proper vouchers in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy.  The Company shall promptly reimburse Employee for the reasonable legal fees incurred by Employee in connection with negotiating this Agreement.

 

(E) VACATION.  Employee is eligible for vacation days in accordance with the Company’s policies as in effect from time to time, which shall provide for no less than 20 days paid vacation per year.

 

4. NONDISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. During the course of the Employee’s employment with the Company, the Company will provide the Employee with access to certain confidential information, trade secrets, and other matters which are of a confidential or proprietary nature, including but not limited to the Company’s customer lists, pricing information, production and cost data, compensation and fee information, strategic business plans, budgets, financial statements, and other information the Company treats as confidential or proprietary (collectively the “Confidential Information”). The Company provides on an ongoing basis such Confidential Information as the Company deems necessary or desirable to aid the Employee in the performance of his duties. The Employee understands and acknowledges that such Confidential Information is confidential and proprietary, and agrees not to disclose such Confidential Information to anyone outside the Company except to the extent that (i) the Employee deems such disclosure or use reasonably necessary or appropriate in connection with performing his duties on behalf of the Company; (ii) the Employee is required by order of a court of competent jurisdiction (by subpoena or similar process) to disclose or discuss any Confidential Information, provided that in such case, the Employee shall promptly inform the Company of such event, shall cooperate with the Company in attempting to obtain a protective order or to otherwise restrict such disclosure, and shall only disclose Confidential Information to the minimum extent necessary to comply with any such court order; or (iii) such Confidential Information becomes generally known to and available for use in the industries in which the Company does business, other than as a result of any action or inaction by the Employee. The Employee further agrees that he will not during employment and/or at any time thereafter use such Confidential Information in competing, directly or indirectly, with the Company. At such time as the Employee shall cease to be employed by the Company, he will immediately turn over to the Company all Confidential Information, including papers, documents, writings, electronically stored information, other property, and all copies of them, provided to or created by him during the course of his employment with the Company. This nondisclosure covenant is binding on the Employee, as well as his heirs, successors, and legal representatives, and will survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

  

  

  

 

 

 

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5. NONHIRE OF COMPANY EMPLOYEES. To further preserve the rights of the Company pursuant to the nondisclosure covenant discussed above, and for the consideration promised by the Company under this Agreement, during the term of the Employee’s employment with the Company and for a period of twelve months thereafter, regardless of the reason for termination of employment, the Employee will not, directly or indirectly, (i) hire any current or prospective employee of the Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company (including, without limitation, any current or prospective employee of the Company within the 6-month period preceding the Employee’s last day of employment with the Company or within the 12- month period of this covenant) who worked, works, or has been offered employment by the Company; (ii) solicit or encourage any such employee to terminate their employment with the Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company; or (iii) solicit or encourage any such employee to accept employment with any business, operation, corporation, partnership, association, agency, or other person or entity with which the Employee may be associated.

 

6. NON-COMPETITION. To further preserve the rights of the Company pursuant to the nondisclosure covenant discussed above, and for the consideration promised by the Company under this Agreement, during the Employee’s employment with the Company and for a period of one year thereafter, regardless of the reason for termination of employment, the Employee will not, directly or indirectly, as an owner, director, principal, agent, officer, employee, partner, consultant, servant, or otherwise, carry on, operate, manage, control, or become involved in any manner with any business, operation, corporation, partnership, association, agency, or other person or entity which is in the same business as the Company in any location in which the Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, operates or has plans or has projected to operate during the Employee’s employment with the Company, including any area within a 50- mile radius of any such location. The foregoing shall not prohibit the Employee from owning up to 5.0% of the outstanding stock of any publicly held company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, after the Employee’s employment with the Company has terminated, upon receiving written permission by the Board, the Employee shall be permitted to engage in such competing activities that would otherwise be prohibited by this covenant if such activities are determined in the sole discretion of the Board in good faith to be immaterial to the operations of the Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, in the location in question.

 

To further preserve the rights of the Company pursuant to the nondisclosure covenant discussed above, and for the consideration promised by the Company under this Agreement, during the term of the Employee’s employment with the Company and for a period of one year thereafter, regardless of the reason for termination of employment, the Employee will not, directly or indirectly, either for himself or for any other business, operation, corporation, partnership, association, agency, or other person or entity, call upon, compete for, solicit, divert, or take away, or attempt to divert or take away current or prospective customers (including, without limitation, any customer with whom the Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, (i) has an existing agreement or business relationship; (ii) has had an agreement or business relationship within the six-month period preceding the Employee’s last day of employment with the Company; or (iii) has included as a prospect in its applicable pipeline) of the Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company.

 

  

  

  

 

 

 

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The Company and the Employee agree that the restrictions contained in this noncompetition covenant are reasonable in scope and duration and are necessary to protect the Company’s business interests and Confidential Information. If any provision of this noncompetition covenant as applied to any party or to any circumstance is adjudged by a court or arbitrator to be invalid or unenforceable, the same will in no way affect any other circumstance or the validity or enforceability of this Agreement. If any such provision, or any part thereof, is held to be unenforceable because of the scope, duration, or geographic area covered thereby, the parties agree that the court or arbitrator making such determination shall have the power to reduce the scope and/or duration and/or geographic area of such provision, and/or to delete specific words or phrases, and in its reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable and shall be enforced. The parties agree and acknowledge that the breach of this noncompetition covenant will cause irreparable damage to the Company, and upon breach of any provision of this noncompetition covenant, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief, specific performance, or other equitable relief; provided, however, that this shall in no way limit any other remedies which the Company may have (including, without limitation, the right to seek monetary damages).

 

Should the Employee violate the provisions of this noncompetition covenant, then in addition to all other rights and remedies available to the Company at law or in equity, the duration of this covenant shall automatically be extended for the period of time from which the Employee began such violation until he permanently ceases such violation.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the noncompetition covenant is adjudged to be invalid or unenforceable, or if it is substantially reduced in scope or geographic area, and if Employee then performs services in any capacity in competition with the Company, then the Company shall have no severance compensation obligations to Employee under Section 8 of this Agreement.

 

7. TERMINATION. The Employee’s employment with the Company may be terminated under the following circumstances:

 

(A) DEATH. The Employee’s employment with the Company shall terminate upon his death.

 

(B) DISABILITY. The Company may terminate the Employee’s employment with the Company if, as a result of the Employee’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness, the Employee is unable to perform his duties under this Agreement on a full-time basis for more than 180 days in any 12 month period, as determined by the Company.

 

  

  

  

 

 

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(C) TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY. The Company may terminate the Employee’s employment without cause, subject to the severance obligations in Section 8(d). The Company may also terminate his employment for Cause. A termination for Cause must be for one or more of the following reasons: (i) conduct by the Employee constituting a material act of willful misconduct in connection with the performance of his duties, including, without limitation, violation of the Company’s policy on sexual harassment, misappropriation of funds or property of the Company or any of its affiliates other than the occasional, customary and de minimis use of Company property for personal purposes, or other willful misconduct as determined in the sole reasonable discretion of the Company; (ii) continued, willful and deliberate non-performance by the Employee of his duties hereunder (other than by reason of the Employee’s physical or mental illness, incapacity or disability) where such non-performance has continued for more than 10 days following written notice of such non­-performance; (iii) the Employee’s refusal or failure to follow lawful directives where such refusal or failure has continued for more than 30 days following written notice of such refusal or failure; (iv) a criminal or civil conviction of the Employee, a plea of nolo contendere by the Employee, or other conduct by the Employee that, as determined in the sole reasonable discretion of the Board, has resulted in, or would result in if he were retained in his position with the Company, material injury to the reputation of the Company, including, without limitation, conviction of fraud, theft, embezzlement, or a crime involving moral turpitude; (v) a material breach by the Employee of any of the provisions of this Agreement; or (vi) a material violation by the Employee of the Company’s employment policies.

 

(D) TERMINATION BY EMPLOYEE FOR GOOD CAUSE. Employee may terminate this Agreement at any time for “Good Cause,” which is defined as one of the following: (i) a repeated willful failure of Company to comply with a material term of this Agreement after written notice by Employee specifying the alleged failure; or (ii) a substantial and unusual change in Employee’s position, material duties, responsibilities, or authority without an offer of additional reasonable compensation as determined by Company in light of compensation levels for similarly situated employees; or (iii) a substantial and unusual reduction in Employee’s material duties, responsibilities or authority. If Employee elects to terminate this Agreement for “Good Cause” as described above in this paragraph, Employee must provide Company written notice within thirty (30) days of the occurrence of “Good Cause,” after which Company shall have thirty (30) days within which to cure. If in spite of Company’s efforts to cure, Employee still elects to terminate this Agreement, he must do so within ten (10) days after the end of the cure period.

 

(E) KEY MAN.  After the Effective Date hereof or upon the appointment of a successor to Mark Mays who commences duties as Chief Executive Officer of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. or CC Media Holdings, Inc., in either case, Employee may terminate this Agreement, in writing, but in no event later than 180 days after each such circumstance occurs.

 

  

  

  

 

 

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8. COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION.

 

(A) DEATH.  If the Employee’s employment with the Company terminates pursuant to Section 7(A), the Company will, within 45 days of said termination, pay in a lump sum amount to such person as the Employee shall designate in a notice filed with the Company or, if no such person is designated, to the Employee’s estate, the Employee’s accrued and unpaid base salary and prorated bonus, if any (See Exhibit A), and any payments to which the Employee’s spouse, beneficiaries, or estate may be entitled under any applicable employee benefit plan (according to the terms of such plans and policies).

 

(B) DISABILITY.  If the Employee’s employment with the Company terminates pursuant to Section 7(B), the Company will, within 45 days of said termination, pay in a lump sum amount to the Employee his accrued and unpaid base salary and prorated bonus, if any (See Exhibit A), and any payments to which he may be entitled under any applicable employee benefit plan (according to the terms of such plans and policies).  The prorated bonus, if any, shall be determined by multiplying the Proration Factor (defined below) by the actual Performance Bonus that would have been earned by Employee (i) had he remained employed until the normal bonus payment date, (ii) had 100% of his bonus opportunity (See Exhibit A), and (iii) based on the Company’ actual performance against such criteria as of the end of the performance period. The Proration Factor shall be the number of days in the calendar year prior to the termination date divided by 365.

 

(C) TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY FOR CAUSE.  If the Employee’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company for Cause pursuant to Section 7(C), the Company will, within 45 days of said termination, pay in a lump sum amount to the Employee his accrued and unpaid base salary and any payments to which he may be entitled under any applicable employee benefit plan (according to the terms of such plans and policies).

 

(D) NON-RENEWAL BY COMPANY; TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY WITHOUT CAUSE OR BY EMPLOYEE FOR GOOD CAUSE.  If the Employee’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause pursuant to Section 7(C) or if the Company terminates Employee’s employment following its notice of non-renewal, in each case the Employment Period (and Employee’s employment) shall end on a date to be determined by Company, or if Employee’s employment with the Company is terminated by Employee for Good Cause pursuant to Section 7(D), the Company will, within 45 days of said termination, pay in a lump sum amount to the Employee his accrued and unpaid base salary and any payments to which he may be entitled under any applicable employee benefit plan (according to the terms of such plans and policies).  In addition, commencing on the date of Employee’s termination of employment the Company will pay to Employee, in periodic installment payments twice per month over a period of three years in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions, an amount equal to three times the average of Employee’s annualized base salary for the current and prior full year of employment (the sum of such payments, the “Installment Amount”), provided that such payments shall cease on, and Employee shall forfeit any right to such payments payable after, the date that is sixty (60) days after the date of Employee’s termination of employment (the “Payment Date”) if Employee has not signed and returned a severance agreement and general release of claims in a form and manner satisfactory to Company (such an agreement and release, the “Release”) by the Payment Date or if the Release remains subject to revocation on the Payment Date.  Further, if Employee signs the Release and the Release is no longer subject to revocation, if applicable, on the Payment Date, then the Company will (1) pay to Employee, on the Payment Date, a cash lump sum amount equal to difference between (i) two times the sum of (x) the average of Employee’s annualized base salary for the current and prior full year of employment plus (y) 120% of the average of Employee’s annualized base salary for the current and prior full year of employment less (ii) the Installment Amount (such difference, the “Lump Sum Amount”), (2) pay to Employee, on the Payment Date, an outplacement cash lump sum benefit equal to $20,000, (3) shall allow Employee and his eligible dependents to participate in the Company’s health benefit plans under which Employee and his dependents were covered under as of the date of his termination of employment for a period of three years after the date of the Employee’s termination of employment with the Company; provided that Employee pays the then-current applicable monthly premium chargeable to an individual who elects continuation coverage under COBRA for such health benefit plans, which the amount of such premium paid by Employee shall be reimbursed to him by the Company on a monthly basis, and (4) continue to provide Employee access to secretarial services, at Company expense, for a period of six months following such termination of employment.

 

  

  

  

 

 

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(E) KEY MAN. If the Employee terminates his employment with the Company pursuant to Section 7(E), the Company will, within 45 days of said termination, pay in a lump sum amount to the Employee his accrued and unpaid base salary and any payments to which he may be entitled under any applicable employee benefit plan (according to the terms of such plans and policies).  In addition, commencing on the date of Employee’s termination of employment, the Company will pay to Employee, in periodic installment payments twice per month over a period of three years, in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions, an amount equal to three times the average of Employee’s annualized base salary for the current and prior full year of employment, provided that such payments shall cease on, and Employee shall forfeit any right to such payments payable after, the Payment Date if Employee has not signed and returned the Release by the Payment Date or if the Release remains subject to revocation on the Payment Date.

 

(F) NON-RENEWAL BY EMPLOYEE. If Employee gives notice of non-renewal under Section 1, employment shall end on a date to be determined by Company and the Company will, within 45 days, pay in a lump sum amount to the Employee his accrued and unpaid base salary and any payments to which he may be entitled under any applicable employee benefit plan (according to the terms of such plans and policies). In addition,  commencing on the date of Employee’s termination of employment the Company will pay to Employee, in periodic installment payments twice per month over a period of one year during the Employee’s one year noncompete, in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions, an amount equal to Employee’s then current base salary, provided that such payments shall cease on, and Employee shall forfeit any right to such payments payable after, the Payment Date if Employee has not signed and returned the Release by the Payment Date or if the Release remains subject to revocation on the Payment Date.

 

(G) PRO-RATA BONUS. If Company terminates Employee without Cause or due to non-renewal notice by Company, or if Employee terminates for Good Cause, Employee shall be paid a pro-rata Performance Bonus no later than March 15 of the calendar year following that in which the Performance Bonus would otherwise have been earned during the term, It is expressly understood and agreed that the pro-rata Performance Bonus will be paid only if such bonus would have otherwise been earned if employment had not been terminated.

 

  

  

  

 

 

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(H) EFFECT OF COMPLIANCE WITH COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION PROVISIONS. Upon complying with Subparagraphs 8(a) through 8(e) above, as applicable, the Company will have no further obligations to the Employee except as otherwise expressly provided under this Agreement, provided that such compliance will not adversely affect or alter the Employee’s rights under any employee benefit plan of the Company in which the Employee has a vested interest, unless, otherwise provided in such employee benefit plan or any agreement or other instrument attendant thereto.

 

(I) NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION.  To the extent that the payment of any amount under this Section 8 (with the exception of the Installment Amount and the installments payable under Sections 8(E) and 8(F)) constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A (as defined in Section 17), any such payment scheduled to occur during the first sixty (60) days following termination of employment shall not be paid until the sixtieth (60th) day following such termination and shall include payment of any amount that was otherwise scheduled to be paid prior thereto.  If Employee is deemed on the date of termination to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), any amounts to which Employee is entitled under this Section 8 that constitute “non-qualified deferred compensation” under Code Section 409A and would otherwise be payable prior to the earlier of (1) the 6-month anniversary of the Employee’s date of termination and (2) the date of the Employee’s death (the “Delay Period”) shall instead be paid in a lump sum immediately upon (and not before) the expiration of the Delay Period to the extent required under Code Section 409A.

 

9. PARTIES BENEFITED; ASSIGNMENTS. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Employee, his heirs and his personal representative or representatives, and upon the Company and its respective successors and assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by the Employee, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

 

10. NOTICES. Any notice provided for in this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been given when delivered or mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. If to the Board or the Company, the notice will be sent to Chief Executive Officer, Clear Channel Communications, Inc., 200 E. Basse Road, San Antonio, TX 78209 and a copy of the notice will be sent to Chief Legal Officer, Clear Channel Communications, Inc., 200 E. Basse Road, San Antonio, TX 78209. If to the Employee, the notice will be sent to Employee’s last known address within the Company’s records and a copy of the notice will be sent to Michael Hogan. Such notices may alternatively be sent to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance with this Agreement, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

 

11. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Texas without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict provisions or rule (whether of the State of Texas or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Texas and the Employee hereby expressly consents to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of Texas for any lawsuit arising from or relating to this Agreement.

 

  

  

  

 

 

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12. DEFINITION OF COMPANY. As used in this Agreement, the term “Company” shall include any of its present and future divisions, operating companies, subsidiaries and affiliates.

 

13. LITIGATION AND REGULATORY COOPERATION. During and after the Employee’s employment, the Employee shall reasonably cooperate with the Company in the defense or prosecution of any claims or actions now in existence or which may be brought in the future against or on behalf of the Company which relate to events or occurrences that transpired while the Employee was employed by the Company; provided, however, that such cooperation shall not materially and adversely affect the Employee or expose the Employee to an increased probability of civil or criminal litigation. The Employee’s cooperation in connection with such claims or actions shall include, but not be limited to, being available to meet with counsel to prepare for discovery or trial and to act as a witness on behalf of the Company at mutually convenient times. During and after the Employee’s employment, the Employee also shall cooperate fully with the Company in connection with any investigation or review of any federal, state or local regulatory authority as any such investigation or review relates to events or occurrences that transpired while the Employee was employed by the Company. The Company will pay the Employee on an hourly basis (to be derived from his base salary) for requested litigation and regulatory cooperation that occurs after his termination of employment, and reimburse the Employee for all costs and expenses incurred in connection with his performance under this paragraph, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

 

14. INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE; LEGAL EXPENSES. The Company shall indemnify the Employee to the fullest extent permitted by law, in effect at the time of the subject actor omission, and shall advance to the Employee reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses as such fees and expenses are incurred (subject to an undertaking from the Employee to repay such advances if it shall be finally determined by a judicial decision which is not subject to further appeal that the Employee was not entitled to the reimbursement of such fees and expenses), and the Employee will be entitled to the protection of any insurance policies that the Company may elect to maintain generally for the benefit of its directors and officers against all costs, charges and expenses incurred or sustained by him in connection with any action, suit or proceeding to which he may be made a party by reason of his being or having been a director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or his serving or having served any other enterprise as a director, officer or employee at the request of the Company (other than any dispute, claim or controversy arising under or relating to this Agreement). The Company covenants to maintain during the Employee’s employment for the benefit of the Employee (in his capacity as an officer of the Company) Directors and Officers Insurance providing benefits to the Employee no less favorable, taken as a whole, than the benefits provided to the other similarly situated employees of the Company by the Directors and Officers Insurance maintained by the Company on the date hereof; provided, however, that the Board may elect to terminate Directors and Officers Insurance for all officers and directors, including the Employee, if the Board determines in good faith that such insurance is not available or is available only at unreasonable expense.

 

  

  

  

 

 

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15. ARBITRATION. The parties agree that any dispute, controversy or claim, whether based on contract, tort, statute, discrimination, retaliation, or otherwise, relating to, arising from or connected in any manner to this Agreement, or to the alleged breach of this Agreement, or arising out of or relating to Employee’s employment or termination of employment, shall, upon timely written request of either party be submitted to and resolved by binding arbitration. The arbitration shall be conducted in San Antonio, Texas. The arbitration shall proceed in accordance with the National Rules for Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in effect at the time the claim or dispute arose, unless other rules are agreed upon by-the parties. Unless otherwise agreed to by the parties in writing, the arbitration shall be conducted by one arbitrator who is a member of the AAA and who is selected pursuant to the methods set out in the National Rules for Resolution of Employment Disputes of the AAA. Any claims received after the applicable/relevant statute of limitations period has passed shall be deemed null and void. The award of the arbitrator shall be a reasoned award with findings of fact and conclusions of law. Either party may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to compel arbitration under this Agreement; to enforce an arbitration award, and to vacate an arbitration award. However, in actions seeking to vacate an award, the standard of review to be applied by said court to the arbitrator’s findings of fact and conclusions of law will be the same as that applied by an appellate court reviewing a decision of a trial court sitting without a jury. The Company will pay the actual costs of arbitration excluding attorney’s fees: Each party will pay its own attorneys fees and other costs incurred by their respective attorneys. A breach or threat of breach of this Agreement by either party to this Agreement shall give the non-breaching party the right to seek a temporary restraining order and a preliminary or permanent injunction in the appropriate court to enjoin the breaching party from violating this Agreement in order to prevent immediate and irreparable harm to the non-breaching party.

 

16. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE EMPLOYEE. The Employee represents and warrants to the Company that he is under no contractual or other restriction which is inconsistent with the execution of this Agreement, the performance of his duties hereunder or the other rights of Company hereunder. The Employee also represents and warrants to the Company that he is under no physical or mental disability that would hinder the performance of his duties under this Agreement.

 

17. SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE.

 

(A) It is the intent of the Company and Employee that the payments and benefits under this Agreement shall comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A and applicable regulations and guidance thereunder (collectively, “Section 409A”) of the Code and accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance with, or be exempt from, Section 409A.

 

(B) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a termination of the Employment Period shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A (which, by definition, includes a separation from any other entity that would be deemed a single employer together with the Company for this purpose under Section 409A), and for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination”, “termination of the Employment Period”, “termination of employment” or similar terms shall mean “separation from service.”

 

  

  

  

 

 

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(C) To the extent any reimbursements or in-kind benefits under this Agreement constitute “non-qualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A, (i) all such expenses or other reimbursements under this Agreement shall be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by Employee, (ii) any right to reimbursement or in kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (iii) no such reimbursement, expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided in any taxable year shall in any way affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year.

 

(D) For purposes of Section 409A, Employee’s right to receive any installment payment pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments.  Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days (e.g., “payment shall be made within thirty (30) days following the date of termination”), the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the Company’s sole discretion.

 

18. MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement supersedes any prior written or oral agreements or understandings between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof. No modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by or on behalf of the parties hereto. The failure of a party to require performance of any provision of this Agreement shall in no manner affect the right of such party at a later time to enforce any provision of this Agreement. A waiver of the breach of any term or condition of this Agreement shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other term or condition. This Agreement is intended to be performed in accordance with, and only to the extent permitted by, all applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, shall, for any reason and to any extent, be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity and unenforceability shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof or the application of such provisions to other persons or circumstances, all of which shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law. The headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be a part of or control or affect the meaning of any provision hereof.

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date set forth below:

 

	 	   	 
	 	 	  

JOHN HOGAN

	 
	
 

DATE: November 18, 2010

	
 

By: 

	
 

/s/  JOHN HOGAN

	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 

	 	
CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING, INC.

	 
	 	 	 	 
	
DATE: November 18, 2010

	
By: 

	/s/ MARK P. MAYS	 
	 	 	Name: MARK P. MAYS	 
	 	 	Title: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRESIDENT	 
	 	 	 	 

 

Signature Page to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Clear Channel Broadcasting, Inc. and John Hogan effective November 15, 2010

 

 

  

  

  

EXECUTION COPY

 

 

EXHIBIT A - PERFORMANCE BONUS CALCULATION JOHN HOGAN

 

  

  

  

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

 

Exhibit A - Performance Bonus

 

The Employee’s performance objectives will be established by the Board or its Compensation Committee no later than the earlier of the date that is ninety (90) days after the commencement of the performance period or the day prior to the date on which twenty-five percent (25%) of the performance period has elapsed. The performance period will be the calendar year or such other shorter or longer period designated by the Committee during which performance will be measured in order to determine the Employee’s entitlement to receive payment of a Performance Bonus.

 

When setting the Employee’s performance objectives, the Committee shall specify the level or levels of performance required to be attained with respect to each objective in order that the Employee shall become entitled to receive payment of a Performance Bonus. The aggregate Target Performance Bonus that may be earned when all of the Employee’s performance objectives are achieved shall be not less than 120% of Employee’s base salary (under Section 3(A)) for the calendar year to which the bonus relates when the performance period is a calendar year. The aggregate maximum Performance Bonus shall not exceed 200% of Employee’s base salary (under Section 3(A)) for the calendar year to which the bonus relates when the performance period is a calendar year.  The Target and maximum Performance Bonus shall vary on a pro rata basis for performance periods shorter or longer than a calendar year.

 

Performance objectives may be expressed in terms of any of the following business criteria: revenue growth, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), EBITDA growth, operating income before depreciation and amortization and non- cash compensation expense (“OIBDAN”), OIBDAN growth, funds from operations, funds from operations per share and per share growth, cash available for distribution, cash available for distribution per share and per share growth, operating income and operating income growth, net earnings, earnings per share and per share growth, return on equity, return on assets, share price performance on an absolute basis and relative to an index, improvements in attainment of expense levels, improvements in ratings, implementing or completion of critical projects, or improvement in cash-flow (before or after tax). These objectives may be measured over a periodic, annual, cumulative or average basis and may be established on a corporate-wide basis or established with respect to one or more operating units, divisions, subsidiaries, acquired businesses, minority investments, partnerships or joint ventures.assetpurchase.htm

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

between

WINLAND ELECTRONICS, INC.

and

NORTECH SYSTEMS, INC.

Dated as of November 15, 2010

  

  

  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	
ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND TERMS

	 	
1

	 
	
1.1

	 	
Certain Definitions                             

	 	
1

	 
	
1.2

	 	
Other Terms

	 	
6

	 
	
1.3

	 	
Other Definitional Provisions

	 	
6

	 
	
ARTICLE 2 PURCHASE AND SALE

	 	
7

	 
	
2.1

	 	
Purchase and Sale of Conveyed Assets and Assumption of Liabilities

	 	
7

	 
	
2.2

	 	
Purchase Price

	 	
8

	 
	
2.3

	 	
Working Capital Adjustment

	 	
8

	 
	
2.4

	 	
Inventory Obligations

	 	
9

	 
	
2.5

	 	
Allocation of Purchase Price

	 	
9

	 
	
2.6

	 	
Closing; Delivery and Payment

	 	
9

	 
	
ARTICLE 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

	 	
11

	 
	
3.1

	 	
Organization

	 	
11

	 
	
3.2

	 	
Authority; Binding Effect

	 	
11

	 
	
3.3

	 	
Noncontravention

	 	
11

	 
	
3.4

	 	
Governmental Consents and Approvals

	 	
11

	 
	
3.5

	 	
Financial Information; Books and Records

	 	
11

	 
	
3.6

	 	
Absence of Certain Changes or Events

	 	
11

	 
	
3.7

	 	
Litigation and Claims

	 	
12

	 
	
3.8

	 	
Compliance with Laws

	 	
12

	 
	
3.9

	 	
Material Contracts

	 	
12

	 
	
3.10

	 	
Intellectual Property

	 	
13

	 
	
3.11

	 	
Assets

	 	
13

	 
	
3.12

	 	
Taxes

	 	
13

	 
	
3.13

	 	
Employee Benefits

	 	
13

	 
	
3.14

	 	
Brokers

	 	
14

	 
	
3.15

	 	
Environmental Matters

	 	
14

	 
	
ARTICLE 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

	 	
15

	 
	
4.1

	 	
Organization and Qualification

	 	
15

	 
	
4.2

	 	
Corporate Authorization

	 	
15

	 
	
4.3

	 	
Binding Effect

	 	
15

	 
	
4.4

	 	
Noncontravention

	 	
15

	 
	
4.5

	 	
Consents and Approvals

	 	
15

	 
	
4.6

	 	
Litigation and Claims

	 	
15

	 
	
4.7

	 	
Financial Capability

	 	
16

	 
	
4.8

	 	
Brokers

	 	
16

	 
	
ARTICLE 5 COVENANTS

	 	
16

	 
	
5.1

	 	
Access

	 	
16

	 
	
5.2

	 	
Seller's Conduct of Business

	 	
16

	 
	
5.3

	 	
Purchaser’s Conduct of Business

	 	
16

	 
	
5.4

	 	
Reasonable Best Efforts; Certain Governmental Matters

	 	
17

	 
	
5.5

	 	
Employees

	 	
17

	 
	
5.6

	 	
Further Assurances; Consents

	 	
18

	 
	
5.7

	 	
Purchaser’s Investigation; No Additional Representations

	 	
18

	 
	
5.8

	 	
Bulk Transfer Laws

	 	
18

	 
	
5.9

	 	
Covenant-Not-To-Compete Agreement

	 	
18

	 
	
5.10

	 	
Purchaser Lease Agreement

	 	
18

	 
	
5.11

	 	
Seller Sublease Agreement

	 	
19

	 
	
5.12

	 	
Manufacturing Agreement

	 	
19

	 
	
5.13

	 	
Compliance with WARN, Etc.

	 	
19

	 
	
5.14

	 	
Litigation Support

	 	
19

	 
	
5.15

	 	
Tax Matters

	 	
19

	 
	
5.16

	 	
Trademarks; Names

	 	
20

	 
	
5.17

	 	
Post-Closing Reconciliation of Accounts

	 	
20

	 
	
5.18

	 	
Payment of Assumed Liabilities

	 	
20

	 
	
5.19

	 	
No Solicitation

	 	
20

	 
	
ARTICLE 6 CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

	 	
20

	 
	
6.1

	 	
Conditions to the Obligations of Purchaser and Seller

	 	
20

	 
	
6.2

	 	
Conditions to the Obligations of Purchaser

	 	
21

	 
	
6.3

	 	
Conditions to the Obligations of Seller

	 	
21

	 

 

 

i

 

 

 

	
ARTICLE 7 SURVIVAL AND INDEMNIFICATION

	 	
22

	 
	
7.1

	 	
Survival

	 	
22

	 
	
7.2

	 	
Indemnification by Purchaser

	 	
22

	 
	
7.3

	 	
Indemnification by Seller

	 	
22

	 
	
7.4

	 	
Indemnification Procedures

	 	
22

	 
	
7.5

	 	
Exclusive Remedy; Limitation of Remedy

	 	
23

	 
	
7.6

	 	
Characterization of Indemnification Payments

	 	
23

	 
	
7.7

	 	
Computation of Losses Subject to Indemnification

	 	
23

	 
	
7.8

	 	
Limitations on Liability

	 	
23

	 
	
7.9

	 	
Mitigation

	 	
23

	 
	
7.10

	 	
Waiver of Conditions; Indemnity

	 	
23

	 
	
ARTICLE 8 TERMINATION

	 	
24

	 
	
8.1

	 	
Termination

	 	
24

	 
	
8.2

	 	
Effect of Termination

	 	
24

	 
	
ARTICLE 9 MISCELLANEOUS

	 	
24

	 
	
9.1

	 	
Notices

	 	
24

	 
	
9.2

	 	
Specific Performance

	 	
25

	 
	
9.3

	 	
Amendment; Waiver

	 	
25

	 
	
9.4

	 	
Assignment

	 	
25

	 
	
9.5

	 	
Entire Agreement

	 	
25

	 
	
9.6

	 	
Fulfillment of Obligations

	 	
25

	 
	
9.7

	 	
Parties in Interest

	 	
25

	 
	
9.8

	 	
Public Disclosure

	 	
25

	 
	
9.9

	 	
Return of Information

	 	
26

	 
	
9.10

	 	
Expenses

	 	
26

	 
	
9.11

	 	
Schedules

	 	
26

	 
	
9.12

	 	
Governing Law

	 	
26

	 
	
9.13

	 	
Consent to Jurisdiction

	 	
26

	 
	
9.14

	 	
Waiver of Jury Trial

	 	
26

	 
	
9.15

	 	
Counterparts

	 	
27

	 
	
9.16

	 	
Headings

	 	
27

	 
	
9.17

	 	
Severability

	 	
27

	 

 

	
List of Schedules

	  	 	  
	
1.1(a)

	 	
Excluded Names, Logo and Marks

	
1.1(b)

	 	
Other Excluded Assets

	
1.1( c)

	 	
Permitted Encumbrances

	
2.1(a)(i) 

	 	
Equipment

	
2.1(a)(ii)

	 	
Assumed Contracts

	
2.1(a)(iii)

	 	
Inventory

	
2.1(a)(iv)

	 	
Accounts Receivable

	
2.1( c)

	 	
Assumed Liabilities

	
2.5

	 	
Allocation of Purchase Price

	
3.4

	 	
Required Governmental Consents

	
3.5

	 	
Financial Statements

	
3.6

	 	
Material Occurrences

	
3.7

	 	
Pending or Threatened Litigation

	
3.9

	 	
Material Contracts

	
3.10(a)

	 	
Intellectual Property

	
3.10(b)

	 	
Claims Against Intellectual Property

	
3.12

	 	
Taxes

	
3.13

	 	
Employee Benefit Plans

	
3.15

	 	
Environmental Matters

	
4.5 

	 	
Purchaser Required Governmental Consents

	
4.6

	 	
Purchaser Pending or Threatened Litigation

	
5.5(e)

	 	
Current Employees

	
5.5(f)

	 	
Former Employees

 

 

ii

 

 

	
List of Exhibits

	  	 	  
	
A

	 	
Form of Bill of Sale

	
B

	 	
Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement

	
C

	 	
Form of Seller’s Secretary’s Certificate

	
D

	 	
Form of Seller’s Officer’s Certificate

	
E

	 	
Form of Purchaser’s Secretary’s Certificate

	
F

	 	
Form of Purchaser’s Officer’s Certificate

	
G

	 	
Form of Covenant-Not-To-Compete Agreement

	
H

	 	
Purchaser Lease Agreement

	
I

	 	
Seller Sub1ease Agreement

	
J

	 	
Manufacturing Agreement

 

 

iii

 

 

ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

THIS ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of November 15, 2010 by and between Winland Electronics, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (“Seller”), and Nortech Systems, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (“Purchaser”).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, the Seller is engaged in the Business (as defined below) and owns the Conveyed Assets (as defined below); and

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire that the Seller shall sell and transfer to Purchaser and Purchaser shall purchase from the Seller all of the Conveyed Assets and assume all of the Assumed Liabilities (as defined below), upon the terms and conditions set forth herein;

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein, of the mutual covenants and undertakings contained herein, and subject to and on the terms and conditions herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND TERMS

1.1           Certain Definitions.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth or as referenced below:

 

 

“Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such Person specified.  The term “control” as used in the immediately preceding sentence, means the ownership of more than 50% of the shares of stock entitled to vote for the election of directors in the case of a corporation and more than 50% of the voting power in the case of a business entity other than a corporation.

“Agreement” shall mean this Agreement, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, and all Exhibits and Schedules hereto.

“Allocation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5 hereof.

“Alternative Proposal” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.19 hereof.

“Assignment and Assumption Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(b)(ii) hereof.

“Assumed Contracts” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(ii) hereof.

“Assumed Liabilities” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c) hereof.

“Benefit Plans” shall mean each "employee benefit plan", as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"), and each personnel policy, employee manual or other statement of rules or policies concerning employment, stock option plan, stock purchase plan, stock appreciation rights plan, collective bargaining agreement, bonus plan, incentive award plan, workers' compensation, vacation and sick leave policy, fringe benefit plan, life, health, dental, vision, hospitalization or disability plan, severance pay plan, deferred compensation agreement, employment or consulting agreement, change in control arrangement, and other Contracts and commitments concerning employment.

“Bill of Sale” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(b)(i) hereof.

  

1

  

“Business” shall mean Seller’s Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) business in the manner conducted by Seller with the Conveyed Assets on the date hereof.  For clarification, the Business shall not include Seller’s proprietary monitoring device assets.

“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banks in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

“Claim” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.4 hereof.

“Claim Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.4 hereof.

“Closing” shall mean the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

“Closing Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a) hereof.

“Code” shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Confidentiality Agreement” shall mean that certain letter agreement regarding confidential materials, dated June 15, 2010 between Seller and Purchaser relating to the Business.

“Conveyed Assets” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) hereof, it being understood that the Conveyed Assets do not include the Excluded Assets.

“Covenant-Not-To Compete Agreements” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.9 hereof.

“Current Employees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(a) hereof.

“Disclosure Schedules” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to Article 3 hereof.

“Employee” shall mean all individuals employed by the Business and listed on Schedule 5.5(e) hereto or hired or designated for the Business after the date of such Schedule, who, as of the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date are employed by the Business.

“Environment” shall mean soil, land surface or subsurface strata, surface waters (including navigable waters and ocean waters), groundwaters, drinking water supply, stream sediments, ambient air (including indoor air), plan and animal life and any other environmental medium or natural resource.

“Environmental, Health and Safety Liabilities” shall mean any cost, damages, expense, liability, obligation or other responsibility arising from or under any Environmental Law or Occupational Safety and Health Law, including those consisting of or relating to:

(a)             any environmental, health or safety matter or condition (including on-site or off-site contamination, occupational safety and health regulation of any chemical substance or product);

(b)             any fine, penalty, judgment, award, settlement, legal or administrative proceeding, damages, loss, claim, demand or response, remedial or inspection cost or expense arising under any Environmental Law or Occupational Safety and Health Law;

(c)             financial responsibility under any Environmental Law or Occupational Safety and Health Law for cleanup costs or corrective action, including any cleanup, removal, containment or other remediation or response actions (“Cleanup”) required by any Environmental Law or Occupational Safety and Health Law (whether or not such Cleanup has been required or requested by any Governmental Body or any other Person) and for any natural resources damages; or

(d)             any other compliance, corrective or remedial measure required under any Environmental Law or Occupational Safety and Health Law.

 

  

2

  

 

The terms “removal,” “remedial” and “response action” include the types of activities covered by the United States Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA).

“Environmental Law” means any Legal Requirement that requires or relates to:

(a)             advising appropriate authorities, employees or the public of intended or actual releases of pollutants or hazardous substances or materials, violations of discharge limits or other prohibitions and the commencement of activities, such as resource extraction or construction, that could have a significant impact on the Environment;

(b)             preventing or reducing to acceptable levels the release of pollutants or hazardous characteristics of wastes that are generated;

(c)             reducing the quantities, preventing the release or minimizing the hazardous characteristics of wastes that are generated;

(d)             assuring that products are designed, formulated, packaged and used so that they do not present unreasonable risks to human health or the Environment when used or disposed of;

(e)             protecting resources, species or ecological amenities;

(f)             reducing to acceptable levels the risks inherent in the transportation of hazardous substances, pollutants, oil or other potentially harmful substances;

(g)             cleaning up pollutants that have been Released, preventing the threat of release or paying the costs of such clean up or prevention; or

(h)             making responsible parties pay private parties, or groups of them, for damages done to their health or the Environment or permitting self-appointed representatives of the public interest to recover for injuries done to public assets.

“Equipment” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(i) hereof.

“ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

“ERISA Affiliate” shall mean any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that together with Seller would have been deemed a “single employer” within the meaning of Section 4001(b) of ERISA at any time within the five-year period ending on the Closing Date.

“Excluded Assets” shall mean, (i) all cash and cash equivalents, (ii) all losses, loss carryforwards and rights to receive refunds, credits and credit carryforwards with respect to any and all Taxes, to the extent attributable to a taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date, including, without limitation, interest thereon, (iii) its corporate books and records, (iv) all insurance recoveries due to it and relating to periods prior to the Closing Date, (v) except as expressly set forth herein, all assets of any of its employee benefit plans, (vi) the “Winland Electronics” name and logo and any and all rights to the trade names and trademarks listed on Schedule 1.1(a), (vii) stock, shares, units, interests and other ownership and/or equity or debt securities held by Seller in another entity, (viii) any and all assets not used exclusively in the Business, (ix) all assets to be retained by Seller but made available to Purchaser pursuant to the Purchaser Lease Agreement or other agreements hereunder, (x) all rights existing under all contracts to which Seller is a party, except for any Assumed Contracts, (xi) any Seller’s rights under or pursuant to this Agreement and agreements entered into pursuant to this Agreement, (xii) control of the attorney-client privilege with respect to Seller, (xii) any assets listed on Schedule 1.1(b) hereto, and (xiv) assets not specifically listed and identified on Schedule 2.1(a).

“Excluded Liabilities” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(d) hereof.

 

  

3

  

 

“Facility” shall mean Seller’s office and manufacturing facility and improvements located at 1950 Excel Drive, Mankato Minnesota, 56001.

“Final Net Receivables” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(c) hereof.

“Financial Statements” shall mean the financial data set forth in Schedule 3.5 hereto.

“Governmental Authority” shall mean any supranational, national, federal, state or local judicial, legislative, executive or regulatory authority.

“Governmental Authorization” shall mean all licenses, permits, certificates and other authorizations and approvals required to carry on the Business as conducted as of the date of this Agreement under the applicable laws, ordinances or regulations of any Governmental Authority.

“Governmental Order” shall mean any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation, determination or award entered by or with any Governmental Authority.

“Hazardous Activity” shall mean the distribution, generation, handling, importing, management, manufacturing, processing, production, refinement, release, storage, transfer, transportation, treatment or use (including any withdrawal or other use of groundwater) of Hazardous Material in, on, under, about or from the Facility or any part thereof into the Environment and any other act, business, operation or thing that increases the danger, or risk of danger, or pose an unreasonable risk of harm, to persons or property on or off the Facility.

“Hazardous Material” shall mean any substance, material or waste which is or will foreseeably be regulated by any Governmental Authority, including any material, substance or waste which is defined as “hazardous waste,” hazardous material,” hazardous substance,” “extremely hazardous waste,” “restricted hazardous waste,” containment,” “toxic waste” or “toxic substance” under any provision of Environmental Law, and including petroleum, petroleum products, asbestos, presumed asbestos-containing material or asbestos-containing material, urea formaldehyde and polychlorinated biphenyls.

“Hired Employees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(b) hereof.

“Income Tax” or “Income Taxes” shall mean all Taxes based upon, measured by, or calculated with respect to (i) gross or net income or gross or net receipts or profits (including, but not limited to, any capital gains, minimum taxes and any Taxes on items of tax preference, but not including sales, use, real or personal property transfer or other similar Taxes), (ii) multiple bases (including, but not limited to, corporate franchise, doing business or occupation Taxes) if one or more of the bases upon which such Tax may be based, measured by, or calculated with respect to is described in clause (i) above, or (iii) withholding taxes measured by, or calculated with respect to, distributions (other than wages).

“Indemnified Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(a) hereof.

“Indemnifying Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.4 hereof.

“Independent Accounting Firm” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(c) hereof.

“Intellectual Property” shall mean patents, patent applications, trade secrets, trademarks, service marks, trade dress and copyrights.

“Inventories” shall mean all inventory, including raw materials, packaging supplies, work-in-process or finished goods owned by Seller and used exclusively in the Business.

“IRS” shall mean the Internal Revenue Service of the United States.

“Key Employees  Thomas J. de Petra and Glenn Kermes.

 

  

4

  

 

“Knowledge of Seller” shall mean, and shall be restricted to, the actual knowledge of only the Key Employees.

“Laws” shall include any federal, state, foreign or local law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, injunction, judgment or decree.

“Liabilities” shall mean any and all debts, liabilities and obligations, whether accrued or fixed, known or unknown, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured or determined or determinable.

“Liens” shall mean any lien, security interest, mortgage, charge or similar encumbrance.

“Losses” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2 hereof.

“Manufacturing Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.12 hereof.

“Material Adverse Effect” shall mean any change or effect that has occurred prior to the date of determination of the occurrence of the Material Adverse Effect, that is materially adverse to the Business taken as a whole; provided, however, in no event shall any of the following, alone or in combination, be deemed to constitute, nor shall any adverse circumstance, change or effect arising out of any of the following be, a Material Adverse Effect: (i) any change or effect resulting from compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement; (ii) any change or effect that results from changes affecting any of the industries in which the Business operates generally or the United States or worldwide economy generally; (iii) any natural disaster or any acts of terrorism, sabotage, military action or war (whether or not declared) or any escalation or worsening thereof; (iv) failure to meet internal forecasts or published financial projections, forecasts or revenue or earning predictions; (v) any change or effect resulting from the announcement or pendency of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including loss of any employees, customers, suppliers, partners or distributors; or (vi) any change, effect or development arising from or related to items listed on or set forth in a schedule referenced in connection with and setting forth disclosures and/or exceptions with respect to any of Seller’s representations or warranties herein.

“Material Contracts” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.9(a) hereof.

“Minimum Inventory Consumption Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(b) hereof.

“Net Receivables of the Business” shall mean in the aggregate, the accounts receivable of the Business less the accounts payable of the Business.

“Net Receivables Statement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) hereof.

“Notice of Disagreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b) hereof.

“Notice Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.4 hereof.

“Permits” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(b) hereof.

“Permitted Encumbrances” shall mean (i) all liens, security interests, mortgages, charges or encumbrances set forth on Schedule 1.1(c) hereto, (ii) statutory liens, charges or encumbrances arising out of operation of Law with respect to an Assumed Liability incurred in the ordinary course of business and which is not delinquent, (iii) such liens, charges or encumbrances and other imperfections of title as do not detract from the value or impair the use of the property subject thereto, or (iv) liens for Taxes not yet due or which are being actively contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

“Person” shall mean an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a trust or other entity or organization.

“Purchase Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2 hereof.

 

  

5

  

 

“Purchaser” shall have the meaning set forth in the heading of this Agreement and shall include its Affiliates.

“Purchaser Indemnified Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(a) hereof.

“Purchaser Lease Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.10 hereof.

“Qualified Plans” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.13(c) hereof.

“Seller” shall have the meaning set forth in the heading of this Agreement.

“Seller Indemnified Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2 hereof.

“Seller Sublease Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.11 hereof.

“Straddle Taxable Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.15(b) hereof.

“Subsidiary” shall mean an entity as to which Seller or Purchaser or any other relevant entity, as the case may be, owns directly or indirectly fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting power or other similar interests.

“Target Net Receivables” shall mean the amount of Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($600,000).

“Tax” or “Taxes” shall mean all taxes, charges, duties, fees, levies or other assessments, including but not limited to, income, excise, property, sales, value added, profits, license, withholding (with respect to compensation or otherwise), payroll, employment, net worth, capital gains, transfer, stamp, social security, environmental, occupation and franchise taxes, imposed by any Governmental Authority, and including any interest, penalties and additions attributable thereto.

“Tax Return” or “Tax Returns” shall mean any return, report, declaration, information return, statement or other document filed or required to be filed with any Governmental Authority in connection with the determination, assessment or collection of any Tax or the administration of any Laws relating to any Tax.

“Treasury Regulations” means the Income Tax Regulations promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

“WARN” shall mean the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.

1.2           Other Terms.  Other terms may be defined elsewhere in the text of this Agreement and, unless otherwise indicated, shall have such meaning throughout this Agreement.

1.3           Other Definitional Provisions.

(a)           The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereto” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.

(b)           The terms defined in the singular shall have a comparable meaning when used in the plural, and vice versa.

(c)           The terms “dollars” and “$” shall mean United States dollars.

  

6

  

 

ARTICLE 2

PURCHASE AND SALE

2.1           Purchase and Sale of Conveyed Assets and Assumption of Liabilities

(a)           On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, at the Closing, Seller agrees to sell convey to Purchaser and Purchaser agrees to purchase, acquire and accept from Seller, free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Encumbrances and Liens created in connection with the transactions contemplated herein, all of the right, title and interest of Seller in and to the assets, properties and rights identified and listed on Schedule 2.1(a) for each of the categories set forth in the following clauses, as the same shall exist as of the Closing, but with the exception of the Excluded Assets (collectively, the “Conveyed Assets”):

(i) the furniture, equipment, machinery, supplies, personal property and other tangible property owned, leased or licensed by Seller set forth on Schedule 2.1(a)(i) (collectively, the “Equipment”);

(ii) the contracts, licenses, agreements and commitments set forth on Schedule 2.1(a)(ii) (“Assumed Contracts”);

(iii) the Inventories of the Business set forth on Schedule 2.1(a)(iii);

(iv) all billed and unbilled accounts receivable and all correspondence with respect thereto, including without limitation, all trade accounts receivable, notes receivable from customers, vendor credits and all other obligations from customers with respect to sales of services, whether or not evidenced by a note as set forth on Schedule 2.1(a)(iv);

(v) all rights of Seller under or pursuant to all warranties, representations and guaranties made by suppliers, manufacturers and contractors only to the extent relating to the Business or affecting the Conveyed Assets and only to the extent transferable;

(vi) all customer and vendor lists only to the extent relating to the Business, and all files and documents (including credit information) only to the extent relating to customers and vendors of the Business, and other business and financial records, files, books and documents (whether in hard copy or computer format) only to the extent relating to the Conveyed Assets or the Business; provided, however, that the Seller may redact any information not related to the Business therein; and

(vii) the goodwill and going concern value of the Business.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to the provisions of Section 2.1(b) and Section 5.6, Seller shall be required to transfer, assign or convey any of its interest in any Assumed Contract only to the extent that Seller has the right and ability to make such transfer and no action hereunder shall constitute an assignment thereof except to such extent.

(b)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or in any other agreement described herein, all risk of loss or damage with respect to the Conveyed Assets shall pass to Purchaser and Purchaser’s Affiliates upon the Closing and Seller shall not be liable for any loss or injury to the Conveyed Assets thereafter.  Following the Closing, the Conveyed Assets shall not be insured by Seller against loss or injury however caused.  Where loss or injury occurs to Conveyed Assets, for which Seller is liable, Seller shall be responsible for the cost of removing and disposing of such Conveyed Assets and the cost of any clean up and remediation resulting from the loss or injury to the Conveyed Assets.

(c)           Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, Purchaser agrees, effective at the Closing, to assume and agree to pay, and perform and discharge when due, all Liabilities of Seller set forth on Schedule 2.1(c) (collectively, the “Assumed Liabilities”).  Such Assumed Liabilities, which are the same Assumed Liabilities as were presented and disclosed to Purchaser on September 30, 2010, shall be paid, performed and discharged by Purchaser on the same terms as conditions as apply to Seller prior to the Closing Date.  Assumed Liabilities shall also include all lawsuits or other proceedings arising after the Closing to the extent resulting from the conduct of the Business or the ownership of the Conveyed Assets on, or after the Closing Date and all Liabilities arising from the development, manufacture, distribution or sale of any product of the Business on, or after the Closing Date, including warranty obligations.

  

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(d)           Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement or any other writing to the contrary, Purchaser is not assuming the following Liabilities of Seller with respect to the Business, and Seller shall be responsible for the satisfaction or discharge of such Liabilities (collectively, the “Excluded Liabilities”):  (i) Liabilities resulting from indebtedness for borrowed money; (ii) Liabilities for which Seller expressly has responsibility pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (iii) Liabilities associated with the Excluded Assets; and (iv) Liabilities to Employees with respect to periods prior to the Closing, except as provided herein.

2.2           Purchase Price.  In consideration of the sale and transfer of the Conveyed Assets, Purchaser shall pay to Seller at Closing, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollar ($1,500,000) in cash (the “Initial Payment”), by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account or accounts designated by Seller, Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) on July 1, 2011, and Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) on October 1, 2011 (the “Deferred Payments”), which shall be adjusted as described in Section 2.3 below and allocated among the Conveyed Assets as described in Section 2.5 below.  The Initial Payment and the Deferred Payments shall constitute the “Purchase Price.”

2.3           Net Receivables Adjustment.

(a)           Seller shall prepare a statement of the Net Receivables of the Business (the “Net Receivables Statement”) and will deliver a copy of the Net Receivables Statement to Purchaser at Closing.  The Net Receivables Statement, which will be unaudited, shall be prepared and the valuations therein made on a basis consistent with the calculation of the Target Net Receivables.  Purchaser shall assist Seller in the preparation of the Net Receivables Statement.  If Purchaser agrees with the Net Receivables Statement, the Initial Payment shall be adjusted to the extent that the Net Receivables Statement is less than or greater than the Target Net Receivables.

(b)           If Purchaser disagrees with the Net Receivables Statement, Purchaser may, within ten (10) Business Days after its receipt of the Net Receivables Statement, deliver a written notice to Seller disagreeing with the Net Receivable Statement (a “Notice of Disagreement”).  Any such Notice of Disagreement shall specify those items or amounts as to which Purchaser disagrees, and Purchaser shall be deemed to have agreed with all other items and amounts contained in the Net Receivables Statement.

(c)           If a Notice of Disagreement shall be timely delivered pursuant to Section 2.3(b) above, the parties shall, during the ten (10) Business Days following such delivery (as such time period may be extended by the mutual agreement of the parties), use their reasonable best efforts to reach agreement on the disputed items.  If, during such period (or extension thereof), the parties are unable to reach agreement, KPMG LLP (the “Independent Accounting Firm”) shall promptly review this Agreement and the disputed items or amounts.  In connection therewith, the Independent Accounting Firm shall consider only those items or amounts in the applicable Net Receivables Statement as to which Purchaser has disagreed.  The Independent Accounting Firm shall deliver to Seller and Purchaser, as promptly as possible, a report prepared and the valuations therein made on a basis consistent with the calculation of the Target Net Receivables and shall set forth therein its adjustments, if any, to the applicable Net Receivables Statement and the calculations supporting such adjustments.  Such report shall be final and binding on the parties.  The cost of such review and report shall be borne by Seller and Purchaser in inverse proportion as they may prevail on matters resolved by the Independent Accounting Firm, which proportionate allocation also shall be determined by the Independent Accounting Firm at the time such report is rendered by the Independent Accounting Firm.  As used herein, “Final Net Receivables” shall mean (i) if no Notice of Disagreement is delivered by Seller within the period provided in Section 2.3(b) above, the Net Receivables of the Business as shown in the Net Receivables Statement as prepared pursuant to Section 2.3(a), or (ii) if such a Notice of Disagreement is delivered by Seller, either (A) the Net Receivables of the Business as agreed to in writing by Seller and Purchaser or (B) the Net Receivables of the Business as shown in the Independent Accounting Firm’s calculation delivered pursuant to this Section 2.3(c).

 

  

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(d)           Following the determination of the Final Net Receivables (i) in the event the Final Net Receivables is less than the Target Net Receivables, then Seller shall pay to Purchaser or Purchaser may deduct from the Deferred Payments, as an adjustment to the Purchase Price, the amount of such deficiency, and (ii) in the event the Final Net Receivables is greater than the Target Net Receivables, then Purchaser shall pay to Seller, as an adjustment to the Purchase Price, the amount of such surplus.  Any payments required pursuant to this Section 2.3(d) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account or accounts designated by Seller or Purchaser, as applicable, on or before the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date on which the Final Net Receivables was determined pursuant to Section 2.3(c) above.

(e)           Purchaser shall make commercially reasonable efforts to collect the acquired receivable.  To the extent that Purchaser is unable to collect any receivables, the amount of such uncollectible receivables shall be deducted from the Deferred Payments, and such receivables shall be reassigned to Seller.

2.4           Inventory Obligations.

(a)           Purchaser agrees to purchase Inventory, as it is consumed by Purchaser, from Seller for a period of twenty-four (24) months after the Closing Date.  Purchaser will purchase Inventory from Seller pursuant to Purchaser’s normal purchasing cycles and will give Seller a detailed report of such Inventory purchases to date on the first day of each month after the Closing;

(b)           The Inventory consumed by Purchaser from Seller as set forth in Section 2.4(a), shall be subject to a minimum consumption total by Purchaser of at least Two Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,200,000) (the “Minimum Inventory Consumption Amount”);

(c)           Until the Minimum Inventory Consumption Amount is reached, Purchaser shall consume the Inventory from Seller on a first priority basis before it looks to third parties for Inventory.  After the  Minimum Inventory Consumption Amount is reached, Purchaser shall not be obligated to purchase additional Inventory from Seller; and

(d)           If any Inventory is not consumed by Purchaser within the twenty-four (24) month period after the Closing Date, at Seller’s option, the Inventory will be returned to Seller or Seller will give Purchaser disposition instructions for the remaining Inventory.  Purchaser shall execute such disposition instructions and remit to Seller any funds received from the disposition of the remaining Inventory, after deducting its reasonable expenses.

2.5           Allocation of Purchase Price.  As of the Closing Date, Seller and Purchaser shall have agreed to the allocation of the Purchase Price among the Conveyed Assets as set forth in Schedule 2.5 (the “Allocation”).  Seller on the one hand and Purchaser on the other shall (a) be bound by the Allocation for purposes of determining any Taxes, (b) prepare and file, and cause its Affiliates to prepare and file, its Tax Returns on a basis consistent with the Allocation, and (c) take no position, and cause its Affiliates to take no position, inconsistent with the Allocation on any applicable Tax Return or in any proceeding before any taxing authority or otherwise.  In the event that the Allocation is disputed by any taxing authority, the party receiving notice of the dispute shall promptly notify the other party hereto concerning resolution of the dispute.  Seller and Purchaser acknowledge that the Allocation was done at arm’s length based upon a good faith estimate of fair market values.

2.6           Closing; Delivery and Payment.

(a)           The Closing shall take place at the offices of Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. in Minneapolis, Minnesota at 10:00 A.M., Central time, on the later of January 1, 2011 or the third (3rd) Business Day following the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent specified in Article 6, or at such other times and places as the parties hereto may mutually agree.  The “Closing Date” shall be January 1, 2011.  The Closing shall be deemed to occur and be effective as of 12:01 a.m. on the Closing Date.

(b)           At the Closing, Seller shall deliver to Purchaser:

 

	
(i)  

	
a bill of sale for the Conveyed Assets that are tangible personal property, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Bill of Sale”), executed by Seller;

	
(ii)  

	
an assignment agreement for the Conveyed Assets that are intangible personal property, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, which assignment shall also contain Purchaser’s undertaking and assumption of the Assumed Liabilities (the “Assignment and Assumption Agreement”), executed by Seller;

	
(iii)  

	
the Secretary’s Certificate, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, dated the Closing Date and signed by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of Seller;

	
(iv)  

	
the Officer’s Certificate, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D, dated the Closing Date and signed by a duly authorized officer of Seller;

	
(v)  

	
the Covenant-Not-To-Compete Agreements, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G, executed by Seller and each Key Employee;

	
(vi)  

	
the Purchaser Lease Agreement, as attached hereto as Exhibit H, executed by Seller;

 

  

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(vii)  

	
the Seller Sublease Agreement, as attached hereto as Exhibit I, executed by Seller;

 

	
(viii)  

	
the Manufacturing Agreement, as attached hereto as Exhibit J, executed By Seller;

	
(ix)  

	
copies of the resolutions of the Board of Directors of Seller authorizing and approving the transactions contemplated herein;

	
(x)  

	
a certification of Seller that the Seller’s shareholders have authorized and approved the transactions contemplated herein; and

	
(xi)  

	
such other instruments and documents that may be reasonably requested or required by Purchaser to consummate the transfer of the Conveyed Assets and assignment and assumption of the Assumed Liabilities pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(c)           At the Closing, Purchaser shall deliver to Seller:

	
(i.)  

	
the Purchase Price by wire transfer in immediately available funds to one or more accounts specified in writing by Seller on or prior to the Closing Date;

	
(ii.)  

	
the certificate referred to in Section 6.3(a) hereof;

	
(iii.)  

	
the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, as attached hereto as Exhibit B executed by Purchaser;

	
(iv.)  

	
the Secretary’s Certificate, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E, dated the Closing Date and signed by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of Purchaser;

	
(v.)  

	
the Officer’s Certificate, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F, dated the Closing Date and signed by a duly authorized officer of Purchaser;

	
(vi.)  

	
the Purchaser Lease Agreement, as attached hereto as Exhibit H, executed by Seller;

 

	
(vii.)  

	
the Seller Sublease Agreement, as attached hereto as Exhibit I, executed by Seller;

	
(viii.)  

	
the Manufacturing Agreement, as attached hereto as Exhibit J, executed By Seller;

	
(ix.)  

	
copies of the resolutions of the board of directors of Purchaser authorizing and approving the transactions contemplated herein; and

	
(x.)  

	
such other instruments and documents that may be reasonably requested or required by Seller to consummate the transfer of the Conveyed Assets and assignment and assumption of the Assumed Liabilities pursuant to this Agreement.

  

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ARTICLE 3

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

Seller hereby represents and warrants to Purchaser that the statements contained in this Article 3 are true, correct and complete, subject to and except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Article 3 or in Seller’s Disclosure Schedules attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference (the “Disclosure Schedules”), as of the date hereof.

3.1           Organization.  Seller is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization.

3.2           Authority; Binding Effect.

(a)           Seller has full organizational power and organizational authority to carry on its business as is now being conducted and to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance by Seller of its obligations hereunder, have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate or organizational action, and no other corporate proceedings are required in connection with its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.

(b)           This Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of Seller, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that such enforceability may be subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles.

3.3           Noncontravention.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Seller and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby does not and will not (a) violate any provision of its articles of incorporation, bylaws or other comparable organizational documents, (b) conflict with, or result in the breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the termination, cancellation or acceleration (whether after the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both) of any right or obligation of Seller with respect to the Business under, any agreement, contract, understanding, or other instrument to which Seller is a party or to which its material assets are subject, (c) assuming compliance with the matters set forth in Sections 3.4 and 4.5, violate or result in a breach of or constitute a default under any Law or other restriction of any court or Governmental Authority to which Seller is subject, including any Governmental Authorization, or (d) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien, other than Permitted Encumbrances.

3.4           Governmental Consents and Approvals.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.4 of the Disclosure Schedules, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Seller does not require any consent or approval of any Governmental Authority.

3.5           Financial Information; Books and Records.  The Financial Statements as set forth on Schedule 3.5 are complete and correct in all material respects according to the books of Seller, have been recorded in accordance with Seller’s policies and procedures, consistently applied, and present fairly, in accordance with such policies and procedures, the results of operations of the Business in all material respects for the periods covered thereby.  The accounts receivable of the Business reflected in the Financial Statements arose in the ordinary course of business from bona fide transactions.  The Inventories reflected in the Financial Statements consist of materials, work in progress and finished goods, valued consistent with Seller’s accounting policies used in the Business.  Seller has no liabilities except for liabilities reflected or reserved on the balance sheet of the Financial Statements and liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business since the date of the Financial Statements.

 

3.6           Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  To the Knowledge of Seller, except to the extent arising out of transactions contemplated by this Agreement or as set forth in Schedule 3.6 of the Disclosure Schedules, since the date of the latest Financial Statements, the Business has been conducted in the ordinary course consistent with recent trends and performance as reflected in the Financial Statements for the first two fiscal quarters of 2010 and the Business has not suffered a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  

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3.7           Litigation and Claims.  Schedule 3.7 of the Disclosure Schedules sets forth a true, correct and complete list of every civil, criminal or administrative action, suit, hearing, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened in writing against Seller with respect to the Business or the transactions contemplated hereby.

3.8           Compliance with Laws.

(a)           There are, and during the two (2) years preceding the date of this Agreement, there have been, no violations by Seller of applicable Laws or Governmental Orders that would have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b)           Seller possesses all permits, licenses, authorizations, certificates, exemptions and approvals of Governmental Authorities (collectively, “Permits”) necessary for the conduct of the Business as it is currently conducted, and all such Permits are being complied with by Seller, except for such failures to possess or comply with that would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.9           Material Contracts.

(a)           Schedule 3.9 of the Disclosure Schedules lists each of the following contracts and agreements of Seller used exclusively in the Business (such contracts and agreements being “Material Contracts”):

(i)           each contract, agreement and other arrangement for the purchase of Inventories, or other personal property with any supplier or for the furnishing of services to the Business extending beyond twelve (12) months or the terms of which provide for purchases thereunder in excess of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) on an annual basis;

(ii)           each contract, agreement and other arrangement for the sale of Inventories or other personal property or for the furnishing of services by the Business with firm commitments in excess of one year from the date of this Agreement;

(iii)           all broker, distributor, dealer, manufacturer’s representative, franchise and agency agreements related to the Business;

(iv)           all contracts and agreements relating to indebtedness for borrowed money, factoring arrangements, sale and leaseback transactions, deferred purchase price of property and other similar financing transactions relating to the Business with respect to which Seller is an obligor;

(v)           all patent and technology licenses and trademark licenses and agreements, and research and development agreements relating to the Business; and

(vi)           all agreements entered into since January 1, 2010 providing for the acquisition or disposition of any Conveyed Assets outside of the ordinary course of business.

(b)           (i) each Material Contract is valid and binding on Seller, and to the Knowledge of Seller, the other party thereto, and is in full force and effect, (ii) each Material Contract by its terms does not prohibit or in any way restrict or penalize assignment to Purchaser, and (iii) Seller is not in breach of, or default under, any such Material Contract, which breach or default would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  

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3.10           Intellectual Property.

(a)           Schedule 3.10(a) sets forth a list, as of the date hereof, of all material patents, patent applications, trademark applications, trademark registrations, copyright applications and copyright registrations that are owned by Seller, or for which Seller has a belief that it has an ownership interest in.

(b)           Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.10(b), with respect to the Business: (i) Seller has title or an ownership interest in the patents and trademarks, (ii) Seller’s intellectual property counsel has not received any unresolved material written claim in the last four (4) years from any third party charging Seller with infringement of any Intellectual Property in connection with Seller’s conduct of the Business.

3.11           Assets.

(a)           Seller owns, leases or has the legal right to use all of its Conveyed Assets.  Seller has good and marketable title to (or in the case of leased Conveyed Assets, valid leasehold interests in) all its Conveyed Assets except for Permitted Encumbrances.

(b)           To the Knowledge of Seller, assuming sufficient liquidity is available to Purchaser, and a sufficient workforce of Employees continues employment with Purchaser following the Closing, the Conveyed Assets (with the Excluded Assets and the Excluded Liabilities), as of the date hereof and those assets used by the Business that are to be retained by Seller but made available to Purchaser pursuant to the Purchaser Lease Agreement (assuming performance by Purchaser under such agreements) constitute all the properties, assets and rights sufficient to conduct the Business immediately at the effectiveness of the Closing in all material respects as conducted as of the date of this Agreement; provided, however, that this Section 3.11(b) is not intended to provide, and does not provide, any representations or warranties regarding (i) any future results or success of the Business following the Closing, (ii) any anticipated or actual future operating or financial performance of the Business and/or the Purchaser following the Closing, (iii) the availability or sufficiency of any insurance for the benefit of the Business and/or (iv) the sufficiency of the Conveyed Assets for any period following the effectiveness of the Closing.

3.12           Taxes.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.12 of the Disclosure Schedules, (a) all material Tax Returns that are required to be filed on or before the date hereof by or on behalf of Seller with respect to the Business or the Conveyed Assets have been filed, (b) all Taxes shown to be due and payable on such Tax Returns have been paid and (c) all Tax Returns are true, correct and complete.  There are no Tax Liens upon any of the assets of the Business, except for Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable or being contested in good faith.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12 of the Disclosure Schedules, no Tax Return that includes Seller with respect to the Business or the Conveyed Assets is currently being examined by any taxing authority, and there are no outstanding agreements or waivers extending the statute of limitations applicable to any such Tax Return.  Except as expressly set forth in Section 3.13, this Section 3.12 constitutes all of Seller’s representations and warranties with respect to Taxes and no other representation or warranty in this Agreement shall be construed or interpreted to apply to any matter relating to Taxes.

3.13           Employee Benefits.

(a)           Schedule 3.13 sets forth a list of each of the Plans in effect as of the date hereof.

(b)           To the Knowledge of Seller, with respect to the Business, neither Seller nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any material liability under, arising out of or by operation of Title IV of ERISA.  To the Knowledge of Seller, no complete or partial termination has occurred within the five years preceding the date hereof with respect to any Plan.

(c)           Each of the Plans intended to qualify under Section 401 of the Code (“Qualified Plans”) has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS that such plan is so qualified, and to the Knowledge of Seller, since the date of such IRS determination, nothing has occurred with respect to the operation of any such plan that, either individually or in the aggregate, would likely cause the loss of such qualification.

 

  

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(d)           To the Knowledge of Seller, all material contributions and premiums required by Law or by the terms of any Plan or any agreement relating thereto have been timely made and to the Knowledge of Seller, no material accumulated funding deficiencies exist in any of the Plans subject to Section 412 of the Code.

(e)           To the Knowledge of Seller, there has been no “reportable event” as that term is defined in Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations thereunder with respect to any of the Plans subject to Title IV of ERISA that would require the giving of notice, or any event requiring notice to be provided under Section 4063(a) of ERISA.

(f)           To the Knowledge of Seller, there has occurred no violation of ERISA with respect to the filing of applicable returns, reports, documents and notices regarding any of the Plans with the Secretary of Labor or the Secretary of the Treasury or the furnishing of such notices or documents to the participants or beneficiaries of the Plans, which violations, either individually or in the aggregate, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(g)           Complete and correct copies of the following documents, with respect to each of the Plans (as applicable), have been delivered to Purchaser or will be delivered as soon as practicable following the Closing Date:  (i) the most recent IRS determination letter; and (ii) the most recent summary plan description.

(h)           To the Knowledge of Seller, each of the Plans and its administration is, and, since its inception, has been maintained, in all material respects, in compliance with its terms and all provisions of applicable Laws.

3.14           Brokers.  Other than Lincoln International LLC, no broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Seller.

3.15           Environmental Matters.  Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.15:

(a)           Seller is, and at all times has been, in full compliance with, and has not been and is not in violation or liable under, any Environmental Law.  Seller has not received and to the Knowledge of Seller, there is no actual or threatened order, notice or other communication from (i) any Governmental Authority or private citizen acting in the public interest or (ii) the current or prior owner or operator of the Facility, of any actual or potential violation or failure to comply with any Environmental Law, or of any actual or threatened obligation to undertake or bear the cost of any Environmental, Health and Safety Liabilities with respect to the Facility or other property or asset (whether real, personal or mixed) in which Seller has or had an interest, or with respect to any property or facility at or which Hazardous Materials were generated, manufactured, refined, transferred, imported, used or processed by Seller, or from which Hazardous Materials have been transported, treated, stored, handled, transferred, disposed, recycled or received.

(b)           There are no pending, or to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened claims, encumbrances, or other restrictions of any nature resulting from any Environmental, Health and Safety Liabilities or arising under or pursuant to any Environmental Law with respect to or affecting the Facility or arising or pursuant to any Environmental Law with respect to or affecting the Facility or any property or asset (whether real, personal or mixed) in which Seller has or had an interest.

(c)           To the Knowledge of Seller, Seller has no basis to expect, any citation, directive, inquiry, notice, order, summons, warning or other communication that relates to Hazardous Materials, or of any alleged, actual, or potential violation or failure to comply with any Environmental Law, or of any alleged, actual or potential obligation to undertake or bear the cost of any Environmental, Health and Safety Liabilities with respect to the Facility or property or asset (whether real, personal or mixed) in which Seller has or had an interest, or with respect to any property or facility to which Hazardous Materials generated, manufactured, refined, transferred, imported, used or processed by Seller have been transported, treated, stored, hauled, transferred, disposed, recycled or received.

 

  

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(d)           Seller has no Environmental, Health and Safety Liabilities with respect to the Facility or, to the Knowledge of Seller, with respect to any other property or asset (whether real, personal or mixed) in which Seller (or any predecessor) has or had an interest.

(e)           There are no Hazardous Materials present on or in the Environment at the Facility, including any Hazardous Materials contained in barrels, aboveground or underground storage tanks, landfills, land deposits, dumps, equipment (whether movable or fixed) or other containers, either temporary or permanent, and deposited or located in land, water, sumps, or any other part of the Facility, or incorporated into any structure therein or thereon.  Seller has not permitted or conducted, or is aware of, any Hazardous Activity conducted with respect to the Facility or any other property or asset (whether real, personal or mixed) in which Seller has or had an interest except in full compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws.

(f)           There has been no release or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threat of release, of any Hazardous Material at or from the Facility or at any other location where any Hazardous Materials were generated, manufactured, refined, transferred, produced, imported, used, or processed from or by the Facility, or from any other property or asset (whether real, personal or mixed) in which Seller has or had an interest.

(g)           Seller has delivered by Buyer true and complete copies and results of any reports, studies, analyses, tests, or monitoring possessed or initiated by Seller pertaining to Hazardous Materials or Hazardous Activities in, on, or under the Facility, or concerning compliance, by Seller, with Environmental Laws.

ARTICLE 4

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to Seller that the statements contained in this Article 4 are true, correct and complete, except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Article 4 or in the referenced schedules attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, as of the date hereof.

4.1           Organization and Qualification.  Purchaser is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation.

4.2           Corporate Authorization.  Purchaser has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, and to perform its obligations hereunder.  The execution, delivery and performance by Purchaser of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of Purchaser and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Purchaser are required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by Purchaser of this Agreement.

4.3           Binding Effect.  This Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of Purchaser, enforceable against Purchaser in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that such enforceability may be subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles.

4.4           Noncontravention.  The execution, delivery and performance by Purchaser of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, do not and will not (a) violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents of Purchaser, or (b) assuming compliance with the matters set forth in Sections 3.4 and 4.5, violate or result in a breach of or constitute a default under any Law or other restriction of any court or Governmental Authority to which Purchaser is subject, including any Governmental Authorization.

4.5           Consents and Approvals.  Other than as set forth in Schedule 4.5, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Purchaser do not and will not, require any material consent or approval of any Governmental Authority.

4.6           Litigation and Claims.   Schedule 4.6 sets forth a true, correct and complete list of every civil, criminal or administrative action, suit, hearing, proceeding or investigation pending or threatened against Purchaser or any of its Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to have a materially adverse effect on Purchaser.

 

  

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4.7           Financial Capability.  Purchaser (a) currently has and will have at the Closing all funds or financing commitments sufficient to consummate the Closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, the payment of the Purchase Price and the payment of any fees and expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or the financing thereof, and (b) will have sufficient liquid assets and funds to satisfy its post-closing obligations under this Agreement and the other documents and agreements contemplated herein, and the payment of any fees and expenses in connection therewith.

4.8           Brokers.  No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Purchaser or its Affiliates, and in no way will any such fees or expenses be deemed an Excluded Asset or Excluded Liability.

ARTICLE 5

COVENANTS AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

5.1           Access.

(a)           Prior to the Closing, Seller shall permit Purchaser and its representatives to have access, during regular business hours and upon reasonable advance notice, to the assets, customers, the employees listed on Schedule 5.5(e), books and records of Seller relating only to the Business, and shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, to Purchaser, such financial, tax and operating data and other available information with respect to the Business as Purchaser shall from time to time reasonably request.

(b)           All information provided to Purchaser by or on behalf of Seller or in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby will be held by Purchaser and its Affiliates, agents and representatives as Confidential Information, as defined in, and pursuant to the terms of, the Confidentiality Agreement.

5.2           Seller’s Conduct of Business.  During the period from the date hereof to the Closing, except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or as Purchaser shall otherwise consent in writing, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, Seller agrees that it will conduct the Business, and will cause the Business to be conducted, in the ordinary and usual course consistent with past practice (including as reflected in the Financial Statements for the first two fiscal quarters of 2010).  During the period from the date hereof to the Closing, except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, or as Purchaser shall otherwise consent in writing, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, and except as may be necessary with respect to the Excluded Assets, Seller covenants and agrees that it shall, with respect to the Business:

(a)           not incur, create or assume any Lien with respect to any Conveyed Asset other than Permitted Encumbrances;

(b)           not amend any term of, or waive any right under, any Assumed Contract, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

(c)           not enter into, terminate, amend or modify any agreements, commitments or contracts that would come within the definition of Material Contract, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; and

(d)           not agree to take any of the foregoing actions.

5.3           Purchaser’s Conduct of Business. During the period from the date hereof to the Closing, except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, or as Seller otherwise agrees in writing in advance, Purchaser shall not, directly or indirectly, take, authorize or enter into any agreement or commitment to take any of the following actions:

 

  

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(a)           amend any of the organizational documents of Purchaser in a manner that could be reasonably likely to prevent, delay or materially impair the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby;

(b)           adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation or authorize or undertake a dissolution, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization that could be reasonably likely to prevent, delay or materially impair the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby;

(c)           acquire (by merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise) any corporation, partnership or other business organization or division thereof or any equity interest therein if such acquisition could be reasonably likely to prevent, delay or materially impair the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby;

(d)           knowingly do any other act which would cause any representation or warranty of Purchaser in this Agreement to be or become untrue in any material respect or knowingly omit to take any action necessary to prevent any such representation or warranty from being untrue in any material respect at such time; and

(e)           agree to take any of the foregoing actions.

5.4           Reasonable Best Efforts; Certain Governmental Matters.  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein provided, each of the parties hereto agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, (i) to comply promptly with all legal requirements that may be imposed on it with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (which actions shall include, without limitation, furnishing all information required by applicable Law in connection with approvals of or filings with any Governmental Authority), (ii) to satisfy the conditions precedent to the obligations of such party hereto, (iii) to obtain any consent, authorization, order or approval of, or any exemption by, any Governmental Authority or other public or private third party required to be obtained or made by Purchaser or Seller in connection with the acquisition of the Conveyed Assets or the taking of any action contemplated by this Agreement, (iv) to effect all necessary registrations and filings, and (v) to take any action reasonably necessary to vigorously defend, lift, mitigate, rescind the effect of any litigation or administrative proceeding adversely affecting the acquisition of the Conveyed Assets or this Agreement, including promptly appealing any adverse court or administrative decision.

5.5           Employees.

(a) At Closing, Seller shall terminate all of its employees.  Purchaser shall not be obligated to hire any of Seller’s former employees.  As of the Closing, Purchaser may offer employment to Seller's former employees regularly employed in the Business ("Current Employees").  Seller shall provide Purchaser with access to the Current Employees no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the Closing Date to discuss employment matters.  Any offers of employment will be contingent upon the Closing and satisfaction by those Current Employees receiving employment offers of Purchaser’s normal employment standards and required training. Current Employees who accept offers of employment from Purchaser are hereinafter referred to as "Hired Employees";

(b) Seller represents that it has obtained Forms I-9 from all of its Current Employees as required by law prior to Closing;

(c)           Seller shall pay all Employees for or make provision for all work performed as employees through the Closing Date and for all vacation earned or accrued and not taken before the Closing Date, and shall otherwise discharge all of its obligations to its Employees, including its obligations to such Employees under the Benefit Plans.  Purchaser shall have no Liability for any wages, vacation pay, sick pay, pension, sales or management incentives or bonuses, profit sharing, welfare or other benefit owed to any Employee that relates to service as an Employee prior to the Closing Date, except as provided in this Section 5.5;

(d)           Seller shall be liable for all costs compensable under any applicable Workers' Compensation law attributable to any illness of or injury to an Employee arising prior to the Closing Date.  Purchaser shall be liable for all costs compensable under any applicable Workers' Compensation law attributable to any illness of or injury to any Hired Employee arising on or after the Closing Date;

 

  

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(e)           Schedule 5.5(e) contains a complete and accurate list of the following information for each employee, director, independent contractor, consultant and agent of Seller, including each employee on leave of absence or layoff status: employer; name; job title; date of hiring or engagement; date of commencement of employment or engagement; current compensation paid or payable and any change in compensation since January 1, 2010; sick and vacation leave that is accrued but unused; and service credited for purposes of vesting and eligibility to participate under any Benefits Plan, or any other employee or director benefit plan;

(f)           Schedule 5.5(f) states the number of employees terminated by Seller since January 1 2010, and contains a complete and accurate list of the following information for each employee of Seller who has been terminated or laid off, or whose hours of work have been reduced by more than fifty percent (50%) by Seller, in the six (6) months prior to the date of this Agreement: (i) the date of such termination, layoff or reduction in hours; (ii) the reason for such termination, layoff or reduction in hours; and (iii) the location to which the employee was assigned.

5.6           Further Assurances; Consents.  Subject and in addition to Section 2.1(b), at any time after the Closing Date, Seller shall execute, acknowledge and deliver any further deeds, assignments, conveyances and other assurances and documents and instruments of transfer reasonably requested by Purchaser and necessary for Seller to comply with its covenants contained herein and, at Purchaser’s expense, will take any action consistent with the terms of this Agreement that may reasonably be requested by Purchaser for the purpose of assigning, transferring, granting, conveying, vesting and confirming ownership in or to Purchaser, or reducing to Purchaser’s possession, any or all of the Conveyed Assets.

5.7           Purchaser’s Investigation; No Additional Representations.  Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that, except as specifically set forth in Article 3 of this Agreement, Seller has not made and shall have no Liability for any representation or warranty, express or implied, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, any representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding the Business or the Conveyed Assets furnished to Purchaser or its representatives in connection with Purchaser’s due diligence review of the Business or the Conveyed Assets.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as specifically set forth in Article 3 of this Agreement, neither Purchaser nor any Purchaser Indemnified Parties shall have any claim or right to recovery pursuant to Article 7 or otherwise, and none of Seller, the Seller Indemnified Parties or any other person shall have or be subject to any liability to Purchaser, any of the Purchaser Indemnified Parties or any other person, with respect to (i) any information, documents or materials furnished, delivered or made available by Seller or its officers, directors, employees, agents or advisors to Purchaser or its Affiliates, in certain “data rooms,” management presentations or any other form in contemplation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, the confidential memoranda and/or other information prepared or delivered by Seller and any of its advisors, or (ii) any projections, forecasts, estimates, plans or budgets of future revenue, expenses or expenditures, future results of operations (or any component thereof), future cash flows (or any component thereof) or future financial condition (or any component thereof) of the Business or the future business, operations or affairs of the Business heretofore or hereafter delivered to or made available to Purchaser or its representatives or Affiliates.

5.8           Bulk Transfer Laws.  Purchaser acknowledges that Seller has not taken, and do not intend to take, any action required to comply with any applicable bulk sale or bulk transfer Laws or similar Laws and Purchaser waives Seller’s compliance with such Laws.

5.9           Covenant-Not-To-Compete Agreement.  At the Closing, Purchaser, the Key Employees and Seller shall enter into, execute and deliver a covenant-not-to-compete agreement relating to the Business in substantially the form set forth as Exhibit G (the “Covenant-Not-To-Compete Agreement”).

5.10           Purchaser Lease Agreement.  At the Closing, Purchaser and Seller shall enter into, execute and deliver the Purchaser a six year lease agreement in substantially the form set forth as Exhibit H (the “Purchaser Lease Agreement”).

 

  

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5.11           Seller Sublease Agreement.  At the Closing, Purchaser and Seller shall enter into, execute and deliver the Seller a one year lease agreement in substantially the form set forth as Exhibit I (the “Seller Sublease Agreement”).

5.12           Manufacturing Agreement.  At the Closing, Purchaser and Seller shall enter into, execute and deliver the manufacturing agreement for Purchaser to be the exclusive supplier on Seller’s proprietary monitoring devices in substantially the form set forth as Exhibit J (the “Manufacturing Agreement”).

5.13           Compliance with WARN, Etc.  With respect to WARN or other similar statutes or regulations of any jurisdiction, if any are available, Seller will timely give any notices if required to be given thereunder.

5.14           Litigation Support.  Purchaser and its Affiliates on the one hand and Seller on the other hand will cooperate with each other in the defense or settlement of any lawsuit involving the Business for which they have responsibility by providing the other party and such other party’s legal counsel and other Persons reasonable access to employees, records, documents, data, equipment, facilities, products, parts, prototypes and other information regarding the Business and its products as such other party may request, to the extent maintained or under the possession or control of the requested party.  The requesting party shall reimburse the other party for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses paid to third parties in performing its obligations under this Section 5.14.  Seller shall keep Purchaser informed of the status of the pendency of the lawsuits involving the Business for which it has responsibility under this Agreement, will advise Purchaser of material issues involved in the litigation and will use its reasonable best efforts to seek a confidentiality agreement with respect to any settlements of such lawsuits.  For so long as any lawsuits involving the Business for which any Seller has responsibility remain outstanding, Purchaser will advise Seller of material issues involved in the lawsuits involving the Business for which Seller has responsibility and will use its reasonable best efforts to seek a confidentiality agreement with respect to any settlements of such lawsuits.

5.15           Tax Matters.

(a)           Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, all transfer, documentary, recording, sales, use, registration, stamp and other similar Taxes (including all applicable real estate transfer Taxes, but excluding any Taxes based on or attributable to income or capital gains) together with any notarial and registry fees and recording costs imposed by any Tax authority or other Governmental Authority in connection with the transfer of the Conveyed Assets will be shared equally by Purchaser and Seller, regardless of what Person is obligated to pay such Taxes under applicable Law.  The parties and their respective Affiliates will cooperate in timely preparing and filing all Tax Returns that may be required to comply with Law relating to such Taxes.  To the extent that one party claims any exemptions from any such Taxes (it being understood that each party shall claim any such exemptions available to it), such party shall provide to the other party the appropriate exemption certificates.

(b)           The parties will make payments to each other to the extent necessary so that Seller shall bear the cost of personal property and other similar Taxes imposed on the Conveyed Assets which are due and payable during the Tax periods ending prior to or on the Closing Date (and, with respect to any Straddle Taxable Period, on a per diem basis up to and including the Closing Date) and Purchaser shall bear the cost of real property, personal property, and other similar Taxes imposed on the Conveyed Assets which are due and payable during Tax periods ending after the Closing Date (and, with respect to any Straddle Taxable Period, on a per diem basis following the Closing Date), such payments to be made as soon as practicable after the Closing in each case after the amount of such Taxes has been determined.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Straddle Taxable Period” means any Taxable period beginning before the Closing Date and ending on or after the Closing Date.

(c)           Each of the parties shall provide the other party with such information and records and make such of its officers, directors, employees and agents available as may reasonably be requested by such other party in connection with the preparation of any Tax Return or any audit or other proceeding that relates to the Conveyed Assets.

  

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5.16           Trademarks; Names.  From and after the Closing, Purchaser shall not, and shall ensure that its employees and representatives do not, represent itself or themselves as Seller or as employees or representatives of Seller.  Purchaser shall take appropriate action to (a) remove, cease to use and/or cover the “Winland Electronics” name and logo, and those certain names and marks listed on Schedule 3.10(a) hereto, from all materials (including invoices, packaging and other promotional material), signage, telephone listings, letterhead, and other similar materials and documentation used in connection with the Business, and (b) redesign and reformat any internet or website content used in connection with the Business to avoid any similarity or basis for confusion with Seller’s internet and website content.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, for a period of three months following the Closing (or longer with Seller’s consent), Purchaser may continue to use packaging and other written promotional material included in the Conveyed Assets and existing as of the Closing in connection with the sale of finished goods Inventories, and Seller hereby grants to Purchaser a limited trademark license solely to the extent required for such use during such three-month period.

5.17           Post-Closing Reconciliation of Accounts.  Seller and Purchaser acknowledge and agree that all accounts receivable related to the Conveyed Assets and the Business arising pre-Closing and post-Closing shall be the sole property of Purchaser.  Seller shall cause any payments for pre-Closing and post-Closing accounts receivable received by it on and after the Closing Date to be promptly delivered to Purchaser.  Purchaser shall be solely responsible for collection efforts with respect to outstanding accounts receivable to which it is entitled pursuant to this Section 5.17 and the terms of this Agreement.

5.18           Payment of Assumed Liabilities.  Purchaser will pay, or make adequate provision for the payment, in full all of the Assumed Liabilities and any other Liabilities of Purchaser under this Agreement when due and payable.

5.19           No Solicitation.  Neither the Seller nor any of its officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents, or affiliates (including, but not limited to any investment banker, attorney, or accountant retained by Seller), shall, directly or indirectly, solicit, encourage, initiate, or participate in any way in discussions or negotiations with, or knowingly provide any information to, any corporation, partnership, person, or other entity or group (other than Purchaser or any affiliate or agent of Purchaser) concerning any merger, sale or licensing of any significant portion of the assets, sale of shares of capital stock (including without limitation any proposal or offer to Seller’s shareholders), or similar transactions involving Seller (an “Alternative Proposal”), or otherwise facilitate any effort or attempt to make or implement an Alternative Proposal; provided, however, that this section shall not prohibit the Board of Directors of Seller from (i) furnishing information to or entering into discussions or negotiations with, any person or entity that makes an unsolicited bona fide Alternative Proposal, if, and only to the extent that, (a) the Board of Directors of Seller determines in good faith that such action is so required for the Board of Directors to comply with its fiduciary duties to shareholders imposed by law, the Board of Directors has been so advised in writing by outside counsel, in its judgment and opinion, as being so required and the Board of Directors so represents to Purchaser that the Board of Directors has been so advised, (b) prior to furnishing information to, or entering into discussions and negotiations with, such person or entity, Seller promptly provides written notice to Purchaser to the effect that it is furnishing information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, such person or entity, and (c) Seller keeps Purchaser informed of all material terms and events with respect to any such Alternative Proposal; and (ii) to the extent applicable, complying with Rule 14e-2 promulgated under the 1934 Act with regard to an Alternative Proposal.  Nothing in this section shall (x) permit Seller to terminate this Agreement, (y) permit Seller to enter into any agreement with respect to an Alternative Proposal for as long as this Agreement remains in effect (it being agreed that for as long as this Agreement remains in effect, Seller shall not enter into any agreement with any person that provides for, or in any way facilitates, an Alternative Proposal), or (z) affect any other obligation of Seller under this Agreement.

ARTICLE 6

CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

6.1           Conditions to the Obligations of Purchaser and Seller.  The obligations of the parties hereto to effect the Closing are subject to the satisfaction prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

(a)           Competition Laws.  Any waiting period (and any extension thereof) or approval required under any Competition Law where there is a pre-Closing filing requirement with respect to the transfer of the Conveyed Assets shall have expired or shall have been earlier terminated and any investigations by a Governmental Authority relating to the transfer of the Conveyed Assets contemplated hereby (by means of a request for additional information or otherwise), shall have been terminated.

 

  

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(b)           No Injunctions.  There shall not be in effect any statute, regulation, order, decree or judgment that makes illegal or enjoins or prevents in any respect the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

6.2           Conditions to the Obligations of Purchaser.  The obligation of Purchaser to effect the Closing is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by Purchaser) prior to the Closing, of the following conditions:

(a)           Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties of Seller contained herein shall have been true and correct when made, subject to the delivery of the corresponding Schedules, and shall be true and correct as of the Closing, as if made as of the Closing (except that representations and warranties that are made as of a specific date need be true only as of such date), except for such failures as would not have a Material Adverse Effect.  Purchaser shall have received a certificate of Seller, dated as of the Closing Date and signed by an officer of Seller, certifying as to the fulfillment of the condition set forth in this Section 6.2(a).

(b)           Covenants.  The covenants and agreements of Seller to be performed on or prior to the Closing shall have been duly performed in all material respects.

(c)           Deliveries.  Seller shall have made or caused to be made delivery to Purchaser of the items required by Section 2.6(b).

(d)           Government Authorizations.  The parties shall have obtained any and all Governmental Authorizations or other consents necessary to sell, transfer and convey the Conveyed Assets to Purchaser in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(e)           Wells Fargo Approval.  Purchaser shall have obtained approval of the transaction from its lender, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.

6.3           Conditions to the Obligations of Seller.  The obligation of Seller to effect the Closing is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by Seller) prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

(a)           Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties of Purchaser contained herein shall have been true and correct in all material respects when made and shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing, as if made as of the Closing (except that representations and warranties that are made as of a specific date need be true in all material respects only as of such date).  Seller shall have received a certificate of Purchaser, dated as of the Closing Date and signed by an officer of Purchaser, certifying as to the fulfillment of the conditions set forth in this Section 6.3(a).

(b)           Covenants.  The covenants and agreements of Purchaser to be performed on or prior to the Closing shall have been duly performed in all material respects.

(c)           Deliveries.  Purchaser shall have made or caused to be made delivery to Seller of the items required by Section 2.5(c).

(d)           Government Authorizations.  The parties shall have obtained any and all Governmental Authorizations or other consents necessary to sell, transfer and convey the Conveyed Assets to Purchaser in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(e)           Consents and Approvals; Release of Liens.  Seller shall have obtained all authorizations, consents and approvals required to be obtained by Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  Seller shall have obtained releases pursuant to UCC-3’s, as applicable, or otherwise, of all Liens with respect to the Conveyed Assets.

 

  

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(f)           Shareholder Approval.  Seller shall have duly called a meeting of its shareholder and have obtained shareholder approval in order for Seller to enter into this Agreement, sell the Conveyed Assets and consummate the transactions contemplated in this Agreement.

ARTICLE 7

SURVIVAL AND INDEMNIFICATION

7.1           Survival.  The representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Closing until the date twelve (12) months following the Closing Date, and no party may first raise a claim based thereon for any Losses (defined below) after the expiration of such twelve (12) month period not directly related to or arising out of a claim asserted by such party in writing and received by the other party prior to the expiration of such twelve (12) month period.

7.2           Indemnification by Purchaser.  Purchaser hereby agrees that it shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Seller, and, if applicable, their respective directors, officers, shareholders, partners, attorneys, accountants, agents and employees and their heirs, successors and assigns (the “Seller Indemnified Parties”) from, against and in respect of any damages, claims, losses, charges, actions, suits, proceedings, deficiencies, interest, penalties, and reasonable costs and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ and consultants’ fees) (collectively, “Losses”) imposed on, sustained, incurred or suffered by or asserted against any of the Seller Indemnified Parties by reason of (i) any breach of any representation or warranty made by Purchaser contained in this Agreement; (ii) the breach of any covenant or agreement of Purchaser contained in this Agreement; (iii) the Assumed Liabilities; and (iv) the operation of the Business and ownership of and activities involving the Conveyed Assets from and after the Closing Date.

7.3           Indemnification by Seller.

(a)           Seller hereby agrees that it shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Purchaser, its Affiliates and, if applicable, their respective directors, officers, shareholders, partners, attorneys, accountants, agents and employees and their heirs, successors and assigns (the “Purchaser Indemnified Parties” and, collectively with the Seller Indemnified Parties, the “Indemnified Parties”) from, against and in respect of any Losses imposed on, sustained, incurred or suffered by or asserted against any of the Purchaser Indemnified Parties by reason of (i) any breach of any representation or warranty made by Seller contained in this Agreement; (ii) the breach of any covenant or agreement of an Seller made in this Agreement; and (iii) the Excluded Liabilities.

(b)           Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article 7, Seller shall not be liable to the Purchaser Indemnified Parties for any Losses with respect to the matters contained in Section 7.3(a) or elsewhere in this Agreement except to the extent the Losses therefrom exceed Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000), in which event Seller shall be liable to the Purchaser Indemnified Parties for all such Losses in excess of such amount up to an aggregate amount equal to Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($750,000).

7.4           Indemnification Procedures. All claims for indemnification by any Indemnified Party hereunder shall be asserted and resolved as set forth in this Section 7.4.  In the event that any claim or demand by a third party for which an indemnifying party, Seller or Purchaser, as the case may be (an “Indemnifying Party”), may be liable to any Indemnified Party hereunder (a “Claim”) is asserted against or sought to be collected from any Indemnified Party by a third party, such Indemnified Party shall as promptly as practicable notify the Indemnifying Party in writing of such Claim and the amount or the estimated amount thereof and such notice shall state with reasonable specificity the basis, if known, under which the claim is made (the “Claim Notice”).  The failure on the part of the Indemnified Party to give any such Claim Notice in a reasonably prompt manner shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of any indemnification obligation hereunder unless, and only to the extent that, the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced thereby.  The Indemnifying Party shall have sixty (60) days from the delivery of the Claim Notice (the “Notice Period”) to notify the Indemnified Party (a) whether or not the Indemnifying Party disputes the liability of the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party hereunder with respect to such Claim and (b) whether or not it desires to defend the Indemnified Party against such Claim.  All costs and expenses incurred by the Indemnifying Party in defending such Claim shall be a liability of, and shall be paid by, the Indemnifying Party; provided, however, that the amount of such costs and expenses that shall be a liability of the Indemnifying Party hereunder shall be subject to the limitations set forth in Section 7.3(b) hereof.  Except as hereinafter provided, in the event that the Indemnifying Party notifies the Indemnified Party within the Notice Period that it desires to defend the Indemnified Party against such Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall, at its sole cost and expense, have the right to defend the Indemnified Party by appropriate proceedings and shall have the sole power to direct and control such defense.  If any Indemnified Party desires to participate in any such defense, it may do so at its sole cost and expense.  The Indemnified Party shall not settle a Claim for which it is indemnified by the Indemnifying Party without the written consent of the Indemnifying Party, unless the Indemnifying Party elects not to defend the Indemnified Party against such Claim. 

 

  

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnified Party shall have the sole right to defend, settle or compromise any Claim with respect to which it has agreed in writing to waive its right to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnified Party, during the period the Indemnifying Party is determining whether to elect to assume the defense of a matter covered by this Section 7.4, may take such reasonable actions as it deems necessary to preserve any and all rights with respect to the matter, without such actions being construed as a waiver of the Indemnified Party’s rights to defense and indemnification pursuant to this Agreement.  If the Indemnifying Party elects not to defend the Indemnified Party against such Claim, whether by failing to give the Indemnified Party timely notice as provided above or otherwise, then the amount of any such Claim, or, if the same be contested by the Indemnified Party, then that portion thereof as to which such defense is unsuccessful (and the reasonable costs and expenses pertaining to such defense) shall be the liability of the Indemnifying Party hereunder, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 7.3(b) hereof.  To the extent the Indemnifying Party shall direct, control or participate in the defense or settlement of any third party claim or demand, the Indemnified Party will give the Indemnifying Party and its counsel access to, during normal business hours, the relevant business records and other documents, and shall permit them to consult with the employees and counsel of the Indemnified Party.  The Indemnified Party shall use its reasonable best efforts in the defense of all such claims.

7.5           Exclusive Remedy; Limitation of Remedy.  Except as described in Sections 2.3 and 9.2, and except in case of fraud by either party, the parties agree that the sole and exclusive remedy with respect to any and all claims relating to the subject matter of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be pursuant to the indemnification provisions set forth in this Article 7, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise.

7.6           Characterization of Indemnification Payments.  All amounts paid by Seller or Purchaser to the other under this Article 7 shall be treated for all Tax purposes as adjustments to the Purchase Price.

7.7           Computation of Losses Subject to Indemnification.  The amount of any Loss for which indemnification is provided under this Article 7 or otherwise in this Agreement shall be computed net of any insurance proceeds when actually received by the Indemnified Party from the Indemnifying Party’s insurance carrier(s); provided that such indemnification amounts shall be paid when due pursuant to the terms hereof and the Indemnified Party, upon receipt of such proceeds, shall transfer to the Indemnifying Party the entire amount of such proceeds.

7.8           Limitations on Liability.  Except in case of fraud by either party, notwithstanding any provision herein, neither Seller on the one hand, nor Purchaser, on the other hand, shall in any event be liable to the other party or such party’s Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, shareholders, agents or representatives on account of any indemnification obligation set forth in this Article 7 for any indirect, consequential, special, incidental or punitive damages (including, without limitation, lost profits, loss of use, diminution in value, damage to goodwill or loss of business).

7.9           Mitigation. An Indemnified Party will use commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate the Losses to which it may become entitled to indemnification hereunder.

7.10           Waiver of Conditions; Indemnity.  The parties acknowledge and agree that if Purchaser has knowledge of a failure of any condition set forth in Section 6.2 and/or Section 6.3 above, or of any breach by Seller of any representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement, and Purchaser proceeds with the Closing, Purchaser shall be deemed to have waived such condition or breach and Purchaser and any and all of the Purchaser Indemnified Parties shall not be entitled to be indemnified by Seller under Section 7.3 above, to sue for damages or to assert any other right or remedy for losses arising from any matters relating to such condition or breach, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or in any certificate delivered pursuant hereto.

 

  

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ARTICLE 8

TERMINATION

8.1           Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing:

(a)           by written agreement of Purchaser and Seller;

(b)           by either Purchaser or Seller, by giving written notice of such termination to the other party, if the Closing shall not have occurred on or prior to January 1, 2011 (unless the failure to consummate the Closing by such date (i) shall be due to the failure of the party seeking to terminate this Agreement to have fulfilled any of its obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, the obligations of Purchaser and Seller under Section 5.2 and Section 5.3 hereof, or (ii) is due to the continuance of a waiting period or lack of an approval required under or an injunction or equivalent thereof entered based upon any Competition Law, in which event Purchaser may not rely upon this Section 8.1(b) to terminate this Agreement until the one-year anniversary of the date of this Agreement); or

(c)           by either Seller or Purchaser if any court of competent jurisdiction or other competent Governmental Authority shall have issued a statute, rule, regulation, order, decree or injunction or taken any other action permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Closing and such statute, rule, regulation, order, decree or injunction or other action shall have become final and nonappealable.

8.2           Effect of Termination.  In the event of the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.1 hereof, this Agreement shall thereafter become void and have no effect, and no party hereto shall have any liability to the other party hereto or their respective Affiliates, directors, officers or employees, except for the obligations of the parties hereto contained in this Section 8.2 and in Sections 5.1(b), 9.1, 9.8, 9.9, 9.10 and 9.12 hereof, and except that nothing herein will relieve any party from liability for any breach of any covenant set forth in Article 5 of this Agreement prior to such termination.

ARTICLE 9

MISCELLANEOUS

9.1           Notices.  All notices or other communications hereunder shall be deemed to have been duly given and made if in writing and if served by personal delivery upon the party for whom it is intended, if delivered by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by a national courier service, or if sent by facsimile, provided that the facsimile is promptly confirmed by confirmation of transmission thereof, to the person at the address set forth below, or such other address as may be designated in writing hereafter, in the same manner, by such person:

To Seller:

Winland Electronics, Inc.

1950 Excel Drive

Mankato, MN 56001

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

Facsimile: (507) 625-7231

With a copy to:

Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

200 South Sixth Street

Minneapolis, MN  55402-1425

Attn:  Thomas F. Steichen

Facsimile: (612) 492-7338

 

 

  

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To Purchaser:

Nortech Systems, Inc.

1120 Wayzata Boulevard East, # 201

Wayzata, MN 55391

Attn.: Michael J. Degan

Facsimile: (952) 449-0442

With a copy to:

Bert M. Gross

7201 Metro Boulevard

Edina, MN 55439

Facsimile: (952) 918-4161

A notice shall be deemed given on the day when actually delivered as provided above (if delivered personally, by courier or by facsimile) or on the day shown on the return receipt (if delivered by mail).

9.2           Specific Performance.  Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any breach of this Agreement by Purchaser, Seller would be irreparably harmed and could not be made whole by monetary damages.  Purchaser, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, accordingly hereby waives the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and hereby agrees that Seller, in addition to any other remedy to which it may be entitled at law or in equity, shall be entitled to compel specific performance of this Agreement.

9.3           Amendment; Waiver.  Except as described in Section 7.10 above, any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if, and only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by Purchaser and Seller, or in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective.  Except as described in Section 7.10 above, no failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

9.4           Assignment.  No party to this Agreement may assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party hereto.

9.5           Entire Agreement.  This Agreement (including all Schedules and Exhibits hereto) contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to such matters, except for the Confidentiality Agreement which will remain in full force and effect for the term provided for therein and other than any written agreement of the parties that expressly provides that it is not superseded by this Agreement.

9.6           Fulfillment of Obligations.  Any obligation of any party to any other party under this Agreement, which obligation is performed, satisfied or fulfilled by an Affiliate of such party, shall be deemed to have been performed, satisfied or fulfilled by such party.

9.7           Parties in Interest.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.  Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any Person other than Purchaser, Seller, or their successors or permitted assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.

9.8           Public Disclosure.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each of the parties to this Agreement hereby agrees with the other party hereto that no press release or similar public announcement or communication shall be made or caused to be made concerning the execution or performance of this Agreement unless the parties shall have agreed in advance as to the contents thereof, except as such release or announcement may be required by Law or the rules or regulations of any applicable United States securities exchange or regulatory or governmental body to which the relevant party is subject or submits, in which case the party required to make the release or announcement shall use its reasonable best efforts to allow each other party reasonable time to comment on such release or announcement in advance of such issuance, it being understood that the final form and content of any such release or announcement, to the extent so required, shall be at the final discretion of the disclosing party.

 

  

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9.9           Return of Information.  If for any reason whatsoever the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not consummated, Purchaser shall promptly return to Seller all books and records furnished by Seller or any of its agents, employees, or representatives (including all copies, summaries and abstracts, if any, thereof) in accordance with the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement.

9.10           Expenses.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be borne by the party incurring such expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all Taxes (including, without limitation, any value added Taxes but excluding any Income Taxes) and fees relating to the transfer of the Conveyed Assets shall be paid by the person liable therefor but the liability for such Taxes as between Seller and Purchaser shall be borne by Purchaser.

9.11           Schedules.  The disclosure of any matter in any Schedule to this Agreement, as may be amended or supplemented prior to the Closing, shall be deemed to be a disclosure for all purposes of this Agreement to which such matter could reasonably be expected to be pertinent, but shall expressly not be deemed to constitute an admission by Seller or Purchaser, or to otherwise imply, that any such matter is material for the purposes of this Agreement.

9.12           Governing Law.   This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota, its rules of conflict of laws notwithstanding.

9.13           Consent to Jurisdiction.  Each of the parties hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, for the purpose of any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and each of the parties hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect to such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined exclusively in any Minnesota state or federal court sitting in the County of Hennepin.  Each party irrevocably waives, and agrees not to asset by way of motion, defense or otherwise, in any such action or proceeding, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is immune from attachment or execution, that the action or proceeding is or has been brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the action or proceeding is improper, or that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby may not be enforced by any of the above-named courts.  Each of the parties agrees that a final judgment in any action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

Each of the parties irrevocably consents to the service of the summons and complaint and any other process in any other action or proceeding relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, on behalf of itself or its property, by the personal delivery of copies of such process to such party.  Nothing in this Section 9.13 shall affect the right of any party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by Law.

9.14           Waiver of Jury Trial.  Each party hereby waives its rights to a jury trial of any claim or cause of action based upon or arising out of or related to this Agreement or the subject matter hereof.  The scope of this waiver is intended to be all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any court and that relate to the subject matter of the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims, and all other common law and statutory claims.  This Section 9.14 has been fully discussed by each of the parties and these provisions shall not be subject to any exceptions.  Each party hereby further warrants and represents that such party has reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel and that such party knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury trial rights following consultation with legal counsel.  This waiver is irrevocable, meaning that it may not be modified either orally or in writing, and this waiver shall apply to any subsequent amendments, supplements or modifications to (or assignments of) this Agreement.  In the event of litigation, this Agreement maybe filed as a written consent to a trial (without a jury) by the court.

 

  

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9.15           Counterparts.   This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other party, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart.  A facsimile or PDF signature of this Agreement shall be valid and have the same force and effect as a manually signed original.

9.16           Headings.  The heading references herein and the table of contents hereto are for convenience purposes only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

9.17           Severability.  In the event that any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof, becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances will be interpreted so as reasonably to effect the intent of the parties hereto.  The parties further agree to replace such void or unenforceable provision of this Agreement with a valid and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the greatest extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of such void or unenforceable provision.

[The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank]

  

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed or caused this Asset Purchase Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

	
SELLER:

 

Winland Electronics, Inc.,

a Minnesota corporation

 

By:           

Name:                                                                

Title:                                                                

 

	
PURCHASER:

 

Nortech Systems, Inc.,

a Minnesota corporation

 

 

By:           

Name:                                                                

Title:

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