COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORP false 0001005229 0001005229 2025-02-10 2025-02-10

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 10, 2025

 

 

COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

New York

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

001-34362   16-0547600

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

13320 Ballantyne Corporate Place, Suite D Charlotte NC   28277
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number including area code: (716) 689-5400

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange
on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share   CMCO   Nasdaq Global Select Market

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 Emerging Growth Company

If an Emerging Growth Company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 


Item 1.01

ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT.

Stock Purchase Agreement

On February 10, 2025, Columbus McKinnon Corporation, a New York corporation (the “Company”), Kito Crosby Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (“Kito”), the equityholders of Kito set forth on the signature pages thereto (each, a “Seller” and collectively, the “Sellers”) and Ascend Overseas Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, solely in its capacity as the representative (as defined therein), entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”). Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth therein, the Company will purchase all of the issued and outstanding equity of Kito (the “Acquisition”).

The aggregate consideration payable by the Company under the Stock Purchase Agreement will be an amount in cash equal to $2,700,000,000, subject to certain customary adjustments with respect to, among other things, cash, debt, transaction expenses and working capital set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Acquisition Consideration”).

The Stock Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants of the Sellers, Kito, and the Company, including covenants requiring Kito to conduct its business in the ordinary course during the interim period between the execution of the Stock Purchase Agreement and the closing of the Acquisition (the “Acquisition Closing”) and requiring the parties to use their respective reasonable best efforts to take all actions necessary to consummate the Acquisition, including obtaining required regulatory approvals and certain consents. The Stock Purchase Agreement also contains (i) the obligations of the Company to arrange and obtain the financing necessary to fund the Acquisition (the “Financing”) and (ii) the obligations of Kito to use reasonable best efforts to cooperate with the Company for purposes of obtaining the Financing in connection with the Acquisition.

The Acquisition Closing is subject to certain conditions, including (i) the expiration or early termination of the waiting period applicable to the consummation of the Acquisition under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”) and the receipt of certain other regulatory approvals, (ii) the absence of any law or judgment enjoining, prohibiting or otherwise making illegal the Acquisition, (iii) no Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Stock Purchase Agreement) having occurred after the date of the Stock Purchase Agreement, (iv) the accuracy of the representations and warranties made by the Sellers, Kito and the Company, respectively, subject to certain qualifiers therein (v) the performance in all material respects by the Sellers, Kito and the Company of their respective obligations under the Stock Purchase Agreement and (vii) certain other customary conditions.

The Stock Purchase Agreement includes termination rights for each party including, without limitation, (i) by mutual written consent of the Company and Kito, (ii) by either the Company or Kito if the Acquisition Closing has not occurred on or prior to August 10, 2026 (the “Outside Date”) or (iii) by either the Company or Kito if the other party has breached its representations, warranties or covenants, subject to certain negotiated qualifications and cure periods as set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement.

A copy of the Stock Purchase Agreement is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the Stock Purchase Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Stock Purchase Agreement.

The Stock Purchase Agreement has been included in this report to provide investors with information regarding its terms and conditions. It is not intended to provide any other factual information about the Company, Kito or any of their respective subsidiaries. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Stock Purchase Agreement were made only for purposes of such agreement and as of specific dates, were made solely for the benefit of the parties to the Stock Purchase Agreement, may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures made for the purpose of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the Stock Purchase Agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts, and are subject to materiality qualifications contained in the Stock Purchase Agreement which may differ from what may be viewed as material by shareholders of, or other investors in, the Company. Such shareholders and investors are not third-party beneficiaries under the Stock Purchase Agreement and should not rely on the representations, warranties and


covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of the Company, Kito or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. Information related to the representations and warranties may change after the date of the Stock Purchase Agreement, and any changes to such information may not be reflected in the Company’s public filings.

Investment Agreement and Preferred Share Terms

On February 10, 2025, in connection with the execution of the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company entered into an investment agreement (the “Investment Agreement”) with CD&R XII Keystone Holdings, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (together with its affiliated funds, the “CD&R Investors”) and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund XII, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (solely for the purpose of limited provisions therein), providing for the purchase by the CD&R Investors of Series A Cumulative Convertible Participating Preferred Shares, par value $1.00 per share (the “Preferred Shares”) in order to partially finance the aggregate Acquisition Consideration (the “Investment”). The Preferred Shares will be convertible perpetual participating preferred shares of the Company, with an initial conversion price equal to $37.68, and accrue dividends at a rate of 7.0% per annum (in addition to participating in the Company’s regular dividends to the extent they exceed $0.07 per calendar quarter (such regular quarterly dividends up to $0.07 per calendar quarter, the “Permitted Quarterly Dividends”), compounded quarterly (payable in cash or in-kind, as described further below). Pursuant to the Investment Agreement, the CD&R Investors agree that they will purchase 800,000 Preferred Shares at a purchase price of $1,000 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $800,000,000, subject to the terms and conditions therein. Subject to certain restrictions on conversion and voting as described further below, the aggregate number of common shares of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Shares”) into which the Preferred Shares may be converted will initially be equal to 21,231,440 shares based on the initial conversion price. Under the terms of the Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company relating to the designation, rights, preferences and limitations of the Preferred Shares, a form of which is attached as Exhibit A to the Investment Agreement (the “Certificate of Amendment”), (1) prior to the earlier of (x) the Company’s shareholders approving certain matters and terms relating to the Preferred Shares in accordance with applicable rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) (such approval, the “Requisite Shareholder Approval”), and (y) December 31, 2026 (such earlier time, the “Conversion Starting Date”), the Preferred Shares will not be permitted to convert or vote (other with respect to separate preferred stock class voting in respect of certain protective matters set forth in the Certificate of Amendment), (2) prior to receipt of the Requisite Shareholder Approval, including after December 31, 2026, the Preferred Shares will not be permitted to vote with respect to, or convert into, a number of Common Shares exceeding 19.99% of the Common Shares outstanding prior to the transaction and (3) unless agreed to by the Company, no holder of Preferred Shares will be permitted to vote or convert Preferred Shares to the extent such vote or conversion would otherwise result in such holder and its affiliates (based on the aggregate Common Shares and Preferred Shares held by them) having the right to vote more than 45% of the votes held by all shareholders of the Company at any given time (the forgoing (1), (2) and (3) are referred to below as the “Conversion and Vote Limitations”). The CD&R Investors are entities affiliated with the investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice LLC.

The consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Investment Agreement is conditioned upon the substantially concurrent closing of the Acquisition and upon certain other conditions, including (i) the expiration or termination of all applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act and the receipt of certain other regulatory approvals, (ii) the absence of any law or governmental authority enjoining, prohibiting or otherwise making illegal the transactions contemplated by the Investment Agreement, and (iii) other customary conditions. Under the terms of the Investment Agreement, the Company may not, without the prior written consent of the CD&R Investors, amend or waive the Stock Purchase Agreement in a manner (i) that would have the effect of increasing the Acquisition Consideration or extending the Outside Date, (ii) that would amend or waive the conditions to the obligations of the Company to consummate the Acquisition, (iii) that would amend or waive certain provisions relating to regulatory matters, financing cooperation or termination, or (iv) that is or would be reasonably likely, individually or in the aggregate, to be materially adverse to the CD&R Investors or the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

The issuance of the Preferred Shares to the CD&R Investors pursuant to the Investment Agreement is not subject to approval by the Company’s shareholders. Subject to such exceptions and conditions set forth in further detail in the Investment Agreement, the Company is required to seek to obtain the Requisite Shareholder Approval at the first meeting of shareholders following the date of the Investment Agreement, and if the Requisite Shareholder Approval is not received at such meeting, continue to use reasonable best efforts to seek the Required Shareholder Approval, including by seeking the Requisite Shareholder Approval at each subsequent meeting of shareholders prior to December 31, 2026 and, if the Requisite Shareholder Approval is not obtained by July 31, 2026, calling a special meeting of shareholders to be held between August 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026 to seek the Requisite Shareholder Approval.

The Preferred Shares will rank senior to the Common Shares with respect to dividend rights and with respect to rights on liquidation, winding-up and dissolution. Holders of the Preferred Shares will be entitled to dividends which are payable quarterly in arrears, will accrue and accumulate on a daily basis from the issuance date of such shares and are payable at the Company’s option, will either (i) be payable in cash or (ii) accumulate with respect to each outstanding Preferred Share for the relevant payment period, at a rate of 7.00% per annum, compounded quarterly, subject to adjustment as described below and as set forth in the Certificate of Amendment. Holders of the Preferred Shares are also entitled to receive certain dividends declared or paid on the Common Shares on an as-converted


basis (ignoring for such purposes the Conversion and Vote Limitations). No dividends will be payable to holders of Common Shares unless the full dividends are paid at the same time to the holders of the Preferred Shares, except for dividends paid in the form of Common Shares, convertible securities, or Options, and the Permitted Quarterly Dividends.

Upon the occurrence of a “Triggering Event” which shall include (i) the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations to effect the conversion of Preferred Shares under the Certificate of Amendment or with respect to certain reorganization transactions, (ii) the Company’s failure to reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued Common Shares, solely for the purpose of effecting conversions of the Preferred Shares into Common Shares, a number of Common Shares equal to the number of Common Shares into which the Preferred Shares could be converted disregarding the Conversion and Vote Limitations and assuming that the preferred dividend to occur on the next preferred dividend payment date had already been accrued, except that such failure will not constitute a Triggering Event prior to the earlier of (x) the date on which the Requisite Shareholder Approval is obtained and (y) July 31, 2025 (the “Shareholder Approval Deadline”), (iii) the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations for treatment of the Preferred Shares in certain reorganizations of the Company (iv) the Company’s failure to redeem the Preferred Shares when required in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Amendment, (v) the Requisite Shareholder Approval not having been obtained, except that such failure will not constitute a Triggering Event prior to July 31, 2025 (this exception together with the exception set out in clause (ii) above, the “Triggering Event Exceptions”), (vi) the Company taking any action which requires the prior affirmative vote or written consent of any holder of Preferred Shares pursuant to the terms of the Certificate of Amendment, without obtaining such consent, (vii) the Company’s failure to maintain the listing of the Common Shares on the Nasdaq or the New York Stock Exchange, or (viii) any other noncompliance with the terms of the Certificate of Amendment by the Company that is not cured within specified periods), the dividend rate shall increase to 10% per annum for so long as the Triggering Event remains in effect.

At any time during which a Triggering Event is occurring, without the consent of the holders representing at least a majority of the then-issued and outstanding Preferred Shares, no dividends will be declared or paid or set apart for payment, or other distributions declared or made (including repurchases or redemptions other than repurchases or redemptions from directors or employees in the ordinary course), upon any junior equity securities, including the Common Shares, except that until December 31, 2026 the Company would still be permitted to make the Permitted Quarterly Dividends. In addition, during a Triggering Event (and, for this purpose, disregarding the Trigger Event Exceptions), the Company shall not consummate a Change of Control (as defined in the Certificate of Amendment) unless it provides each holder of the Preferred Shares the option to either receive the consideration they would have received if all of their Preferred Shares had been converted into Common Shares immediately prior to the effective time of the Change of Control (disregarding the Conversion and Vote Limitations), or have all of their then-outstanding Preferred Shares redeemed in full at a redemption price per share in cash equal to 150% of the sum of the aggregate Liquidation Preference (as defined in the Certificate of Amendment) and the aggregate Accrued Dividends (as defined in the Certificate of Amendment) of such Preferred Shares as of the date of such redemption.

Holders of the Preferred Shares will have the right, at any time and from time to time, at their option, to convert any or all of their Preferred Shares, in whole or in part (subject to the Conversion and Vote Limitations), into fully paid and non-assessable Common Shares at the then-effective conversion price, initially equal to $37.68 and subject to adjustment as set forth in the Certificate of Amendment and described below. The number of Common Shares into which a Preferred Share will be convertible will be determined by dividing the sum of the Liquidation Preference plus any Accrued Dividends on such Preferred Shares in effect at the time of conversion, by the conversion price in effect at the time of conversion. The Company may, at its option, require conversion of all (but not less than all) of the outstanding Preferred Shares to Common Shares at any time the closing price of the Common Shares exceeds 200% of the then-effective conversion price for at least 20 out of 30 consecutive trading days, subject to the satisfaction of certain liquidity requirements and the effectiveness of a shelf registration statement.

The conversion price is subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, including in the event of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, or similar event. Subject to certain limitations, the Company has the option to redeem the outstanding Preferred Shares, in whole or in part, for an aggregate redemption price equal to 200% of the sum of the Liquidation Preference plus the Accrued Dividends on such Preferred Shares in effect at the time of redemption, provided that any such redemption may be made only to the extent that the holder’s post-redemption voting stock ratio is less than 80% of its pre-redemption ratio and, if the redemption is for less than all of the then-outstanding Preferred Shares, it must not result in the aggregate Liquidation Preference and Accrued Dividends for the outstanding Preferred Shares falling below $80,000,000. In the event of a Change of Control, the Company will have the option to redeem all (but not less than all) of the outstanding Preferred Shares at a price per share equal to 150% of the sum of the Liquidation Preference plus any Accrued Dividends on such Preferred Shares in effect at the time of such Change of Control, subject to the right of the holders of Preferred Shares to instead receive the consideration they would have received in such Change of Control had they converted all their Preferred Shares into Common Shares (disregarding for such purpose the Conversion and Vote Limitations) as provided in the Certificate of Amendment.

Subject to the Conversion and Vote Limitations, holders of the Preferred Shares generally will be entitled to vote with the holders of the Common Shares on all matters submitted for a vote of holders of Common Shares (voting together with the holders of Common Shares as one class) and will be entitled to a number of votes equal to the number of votes to which Common Shares issuable upon conversion of such Preferred Shares (taking into account the Conversion and Vote Limitations) would have been entitled if such Common Shares had been outstanding at the time of the applicable vote and related record date.


Additionally, certain matters will require the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, including, without limitation, (i) amendments or modifications to the Company’s charter, by-laws or the Certificate of Amendment that would adversely affect the Preferred Shares, (ii) entry into any merger, reorganization or other consolidation or business consideration that would treat the Preferred Shares in a manner inconsistent with the terms of the Certificate of Amendment, (iii) authorization, creation, increase in the authorized amount of, or issuance of any senior or parity equity securities or any equity securities that do not constitute junior securities relative to the Preferred Shares, (iv) authorization, creation, increase in the authorized amount of, or issuance of any class of securities other than Common Shares or any security convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for the forgoing, that could have the “result of the receipt of property by some shareholders” within the meaning of Section 305(b)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, (iii) any increase or decrease in the authorized number of Preferred Shares or the issuance of additional Preferred Shares, (iv) amendments to the Company’s debt agreements that would, among other things, adversely affect the Company’s ability to pay dividends on the Preferred Shares in accordance with the Certificate of Amendment, subject to certain exceptions, and (v) adoption of any plan of liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company or filing of any voluntary petition for bankruptcy, receivership or any similar proceeding.

The Investment Agreement provides that, upon closing of the Investment, the CD&R Investors (i) may designate three Company directors, for so long as the CD&R Investors beneficially own Common Shares equal to at least 25% of the outstanding Common Shares, determined on an as-converted basis and calculated in accordance with the Investment Agreement disregarding the Conversion and Vote Limitations, (ii) may designate two Company directors, for so long as the CD&R Investors beneficially own Common Shares equal to at least 15% but less than 25% of the outstanding Common Shares, determined on an as-converted basis and calculated in accordance with the Investment Agreement disregarding the Conversion and Vote Limitations, and (iii) may designate one Company director, for so long as the CD&R Investors beneficially own Common Shares equal to at least 5% but less than 15% of the outstanding Common Shares, determined on an as-converted basis and calculated in accordance with the Investment Agreement disregarding the Conversion and Vote Limitations.

Following receipt of the Requisite Shareholder Approval, for so long as the CD&R Investors hold Preferred Shares (or Common Shares issued upon conversion of the Preferred Shares) representing at least 25% of the Preferred Shares initially issued to the CD&R Investors at the closing of the Investment (the “Investment Closing”), the CD&R Investors will have customary preemptive rights to participate in future equity and equity-linked issuances by the Company to the extent necessary to maintain their pro rata ownership percentage in the Company, subject to customary exceptions. The Investment Agreement also prohibits the Company from issuing any Common Shares at a per share price of less than $34.25 or issuing any securities junior to the Preferred Shares other than Common Shares prior to the Investment Closing, and if the Requisite Shareholder Approval has not been obtained by the Investment Closing, following the Investment Closing until the first meeting of shareholders of the Company following the Investment Closing.

The Investment Agreement further provides that, subject to customary exceptions, the CD&R Investors will be subject to customary standstill restrictions set forth in the Investment Agreement, including restrictions on acquiring additional equity securities of the Company, beginning on the Investment Closing and ending on the later of (x) the second anniversary of the Investment Closing and (y) the date that is six (6) months after the date on which there is no longer a designee of the CD&R Investors serving on the board of directors and the CD&R Investors no longer have the right to have a designee on the Company’s board of directors (including as a result of the CD&R Investors exercising their right to relinquish such designation right).

Subject to certain exceptions, the CD&R Investors are restricted from transferring to a non-affiliate the Preferred Shares or any Common Shares received upon conversion thereof until the earlier of (i) the second anniversary of the Investment Closing and (ii) the date on which the Company exercises its conversion option or provides notice to exercise its optional redemption right pursuant to the Certificate of Amendment. The CD&R Investors are also restricted at any time from transferring the Preferred Shares initially issued to the CD&R Investors or any Common Shares received upon conversion thereof to certain prohibited transferees, including persons who would beneficially own, following such transfer, five percent (5%) or more of any class or series of equity securities of the Company, certain specified competitors and certain potential activist investors, in each case, subject to specified exceptions.

The Investment Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and covenants. Under the Investment Agreement, prior to the Investment Closing, the Company is prohibited from, among other things, (i) authorizing (other than obtaining the Requisite Shareholder Approval), granting, issuing or reclassifying any capital stock, or securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into capital stock of the Company to any of its subsidiaries other than certain grants and awards under the Company’s equity plans in the ordinary course of business to directors, officers, or employees of any of its subsidiaries or upon the exercise or settlement of any Company options or restricted share units outstanding as of the date of the Investment Agreement, (ii) declaring or making any dividend or distributions to shareholders other than the Permitted Quarterly Dividends, (iii) redeeming or repurchasing any shares of the Company’s shares other than repurchases from directors, officers, and employees in the ordinary course in connection with cashless exercise of options, for tax withholding in connection with option exercises or settlement of restricted share units, or as otherwise required by any agreements or equity plans of the Company in effect as of the signing of the Investment Agreement, (iv) amending or modifying the Company’s charter, by-laws or the Certificate of Amendment, (v) taking any action to wind up the Company’s affairs or dissolve, (vi) enter into any scheme of arrangement, merger, reorganization or other consolidation or business combination that would treat the Purchased Shares in a manner inconsistent with the terms of the Investment Agreement and the Certificate of Amendment or (vii) amending the Debt Commitment Letter (as defined below) (including the fee letter related thereto) with respect to the Acquisition, complete the debt financing for the Acquisition on terms that are inconsistent with the terms of the Debt Commitment Letter (including the fee letter related thereto) or entering into or amending any other agreement related to indebtedness for borrowed money, in each case of this clause (vii), that is materially adverse to the CD&R Investors or that would restrict or limit the Company’s ability to pay dividends on the Preferred Shares.


The foregoing description of the Investment Agreement (and the form of Certificate of Amendment included as Exhibit A thereto) and the transactions contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Investment Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and the exhibits thereto and the Form of Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation included as Exhibit A thereto, attached hereto as Exhibit 99.3, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Registration Rights Agreement

In connection with the Investment Agreement, upon consummation of the Investment, the Company will enter into a registration rights agreement, a form of which is attached as Exhibit B to the Investment Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with the CD&R Investors, pursuant to which the Company will agree to file a resale shelf registration statement for the benefit of the CD&R Investors and its permitted transferees, and pursuant to which the CD&R Investors may, subject to any restrictions on transfer imposed by the Investment Agreement described above, request that the Company conduct an underwritten offering of, or register, any Common Shares or Preferred Shares held by the CD&R Investors, including any Common Shares received upon conversion of Preferred Shares held by the CD&R Investors and eligible for registration thereunder (“registrable securities”). The CD&R Investors also have customary piggyback registration rights and may request that the Company include their registrable securities in certain future registration statements or offerings of Common Shares by the Company. These registration rights will terminate when the CD&R Investors no longer own any registrable securities.

The foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Form of Registration Rights Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 99.4 and the exhibits thereto, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Debt Commitment Letter

On February 10, 2025, in connection with the execution of the Stock Purchase Agreement, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan Chase Bank”), delivered a debt commitment letter (the “Debt Commitment Letter”) to the Company, pursuant to which JPMorgan Chase Bank has committed to provide $3.05 billion of borrowings consisting of a term loan facility in the aggregate amount of up to $1.325 billion, a revolving facility in the aggregate amount of $500 million and a bridge loan facility in the aggregate amount of up to $1.225 billion (each, a “Facility”), in each case, to be used in connection with the Acquisition (the “Debt Financing”). The funding of the Debt Financing pursuant to the Debt Commitment Letter is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions set forth therein, including execution of the definitive debt financing agreements contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter, the Acquisition being consummated substantially contemporaneously with the initial funding of the Debt Financing and the Company having received the proceeds of the Investment in an amount not less than $800 million.

All obligations under the Debt Commitment Letter will terminate if the initial borrowing under the Facilities has not occurred on or before the earlier of (i) August 10, 2026, (ii) the closing of the Acquisition without the use of a Facility, (iii) the execution and delivery of definitive documentation relating to a Facility, and (iv) the valid and legally binding termination of the Stock Purchase Agreement by the Company or with its written consent prior to the Acquisition Closing. The Company has represented and warranted in the Stock Purchase Agreement that, assuming the Debt Financing is funded in accordance with the Debt Commitment Letter, and assuming satisfaction of all of the Company’s conditions to the Acquisition Closing, the Debt Financing, when funded, together with the Investment, will be sufficient to enable the Company to timely perform its obligations to pay, fund or discharge all of the items to be paid, funded or discharged by the Company at the Acquisition Closing.

The foregoing description of the Debt Commitment Letter does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Debt Commitment Letter attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and the exhibits thereto, which is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 2.02

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

On February 10, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing the Company’s execution of the Stock Purchase Agreement, which also included the Company’s preliminary expectations for revenue and adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. The information furnished pursuant to this Item 2.02, including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that section and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 3.02

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

The information contained in Item 1.01 under the heading “Investment Agreement and Preferred Share Terms” is incorporated herein by reference.

As described in Item 1.01, under the terms of the Investment Agreement, the Company agreed to issue 800,000 Preferred Shares upon the Investment Closing in a private placement of such securities to the CD&R Investors in order to partially finance the aggregate Acquisition Consideration. This issuance and sale will be exempt from registration under the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The CD&R Investors have represented that they are each an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act and that the Preferred Shares are being acquired for investment purposes and not with a view to, or for, sale in connection with any distribution thereof, and appropriate legends will be affixed to such securities.

 

Item 7.01

REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.

The Company announced the Acquisition on February 10, 2025 and expects it to close later this calendar year, subject to regulatory approvals and satisfactory completion of customary closing conditions. The Company expects the internal rate of return on the Acquisition to be approximately 13%, including approximately $70 million of annual run-rate pre-tax net cost synergies, which are expected to be realized by the end of the third year following the closing of the Acquisition, and one-time integration costs, which are estimated to be equivalent to the annual run-rate pre-tax net cost synergies. The Acquisition is expected to be accretive to the Company’s Adjusted Earnings Per Share (a non-GAAP financial measure) in the first year after closing on a fully synergized basis or in second year after closing when calculated as synergies are achieved. A copy of the press release and related investor presentation announcing, among other things, the Company’s execution of the Stock Purchase Agreement are attached hereto as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The forward-looking statements contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K (including the exhibits hereto) are qualified by the information contained in the “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Forward Looking Non-GAAP Financial Metrics” sections in the press release furnished as Exhibit 99.1 and in the “Safe Harbor Statement” and “Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Forward-looking Non-GAAP Financial Measures” sections in the investor presentation furnished as Exhibit 99.2.

The information in this Item 7.01 (including the exhibits hereto) is being furnished under “Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.” Such information (including the exhibits hereto) shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that section and shall not deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.


Item 9.01

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(d) Exhibits.

 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER

  

DESCRIPTION

 2.1†    Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 10, 2025, by and among Columbus McKinnon Corporation, Kito Crosby Limited, the equityholders of Kito set forth on the signature pages thereto and Ascend Overseas Limited.
10.1†    Investment Agreement, dated as of February 10, 2025, by and among Columbus McKinnon Corporation, CD&R XII Keystone Holdings, L.P. and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund XII, L.P. (solely for the purpose of limited provisions thereof).
10.2    Debt Commitment Letter, dated as of February 10, 2025, by and between Columbus McKinnon Corporation and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
99.1    Press Release of Columbus McKinnon Corporation, dated February 10, 2025.
99.2    Investor Presentation
99.3    Form of Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Columbus McKinnon Corporation (attached as Exhibit A to Exhibit 10.1).
99.4    Form of Registration Rights Agreement, by and between Columbus McKinnon Corporation and CD&R XII Keystone Holdings, L.P. (attached as Exhibit B to Exhibit 10.1).
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

The schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(2). The registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of all omitted schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Gregory P. Rustowicz

Name:   Gregory P. Rustowicz
Title:  

Executive Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

Dated: February 11, 2025

Exhibit 2.1

 

 

 

STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

by and among

COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION,

THE SELLERS NAMED HEREIN,

KITO CROSBY LIMITED

AND

THE REPRESENTATIVE NAMED HEREIN

Dated as of February 10, 2025

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     1  

1.1 Defined Terms

     1  

1.2 Other Definitional and Interpretive Matters

     24  

ARTICLE II PURCHASE AND SALE; CLOSING

     25  

2.1 Purchase and Sale of the Shares

     25  

2.2 Closing

     25  

2.3 Estimated Closing Statement

     26  

2.4 Closing Payments

     26  

2.5 Purchase Consideration Adjustment

     27  

2.6 Withholding

     30  

2.7 Payments Administrator

     30  

2.8 Retention of Amounts

     30  

2.9 Treatment of Options and Restricted Shares

     30  

2.10 Letters of Transmittal

     31  

ARTICLE III CLOSING DELIVERIES

     31  

3.1 Deliveries by the Company

     31  

3.2 Deliveries by Purchaser

     32  

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLERS

     32  

4.1 Organization; Good Standing; Qualification

     32  

4.2 Authority; Approval

     33  

4.3 Ownership of Company Shares

     33  

4.4 Governmental Filings; No Violations; Certain Contracts

     33  

4.5 Litigation

     34  

ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

     34  

5.1 Organization, Good Standing and Qualification

     34  

5.2 Capital Structure

     34  

5.3 Corporate Authority; Approval

     36  

5.4 Governmental Filings; No Violations; Certain Contracts

     36  

5.5 Financial Statements

     37  

5.6 Absence of Certain Changes; No Undisclosed Liabilities

     37  

5.7 Litigation and Liabilities

     38  

5.8 Employee Benefits

     38  

5.9 Compliance with Laws

     41  

5.10 Environmental Matters

     41  

5.11 Taxes

     42  

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page  

5.12 Labor Matters

     44  

5.13 Intellectual Property

     45  

5.14 Insurance

     50  

5.15 Real Property

     50  

5.16 Contracts

     52  

5.17 International Trade and Anti-Corruption Matters

     53  

5.18 [RESERVED]

     54  

5.19 Transactions With Affiliates

     54  

5.20 Brokers and Finders

     54  

5.21 Personal Property; Condition and Sufficiency of Assets

     54  

5.22 Top Customers

     55  

5.23 Top Suppliers

     55  

5.24 Products Warranty

     56  

5.25 Accounts and Notes Payable

     56  

5.26 [RESERVED]

     56  

5.27 Government Contracts

     56  

ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

     58  

6.1 Organization, Good Standing and Qualification

     58  

6.2 Corporate Authority; Approval

     58  

6.3 Governmental Filings; No Violations; Certain Contracts

     58  

6.4 Litigation

     59  

6.5 Brokers and Finders

     59  

6.6 Financing

     59  

6.7 Solvency

     61  

6.8 Condition of Business; No Other Representations

     61  

ARTICLE VII PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS

     62  

7.1 Reasonable Best Efforts

     62  

7.2 Regulatory Matters

     62  

7.3 Conduct of the Business Pending the Closing

     64  

7.4 Resignations

     67  

7.5 Access to Information; Confidentiality

     67  

7.6 Consents

     68  

7.7 R&W Insurance Policy

     69  

7.8 Financing

     69  

7.9 Financing Cooperation

     71  

7.10 Exclusivity

     75  

7.11 Section 280G

     76  

7.12 Affiliate Agreements

     76  

 

ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page  

ARTICLE VIII POST-CLOSING COVENANTS

     77  

8.1 Further Assurances

     77  

8.2 Director and Officer Liability and Indemnification

     77  

8.3 Employees

     78  

8.4 Access to Books and Records

     80  

8.5 Release

     80  

8.6 Tax Matters

     82  

ARTICLE IX CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF PURCHASER

     84  

9.1 Accuracy of Representations and Warranties; Compliance with Obligations; No Material Adverse Effect

     84  

9.2 Orders

     85  

9.3 Regulatory

     85  

ARTICLE X CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY AND SELLERS

     85  

10.1 Accuracy of Representations and Warranties and Compliance with Obligations

     85  

10.2 Orders

     86  

10.3 Regulatory

     86  

ARTICLE XI SURVIVAL

     86  

11.1 No Survival

     86  

11.2 No Other Representations

     86  

11.3 Certain Acknowledgements

     88  

ARTICLE XII TERMINATION

     88  

12.1 Termination

     88  

12.2 Effect of Termination

     89  

ARTICLE XIII GENERAL PROVISIONS

     91  

13.1 Expenses

     91  

13.2 Submission to Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial

     91  

13.3 Entire Agreement

     92  

13.4 Amendments and Waivers

     93  

13.5 Governing Law

     94  

13.6 Notices

     94  

13.7 Severability

     96  

13.8 Binding Effect; Third Party Beneficiaries; Assignment

     96  

13.9 No Recourse Against Non-Parties

     97  

13.10 No Partnership Created

     97  

 

iii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page  

13.11 No Strict Construction

     98  

13.12 Counterparts

     98  

13.13 Confidentiality

     98  

13.14 Press Releases and Communications

     98  

13.15 Specific Performance

     99  

13.16 Legal Representation

     100  

13.17 Representative; Power of Attorney

     100  

 

iv


EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

A Working Capital Schedule

 

v


STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

THIS STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of February 10, 2025, is made by and among Columbus McKinnon Corporation, a New York corporation (“Purchaser”), Kito Crosby Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (the “Company”), the holders of all of the Shares, as set forth on the signature pages hereto (each, a “Seller” and collectively, the “Sellers”) and Ascend Overseas Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, solely in its capacity as the Representative (as defined below). Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Article I.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, the Sellers collectively own, beneficially and legally, all of the Shares;

WHEREAS, Ascend Overseas Limited desires to (a) sell to Purchaser all of the Shares it owns in the Company and (b) designate such sale a “Drag-Along Sale” under each Management Shareholder’s Agreement (as defined below);

WHEREAS, in connection with the “Drag-Along Sale” described in the previous recital, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of each Management Shareholder’s Agreement, each other Seller shall sell to Purchaser all of the Shares such Seller legally and beneficially owns in the Company;

WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Company has approved and declared advisable, fair to and in the best interest of the Company, this Agreement and the Transactions;

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire that, upon the terms and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, at the Closing, Purchaser will purchase from the Sellers, and Sellers will sell to Purchaser, all of the Shares.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1.1 Defined Terms. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

2014 Plan” means the 2014 Share Incentive Plan for Key Employees of Crosby Worldwide Limited and its Subsidiaries.


2024 Plan” means the 2024 Share Incentive Plan for Key Employees of Kito Crosby Limited and its Subsidiaries.

Accounting Firm” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(b).

Accounting Methodology” means the accounting principles, methods, policies, practices, procedures, classifications, conventions, categorizations, definitions, judgements, assumptions, techniques and estimation methods (including any of the foregoing as they related to the nature of accounts, calculation of levels of reserves or levels of accruals) set forth on Schedule 1.1(a).

Accounts Receivable” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.26(a).

Acquisition Proposal” means any offer or proposal concerning any (i) merger, consolidation, business combination or similar transaction involving the Company or its Subsidiaries, (ii) liquidation, dissolution or recapitalization or similar transaction involving the Company or its Subsidiaries, (iii) sale, lease or other disposition directly or indirectly by merger, consolidation, business combination, share exchange, joint venture, or otherwise of assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries representing a material portion of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (iv) issuance, sale, or other disposition of (including by way of merger, consolidation, business combination, share exchange, joint venture or any similar transaction) securities (or options, rights or warrants to purchase, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, such securities) representing 50% or more of the voting power of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (v) transaction in which any Person shall acquire beneficial ownership, or the right to acquire beneficial ownership or any group shall have been formed which beneficially owns or has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the outstanding voting equity securities of the Company and its Subsidiaries or (vi) any combination of the foregoing (other than the transactions contemplated hereby).

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person. For purposes of this definition, the term “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates shall be considered an Affiliate of any Equityholder for purposes of this Agreement following the Closing, and (ii) neither Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC nor any of its Affiliates shall be considered an Affiliate of Purchaser.

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

AICPA” means the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Alternative Financing” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(d).

 

2


Anti-Corruption Laws” means all applicable U.S. and non-U.S. Laws relating to the prevention of corruption and bribery, including, without limitation, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.

Antitrust Laws” means the HSR Act, the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914 and all other Laws, in any jurisdiction, whether domestic or foreign, in each case that are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization, restraint of trade or significant impediments to or lessening of competition or the creation or strengthening of a dominant position through merger or acquisition.

Antitrust Termination Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.2(a).

Audited Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(a)(i).

Auditor” means Deloitte & Touche LLP.

Authorized Action” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.17(a).

Bankruptcy and Equity Exception” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

Base Purchase Price” means $2,700,000,000.

Benefit Programs” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8(a)(ii).

Business Day” means any day, excluding Saturday, Sunday and any other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by Law to close.

Cash and Cash Equivalents” means, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the Measurement Time, without duplication, (i) the aggregate amount of all cash and cash equivalents (including marketable securities, short-term investments and other liquid investments), plus (ii) all deposits in transit or amounts deposited that have not yet cleared, other wire transfers and drafts deposited or received and available for deposit, minus (iii) outstanding checks, wires, transfers or other negotiable instruments of the Company and its Subsidiaries, minus (iv) the amount of cash and cash equivalents that the Company and its Subsidiaries classify and record as restricted cash as presented in the Company’s internal consolidated balance sheet that maps to the Latest Balance Sheet, in each case, determined in accordance with the Accounting Methodology. For the avoidance of doubt, Cash and Cash Equivalents shall be calculated net of the amount of Tax that would be imposed upon the transfer of any cash to the United States by the Subsidiaries of the Company in a non-U.S. jurisdiction in a manner reasonably expected to minimize any such Taxes, and the amount of such Tax shall be determined (A) as of the Closing Date but after the Closing and taking into account the benefit of any applicable tax treaty or tax treaties available to the Company, its Subsidiaries, Purchaser and its Affiliates, and (B) by disregarding any such Cash and Cash Equivalents that are used to settle Transaction Expenses, the Option Holder Consideration, the Restricted Shareholder Consideration, and, without double counting, the employer portion of any associated payroll, social security or similar Taxes related to any such payments.

 

3


CBA” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.16(a)(iv).

Closing” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

Closing Consideration” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(d).

Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

Closing Overpayment Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(d)(i).

Closing Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a).

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Company Debt” means, as of the Measurement Time, without duplication, as to the Company and its Subsidiaries, the aggregate amount (including the current portions thereof) of (a) indebtedness for money borrowed or evidenced by bonds, notes, letters of credit (to the extent drawn), debentures or similar instruments from Persons other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including all interest expense accrued or unpaid on or related to such indebtedness), (b) any obligations with respect to capital or finance leases that are classified as capital or finance leases in the Financial Statements or which are required to be recognized as such in accordance with the Accounting Methodology, (c) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property, and any obligations to pay deferred or unpaid purchase price in respect of any acquisition of a Person or business, in each case, to the extent unpaid as of the Measurement Time, (including obligations under noncompete, consulting or similar arrangements or with respect to the earn-outs, seller notes, post-closing true-up obligations, holdbacks, or similar payment obligations, in each case, whether contingent or otherwise and calculated as the maximum amount payable under or pursuant to such obligations), (d) all outstanding severance obligations with respect to termination of employment of any current or former employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries occurring on or prior to the Measurement Time other than any severance obligations that arise at the request or direction of Purchaser or any of its Affiliates, (e) the Tax Liability Amount, (f) any unfunded or underfunded benefit liability, net of plan assets, with respect to defined benefit pension or similar benefit plan determined in accordance with the Accounting Methodology, (g) any unfunded or underfunded benefit liability with respect to any nonqualified deferred compensation plan, agreement, or arrangement, net of plan assets, (h) declared, but unpaid, dividends or distributions of the Company, (i) the net liability (which may be a positive or negative number) of terminating any interest rate swap, forward contract, currency or other hedging arrangements, (j) all contractual obligations in respect of the exit from the York facility and transition to the Manheim facility, limited to York facility unpaid rent, utilities, and other direct facility-related operating expenses through the end of the applicable lease term, moving costs, and remediation costs of the York facility, (k) any amounts owed to the Representative or any of its Affiliates in respect of sponsor management or advisory fees, (l) any interest owed with respect to the indebtedness referred to above and prepayment penalties, premiums, breakage costs or fees related thereto, (m) indebtedness of the type referred in any of the clauses in this definition that is guaranteed by such Person, and (n) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (a) through (l) above of other persons secured by any Lien on any property or asset of the Company

 

4


or any of its Subsidiaries, whether or not such obligation is assumed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, Company Debt shall not include (i) any indebtedness of the type referred to in the foregoing clauses (a) through (m) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to which the obligee is the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any amounts reflected in Transaction Expenses or Current Liabilities, (iii) any obligations under undrawn letters of credit or similar arrangements, (iv) any Taxes (other than those included in the Tax Liability Amount) or (v) operating lease liabilities recognized in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 842 to the extent classified as operating leases in the Financial Statements.

Company Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.

Company Intellectual Property” means any and all Intellectual Property used by the Company in, or held for use in or necessary to, the conduct of the Company’s business as now conducted.

Company Material Contract” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.16(a).

Company Products” means all products and services sold, or offered for sale, as of the date hereof, by or on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

Company Systems” means the Software and hardware (whether general purpose or special purpose), networks, peripherals and other computer systems that are owned or used by the Company and its Subsidiaries in the current conduct of their respective businesses.

Confidentiality Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.5(b).

Consideration Schedule” means a schedule prepared by the Company and the Representative setting forth (i) the portion of the Closing Consideration that each Equityholder is entitled to receive in connection with the Transactions (solely as a result of being an Equityholder) based on the Fully-Diluted Per Share Price set forth in the Estimated Closing Statement, including the aggregate amount of each of the Option Holder Consideration and the Restricted Share Holder Consideration and the allocation thereof among the holders of Options and Restricted Shares and, with respect to Options, any applicable option exercise price and (ii) for each Equityholder, such Equityholder’s pro rata entitlement (expressed as a percentage) to any payments made by or for the benefit of all Equityholders following the Closing, based on the Fully-Diluted Per Share Price set forth in the Estimated Closing Statement and, with respect to Options, any applicable option exercise price (as applicable, in respect of this clause (ii), such Equityholder’s “Pro Rata Percentage”). The Consideration Schedule shall be prepared in accordance with the Company’s organizational documents.

Consultant Proprietary Information Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.13(g).

Continuation Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(a).

Continuing Employees” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(a).

 

5


Contract” means any contract, indenture, note, deeds, mortgages, bond, lease, license, instrument, commitment or other legally binding agreement, but not including for purposes of any Disclosure Schedules any purchase orders, invoices or sales quotes.

Contributor” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.13(g).

Current Assets” means the current assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the Measurement Time (i) calculated in accordance with the Accounting Methodology and (ii) including only those line items that are included in the example calculation of Current Assets set forth on Exhibit A, provided, that Current Assets shall not include (A) any amounts reflected in Cash and Cash Equivalents, (B) any intercompany assets (i.e., between the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any other Subsidiary of Company, on the other hand) only to the extent reconciled and eliminated, (C) any income Tax assets, (D) any deferred Tax assets, (E) any assets or contra liabilities relating to Company Debt (such as unamortized debt issuance costs) or (F) any loans or amounts receivable from Sellers or any of their Affiliates.

Current Government Contracts” means each Government Contract, the period of performance of which has not yet expired or been terminated or for which final payment has not yet been received.

Current Liabilities” means the current liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the Measurement Time (i) calculated in accordance with the Accounting Methodology and (ii) including only those line items that are included in the example calculation of Current Liabilities set forth on Exhibit A, provided, that Current Liabilities shall not include (A) any amounts reflected in Company Debt or Transaction Expenses, (B) any intercompany liabilities (i.e., between the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any other Subsidiary of Company, on the other hand) only to the extent reconciled and eliminated, (C) any income Tax liabilities, or (D) any deferred Tax liabilities.

Cybersecurity Measures” means (a) any measures implemented or enacted in response to applicable regulations promulgated by a Governmental Authority relating to information security, cybersecurity, cybercrime, cyberterrorism, ransomware, malware, privacy or the protection of Personal Data, and (b) any commercially reasonable measures, changes in business operations or other practices, adopted in good faith by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in response to a cybersecurity attack, breach or incident, for the protection of its information technology or any Personal Data.

D&O Indemnified Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(a).

Deferred Shares” means the deferred shares of $0.01 each in the capital of the Company.

Definitive Financing Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(b).

Disclosure Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Article IV.

Dispute Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(b).

 

6


Eligible Termination” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.2(b).

Employee Proprietary Information Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.13(g).

Environmental Laws” means all Laws in effect on the Closing Date concerning human health or safety (regarding Hazardous Materials), pollution or protection of the environment, including any and all applicable Laws governing the handling, use, generation, treatment, recycling, storage, transportation, disposal, manufacture, registration, distribution, formulation, packaging, labelling, or Release of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials.

Equity Commitment Letter” means the fully executed equity commitment letter, dated as of the date hereof, between CD&R XII Keystone Holdings, L.P. and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Funds XII, L.P. (including all exhibits, schedules or amendments thereto).

Equity Incentive Plans” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(f).

Equity Interests” means any share, capital stock, equity interest or synthetic equity interest in any Person, including any option, warrant, restricted share unit, call or other right, agreement or commitment convertible, exchangeable or exercisable thereto or therefor.

Equity Value” means an amount, calculated as of the Measurement Time, equal to (i) Base Purchase Price plus (ii) Cash and Cash Equivalents minus (iii) Company Debt minus (iv) Transaction Expenses minus (v) the amount, if any, by which the Net Working Capital is less than the Target Working Capital plus (vi) the amount, if any, by which the Net Working Capital is greater than the Target Working Capital, plus (vii) the Transaction Tax Benefit.

Equityholder” means each holder of direct Equity Interests in the Company prior to Closing.

ERISA” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8(a)(i).

Escrow Account” means the dedicated escrow account established with the Escrow Agent into which the Escrow Amount shall be deposited pursuant to the Escrow Agreement.

Escrow Agent” means U.S. Bank N.A.

Escrow Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).

Escrow Amount” means $20,000,000.

Estimated Closing Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

Estimated Equity Value” means the Equity Value calculated using the estimates included in the Estimated Closing Statement.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

7


Expense Reserve Holdback Account” means the account established by the Representative in respect of the Expense Reserve Holdback Amount.

Expense Reserve Holdback Amount” means $750,000.

FAR” means the Federal Acquisition Regulation, which is codified in Title 48 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations.

Fee Letter” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6(a).

Final Equity Value” means the Equity Value as finally determined in accordance with Section 2.5.

Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(a).

Financing” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6(a).

Financing Instruments” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6(a).

Financing Sources” means the Persons that have committed to provide or arrange and have entered into agreements in connection with the Financing (including any Alternative Financing), including any commitment letters, PIPE Agreements, engagement letters, fee letters, credit agreements, loan agreements or indentures relating thereto, together with each Affiliate thereof and each officer, director, employee, partner, controlling person, advisor, attorney, agent and representative of each such Person or Affiliate and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided that in no event shall Purchaser or any of its Affiliates constitute a “Financing Source” for any purpose hereunder.

Foreign Investment Laws” means any Law, in any jurisdiction, whether domestic or foreign, that is designed to regulate foreign investment or that provide for review of national security matters.

Fraud” means actual and intentional fraud committed by a party to this Agreement with respect to the making of express representations and warranties set forth in Article IV or Article V of this Agreement by such party or the making of the representations and warranties in any Letter of Transmittal by such party; provided, that (i) such false representation is of a material fact, (ii) such party had actual knowledge (as opposed to any claim based on constructive knowledge, negligent or reckless misrepresentation or similar theory) of a material breach of the applicable representation or warranty made in Article IV and Article V of this Agreement or the Letter of Transmittal, as applicable, when such representation or warranty was made, (iii) such false representation was made with a specific intent to induce the party to whom such representation or warranty was made to enter into this Agreement and (iv) such false representation actually caused such party in justifiable reliance to act or refrain from acting in reliance upon it and causing that party to rely thereon and causing such party to suffer actual material damages by reason of such reliance. For the avoidance of doubt, (a) the term “Fraud” does not include any claim for equitable fraud, promissory fraud, or unfair dealings fraud, unjust enrichment or any torts (including a claim for fraud) based on negligence or recklessness, and (b) only the party who committed a Fraud shall be responsible for such Fraud.

 

8


Fully-Diluted Per Share Price” means the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the sum of (i) Estimated Equity Value plus (ii) the aggregate exercise price of all Options as of immediately prior to Closing, minus (iii) the Escrow Amount, minus (iv) the Expense Reserve Holdback Amount divided by (y) the sum of (i) all Shares issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Closing, plus (ii) all Restricted Shares issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Closing, plus (iii) the aggregate number of Shares issuable upon exercise in full of all Options issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Closing.

GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect (i) with respect to financial information for periods on or after the Closing Date, as of the date of this Agreement, and (ii) with respect to financial information for periods prior to the Closing Date, as of such applicable time referenced in this Agreement with respect to any such financial information.

Goods” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.23(a).

Government Bid” means any active bid, proposal, offer or quote for supplies, services or construction, whether solicited or unsolicited, made by the Company prior to the Closing Date that, if accepted, would result in a Government Contract.

Government Contract” means any Contract, prime contract, subcontract, joint venture, basic ordering agreement, other transaction agreement, blanket purchase agreement, pricing agreement, letter contract, award under the Federal Supply Schedule program, purchase order, task order, delivery order or other Contract, between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (a) any Governmental Authority, (b) any prime contractor to a Governmental Authority in its capacity as a prime contractor or (c) any subcontractor (at any tier) with respect to any contract of a type described in clauses (a) or (b) above; it being further understood that task orders, delivery orders, and similar orders under indefinite-type contracts do not constitute a separate contract but are considered included in the contract under which they are placed.

Government Official” means any officer or employee of a Governmental Authority or any department, agency or instrumentality thereof, including state-owned entities, or of a public organization or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any such government, department, agency, or instrumentality or on behalf of any such public organization.

Government Vendor Subcontract” means each government vendor subcontract of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Governmental Authority” means any United States or foreign government, any federal, state, regional, local, foreign or other subdivision thereof, or any self-regulated organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority or quasi-governmental authority, and any instrumentality or official thereof exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, taxing, or administrative functions.

Grant Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(e).

Group Companies” means, collectively, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries.

 

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Hazardous Material” means any substance, material or waste that is defined, listed or regulated as hazardous or toxic under any Environmental Law, including without limitation petroleum and related by-products and breakdown products, asbestos in any form, toxic mold and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Insurance Policies” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.14.

Intellectual Property” means any intellectual property or proprietary rights arising in any jurisdiction throughout the world, including any rights in any of the following: (i) patents and patent applications and all reissues, divisionals, re-examinations, renewals, extensions, revisions, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof; (ii) trademarks, service marks, trade names, brands, corporate names, logos, slogans and other indicia of source or origin, including all registrations, applications for registration and renewals thereof, and all goodwill associated with any of the foregoing; (iii) copyrights, mask works, and other works of authorship, moral rights, and registrations and applications for registration thereof; (iv) domain names; (v) trade secrets and other confidential or proprietary information, including confidential or proprietary know-how, processes, techniques, technologies, methods, algorithms, industrial models, research and development information, drawings, specifications, designs, molds, plans, proposals, technical data, financial and marketing plans, pricing and cost information and customer and supplier lists and information; and (vi) computer software, data, and databases.

Intellectual Property Licenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.13(b).

Interest” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1(a).

Interim Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(a)(ii).

International Trade Laws” means any applicable laws and regulations governing the import, export, reexport, release, brokering, or transfer of goods, software, technology, technical data, and services, including, without limitation, (i) the Tariff Act of 1930 and other Laws and programs administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. International Trade Commission, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and their predecessor agencies; (ii) the Export Control Reform Act of 2018; (iii) the Export Administration Regulations, including related restrictions with regard to transactions involving persons and entities on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Denied Persons List or Entity List; (iv) the Arms Export Control Act; (v) the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, including related restrictions with regard to transactions involving persons and entities on the U.S. Department of State’s Debarred List; (vi) the antiboycott regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce; and (vii) the antiboycott regulations administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Investment Agreement” means the fully executed investment agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among Purchaser, CD&R XII Keystone Holdings, L.P. and solely for purposes of Section 4.13 thereof, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Funds XII, L.P. (including all exhibits, schedules or amendments thereto).

 

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IP License Exception” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.16(a)(iv).

IRS” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8(b).

K&E” means Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

Knowledge” when used with respect to (a) the Company, means the actual knowledge, after reasonable due inquiry, of Robert Desel and Brock Hancock, none of whom, for the sake of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, shall have any personal liability or obligations regarding such knowledge and (b) any Seller, means the actual knowledge, after reasonable due inquiry, of such Seller.

Latest Balance Sheet” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(a)(ii).

Law” means any federal, state, local or foreign law, statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation or Order of a Governmental Authority.

Leased Real Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.15(b).

Leases” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.15(b).

Legal Proceeding” means any judicial, administrative or arbitral action, suit, charge, claim, hearing, audit, or proceeding (public or private) by or before a Governmental Authority.

Letter of Transmittal” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.

Lien” means any lien, encumbrance, community property interest, equitable interest, financing statement, security interest, pledge, mortgage, easement, encroachment, right of way, right of first refusal, deed of trust, hypothecation or restriction on transfer of title or voting, whether imposed by Contract, understanding, Law, equity or otherwise, except for any restrictions on transfer generally arising under any applicable federal or state securities Laws.

Limited Guarantee” means the fully executed limited guarantee, dated as of the date hereof, made by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund XII, L.P. to Kito Crosby Limited.

Look Back Date” means January 1, 2023.

Losses” means all losses, costs, interest, charges, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), obligations, liabilities, settlement payments, awards, judgments, fines, penalties, damages, assessments or deficiencies; provided that “Losses” shall not include punitive damages (except to the extent actually awarded to a Governmental Authority or other third party), or any amount of, or in respect of, any VAT which is recoverable (by way of credit, repayment, refund or otherwise) from any relevant Tax Authority.

Management Shareholder’s Agreement” means each Management Shareholder’s Agreement by and among the Company, Ascend Overseas Limited and the applicable Seller, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

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Marketing Period” means the first period of fifteen (15) consecutive Business Days after the date hereof throughout and at the end of which (a) Purchaser shall have the Required Information and (b) the conditions set forth in Article IX (with the exception of, if the Marketing Period will commence any time after the date that is fifteen (15) months from the date hereof, those conditions set forth in Section 9.2 (solely to the extent non-satisfaction is due to Orders related to Antitrust Laws or Foreign Investment Laws) and Section 9.3) shall be satisfied or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waived (other than any such conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied by actions taken at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waiver of such conditions at the Closing) and nothing has occurred and no condition exists that would cause any of the conditions set forth Article IX to fail to be satisfied assuming the Closing were to be scheduled for any time during such fifteen (15) consecutive Business Day period; provided that if such fifteen (15) consecutive Business Day period shall not have ended on or prior to May 9, 2025, then such fifteen (15) consecutive Business Day period shall not commence prior to May 27, 2025, (ii) if such fifteen (15) consecutive Business Day period shall not have ended on or prior to August 15, 2025, then such fifteen (15) consecutive Business Day period shall not commence prior to September 2, 2025, (iii) if such fifteen (15) consecutive Business Day period shall not have ended on or prior to December 19, 2025, then such fifteen (15) consecutive Business Day period shall not commence prior to January 5, 2026, (iv) if such fifteen (15) consecutive Business Day period shall not have ended on or prior to May 8, 2026, then such fifteen (15) consecutive Business Day period shall not commence prior to May 20, 2026, and (v) each of April 18, 2025, May 26, 2025, June 19, 2025, July 4, 2025, October 13, 2025, November 11, 2025, November 27, 2025, November 28, 2025, January 19, 2026, February 16, 2026, April 3, 2026, May 25, 2026, June 19, 2026 and July 3, 2026 shall not constitute a Business Day for purposes of calculating such fifteen (15) consecutive Business Day period (with such date being excluded for purposes of, but which shall not reset the fifteen (15) consecutive Business Day period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Marketing Period shall automatically be deemed completed on any earlier date on which the Purchaser shall have actually received the full amount of the proceeds of the Financing, (ii) the Marketing Period shall not be deemed to have commenced if, after the date hereof and prior to the Closing Date, (A) any of the historical financial statements that are included in the Required Information are no longer timely to permit Auditor to issue customary comfort letters to Financing Sources that are debt financing sources to consummate a “Rule 144A-for-life” offering of non-convertible high-yield bonds under Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, in which case the Marketing Period will not be deemed to commence unless and until, at the earliest, the Company furnishes Purchaser with updated Required Information, (B) Auditor (or any other auditor to the extent financial statements audited by such auditor are to be included in the Required Information) shall have withdrawn its audit opinion with respect to any of the audited financial statements that are included in the Required Information, in which case the Marketing Period shall not be deemed to commence unless and until, at the earliest, a new unqualified audit opinion is issued with respect to such financial statements by Auditor or another nationally-recognized independent public accounting firm, (C) the Company or any of its Affiliates restates or the board of directors of the Company has determined to restate or Auditor has informed the Company that it is necessary to restate any historical financial statements included in the Required Information, in which case the Marketing Period shall not be deemed to commence unless and until, at the earliest, such restatement has been completed or the board of directors of the Company subsequently concludes that no restatement shall be required in accordance with GAAP, or (D) the Required Information, taken as a whole, contains any untrue

 

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statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact, in each case with respect to the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, necessary in order to make the statements contained in the Required Information, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in which case the Marketing Period shall not be deemed to commence unless and until such Required Information has been updated so that there is no longer any such untrue statement or omission; provided further that if the Company shall in good faith reasonably believe it has provided the Required Information and the Marketing Period has commenced, it may deliver to Purchaser a written notice to that effect (stating when it believes it completed such delivery and when it believes the Marketing Period has commenced), in which case the Marketing Period will be deemed to have commenced on the first Business Day immediately following such notice (assuming clause (b) above is also satisfied at or prior to such time) unless Purchaser, in good faith, believes the Marketing Period has not commenced and within four (4) Business Days after the delivery of such notice by the Company, delivers a written notice to the Company to that effect (setting forth with reasonable specificity why Purchaser believes the Marketing Period has not commenced).

Material Adverse Effect” means a change, event, development or circumstance, the effect of which is or would reasonably be expected to become, individually or in the aggregate, materially adverse to the business, assets, results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Group Companies taken as a whole; provided, however, that none of the following (or the results thereof) shall be taken into account, either alone or in combination, in determining whether there has been, or may be, a Material Adverse Effect: (i) the effect of any change in the United States or foreign economies or securities, financial, banking or credit markets (including changes in interest or exchange rates) or geopolitical conditions in general; (ii) the effect of any change that generally affects any industry in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries operates; (iii) the effect of any change arising in connection with natural disasters or acts of nature, hostilities, acts of war, sabotage, civil unrest, riots, terrorism or military actions or any escalation or worsening of any such hostilities, acts of war, sabotage, civil unrest, riots, or terrorism or military actions; (iv) the effect of any epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak, curfews or other restrictions that relate to, or arise out of, any epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak or material worsening of such conditions threatened or existing as of the date of this Agreement; (v) the failure (in and of itself) of the Company or its Subsidiaries to meet any of their internal projections (provided, that any change, event, or development underlying such failure may be taken into account if not otherwise excluded under the other subclauses of this definition); (vi) any effect resulting from the negotiation, execution, delivery, performance or announcement of this Agreement or the pendency of the Transactions (including by reason of the identity of Purchaser), including the impact thereof on the relationships, contractual or otherwise, of the Company and its Subsidiaries with customers, suppliers, lenders, lessors, business partners, employees, regulators, Governmental Authorities, vendors or any other Person; (vii) the consummation of the Transactions; (viii) the effect of any changes or proposed changes in GAAP or applicable Laws, or standards, interpretations or enforcement thereof; (ix) the effect of any event or action or omission to act taken by the Company required by this Agreement or any Related Document or at the request of Purchaser; (x) any actual or potential sequester, stoppage, shutdown, default or similar event or occurrence by or involving any Governmental Authority affecting a national or federal government as a whole; or (xi) any actual or potential break-up of any existing political or economic union of or within any country or countries or any actual or potential exit by any country or countries from, or suspension or termination of its or their membership in, any such political or economic union (but in each case,

 

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including the underlying causes of any of the foregoing); except in the case of clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (viii), (ix), (x) and (xi) to the extent the Group Companies is materially and disproportionately adversely affected thereby as compared to other companies in the industries in which the Group Companies operates (and then only to the extent of such material and disproportionate impact). For the avoidance of doubt, a Material Adverse Effect shall be measured only against past performance of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and not against any forward-looking statements, financial projections or forecasts of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

Measurement Time” means 12:01 a.m. New York City time on the Closing Date.

Monitoring Agreement” means that certain Monitoring Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2013, by and between Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. and Crosby US Acquisition Corp., as amended by that certain Amendment to Monitoring Agreement, dated as of June 2, 2016.

Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

Net Working Capital” means Current Assets less Current Liabilities, an example calculation of which is set forth on Exhibit A (for illustrative purposes only), assuming January 1, 2025 was the Measurement Time.

New Commitment Letters” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(d).

Non-Party Affiliates” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.9.

OFAC” means the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Open Source Software” means any Software that is licensed, distributed or conveyed as “open source software,” “free software,” “copyleft” or under a similar licensing or distribution model, or under a Contract that requires as a condition of its use, modification or distribution that it, or other Software into which such Software is incorporated, integrated or with which such Software is combined or distributed or that is derived from or linked to such Software, be disclosed or distributed in source code form, delivered at no charge or be licensed, distributed or conveyed under the same terms as such Contract (including Software licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), Mozilla Public License (MPL), BSD licenses, Microsoft Shared Source License, Common Public License, Artistic License, Netscape Public License, Sun Community Source License (SCSL), Sun Industry Standards License (SISL), Apache License and any license listed at www.opensource.org).

Option Holder Consideration” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9.

Option Holders” means holders of Options.

Options” means, collectively, all options to acquire Ordinary B Shares of the Company that are outstanding as of immediately prior to the Closing (whether vested or not).

 

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Order” means any order, judgment, injunction, award, decree or writ adopted or imposed by, including any consent decree with, any Governmental Authority.

Ordinary B Shares” means the ordinary B shares of $0.01 each in the capital of the Company.

Ordinary Shares” means the ordinary shares of $0.01 each in the capital of the Company.

Outside Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1(b).

Owned Intellectual Property” means any and all Intellectual Property that is owned or purported to be owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Owned Real Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.15(a).

Payments Administration Agreement” means that certain payments administration agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among the Company, the Representative, Purchaser and the Payments Administrator, providing for the payment of certain funds in accordance with the terms thereof.

Payments Administrator” means Acquiom Financial LLC or such paying agent determined by the Company.

Payoff Letters” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c).

PBGC” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8(c)(vi).

Permit” means any and all permits, rights, approvals, licenses, authorizations, legal status, orders, or Contracts under any applicable Law or otherwise granted by any Governmental Authority.

Permitted Liens” means: (i) Liens for Taxes not yet delinquent or the amount or validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP; (ii) mechanics’, carriers’, workers’, repairers’ and similar Liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business and which are not, individually or in the aggregate material to the business of the Group Companies; (iii) zoning, entitlement, building and other land use and environmental regulations imposed by any Governmental Authority which are not violated by the current use and operation of the Owned Real Property or Leased Real Property; (iv) covenants, conditions, restrictions, easements and other similar matters of record affecting real property which would not reasonably be expected to materially adversely impair the occupancy or use of the Owned Real Property or the Leased Real Property for the purposes for which it is currently used in connection with the business of the Group Companies; (v) Liens arising under worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance, social security, retirement and similar legislation; (vi) Liens securing Company Debt; (vii) purchase money Liens and Liens securing rental payments under capital lease arrangements; (viii) Liens arising under leases of property or equipment in favor of the owner thereof; (ix) title of a lessor under capital or operating leases; (x) non-exclusive licenses of Intellectual Property; (xi)

 

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Liens arising under or created by this Agreement or any of the Related Documents; (xii) security interests arising under bonding indemnification agreements; (xiii) Liens described on Schedule 1.1(b); and (xiv) other Liens, imperfections in title, charges, easements, rights of way, restrictions, defects and exceptions that do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially impair the use or value of the property to which they relate.

Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, estate, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, firm, Governmental Authority or other entity, of whatever nature.

PIPE Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6(a).

PIPE Financing” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6(a).

PIPE Investor” means that certain investor participating in the PIPE Financing.

Personal Data” means any data relating to one or more individual(s) or an individual’s device that identifies the individual or, in combination with any other information or data available to the Company, is reasonably capable of identifying the individual or the individual’s device; and data that is defined as personal data, personally identifiable information, personal information, biometric information, or similar term under applicable Privacy Requirements. Personal Data includes information in any form, whether paper or electronic.

Plans” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8(a)(i).

Post-Closing Tax Period” means any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date, including the portion of any Straddle Period beginning after the Closing Date.

Pre-Closing Tax Period” means any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Closing Date, including the portion of any Straddle Period beginning on or before the Closing Date and ending on the Closing Date.

Pre-Closing Tax Return” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.6(d).

Preferred Bidder Status” means, as to a Government Contract and Government Bid in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries at the time of submission of such Government Bid or at the time of executing such Government Contract represented that the Company or its Subsidiaries, individually or as a member of a joint venture, was a small business concern, a small disadvantaged business, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business concern, a veteran-owned small business concern, a woman-owned business concern, a “protégé” under a mentor-protégé agreement or program, or had or qualified for any other preferential status (including participation in preferential status programs such as the Historically Underutilized Business Zone program and participation under section 8(a) of the Small Business Act) or other “set aside” status.

Privacy Requirements” means Privacy Laws, Privacy and Information Security Policies, and Privacy Agreements.

 

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Privileged Communications” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.16.

Processing” means any operation or set of operations that are performed data or information, whether or not by automated means. Processing includes the access, acquisition, collection, use, recording, organization, structuring, adaptation, alteration, retrieval, combination, erasure, storage, retention, sharing, distribution, transfer, disclosure, destruction, disposal, aggregation, deidentification, or any other processing of data or information in any medium.

Pro Rata Percentage” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Consideration Schedule.”

Purchaser” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Purchaser Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.

Purchaser Entities” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(b).

Purchaser Plans” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(c).

Purchaser Related Parties” means Purchaser, any Affiliate of Purchaser, and their respective officers, directors, employees, partners, equityholder, members, managers, agents, attorneys, representatives, successors or permitted assigns.

Purchaser Released Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.5(b).

Purchaser Releasing Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.5(a).

R&W Insurance Policy” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.7.

Registered Company Intellectual Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.13(a).

Regulatory Conditions” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.2(a).

Related Documents” means the Company Documents and the Purchaser Documents.

Release” means any actual or threatened release, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, abandonment, disposing or allowing to escape or migrate into or through the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air (indoor or outdoor), surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata or within any building, structure, facility or fixture).

Remedial Action” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(c).

Representative” means Ascend Overseas Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales.

Required Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6(c).

 

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Required Information” means (A) (1) the audited consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in equity (deficit) of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of and for the two most recently completed fiscal years of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries ended at least ninety (90) days prior to the Closing Date, including, without limitation, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, together with all related notes and schedules thereto, and in each case accompanied by the audit reports thereon of Auditor (audited in accordance with AICPA standards), and (2) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in equity (deficit) of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries for any subsequent fiscal quarter ended at least forty-five (45) days prior to the Closing Date and the portion of the fiscal year through the end of such quarter (other than in each case the fourth quarter of any fiscal year) and, in each case, for the comparable period of the prior fiscal year, together with all related notes and schedules thereto, in the case of each of clauses (1) and (2) above, prepared in accordance with GAAP and in compliance with Regulation S-X (other than Rules 3-05 (with respect to acquisitions made by the Company or the Company’s Subsidiaries), 3-09, 3-10, 3-16, 13-01 and 13-02 thereof (including any successor provisions)), and which, with respect to clause (2), shall have been reviewed by the independent auditors of the Company as provided in AU 722; (B) financial information reasonably requested and necessary to allow Purchaser to prepare pro forma financial statements (including for the most recent four (4) fiscal quarter period ended at least forty-five (45) days prior to the Closing Date (or, if the end of the most recently completed four (4) fiscal quarter period is the end of a fiscal year, ended at least ninety (90) days prior to the Closing Date)) that give effect to the transactions contemplated hereunder as if the transactions had occurred as of such date (in the case of such balance sheet) or at the beginning of such period (in the case of such statement of income), in each case to the extent the same is of the type and form customarily included in, and subject to other exceptions that are customary for, an offering memorandum for private placements for “Rule 144A-for-life” non-convertible high-yield bonds pursuant to Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act; (C) financial data, audit reports, and other financial information (including a customary “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” with respect to the Company) regarding the Company of the type that would be required by Regulation S-X (including Rule 4-08 thereof, but excluding Rules 3-05 (with respect to acquisitions made by the Company or the Company’s Subsidiaries), 3-09, 3-10, 3-16, 13-01 and 13-02 thereof) and Regulation S-K (including Item 10 thereof, but excluding segment reporting and disclosure (including as required by Item 101(c) thereof and FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 280), Item 302, Item 402 thereof, including any Compensation & Discussion Information, Item 403 and Item 404 and Item 601 thereof (or any successor provisions)) for a registered public offering of non-convertible debt securities of Purchaser, in each case to the extent the same is of the type and form customarily included in, and subject to other exceptions that are customary for, an offering memorandum for private placements of “Rule 144A-for-life” non-convertible high-yield bonds under Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, or otherwise necessary to receive from the independent auditors of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries customary “comfort” with respect to the financial information of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries to be included in such offering memorandum; (D) any replacements or restatements of and supplements to the information specified in times (A) through (C) above if any such information would go stale, contain a material misstatement or omission or otherwise be unusable for such purposes; and (E) the draft comfort letters referred to in Section 7.9(a)(9)(a). For

 

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the avoidance of doubt, the Required Information shall not include any information pursuant to XBRL exhibits and information regarding executive compensation and related party disclosures related to SEC Release Nos. 33-8732A, 34-54302A and IC-27444A, the effects of purchase accounting or any adjustments related thereto for any applicable transaction to the extent exclusion thereof would be reasonable in “Rule 144A-for-life” offerings of non-convertible high yield debt securities, climate-related disclosures related to SEC Release Nos. 33-11275 and 34-99678, including, without limitation, any information, reports or exhibits required by Article 14 of Regulation S-X or Item 1506 of Regulation S-K, and any other information customarily excluded in “Rule 144A-for-life” offerings of non-convertible high yield debt securities.

Restricted Share Holder Consideration” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9.

Restricted Share Holders” means holder(s) of Restricted Shares.

Restricted Shares” means the outstanding restricted share units of the Company (issued pursuant to that certain Restricted Share Unit Agreement on December 4, 2017), as of immediately prior to the Closing.

Review Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(b).

Sanctioned Person” means any individual or entity with whom dealings are restricted or prohibited by applicable Sanctions Laws, including: (a) any individual or entity identified in any sanctions list maintained under any applicable Sanctions Laws, including, without limitation, the sanctions lists maintained by OFAC; (b) any individual or entity located, organized, or resident in a country or territory the subject of comprehensive sanctions under Sanctions Laws, at present, Iran, Cuba, Syria, Crimea, and North Korea, and those portions of the Donetsk People’s Republic or Luhansk People’s Republic regions of Ukraine (each, a “Sanctioned Jurisdiction”), (b) any individual or entity identified in any sanctions list maintained under any applicable Sanctions Laws, including, without limitation, the sanctions lists maintained by OFAC; or (c) any person owned or controlled 50% or more individually or in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, by any of the foregoing.

Sanctions Laws” means all applicable U.S. and non-U.S. Laws relating to embargoes and economic or trade sanctions enforced by the United States (including by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State), the United Nations Security Council, and any other relevant sanctions authority.

Schedule” means a section of the Disclosure Schedule.

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Security Breach” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.13(p).

Seller” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Seller Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

 

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Seller Related Parties” means the Company, its Subsidiaries, the Equityholders, any Affiliate of any of the foregoing, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, partners, members, managers, agents, attorneys, representatives, successors or permitted assigns.

Sellers Released Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.5(a).

Sellers Releasing Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.5(b).

Sexual Misconduct Allegation” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.12(g).

Shares” means the Ordinary Shares, Ordinary B Shares and Deferred Shares.

Shrink-Wrap Code” means any generally commercially available Software in executable code form or Software-related services that are available for an annual cost of not more than $1,000,000 in the aggregate.

Software” means software, firmware and computer programs and applications (including source code, executable or object code, architecture, algorithms, data files, computerized databases, plugins, libraries, subroutines, tools and APIs) and related documentation.

Solvent” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7.

Sponsor” means Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Funds XII, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership.

Straddle Period” means any taxable period beginning on or before the Closing Date and ending after the Closing Date.

Subsidiary” or “Subsidiaries” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership interests thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof and for this purpose, a Person or Persons own a majority ownership interest in such a business entity (other than a corporation) if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of such business entity’s gains or losses or shall be or control any managing director or general partner of such business entity (other than a corporation). The term Subsidiary shall include all Subsidiaries of such Subsidiary.

Target Working Capital” means $364,709,000.

 

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Tax” or “Taxes” means all federal, state, local, or non-U.S. taxes, including but not limited to ad valorem, capital, documentary stamp, employment, excise, franchise, net income, gross receipts, profits, windfall profits, alternative minimum, add-on minimum, sales, use, customs duties, value added, goods and services, harmonized, transfer, intangible, payroll, occupation, employment, unemployment, severance, disability, registration, license, real property, personal property, premium, corporation tax, national insurance, social security taxes, apprenticeship levy, withholding and estimated taxes, and any other taxes, fees, assessments or charges in the nature of a tax, together with any interest, additions or penalties with respect thereto imposed by any Taxing Authority, whether disputed or not.

Tax Liability Amount” means an amount (not below zero, either in the aggregate or in any particular jurisdiction) equal to (a) the sum of the amount of the aggregate amount of any unpaid income Taxes of the Company and its Subsidiaries for any Pre-Closing Tax Period ending after December 31, 2023 and solely in respect of those jurisdictions in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is currently filing Tax Returns or in respect of those jurisdictions in which the Company and its Subsidiaries began operations on or after January 1, 2024, minus (b) the aggregate of any estimated income Tax payments, any income Tax prepayments and income Tax overpayments (in each case, only to the extent such estimated income Tax payments, income Tax prepayments or income Tax overpayments are available to offset (but not below zero) the applicable income Tax in respect of which such estimated payment, prepayment or overpayment was made), of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, that such amount shall be determined (i) by, subject to (vi) of this definition of Tax Liability Amount, including the Transaction Tax Deductions (as allocable to the Company and its Subsidiaries) and assuming such Transaction Tax Deductions are accrued and deductible in the Pre-Closing Tax Period to the extent permitted by applicable Law, determined at a “more likely than not” or higher level of confidence and assuming, where applicable, an election under Revenue Procedure 2011-29 to treat seventy percent (70%) of success-based fees as deductible has been made, (ii) by excluding any liabilities for accruals or reserves established or required to be established under GAAP methodologies for contingent income Taxes or with respect to uncertain Tax positions, (iii) by excluding any Taxes attributable to any action taken by Purchaser or any of its Affiliates (including any of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) after the Closing (including on the Closing Date) outside the ordinary course of business or in violation of Section 8.6(d), and any election under Section 338(g) of the Code with respect to the Transactions, (iv) in accordance with Section 8.6(e) and with the accounting methodology and the past practices (including reporting positions, elections and accounting methods) of the Company or the applicable Subsidiary in preparing its income Tax Returns (except to the extent that such practices or methodology are not at least “more likely than not” permitted by applicable Law), (v) by excluding any deferred Tax assets and liabilities and (vi) by including deductions attributable to amounts specified in clause (a)(i) of the definition of Transaction Tax Benefit only to the extent that such amounts exceed, in the aggregate, $140,000,000.

Tax Refunds” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.6(b).

Tax Return” means any return, report, statement, schedule, any claim for refund or other document (including any amendment thereto) with respect to Taxes filed, or required to be filed, with any Taxing Authority.

Taxing Authority” means the Internal Revenue Service, HM Revenue & Customs and any other Governmental Authority responsible for the administration of any Tax.

 

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Teaming Agreement” means each teaming agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party (i) with respect to which the applicable term has not yet expired, (ii) which has not been terminated pursuant to its terms, or (iii) which has not been superseded by the award of the Contract for which the teaming agreement was entered into.

Termination Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.2(b).

Title IV Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8(c)(i).

Top Customer” and “Top Customers” have the meanings set forth in Section 5.22(a).

Top Supplier” and “Top Suppliers” have the meanings set forth in Section 5.23(a).

Transaction Expenses” means without duplication, (i) all fees, costs and expenses of counsel, accountants, investment bankers, consultants, or other advisors or service providers (to the extent unpaid as of the Measurement Time) incurred, payable or subject to reimbursement by the Company or its Subsidiaries in connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions, (ii) all fees, costs and expenses of counsel, accountants and investment bankers (to the extent unpaid as of the Measurement Time) incurred and payable by the Company or its Subsidiaries in connection with the negotiation of agreements in connection with the sale process which were not consummated, (iii) expense reimbursement payable to any other bidders of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iv) any brokerage fees, commissions, finders’ fees, or financial advisory fees, and, in each case, related costs and expenses, and (v) subject to clauses (a) through (d) of this definition below, any “single trigger” change of control or transaction bonuses, retention, severance, or similar payments incurred, payable or subject to reimbursement by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of the execution of this Agreement or the consummation of the Transactions to current or former employees, independent contractors, officers or directors or other service providers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, all amounts payable under the Transaction Bonus Agreements (as defined in the Disclosure Schedule) (in all cases to the extent outstanding and unpaid as of the Measurement Time) including the employer portion of any related payroll or employment Taxes associated with any such payments excluding any such payroll or employment Taxes that (i) are incurred with respect to an individual that is reasonably expected to exceed the applicable wage limit based on continued employment (disregarding the effect of any Transaction Expenses) or (ii) to the extent that there is a contractual right to recover such amounts from such employees, independent contractors, officers or directors or other service providers (and except that the employer portion of any related payroll or employment Taxes shall be calculated as if the recipient received compensation from the Company (or its applicable Affiliate) equal to such recipient’s annual salary for the remainder of the calendar year before receiving the applicable payment giving rise to the Taxes); provided that in no event shall Transaction Expenses include (a) any expenses of, or expenses initiated at the request or direction of, Purchaser or any of its Affiliates, whether related to their respective financing activities related to the Transactions or otherwise, (b) the costs and expenses contemplated by Section 7.2, (c) the “tail” policy contemplated by Section 8.2(c), (d) the Taxes and fees contemplated by Section 8.6(c) or (e) any amounts included in Company Debt or Current Liabilities or any fees, costs and expenses paid from the Expense Reserve Holdback Account. Any Transaction Expenses incurred through Closing (to the extent unpaid as of Closing) shall be deemed incurred as of the Measurement Time.

 

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Transaction Tax Deductions” means any amounts (without duplication) that are deductible under applicable income Tax Law and are attributable to (i) Transaction Expenses, (ii) the payment or repayment of any Company Debt (including any capitalized financing fees, costs and expenses that become currently deductible as a result thereof and interest (including unamortized original issue discount and any other amounts treated as interest for federal income Tax purposes or applicable state, local or non-U.S. income tax purposes and any prepayment penalty or breakage fees or accelerated deferred financing fees)), or (iii) payments made in respect of Options or Restricted Shares (including the employer portion of any associated payroll, social security or similar Taxes related to any such payments).

Transaction Tax Benefit means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) an amount equal to (i) the sum of: the amounts specified in clause (v) of the definition of Transaction Expenses, the Option Holder Consideration, the Restricted Shareholder Consideration, and, without double counting, the employer portion of any associated payroll, social security or similar Taxes related to any such payments, multiplied by (ii) 25% and (b) $35,000,000.

Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Related Documents.

Transfer Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.6(c).

Treasury Regulations” means the regulations promulgated under the Code.

VAT” means:

(a) any value added tax imposed by the United Kingdom Value Added Tax Act 1994;

(b) any Tax chargeable under or imposed pursuant to or in compliance with the EC Directive 2006/112/EC; and

(c) any other Tax of a similar nature whether imposed in any member state of the European Union in substitution for, or levied in addition to, such tax referred to in (a) or (b) above, or any similar or comparable Tax imposed elsewhere.

Waiving Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.16.

Willful Breach” means an action or failure to act by one of the parties hereto that constitutes a material breach of this Agreement, and such action was taken or such failure occurred with such party’s knowledge or intention that such action or failure to act would reasonably be expected to constitute a material breach of this Agreement.

 

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1.2 Other Definitional and Interpretive Matters.

(a) Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, for purposes of this Agreement, the following rules of interpretation shall apply:

(i) Calculation of Time Period. When calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement, the date that is the reference date in calculating such period shall be excluded. If the last day of such period is a non-Business Day, the period in question shall end on the next succeeding Business Day.

(ii) Dollars. Any reference in this Agreement or the Related Documents to $ shall mean U.S. dollars, which is the currency used for all purposes in this Agreement and the Related Documents. The specification of any dollar amount in the representations and warranties or otherwise in this Agreement, the Related Documents or the Schedules is not intended and shall not be deemed to be an admission or acknowledgement of the materiality of such amounts or items, nor shall the same be used in any dispute or controversy between the parties to determine whether any obligation, item or matter (whether or not described herein or included in any Schedule) is or is not material for purposes of this Agreement or the Related Documents. For purposes of calculating the Equity Value, amounts not in U.S. dollars shall be converted from their applicable currencies to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate as published by the Federal Reserve on https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h10/current as of the close of business on the nearest Business Day for which the rate is so quoted immediately prior to the Closing Date; provided, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of calculating the Estimated Equity Value included in the Estimated Closing Statement, amounts not in U.S. dollars shall be converted from their applicable currencies to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate as published by the Federal Reserve on https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h10/current as of the close of business on the nearest Business Day for which the rate is so quoted immediately prior to delivery of the Estimated Closing Statement.

(iii) Exhibits/Schedules/Annexes. All Exhibits, Schedules and Annexes annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein. For purposes of the representations and warranties of the Company, any facts, circumstances, matter or item disclosed in any section of the Schedules shall be deemed to have been adequately disclosed in any other section of the Schedules if it is reasonably apparent from such disclosure or the documentation referenced therein that such disclosure is relevant to the representation or warranty of the Company to which such other section of the Schedules relates. Disclosure of any item on any Schedule shall not constitute or be deemed an admission or indication that such item or matter is material or would have a Material Adverse Effect, and shall not imply a measure for materiality for purposes of this Agreement. No disclosure on a Schedule relating to a possible breach or violation of any Contract or Law shall be construed as an admission or indication that a breach or violation exists or has actually occurred. Any capitalized terms used in any Schedule, Exhibit or Annex but not otherwise defined therein shall be defined as set forth in this Agreement.

(iv) Gender and Number. Any reference in this Agreement to gender shall include all genders, and words imparting the singular number only shall include the plural and vice versa.

 

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(v) Headings. The provision of a Table of Contents, the division of this Agreement into Articles, Sections and other subdivisions and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect or be utilized in construing or interpreting this Agreement. All references in this Agreement to any “Article” or “Section” are to the corresponding Article or Section of this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

(vi) Herein. The words such as “herein,” “hereinafter,” “hereof,” and “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not merely to a subdivision in which such words appear unless the context otherwise requires.

(vii) Including. The word “including” or any variation thereof means “including, without limitation” and shall not be construed to limit any general statement that it follows to the specific or similar items or matters immediately following it.

(viii) Legislation. A reference to any legislation or to any provision of any legislation shall include any amendment thereto, and any modification or re-enactment thereof, any legislative provision substituted therefor and all regulations and statutory instruments issued thereunder or pursuant thereto.

(b) The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and, in the event that an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as jointly drafted by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. Further, prior drafts of this Agreement or any ancillary agreements hereto or the fact that any clauses have been added, deleted or otherwise modified from any prior drafts of this Agreement or any ancillary agreements hereto shall not be used as an aid of construction or otherwise constitute evidence of the intent of the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto by virtue of such prior drafts.

ARTICLE II

PURCHASE AND SALE; CLOSING

2.1 Purchase and Sale of the Shares. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing, Purchaser will purchase, acquire and accept from Sellers, and Sellers will sell, assign and convey to Purchaser, the Shares, free and clear of all Liens (other than restrictions on transfer arising pursuant to federal and state securities Laws).

2.2 Closing. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the closing of the Transactions (the “Closing”) will take place by conference call and electronic (i.e., email of PDF documents) delivery of documents, at a time and on a date to be designated by Representative and Purchaser, which shall be not later than the third (3rd) Business Day following the satisfaction or waiver of each of the conditions set forth in Article IX and Article X (other than those conditions that are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to satisfaction or waiver of such conditions at the Closing), or on such other time, date or location as Representative and Purchaser mutually agree; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Closing shall not occur until the earlier of (a) a date during the Marketing Period specified by Purchaser on no fewer than three

 

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Business Days’ notice to the Company (unless a shorter period shall be agreed to by the parties) and (b) the third (3rd) Business Day following the final day of the Marketing Period (subject, in each case, to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article IX and Article X (other than conditions that by their nature only can be satisfied by actions taken at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions at the Closing)) (the date upon which the Closing actually occurs being referred to herein as the “Closing Date”). Except as otherwise set forth herein, all proceedings to be taken and all documents to be executed and delivered by all parties at the Closing will be deemed to have been taken and executed simultaneously.

2.3 Estimated Closing Statement. No later than four (4) Business Days prior to the Closing, the Company shall deliver to Purchaser a written statement setting forth a good faith estimate of the (i) Net Working Capital; (ii) Cash and Cash Equivalents; (iii) Transaction Expenses; (iv) Company Debt; and (v) Transaction Tax Benefit together with a calculation of the Estimated Equity Value and Fully-Diluted Per Share Price (the “Estimated Closing Statement”). The Company shall deliver to Purchaser, concurrently with the Estimated Closing Statement, the Consideration Schedule. For the avoidance of doubt, Purchaser shall have no liability or obligation to any other Person for any payment made in accordance with this Agreement and the Consideration Schedule. Purchaser and its representatives shall be given the right to review and comment on the Estimated Closing Statement, together with reasonable access to the Company’s books and records relating to the preparation of the Estimated Closing Statement, and the Company shall consider Purchaser’s comments thereto in good faith and incorporate any such changes the Company (in its sole discretion) accepts; provided, that in case of any disagreement between the parties, in no case shall such disagreement delay the Closing and the estimates and calculations of the Company set forth in the Estimated Closing Statement (with any such changes the Company accepted in its sole discretion) shall control for all purposes of the Closing (but shall remain subject to Section 2.5). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, it is expressly acknowledged and agreed that Purchaser shall be entitled to rely on the allocation of the Closing Consideration among the Sellers set forth in the Consideration Schedule, without any obligation to investigate or verify the accuracy or correctness thereof, and to make payments in accordance therewith, and in no event shall Purchaser or any of its Affiliates have any liability to any Person (including the Representative and any of the Sellers) in connection with any claims relating to any misallocation of the Closing Consideration among the Sellers set forth in the Consideration Schedule, any determination by the Representative in connection therewith, or payments made by any Person (including Purchaser, the Escrow Agent, or the Payments Administrator and their respective Affiliates) in accordance therewith.

2.4 Closing Payments.

(a) At the Closing, Purchaser shall pay, or cause to be paid (on behalf of the Company and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries), by wire transfer of immediately available funds, the amount of Estimated Company Debt as set forth in the Payoff Letters delivered pursuant to Section 3.1(c) to the accounts of the applicable lenders or other parties as set forth in the Payoff Letters.

 

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(b) At the Closing, Purchaser shall pay, or cause to be paid (on behalf of the Company and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries), by wire transfer of immediately available funds, the Transaction Expenses set forth in the Estimated Closing Statement (which, if applicable, shall be supported by invoices for such Transaction Expenses) to the applicable recipients thereof as set forth on the Estimated Closing Statement; provided, however, that (i) any Transaction Expenses paid pursuant to this Section 2.4(b) to Continuing Employees shall be paid to the applicable Continuing Employee (net of withholding) through payroll on the Closing Date or on or prior to the next succeeding normally scheduled payroll date, and (ii) any Taxes withheld from any payment under clause (i) shall be held and remitted to the applicable Governmental Authority in a proper and timely manner.

(c) At the Closing, Purchaser shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to (i) an account designated by the Escrow Agent, an amount equal to the Escrow Amount to be held in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement and (ii) the Expense Reserve Holdback Account, an amount equal to the Expense Reserve Holdback Amount.

(d) At the Closing, Purchaser shall pay, or cause to be paid, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, an aggregate amount of cash equal to the Estimated Equity Value less the Escrow Amount less the Expense Reserve Holdback Amount, to be paid in accordance with the Consideration Schedule (the “Closing Consideration”) to (i) an account designated by the Payments Administrator, which shall receive such payment on behalf of and for the benefit of the Sellers (other than Ascend Overseas Limited) in respect of such Sellers’ Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing; (ii) an account designated by Ascend Overseas Limited in respect of its Shares and (iii) an account designated by the Company, in respect of the Option Holder Consideration and the Restricted Share Holder Consideration to be paid pursuant to Section 2.9 below.

2.5 Purchase Consideration Adjustment.

(a) Closing Statement. Within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, Purchaser shall cause to be prepared and delivered to Representative a statement setting forth Purchaser’s good faith calculation of the (i) Net Working Capital; (ii) Cash and Cash Equivalents; (iii) Transaction Expenses; (iv) Company Debt; and (v) Transaction Tax Benefit, together with a calculation of Equity Value based on such amounts (the “Closing Statement”). The Closing Statement shall include reasonable supporting detail of each of the components of Equity Value and a reconciliation of such components with the amounts delivered in the Estimated Closing Statement.

(b) Closing Statement Dispute. If Representative disputes the accuracy of the calculations reflected in the Closing Statement, Representative shall provide written notice to Purchaser no later than forty-five (45) days (such forty-five (45) day period, the “Review Period”) following delivery (or deemed delivery, as applicable) by Purchaser to Representative of the Closing Statement setting forth those items that Representative disputes (the “Dispute Notice”). The Dispute Notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the items in dispute, including the basis and amount of each item in dispute. If Representative does not deliver a Dispute Notice within the Review Period, then the calculation of Equity Value reflected in the Closing Statement shall be deemed final, conclusive and binding on the parties in all respects. During the thirty (30) day period following delivery of a Dispute Notice, Purchaser and Representative shall negotiate in good faith to resolve such disputed items. If Purchaser and Representative, notwithstanding such

 

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good faith effort, fail to resolve the disputed items set forth in the Dispute Notice within thirty (30) days after Representative delivers the Dispute Notice to Purchaser, then Purchaser and Representative shall jointly engage KPMG LLP, or if such firm is unable or unwilling to accept its appointment, an independent nationally recognized accounting firm with experience in such matters and that is mutually agreed upon by Purchaser and Representative (in either case, the “Accounting Firm”), to resolve the disputed items (acting as an expert and not an arbitrator). Within five (5) Business Days thereafter, Purchaser and Representative shall each prepare and submit to the Accounting Firm one written presentation (only with respect to the unresolved disputed items set forth in the Dispute Notice) and one written response to the other party’s written presentation, which written response should be delivered to the Accounting Firm within five Business Days from the receipt thereof; provided, that Purchaser and Representative cannot assign a value to any disputed item that is more favorable to such party than what such party included in the Closing Statement or the Dispute Notice, as applicable; provided further, however, that copies of all such materials and any other materials provided to the Accounting Firm are concurrently provided to the other party and that any discussions with the Accounting Firm may only occur in the presence (including by telephone) of the other party. As soon as practicable thereafter, but no later than thirty (30) days from the final submission of presentations from Purchaser and Representative, Purchaser and Representative shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Accounting Firm to render its written decision (including reasonable supporting detail thereto) with respect to only the unresolved disputed items set forth in the Dispute Notice (and no other items) based solely upon the terms and provisions of this Agreement and the presentations by Purchaser and Representative and not by way of an independent review (it being acknowledged and agreed that the failure of the Accounting Firm to strictly conform to any deadline or time period contained herein shall not render the determination of the Accounting Firm invalid and shall not be a basis for seeking to overturn any determination rendered by the Accounting Firm). In resolving any disputed item, the Accounting Firm may not assign a value to any item greater than the maximum value for such item claimed by either party or less than the minimum value of such item claimed by either party. Judgment may be entered upon the determination of the Accounting Firm in any court having jurisdiction over the party against which such determination is to be enforced. The fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be allocated to be paid by Purchaser, on the one hand, and Representative, on the other, based upon the percentage that the portion of the contested amount not awarded to each party bears to the amount actually contested by such party, as determined by the Accounting Firm. For example, if Representative claims in a Dispute Notice that the Net Working Capital is $1,000 greater than the amount determined by Purchaser in the Closing Statement, and if the Accounting Firm ultimately resolves the dispute by awarding Representative $600 of the $1,000 contested, then the costs and expenses of the Accounting Firm will be allocated 60% (i.e., 600 ÷ 1,000) to Purchaser and 40% (i.e., 400 ÷ 1,000) to Representative. Absent fraud or manifest error, all determinations made by the Accounting Firm will be final, conclusive and binding on all parties to this Agreement in all respects.

(c) Access. For purposes of complying with the terms set forth in this Section 2.5, Purchaser and the Company shall, and shall cause the Company’s Subsidiaries to, cooperate and provide to Representative and its representatives relevant information, records, data and working papers (including any such materials prepared by outside accountants or other advisors) subject to the satisfactory execution of customary access letters, where relevant, and shall make available, during normal business hours and not unreasonably disrupt the operations of the Purchaser and/or the Company, as applicable, upon reasonable request and notice, relevant personnel (including outside accountants and other advisors), in each case as may be reasonably requested by Representative, solely in connection with the preparation and analysis of the Closing Statement and the resolution of any disputes with respect thereto.

 

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(d) Release of Escrow Amount. No later than two (2) Business Days after the date on which the Final Equity Value is determined pursuant to this Section 2.5:

(i) If the Estimated Equity Value is greater than the Final Equity Value, then (A) Purchaser and Representative shall jointly instruct the Escrow Agent to release to Purchaser from the Escrow Account an amount in cash equal to the amount by which the Estimated Equity Value exceeds the Final Equity Value (the “Closing Overpayment Amount”) (or, if the Closing Overpayment Amount exceeds the Escrow Amount, to release to Purchaser the entire Escrow Amount), by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated in such joint instruction and (B) Purchaser and Representative shall jointly instruct the Escrow Agent to release from the Escrow Account any remaining Escrow Amount (after payment of the amount required by clause (A) of this Section 2.5(d)(i)) to (x) the Payments Administrator, for the benefit of and distribution to the Sellers, and (y) the Company, for the benefit of and distribution to the Option Holders and the Restricted Share Holders, in each case, in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Percentages, as set forth in the Consideration Schedule.

(ii) If the Final Equity Value is greater than the Estimated Equity Value, then (A) Purchaser shall pay, or cause to be paid, to the Payments Administrator, for the benefit of and distribution to the Equityholders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Percentages, as set forth in the Consideration Schedule, an amount in cash equal to such excess, and (B) Purchaser and Representative shall jointly instruct the Escrow Agent to release any remaining Escrow Amount from the Escrow Account to (x) the Payments Administrator, for the benefit of and distribution to the Sellers, and (y) the Company, for the benefit of and distribution to the Option Holders and the Restricted Share Holders, in each case, in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Percentages, as set forth in the Consideration Schedule.

(iii) If the Final Equity Value is equal to the Estimated Equity Value, there will be no adjustment to the Equity Value pursuant to this Section 2.5(d) and Purchaser and Representative shall jointly instruct the Escrow Agent to release the Escrow Amount from the Escrow Account to (x) the Payments Administrator, for the benefit of and distribution to the Sellers, and (y) the Company, for the benefit of and distribution to the Option Holders and the Restricted Share Holders, in each case, in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Percentages, as set forth in the Consideration Schedule.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, neither any Equityholders, nor any Affiliates of any Equityholders, nor any of their respective managers, officers, directors, employees, advisors, consultants, agents or other representatives shall have any liability to Purchaser, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates for any adjustment amount pursuant to this Section 2.5 except to the extent of the Escrow Amount. Recovery from the Escrow Amount shall be the sole and exclusive remedy available to Purchaser, the Company and any of its or their respective Affiliates for any claims arising out of or relating to this Section 2.5, and neither Purchaser nor the Company nor any of their respective Affiliates shall have any claim against any of the Persons set forth in the preceding sentence in respect thereof.

 

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(f) The parties agree that any amount paid under this Section 2.5 shall be treated as an adjustment to the Closing Consideration for Tax purposes and, except to the extent required by applicable Tax Law, not to take any Tax position inconsistent with such treatment.

(g) This Section 2.5 is not intended to be used to adjust for errors or omissions that may be found in respect of the Latest Balance Sheet or any other balance sheet referred to in Section 5.5.

2.6 Withholding. Purchaser and the Company (or any other applicable withholding agent) shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from amounts otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as are required to be deducted and withheld under Tax Law; provided, that, if the Purchaser intends to deduct and withhold any such amounts, Purchaser shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (a) notify Representative in writing of its intention to deduct and withhold such amounts and the reason therefore at least five (5) days prior to the Closing Date and (b) fully cooperate with Representative to reduce or eliminate the amount of any such deduction or withholding to the extent permitted by applicable Law. To the extent that any such required notice is timely provided to Representative (as applicable) and amounts are so withheld and timely paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.

2.7 Payments Administrator. The Payments Administrator shall act as payments administrator hereunder for the payment and delivery of amounts payable to the Equityholders, in connection with the proceeds payable hereunder. The Payments Administrator shall hold the amounts payable to the Equityholders pursuant to (i) this Agreement and (ii) the Payments Administration Agreement, in trust for the benefit of such Equityholders. Any funds received by the Payments Administrator pursuant to this Agreement will not be used for any purpose except as expressly provided in the Payments Administration Agreement.

2.8 Retention of Amounts. Notwithstanding any contrary provision set forth in this Agreement, no Equityholder shall be entitled to receive any portion of the Escrow Amount or Expense Reserve Holdback Amount until such time as such amount (or any portion thereof), if any, is distributed to such Equityholder (or to the Payments Administrator for further distribution to such Equityholder) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Escrow Agreement, the Payments Administration Agreement or this Agreement, as applicable.

2.9 Treatment of Options and Restricted Shares. The board of directors of the Company shall adopt resolutions and take all other actions necessary to provide that (i) each Option, automatically and without any action on the part of any Option Holder, will be cancelled and cease to represent an Option effective upon the Closing and (ii) each Restricted Share, automatically and without any action on the part of any Restricted Share Holder, will vest effective upon the Closing. Each Option that is cancelled shall be converted into the right to receive a portion of the Closing Consideration (and any other amounts payable to Equityholders hereunder) as provided in the Consideration Schedule (the “Option Holder Consideration”). Each Restricted Share that vests effective upon the Closing shall be settled by delivery to the holder thereof of a portion of the Closing Consideration (and any other amounts payable to Equityholders hereunder) as provided in the Consideration Schedule (the “Restricted Share Holder Consideration”). Purchaser shall

 

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cause the Company to pay the Option Holder Consideration and Restricted Share Holder Consideration through the Company payroll provider so that such payments are made in compliance with all applicable withholding requirements by no later than the next scheduled payment of wages through such payroll provider. The board of directors of the Company shall adopt resolutions and take all other actions reasonably necessary to ensure that from and after the Closing none of the parties hereunder will be required to deliver any Shares or other securities to any Person pursuant to or in settlement of any of the Options or Restricted Shares.

2.10 Letters of Transmittal. The Company will cause the Payments Administrator to mail, at least twenty (20) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, to the Sellers (other than Ascend Overseas Limited), a Letter of Transmittal in customary form, which shall include customary release, waiver and confidentiality obligations, to be mutually agreed between Purchaser and Representative (each, a “Letter of Transmittal”). As a condition precedent to each Seller’s receipt of its allocable portion of the Closing Consideration, such Seller shall deliver to the Company a duly executed Letter of Transmittal.

ARTICLE III

CLOSING DELIVERIES

3.1 Deliveries by the Company. At or prior to the Closing, the Representative or the Company, as applicable, shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Purchaser the following items:

(a) an escrow agreement, to be mutually agreed between the Purchaser and the Representative (the “Escrow Agreement”), duly executed by the Representative;

(b) the Payments Administration Agreement, in customary form, to be mutually agreed between the Purchaser and the Representative, duly executed by the Representative;

(c) pay-off letters (drafts of which shall be delivered to Purchaser no less than two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date) in respect of the Company Debt that is set forth on Schedule 3.1(c) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall contain the release of any associated Liens upon payment thereto (the “Payoff Letters”);

(d) (i) a certificate of an authorized officer of the Company, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that the conditions applicable to the Company specified in Section 9.1(a), Section 9.1(b) and Section 9.1(c) have been satisfied and (ii) a certificate of an authorized officer of Representative, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that the conditions applicable to the Sellers and Representative specified in Section 9.1(a), Section 9.1(b) and Section 9.1(c) have been satisfied;

(e) stock transfer forms, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser, in favor of the Purchaser or its nominee(s), duly executed by or on behalf of each Seller in respect of the Shares held by it, him or her;

(f) voting powers of attorney duly executed by or on behalf of each Seller in respect of the Shares held by it, him or her to enable the Purchaser to exercise all rights attaching to the Shares until the Purchaser or its nominee(s) becomes the registered holder of them in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser;

 

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(g) a duly executed IRS Form W-9 or applicable IRS Form W-8 from each Seller; provided, that failure by any Seller to comply with this Section 3.1(g) shall not impede the closing of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, and Purchaser’s sole remedy for a Seller’s failure to deliver such documentation shall be to withhold pursuant to Section 2.6 such amounts from such Seller that failed to deliver such documents, as are required to be withheld under applicable Law; and

(h) evidence, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser, of the termination of the Monitoring Agreement.

3.2 Deliveries by Purchaser. At or prior to the Closing, Purchaser shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company and the Representative the following items:

(a) evidence of payment of the Closing payments set forth in Section 2.4;

(b) the Escrow Agreement, duly executed by Purchaser;

(c) the Payments Administration Agreement, duly executed by Purchaser; and

(d) a certificate of an authorized officer of Purchaser, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that the conditions specified in Section 10.1(a) and Section 10.1(b) have been satisfied.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLERS

Except as disclosed in the disclosure schedule of even date herewith (the “Disclosure Schedule”), each Seller severally (and not jointly) and solely with respect to itself, hereby makes the representations and warranties contained in this Article IV to Purchaser:

4.1 Organization; Good Standing; Qualification.

(a) Each Seller that is a legal entity, is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (or equivalent status, if applicable) under the Laws of its jurisdiction of formation, and has the requisite power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties, assets and rights and to carry on its business as currently conducted.

(b) Each Seller that is a legal entity is qualified to do business and is in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good standing) as a foreign corporation or other legal entity in each jurisdiction where the ownership, leasing or operation of its assets, properties, rights or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so organized, validly existing, qualified, in good standing or to have such power or authority would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on such Seller’s ability to consummate the Transactions.

 

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4.2 Authority; Approval. Each Seller has all requisite power and authority to enter into and has taken all action necessary to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each other agreement, document, instrument or certificate contemplated by this Agreement or to be executed by each Seller in connection with the consummation of the Transactions (the “Seller Documents”) and to consummate the Transactions. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Seller and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Company and Purchaser, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of such Seller enforceable against such Seller in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles (the “Bankruptcy and Equity Exception”).

4.3 Ownership of Company Shares. As of the date of this Agreement, each Seller is the legal and beneficial owner of all of its Shares, free and clear of all Liens (other than restrictions on transfer arising pursuant to federal and state securities laws and Permitted Liens). Except as provided in Section 5.2(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, each Seller owns no other Equity Interests in the Company other than the Shares held by such Seller. Each Seller has full power and authority to sell, transfer, assign and deliver the Shares to Purchaser, and such delivery will convey to Purchaser at the Closing legal and beneficial title to its Shares free and clear of any and all Liens, other than restrictions on transfer arising pursuant to federal and state securities laws. Except pursuant to this Agreement, there is no contractual obligation pursuant to which any Seller has, directly or indirectly, granted any option, warrant or other right to any person to acquire any Equity Interests in the Company.

4.4 Governmental Filings; No Violations; Certain Contracts.

(a) Except for (i) compliance with, and filings under, the HSR Act; (ii) compliance with, and filings under, the applicable requirements of Antitrust Laws of jurisdictions other than the United States and under the applicable requirements of Foreign Investment Laws, each as set forth on Section 4.4(a) of the Disclosure Schedule; and (iii) such other items as disclosed in Section 4.4(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, no notices, reports or other filings are required to be made by any Seller with, nor are any consents, registrations, approvals, permits or authorizations required to be obtained by any Seller from any Governmental Authority in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Seller and the consummation of the Transactions, except for the purposes of subsection (iii) herein, those that the failure to make or obtain, as the case may be, would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the ability of such Seller to consummate the Transactions.

(b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by each Seller does not constitute or result in (i) a breach or violation of, or a default under, the certificate of formation or limited partnership agreement (or similar organizational documents) of such Seller (to the extent applicable) or (ii) with or without notice, lapse of time or both, a breach or violation of, a termination (or right of termination) or default under, the creation, cancellation, acceleration, loss, impairment or alteration or other change of any rights, benefits or obligations under, result in the payment of any fee under, or the creation of a Lien on any of the assets, properties or rights of such Seller pursuant to, any Contract, or assuming (solely with respect to performance of this Agreement and consummation of the Transactions) compliance with the matters referred to in

 

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Section 4.4(a), under any Law or Permit to which such Seller is subject, except, in the case of clause (ii), for any such breach, violation, termination, default, creation, cancellation, acceleration, loss, impairment, alteration, change, fee or Lien that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the ability of such Seller to consummate the Transactions.

4.5 Litigation. There are no Legal Proceedings or material actions, suits, proceedings or orders pending or, to the Knowledge of each Seller, threatened against Seller that are reasonably likely to prohibit or restrain the ability of Seller to enter into this Agreement or any Related Document or to consummate the Transactions.

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule, the Company hereby makes the representations and warranties contained in this Article V to Purchaser:

5.1 Organization, Good Standing and Qualification.

(a) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is a legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good standing) under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and has all requisite corporate or similar power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties, assets and rights and to carry on its business as conducted as of the date of this Agreement, except where the failure to be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

(b) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is qualified to do business and is in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good standing) as a foreign corporation or other legal entity in each jurisdiction where the ownership, leasing or operation of its assets, properties, rights or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.2 Capital Structure.

(a) The issued and outstanding share capital of the Company, as of the date hereof, consists of the Shares set forth in Section 5.2(a) of the Disclosure Schedule. The Shares are all owned by the Sellers, and, along with the Options and Restricted Shares, represent all of the Equity Interests of the Company. All of the outstanding Shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Except as set forth in Section 5.2(a), as of the date hereof, the Company has not granted any options, warrants, rights or other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Equity Interests of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or any other Contracts providing for the issuance of additional shares or for the repurchase or redemption of shares of the Equity Interests of the Company or its Subsidiaries. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock or other Equity Interests of each of the Company’s Subsidiaries are owned by the Company or by a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, free and clear of any Liens, except for Permitted Liens.

 

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(b) All of the Shares were issued in compliance with applicable Laws. None of the Shares were issued in violation of any agreement, arrangement or commitment to which any Seller or the Company is a party or is subject to or in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any Person. The Company has not repaid, redeemed or purchased any of its own shares, reduced its share capital or capitalized any reserves or profits, in each case other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices.

(c) Each of the outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity securities of each of the Company’s Subsidiaries is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Section 5.2(c) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete list of each of the Company’s Subsidiaries, together with the jurisdiction of formation of such Subsidiary. Except for the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Section 5.2(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any Equity Interest in any Person, or have any obligation or commitment to acquire any such Equity Interest.

(d) The Company does not have outstanding any bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations the holders of which have the right to vote (or convertible into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with the Equityholders of the Company on any matter. Other than the Options or Restricted Shares, the Company does not have any outstanding or authorized any stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit participation or similar rights.

(e) There are no shareholder agreements, stockholder agreements, voting trusts or other agreements or understandings to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound relating to the voting or registration of any equity securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(f) Each of the 2024 Plan and the 2014 Plan (the “Equity Incentive Plans”) has been duly adopted by the board of directors of the Company. Schedule 5.2(f)(i) sets forth, as of the date of this Agreement, a true, correct and complete list of all holders of outstanding Options, including the number of Ordinary B Shares subject to each Option and the exercise price per share. The Company has made available to Purchaser complete and accurate copies of each Equity Incentive Plan and the forms of award agreements used thereunder. The Equity Incentive Plans and form of award agreements thereunder have not been amended, modified or supplemented since being provided to Purchaser. Schedule 5.2(f)(ii) sets forth, as of the date of this Agreement, a true, correct and complete list of all holders of outstanding Restricted Shares including the number of Ordinary B Shares subject to each issuance and the date of grant. With respect to each Option (whether outstanding or previously exercised), (i) each grant of an Option was duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and the award agreement governing such grant (if any) was duly executed and delivered by each party promptly following the grant date, (ii) no Option has had its exercise date or grant date “back-dated” or materially delayed, (iii) each such grant was made in accordance with the terms of the applicable Equity Incentive Plan and all applicable Law in all material respects and are not and have not been the subject of any internal investigation, review or inquiry, and (iv) each such grant was properly accounted for in all material respects in a manner consistent with GAAP, other than as set forth in the financial statements (including the related notes) of the Company. The exercise price of all Options held by each employee of the Company or other service provider of the Company that is a U.S. taxpayer is at least equal to the fair market value of the applicable Ordinary B Shares on the date such Options were granted. All Options held by each employee or other service provider of the Company that is a U.S. taxpayer constitute options to purchase “service recipient stock” (as defined under Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii)) with respect to the grantor and grantee thereof.

 

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(g) Each Seller (other than Ascend Overseas Limited) has duly executed a Management Shareholders Agreement for all of their respective Shares, and true and correct copies of each such Management Shareholders Agreement for each Seller (other than Ascend Overseas Limited) has been provided to Purchaser.

5.3 Corporate Authority; Approval. The Company has all requisite corporate (or similar) power and authority to enter into and has taken all corporate (or similar) action necessary to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each other agreement, document, instrument or certificate contemplated by this Agreement to be executed by the Company in connection with the consummation of the Transactions (the “Company Documents”) and to consummate the Transactions. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the other parties hereto, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception.

5.4 Governmental Filings; No Violations; Certain Contracts.

(a) Except for (i) compliance with, and filings under, the HSR Act; (ii) compliance with, and filings under, the applicable requirements of Antitrust Laws of jurisdictions other than the United States and under the applicable requirements of Foreign Investment Laws; and (iii) such other items as disclosed in Section 5.4(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, no notices, reports or other filings are required to be made by the Company with, nor are any consents, registrations, approvals, permits or authorizations required to be obtained by the Company from any Governmental Authority in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation of the Transactions, except those that the failure to make or obtain, as the case may be, would not, individually or in the aggregate, be materially adverse to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 5.4(b), the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company does not, and the consummation of the Transactions will not, constitute or result in (i) a breach or violation of, or a default under, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company or (ii) with or without notice, lapse of time or both, a breach or violation of, a termination (or right of termination) or default under, the creation, cancellation, acceleration, loss, impairment or alteration or other change of any rights, benefits or obligations under, result in the payment of any fee under, or the creation of a Lien on any of the assets, properties or rights of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to, any Company Material Contract, or assuming (solely with respect to performance of this Agreement and consummation of the Transactions) compliance with the matters referred to in Section 5.4(a) under any Law or Permit to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, except, in the case of clause (ii), for any such breach, violation, termination, default, creation, cancellation, acceleration, loss, impairment, alteration, change, fee or Lien that would not, individually or in the aggregate, be materially adverse to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

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5.5 Financial Statements.

(a) The following financial statements (such financial statements, the “Financial Statements”), which are attached as Schedule 5.5(a):

(i) the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023 (the “Audited Financial Statements”), and the related audited consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, cash flows, and changes in equity for the fiscal year of the Company and its Subsidiaries then ended; and

(ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2024 (the “Latest Balance Sheet”), and the related unaudited consolidated statements of operations and income for the nine month-period then ended (the “Interim Financial Statements”).

(b) The Financial Statements (i) are true, complete and correct in all material respects, (ii) were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently during the periods covered thereby, except as may be indicated in the notes thereto, subject, in the case of the Interim Financial Statements, to the absence of footnotes and other presentation items, year-end adjustments and purchase accounting adjustments for the acquisition of eepos Gmbh by Crosby Germany GmbH, and (iii) present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at such dates in accordance with GAAP, subject, in the case of the Interim Financial Statements, to the absence of footnotes (which, if presented, would not materially differ in amount or in nature from those presented in the Audited Financial Statements dated December 31, 2023) and normal, recurring year-end adjustments (none of which are material individually or in the aggregate) and purchase accounting adjustments for the acquisition of eepos Gmbh by Crosby Germany GmbH.

(c) The Company has established and maintains a system of internal controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance (i) regarding the reliability of the Company’s financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP, (ii) that receipts and expenditures of the Company and its Subsidiaries are being made only in accordance with the authorization of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ respective management and directors, and (iii) regarding prevention or timely detection of the unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ assets that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements, except in each case, for any deficiency that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

5.6 Absence of Certain Changes; No Undisclosed Liabilities. Since the date of the Latest Balance Sheet through the date of this Agreement, the business of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has been conducted, in all material respects, in the ordinary course of business. Since the date of the Latest Balance Sheet through the date of this Agreement, there have not been any changes, events, facts, conditions, effects or occurrences that (i) have had a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) if taken after the date of this Agreement without Purchaser’s consent by any Group Company, would constitute a breach of Section 7.3(b)(i), (ii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), (xv) and

 

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(xvi), with respect to such subsections only. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.6 hereto, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities, other than (a) as specifically reflected and adequately reserved against in the Interim Financial Statements, (b) those incurred in the ordinary course of business since the date of the Latest Balance Sheet (and not resulting from a breach of Contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement, or violation of applicable Law), (c) those incurred in connection with the Transactions to the extent included in the Closing Statement amounts or specifically set forth in this Agreement, or (d) those that would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Except for liabilities reflected in the Financial Statements, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any material off balance sheet liabilities that would be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

5.7 Litigation and Liabilities. As of the date hereof, except as set forth in Schedule 5.7, there are no, and since the Look Back Date there have not been (a) any, claims, actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in any court or other tribunal or before or by any Governmental Authority against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any officer, director, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, employee of a Group Company arising out of their employment or director relationship with any Group Company, whether at law or in equity and before or by any Governmental Authority or arbitrator, and (b) no Company or any officer, director or employee of any Group Company, in their capacity as such, is or was subject to any judgment, order or decree of any Governmental Authority, and no Group Company is in default under or in breach of any order of any Governmental Authority applicable to such Group Company, which, for both subsections (a) and (b), if determined adversely, would, individually or in the aggregate, be material for the Group Companies taken as a whole.

5.8 Employee Benefits.

(a) Schedule 5.8(a) hereto sets forth a list of each of the following, if any, which is sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of any of their current or former employees or for which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has or would reasonably be expected to have any material liability or obligations:

(i) each material “employee benefit plan,” as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) (whether or not subject to the provisions of ERISA), other than any plan that it is sponsored or maintained by a Governmental Authority or any Multiemployer Plan (each, a “Plan” and collectively referred to as the “Plans”); and

(ii) each material equity compensation, phantom equity, bonus, incentive, severance, change in control, retention, deferred compensation or employment Contract, plan, policy, arrangement or agreement and each other material benefit or compensation or remuneration plan, policy, arrangement or program which is not described in Section 5.5(a)(i), in each case, other than any benefit plan that is mandated by statute or applicable law or sponsored or maintained by a Governmental Authority (each, a “Benefit Program” and collectively referred to herein as the “Benefit Programs”); provided, however, that Schedule 5.8(a) shall not require disclosure of standard “offer” letters for at-will employment or “offer” letters or employment agreements with non-U.S. employees that provide for only the minimum statutory entitlements upon termination.

 

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(b) Current copies of each Plan set forth on Schedule 5.8(a) have been made available to Purchaser. There has also been made available to Purchaser, with respect to each Plan set forth on Schedule 5.8(a), copies of the following (to the extent applicable): (i) a written description of any unwritten Plan; (ii) all related trust agreements and insurance contracts, (iii) copies of the most recent Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) determination, advisory or opinion letter with respect to each such Plan intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code; (iv) the most recent summary plan descriptions; and (v) for the most recent plan year, the recently filed Form 5500 annual report and accompanying schedules and any actuarial report (to the extent applicable). Copies or descriptions of all Benefit Programs set forth on Schedule 5.8(a) have also been made available to Purchaser.

(c) Except as otherwise set forth on Schedule 5.8(c) hereto or as otherwise would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole,

(i) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries contributes to or has or ever had an obligation to contribute to, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has or ever had any obligation or liability with respect to (A) a “Multiemployer Plan”; (B) a Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA (a “Title IV Plan”); (C) any “multiple employer plan” (within the meaning of ERISA or the Code), or (D) any “multiple employer welfare arrangement” as such term is defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA, or (F) any voluntary employees’ beneficiary association (within the meaning of Section 501(c)(9) of the Code.

(ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries sponsors, maintains or administers a defined benefit plan with respect to any employees located outside of the U.S.;

(iii) each Plan and Benefit Program has been established, funded and maintained in compliance with its terms and all applicable Laws including, without limitation, ERISA and the Code;

(iv) each of the Plans intended to be qualified under Section 401 of the Code has obtained a favorable determination letter from the IRS or is in the form of a preapproved plan that is the subject of a favorable opinion or advisory letter from the IRS and there has been no event, condition or circumstance that has adversely affected or could adversely affect the qualified status of such Plan;

(v) all premiums, contributions or other payments required to be made to the Plans by the Company or its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of such Plans and provisions and applicable Law as of the Closing Date have been made;

(vi) With respect to each Title IV Plan: (A) no reportable event (within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA that is not waived in accordance with applicable Law) has occurred within the last three years, or is reasonably expected to occur whether as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise; (B) the minimum funding standard under Section 430 of the Code has been satisfied and, during the last three (3) years, no waiver of any minimum funding standard or extension of any amortization periods has been requested or

 

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granted; (C) during the last three (3) years, all contributions required under Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code have been timely made; (D) during the last three (3) years, all amounts due to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) pursuant to Section 4007 of ERISA have been timely paid; (E) with respect to each Title IV Plan for which there has been a significant reduction in the rate of future benefit accrual as referred to in Section 204(h) of ERISA, the requirements of Section 204(h) of ERISA have been complied with; (F) during the last six (6) years, no Title IV Plan has been or is currently in “at risk” status under Section 430 of the Code or has been required to apply any of the funding-based limitations under Section 436 of the Code; (G) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is required to provide security under Section 436(f) of the Code; (H) there has been no event described in Section 4062(e) of ERISA, no liability has been incurred under Section 4062(e) of ERISA, and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not result in any event described in Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (I) no event has occurred or circumstances exist that would reasonably be expected to result in a liability under or with respect to Section 4069 of ERISA; and (J) during the last three (3) years, no proceeding has been commenced by the PBGC to terminate any Title IV Plan, and no condition exists which would reasonably be expected to constitute grounds for the termination of any such Employee Benefit Plan by the PBGC;

(vii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, any Plans or any trust created thereunder or with respect thereto has engaged in any “prohibited transaction” or “party-in-interest transaction” as such terms are defined in Section 4975 of the Code and Section 406 of ERISA that could reasonably be expected to subject any of the Plans or the Company or its Subsidiaries to a material tax or penalty on prohibited transactions or party-in-interest transactions pursuant to Section 4975 of the Code or Section 502(i) of ERISA;

(viii) there is no material claim pending (other than routine claims for benefits) with respect to any of the Plans or Benefit Programs before the IRS or the Department of Labor and no such claims have occurred in the prior three (3) years;

(ix) neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the Transactions will: (A) entitle any current or former employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any payment or benefit, cancellation of indebtedness, or increase in compensation from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (B) accelerate the time of payment or vesting of compensation under any Plan or Benefit Program, or otherwise give rise to any obligation to fund or any liability under any Plan or Benefit Program; (C) result in any forgiveness of indebtedness owed by any current or former employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any Plan or Benefit Program, or (D) impair in any way the right to amend, modify or terminate any Plan or Benefit Program;

(x) no payment which is or may be made by, from or with respect to any Benefit Program or otherwise to any current or former employee, officer or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the Transactions, alone, or in combination with any other event, will result in an “excess parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code or be subject to an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code; and

 

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(xi) no Plan or Benefit Program provides health or life insurance benefits to any former employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than health continuation coverage required under Section 4980B of the Code or similar requirements under applicable Law (with the cost of such health continuation coverage at the expense of the participant or the beneficiary of the participant or that would otherwise not result in a material liability to the Company).

5.9 Compliance with Laws. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.9, each of the Company and its Subsidiaries (a) is in possession of all material Permits required under any and all applicable Laws for the current operation of its business, except where the failure to have such Permits would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and (b) complies with any and all Laws applicable to it in all material respects. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as set forth in Schedule 5.9, (i) since the Look Back Date, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice that indicates material non-compliance with any material applicable Laws and (ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under any material applicable Laws or Permits applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

5.10 Environmental Matters.

(a) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is, and since the Look Back Date has been, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws.

(b) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries possesses, and is in compliance in all material respects with, all Permits required under applicable Environmental Laws for the operation of its business as currently conducted.

(c) Since the Look Back Date, and to the Knowledge of the Company, prior thereto, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has received or entered into any consent orders or similar enforcement orders from or with any Governmental Authority under Environmental Laws, or (ii) has received any written citation, complaint or other written notice from any Governmental Authority that alleges non-compliance with any applicable Environmental Laws, in each case of (i) and (ii), the subject of which is unresolved and except as would not be reasonably expected to result in a material liability for the Group Companies.

(d) There are no unresolved claims, actions, suits or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law that are pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing in any court or before or by any Governmental Authority against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which, if determined adversely, would be reasonably expected to result in a material liability for the Group Companies.

(e) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries and to the Knowledge of the Company, no other Person has caused or permitted the Release of any Hazardous Materials at any Real Property or any location where the Company is, or would be reasonably expected to be, responsible under applicable Environmental Laws, in each case, in concentrations or under conditions that would reasonably be expected to result in a material liability for the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole under Environmental Laws.

 

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5.11 Taxes.

(a) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has timely filed (or there have been timely filed on their behalf) with appropriate Taxing Authorities all income and other material Tax Returns required to be filed by or with respect to them (taking into account valid extensions), and all such Tax Returns are true, correct and complete in all material respects. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have timely paid all income and other material Taxes (whether or not shown to be due and payable on any such Tax Return) required to be paid by or with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is currently the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return (other than automatic extensions obtained in the ordinary course of business).

(b) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have withheld and timely paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority all material amounts of Taxes they were required to withhold and pay over (including from payments made to employees, independent contractors, creditors, stockholders and other third parties). The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has collected all material sales, use and similar Taxes required to be collected, including without limitation, value added tax for services provided by third parties, and has remitted such amounts to the appropriate Taxing Authority.

(c) As of the date hereof, there are no ongoing or pending material audits, examinations, investigations, claims, or judicial proceedings by any Taxing Authority with respect to material Taxes of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and, as of the date hereof, no Taxing Authority has threatened any such action in writing. No assessment of material Tax has been proposed by a Taxing Authority in writing against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their assets or properties, which remains unpaid or unresolved.

(d) There are no Liens for material Taxes upon any assets or properties of (or equity interests in) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for Liens described in clause (i) of the definition of Permitted Liens.

(e) As of the date hereof, there are no waivers or extensions of the statutory period of limitations applicable to the assessment or collection of any material amount of Taxes against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has requested or received any ruling or other guidance issued by any Taxing Authority.

(f) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has participated in any “listed transactions” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4 (or comparable provision of state or local Tax Law) or in any arrangements which are “notifiable arrangements” for the purposes of Part 7 of the United Kingdom Finance Act 2004.

(g) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any Tax allocation, Tax sharing, Tax indemnity agreement or other similar Contract with any Person other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any such agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business the principal purpose of which does not relate to Taxes), or has any liability for material Taxes of any Person (other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), as a transferee or successor, or by contract (other than any such contract entered into in the ordinary course of business the principal purpose of which does not relate to Taxes).

 

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(h) The Company and each Subsidiary thereof is classified as a C corporation for U.S. federal income Tax purposes.

(i) During the two (2) year period ending on the date hereof, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has distributed equity interests of another Person, or has had its equity interests distributed by another Person, in a transaction that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by Section 355 or Section 361 of the Code.

(j) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will be required to include any material item of income in, or exclude any material item of deduction from, taxable income for any Post-Closing Tax Period as a result of (i) any change in or use of an improper method of accounting (including any adjustment pursuant to Section 481(a) of the Code or any similar provision of state or local Tax Law) for a taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date; (ii) any “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any comparable Law in any jurisdiction) executed prior to the Closing; (iii) any installment sale or open transaction disposition occurring prior to the Closing; (iv) any prepaid amount or advance payment received, or deferred revenue accrued, prior to the Closing; or (v) intercompany transaction or excess loss account described in Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding provision of foreign, state or local Law). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will have to pay any Tax after the Closing as a result of Section 965(h) of the Code.

(k) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has ever received a written claim to pay Taxes or file Tax Returns from a Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where the Company or its applicable Subsidiary has not paid Taxes or filed Tax Returns that has not been fully resolved.

(l) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a member of any affiliated group (as defined in Section 1504(a) of the Code (or any comparable provision of state, local or non-U.S. Tax Law)) or consolidated, combined or unitary group for purposes of any other Taxes (in each case, other than a group that currently exists on the date hereof and that only includes the Seller, the Company and/or Subsidiaries of the Company).

(m) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has commenced a “voluntary disclosure” (or similar) proceeding in any state, local or non-U.S. jurisdiction that has not been fully resolved or settled.

(n) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has, nor has it ever had, a permanent establishment or an office or fixed place of business in any country other than its country of formation.

(o) To the Knowledge of the Company, neither Crosby US Acquisition Corp. nor Kito Americas, Inc. has been a United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.

(p) All documents which are required to evidence title of any asset held by the Company or any Subsidiary and which are liable to United Kingdom stamp duty or are required to be stamped denoting that no United Kingdom stamp duty is chargeable, have been properly and duly stamped.

 

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(q) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries (to the extent required by VAT legislation) registered (in its jurisdiction of incorporation) for the purposes of VAT, has been so registered at all times that it has been required to be registered by VAT legislation, and such registration is not subject to any conditions imposed by or agreed with a Taxing Authority which have not been complied with. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has complied in all material respects with its legal obligations relating to VAT, including maintaining and retaining materially complete, accurate and up to date records, invoices and other documents in such form and for such periods as required by Tax Law.

(r) All claims of the Company and its Subsidiaries for capital allowances which have been made under the UK Capital Allowances Act 2001 (or any corresponding or similar non-UK Tax Law) have not been withdrawn, and no available allowances have been disclaimed.

(s) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has complied in all material respects with respect to any abandoned or unclaimed property, escheat or similar Laws.

(t) Each “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” (as defined under Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code) that is or was maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has at all times been in material documentary and operational compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, or is otherwise obligated under, any Contract that provides for a reimbursement or gross up of Taxes pursuant to Section 409A of the Code, Section 4999 of the Code, or any similar state Law.

(u) No Person that is a U.S. taxpayer holds, or in the past held, Shares that are, or in the past were, non-transferable and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code with respect to which a valid election under Section 83(b) of the Code has not been or was not timely made.

5.12 Labor Matters.

(a) The Company has made available to Purchaser an accurate list as of the date of November 22, 2024 of all employees of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries as of such date, and for each of them, (i) their name (to the extent permitted by applicable Law) or employee ID number; (ii) job classification; (iii) work location; (iv) commencement date of employment with the Company or applicable Subsidiary; (v) whether paid on an hourly or salary basis; (vi) current annualized compensation, in each case, to the extent permitted by applicable Law.

(b) As of the date of this Agreement, no director, officer or key employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has provided written notice that he or she intends to terminate his or her employment.

(c) Except as set forth in Schedule 5.12(c), neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is party to or bound by any CBA.

 

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(d) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is and since the Look Back Date has been in compliance, in all material respects, with all applicable Laws respecting labor, employment, employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, wages and hours, equal pay, overtime classification of employees exempt or non-exempt under state, federal or foreign overtime and wage and hour applicable Laws, employment discrimination, harassment and retaliation, plant closings and mass layoffs, immigration, workers’ compensation, labor relations, occupational health and safety, disability and unemployment insurance. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.12(d), since the Look Back Date, all independent contractors providing services to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been properly classified as independent contractors in all material respects for purposes of all applicable Laws and Benefit Programs.

(e) Except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, there are no strikes or concerted work stoppages pending, or to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by its or their employees with respect to their employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. To the Knowledge of the Company, there are currently no labor union organizational efforts by employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to their employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(f) There has been no “collective redundancy”, “mass layoff” or “plant closing” (as defined under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, or any similar foreign, state or local mass layoff Law, statute, rule or regulation) (the “WARN Act”) with respect to a group of employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in violation of the Warn Act within the twelve (12) months prior to the date hereof.

(g) In the past three years, any allegation, complaint, charge or claim of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or sexual misconduct (a “Sexual Misconduct Allegation”) made against any individual who is or was an officer, director, employee, or independent contractor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in such person’s capacity as such, of which the Company was aware, has been reasonably investigated. In the past three years, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered into any settlement agreement or nondisclosure agreement relating to any Sexual Misconduct Allegation against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective current or former officers, directors, employees, or independent contractors.

5.13 Intellectual Property.

(a) Schedule 5.13(a) hereto sets forth a list of all foreign and domestic issuances and registrations of, and applications for, patents, trademarks, copyrights and domain names owned or purported to be owned by, as of the date hereof, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (“Registered Company Intellectual Property”), together with any Software that constitutes Owned Intellectual Property. The Company and its Subsidiaries (i) own all right, title and interest in or to, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens, all material Owned Intellectual Property and are the owner of record for all Registered Company Intellectual Property, and (ii) have rights to use, pursuant to a valid, enforceable Intellectual Property License, all other material Intellectual Property used by or otherwise necessary to the Company and its Subsidiaries in their respective businesses as currently conducted.

 

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(b) Schedule 5.13(b) lists all material Contracts under which a third party licenses or provides any material Intellectual Property (including covenants not to sue, non-assertion provisions or releases or immunities from suit that relate to Intellectual Property) to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or under which the Company or its Subsidiaries licenses or provides any material Intellectual Property to any third party (collectively “Intellectual Property Licenses”), excluding (A) any licenses for Shrink-Wrap Code or for Open Source Software, (B) nondisclosure agreements entered in the ordinary course of business that contain customary terms, (C) any grants of Intellectual Property by an employee or contractor of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business or on Company’s standard forms made available to counsel for Purchaser (without material modification), (D) non-exclusive licenses of Intellectual Property granted by the Company or its Subsidiaries to any third party pursuant to the Company’s standard forms made available to counsel for Purchaser (without material modification) and (E) any IP License Exception. Except as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, the Company and its Subsidiaries are in material compliance with all licenses governing the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ use of third-party Intellectual Property. Other than (A) material Intellectual Property licensed to the Company and its Subsidiaries under (i) licenses for the Open Source Software, (ii) licenses for Shrink-Wrap Code, (iii) nondisclosure agreements entered in the ordinary course of business that contain customary terms (and no residuals clauses), (iv) the Company’s standard forms with employees and contractors made available to counsel for Purchaser, and (v) the Contracts set forth in (and not required to be set forth in) Schedule 5.13(b), and (B) any other material Intellectual Property to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has sufficient rights, no material third party Intellectual Property (other than immaterial third party trademarks) is used in or necessary for the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as it currently is conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries, including the design, development, manufacture, use, hosting, marketing, import for resale, distribution, provisioning, licensing out and/or sale of all Company Products.

(c) Except as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, all Owned Intellectual Property is fully transferable, alienable, and licensable to any Person whatsoever by the Company and its Subsidiaries without restriction and without payment of any kind to any third party. Except as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and except as set forth on Schedule 5.4(b), neither this Agreement nor the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, will cause: (i) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to grant to any third party any right to or with respect to any Company Intellectual Property, (ii) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to lose any rights in or to any Company Intellectual Property, or (iii) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to be in violation of any provision of any Contract (including restriction on assignment) or to be obligated to pay any royalties or other fees or consideration with respect to any Intellectual Property of any third party in excess of those payable by the Company and its Subsidiaries in the absence of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

(d) The material Owned Intellectual Property is valid and enforceable and the Registered Company Intellectual Property is subsisting. Except as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, with respect to each item of Registered Company Intellectual Property: (A) all necessary registration, maintenance and renewal fees have been paid, and all necessary documents and certificates have been filed with the relevant Patent, Copyright,

 

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Trademark or other authorities, Governmental Authorities, or registrars in the United States or foreign jurisdictions, as the case may be, for the purposes of maintaining the Registered Company Intellectual Property; and (B) each such item is currently in compliance with formal legal requirements (including payment of filing, examination and maintenance fees and proofs of use), in each case of (A) and (B), except as has not resulted in the lapse or abandonment thereof. Since the Look Back Date, there have been no claims received or threatened in writing by or, threatened in writing against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries contesting the validity, ownership, use, or enforceability of any of the material Intellectual Property owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable steps to maintain rights in the Registered Company Intellectual Property.

(e) Since the Look Back Date, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has made any written claim of any violation, misappropriation or infringement by other Persons of any Owned Intellectual Property. To the Knowledge of the Company, no other Persons are infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating any material Owned Intellectual Property or have done so since the Look Back Date.

(f) Since the Look Back Date, (i) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice that it is violating, misappropriating or infringing upon the Intellectual Property of other Persons, and (ii) since the Look Back Date, the operation of the businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including the manufacture or sale by the Company or its Subsidiaries of any Company Products or the use of any Company Intellectual Property by the Company or its Subsidiaries has not been and is not currently violating, misappropriating, or infringing upon any Intellectual Property rights of other Persons.

(g) Except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, each employee of the Company and its Subsidiaries and any other Person responsible for creating, inventing, improving or otherwise developing any Intellectual Property for or on behalf of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries has validly and enforceably assigned to the Company or one of its Subsidiaries all Intellectual Property Rights he or she developed for or on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries or in the scope of such Person’s employment or engagement with the Company or its Subsidiaries. Except as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, without limiting the foregoing, no Person (other than the Company or its Subsidiaries) owns or has any right, claim, interest or option, including the right to further remuneration or consideration or to assert any Moral Rights, with respect to any material Owned Intellectual Property, nor has any employee, consultant, or independent contractor made any written or, to the Company’s Knowledge, verbal assertions with respect to any alleged ownership thereof or any such right, claim, interest or option, nor threatened in a writing received by the Company any such assertion. To the Company’s Knowledge, it will not be necessary for the Company’s conduct of its business to use any inventions of any of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ employees, consultants or independent contractors (or Persons it currently intends to hire) made prior to their employment or retention, as applicable, by the Company and its Subsidiaries, which inventions have not been assigned or, with respect to consultants or independent contractors, licensed to the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

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(h) The Company and its Subsidiaries take and at all times since the Look Back Date have taken commercially reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of any trade secrets or confidential information owned by or in the possession of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Except as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, since the Look Back Date, there has been no disclosure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any trade secrets or confidential information owned by or in the possession of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except pursuant to a valid, enforceable confidentiality Contract that maintains the secrecy of such trade secrets or confidential information owned by or in the possession of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(i) The Company and its Subsidiaries take commercially reasonable steps designed to protect the Company Systems and the information stored therein from any unauthorized access, interruption or modification by any third party. Since the Look Back Date, there have been no material (i) breakdowns or outages of the Company Systems that have caused any material disruption in the operation of the Company’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ businesses that have not been remediated in all material respects, or (ii) Security Breaches of, or other unauthorized access to, any Company Systems owned or controlled by the Company or its Subsidiaries.

(j) Neither the Company, its Subsidiaries nor any other Person acting on its behalf has disclosed, delivered or licensed to any Person; currently agrees to disclose, deliver or license to any Person; or authorized the disclosure or delivery to any escrow agent or other Person of, any source code for any material Software constituting Owned Intellectual Property, except for disclosures to employees or to consultants, or independent contractors under binding written agreements that prohibit use or disclosure except in the performance of services to the Company or its Subsidiaries.

(k) The Company and its Subsidiaries are, and at all times since the Lookback Date have been, in material compliance with (i) all applicable Laws pertaining to (A) privacy, data security, cyber security, data protection, security incident notification, marketing, electronic and telephonic communications, and e-commerce and (B) the Processing of Personal Data ((A) and (B) together “Privacy Laws”); (ii) all Contracts (or portions thereof) to which the Company or one of its Subsidiaries is a party that are applicable to the Processing of Personal Data (collectively, “Privacy Agreements”); and (iii) the applicable requirements of the PCI Security Standards Council’s Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard.

(l) The Company and its Subsidiaries have implemented written policies relating to Processing of Personal Data, including, without limitation, a publicly posted website privacy policy, mobile application privacy policy, and a comprehensive information security program that includes appropriate written information security and information technology policies (“Privacy and Information Security Policies”). The Company and its Subsidiaries do not sell, rent, or otherwise make available any Personal Data to non-affiliated third parties for the third parties’ own use. Except as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, there is no pending, nor has there been since the Look Back Date, any, complaint, audit, proceeding, investigation, or claim against (and received in writing by) the Company or its Subsidiaries initiated by any Person or Governmental Authority alleging that any Processing by or on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries is in violation of any applicable Privacy Requirements or otherwise constitutes an unfair, deceptive, abusive, or misleading trade practice.

 

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(m) Except as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, at all times since the Look Back Date, the Company and its Subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable steps (including, without limitation, implementing, maintaining, and monitoring compliance with commercially reasonable measures with respect to administrative, organizational, technical and physical security) to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and security of all Personal Data, customer data, and confidential information in their possession or control against damage, loss, and against unauthorized access, acquisition, use, modification, disclosure, Processing, or other misuse. To the extent required for the Company and its Subsidiaries to materially comply with applicable Privacy Laws, the Company and its Subsidiaries contractually require third parties, including vendors and other persons providing services to the Company or Subsidiaries that have access to or Process Personal Data from or on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries to comply with all applicable Privacy Laws, and to take commercially reasonable steps to ensure that all of Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ Personal Data, customer data, and confidential information in such third parties’ possession or control is protected against damage, loss, and against unauthorized access, acquisition, use, modification, disclosure, Processing or other misuse.

(n) Since the Look Back Date, there has been no (i) unauthorized access, use, processing, loss, destruction, modification, unavailability, or disclosure of Personal Data, customer data, or confidential information in the possession or control of the Company or its Subsidiaries; or (ii) denial of service, ransomware, successful phishing, social engineering, or business email compromise incident, in each case, suffered by and that is material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries ((i) or (ii) a “Security Breach”). Since the Look Back Date, the Company has not provided any notices to, nor has it been legally required to provide any such notices, to any Person as a result of any such Security Breach. To the Knowledge of the Company, no third-party Processing Personal Data, customer data, or confidential information on behalf of Company or its Subsidiaries has since the Look Back Date experienced a Security Breach affecting Company’s or its Subsidiaries Personal Data, customer data, or confidential information. Since the Look Back Date, neither the Company, its Subsidiaries, nor any third party acting at their direction or authorization has paid any perpetrator of any actual or threatened Security Breach or cyber-attack, including, but not limited to a ransomware attack or a denial-of-service attack.

(o) Except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, since the Look Back Date, the Company and its Subsidiaries have not (i) received direct written communication from any website or online services owner or operator that their access to such website is unauthorized; (ii) entered into a written agreement with any website or online services owner or operator prohibiting scraping activity; (iii) accessed any website’s or online service’s information through illicitly circumventing a password requirement or similar technological barrier; or (iv) scraped any data from a website or online service that has a clickwrap agreement prohibiting such activity.

(p) Except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and except as set forth on Schedule 5.4(b), neither the execution, delivery, or performance of this Agreement or the other operative documents nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the other operative documents will violate any Privacy Requirements.

 

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(q) Except as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries have obtained and possess valid licenses to use all of the software programs installed on the computers and other software-enabled electronic devices that it owns or leases or that it has otherwise provided to its employees for their use in connection with the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ businesses, (ii) the Company and its Subsidiaries take commercially reasonable steps designed to safeguard the confidentiality, security, and integrity of the Company Systems and (iii) the Company Systems are, as of the date hereof and have been since the Look Back Date, free from any virus, malware, or malicious code and are sufficient for the operation of the business of Company and its Subsidiaries. Since the Look Back Date, there have been no failures or breakdowns of the Company Systems that materially disrupted the operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

5.14 Insurance. Schedule 5.14 hereto contains a true and complete list of all insurance policies (including interests in captive entities and reinsurers)held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement (other than any of the foregoing underlying, constituting or maintained in connection with any Plans or Benefit Programs) (collectively, “Insurance Policies”), true and complete copies of which have been made available to Purchaser. All Insurance Policies are in full force and effect, all material amounts due for premiums with respect thereto covering all periods up to an including the Closing Date will have been paid in accordance with their terms, and no written notice of cancellation or termination has been received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any such policy. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.14, (a) no member of the Company has made any material claim under any Insurance Policy since the Lookback Date with respect to which an insurer has, in a written notice to any Group Company, denied or disputed its rights with respect to coverage other than customary reservations of rights and (b) no insurer has threatened in writing to cancel any Insurance Policy. A true and complete claims history for each Insurance Policy covering the three-year period prior to the date hereof has been made available to Purchaser.

5.15 Real Property.

(a) Schedule 5.15(a) sets forth the addresses of all real property owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (the “Owned Real Property”). The Company or its Subsidiary, as applicable, has good, valid, and to the extent applicable in the jurisdiction in which the applicable Owned Real Property is located, marketable, title to all Owned Real Property, free and clear of all Liens, except Permitted Liens. Except as would not be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole:

(i) there are no pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened condemnation proceedings, suits or administrative actions relating to any Owned Real Property;

(ii) such Owned Real Property is in compliance with all applicable Laws and Permits affecting such Owned Real Property, and the Company has not received written notice of violation of any such Laws which have not heretofore been cured or corrected;

(iii) Such Owned Real Property and all improvements thereon are in reasonably good working condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted, subject only to normal, scheduled maintenance, and are reasonably sufficient for their current uses in the operation of the business of the Group Companies as currently conducted thereon;

 

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(iv) there are no contracts or other, agreements, granting to any third party or parties the right of use or occupancy of such Owned Real Property, or any portion thereof, and there are no third parties in possession of any such Owned Real Property;

(v) each such Owned Real Property has adequate direct vehicular access to a public road;

(vi) such Owned Real Property has adequate access to utilities and other services necessary for the operation of the business of the Group Companies as currently conducted at such Owned Real Property;

(b) Schedule 5.15(b)(i) hereto sets forth a list of the addresses of all real property leased, subleased, licensed or otherwise used and occupied by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than the Owned Real Property (the “Leased Real Property”). True, complete and correct copies of all leases, subleases, licenses, or other agreements pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries hold an interest in the Leased Real Property (the “Leases”), together with all amendments, extensions, renewals, guaranties and other material agreements with respect thereto, have been provided or otherwise made available to Purchaser. Except as would not be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole, or except as set forth on Schedule 5.15(b)(ii), with respect to each of the Leases: (i) such Lease is in full force and effect and is a valid and binding obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is a party thereto and enforceable in accordance with its terms against the Company or such Subsidiary and, to the Knowledge of the Company, each other party thereto; (ii) no Group Company has received written notice from any counterparty to such Lease claiming that such Group Company is in default under such Lease; (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party is in default or breach of such Lease, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there does not exist any event, condition or omission that would, with the giving of notice or the passage of time, or both, constitute such a default or breach; (iv) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries have not subleased, licensed or otherwise granted any Person the right to use or occupy the Leased Real Property or any portion thereof; (v) the applicable Group Company’s leasehold interest in the Leased Real Property is free and clear of all Liens, except Permitted Liens; (vi) the Group Companies’ use and operation of the Leased Real Property is in compliance with all applicable Laws and Permits; (viii) the Group Companies’ possession and quiet enjoyment of the Leased Real Property has not been disturbed; and (ix) all buildings and improvements at the Leased Real Property which the Group Companies are responsible for maintaining pursuant to the terms of the applicable Lease are in reasonably good working condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and are reasonably sufficient for their current uses in the operation of the business of the Group Companies as currently conducted.

 

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5.16 Contracts.

(a) As of the date hereof, except for Plans or Benefit Programs or Lease, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any of the following (each, a “Company Material Contract”):

(i) any Contract (other than purchase orders with suppliers or customers entered into in the ordinary course of business) that involves annual payments or consideration furnished by or to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of more than $2,500,000;

(ii) any Contract with any officer, director, manager, equityholder or Affiliate of any Group Company or any family member of such Person, including indemnification agreements, that have any continuing obligations as of the date of this Agreement;

(iii) any Contract for capital expenditures by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $2,500,000;

(iv) any material Contract for the license of material Intellectual Property used by the Company and its Subsidiaries in excess of $2,500,000 (other than any (A) “shrink wrap” or other licenses for commercially available off-the-shelf software, (B) licenses granted by or to customers, suppliers, distributors and vendors in the ordinary course of business, (C) Contracts relating to free or open source software, or (D) Contracts where the granting or obtaining of rights to Intellectual Property is ancillary or incidental to the transactions contemplated in such Contract) (clauses (A)-(D), each, an “IP License Exception”));;

(v) any Contract relating to the borrowing of money from Persons other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or the guaranty of another Person’s borrowing of money or other obligation, including all notes, mortgages, indentures and other obligations, guarantees of performance, agreements and instruments for or relating to any lending or borrowing (other than advances to employees for expenses in the ordinary course of business or transactions with customers on credit in the ordinary course of business or Contracts pursuant to which money is owed to a member of the Group Companies);

(vi) any collective bargaining agreement or similar agreement with any labor union, works council, or similar labor organization covering employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (each, a “CBA”);

(vii) any Contract (A) containing a covenant limiting in any material respect the right of a Group Company to (I) engage in any line of business, or (II) compete with any Person in any line of business or any geographic area, (B) prohibiting or limiting the right of a Group Company to make, sell or distribute any products or services or (C) containing a “most favored nation” clause in favor of a third party;

(viii) any Contract for joint ventures, partnerships, strategic alliances or similar arrangements;

(ix) any Contract granting to any Person (other than a member of the Group Companies) an option or a first-refusal, first-offer or similar preferential right to purchase or acquire any material assets of any of the Group Companies;

(x) any warranty, indemnification, guaranty or other similar undertaking with respect to contractual performance extended by the Group Companies other than in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(xi) any settlement, conciliation, or similar Contract entered into since the Lookback Date arising out of or related to any claim asserted by any Person (including any Governmental Authority) which has an outstanding monetary obligation greater than $1,000,000; or

(xii) any Contract involving the sale or purchase of all or substantially all of the assets or capital stock (including by merger) of any Person (A) entered into since the Look Back Date, or (B) for which a Group Company has any executory obligations, other than customary post-closing covenants and indemnification obligations.

(b) The Company has made available to Purchaser true and correct copies of each Company Material Contract. Each Company Material Contract listed or required to be listed on Schedule 5.16(a) is a valid and binding obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is party thereto and enforceable in accordance with its terms against the Company or such Subsidiary and, to the Knowledge of the Company, each other party thereto. To the Knowledge of the Company, no such other party to a Company Material Contract has provided or received any notice of any intention to terminate any Company Material Contract. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party is in material default or breach of any of the Company Material Contracts, and no event has occurred which, with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute a default or breach under any Company Material Contract.

5.17 International Trade and Anti-Corruption Matters.

(a) For the past five (5) years, neither the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, nor any of their representatives or any agent acting at the direction or on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries, has: (i) provided, offered, gifted, promised, or made any contribution, bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback, or other payment, in any form, whether in money, property, or services, to any Person, private or public, including any Government Official, political party, or candidate for government office (A) to influence any act or decision of such official, party, or candidate in his or her official capacity, induce such official, party, or candidate to do or omit to do any act in violation of their lawful duty, secure any improper advantage, obtain favorable treatment, secure contracts, or obtain special concessions for the benefit of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (B) to induce such official, party, or candidate to use his or her influence with his or her government or instrumentality to affect or influence any act or decision of such government or instrumentality, in order to assist the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any person; (ii) paid for favorable treatment for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or for contracts secured; (iii) made payments to secure special concessions already obtained; in the case of (i) – (iii) in violation of any applicable Anti-Corruption Laws.

(b) The Company and its Subsidiaries are currently, and for the last five (5) years have been, in compliance with applicable International Trade Laws.

(c) The Company and its Subsidiaries are currently, and since April 24, 2019, have been, in compliance with applicable Sanctions Laws. Neither the Company, its Subsidiaries, nor anyofficer, director, employee or agent of the Company or any other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries is a Sanctioned Person.

 

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(d) For the past five (5) years, there has not been, and there is no, pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened Legal Proceeding before any court or other Governmental Entity against the Company, its Subsidiaries, or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives (in each case, in their capacity as such), or any internal investigation by the Company or its Subsidiaries, or their respective legal or other representatives or a Governmental Entity, that relates to a potential or actual material violation of any International Trade Laws, Sanctions Laws, and Anti-Corruption Laws, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, does a basis for any such claim exist.

5.18 [RESERVED].

5.19 Transactions With Affiliates. Schedule 5.19 hereto sets forth all Contracts between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and officers, directors, managers, equityholders, or Affiliates of the Company or its Subsidiaries (other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any family member of such Person, on the other hand, that will not be terminated effective as of the Closing Date. Except for (a) employment and equity agreements and arrangements entered into by a Group Company and any employee thereto, (b) participation in Plans by employees, or (c) as disclosed on Schedule 5.19, none of the officers, directors, managers, equityholders, or Affiliates of the Company or its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any family member of such Person, (i) owns any material property which is used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the conduct of its business, (ii) owes any amount to the Group Companies, nor do the Group Companies owe any amount to, or has any Group Company committed to make any loan or extend or guarantee credit to or for the benefit of, any such Person, or (iii) has purchased, acquired or leased any property, rights or services from, or sold, transferred or leased any assets, property, rights or services to any Group Company.

5.20 Brokers and Finders. Neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors or employees has engaged, as of the date hereof, any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any brokerage fees, commissions or finder’s fees in connection with the Transactions, except as set forth on Schedule 5.20.

5.21 Personal Property; Condition and Sufficiency of Assets.

(a) Except as disposed of in the ordinary course of business, the Group Companies have good and marketable title to, or in the case of leased tangible assets and other personal property, a valid leasehold interest in, all material items of tangible personal property reflected on the Financial Statements as owned or leased by a member of the Group Companies, free and clear of any Liens other than Permitted Liens.

(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 5.21, the buildings, plants, structures, furniture, fixtures, machinery, equipment, vehicles and other items of tangible personal property of the Group Companies are structurally sound, are in good operating condition and repair, and are adequate for the uses to which they are being put, and none of such buildings, plants, structures,

 

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furniture, fixtures, machinery, equipment, vehicles and other items of tangible personal property is in need of maintenance or repairs except for ordinary, routine maintenance and repairs that are not material in nature or cost. The buildings, plants, structures, furniture, fixtures, machinery, equipment, vehicles and other items of tangible personal property currently owned or leased by the Group Companies, together with all other properties and assets of the Group Companies, are sufficient for the continued conduct of the business of the Group Companies after the Closing in substantially the same manner as conducted prior to the Closing and constitute all of the rights, property and assets necessary to conduct the business of the Group Companies as currently conducted.

5.22 Top Customers.

(a) Schedule 5.22(a) sets forth the names of the top ten (10) customers of the Group Companies by dollar purchase volume (measured by the gross amount invoiced to such customer during the applicable period) that purchased goods, products or services from the Group Companies during the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2024, respectively (each a “Top Customer” and collectively, the “Top Customers”), together with the amount of the dollar purchase volume of each such Top Customer.

(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 5.22(b), the Group Companies do not provide any special rebate, discount or similar programs (whether or not in writing) to any of the Top Customers. The Group Companies maintain good relations with each Top Customer and is in compliance with the terms and conditions of each Top Customer, and no event has occurred that would adversely affect any Group Company’s relations with any such Top Customer. Since December 31, 2024, none of the Top Customers has canceled, terminated or made any threat in writing to: (i) cancel or otherwise terminate its Contract with any Group Company, (ii) cancel or otherwise terminate its business relationship with any Group Company or (iii) materially decrease its usage of any Group Company’s services or products. None of the Top Customers has advised any Group Company in writing that it will require any member of the Group Companies to reduce prices or otherwise adversely change the terms of sale to such Top Customer as a condition of obtaining business or retaining existing business.

5.23 Top Suppliers.

(a) Schedule 5.23(a) sets forth the names of the top ten (10) vendors and/or suppliers by dollar purchase volume (measured by the gross amount invoiced to the Group Companies by such vendor and/or supplier during the applicable period) from which any Group Company ordered raw materials, components, supplies, merchandise, finished goods and related services or other goods and services (collectively, “Goods”) during the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2024, respectively (each a “Top Supplier” and collectively, the “Top Suppliers”), together with the total amount for which each such Top Supplier invoiced the Group Companies for the applicable time period.

 

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(b) The Group Companies maintain good relations with each of the Top Suppliers, and no event has occurred that would materially and adversely affect any Group Company’s relations with any such Top Supplier. Since December 31, 2024, no Top Supplier has canceled, terminated or made any threat in writing to cancel or otherwise terminate its business relationship with any Group Company. None of the Top Suppliers have advised any Group Company, in writing, that any Top Supplier intends to refuse or otherwise fail to supply Goods to any Group Company at any time after the Closing Date in a manner consistent with past practices or has breached its obligations to any Group Company in any material respect since the Lookback Date that was not cured after a reasonable period after notice from the applicable Group Company.

5.24 Products Warranty. Since the Look Back Date, each product manufactured, sold, leased, or delivered by the Group Companies has been in conformity in all material respects with all applicable contractual commitments, and no Group Company has any material Liabilities (and there has been no written notice or indication of intent of any reasonable basis for any present or future action, suit, claim or Legal Proceeding against any of them giving rise to any material Liability) for replacement or repair thereof or other damage in connection therewith in excess of any reserve for product warranty claims included in the Interim Financial Statements, as adjusted for the passage of time through the Closing Date in accordance with the past custom and practice of the Group Companies. Since the Look Back Date, no product manufactured, sold, leased, or delivered by any Group Company is subject to any guaranty, warranty, or other indemnity beyond the applicable terms and conditions of sale or lease.

5.25 Accounts and Notes Payable. All accounts payable and notes payable by each Group Company to third parties arose in the ordinary course of business and, there is no such account payable or note payable that is past due according to its terms, except those contested in good faith.

5.26 [RESERVED].

5.27 Government Contracts.

(a) No Current Government Contract was, at the time of award or currently, dependent upon the Company having any Preferred Bidder Status, either individually or as a member of a joint venture, and no Government Bid required the Company to certify or represent that it had Preferred Bidder Status, either individually or as a member of a joint venture, either to be eligible for award or to receive credit under the evaluation criteria of the solicitation to which the Government Bid relates. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has submitted a Government Bid or been awarded a Government Contract which the Company or its Subsidiaries was ineligible to be awarded due to its bidder status classification at the time such Government Bid was submitted (including in connection with a procurement reserved or set-aside for companies having a Preferred Bidder Status). With respect to each Government Contract, no Person has informed the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that the applicable Governmental Authority or higher tier contractor shall terminate, reduce expenditures under or fail to exercise options included in the Government Contract because of any change in Preferred Bidder Status following size recertification or consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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(b) With respect to each Government Contract, Government Vendor Subcontract, Teaming Agreement and Government Bid, to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no Current Government Contracts or Government Bids (or mitigation plans under such Current Government Contracts or Government Bids) that include one or more terms or provisions that restrict the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ ability to bid on or perform work on specific future contracts or programs or for specific periods of time based upon “organizational conflicts of interest,” as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5 or other applicable Law, regulation, or Contract term.

(c) Since the Look Back Date, with respect to any Government Contract or Government Bid: (i) there is no pending Action or, to the Knowledge of the Company, reasonable basis to give rise to any Action against the Company for Fraud or under the United States civil or criminal False Claims Acts, the United States Procurement Integrity Act or other applicable Law, (ii) there have been no written document requests, subpoenas, search warrants or civil investigative demands received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with or related to any Government Contract or Government Bid, (iii) neither the Company, its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective predecessors nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any officer, manager or director of the Company or its Subsidiaries has been notified by a Governmental Authority that it was under administrative, civil or criminal investigation, indictment or criminal investigation, or audit (other than routine audits by the Defense Contract Audit Agency in the ordinary course of business) with respect to any Government Contract or Government Bid, and (iv) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has ever made a written voluntary or mandatory disclosure to a Governmental Authority with respect to any alleged material false statements, false claims, failure to comply with applicable Law, or alleged material irregularity, misstatement or omission arising under or relating to any Government Contract or Government Bid.

(d) (i) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company nor, to the Knowledge of the Company any officer, manager, director or any “Principal” (as defined in FAR 2.101) of the Company or its Subsidiaries, has been debarred, proposed for debarment or suspended from participation in the award of Government Contracts (it being understood that debarment and suspension do not include ineligibility to bid for certain contracts due to generally applicable bidding requirements); nor subject to any indictment, lawsuit, subpoena, civil investigative demand, discovery request, Legal Proceeding, voluntary disclosure, consent decree, judgment, deferred prosecution agreement, Action, dispute, mediation, arbitration or settlement concerning any material violation of any requirement pertaining to a Government Contract or Government Bid; nor are any of them listed on the List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and Nonprocurement Programs, (ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been determined by a Governmental Authority to be non-responsible or ineligible for award of a Government Contract since the Look Back Date, and (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, Affiliates, officers, managers, directors or “Principals” (as defined in FAR 2-101) has since the Look Back Date been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for: commission of Fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain or performing a public (federal, state or local) contract or subcontract; violation of federal or state antitrust statutes relating to the submission of offers; or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, tax evasion, violating federal criminal Tax Laws or receiving stolen property.

 

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ARTICLE VI

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule, Purchaser hereby makes the representations and warranties contained in this Article VI to the Company and the Sellers:

6.1 Organization, Good Standing and Qualification.

(a) Purchaser is a corporation, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of New York and has the requisite power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties, assets and rights and to carry on its business as currently conducted.

(b) Purchaser is qualified to do business and is in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good standing) as a foreign corporation or other legal entity in each jurisdiction where the ownership, leasing or operation of its assets, properties, rights or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so organized, validly existing, qualified, in good standing or to have such power or authority is not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Purchaser’s ability to consummate the Transactions.

6.2 Corporate Authority; Approval. Purchaser has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and has taken all corporate action necessary to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each other agreement, document, instrument or certificate contemplated by this Agreement or to be executed by Purchaser in connection with the consummation of the Transactions (the “Purchaser Documents”) and to consummate the Transactions. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Purchaser and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Company and the Sellers, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Purchaser enforceable against Purchaser in accordance with its terms, subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception. No vote or consent of the direct or indirect holders of any capital stock of, or other equity or voting interest in, Purchaser is required to approve this Agreement or the Financing, including, but not limited to, the PIPE Financing.

6.3 Governmental Filings; No Violations; Certain Contracts.

(a) Except for (i) compliance with, and filings under, the HSR Act; (ii) compliance with, and filings under, the applicable requirements of Antitrust Laws of jurisdictions other than the United States and under the applicable requirements of Foreign Investment Laws; and (iii) such other items as disclosed in Section 6.3(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, no notices, reports or other filings are required to be made by Purchaser with, nor are any consents, registrations, approvals, permits or authorizations required to be obtained by Purchaser from any Governmental Authority in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Purchaser and the consummation of the Transactions, except those that the failure to make or obtain, as the case may be, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Purchaser to consummate the Transactions.

 

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(b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Purchaser does not constitute or result in (i) a breach or violation of, or a default under, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of Purchaser or (ii) with or without notice, lapse of time or both, a breach or violation of, a termination (or right of termination) or default under, the creation, cancellation, acceleration, loss, impairment or alteration or other change of any rights, benefits or obligations under, result in the payment of any fee under, or the creation of a Lien on any of the assets, properties or rights of Purchaser or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to, any Contract, or assuming (solely with respect to performance of this Agreement and consummation of the Transactions) compliance with the matters referred to in Section 6.3(a), under any Law or Permit to which Purchaser, or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, except, in the case of clause (ii), for any such breach, violation, termination, default, creation, cancellation, acceleration, loss, impairment, alteration, change, fee or Lien that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the ability of Purchaser to consummate the Transactions.

6.4 Litigation. There are no Legal Proceedings or material actions, suits, proceedings or orders pending or threatened against Purchaser that are reasonably likely to prohibit or restrain the ability of Purchaser to enter into this Agreement or any Related Document or to consummate the Transactions.

6.5 Brokers and Finders. Other than J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., neither Purchaser nor any of its officers, directors or employees has engaged any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any brokerage fees, commissions or finder’s fees in connection with the Transactions.

6.6 Financing.

(a) Purchaser has, as of the date hereof, delivered to the Company complete and accurate copies of executed (i) debt commitment letters, dated as of the date of this Agreement, among Purchaser and the lenders and other Persons party thereto, (ii) the Equity Commitment Letter, and (iii) Investment Agreement (the Equity Commitment Letter together with the Investment Agreement, the “PIPE Agreements”), between Purchaser and the PIPE Investor party thereto (together with all annexes, schedules and exhibits thereto and any fee letters related thereto redacted in a manner described below and any Definitive Financing Agreement executed prior to the Closing, as amended or otherwise modified in accordance with Section 7.8, the “Financing Instruments”), in each case, pursuant to which the lenders and other Persons party thereto or the PIPE Investor, as applicable, have agreed, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, to provide or cause to be provided the amounts set forth therein for the purpose, among others, of financing the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and related fees and expenses to be incurred by Purchaser in connection therewith and for the other purposes set forth therein (the “Financing”). The portion of the Financing provided pursuant to the PIPE Agreements is referred to herein as the “PIPE Financing” and the portion of the Financing provided pursuant to the debt commitment letters is referred to herein as the “Debt Financing”. Purchaser has also delivered to the Company a true, correct and complete copy of any fee letter (with the fee and other provisions, including any “market flex” term, “successful syndication” levels, pricing terms and other commercially sensitive information specified therein redacted, in each case, so long as no such redaction covers terms that would cause the proceeds of the Debt Financing, together with any cash on hand, to be less than the Required Amount, or otherwise impact the conditionality, availability or termination of the Debt Financing) executed in connection with the Financing Instruments relating to the Debt Financing (any such letter, a “Fee Letter”).

 

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(b) As of the date of this Agreement, (i) the Financing Instruments are in full force and effect against Purchaser and, against each other party thereto, and have not been amended, withdrawn, terminated, rescinded or modified , (ii) no such amendment, withdrawal, termination, rescindment or modification is contemplated by Purchaser or, to the knowledge of Purchaser, by the other parties thereto (other than to add bona fide, creditworthy lenders, lead arrangers, bookrunners, syndication agents and other Financing Sources), (iii) the respective commitments contained therein have not been withdrawn, terminated, repudiated, rescinded, amended, supplemented or modified in any respect and (iv) the Financing Instruments represent legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of Purchaser and, to the knowledge of Purchaser, each other party thereto, except as enforceability may be limited by laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity). There are no (A) other Contracts, side letters or arrangements to which Purchaser or any of its Affiliates is a party relating to the funding or investing, as applicable, of the Financing or (B) contingencies or conditions precedent to the obligations of the Financing Sources party to the Financing Instruments to fund the full amount of the Financing on the Closing Date, in each case, other than as expressly set forth in the Financing Instruments.

(c) Assuming (x) the Financing is funded in accordance with the Financing Instruments and (y) the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 9.1, the Financing, together with any cash on hand, is sufficient to satisfy Purchaser’s obligations hereunder to (i) make all payments contemplated to be made by Purchaser under this Agreement in connection with the Transactions (including the payment of all amounts payable by Purchaser pursuant to Article II in connection with or as a result of the Transactions), and (ii) pay all fees and expenses required to be paid at the Closing by Purchaser in connection with the Transactions and the Financing (such amount, the “Required Amount”).

(d) As of the date of this Agreement, (i) to the knowledge of Purchaser, no event has occurred that, with or without notice, lapse of time or both, would (A) constitute a default or breach on the part of Purchaser under any term or condition of the Financing Instruments that would give rise to a right on the part of the relevant Financing Source to terminate its obligations to provide the Financing under the Financing Instruments or (B) constitute a failure to satisfy a condition precedent on the part of Purchaser or any other party thereto under the Financing Instruments assuming satisfaction of the conditions to Closing set forth therein or (C) result in the portion of the Financing constituting the Required Amount contemplated to terminate or to be unavailable on the Closing Date, and (ii) assuming satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article III and Article IX, Purchaser has no reason to believe (x) that it will be unable to satisfy, on a timely basis, any condition to the funding of the Financing or (y) that any portion of the Financing will be unavailable on the Closing Date.

(e) Purchaser has fully paid and any all commitment or other fees required by the Financing Instruments to be paid on or before the date of this Agreement.

 

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6.7 Solvency. Assuming (x) the conditions to Closing set forth in Article X are satisfied, (y) the accuracy in all material respects of the representations and warranties set forth in Article IV and Article V hereof and (z) the performance in all material respects by the Group Companies of the covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, then immediately after giving effect to all of the Transactions, Purchaser and its Subsidiaries will be Solvent. For the purpose of this Section 6.7, the term “Solvent” when used with respect to any Person, means that, as of any date of determination: (i) the amount of the “fair saleable value” of the assets of such Person shall, as of such date, exceed: (A) the value of all “liabilities of such Person, including contingent and other liabilities,” as of such date, as such quoted terms are generally determined in accordance with applicable Laws governing determinations of the insolvency of debtors; and (B) the amount that shall be required to pay the probable liabilities of such Person on its existing debts (including contingent liabilities) as such debts become absolute and matured; (ii) such Person shall not have, as of such date, an unreasonably small amount of capital for the operation of the businesses in which it is engaged or proposed to be engaged following such date; and (iii) such Person shall be able to pay its liabilities, including contingent and other liabilities, as they mature. For the purpose of this definition, “not have an unreasonably small amount of capital for the operation of the businesses in which it is engaged or proposed to be engaged” and “able to pay its liabilities, including contingent and other liabilities, as they mature” means that such Person shall be able to generate enough cash from operations, asset dispositions or refinancing, or a combination thereof, to meet its obligations as they become due. No transfer of property is being made, and no obligation is being incurred, in connection with the Transactions with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud either present or future creditors of Purchaser or any of its Subsidiaries (including, following the Closing, the Company and any of its Subsidiaries).

6.8 Condition of Business; No Other Representations.

(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that none of the Company, any other Seller Related Party or any other Person is making any representations or warranties whatsoever, express or implied, beyond those expressly given solely by each Seller in Article IV and the Letters of Transmittal and by the Company in Article V (as modified by the Disclosure Schedules). Purchaser further acknowledges and agrees that none of the Sellers, the Company or any other Person has made any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or the Transactions, beyond those expressly set forth in this Agreement in Article IV or Article V (as modified by the Disclosure Schedules) and the Letters of Transmittal, and none of the Company, the Sellers, or any other Person will have or be subject to any liability to Purchaser or any other Person resulting from the distribution to Purchaser or its representatives or Purchaser’s use of, any such information, including (i) any confidential information memoranda and/or management presentations (including responses to any questions, whether oral or written) distributed on behalf of the Company or any of its Affiliates relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or other publications or data room information provided to Purchaser or its representatives, or any other document, information or projection in any form provided to Purchaser or its representatives in connection with the Transaction or (ii) the pro-forma financial information, projections or other forward-looking statements of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case in expectation or furtherance of the Transactions.

 

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(b) Purchaser specifically disclaims that it is relying upon or has relied upon any representations or warranties, except for the representations and warranties in Article IV and Article V (each as qualified by the Disclosure Schedules), that may have been made by any Person, and acknowledges and agrees that the Company and each other Seller Related Party has specifically disclaimed and does hereby specifically disclaim any such other representation or warranty made by any Person.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.8, each of the parties retain all of its rights and remedies with respect to claims in respect of Fraud.

ARTICLE VII

PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS

7.1 Reasonable Best Efforts. Prior to the Closing, except with respect to the matters described in Section 7.2, which shall be governed by the provisions thereof, each party to this Agreement shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the conditions set forth in Article IX and Article X to be satisfied and to consummate the Transactions as promptly as practicable and in any event before the Outside Date; provided that each Purchaser, the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries shall not be required to expend any funds to obtain any third party consents.

7.2 Regulatory Matters.

(a) Each party to this Agreement shall (i) as promptly as practicable make, or cause to be made and in any event not more than thirty (30) Business Days after the date of this Agreement, unless otherwise mutually extended by the parties hereto, any filings required of each of them or any of their respective Affiliates under the HSR Act and the other Antitrust Laws and Foreign Investment Laws set forth on Schedule 7.2 with respect to the Transactions and (ii) cooperate with each other in connection with any such filings and in connection with resolving any investigation or other inquiry of any Governmental Authority under any applicable Laws with respect to any such filing relating to the Transactions, including making an appropriate response as promptly as practicable to any requests for additional information or documents by a Governmental Authority pursuant to the HSR Act or any other Antitrust Laws or the Foreign Investment Laws. Any such filings shall specifically request early termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act and, to the extent applicable, similar treatment (including simplified ‘fast track’ treatment) under any other applicable Antitrust Laws or the Foreign Investment Laws. Subject to applicable Law, each such party shall promptly inform the other party hereto of any material oral communication with, and provide copies of material written communications with, any Governmental Authority regarding any such filings or any such transaction; provided, that materials may be redacted (i) to remove references concerning the valuation of the Company, (ii) as necessary to comply with contractual arrangements or applicable Laws and (iii) as necessary to address reasonable attorney-client or other privilege or confidentiality concerns. Subject to applicable Law, no party hereto shall participate in any substantive meeting, whether in-person, telephonic, or videoconference, with any Governmental Authority in respect of any such filings, investigation or other inquiry without giving the other party hereto prior notice of the meeting and, unless prohibited by such Governmental Authority, the opportunity to attend and/or participate. Subject to applicable Law, the parties hereto will consult and cooperate with one another, and consider in good faith the views of the other party, in advance in connection with any analyses, appearances, presentations, filings, memoranda, briefs, arguments, opinions and proposals made

 

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or submitted by or on behalf of any party hereto relating to proceedings under the HSR Act or other Antitrust Laws or the Foreign Investment Laws, including providing the other party or its outside antitrust counsel a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such draft submissions (except for HSR filings). Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, Purchaser shall lead discussions with all Governmental Authorities and determine strategy related to obtaining clearances and approvals contemplated by this Section 7.2. No party shall withdraw any filing under the HSR Act or enter into any agreement with any Governmental Authority to delay, or otherwise not to consummate as soon as practicable, the Transactions, except with the prior written consent of the other parties hereto; provided, however, that Purchaser may, on one occasion, “pull and refile” its HSR filing pursuant to 16 CFR § 803.12.

(b) Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing, Purchaser shall not, and shall cause its “associates” and “affiliates” (each as defined in 16 CFR 801.1(d)) (collectively with Purchaser, the “Purchaser Entities”) and its and their respective Affiliates to not, take or agree to take any action that would reasonably be expected to (A) subject to Section 7.2(a) above, impose a material delay in the obtaining of, or materially increase the risk of not obtaining, any authorizations, consents, orders, declarations or approvals of any Governmental Authority necessary to consummate the Transactions or the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period, and (B) materially increase the risk of any Governmental Authority entering an order prohibiting the consummation of the Transactions. For the avoidance of doubt, and without limiting the foregoing, such actions include entering into or consummating any agreement, contract, or arrangement for an acquisition (by stock purchase, merger, consolidation, purchase of assets or interests, license or otherwise) of any ownership interest, assets or rights in or of any Person, but only to the extent such would trigger the restrictions set forth in (A) or (B) of the immediately prior sentence.

(c) Purchaser shall, and shall cause the Purchaser Entities and its and their respective Affiliates to, and Sellers and the Company shall, employ reasonable best efforts to take any and all actions as may be required or advisable to (1) cause the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods pursuant to the HSR Act and any Antitrust Laws and Foreign Investment Laws applicable to this Agreement or the Transactions; and (2) obtain any required consents pursuant to the HSR Act and any Antitrust Laws and Foreign Investment Laws as promptly as practicable and in any event prior to the Outside Date. Purchaser shall, and shall cause the Purchaser Entities and its and their respective Affiliates, and Purchaser’s reasonable best efforts shall specifically require Purchaser to, if necessary to avoid (not to include a request for additional information and documentary material, known as a Second Request, or any other documentary or information request) or eliminate an impediment under the HSR Act or any other Antitrust Law and any Foreign Investment Laws to the consummation of the Transactions prior to the Outside Date, offer, negotiate, commit to and effect, by consent decree, hold separate order or otherwise, (i) the sale, divestiture, transfer, license, disposition, or hold separate (through the establishment of a trust or otherwise), of any and all of the capital stock or other equity or voting interest, assets (whether tangible or intangible), rights, properties, products or businesses of Purchaser (and the Purchaser Entities and its and their respective Affiliates, if applicable) or the Company or its Subsidiaries; (ii) the termination, modification, or assignment of existing relationships, joint ventures, Contracts, or obligations of Purchaser (and the Purchaser Entities and its and their respective Affiliates, as applicable) or of the Company or its Subsidiaries; (iii) the modification of any course of conduct regarding future operations of Purchaser (and the Purchaser

 

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Entities and its and their respective Affiliates, if applicable) or of the Company or its Subsidiaries; (iv) any other restrictions on the activities of Purchaser and the Purchaser Entities and its and their respective Affiliates or the Company or its Subsidiaries, including the freedom of action of Purchaser and the Purchaser Entities and its and their respective Affiliates or of the Company or its Subsidiaries with respect to, or their ability to retain, one or more of their respective operations, divisions, businesses, product lines, customers, assets or rights or interests, or their freedom of action with respect to the assets, properties, or businesses to be acquired pursuant to this Agreement (each a “Remedial Action”). During the pendency of this Agreement, Purchaser shall oppose any request for the entry of, and seek to have vacated or terminated, any order, judgment, decree, injunction or ruling of any Governmental Authority that could restrain, prevent, or delay the Closing or the receipt of any required consents applicable to the Transactions, including by defending through litigation, any action asserted by any Person in any court or before any Governmental Authority and, if an injunction or other order is issued in any such action, suit or other proceeding, to use all reasonable best efforts to have such injunction or other order lifted, and to cooperate reasonably regarding any other impediment to the consummation of the Transactions; provided, that the Company and Sellers shall provide such assistance, information, and support as Purchaser may reasonably require in pursuit of such efforts, it being understood that all costs and expenses of all such actions shall be borne by Purchaser. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in the immediately preceding sentence shall limit Purchaser’s obligations under Section 7.2(a)-(c) of this Agreement. In the event any proceeding by a Governmental Authority is commenced which questions the validity or legality of the Transactions under any Antitrust Law, the parties hereto agree to cooperate and use all reasonable best efforts to oppose and defend against such proceeding. Nothing in this Agreement shall require (x) the Company or any of its Affiliates to take any Remedial Action with regard to any business other than the Company or to take any Remedial Action or (y) Purchaser, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates to enter into any agreement or consent decree with the DOJ, FTC, or any other Governmental Authority that is unrelated to the Transaction or is not conditioned on the Closing.

(d) Purchaser shall, promptly upon written request by Representative or the Company, reimburse such parties for (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket-fees, costs and expenses incurred in respect of the filings contemplated by this Section 7.2 or cooperating or defending a proceeding described in this Section 7.2 and (ii) fifty percent (50%) of all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket-fees, costs and expenses incurred in respect of responding to any requests for additional information received from any Governmental Authority in respect of the filings contemplated by this Section 7.2; provided, that such reimbursement described in the foregoing clause (ii) shall be subject to a maximum of $3,500,000.

7.3 Conduct of the Business Pending the Closing.

(a) Prior to the Closing, except (i) as set forth on Schedule 7.3(a), (ii) as required by applicable Law or Contract to which the Company or its Subsidiaries is bound, (iii) as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Company Documents, (iv) with the prior written consent of Purchaser (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to conduct, and cause its Subsidiaries to conduct, in all material respects, their respective businesses in the ordinary course of business.

 

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(b) Other than (i) as set forth on Schedule 7.3(b), (ii) as required by applicable Law or Contract to which the Company or its Subsidiaries is bound, (iii) as otherwise contemplated or permitted by this Agreement (including Section 8.3(c)) or any of the Company Documents, or (iv) with the prior written consent of Purchaser (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), the Company shall not, and shall not permit its Subsidiaries to:

(i) transfer, issue or sell to any Person (other than the Company or another of its Subsidiaries) any Equity Interests of any of the Company’s Subsidiaries or transfer, issue, or sell any Equity Interests of the Company (except for issuances as may result from the exercise of Options in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Equity Incentive Plans and the applicable award agreements thereunder as long as the recipient of any such Equity Interests executes a joinder to this Agreement as a Seller with respect to such Equity Interests in a form reasonably acceptable to Purchaser);

(ii) amend the certificate of incorporation, bylaws or comparable organizational documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or form any Subsidiary or joint venture entity;

(iii) except (A) pursuant to any Law or Contract or Plan or Benefit Program existing on the date hereof, (B) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or (C) as would otherwise be included in the calculation of Transaction Expenses, (x) increase the amount of base salary, bonus opportunity or other remuneration of any employee or other service provider of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or enter into any employment or severance agreement (other than “at-will” offer letters or employment agreements that may be terminated on thirty (30) days’ or less notice and without severance or similar payments) with any employee, in either case with annual base salary exceeding $350,000, (y) take any action to accelerate the vesting or otherwise fund or secure the payment of any compensation or benefits payable to any employee or other individual service provider of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any Plan or Benefit Program, or (z) except as otherwise permitted under the foregoing clause (x), amend, terminate or establish any Plan or Benefit Program that would have a material financial impact on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for annual renewals of welfare benefits;

(iv) (x) sell, assign, license, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of any of the material properties or assets (other than Intellectual Property) of the Company and its Subsidiaries other than in the ordinary course of business, or (y) sell, assign, transfer, abandon, or let lapse any material Intellectual Property owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries (except in accordance with its statutory term or within the reasonable business judgment of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries);

(v) change its present accounting methods or principles, except as required by GAAP or by the Company’s auditors;

 

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(vi) (A) make or change any material Tax election or change any annual Tax accounting period or method of accounting (other than in the ordinary course of business or routine elections with respect to Tax Returns), (B) enter into any “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar agreement under state, local or non-U.S. Law) with a Taxing Authority, (C) file any amended income or other material Tax Return, (D) waive or extend any statute of limitations relating to any income or other material Tax or Tax Return, (E) enter into any voluntary disclosure agreement or program with any Taxing Authority, or (F) settle or compromise (other than in the ordinary course of business) any material Tax claim, audit or assessment;

(vii) enter into or adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation or dissolution;

(viii) purchase or otherwise acquire any real property or, except in the ordinary course of business, enter into, or amend or modify, and Lease;

(ix) except in the ordinary course of business, enter into, terminate (other than expirations in accordance with the terms thereof), materially amend or modify (in a manner adverse to the Group Companies) any Company Material Contract;

(x) provide a loan or advance to any Person, other than advances to employees for business expenses to be incurred in the ordinary course of business or transactions with customers on credit in the ordinary course of business;

(xi) (A) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any securities evidencing indebtedness, other than (1) Indebtedness between the Company and its wholly owned Subsidiaries, (2) Indebtedness that will be repaid, redeemed or satisfied and discharged at or prior to the Closing, (3) letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business, or (B) make any capital contributions to, or equity investments in, any Person (other than any investments between the Company and its Subsidiaries);

(xii) initiate, settle or compromise any Legal Proceeding above $1,000,000;

(xiii) enter into any contract, understanding or commitment that contains any restrictive covenant binding the Company or its Subsidiaries or otherwise restrains, restricts, limits or impedes the ability of the Company or its Subsidiaries to compete with or conduct any business in any geographic area or solicit the employment of any Persons;

(xiv) enter into or agree to enter into any merger or consolidation with any Person, or acquire the securities of any other Person, except, in each case, for transactions involving only the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries; or

(xv) authorize or enter into any agreement in furtherance of the foregoing.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary (including Section 7.3(b)), the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be permitted to (i) (A) pay or distribute as a dividend all Cash and Cash Equivalents of the Company and its Subsidiaries to the Equityholders and/or (B) (1) enter into arrangements that would, to the extent not paid or satisfied as of the Measurement Time, constitute Transaction Expenses, or (2) repay or satisfy Company Debt or pay Transaction Expenses of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in all cases, prior to the Measurement Time; and (ii) take any Cybersecurity Measures.

(d) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give Purchaser, directly or indirectly, rights to control or direct the operations of the Company or its Subsidiaries before the Closing Date. Before the Closing Date, the Company shall, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, exercise complete control and supervision over the operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries. If the Company desires to take an action which would be prohibited pursuant to this Section 7.3 without the written consent of Purchaser, prior to taking such action the Company may request such written consent by sending an e-mail to all of the individuals set forth on Annex 1. Any of the individuals set forth on Annex 1 may grant consent on behalf of Purchaser to the taking of any action that would otherwise be prohibited pursuant to this Section 7.3 by e-mail or such other notice that complies with the provisions of Section 13.16.

7.4 Resignations. The Company shall cause the individuals set forth on Schedule 7.4 to resign (or be removed) as officers, directors or managers of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, prior to or at the Closing, provided that such resignations will in no way be considered a termination of employment or impact any employment arrangements or agreements.

7.5 Access to Information; Confidentiality.

(a) From the date hereof to the Closing Date or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall provide Purchaser and Purchaser’s authorized agents and representatives reasonable access, at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice, to the executive officers, properties, offices, financial information and Contracts of the Company and its Subsidiaries in each case solely to the extent necessary to consummate the Transactions, and for the purposes of furthering or preparing post-Closing deliverables under this Agreement; provided, however, that (i) such activities are conducted during regular business hours under reasonable circumstances and do not unreasonably interfere with the operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (ii) Purchaser and its authorized agents and representatives shall not contact or otherwise communicate with the employees, customers or suppliers of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or any other Person having a business relationship with the Company or its Subsidiaries, unless, in each instance, approved in writing in advance by the Representative, (iii) Purchaser and its authorized agents and representatives shall have no right to perform any sampling, monitoring or testing or other surface, subsurface or invasive investigation, assessment or analysis of soil, surface water, groundwater, air, building materials, or other environmental media of the sort generally referred to as a Phase II environmental investigation, and (iv) nothing herein shall require the Company or its Subsidiaries to furnish to Purchaser or provide Purchaser with access to information (A) that is subject to an attorney/client or an attorney work-product privilege, (B) that legal counsel for the Company reasonably concludes may give rise to antitrust or competition law issues or violate a protective order or otherwise may not be disclosed pursuant to applicable Law, (C) if doing so would violate any Contract or Law to which the Company or any of its Affiliates (including the Company’s Subsidiaries) is a party to or is subject, or (D) if Company or any of its Affiliates (including the

 

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Company’s Subsidiaries), on the one hand, and Purchaser or any of its Affiliates, on the other hand, are adverse parties in a litigation and such information is reasonably pertinent thereto, provided that in each case, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to allow such access or disclosure that does not violate, breach or waive any rights or privileges set forth in subsections (A) and (B) herein. It is further agreed that, without the prior written consent of the Company, none of Purchaser or its authorized agents or representatives shall contact any of the customers, suppliers, employees or other business relations of the Company or its Subsidiaries regarding the Transactions, whether in person or by telephone, mail or other means of communication. When exercising their rights under this Section 7.5(a), Purchaser and Purchaser’s representatives shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to minimize any disruption to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Any request for information or access pursuant to this Section 7.5(a) shall be submitted to representatives of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Evercore Group LLC.

(b) Any information provided to or obtained by Purchaser pursuant to Section 7.5(a) above will be subject to the Confidentiality Agreement, dated November 22, 2024 entered into by the Company and Columbus McKinnon Corporation (the “Confidentiality Agreement”), and must be held by Purchaser and in accordance with and be subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement.

(c) Purchaser agrees to be bound by and comply with the provisions set forth in the Confidentiality Agreement as if such provisions were set forth herein, and such provisions are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Effective upon the consummation of the Closing, the parties hereto agree that the Confidentiality Agreement shall be terminated.

7.6 Consents. Purchaser acknowledges that certain consents to the Transactions may be required from parties to Contracts to which the Company and/or its Subsidiaries is a party (including the Company Material Contracts) and such consents have not been obtained and may not be obtained. Purchaser agrees that neither the Company nor any other Seller Related Party shall have any liability or obligations whatsoever to Purchaser (and Purchaser shall not be entitled to assert any claims) arising out of or relating to the failure to obtain any consents that may have been required in connection with the Transactions or because of the default, acceleration or termination of loss of right under any such Contract as a result thereof. Purchaser further agrees that no representation, warranty or covenant of the Company contained herein shall be breached or deemed breached and no condition of Purchaser shall be deemed not to be satisfied as a result of the failure to obtain any such consent or as a result of any such default, acceleration or termination or loss of right or any Legal Proceeding or investigation commenced or threatened by or on behalf of any Person arising out of or relating to the failure to obtain any consent or any such default, acceleration or termination or loss of right. At Purchaser’s written request prior to the Closing, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts (at Purchaser’s sole cost and expense) to, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, obtain any such consents; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, such commercially reasonable efforts shall not include any requirement of the Company or any of its Affiliates to expend money, commence any litigation or arbitration proceeding or offer or grant any accommodation (financial or otherwise) to any third party.

 

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7.7 R&W Insurance Policy. In the event Purchaser or any of its Affiliates elects to obtain a representations and warranties insurance policy in respect of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or in any certificate or other instrument contemplated by or delivered in connection with this Agreement (such policy, a “R&W Insurance Policy”), (a) all premiums, underwriting fees, brokers’ commissions and other costs and expenses related to such R&W Insurance Policy shall be borne solely by Purchaser or such Affiliate, (b) such R&W Insurance Policy shall not provide for any “seller retention”(as such phrase is commonly used in the R&W Insurance Policy industry), (c) Purchaser shall provide the Company a reasonable opportunity to review the R&W Insurance Policy and provide reasonable comments in advance of binding coverage, (d) such R&W Insurance Policy shall expressly waive any claims of subrogation (except in the case of Losses resulting from Fraud with respect to the making of the representations and warranties contained in Article IV or Article V of this Agreement (each as qualified by the Disclosure Schedules)) against the Seller Related Parties, (e) the Seller Related Parties shall be intended third party beneficiaries of these provisions in the R&W Insurance Policy and (f) none of Purchaser or any of its Affiliates shall (including following the Closing) amend, waive, modify or otherwise revise the R&W Insurance Policy in any manner inconsistent with the foregoing.

7.8 Financing.

(a) Purchaser will not permit any amendment or modification to be made to, or any waiver of any provision or remedy pursuant to, the Financing Instruments if such amendment, modification or waiver would reasonably be expected to: (i) reduce the aggregate amount of the Financing, together with any cash on hand, to an amount below the Required Amount; (ii) directly or indirectly impose new or additional or expand, amend or modify any conditions precedent relating to the receipt or funding of any portion of the Financing at or substantially concurrently with the Closing in a manner that would reasonably be expected to delay or prevent the Closing, or (iii) impair, delay or prevent funding of the Financing or (iv) adversely affect the ability of Purchaser to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or adversely affect the rights of Purchaser to enforce their respective rights under the Financing Instruments (it being understood that Purchaser may amend any debt commitment letters to add bona fide, creditworthy lenders, lead arrangers, bookrunners, syndication agents or other similar entities who had not executed such debt commitment letters as of the date of this Agreement).

(b) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, (i) Purchaser will use its reasonable best efforts to take (or cause to be taken) all actions and to do (or cause to be done) all things necessary, proper and advisable to arrange and obtain the Debt Financing on the terms and conditions described in the debt commitment letters and any related Fee Letter, including using its reasonable best efforts to (and with respect to the Equity Commitment Letter and the PIPE Agreements and the Equity Financing, Purchaser will): (i) maintain in effect the Financing Instruments in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions thereof; (ii) negotiate, execute and deliver definitive agreements with respect to the Financing contemplated by the Financing Instruments on the terms and conditions (which, with respect to the Debt Financing, may include the “flex” provisions) contemplated by the Financing Instruments and with respect to the Debt Financing, the related Fee Letter (or on other terms that are not less favorable in any material respect to Purchaser that do not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 7.8(a) than the terms and conditions (including, with respect to the Debt Financing, any “flex” provisions) set forth in the Financing Instruments) (such definitive agreements, the “Definitive Financing

 

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Agreements”); (iii) satisfy on a timely basis all conditions to obtaining the Financing set forth in the Financing Instruments (or obtain a waiver thereof); (iv) assuming that all conditions contained in the Financing Instruments have been satisfied, consummate the Financing at or prior to the time the Closing is required to occur pursuant to Section 2.2, including causing, (or with respect to the Debt Financing, using its reasonable best efforts to cause) the Financing Sources to fund the Financing at the Closing; and (v) comply with its obligations pursuant to the Financing Instruments and fully enforce its rights contained therein (including through litigation), including to cause the PIPE Investor and the Sponsor to comply with their respective obligations and fund the Purchase Price (as such term is defined under the PIPE Agreement) under the PIPE Agreements when required pursuant to the terms thereof.

(c) Purchaser will keep the Company informed in reasonable detail of the status of its efforts to arrange the Financing and, upon the Company’s reasonable request, provide copies and/or drafts of any Definitive Financing Agreements. Purchaser will give the Company prompt notice (A) of any actual or potential breach or default (or any event, fact or circumstance that, with or without notice, lapse of time or both, would reasonably be expected to result in breach or default) by any party to the Financing Instruments or definitive agreements related to the Financing of which Purchaser or any of its Affiliates becomes aware or (B) of the receipt by Purchaser or any of its Affiliates of any written notice or other written communication from any Financing Source with respect to any (1) actual or potential breach, default, termination or repudiation by any party to the Financing Instruments or any definitive agreements related to the Financing of any provisions of the Financing Instruments or such definitive agreements that would reasonably be expected to prevent or delay the Closing or (2) the occurrence of an event or development resulting in Purchaser having a reasonable belief that it will not be able to obtain, substantially concurrently with or prior to the Closing, all or any portion of the Financing on the terms, in the manner or from the sources contemplated by any of the Financing Instruments or Definitive Financing Agreements. Purchaser must provide any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to any of the circumstances referred to in the previous sentence as soon as reasonably practical after the date that Purchaser obtains knowledge thereof.

(d) Without limiting its obligations in Section 7.8(b) to cause the Financing under the Financing Instruments to occur, if any portion of the Financing necessary to fund the Required Amount becomes unavailable on the terms and conditions (including, with respect to the Debt Financing, the “flex” provisions) contemplated in the Financing Instruments, then Purchaser will (1) notify the Representative in writing as promptly as reasonably practicable after obtaining knowledge thereof and (2) will use its reasonable best efforts to arrange, as promptly as practicable following the occurrence of such event, (i) alternative financing from alternative sources on terms and conditions (including, with respect to the Debt Financing, the “flex” provisions) not materially less favorable (taken as a whole) to Purchaser than those contained in the Financing Instruments and any Fee Letters (after taking into account, with respect to the Debt Financing, any “flex” provisions included in any related Fee Letter) in an amount sufficient, together with any cash on hand, to satisfy the Required Amount, which terms shall not (without the prior written consent of Representative) reduce the aggregate amount of cash proceeds available to Purchaser from the Financing below the amount necessary for Purchaser to complete the Transactions and to satisfy all of the obligations of Purchaser under this Agreement and the Financing Instruments, including to pay the Closing payments as set forth in Section 2.4 in any respect or impose new or additional or otherwise expand, amend or modify conditions to the

 

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funding of Financing that taken as a whole would reasonably be expected to reduce the likelihood that the alternative financing would be funded in any material respect (the “Alternative Financing”) and (ii) one or more new financing commitment letters or definitive financing agreements with respect to such Alternative Financing (the “New Commitment Letters”), which New Commitment Letters will replace the existing Financing Instruments in whole or in part. Purchaser will promptly provide a copy of any New Commitment Letters (and any fee letter in connection therewith, which may be delivered with the fee amounts, “flex” terms and other economic terms therein redacted in a manner consistent with the Fee Letters , with respect to the Debt Financing, delivered on the date hereof). In the event that any New Commitment Letters are obtained, (A) any reference in this Agreement to the “Financing Instruments” will be deemed to include the Financing Instruments to the extent not superseded by a New Commitment Letter at the time in question and any New Commitment Letters to the extent then in effect and (B) any reference in this Agreement to the “Financing” will mean the financing contemplated by the Financing Instruments as modified pursuant to the foregoing.

(e) Purchaser shall cooperate with the Company to take any actions that may reasonably be required to effectuate the payoff of any Company Debt that is contemplated to be repaid at the Closing and the release of any related Liens in connection therewith.

7.9 Financing Cooperation.

(a) From the date hereof until the earlier of the Closing or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries, officers, employees and agents to, at Purchaser’s sole cost and expense and at Purchaser’s reasonable written request, to provide customary cooperation to Purchaser in connection with the arrangement and obtainment of the Financing or any high-yield bonds being issued as part of or in lieu of all or a portion of the Financing, including (1) making available to Purchaser and the Financing Sources as promptly as practicable all Required Information (and supplementing the Required Information to the extent necessary pursuant to clause (D) of the definition of “Marketing Period”); (2) using reasonable best efforts to make available the Company’s management and officers with appropriate seniority and expertise to assist in preparation and participate at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice in a reasonable and customary number of meetings (including customary one-on-one meetings with the parties acting as lead arrangers, bookrunners or agents for, and prospective lenders and buyers of, the Financing), presentations, road shows, sessions with rating agencies, due diligence sessions, drafting sessions and sessions between senior management and the Financing Sources in connection with the Financing or any high-yield bonds being issued as part of or in lieu of all or a portion of the Financing; (3) using reasonable best efforts to (a) reasonably cooperate and provide assistance with Purchaser’s preparation of customary materials for rating agency presentations, high-yield roadshow presentations and offering memoranda, bank information memoranda, private placement memoranda, bridge teasers, syndication memoranda, customary offering documents, lender presentations and other customary marketing materials required in connection with the Financing or any high-yield bonds being issued as part of or in lieu of all or a portion of the Financing (collectively, the “Debt Marketing Materials”), including furnishing (i) records, data or other information necessary to support any statistical information or claims relating to the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries appearing in the Debt Marketing Materials and (ii) customary certificates to be executed upon “pricing” and “closing” of a high-yield bond offering by the chief financial officer (or other responsible officer)

 

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of the Company with respect to financial information provided by and about the Company included in the Debt Marketing Materials, (b) solely using financial information and data derived from the Company’s historical books and records and maintained in the ordinary course of business, (x) prepare a customary “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and customary “flash” financial information with respect to a completed fiscal period for which financial statements are not yet available, in each case, as included in an offering memorandum for “Rule 144A-for-life” private placements of non-convertible high-yield debt securities under Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act and (y) assist Purchaser in the preparation of pro forma financial information and pro forma financial statements and other financial data, in the case of this clause (y), that would consist of the form and type customarily included in offering documents for Rule “144A-for-life” debt financings, (c) provide reasonable cooperation with the due diligence efforts of the Financing Sources to the extent reasonable and customary (and, to the extent applicable, subject to the limitations contained in this Agreement) and (d) provide customary authorization letters with respect to the Company authorizing the distribution of information to prospective lenders and investors (including customary 10b-5 and material nonpublic information representations); (4) using reasonable best efforts to, (a) assist in the preparation, execution and delivery of definitive financing documents, including any credit agreement, indentures, notes, guarantee and collateral documents, pledge and security documents, customary closing certificates and documents and back-up therefor and for legal opinions in connection with the Financing or any high-yield bonds being issued as part of or in lieu of all or a portion of the Financing and other customary documents as may reasonably be requested by Purchaser or the Financing Sources and (b) facilitate the pledging of, granting of security interests in and obtaining perfection of any liens on collateral in connection with the Financing, or any high-yield bonds being issued as part of or in lieu of all or a portion of the Financing, but in no event shall any of the items described in the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) be effective until as of or after the Closing, in each case, customarily required to be delivered under such definitive financing documentation; (5) promptly, and in any event no later than four (4) Business Days prior to the Closing, provide to Purchaser and the Financing Sources all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities in the United States under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the PATRIOT Act and the Customer Due Diligence Requirements for Financial Institutions issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network under the Bank Secrecy Act, in each case that is requested nine (9) Business Days prior to the Closing; (6) using reasonable best efforts to obtain documents and deliver notices reasonably requested by Purchaser or the Financing Sources relating to the prepayment, termination or redemption (within the time periods required by the relevant governing agreement) of the existing Company Debt and the release of related Liens and related guarantees, including the Payoff Documents provided for in Section 3.1(c) (it being understood and agreed that any prepayment is (and shall be) contingent upon the occurrence of the Closing and no actions shall be required which would obligate the Company to complete such prepayment prior to the occurrence of the Closing); (7) using reasonable best efforts to assist Purchaser in benefiting from the existing lending relationships of the Company and its Subsidiaries; (8) using reasonable best efforts to cooperate with Purchaser’s efforts to obtain corporate and facilities ratings; (9) using reasonable best efforts to cause Auditor to (a) furnish to Purchaser and the Financing Sources, consistent with customary practice, customary comfort letters (including “negative assurance” comfort and change period comfort) and consents, together with drafts of such comfort letters that such independent auditors of the Company are prepared to deliver upon “pricing” and “closing”

 

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of any high-yield bonds being issued as part of or in lieu of all or a portion of the Financing, and deliver such comfort letters upon the “pricing” and “closing” of any such high-yield bonds, with respect to financial information relating to the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, as reasonably requested by Purchaser or the Financing Sources, as necessary or customary for financings similar to the Financing or any high-yield bonds being issued as part of or in lieu of all or a portion of the Financing and (b) attend accounting due diligence sessions and drafting sessions; (10) if Auditor shall have withdrawn its audit opinion with respect to any audited financial statements of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries included in the Required Information, using reasonable best efforts to furnish Purchaser and the Financing Sources as soon as practicable and in any event prior to the Closing Date with a new unqualified audit opinion with respect to such financial statements by Auditor or another nationally-recognized independent public accounting firm reasonably acceptable to Purchaser; and (11) using reasonable best efforts to take all corporate, limited liability company, partnership or other similar actions reasonably requested by Purchaser or any Financing Source to permit the consummation of the Financing; provided that no such actions shall be required to be effective prior to the Closing and no directors or officers of any Group Company that will cease to be directors or officers after the Closing shall be required to approve, execute or take any such actions. The Company consents to the customary and reasonable use of the Company’s logos solely as necessary to reference the Company in a non-trademark manner in connection with the Financing; provided that such logos are used solely in a manner that is not intended, or reasonably likely, to harm or disparage any Group Company or any of their respective Affiliates or the reputation or goodwill of any Group Company or any of their respective Affiliates. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (A) none of the Group Companies or any of their respective Affiliates, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents, shall be required to execute or enter into any certificate, instrument, agreement or other document in connection with the Financing which will be effective prior to the Closing (except (I) any certificate of the chief financial officer of the Company described in clause (3)(a)(ii) above that is required to be delivered upon “pricing” and “closing” of the high-yield bonds, (II) the authorization letters described in clause (3)(d) above, (III) the prepayment, termination or redemption documents and notices set forth in clause (6) above, (IV) the “know-your-customer” and anti-money laundering documents contemplated by clause (5) above and (V) the representation letters required by the Company’s auditors in connection with the delivery of “comfort letters” set forth in clause (9) above); (B) nothing herein shall require cooperation or other actions or efforts on the part of any Group Company or any of their Affiliates, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents, in connection with the Financing to the extent it would interfere unreasonably with the business or operations of the Group Companies or any of their respective Affiliates; (C) no Group Company or any of their respective Affiliates, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents, will be required to pay any commitment or other similar fee or to incur any other Liability or obligation prior to the Closing; (D) nothing herein shall require the board of directors or similar governing body of any Group Company, prior to the Closing, to adopt resolutions approving the agreements, documents or instruments pursuant to which the Financing is made; (E) none of the Group Companies or any of their respective Affiliates, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents, shall be required to pay any commitment or other similar fee or make any other payment (other than reasonable out-of-pocket costs, subject to reimbursement by Purchaser in accordance with Section 7.9(b)) or incur any other Liability or provide or agree to provide any indemnity in connection with any Financing or any of the foregoing that would be effective prior to the Closing; (F) nothing herein shall require

 

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cooperation that would cause any director, manager, officer, employee, stockholder, or equityholder of any Group Company to incur any personal liability; (G) nothing herein shall require cooperation that would require providing access to or disclosing information that any Group Company reasonably determines would jeopardize any legal privilege, protection under the work product doctrine or any similar privilege with respect to such information of the Group Company; (H) nothing herein shall require cooperation that would violate, or result in the waiver of any benefit under, any Company Material Contract (and not entered into in contemplation hereof), this Agreement, or any applicable Law to which any Group Company is a party or to which any Group Company is subject or result in the creation or imposition of any lien on any asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except any lien that becomes effective only upon the Closing; (I) no Group Company shall be required to provide, and Purchaser shall be solely responsible for, (1) the preparation of pro forma financial information, including pro forma cost savings, synergies, capitalization or other pro forma adjustments desired to be incorporated into any pro forma financial information, (2) any description of all or any component of the Financing, including any “description of notes”, “description of other indebtedness”, any description to be included in liquidity and capital resources disclosure, “plan of distribution” and other information customary provided by Finance Sources or their counsel or advisors, (3) projections, risk factors or other forward-looking statements relating to all or any component of the Financing or (4) any financial information related to Purchaser or any of its Subsidiaries; (J) no Group Company shall be required to deliver or obtain legal opinions or reliance letters of internal or external counsel; (K) any documentation, agreement, instrument or certificate required to be delivered by any Group Company or its directors, officers or employees on or after the Closing in connection with the Financing shall be authorized by the governing body of the Group Company and executed and delivered by its directors, officers or employees, in each case, immediately after giving effect to the Merger and it shall be the sole responsibility of Purchaser to procure such authorization, execution and delivery; and (L) no Group Company shall be required to take any action that would cause or that would reasonably be expected to cause any representation or warranty in this Agreement to be breached or any condition to the Closing to not be satisfied. Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that a breach of the obligations of the Company or its Subsidiaries under this Section 7.9 may not be asserted by Purchaser any of its Affiliates as the basis for (A) any conditions set forth in Article X not being satisfied or (B) the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 12.1(e) unless (x) Purchaser has provided the Company with prior written notice of such Willful Breach (with reasonable specificity as to the basis for any such breach) and the Company has failed to cure such breach in a timely manner, (y) such Willful Breach is a direct and proximate cause of the Financing not being consummated and (z) such breach is a Willful Breach of the provisions of this Section 7.9; provided, that, each of the immediately foregoing clauses (x), (y), (z) shall not apply to any breach of the obligations of the Company as set forth in Section 7.9(c).

(b) Purchaser shall, promptly after written request by the Company, (i) reimburse the Group Companies for all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees to the extent incurred at the request or consent of Purchaser) incurred or otherwise payable by the Group Companies prior to the Closing Date in connection with their cooperation pursuant to Section 7.9(a) and (ii) indemnify and hold harmless Representative and each of the Group Companies and each of their respective directors, officers, managers, members, employees, stockholders, representatives, advisors and Affiliates from and against any and all liabilities actually suffered or incurred by them in connection with the Financing and the performance of

 

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their respective obligations under this Section 7.9(a) and any information utilized in connection therewith to the extent permitted by applicable Law, other than to the extent any of the foregoing was suffered or incurred as a result of or arises from (x) Fraud, bad faith, gross negligence, willful misconduct of, or material breach of this Agreement by, the Group Companies or any of their respective representatives, as applicable or (y) information provided by the Group Companies or any of their respective representatives, as applicable, containing any untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(c) If, prior to the Closing Date, Purchaser notifies the Company that it intends to hold a shareholder meeting to approve the PIPE Financing (or to include approval of the PIPE Financing at its regularly scheduled annual meeting), as promptly as reasonably practicable following the date of such notice, the Company shall, solely using financial information and data derived from the Company’s historical books and records and maintained in the ordinary course of business, assist the Purchaser with the preparation and provision of the financial and any other information regarding the Company (including audited and unaudited financial statements and any other financial and other data as required by the SEC and applicable Law) required to be included in the proxy statement relating to Purchaser’s shareholder meeting, to comply with the rules and regulations of the SEC, including the requirements of Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Required Proxy Financial Statements”). For the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.9(c), Purchaser acknowledges that its obligation to consummate the transactions contemplated hereunder on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein is not conditioned upon any such shareholder meeting occurring (or upon obtaining any shareholder approval) or compliance by the Company with the terms of this Section 7.9(c).

7.10 Exclusivity. Until the earlier of the Closing Date and the date that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, the Group Companies will not, directly or indirectly, take (and the Company shall not authorize any of its respective directors, managers, officers, employees, accountants, consultants, legal counsel, advisors, agents and other representatives or, to the extent within the Group Companies’ control, other Affiliates to take) or permit any other Person on its behalf to take, any action to (a) encourage, initiate, facilitate or engage in discussions or negotiations with, or enter into any Acquisition Proposal, (b) enter into or consummate any agreement with respect to any Acquisition Proposal or enter into any agreement requiring it to abandon, terminate or fail to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (c) participate or engage in any way in any discussions or negotiations with, or furnish any information to, any Person in connection with, or the making of any proposal that constitutes, or any would otherwise reasonably be expected to result in the making of, an Acquisition Proposal. The Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and its and their respective officers, employees, representatives and Affiliates to, immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing activities, including discussions or negotiations with any Person that may be ongoing with respect to the foregoing. The Company shall notify Purchaser in writing (email being sufficient) promptly (but in no event later than two (2) Business Days) after receipt by the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates or representatives of any Acquisition Proposal or any offer from any Person other than Purchaser to effect an Acquisition Proposal.

 

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7.11 Section 280G. Prior to the Closing, to the extent that any “disqualified individual” (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively, “Section 280G”)) has the right to receive or retain any payments or benefits in connection with the Transactions that will constitute “parachute payments” (within the meaning of Section 280G), the Company shall (a) at least two (2) Business Days prior to the approval vote described in clause (b) below, use its reasonable best efforts to obtain from each such individual a waiver of a portion of such disqualified individual’s rights or potential rights to any such payments and/or benefits (such waived payments or benefits, the “Waived 280G Benefits”), such that no payments or benefits payable or provided to such disqualified individual in connection with the Transactions will be deemed to be “excess parachute payments” pursuant to Section 280G, and (b) thereafter, with respect to each disqualified individual who executes the waiver described in clause (a), submit for approval the right of any such disqualified individual to receive or retain the Waived 280G Benefits to a vote of the holders of the equity interests of the Company entitled to vote on such matters, in the manner intended to satisfy the requirements under Section 280G(b)(5) of the Code and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder. Prior to soliciting the waivers of the Waived 280G Benefits, the Company shall provide to Purchaser a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on drafts of the forms of waiver agreement, disclosure letter and shareholder consent. To the extent that any Contract, plan or arrangement is entered into (or planned to be entered into) by, or at the direction of, Purchaser or any of its Affiliates and a disqualified individual at or prior to Closing in connection with the Transactions (the “Purchaser Arrangements”), Purchaser shall provide a copy of such Contract, plan or arrangement to the Company and the Seller at least five (5) Business Days before the Closing Date and shall cooperate with the Company in good faith in order to calculate or determine the value (for purposes of Section 280G) of any payments and/or benefits granted or contemplated therein that could constitute, individually or in the aggregate with any other payments and/or benefits, “parachute payments” under Section 280G; provided, that, in any event, the Company’s failure to include the Purchaser Arrangements in the equityholder approval materials described herein due to the Purchaser’s failure to comply with its obligation hereunder will not result in a breach by the Company of the covenants set forth in this Section 7.11. To the extent applicable, at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to Purchaser evidence that a vote of the equityholders of the Company entitled to vote on the matters described in this Section 7.11 was solicited in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.8(c)(x) and that either (i) the requisite number of votes of equityholders of the Company was obtained with respect to the Waived 280G Benefits (the “280G Approval”) or (ii) the 280G Approval was not obtained. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall this Section 7.11 be construed to require the Company to compel any Person to waive any existing rights under any Contract, arrangement or agreement that such Person may have with the Company, the Seller or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates, and in no event shall the Company be deemed to be in breach of this Section 7.11 if any such Person refuses to waive any such rights or if the 280G Approval is not obtained.

7.12 Affiliate Agreements. The Company shall, upon written request from Purchaser, use commercially reasonable efforts to terminate any Contracts (as determined by Purchaser) with Affiliates of Ascend Overseas Limited which is or should have been listed on Schedule 5.19, with such termination to be effective upon the Closing.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

POST-CLOSING COVENANTS

8.1 Further Assurances. From and after the Closing, upon the reasonable request and at the cost and expense, if any, of the other party, each party shall use reasonable best efforts to execute, acknowledge and deliver all such additional instruments and other documents and take, or cause to be taken, such further actions as may be reasonably required or necessary to carry out the Transactions.

8.2 Director and Officer Liability and Indemnification.

(a) From and after the Closing Date, the Company shall, and Purchaser shall cause the Company to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless, to the fullest extent provided under the Company’s or its applicable Subsidiary’s governing documents or any Contract each in effect as of the Closing, any Person who on or prior to the Closing Date were directors, officers, or managers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “D&O Indemnified Parties”) with respect to all acts or omissions by them in their capacities as such or as trustees or fiduciaries of any plan for the benefit of employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or taken at the request of the Company or any Subsidiary at any time prior to the Closing Date. Purchaser agrees that all rights of the D&O Indemnified Parties to indemnification and exculpation from liabilities for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Closing Date as provided in the respective governing documents of the Company or any Subsidiary as in effect as of immediately prior to the Closing, and any indemnification agreements or arrangements of the Company or any Subsidiary shall survive the Closing Date and shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms. Purchaser shall not, and shall cause the Company and its Subsidiaries not to, amend or otherwise modify such rights or agreements in any manner that would adversely affect the rights of the D&O Indemnified Parties. In addition, to the extent provided in the certificate of incorporation, bylaws or similar governing documents of the Company or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, as in effect as of immediately prior to the Closing, the Company shall, and Purchaser shall cause the Company to, pay any and all legal and other fees, costs and expenses (including the cost of investigation and preparation) of any D&O Indemnified Party under this Section 8.2, as incurred to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, provided that the person to whom expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to repay such advances to the extent required by applicable Law or pursuant to the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ certificate of incorporation, bylaws or similar governing documents.

(b) At or prior to the Closing Date, Purchaser shall purchase (and pay for in full at Purchaser’s sole expense) a “tail” prepaid insurance policy with respect to the D&O Indemnified Parties’ that shall provide such D&O Indemnified Parties coverage for six (6) years following the Closing (including with respect to acts or omissions occurring in connection with this Agreement and the Transactions) on terms with respect to such coverage and amount no less favorable to the D&O Indemnified Parties than those of such policies that are in effect on the date of this Agreement. Purchaser shall, and shall cause the Company to, maintain such policy in full force and effect from and after the Closing Date. For the avoidance of doubt, the cost of such policy shall not constitute a Transaction Expense.

 

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(c) In the event that Purchaser, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and is not the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of Purchaser or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall assume all of the obligations thereof set forth in this Section 8.2.

(d) The obligations under this Section 8.2 shall not be modified in such a manner as to adversely affect any D&O Indemnified Party to whom this Section 8.2 applies without the consent of such D&O Indemnified Party (it being expressly understood that (i) the D&O Indemnified Parties to whom this Section 8.2 applies shall be third party beneficiaries of this Section 8.2 and shall be entitled to enforce the covenants contained herein and (ii) the rights set forth in this Section 8.2 are in addition to, and not in substitution of, any other rights to indemnification or contribution that any D&O Indemnified Party may have).

(e) Purchaser hereby acknowledges that certain D&O Indemnified Parties may have rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by Persons other than the Group Companies (collectively, the “Indemnitors”). Purchaser hereby agrees that (i) the Company is the indemnitor of first resort (i.e., their obligations to the D&O Indemnified Party are primary and any obligation of the Indemnitors are secondary) and (ii) the Company shall be required to advance expenses incurred by any D&O Indemnified Party and provide the indemnification provided in this Section 8.2, with respect to such rights the D&O Indemnified Party has against the Indemnitors. Each of Purchaser and the Company further agrees that the applicable Indemnitor shall have a right of contribution and/or be subrogated to the extent it provides advancement or indemnity covered by this Section 8.2 to all of the rights of recovery of the D&O Indemnified Party against the Company. Purchaser and the D&O Indemnified Parties agree that the Indemnitors are express third party beneficiaries of the terms of this Section 8.2(f).

8.3 Employees.

(a) For a period of twelve (12) months following the Closing (the “Continuation Period”), Purchaser shall, or shall cause the Company and its Subsidiaries to, provide those employees who are employed by the Company and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date (including employees on vacation, leave of absence, short or long-term disability) (the “Continuing Employees”) and who remain employed by the Company and its Subsidiaries immediately following the Closing with (i) base salary or base wages and cash incentive opportunities that are each no less favorable than those being provided to such Continuing Employee immediately prior to the Closing, and (ii) other employee benefits (other than pension, retiree medical, equity or equity-based, long-term, non-qualified deferred compensation, or severance compensation or benefits) that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to those benefits being provided or made available to each Continuing Employee immediately prior to the Closing or no less favorable than employee benefits provided by similarly-situated employees of Purchaser.

 

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(b) From and after the Closing Date, Purchaser or the Company and its Subsidiaries shall honor all obligations under the Plans and Benefit Programs in accordance with their terms.

(c) Following the Closing, Purchaser shall (i) provide to Continuing Employees full credit for all purposes (including for purposes of eligibility, vesting and benefit determination) under any and all benefit or compensation plans, policies or arrangements maintained by Purchaser or any of its Affiliates (including the Company or its Subsidiaries) in which such Continuing Employee is eligible to participate (collectively, the “Purchaser Plans”) for such Continuing Employees’ service with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or any predecessor entity) to the same extent recognized by the Company and its Subsidiaries under the corresponding Plans and Benefit Programs; provided, however, that no such service shall be recognized to the extent such recognition would result in the duplication of benefits or under any defined benefit plan or retiree health or insurance plan; (ii) waive all limitations as to preexisting condition, exclusions, actively at work requirements, evidence of insurability and waiting periods with respect to participation and coverage requirements under any Purchaser Plan that is a health or welfare benefit plan; and (iii) provide credit under any Purchaser Plan that is a health or welfare benefit plan for any co-payments, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenditures made by a Continuing Employee (or covered dependent thereof) on or before the Closing Date for the purposes of satisfying the corresponding co-payments, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenditure provisions of such Purchaser Plan after the Closing Date for the remainder of the coverage period during the applicable plan year in which any transfer of coverage occurs as if such amounts had been paid in accordance with such new plan.

(d) Purchaser agrees that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be solely responsible for satisfying the requirements of Section 4980B of the Code for all individuals who are “M&A qualified beneficiaries” as such term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section 54.4980B-9.

(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the terms and conditions of employment for any Continuing Employees covered by a CBA shall be governed by the applicable CBA until the expiration, modification or termination of such CBA in accordance with its terms or applicable Law.

(f) Unless otherwise instructed by Purchaser no later than ten (10) days prior to the Closing Date, the Company use reasonable best efforts to, with respect to each Plan that is a defined contribution plan, that is intended to meet the requirements of a “qualified plan” under Code §§ 401(a) and 401(k), and that has non-union participants only, terminate such Plan effective as of one day immediately prior to the Closing Date. Purchaser shall maintain or designate, or cause to be maintained or designated, a defined contribution plan and related trust intended to be qualified under Code §§ 401(a) and 401(k) (the “Purchaser’s 401(k) Plan”). Effective as of the Closing Date, the Continuing Employees shall commence participation in Purchaser’s 401(k) Plan. Purchaser’s 401(k) Plan shall provide for the receipt from Continuing Employees of “eligible rollover distributions” (as such term is defined under Section 402 of the Code), including rollovers of outstanding plan loans under the Plans (and all assets and liabilities associated thereto). As soon as practicable following the Closing Date, Purchaser shall provide the Company with such documents and other information as the Company shall reasonably request to assure itself that the Purchaser’s 401(k) Plan is tax-qualified and provides for the receipt of eligible rollover distributions.

 

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(g) Nothing contained in this Section 8.3, express or implied, (i) is intended to confer upon any Continuing Employee any right to continued employment or any term or condition of employment for any period or continued receipt of any specific employee benefit, (ii) shall constitute an amendment to or any other modification of any benefit or compensation plan, program, policy, contract, agreement or arrangement, or (iii) is intended to confer upon any individual (including employees, retirees or dependents or beneficiaries of employees or retirees) other than the parties any rights or remedies, including rights as a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement.

8.4 Access to Books and Records. From and after the Closing Date, Purchaser shall, and shall cause the Company and its Subsidiaries to, provide Representative and its authorized representatives with reasonable access (for the purpose of examining and copying at Representative’s expense), at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice, to the books and records, as may be reasonably requested by Representative in connection with any audit, accounting, tax, litigation, investigation or other similar need related to or in connection with Sellers’ prior ownership of the Companies and their Subsidiaries. Unless otherwise consented to in writing by Representative, Purchaser shall not permit the Company and its Subsidiaries, for a period of seven (7) years (or longer if required by applicable Law) following the Closing Date, to destroy, alter or otherwise dispose of any documents of any kind, or books and records of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or any portions thereof, relating to periods prior to the Closing without first giving thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to Representative and offering to surrender to Representative such books and records or such portions thereof. Following notice of such destruction, alteration or disposition, if Representative so requests during such thirty (30) day period, Purchaser shall cause the Company and its Subsidiaries to permit Representative to take possession of such books and records. This Section 8.4 shall not apply to Tax matters or Tax Returns, which shall be governed by Section 8.6(a).

8.5 Release.

(a) Effective as of the Closing (but only if the Closing actually occurs), Purchaser, on behalf of itself and each of its Subsidiaries (including the Company and each of its Subsidiaries) and each of its past, present or future officers, directors, employees, agents, general or limited partners, managers, management companies, members, stockholders, equity holders, controlling persons, representatives or Affiliates, or any heir, executor, administrator, successor or assign of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Purchaser Releasing Parties”), hereby irrevocably and unconditionally releases and forever discharges each Seller and their respective Affiliates (excluding the Company and its Subsidiaries), and each of the foregoing’s respective past, present or future officers, directors, employees, agents, general or limited partners, managers, management companies, members, stockholders, equity holders, controlling persons, representatives or Affiliates, or any heir, executor, administrator, successor or assign of any of the foregoing (excluding any person who continues to be an officer, director, employee or manager of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries after the Closing Date, but only in such person’s capacity as such) (collectively, the “Sellers Released Parties”) of and from any and all actions, causes of action, suits, proceedings, executions, judgments, duties, debts, dues, accounts, bonds, contracts

 

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and covenants (whether express or implied), and claims and demands whatsoever whether in law or in equity, including arising under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (whether based upon contract, tort, contribution or otherwise), which the Purchaser Releasing Parties may have against each of the Sellers Released Parties, now or in the future, in each case to the extent arising out of, resulting from or relating to (i) the preparation, negotiation, execution or consummation of this Agreement or any other Related Documents or the transactions contemplated herein or therein, (ii) the respective assets and businesses of the members of the Company or the operation or ownership of any of the Company or its assets and businesses (including any acts or omissions related thereto), in each case, to the extent related to or arising from facts that existed during the period prior to the Closing or (iii) the Sellers’ status as a direct or indirect equityholder of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, in each case, occurring or arising on or prior to the date of the Closing Date, but, in each case, only to the extent that such cause, matter or thing does not otherwise constitute Fraud. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 8.5(a) shall release any claims arising from the rights or obligations of any person under this Agreement or the other Related Documents.

(b) Effective as of the Closing (but only if the Closing actually occurs), each Seller, on behalf of itself and each of its Affiliates and each of its past, present or future officers, directors, employees, agents, general or limited partners, managers, management companies, members, stockholders, equity holders, controlling persons, representatives or Affiliates, or any heir, executor, administrator, successor or assign of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Sellers Releasing Parties”), hereby irrevocably and unconditionally releases and forever discharges Purchaser and its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries), and each of the foregoing’s respective past, present or future officers, directors, employees, agents, general or limited partners, managers, management companies, members, stockholders, equity holders, controlling persons, representatives or Affiliates, or any heir, executor, administrator, successor or assign of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Purchaser Released Parties”) of and from any and all actions, causes of action, suits, proceedings, executions, judgments, duties, debts, dues, accounts, bonds, contracts and covenants (whether express or implied), and claims and demands whatsoever whether in law or in equity (whether based upon contract, tort, contribution or otherwise) which the Sellers Releasing Parties may have against each of the Purchaser Released Parties, now or in the future, in each case to the extent arising out of, resulting from or relating to (i) the preparation, negotiation, execution or consummation of this Agreement or any other Related Document or the transactions contemplated herein or therein (including arising out of or due to any inaccuracy or breach of any representation or warranty or the breach of any covenant, undertaking or other agreement contained in this Agreement, Schedules, Exhibits and the Related Documents (and any certificate contemplated to be delivered in connection herewith and therewith)), (ii) the respective assets and businesses of the members of the Company or the operation, management, or ownership of any of the Company or its assets and businesses (including any acts or omissions related thereto), in each case, to the extent related to or arising from facts that existed during the period on or prior to the Closing Date, (iii) any information (whether written or oral), documents or materials furnished by or on behalf of the Group Companies; or (iv) the Sellers’ status as a direct or indirect equityholder of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, in each case, occurring or arising on or prior to the date of the Closing Date, but, in each case, only to the extent that such cause, matter or thing does not otherwise constitute Fraud. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 8.5(b) shall release any claims arising from the rights or obligations of any person under this Agreement or the other Related Documents. The Seller Related Parties to whom this Section 8.5(b) applies shall be third party beneficiaries of this Section 8.5(b).

 

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8.6 Tax Matters.

(a) Cooperation on Tax Matters. For a period of seven (7) years beginning on the Closing Date, Purchaser, the Company and Representative shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate fully and in good faith, as and to the extent reasonably requested by the other party, in connection with the preparation and filing of any Pre-Closing Tax Return and any audit, litigation or other proceeding with respect to Pre-Closing Tax Returns, and the determination of or payment in respect of any Tax Refund. Such cooperation shall include the retention and (upon the other party’s request) the provision of records and information which are reasonably relevant to any such Tax Return, audit, litigation or other proceeding or Tax Refund, as well as making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder. Purchaser, the Company and Representative further agree, upon Representative’s written request, to use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any certificate or other document from any Governmental Authority or any other Person as may be necessary to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any Tax, where permitted by applicable Law, that could be imposed in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(b) Sellers shall be entitled to any refunds of income Taxes of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof that are identified on Schedule 8.6(b), or an amount of cash equal to any Tax credit received in lieu of such refunds, together with any interest paid by the relevant Taxing Authority with respect thereto, received after the Closing Date (collectively, “Tax Refunds”), other than any such Tax Refunds that were included in and actually reduced the Tax Liability Amount. Purchaser and its Affiliates (including, after the Closing, the Company and its Subsidiaries) shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any Tax Refund to which the Sellers would be entitled and that may be available as promptly as reasonably practical, including by using any “quick refund” or similar accelerated processes and amending any prior Tax Returns of the Company and its Subsidiaries to carryback any net operating loss (or similar item) generated in any Pre-Closing Tax Period. Within five (5) Business Days after receipt thereof, Purchaser shall pay any Tax Refund received (net of any Taxes and any reasonable expenses the Purchaser or any of its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) incurs with respect to such Tax Refund) to Representative (for the benefit of and further distribution to the Sellers). Purchaser shall not (and shall cause its Affiliates, including the Company and its Subsidiaries, not to) elect to claim a Tax credit in lieu of a Tax Refund or fail to utilize any available procedures to carryback any net operating loss or similar item generated in any Pre-Closing Tax Period. If a Tax Refund is not available, but a credit against Tax is available in lieu thereof, Purchaser shall pay the amount of such credit to Representative (on behalf of the Sellers) within five (5) Business Days after such credit is used to reduce any Taxes for a Post-Closing Tax Period that Purchaser or any of its Affiliates (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) otherwise would have been required to pay. Nothing in this Section 8.6(b) will require that the Company, any of the Company’s Subsidiaries, or the Purchaser make any payment to Sellers with respect to any refund for, or credit against, a Tax that is the result of the carrying back of any net operating loss or other Tax attribute or Tax credit generated in a Post-Closing Tax Period. The parties agree that any Tax Refund paid under this Section 8.6(b) shall be treated as an adjustment to the Closing Consideration for Tax purposes and, except to the extent required by applicable Tax Law, not to take any Tax position inconsistent with such treatment.

 

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(c) Transfer Taxes. All sales and transfer taxes, stamp duties, stamp duty reserve tax, recording charges and similar taxes, duties, fees or charges imposed as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (collectively, the “Transfer Taxes”), together with any interest, penalties or additions to such Transfer Taxes, shall be borne by Purchaser. Representative and Purchaser shall cooperate in timely making all filings, returns, reports and forms as necessary or appropriate to comply with the provisions of all applicable Laws in connection with the payment of such Transfer Taxes, and shall reasonably cooperate in good faith to minimize, where permitted by applicable Law, the amount of any such Transfer Taxes payable in connection therewith.

(d) Prohibited Tax Acts. Unless otherwise required by applicable Law or as expressly provided pursuant to this Agreement, until the final determination of the Closing Consideration pursuant to Article II, neither Purchaser nor any Affiliate thereof (including, after the Closing, the Company and its Subsidiaries) shall, without the Representative’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), (a) make any amendment of (or file an administrative adjustment with respect to) any Tax Return of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof for a Pre-Closing Tax Period (a “Pre-Closing Tax Return”), (b) make or change any Tax election (other than any election under Section 338(g) of the Code) that has retroactive effect to any Pre-Closing Tax Period and that would reasonably be expected to affect the items reported on, or that would reasonably be expected to have been reported on, a Pre-Closing Tax Return, (c) extend or waive any statutes of limitation with respect to a Pre-Closing Tax Return or any Tax related thereto, (d) enter into any voluntary disclosure agreement or program (or similar agreement or program), or settle or compromise any Tax audit or Tax contest, in each case, with respect to any Pre-Closing Tax Return or any Tax related thereto, or (e) file any Pre-Closing Tax Return in a manner inconsistent with the past practice of the Company (where such past practice exists).

(e) Straddle Periods. For all purposes of this Agreement, in the case of any Straddle Period, the amount of any Taxes of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof not based upon or measured by income, activities, events, or upon the level of any item, gain, receipts, proceeds, profits, or similar items that is attributable to the applicable Pre-Closing Tax Period will be deemed to be the amount of such Tax item for the entire Straddle Period multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the Tax period ending on the Closing Date and the denominator of which is the number of days in such Straddle Period. The amount of any other Taxes of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof (including Taxes associated with any inclusions under Code Sections 951 or 951A) for a Straddle Period that relate to the Pre-Closing Tax Period will be determined based on an interim closing of the books as of the close of business on the Closing Date; provided, however, that any item determined on an annual or periodic basis (such as deductions for depreciation or real estate Taxes) shall be apportioned on a daily basis.

(f) Tax Sharing Agreements. All Tax sharing agreements, Tax allocation agreements or similar agreements (other than any such agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business the principal purpose of which does not relate to Taxes) will be terminated prior to the Closing, other than any such agreements solely among the Company and its Subsidiaries, and, after the Closing, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will be bound thereby or have any Liability thereunder.

 

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(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Purchaser may, in its sole discretion, make an election(s) under Section 338(g) of the Code (or any similar provision under state, local Law) (each, a “338(g) Election”) with respect to the acquisition of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Sellers, Purchaser, the Company and their Subsidiaries will file all federal, state, local and non-U.S. Tax Returns and any documents required to give effect to any 338(g) Election requested by Purchaser. Sellers, Purchaser, the Company and its Subsidiaries will not take, or cause or permit to be taken, any action in connection with the filing of any Tax Return on behalf of any Seller, Purchaser, the Company or its Subsidiaries which would be inconsistent with any 338(g) Election requested by Purchaser.

(h) USRPHC.

(i) The Company and the Representative shall reasonably cooperate with Purchaser (at its sole cost and expense) prior to the Closing Date to allow Purchaser to determine whether the Subsidiaries of the Company organized in the US may constitute a “United States real property holding corporation” as defined in Section 897(c)(2) of the Code and related Treasury Regulations thereunder (“USRPHC”).

(ii) To the extent the Company and the Representative, together with Purchaser determine that any such Subsidiary of the Company is not a USRPHC, prior to the Closing, the Company shall deliver to Purchaser a duly executed certificate from such Subsidiary dated as of the Closing Date and prepared in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.897-2(h) and 1.1445-2(c)(3), stating that interests in such Subsidiary are not “U.S. real property interests” and a duly executed notice of such certificate to the Internal Revenue Service, each in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.897-2(h).

ARTICLE IX

CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF PURCHASER

The obligations of Purchaser to consummate the Transactions shall be subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of the following conditions, any or all of which may be waived in whole or in part by Purchaser to the extent permitted by applicable Law:

9.1 Accuracy of Representations and Warranties; Compliance with Obligations; No Material Adverse Effect.

(a) (i) The representations and warranties of the Company set forth in the second sentence of Section 5.2(a) (Capital Structure) shall be true and correct in all respects (other than de minimis inaccuracies), as of the Closing Date, as though made on and as of the Closing Date, (ii) the representations and warranties of (A) the Sellers set forth in Section 4.1(a) (Organization, Good Standing and Qualification), Section 4.2 (Authority; Approval), Section 4.3 (Ownership of Company Shares) and (B) the Company set forth in Section 5.1 (Organization; Good Standing and Qualification), Section 5.2(a) (Capital Structure) other than as set forth in subsection (i) herein, Section 5.3 (Corporate Authority; Approval) and Section 5.20 (Brokers and

 

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Finders) shall be true and correct in all material respects, as of the Closing Date, as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that any representation and warranty is expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty need only be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date), and (iii) the other representations and warranties of the Sellers and the Company set forth in Article IV and Article V shall be true and correct as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that any representation and warranty is expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty need only be true and correct as of such earlier date), except in each case under this clause (iii) where the failure of any such representations and warranties to be so true and correct does not result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided, that solely for purposes of clause (iii), qualifications as to “materiality” and “Material Adverse Effect” contained in such representations and warranties shall be disregarded (except with respect to any such qualification to the extent it qualifies an affirmative requirement to list specified items on a section of the Disclosure Schedules).

(b) The Company and Representative shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants and agreements required in this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing Date.

(c) From the date of this Agreement until the Closing, there shall not have been a Material Adverse Effect.

9.2 Orders. There shall not be in effect on the Closing Date any legally binding Order by a court of competent jurisdiction enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of the Transactions.

9.3 Regulatory. The waiting period applicable to the Transactions under the HSR Act and any other Antitrust Laws and Foreign Investment Laws shall have expired or been terminated, all consents pursuant to any Antitrust Laws and Foreign Investment Laws set forth on Schedule 7.2 shall have been obtained, and any agreement with a Governmental Authority not to consummate the Transactions shall have expired or been terminated.

ARTICLE X

CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY AND SELLERS

The obligations of the Company and the Sellers to consummate the Transactions shall be subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of the following conditions, any or all of which may be waived in whole or in part by the Company or the Representative to the extent permitted by applicable Law:

10.1 Accuracy of Representations and Warranties and Compliance with Obligations.

(a) The representations and warranties of Purchaser set forth in Article VI shall be true and correct as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that any representation and warranty is expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty need only be true and correct as of such earlier date), except in each case where the failure of any such representations and warranties to be so true and correct would not reasonably be expected to affect or delay Purchaser’s ability to consummate the Transactions in any material respect.

 

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(b) Purchaser shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants and agreements required in this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing Date.

10.2 Orders. There shall not be in effect on the Closing Date any legally binding Order by a court of competent jurisdiction enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of the Transactions.

10.3 Regulatory. The waiting period applicable to the Transactions under the HSR Act and any other Antitrust Laws and Foreign Investment Laws shall have expired or been terminated, all consents pursuant to any Antitrust Laws and Foreign Investment Laws set forth on Schedule 7.2 shall have been obtained, and any agreement with a Governmental Authority not to consummate the Transactions shall have expired or been terminated.

ARTICLE XI

SURVIVAL

11.1 No Survival. The representations and warranties and covenants and agreements (to the extent contemplating or requiring performance at or prior to the Closing) of the Sellers and the Company set forth in this Agreement or in any certificate delivered in connection with this Agreement shall not survive the Closing. Each of the representations and warranties of the Sellers and the Company set forth in this Agreement or in any certificate delivered in connection with this Agreement shall terminate effective immediately as of the Closing. The covenants and agreements of the Sellers and the Company set forth in this Agreement and in any other document delivered in connection herewith to the extent contemplating or requiring performance prior to the Closing shall terminate effective immediately as of the Closing. Notwithstanding, each covenant or agreement contained herein or in any Related Document which is to be performed by its terms after the Closing shall survive until the last date for performance of such covenant or agreement as provided in this Agreement or such Related Document, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 11.1 shall not limit any claims for Fraud, or (b) Purchaser’s right of recovery under the R&W Insurance Policy.

11.2 No Other Representations.

(a) None of the Seller Related Parties is making or has authorized any Person to make any representation or warranty of any kind or nature expressed or implied other than as expressly made in Article IV and Article V (each as qualified by the Disclosure Schedules) and no Seller Related Party or any other Person shall be liable in respect of the accuracy or completeness of any information provided to Purchaser or its Affiliates in connection with this Agreement. The representations and warranties of the Sellers in Article IV and Company in Article V (each as qualified by the Disclosure Schedules) constitute the sole and exclusive representations and warranties made to Purchaser in connection with the Transactions. Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that it has conducted to its satisfaction an independent investigation and verification of the

 

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financial condition, results of operations, assets, liabilities, properties and projected operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries and their respective businesses, and, in making their determination to proceed with the Transactions, Purchaser and each of their Non-Party Affiliates have relied solely on the results of such independent investigation and verification and on the representations and warranties of the Sellers and the Company, each as expressly and specifically set forth in Article IV and Article V (each as qualified by the Disclosure Schedules) and the Letters of Transmittal. In particular, without limiting the generality of this Section 11.2(a), no Seller nor the Company is making nor has authorized any Person to make any representation or warranty, and disclaims all liability and any responsibility for any such representation or warranty, with respect to (a) any estimates, predictions, projections, pro-forma financial information, forecasts or budgets previously delivered or made available to (or otherwise acquired by) Purchaser or any of its Affiliates or representatives concerning future revenues, expenses, expenditures, financial condition, assets, liabilities or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (b) the confidential information memorandum or similar document and any management presentation provided to Purchaser or any of its Affiliates in connection with the sale process for the Company, (c) any information delivered or made available pursuant to Section 7.5 or (d) any other information or documents made available to Purchaser or its Affiliates or representatives with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries in any online data room established for the sale of the Company and its Subsidiaries, except as expressly covered in Article IV and Article V. Except as set forth expressly in this Agreement, the condition of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be “as is” and “where is” and no Seller Related Party makes any warranty of merchantability, suitability, fitness for a particular purpose or quality with respect to any of the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or as to the condition or workmanship thereof or the absence of any defects therein, whether latent or patent. Except for the representations and warranties in Article IV and Article V (each as qualified by the Disclosure Schedules), Purchaser specifically disclaims that it is relying upon or has relied upon any such other representations or warranties that may have been made by any Person, and acknowledges and agrees that the Seller Related Parties have specifically disclaimed and do hereby specifically disclaim any such other representation or warranty made by any Person.

(b) None of the Purchaser Related Parties is making or has authorized any Person to make any representation or warranty of any kind or nature expressed or implied other than as expressly made in Article VI (each as qualified by the Disclosure Schedules) and no Purchaser Related Party or any other Person shall be liable in respect of the accuracy or completeness of any information provided to Sellers or the Company or their respective Affiliates in connection with this Agreement. The representations and warranties of the Purchaser in Article VI (each as qualified by the Disclosure Schedules) constitute the sole and exclusive representations and warranties made to Sellers and the Company in connection with the Transactions. In particular, without limiting the generality of this Section 11.3(b), Purchaser is not making nor has authorized any Person to make any representation or warranty, and disclaims all liability and any responsibility for any such representation or warranty, with respect to any estimates, predictions, projections, pro-forma financial information, forecasts or budgets previously delivered or made available to (or otherwise acquired by) the Company, Representative or Sellers or any of their respective Affiliates or representatives concerning future revenues, expenses, expenditures, financial condition, assets, liabilities or results of operations of Purchaser. Except for the representations and warranties in Article VI (each as qualified by the Disclosure Schedules), the Company and Sellers specifically disclaim that they are relying upon or have relied upon any such other representations or warranties that may have been made by any Person, and acknowledges and agrees that the Purchaser Related Parties have specifically disclaimed and do hereby specifically disclaim any such other representation or warranty made by any Person.

 

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11.3 Certain Acknowledgements. Each of Purchaser, the Company and Sellers acknowledges and agrees that the agreements contained in this Article XI are an integral part of the Transactions and that without these agreements set forth in this Article XI, neither Purchaser, the Company nor the Sellers would not enter into this Agreement or otherwise agree to consummate the Transactions.

ARTICLE XII

TERMINATION

12.1 Termination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, this Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing as follows:

(a) by the mutual written consent of Purchaser and the Company;

(b) by Purchaser or the Company, upon written notice to the other, if the Closing shall not have occurred on or prior to the close of business on August 10, 2026 (the “Outside Date”); provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 12.1(b) shall not be available to a party if such party is in breach of any covenant, agreement, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement, which breach has prevented the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Section 10.1(a) or Section 10.1(b) (in the case of breach by Purchaser) or Section 9.1(a) or Section 9.1(b) (in the case of breach by the Company);

(c) by Purchaser or the Company, upon written notice to the other party, if a Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction and residing in a jurisdiction in which the Company or its Subsidiaries does business has issued an Order or any other action permanently enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the Transactions, and such Order or other action has become final and non-appealable; provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 12.1(c) shall not be available to any party whose breach of any provision of this Agreement results in or causes such Order or other action or if such party is in breach in any material respect of any covenant, agreement, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement;

(d) by the Company, if (i) Purchaser has breached or failed to perform any of its covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement to be complied with by it such that the closing condition set forth in Section 10.1(b) would not be satisfied or (ii) there exists a breach of any representation or warranty of Purchaser contained in this Agreement such that the closing condition set forth in Section 10.1(a) would not be satisfied, and in the case of both clauses (i) and (ii) above, such breach or failure to perform has not been waived by the Company or cured (if curable) prior to the earlier of (x) twenty-five (25) days after receipt of written notice thereof and (y) three (3) days prior to the Outside Date; provided, however, that the Company shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 12.1(d) if the Company is also in breach of any covenant, agreement, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement, which has prevented or would prevent the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Section 9.1(a) or Section 9.1(b);

 

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(e) by Purchaser, if (i) the Company or the Representative has breached or failed to perform any of their respective covenants or other covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement to be complied with by it such that the closing condition set forth in Section 9.1(b) would not be satisfied or (ii) there exists a breach of any representation or warranty of the Company or the Sellers contained in this Agreement such that the closing condition set forth in Section 9.1(a) would not be satisfied, and in the case of both clauses (i) and (ii) above, such breach or failure to perform has not been waived by Purchaser or cured (if curable) prior to the earlier of (x) twenty-five (25) days after receipt of written notice thereof and (y) three (3) days prior to the Outside Date; provided, however, that Purchaser shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 12.1(e) if Purchaser is also in breach of any covenant, agreement, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement, which has prevented or would prevent the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Section 10.1(a) or Section 10.1(b); or

(f) by the Company, if (i) the Closing shall not have occurred on or prior to the date required pursuant to Section 2.2; (ii) the Company and Representative have notified Purchaser in writing that the Company and Sellers are ready, willing and able to effect the Closing; and (iii) Purchaser fails to consummate the Closing on the earlier of the Outside Date or the third (3rd) Business Day following the date of delivery of such written notification by the Company.

12.2 Effect of Termination.

(a) If either party terminates this Agreement in accordance with Section 12.1(b) or Section 12.1(c) (solely as a result of the Antitrust Laws or Foreign Investment Laws), Purchaser shall pay to the Company within three (3) Business Days following delivery of the written notice of termination by the Company or Purchaser, as applicable, an amount equal to $243,000,000 (the “Antitrust Termination Fee”); provided, however, that no Antitrust Termination Fee shall be payable by Purchaser pursuant to this Section 12.2(a) if, at the time of termination, the conditions to Closing set forth in Article IX have not been satisfied or waived (other than the condition set forth in Section 9.2 (as it relates to the Antitrust Laws or Foreign Investment Laws), the condition set forth in Sections 9.3 (such conditions, the “Regulatory Conditions”) or conditions that by their terms, are to be satisfied at the Closing (and which were, on the date the Closing would have occurred but for the failure of the Regulatory Conditions to be satisfied, capable of being satisfied or waived if the Closing were to occur on such date)). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to the proviso in Section 12.2(c), if this Agreement is terminated in circumstances where the Antitrust Termination Fee is payable, then the Company’s right to receive the Antitrust Termination Fee (and Interest, if applicable) pursuant to this Section 12.2(a) shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of the Company, Sellers and their Affiliates against Purchaser and any of its Affiliates for any and all obligations of any kind arising out of this Agreement and any losses or damages of any kind or nature suffered or incurred by the Company, Sellers, or their Affiliates, other than any Interest payable. The parties acknowledge and agree that the agreements contained in this Section 12.2(a) are an integral part of the Transactions, and that, without these agreements, the parties would not otherwise enter into this Agreement. Accordingly, if Purchaser fails to pay the Antitrust Termination Fee pursuant to this Section 12.2(a) on or prior to the date such amounts are due hereunder, and, in order to obtain such payment, the Company commences

 

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an action that results in a final, non-appealable judgment against Purchaser for the payment of the Antitrust Termination Fee pursuant to Section 12.2(a), Purchaser shall pay, or cause to be paid, to the Company, interest on such amount at an annual rate equal to the prime rate as published in the Wall Street Journal, Eastern Edition, in effect on the date such amounts were originally due hereunder which shall accrue from such date through the date such payment is actually delivered to the Company or its designee, and the costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Company in connection with such action or proceeding (collectively, the “Interest”); provided, however, in no event shall the Interest exceed $10,000,000. The parties hereto agree and understand that in no event shall Purchaser be required to pay the Antitrust Termination Fee on more than one occasion.

(b) Subject to the Company’s rights in Section 13.15, if this Agreement is terminated by (i) the Company pursuant to Section 12.1(d) or Section 12.1(f) or (ii) by Purchaser in accordance with Section 12.1(b) at a time when the Company could have terminated this Agreement under Section 12.1(d) or Section 12.1(f) (other than, in the case of this clause (ii), in the case of a termination that requires payment of the Antitrust Termination Fee pursuant to Section 12.2(a)) (each, an “Eligible Termination”), Purchaser will promptly pay to the Company (or, if requested by the Company, its assignee) the amount in cash equal to $162,000,000 (the “Termination Fee”) in immediately available funds within three (3) Business Days of the date of such request to one or more bank accounts designated in writing by the Company. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to Section 13.15 and the proviso in Section 12.2(c), if this Agreement is terminated in circumstances where the Termination Fee is payable, then the Company’s right to receive the Termination Fee (and Interest, if applicable) pursuant to this Section 12.2(b) shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of the Company, Sellers and their Affiliates against Purchaser and any of its Affiliates for any and all obligations of any kind arising out of this Agreement and any losses or damages of any kind or nature suffered or incurred by the Company, Sellers, or their Affiliates, other than any Interest payable. In no event shall the Company be entitled to receive both specific performance to consummate the Closing in accordance with Section 13.15, on the one hand, and the Termination Fee in accordance with Section 12.2(b), on the other hand. The parties acknowledge and agree that the agreements contained in this Section 12.2(b) are an integral part of the Transactions, and that, without these agreements, the parties would not otherwise enter into this Agreement. Accordingly, if Purchaser fails to pay the Termination Fee pursuant to this Section 12.2(b) on or prior to the date such amounts are due hereunder, and, in order to obtain such payment, the Company commences an action that results in a final, non-appealable judgment against Purchaser for the payment of the Termination Fee pursuant to Section 12.2(b), Purchaser shall pay, or cause to be paid, to the Company, interest on such amount at an annual rate equal to the Interest, provided, however, in no event shall the Interest exceed $10,000,000. The parties hereto agree and understand that in no event shall Purchaser be required to pay the Termination Fee on more than one occasion.

(c) Subject to both Section 12.2(a) and Section 12.2(b), in the event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 12.1 by Purchaser or the Company, this Agreement will become void and have no effect, without any liability or obligation on the part of any party hereto (or any other Person); provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of Section 7.5(a), the last sentence of Section 7.2(a), this Section 12.2 and Article XIII of this Agreement will survive any termination of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement to the contrary, the Confidentiality Agreement

 

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shall be deemed to be amended such that the term of the Confidentiality Agreement and each provision thereunder shall be extended to the date that is eighteen (18) months after the date of this Agreement is terminated. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, each of the parties hereto, on behalf of each of its Affiliates, agrees that no termination pursuant to Section 12.1(e) shall relieve the Company of Losses for damages to the Purchaser to the extent directly resulting from a Willful Breach by the Company, Representative or Sellers prior to such termination.

ARTICLE XIII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

13.1 Expenses. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the parties hereto shall bear their own expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and each of the Related Documents and the consummation of the Transactions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Purchaser shall be responsible for, and shall pay directly or promptly reimburse the Company for amounts paid by or on behalf of the Company, (a) all filing fees lawfully payable to or at the request of any Governmental Authority in connection with this Agreement, the Company Documents, the Purchaser Documents and the consummation of the Transactions, (b) the fees of the Escrow Agent, (c) the fees of the Payments Administrator, and (d) in connection with its obligations under Sections 7.2(a), 7.2(d) and 8.2.

13.2 Submission to Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial.

(a) The parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of Delaware over all claims, disputes or causes of action (whether in contract or tort or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or any Related Document or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement or any Related Document (including any claim or cause of action, whether in contract or tort or otherwise, based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement, any Related Document or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement) and each party hereby irrevocably agrees that all suits, claims, actions and proceedings in respect of any such claim, dispute or cause of action, or any suit, action or proceeding related thereto (whether in contract or tort or otherwise) shall be heard and determined in such courts. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each party and the Seller Related Parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of New York over all claims, disputes or causes of action (whether in contract or tort or otherwise) involving any of the Financing Sources, that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, any Related Document, the Financing or any of the agreements (including any Financing Instruments) entered into in connection with the Financing or any of the transaction contemplated hereby or thereby or the performance of any services thereunder, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, any Related Document, the Financing or any of the agreements (including any Financing Instruments) entered into in connection with the Financing or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the performance of any services thereunder (including any claim or cause of action, whether in contract or tort or otherwise, based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement, any Related Document or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement) and each party and the Seller Related Parties hereby irrevocably agrees that all suits, claims, actions and proceedings in respect

 

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of any such claim, dispute or cause of action, or any suit, action or proceeding related thereto (whether in contract or tort or otherwise) shall be heard and determined in such courts. The parties and the Seller Related Parties agree not to bring or support, or permit any Seller Related Party to bring or support, any claims, disputes or causes of actions of any kind or description, whether in law or in equity, whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, against any Financing Source in any way arising out of or relating to, this Agreement, the Financing (including any Financing Instruments) or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the performance of any services thereunder in any forum other than any federal or state court in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York, provided, however, that this sentence shall not apply to the Limited Guarantee. The parties and the Seller Related Parties hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any objection that they may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such court or any defense of inconvenient forum for the maintenance of any such suit, action or proceeding. Each of the parties and the Seller Related Parties agrees that a final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in any other jurisdiction by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by applicable Law.

(b) Each of the parties and the Seller Related Parties hereby consents to process being served by any party to this Agreement in any suit, action or proceeding by the delivery of a copy thereof in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.6. The consents to jurisdiction and service of process set forth in Section 13.2(a) and this Section 13.2(b) shall not constitute general consents to service of process in the State of New York and shall have no effect for any purpose except as provided in Section 13.2(a) and this Section 13.2(b) and shall not be deemed to confer rights on any Person other than the parties hereto.

(c) EACH PARTY AND THE SELLER RELATED PARTIES HEREBY KNOWINGLY, INTENTIONALLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT TO ANY PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, THE FINANCING OR ANY OF THE AGREEMENTS (INCLUDING ANY FINANCING INSTRUMENTS) ENTERED INTO IN CONNECTION WITH THE FINANCING OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY OR THE PERFORMANCE OF ANY SERVICES THEREUNDER WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE (INCLUDING ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM AGAINST ANY FINANCING SOURCE). EACH PARTY HERETO (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HERETO HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 13.2(c).

13.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Schedules, Exhibits and Annexes hereto, the Related Documents and the Confidentiality Agreement) represents the entire understanding and agreement of the parties with respect to the Transactions, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, arrangements, contracts, discussions, negotiations,

 

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undertakings and understandings (whether written or oral and including any letters of intent, term sheets or other similar preliminary documents) among the parties with respect to the Transactions. The parties have voluntarily agreed to define their rights, liabilities and obligations with respect to the Transactions exclusively in contract pursuant to the express terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Related Documents and the Confidentiality Agreement, and the parties hereto expressly disclaim that they are owed any duties or are entitled to any remedies not expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Related Documents or the Confidentiality Agreement. Furthermore, the parties each hereby acknowledge that this Agreement embodies the justifiable expectations of sophisticated parties derived from arm’s-length negotiations, and all parties specifically acknowledge that no party has any special relationship with another party that would justify any expectation beyond that of an ordinary buyer and an ordinary seller in an arm’s-length transaction. Except in the case of Fraud, the sole and exclusive remedies for any breach of the terms and provisions of this Agreement (including any representations and warranties set forth herein, made in connection herewith or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement) or any claim or cause of action otherwise arising out of or related to the Transactions shall be those remedies available at law or in equity for breach of contract against the parties to this Agreement only (as such contractual remedies have been further limited or excluded pursuant to the express terms of this Agreement), and the parties hereby agree that neither party hereto shall have any remedies or causes of action (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) for any statements, communications, disclosures, failures to disclose, or representations or warranties not explicitly set forth in this Agreement. All representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement are contractual in nature only and subject to the sole and exclusive remedies set forth herein. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Section 13.3 shall not limit any claims for Fraud.

13.4 Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or changed, and, other than as set forth in Section 7.3(d), any provision hereof can be waived, only by written instrument making specific reference to this Agreement signed by the party against whom enforcement of any such amendment, supplement, modification or waiver is sought; provided, however, that, after the Closing, but subject to applicable Law, this Agreement may be amended, supplemented or changed, and any provision hereof can be waived, only by written instrument making specific reference to this Agreement signed by duly authorized officers or representatives of Purchaser and Representative. No action taken pursuant to this Agreement, including any investigation by or on behalf of any party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party taking such action of compliance with any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained herein. The waiver by any party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a further or continuing waiver of such breach or as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach. No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power, privilege or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of such right, power or remedy by such party preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary herein, the provisions set forth in this Section 13.4 and Sections 13.2, 13.5, 13.8, 13.9 and 13.15 (including any other provision of this Agreement to the extent that the amendment, supplement, waiver or modification of such provision would modify the substance of the foregoing provisions and the definition of “Financing Source”), in each case, as they explicitly relate to any Financing Source, may not be amended, modified or altered in any manner adverse to the Financing Sources in any respect without the prior written consent of such Financing Sources.

 

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13.5 Governing Law. This Agreement, the Related Documents and all claims or causes of action (whether in contract or tort or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement and/or any Related Document or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement and/or any Related Document (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement, any Related Document and/or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to conflict-of-laws principles that might require the application of the Laws of any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Seller Related Parties and each of the parties hereto agree that any claim, controversy or dispute any kind or nature (whether based upon contract, tort or otherwise) against a Financing Source that is in any way related to this Agreement, the Financing or any of the agreements (including any Financing Instruments) entered into in connection with the Financing, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the performance of any services thereunder, the Transactions or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby, including any dispute arising out of or relating in any way to the Financing shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of the Law of any other state, except (i) as otherwise explicitly set forth in the Financing Instruments and (ii) that this sentence shall not apply to the Limited Guarantee.

13.6 Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (i) when delivered personally by hand (with written confirmation of receipt and accompanied by email in accordance with clause (ii) of this Section 13.6), (ii) when sent by email (with email confirmation of receipt) or (iii) one (1) Business Day following the day sent by overnight courier (with written confirmation of receipt and accompanied by email in accordance with clause (ii) of this Section 13.6), in each case at the following addresses (or to such other address as a party may have specified by notice given to the other party pursuant to this Section 13.6):

If to the Company prior to the Closing:

Kito Crosby Limited

c/o Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.

30 Hudson Yards, Suite 7500

New York, NY 10001

Attention: Brandon Brahm; Eric Stout

****

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10022

Attention: Jennifer S. Perkins, P.C.

     Andrew Arons, P.C.

     Colin Zelicof

Email:   jennifer.perkins@kirkland.com;

     andrew.arons@kirkland.com

     colin.zelicof@kirkland.com

 

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If to Representative following the Closing, to:

Ascend Overseas Limited

c/o Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.

30 Hudson Yards, Suite 7500

New York, NY 10001

Attention: Brandon Brahm; Eric Stout

Email: ****

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10022

Attention: Jennifer S. Perkins, P.C.

     Andrew Arons, P.C.

     Colin Zelicof

Email:   jennifer.perkins@kirkland.com;

     andrew.arons@kirkland.com

     colin.zelicof@kirkland.com

If to Purchaser, or to the Company following the Closing, to:

Columbus McKinnon Corporation

Legal Department

205 Crosspoint Pkwy

Getzville, NY 14068

Attention: General Counsel

Email: alan.korman@cmworks.com

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

DLA Piper LLP (US)

1251 Avenue of the Americas 27th Floor

New York, NY 10020

Attention: James L. Kelly

     Ilya A. Bubel

Email:   james.kelly@us.dlapiper.com

    ilya.bubel@us.dlapiper.com

 

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and

c/o Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC

375 Park Avenue, 18th Floor

New York, New York 10152

Attention: Andrew Campelli; Michael Pratt

Email: acampelli@cdr.com; mpratt@cdr.com

with a copy to (which copy alone shall not constitute notice):

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

66 Hudson Boulevard

New York, New York 10001

Attention: Uri Herzberg; Kate Durnan Taylor

Email: uherzberg@debevoise.com; ketaylor@debevoise.com

13.7 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any Law or public policy, that provision will be deemed separable from the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and will not affect the validity or interpretation of the other provisions of this Agreement or any Related Document, and all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the Transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon any such adjudication that any term or provision hereof is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the Transactions are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

13.8 Binding Effect; Third Party Beneficiaries; Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Nothing in this Agreement shall create or be deemed to create any third party beneficiary rights in any Person not a party to this Agreement except as contemplated in Section 8.2, Section 8.5, Article XI, Section 12.2, this Section 13.8, Section 13.9 and Section 13.16. No assignment of this Agreement or of any rights, interests or obligations hereunder may be made by any party, directly or indirectly (by operation of Law or otherwise), without the prior written consent of the other parties and any attempted assignment without the required consents shall be void; provided, however, that Purchaser may, without the prior written consent of the Company, Representative or Sellers, assign all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to one or more of its direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiaries; provided, further, that such assignment (a) would not, and would not reasonably be expected to, impair or delay the Closing, and (b) shall not relieve Purchaser of any of its obligations under this Agreement or any other Related Document. No assignment of any obligations hereunder shall relieve a party of any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement. Upon any permitted assignment, the references in this Agreement to the assigning party shall also apply to any such assignee of such assigning party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Financing Sources are direct third party beneficiaries of Sections 13.2, 13.4, 13.5, 13.9 and 13.15.

 

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13.9 No Recourse Against Non-Parties. (a) all claims or causes of action (whether in contract or in tort, in law or in equity) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or any Related Document, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement or any Related Document (including any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement or any Related Document), may be made only against (and subject to the terms and conditions thereof) the entities that are expressly identified as parties hereto and thereto and (b) no Person who is not a named party to this Agreement or any Related Document, including, without limitation, any past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, manager, partner, equityholder, Affiliate, agent, attorney or representative of any named party to this Agreement or any Related Document (“Non-Party Affiliates”), shall have any liability (whether in contract or in tort, in law or in equity, or based upon any theory that seeks to impose liability of an entity party against its owners or Affiliates) for any obligations or liabilities arising under, in connection with or related to this Agreement or any Related Document or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of this Agreement or any Related Document or its negotiation or execution, and each party hereto waives and releases all such liabilities, claims and obligations against any such Non-Party Affiliates. Non-Party Affiliates are expressly intended as third-party beneficiaries of this provision of this Agreement. The Seller Related Parties shall not have any rights or claims against any Financing Source in connection with this Agreement, the Financing or any of the agreements (including any Financing Instruments) entered into in connection with the Financing or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the performance of any services thereunder, and no Financing Source shall have any liability or obligation to, or be subject to any action, suit, proceeding or claim from, the Seller Related Parties in connection with this Agreement, the Financing or any of the agreements (including any Financing Instruments) entered into in connection with the Financing or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the performance of any services thereunder, whether at law or equity, in contract, in tort or otherwise; provided that this Section 13.9 shall not limit the rights of any party pursuant to any Financing Instrument. The provisions of this Section 13.9 are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each of the Non-Party Affiliates and such Person’s estate, heirs and representatives and any Financing Source. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, this Section 13.9 shall not waive any of Purchaser’s or the Company’s rights in enforcing the obligations in the Confidentiality Agreement, the Letters of Transmittal, the Escrow Agreement, the Payments Administration Agreement or the Limited Guarantee, but solely against the applicable parties thereto. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing herein prevents (i) any Seller Related Party from causing Purchaser to enforce its rights under the Financing Instruments against the Purchaser Related Parties or the other parties thereto or (ii) any Purchaser Related Party or the other parties to the Financing Instruments from having any liability or obligation in connection with the enforcement described in clause (i).

13.10 No Partnership Created. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to give Purchaser, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ operations prior to the Closing and, without limiting its obligations under this Agreement, the Company shall exercise complete control over its and its Subsidiaries’ operations. Furthermore, in no event shall this Agreement be deemed to create a partnership or joint venture between the Company or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and Purchaser and its Affiliates, on the other hand, and in no event shall any fiduciary or similar duty be deemed owed by the Company or any of its Affiliates to Purchaser or any of its Affiliates.

 

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13.11 No Strict Construction. Notwithstanding the fact that this Agreement has been drafted or prepared by one of the parties, the parties confirm that they and their respective counsel have reviewed, negotiated and adopted this Agreement as the joint agreement and understanding of the parties hereto and the language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any Person.

13.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement. This Agreement and any Related Document, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by email in “portable document format” (“.pdf”), or any other electronic transmission, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any Related Document, each other party hereto or thereto shall re-execute original forms hereof or thereof and deliver them to all other parties.

13.13 Confidentiality. Purchaser acknowledges that all information provided to it and any of its Affiliates, agents and representatives by the Company and its Affiliates, agents and representatives in connection with this Agreement and the Transactions is subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, the terms of which are incorporated herein by Section 7.5(c).

13.14 Press Releases and Communications. The initial press release issued by the parties concerning this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be in a form agreed to by Purchaser and the Representative, and no subsequent press releases or other public statements concerning this Agreement shall substantively differ from the initial press release, unless required by Law (in the reasonable opinion of counsel) in which case the issuing party will use reasonable best efforts to allow the other parties reasonable time to review and comment on such press release, announcement or communication prior to its issuance, distribution or publication; provided, however, that the foregoing will not restrict or prohibit the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from making any announcement to its employees, customers and other business relations to the extent the Company or such Subsidiary reasonably determines in good faith that such announcement is necessary or advisable or is necessary to comply with any applicable Law or the requirements of any Contract to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party; provided, further that Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. and its Affiliates may disclose general information regarding this Agreement and the Transactions to current or prospective limited partners managed by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. and its Affiliates (provided that such parties are subject to customary confidentiality obligations) or in connection with its customary public relations, marketing, reporting or other similar activities (in each case it being agreed that no such disclosure shall include the purchase price, economic terms or any other material terms relating to the Transactions, except as otherwise agreed upon as part of the initial press release, as set forth in public filings or as otherwise agreed upon between the parties). The Company and Purchaser agree to keep the terms of this Agreement confidential, except to the extent required by applicable Law, stock exchange rule or regulation or for financial reporting purposes, and any such terms to their respective employees, accountants, advisors and other representatives as necessary in connection with the ordinary conduct of their respective businesses (so long as such Persons agree to or are bound by contract to keep the terms of this Agreement confidential).

 

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13.15 Specific Performance.

(a) The parties agree that (i) irreparable damage would occur in the event that the provisions of this Agreement or obligations, undertakings, covenants or agreements of the parties were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached and (ii) monetary damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy for any such failure to perform or any breach of this Agreement. Accordingly, it is agreed that prior to the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 12.1, the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof (including Section 7.8), in any court specified in Section 13.2 without proof of actual damages, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the parties hereby further acknowledge and agree that prior to the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 12.1, the Company shall be entitled to specific performance to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of, and to prevent or cure breaches of the covenants required to be performed by Purchaser under this Agreement (including Section 7.2) in addition to any other remedy to which the Representative or the Company are entitled at law or in equity; provided, that the Company shall be entitled to cause Purchaser to consummate the Closing and to make all the payments contemplated by this Agreement, including Article II, only if: (i) all conditions in Article III and Article IX have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that, by their nature, can only be satisfied at the Closing (provided such conditions are capable of being satisfied as of such date)); (ii) Purchaser fails to complete the Closing by the date the Closing would otherwise be required to have occurred pursuant to Section 2.2, assuming, solely for purposes of this clause (ii), that all conditions in Article IX have been satisfied or waived as of the date that all conditions in Article III and Article IX were satisfied, other than those conditions that, by their nature, can only be satisfied at the Closing (provided such conditions are capable of being satisfied as of such date), or waived; (iii) the Financing has been funded, or is available to be funded to Purchaser at the Closing (provided that Purchaser shall not be required to consummate the Closing if the Financing is not in fact funded at or prior to the Closing); and (iv) the Representative and Company have irrevocably confirmed in writing to Purchaser that the Company and Sellers are prepared to and able to perform its obligations in connection with the Closing upon funding of the Financing and consummate the Closing substantially simultaneously with the funding of the Financing. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the Company be entitled to seek any remedy, whether at law or equity, in contract, in tort or otherwise, directly against any Financing Source in connection with the obligations of the Financing Sources pursuant to the Financing Instruments or the transactions contemplated thereby; provided that the foregoing will not (A) prevent, restrict or impair the Company from enforcing any of its rights in accordance with Section 7.8, or (B) alter, amend, supplement or limit the rights of Purchaser in respect of the Financing under any Financing Instruments. For the avoidance of doubt, in no instance shall the Company have the rights to be awarded both specific performance in accordance with this Section 13.15 and the Termination Fee or monetary damages, as applicable, pursuant to Section 12.2.

(b) Any party seeking an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement when available pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall not be required to provide any bond or other security in connection with any such order or injunction.

 

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(c) If the Representative or the Company brings an action for specific performance pursuant to this Section 13.15, and a court rules that Purchaser breached this Agreement in connection with its failure to effect the Closing in accordance with this Agreement, then Purchaser shall pay all of the Sellers’ and the Company’s costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) in connection with all actions to seek specific performance of Purchaser’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement and all actions to collect such costs or expenses. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the exercise of the right to seek specific performance pursuant to this Section 13.15 reduce, restrict or otherwise limit the Representative’s or the Company’s rights to pursue all applicable remedies at law, including terminating this Agreement pursuant to Section 12.1.

13.16 Legal Representation. Purchaser and the Company hereby agree, on their own behalf and on behalf of their directors, members, officers, employees and Affiliates, and each of their successors and assigns (all such parties, the “Waiving Parties”), that K&E (or any successor) may represent the Representative or the Sellers or any director, member, partner, officer, employee or Affiliate of the Sellers, in each case, in connection with any dispute, litigation, claim, proceeding or obligation arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Related Documents or the Transactions notwithstanding its representation (or any continued representation) of the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries, and each of Purchaser and the Company on behalf of itself and the Waiving Parties hereby consents thereto and irrevocably waives (and will not assert) any actual or potential conflict of interest or any objection arising therefrom or relating thereto. Purchaser and the Company acknowledge that the foregoing provision applies whether or not K&E provides legal services to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries after the Closing Date. Each of Purchaser and the Company, for itself and the Waiving Parties, hereby irrevocably acknowledges and agrees that all communications between the Company on the one hand, and any Seller (or Affiliate thereof) on the other hand, with the presence of counsel, including K&E, made prior to the Closing to the extent related to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance under, or any dispute or proceeding arising out of or relating to, this Agreement, any Related Documents or the consummation of the Transactions are privileged communications that do not pass to the Company (after the Closing) notwithstanding the Transactions, and instead remain with and are controlled by the Representative (the “Privileged Communications”). Purchaser and the Company, together with any of their respective Affiliates, subsidiaries, successors or assigns, agree that no Person may use or rely on any of the Privileged Communications, whether located in the records or email server of the Company, or otherwise, in any action against or involving any of the parties after the Closing; and Purchaser and the Company agree not to assert that the privilege has been waived as to the Privileged Communication that may be located in the records or email server of the Company.

13.17 Representative; Power of Attorney.

(a) At the Closing and without further act of any Person, the Representative shall be appointed as agent and attorney in fact for the Sellers, for and on behalf of the Sellers, to give and receive notices and communications and to take any and all action on behalf of the Sellers, pursuant to this Agreement including the allocation of any amounts payable to the Equityholders pursuant to this Agreement (including the Consideration Schedule), in connection with the Escrow Account, the Expense Reserve Holdback Account and releases (if any) from the Escrow Account and Expense Reserve Holdback Account in connection with this Agreement, and to recover damages regarding the benefit of the bargain lost for and on behalf of the Equityholders as provided in Section 12.2, and execute and deliver such agreements or other documents in connection with this Agreement and Transactions as the Representative, in its reasonable discretion, may deem

 

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necessary or desirable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or otherwise, Purchaser shall be entitled to rely on any action taken by the Representative on behalf of the Sellers, pursuant to this Section 13.17(a) (each, an “Authorized Action”), and that each Authorized Action shall be binding on each Seller as fully as if such Person had taken such Authorized Action. Any action taken or not taken or decisions, communications or writings made, given or executed by the Representative shall be deemed an action taken or not taken or decisions, communications or writings made, given or executed by the Sellers. Any notice or communication delivered by Purchaser to the Representative shall be deemed to have been delivered to all Sellers. Neither the Representative nor Purchaser shall not be liable to any Seller for any action taken by Representative in good faith pursuant to this Section 13.17.

(b) All fees, costs and expenses incurred by the Representative pursuant to this Agreement or the Transactions, or of any agent or advisor in fulfilling the duties of the Representative as agent for each Seller shall, at the sole option of the Representative, be paid from the Expense Reserve Holdback Account. In the event that any amount is owed to the Representative, in its capacity as such, whether for expense reimbursement or indemnification, that is in excess of the Expense Reserve Holdback Amount, the Representative shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the Sellers (including by offsetting such amount against any amounts owed to the Sellers), and the Sellers agree to so reimburse the Representative, and make the Representative whole for such shortfall. Upon written notice from the Representative to the Sellers as to the existence of a shortfall, including a reasonably detailed description as to such shortfall, each Seller shall promptly deliver to the Representative full payment of his or her pro rata share (as set forth in the Consideration Schedule) of the amount of such shortfall. In no instance shall Purchaser be liable for any such fees, costs and expenses incurred by the Representative pursuant to this Agreement or the Transactions, or of any agent or advisor in fulfilling the duties of the Representative as agent for each Seller.

(c) The Sellers shall not receive interest or other earnings on the Expense Reserve Holdback Amount and, by virtue of the adoption of this Agreement, irrevocably transfer and assign to the Representative any ownership right that they may have in any interest that may accrue on the Expense Reserve Holdback Amount. The Representative shall, when it determines that it is no longer necessary to retain the Expense Reserve Holdback Amount, distribute, or cause to be distributed, to each Equityholder an amount equal to its applicable entitlement of the Expense Reserve Holdback Amount.

* * * * *

 

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

 

COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ David J. Wilson

  Name:   David J. Wilson
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
KITO CROSBY LIMITED
By:  

/s/ Robert Desel

  Name:   Robert Desel
  Title:   Director
As a Seller, ASCEND OVERSEAS LIMITED
By:  

/s/ Brandon Brahm

  Name:   Brandon Brahm
  Title:   Director
ASCEND OVERSEAS LIMITED, solely in its capacity as the Representative
By:  

/s/ Brandon Brahm

  Name:   Brandon Brahm
  Title:   Director
* Names of certain other Sellers on file with registrant

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]


** Names of certain holders on file with registrant.
Executed by proxy with respect to the above
Sellers, ASCEND OVERSEAS LIMITED
By:  

/s/ Brandon Brahm

  Name: Brandon Brahm
  Title:  Director

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

 

INVESTMENT AGREEMENT

dated as of February 10, 2025

by and among

Columbus McKinnon Corporation,

CD&R XII Keystone Holdings, L.P.

and

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund XII, L.P.

(solely for purposes of Section 4.13 hereof)

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I. PURCHASE; CLOSING

     4  

Section 1.1.

  Purchase      4  

Section 1.2.

  Closing      5  

Section 1.3.

  Closing Conditions      6  

ARTICLE II. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

     7  

Section 2.1.

  Organization and Authority      7  

Section 2.2.

  Capitalization      8  

Section 2.3.

  Authorization      9  

Section 2.4.

  Sale and Status of Securities      10  

Section 2.5.

  SEC Documents; Financial Statements      11  

Section 2.6.

  Undisclosed Liabilities      12  

Section 2.7.

  Absence of Changes      13  

Section 2.8.

  Brokers and Finders      13  

Section 2.9.

  Registration Rights      13  

Section 2.10.

  Compliance with Laws; Anti-Corruption; Trade Controls      13  

Section 2.11.

  Listing and Maintenance Requirements      15  

Section 2.12.

  No Additional Representations      15  

ARTICLE III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER

     15  

Section 3.1.

  Organization and Authority      16  

Section 3.2.

  Authorization      16  

Section 3.3.

  Purchase for Investment      17  

Section 3.4.

  Financial Capability      17  

Section 3.5.

  Brokers and Finders      18  

Section 3.6.

  Ownership      18  

Section 3.7.

  Acknowledgment of No Other Representations or Warranties      18  

ARTICLE IV. COVENANTS

     19  

Section 4.1.

  Filings; Other Actions      19  

Section 4.2.

  Reasonable Best Efforts to Close      21  

Section 4.3.

  Information Sharing      22  

Section 4.4.

  Confidentiality      22  

Section 4.5.

  Securities Laws      23  

Section 4.6.

  Interim Operating Covenants      23  

Section 4.7.

  Exclusivity      24  

 

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Section 4.8.

  Tax Matters      25  

Section 4.9.

  Information Rights      26  

Section 4.10.

  Transfer Restrictions      27  

Section 4.11.

  Board Representation      30  

Section 4.12.

  Preemptive Rights      33  

Section 4.13.

  Voting of Company Stock; Standstill      36  

Section 4.14.

  Legend      40  

Section 4.15.

  NASDAQ Listing of Shares      40  

Section 4.16.

  Corporate Actions      41  

Section 4.17.

  Requisite Shareholder Approval; COI Amendment      42  

Section 4.18.

  Indemnity      42  

Section 4.19.

  D&O Indemnification; Insurance Priority Matters      43  

ARTICLE V. MISCELLANEOUS

     43  

Section 5.1.

  Expenses      43  

Section 5.2.

  Amendment; Waiver      44  

Section 5.3.

  Counterparts; Electronic Transmission      44  

Section 5.4.

  Governing Law      44  

Section 5.5.

  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      45  

Section 5.6.

  Notices      45  

Section 5.7.

  Entire Agreement      46  

Section 5.8.

  Assignment      46  

Section 5.9.

  Interpretation; Other Definitions      47  

Section 5.10.

  Captions      57  

Section 5.11.

  Severability      58  

Section 5.12.

  No Third Party Beneficiaries      58  

Section 5.13.

  Public Announcements      58  

Section 5.14.

  Specific Performance      59  

Section 5.15.

  Termination      59  

Section 5.16.

  Effects of Termination      60  

Section 5.17.

  Survival      60  

Section 5.18.

  Non-Recourse      60  

Schedules

Exhibit A: Form of Certificate of Designations

Exhibit B: Form of Registration Rights Agreement

 

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INVESTMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of February 10, 2025 (this “Agreement”), by and among Columbus McKinnon Corporation, a New York corporation (the “Company”), CD&R XII Keystone Holdings, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (the “Purchaser”), and, solely for purposes of Section 4.13 hereof, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund XII, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (the “CD&R Fund”).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, the Company is substantially concurrently herewith entering into a Stock Purchase Agreement (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Kito Acquisition Agreement”), by and among the Company, Kito Crosby Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (“Kito”), the equityholders of Kito set forth on the signature pages thereto and Ascend Overseas Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, pursuant to, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of which, the Company will purchase all of the issued and outstanding equity of Kito (the “Kito Acquisition”);

WHEREAS, the Company proposes to issue and sell to the Purchaser preferred shares, par value $1.00 per share, designated as “Series A Cumulative Convertible Participating Preferred Shares” (the “Preferred Shares”), having the terms set forth in the Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Columbus McKinnon Corporation in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Certificate of Designations”), subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Preferred Shares will be convertible into Common Shares;

WHEREAS, the CD&R Fund is substantially concurrent herewith entering into a Limited Guarantee with Kito (the “Limited Guarantee”); and

WHEREAS, capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the meanings set forth in Section 5.9.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.

PURCHASE; CLOSING

Section 1.1. Purchase. On the terms and subject to the conditions herein, on the Closing Date, the Company agrees to issue and sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser agrees to purchase from the Company, 800,000 Preferred Shares (the “Purchased Shares”) at a per share purchase price of $1,000 and an aggregate purchase price for all such Preferred Shares of $800 million (the “Purchase Price”), which Preferred Shares shall be issued to the Purchaser free and clear of any Liens (other than restrictions arising under applicable securities Laws and restrictions set forth in Section 4.10 and the Certificate of Designations).

 

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Section 1.2. Closing.

(a) Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the closing of the purchase by the Purchaser of the Purchased Shares pursuant to this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall be held remotely via telephone or video conference on the date the closing of the Kito Acquisition as contemplated by the Kito Acquisition Agreement occurs (provided that notice of such date of closing of the Kito Acquisition has been delivered to the Purchaser at least three (3) business days prior to such date), after the satisfaction or waiver of the latest to occur of the conditions set forth in Section 1.3 (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied by actions taken at the Closing, but subject to their satisfaction or waiver) or at such other date, time and place as the Company and the Purchaser mutually agree in writing (the “Closing Date”). In addition to the three (3) business days’ notice required pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, the Company shall provide notice to the Purchaser of the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of the Closing Date as soon as reasonably practicable in advance of such date and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide such notice at least thirteen (13) business days in advance of the Closing Date, it being understood that the failure of the Company to timely deliver the good faith estimate and notice contemplated by this sentence shall not relieve Purchaser of its obligations to fund the Purchase Price at the Closing.

(b) Subject to the satisfaction or waiver at or prior to the Closing of the applicable conditions to the Closing set forth in Section 1.3, at the Closing:

(1) the Company shall deliver to the Purchaser: (A) evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser of the issuance of the Purchased Shares to the Purchaser, (B) the Registration Rights Agreement, in the form of Exhibit B hereto, executed by the Company and (C) the officer’s certificate required to be delivered by the Company to the Purchaser pursuant to Section 1.3(b)(4) of this Agreement; and

(2) the Purchaser shall deliver or cause to be delivered (A) to a bank account designated by the Company in writing at least two (2) business days prior to the Closing Date, the Purchase Price by wire transfer of immediately available funds, (B) the Registration Rights Agreement, in the form of Exhibit B hereto, executed by the Purchaser, and (C) the officer’s certificate required to be delivered by the Purchaser to the Company pursuant to Section 1.3(c)(2) of this Agreement.

 

5


Section 1.3. Closing Conditions.

(a) The obligation of the Purchaser, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, to effect the Closing is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the Purchaser and the Company at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

(1) no temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other judgment or order issued by any Governmental Entity of competent authority, and no Law shall be in effect restraining, enjoining, making illegal or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

(2) all applicable waiting periods (and any extension thereof) prescribed by the HSR Act shall have expired or shall have been terminated; and

(3) the Kito Acquisition is being consummated substantially concurrently with the Closing, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Kito Acquisition Agreement (with only such amendments, supplements or other modifications thereto as permitted by the last sentence of Section 4.2 or as otherwise consented to by the Purchaser in writing), without waiver of the conditions contained in Article IX of the Kito Acquisition Agreement without the Purchaser’s prior written consent.

(b) The obligation of the Purchaser to effect the Closing is also subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the Purchaser at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

(1) substantially contemporaneously with the Closing, the Company shall have reimbursed the Purchaser for the out-of-pocket costs and expenses described in clauses (a) and (b) of Section 5.1 to the extent such out-of-pocket costs and expenses are incurred prior to the Closing and invoices evidencing the same are delivered to the Company at least three (3) business days prior to the Closing Date (provided that if such invoices are instead delivered on the 2nd business day prior to the Closing Date, then the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to complete such reimbursement substantially contemporaneously with the Closing);

(2) if the Purchaser has identified the Purchaser Designees to the Company in writing at least three (3) business days prior to the Closing Date, the Company Board shall have taken all actions necessary to, effective immediately upon the Closing and in accordance with Section 4.10, cause each Purchaser Designee to be elected to the Company Board as permitted by Law, and the Purchaser shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the taking of such actions (provided that if such identification is instead delivered on the 2nd business day prior to the Closing Date, then the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such election substantially contemporaneously with the Closing);

 

6


(3) the Company shall have performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it pursuant to this Agreement at or prior to the Closing (other than the obligations set forth in Section 4.3, Section 4.4, the first sentence of Section 4.6 and Section 4.7);

(4) the Purchaser shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by a duly authorized senior executive officer of the Company certifying, solely in his or her capacity as an officer of the Company and not his or her individual capacity, to the effect that the conditions set forth in Section 1.3(b)(1) through (3) have been satisfied.

ARTICLE II.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

Except as set forth (a) in the SEC Documents filed or furnished by the Company with the SEC, and publicly available, after December 31, 2022 and before the date of this Agreement (but excluding any disclosures set forth in risk factors or any “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) or (b) in a correspondingly identified schedule attached hereto, the Company represents and warrants to the Purchaser, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent made only as of a specified date, in which case as of such date), that:

Section 2.1. Organization and Authority.

(a) The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of New York, has all requisite corporate power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as presently conducted, is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in all jurisdictions where its ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified (in the case of good standing, to the extent such jurisdiction recognizes such concept), except where such failure to be so qualified, individually or in the aggregate, would not be reasonably expected to have a Combined Company Material Adverse Effect. True and accurate copies of the restated certificate of incorporation of the Company (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and the by-laws of the Company (the “By-laws”), each as in effect as of the date of this Agreement, have been made available to the Purchaser prior to the date hereof.

 

7


(b) Each material Company Subsidiary is duly organized and validly existing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of organization, has all requisite corporate or other applicable entity power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as presently conducted, is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in all jurisdictions where its ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified (in the case of good standing, to the extent such jurisdiction recognizes such concept), except where such failure to be so qualified, individually or in the aggregate, would not be reasonably expected to have a Combined Company Material Adverse Effect. As used herein, “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity (i) of which such Person or a subsidiary of such Person is a general partner or (ii) of which a majority of the voting securities or other voting interests, or a majority of the securities or other interests of which having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or persons performing similar functions with respect to such entity, that is directly or indirectly owned by such person and/or one or more subsidiaries thereof; and “Company Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company.

Section 2.2. Capitalization.

(a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 50,000,000 Common Shares and 1,000,000 preferred shares, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company. As of the close of business on December 31, 2024 (the “Capitalization Date”), there were 28,609,335 Common Shares issued and outstanding and no Preferred Shares of the Company issued and outstanding. As of the close of business on the Capitalization Date, (i) 1,276,016 Common Shares were subject to issuance upon the exercise of stock options outstanding on such date that were granted pursuant to the Company Equity Plan (“Company Stock Options”), of which 457,234 were then unvested; (ii) 245,947 unvested time-based restricted stock units from awards granted pursuant to the Company Equity Plan (“Company RSUs”) were outstanding; (iii) 255,518 unvested performance-based restricted stock units (at target levels of performance) from awards granted pursuant to the Company Equity Plan (“Company PRSUs”) were outstanding; (iv) 323,735 Common Shares were held by the Company in its treasury, and (v) 2,638,643 Common Shares were available for future awards under the Company Equity Plan and no other Equity Securities were available for future awards under the Company Equity Plan. All of the issued and outstanding Common Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and free of preemptive rights. From the Capitalization Date through and as of the date of this Agreement, no other Common Shares or preferred shares have been issued other than those Common Shares subject to issuance upon the exercise or settlement of outstanding Company Stock Options, Company RSUs and Company PRSUs granted under the Company Equity Plan. The Company does not have outstanding shareholder purchase rights or “poison pill” or any similar arrangement in effect.

 

8


(b) No bonds, debentures, notes or other Indebtedness having the right to vote (or convertible into or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which the shareholders of the Company may vote (“Voting Debt”) are issued and outstanding. As of the date of this Agreement, except (i) pursuant to any cashless exercise provisions of any Company Stock Options or pursuant to the surrender of shares to the Company or the withholding of shares by the Company to cover tax withholding obligations under Company Stock Options, Company RSUs or Company PRSUs and (ii) as set forth in Section 2.2(a), the Company does not have and is not bound by any outstanding options, preemptive rights, rights of first offer, warrants, calls, commitments or other rights or agreements calling for the purchase or issuance of, or securities or rights convertible into, or exchangeable for, any Common Shares or any other equity securities of the Company or Voting Debt or any securities representing the right to purchase or otherwise receive any Common Shares or any other equity securities of the Company (including any rights plan or agreement).

Section 2.3. Authorization.

(a) The Company has the corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by the board of directors of the Company (the “Company Board”), including all approvals required by Section 912 of the New York Business Corporation Law. This Agreement has been, and (as of the Closing) the other Transaction Documents will be, duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Purchaser, this Agreement is, and (as of the Closing) each of the other Transaction Documents will be, a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (except as enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights or by general equity principles). No other corporate proceedings are necessary for the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, and no other corporate proceedings (except (i) to the extent expressly set forth in the other Transaction Documents and (ii) for the adoption of Company Board resolutions appointing the Purchaser Designees at Closing) are necessary for the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

(b) Neither the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, nor compliance by the Company with any of the provisions hereof or thereof, will (i) violate, conflict with, or result in a breach of any provision of, require any payment to or consent by any person under, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination of, or accelerate the performance required by, or result in a right of termination or acceleration of, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the material properties or assets of any Company Group Member under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of

 

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(x) the Certificate of Incorporation, the Certificate of Designations, the By-laws or the certificate of incorporation, charter, articles of association, bylaws or other governing instrument of any Company Subsidiary or (y) any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which any Company Group Member is a party or by which it may be bound, or to which any Company Group Member or any of the properties or assets of any Company Group Member may be subject, or (ii) violate any Law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, permit, franchise or any judgment, ruling, order, writ, injunction or decree applicable to any Company Group Member or any of its respective properties or assets, except in the case of clauses (i)(y) and (ii), for such violations, conflicts and breaches as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Combined Company Material Adverse Effect.

(c) Other than under applicable federal securities Laws, the securities or blue sky Laws of the various states and approval or expiration of applicable waiting periods under Antitrust Law, including the HSR Act, no notice to, registration, declaration or filing with (other than the Certificate of Designations to be filed with New York State), exemption or review by, or authorization, order, consent or approval of any Governmental Entity, nor expiration or termination of any statutory waiting period, is necessary for the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, except where the failure to obtain such approval or to provide or obtain such notice, registration, declaration, filing, exemption, review, authorization, order, consent or to have such waiting period expire or terminate would not individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Combined Company Material Adverse Effect.

Section 2.4. Sale and Status of Securities.

(a) Subject to the accuracy of the representations made by the Purchaser in Section 3.3, the offer, sale and issuance of the Purchased Shares (i) have been and will be made in compliance with applicable exemptions from the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act and (ii) will have been registered or qualified (or are exempt from registration and qualification) under the registration, permit or qualification requirements of all applicable state blue sky Laws.

(b) (i) The Purchased Shares and (ii) the Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Purchased Shares have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action (except, solely with respect to any Excess Conversion Shares (as defined in the Certificate of Designations), the Requisite Shareholder Approval). When issued and sold against receipt of the consideration therefor as provided in this Agreement and the Certificate of Designations, the Purchased Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and will effectively vest in the Purchaser good title to the Purchased Shares, free and clear of all Liens (other than restrictions arising under applicable securities Laws or the restrictions set forth in this Agreement, including Section 4.10) and no preemptive rights apply to the issuance thereof. Upon any conversion of any Purchased Shares in

 

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accordance with the Certificate of Designations, the Common Shares to be issued upon such conversion will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will effectively vest in the Purchaser good title to all such securities, free and clear of all Liens (other than restrictions arising under applicable federal, state or foreign securities Laws or the restrictions set forth in this Agreement, including Section 4.10) and no preemptive rights apply to the issuance thereof. The respective rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the Common Shares and Preferred Shares are as stated in the Certificate of Incorporation and the Certificate of Designations, as applicable. Upon effectiveness of the COI Amendment, the Common Shares to be issued upon any conversion of the Purchased Shares will be duly reserved for such issuance.

(c) Neither the Company nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other Person authorized by the Company to act on its behalf, has engaged in a general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D of the Securities Act) of investors with respect to offers or sales of Common Shares or Preferred Shares, and neither the Company nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any Person acting on its behalf has made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would cause the offering or issuance of Common Shares or Preferred Shares under this Agreement to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of the Securities Act that would result in neither Regulation D nor any other applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act being available, nor will the Company take any action or steps that would cause the offering or issuance of Common Shares or Preferred Shares under this Agreement to be integrated with other offerings by the Company.

Section 2.5. SEC Documents; Financial Statements.

(a) The Company has filed all required reports, proxy statements, forms, and other documents with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) since December 31, 2022 (collectively, the “SEC Documents”). Each of the SEC Documents, as of its respective date, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to such SEC Documents. Except to the extent that information contained in any SEC Document has been revised or superseded by a later filed SEC Document filed and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement, as of their respective dates, or if amended, as of the date of the last such amendment, none of the SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

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(b) The Company (i) has implemented and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that are reasonably designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company Group is made known to the individuals responsible for the preparation of the Company’s filings with the SEC and (ii) has disclosed, based on its most recent evaluation prior to the date of this Agreement, to the Company’s outside auditors and the Company Board’s audit committee (A) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and (B) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. As of the date of this Agreement, to the Knowledge of the Company, there is no reason that its outside auditors and its chief executive officer and chief financial officer will not be able to give the certifications and attestations required pursuant to the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, without qualification, when next due.

(c) There is no transaction, arrangement or other relationship between the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries and an unconsolidated or other off-balance sheet entity that is required by applicable Law to be disclosed by the Company in its SEC Documents and is not so disclosed.

(d) The financial statements of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries included in the SEC Documents (i) complied as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, in each case as of the date such SEC Document was filed, and (ii) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in such financial statements or the notes thereto) and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to the absence of footnote disclosures and normal audit adjustments, which are not reasonably expected to be material individually or in the aggregate).

Section 2.6. Undisclosed Liabilities. Except for (i) those liabilities that are reflected or reserved for in the consolidated financial statements of the Company included in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2024, (ii) liabilities incurred since September 30, 2024 in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (iii) liabilities incurred pursuant to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and the debt commitment letter related to the Debt Financing (as defined in the Kito Acquisition Agreement) and (iv) liabilities that would not, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Company Group, taken as a whole, the Company Group does not have any liabilities or obligations of any nature whatsoever (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) that would be required under GAAP, as in effect on the date hereof, to be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company (including the notes thereto).

 

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Section 2.7. Absence of Changes. Since January 1, 2024, through the date of this Agreement, other than as set forth on Schedule 2.7 hereto, there has not been any (i) Combined Company Material Adverse Effect or (ii) action taken by any Company Group Member that, if such action had been taken between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, would violate Section 4.6 without the prior written consent of the Purchaser.

Section 2.8. Brokers and Finders. Except for the Placement Agent, the fees and expenses of which will be paid by the Company, no Company Group Member and none of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any financial advisory fees, brokerage fees, commissions or finder’s fees, and no broker or finder has acted directly or indirectly for the Company in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 2.9. Registration Rights. Except as provided in the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company has not granted or agreed to grant, and is not under any obligation to provide, any rights to register under the Securities Act any of its presently outstanding Equity Securities or any of its Equity Securities that may be issued subsequently.

Section 2.10. Compliance with Laws; Anti-Corruption; Trade Controls.

(a) No Company Group Member is, or since January 1, 2022, has been, in violation in any respect of any applicable Law, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Company Group, taken as a whole. No Company Group Member, to the Knowledge of the Company or pursuant to any notice received by the Company, is subject to a pending investigation by a Governmental Entity with respect to compliance with any applicable Law, except for (i) such of the foregoing as would not, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Company Group, taken as a whole, or (ii) as otherwise expressly disclosed in the SEC Documents.

(b) Since January 1, 2022, each Company Group Member and, to the Knowledge of the Company, each of its respective officers, directors, employees and agents, (together with the term Company Group Member, collectively, the “Relevant Persons”) have not directly or indirectly violated or taken any act in furtherance of violating any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (as amended), the UK Bribery Act 2010 or any other anti-corruption or anti-bribery Laws applicable to any Company Group Member.

 

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(c) Since January 1, 2022, the Relevant Persons have not directly or indirectly taken any act in furtherance of any unlawful payment, gift, bribe, rebate, loan, payoff, kickback or any other unlawful transfer of value, or offer, promise or authorization thereof, to any Person, including any Government Official, for the purpose of: (i) improperly influencing or inducing such Person to do or omit to do any act or to make any decision in an official capacity or in violation of a lawful duty or (ii) inducing such Person to influence improperly his or her or its employer, public or private, or any Governmental Entity, to affect an act or decision of such employer or Governmental Entity, including to assist any Person in obtaining or retaining business, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Company Group, taken as a whole.

(d) Since January 1, 2022, the Relevant Persons have not in the course of their actions for, or on behalf of, any Company Group Member engaged directly or indirectly in transactions: (i) connected with any of Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Myanmar, Sudan, Russia, Syria, Venezuela, the Crimea, Donetsk, or Luhansk regions of Ukraine or the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China; (ii) connected with any government, country or other entity or Person that is the target of U.S. economic sanctions administered by the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) or by His Majesty’s Treasury in the UK, or the target of any applicable UN, EU or other international sanctions regime, including any transactions with specially designated nationals or blocked persons designated by OFAC or with persons on any UN, EU or UK assets freeze list; or (iii) that is prohibited by any Law administered by OFAC, or by any other economic or trade sanctions Law of the U.S. or any other jurisdiction, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Company Group, taken as a whole.

(e) Since January 1, 2022, no Relevant Person is a Person whose property or interests in property are blocked or frozen under the economic sanctions Laws of the U.S., the EU or any other jurisdiction, and no Relevant Person is designated as a denied person by the U.S. Commerce Department Bureau of Industry and Security or as a debarred party by the U.S. State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Control, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Company Group, taken as a whole.

(f) Since January 1, 2022, the Relevant Persons have not in the course of their actions for, or on behalf of, any Company Group Member exported or reexported (including deemed exportation or reexportation) any merchandise, software or technology in violation of the Export Administration Regulations, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, or any other applicable export control Laws of the U.S. or any other jurisdiction, except (in each case) as would not, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Company Group, taken as a whole.

(g) Since January 1, 2022, the Relevant Persons have not in the course of their actions for, or on behalf of, any Company Group Member taken any actions, refused to take any actions, furnished any information or failed to file any required notification in violation of the applicable U.S. Laws restricting participation in international boycotts, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Company Group, taken as a whole.

 

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(h) No Company Group Member is a “covered foreign person” and execution of this Agreement would not constitute a “covered transaction” for a purchaser that is a U.S. person, in each case as described and defined under the regulations administered and enforced by the United States Treasury Department at 31 C.F.R. § 850.101 et seq.

(h) The Company Group has implemented and maintains a compliance program reasonably designed to ensure compliance with applicable anti-corruption, anti-bribery, sanctions and export control Laws.

Section 2.11. Listing and Maintenance Requirements. The Common Shares are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or which to the Knowledge of the Company is reasonably likely to, have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Shares under the Exchange Act or delisting the Common Shares from NASDAQ nor has the Company received as of the date of this Agreement any notification that the SEC or NASDAQ is contemplating terminating such registration or listing.

Section 2.12. No Additional Representations. Except for the representations and warranties made by the Company in Article II, neither the Company nor any other person makes any express or implied representation or warranty with respect to any Company Group Member or their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, employees, employee benefit Plans, conditions or prospects, and the Company hereby disclaims any such other representations or warranties. In particular, without limiting the foregoing disclaimer, neither the Company nor any other person makes or has made any representation or warranty to the Purchaser, or any of its Affiliates or representatives, with respect to (i) any financial projection, forecast, estimate, budget or prospect information relating to any Company Group Member or their respective business, or (ii) except for the representations and warranties made by the Company in Article II, any oral or written information presented to the Purchaser or any of its Affiliates or representatives in the course of their due diligence investigation of the Company, the negotiation of this Agreement or in the course of the transactions contemplated hereby.

ARTICLE III.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER

The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Company, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent made only as of a specified date, in which case as of such date), that:

 

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Section 3.1. Organization and Authority. The Purchaser is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in all jurisdictions where its ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified and where failure to be so qualified would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the Purchaser’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or consummate the transactions contemplated hereby on a timely basis, and the Purchaser has the requisite power and authority and governmental authorizations to own its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted.

Section 3.2. Authorization.

(a) The Purchaser has the requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Purchaser and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all requisite action on the part of the Purchaser, and no further approval or authorization by any of its shareholders, partners, members or other equity owners, as the case may be, is required. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Purchaser and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company, is a valid and binding obligation of the Purchaser enforceable against the Purchaser in accordance with its terms (except as enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights or by general equity principles).

(b) None of the execution, delivery and performance by the Purchaser of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, or compliance by the Purchaser with any of the provisions hereof, will (i) violate, conflict with, or result in a breach of any provision of, require any payment to or consent by any person under, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination of, or accelerate the performance required by, or result in a right of termination or acceleration of, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Purchaser under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of (x) its governing instruments or (y) any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which the Purchaser is a party or by which it may be bound, or to which the Purchaser or any of the properties or assets of the Purchaser may be subject, or (ii) subject to compliance with the statutes and regulations referred to in the next paragraph, violate any Law, statute, ordinance, rule or regulation, permit, concession, grant, franchise or any judgment, ruling, order, writ, injunction or decree applicable to the Purchaser or any of its respective properties or assets except in the case of clauses (i)(y) and (ii) for such violations, conflicts and breaches as would not reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the Purchaser’s ability to perform its respective obligations under this Agreement or consummate the transactions contemplated hereby on a timely basis.

(c) Other than under applicable federal securities Laws, the securities or blue sky Laws of the various states, and approval or expiration of applicable waiting periods under Antitrust Law, including the HSR Act, no notice to, registration, declaration or filing with, exemption or review by, or authorization, order, consent or approval of, any Governmental Entity, nor expiration or termination of any statutory waiting period, is necessary for the consummation by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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Section 3.3. Purchase for Investment. The Purchaser acknowledges that the Purchased Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act or under any state or other applicable securities laws. The Purchaser (i) acknowledges that it is acquiring the Purchased Shares and the Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Purchased Shares pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act solely for investment and for its own account and not as a nominee or agent for any other Person with no present intention to distribute any of the Purchased Shares to any Person in violation of applicable securities laws, (ii) will not sell or otherwise dispose of any of the Purchased Shares or the Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Purchased Shares, except in compliance with the registration requirements or exemption provisions of the Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws (and the provisions of Section 4.11 hereof), (iii) has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and in investments of this type that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Purchased Shares and of making an informed investment decision, (iv) is an “accredited investor” (as that term is defined by Rule 501 of the Securities Act), (v) is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as that term is defined in Rule 144A of the Securities Act), (vi) an “institutional account” as defined in FINRA Rule 4512(c) and (vii) (A) has been furnished with or has had access to the information that it considers necessary or appropriate to make an informed investment decision with respect to the Purchased Shares and the Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Purchased Shares, (B) has had an opportunity to discuss with management of the Company the intended business and financial affairs of the Company and to obtain information (to the extent the Company possessed such information or could acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify any information furnished to it or to which it had access and (C) can bear the economic risk of (x) an investment in the Purchased Shares and the Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Purchased Shares indefinitely and (y) a total loss in respect of such investment. The Purchaser has such knowledge and experience in business and financial matters so as to enable it to understand and evaluate the risks of and form an investment decision with respect to its investment in the Purchased Shares and the Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Purchased Shares and to protect its own interest in connection with such investment.

Section 3.4. Financial Capability. The Purchaser has delivered to the Company a true and complete copy of the Equity Commitment Letter, pursuant to which the CD&R Fund has committed, subject only to the terms and conditions thereof, to (i) invest the amounts set forth therein in an amount up to the Purchase Price on the date on which the Closing should occur pursuant to Section 1.2 and (ii) fund the amounts described therein as necessary to fund certain monetary damages as may be owed by the Purchaser as a result

 

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of a Purchaser breach of this Agreement to the extent such damages would be payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Equity Commitment Letter. As of the date of this Agreement, the Equity Commitment Letter is in full force and effect and constitutes the enforceable, legal, valid and binding obligations of each of the parties thereto. At the Closing, the Purchaser will have available funds necessary to consummate the purchase and pay the Purchase Price on the terms and conditions contemplated by this Agreement. The Purchaser is not aware of any reason why the funds sufficient to pay the Purchase Price will not be available on the Closing Date. There are no conditions precedent related to the funding of the full amount of the financing committed pursuant to the Equity Commitment Letter other than as expressly set forth in the Equity Commitment Letter.

Section 3.5. Brokers and Finders. Neither the Purchaser nor its Affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any financial advisory fees, brokerage fees, commissions or finder’s fees, and no broker or finder has acted directly or indirectly for the Purchaser, in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 3.6. Ownership. As of the date of this Agreement, neither the CD&R Fund, the Purchaser nor any of their respective controlled Affiliates are the owners of record or the Beneficial Owners of Common Shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or any swaps or other derivative securities whose value is primarily correlated to, Common Shares.

Section 3.7. Acknowledgment of No Other Representations or Warranties. The Purchaser acknowledges that it has conducted its own independent investigation and analysis of the business, operations, assets, liabilities, results of operations, condition (financial or otherwise) and prospects of the Company. The Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties contained in Article II, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any other Person, makes any express or implied representation or warranty with respect to any Company Group Member or their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, employees, employee benefit Plans, conditions or prospects, and the Company hereby disclaims any such other representations or warranties and the Purchaser acknowledges that neither it nor any Affiliate thereof have relied on any information or material other than the express representations and warranties set forth in Article II. In particular, without limiting the foregoing disclaimer, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any other Person, makes or has made any representation or warranty to the Purchaser, or any of its Affiliates or representatives, with respect to (i) any financial projection, forecast, estimate, budget or prospect information relating to any Company Group Member or their respective business, or (ii), except for the representations and warranties made by the Company in Article II, any oral or written information presented to the Purchaser or any of its Affiliates or representatives in the course of their due diligence investigation of the Company, the negotiation of this Agreement or in the course of the transactions contemplated hereby. To the fullest extent

 

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permitted by applicable Law, except with respect to the representations and warranties contained in Article II, neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates shall have any liability (except in the case of actual, intentional fraud with respect to its representations and warranties contained in Article II) to the Purchaser or its Affiliates or representatives on any basis (including in contract or tort, under federal or state securities Laws or otherwise) based upon any other representation or warranty, either express or implied, included in any information or statements (or any omissions therefrom) provided or made available by the Company or its Affiliates to the Purchaser or its Affiliates or representatives in the course of their due diligence investigation of the Company, the negotiation of this Agreement or in the course of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 3.8. Placement Agent. The Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that (a) the Placement Agent is acting solely as the Company’s placement agent in connection with the offering of the Purchased Shares and is not and shall not be construed as a fiduciary for the Purchaser, the Company or any other Person in connection with the offering of the Purchased Shares, (b) the Placement Agent has not made and will not make any representation or warranty, whether express or implied, of any kind or character and has not provided any advice or recommendation with respect to the offering of the Purchased Shares, (c) the Placement Agent will have no responsibility with respect to (i) any representations, warranties or agreements made by any Person or entity under or in connection with the offering of the Purchased Shares or any of the Transaction Documents or any of the other documents furnished pursuant thereto or in connection therewith, or the execution, legality, validity or enforceability (with respect to any Person) thereof, or (ii) the business, affairs, financial condition, operations, properties or prospects of, or any other matter concerning the Company, the Purchaser or the offering of the Purchased Shares, and (d) the Placement Agent shall have no liability or obligation (including without limitation, for or with respect to any losses, claims, damages, obligations, penalties, judgments, awards, liabilities, costs, expenses or disbursements incurred by the Purchaser, the Company or any other Person), whether in contract, tort or otherwise, to the Purchaser or any Person claiming through you, in respect of the offering of the Purchased Shares.

ARTICLE IV.

COVENANTS

Section 4.1. Filings; Other Actions. During the period commencing on the date hereof and terminating on the earlier to occur of (a) the Closing and (b) the termination of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions hereof (the “Pre-Closing Period”), each of the Purchaser, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, will cooperate and consult with the other regarding (A) any communications with any Governmental Entity to the extent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including in connection with any inquiry, investigation or any action instituted (or threatened to be instituted) relating to Antitrust Law, and (B) the strategy and process by which the parties

 

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will obtain all required consents, clearances, expirations or terminations of waiting periods, authorizations, orders or approvals of, or any exemptions by, any Governmental Entity relating to Antitrust Law regarding the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of the Purchaser and the Company shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to prepare and file all necessary documentation, to effect all necessary applications, notices, petitions, filings and other documents, and to obtain all necessary permits, consents, orders, approvals and authorizations of, or any exemption by, all third parties and Governmental Entities, and the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period, necessary or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and to perform the covenants contemplated by this Agreement. Each party shall execute and deliver both before and after the Closing such further certificates, agreements and other documents and take such other actions as the other parties may reasonably request to consummate or implement the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to evidence such events or matters. In particular, the Purchaser and the Company shall each use reasonable best efforts to, as promptly as reasonably practicable following the date hereof, submit the notifications under the HSR Act, with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, including the issuance of the Purchased Shares to the Purchaser (and the issuance of Common Shares upon conversion of any Purchased Shares). The Purchaser and the Company will have the right to review and discuss in advance, and to the extent reasonably practicable, each will consult with the other and consider in good faith the views of the other in connection with, in each case subject to applicable Laws relating to the exchange of information, all communications, filings or submissions made with or to any third party or any Governmental Entity in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided that no party shall participate in any meeting or communicate with any Governmental Entity in connection with this Agreement unless, to the extent reasonably practicable and not prohibited by such Governmental Entity, it consults with the other party in advance and gives the other party the opportunity to attend and participate thereat. In exercising the foregoing rights, each of the parties hereto agrees to act reasonably and as promptly as reasonably practicable. Each party hereto agrees to keep the other party reasonably apprised of the status of matters referred to in this Section 4.1. The Purchaser shall promptly furnish the Company, and the Company shall promptly furnish the Purchaser, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, with copies of written communications (or, in the case of oral communications, advise the other party of) received by it or its Subsidiaries from any Governmental Entity in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, under no circumstances shall the Purchaser or any Company Group Member be required to (x) make any payment to any Person to secure such Person’s consent, approval or authorization (excluding any applicable filing fees or other de minimis expenses that are required to be paid by the Company), or (y) proffer to, or agree to, license, dispose of, sell or otherwise hold separate or restrict the operation of any of its assets, operations or other rights. Neither the Purchaser nor any Company Group Member shall be required to take or agree or commit to take any action that is not conditioned upon the Closing, including the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Kito Acquisition Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, references in this Section 4.1 with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement do not refer to the Kito Acquisition and the other transactions primarily governed by the Kito Acquisition Agreement.

 

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Section 4.2. Reasonable Best Efforts to Close. During the Pre-Closing Period, the Company and the Purchaser each will use reasonable best efforts in good faith to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary under applicable Laws so as to permit consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby as promptly as reasonably practicable and otherwise to enable consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing does not refer to the Kito Acquisition and the other transactions primarily governed by the Kito Acquisition Agreement) and shall cooperate reasonably with the other party hereto to that end, including in relation to the satisfaction of the conditions to Closing set forth in Section 1.3 and cooperating in seeking to obtain any consent required from Governmental Entities; provided that under no circumstances shall the Purchaser or any Company Group Member be required to waive any condition or right hereunder or make any material payment (other than filing or similar fees or fees payable to a Governmental Entity and expenses of advisors in connection therewith) in respect of the obligations set forth in this Section 4.2. During the Pre-Closing Period and following the termination of this Agreement until the Limited Guarantee has been terminated and the Company has satisfied its obligations under Section 4.18 in full, the Company shall not cause or permit any amendment, modification, or supplement to the Kito Acquisition Agreement (or any ancillary agreement thereto) (i) that would have the effect of increasing the aggregate consideration under the Kito Acquisition Agreement or extending the Outside Date (as defined in the Kito Acquisition Agreement), (ii) that would amend or waive any of the terms set forth in Article IX of the Kito Acquisition Agreement or the defined terms used therein or any other conditions to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Kito Acquisition Agreement, (iii) that would amend or waive any of the terms set forth in Sections 7.2, 7.9, 12.1 or 12.2 of the Kito Acquisition Agreement or the defined terms used therein or (iv) that is or would be reasonably likely, individually or in the aggregate, to be materially adverse to (A) the Purchaser or (B) the Company Group, taken as a whole, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser. During the Pre-Closing Period, the Company shall comply with its covenants under the Kito Acquisition Agreement in all material respects to the extent failure of such compliance would, or would be reasonably likely to, result in the Antirust Termination Fee (as defined in the Kito Acquisition Agreement) or the Termination Fee (as defined in the Kito Acquisition Agreement) becoming due under the Kito Acquisition Agreement, whether or not waived by another party to the Kito Acquisition Agreement (unless such waiver has also been agreed to in writing by the Purchaser).

 

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Section 4.3. Information Sharing. Any disclosures, provisions of information or rights to participate by one party to the other party under Section 4.1 or 4.2 may be made on a counsel-only basis, to the extent such party deems it advisable and necessary, and such counsel-only basis disclosures and information shall not be disclosed by such outside counsel to employees, officers or directors of the recipient unless express written permission is obtained in advance from the source of the materials (the Purchaser or the Company, as the case may be). Other than disclosures made on a counsel-only basis, disclosures or information may be redacted to the extent providing such information would (A) constitute a waiver of the attorney-client privilege or other similar legal immunity or protection from disclosure or (B) contravene applicable Law or Contract (provided that the Company and the Purchaser shall use its reasonable best efforts to provide such information in a manner that does not constitute a waiver of the attorney-client privilege or other similar legal immunity or protection from disclosure or contravene applicable Law or Contract, including by making reasonable and appropriate substitute disclosure arrangements, and give the other party such information as is reasonably necessary to get an appreciation of the nature of the information so excluded and the reason for such exclusion).

Section 4.4. Confidentiality. Each party to this Agreement will hold, and will cause its respective Affiliates and their respective directors, managers, officers, employees, agents, consultants and advisors to hold, in strict confidence, unless disclosure to a Governmental Entity is necessary in connection with any necessary regulatory approval, examination or inspection or unless disclosure is required by judicial or administrative process or by other requirement of Law or the applicable requirements of any Governmental Entity or relevant stock exchange (in which case, other than in connection with a disclosure in connection with a routine audit or examination by, or document request from, a regulatory or self-regulatory authority, bank examiner or auditor, the party disclosing such information shall provide the other party with prior written notice of such permitted disclosure to the extent lawful), all non-public records, books, contracts, instruments, computer data and other data and information (collectively, “Information”) concerning the other party hereto furnished to it by or on behalf of such other party or its representatives pursuant to this Agreement (except to the extent that such Information can be reasonably demonstrated to (a) have been previously known by such party from other sources, provided that such source was not known by such party to be bound by a contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality to the other party with respect to such Information, (b) have been or be in the public domain through no violation of this Section 4.4 by such party or (c) have been later lawfully acquired from other sources by the party to which it was furnished), and each party hereto shall not, and shall cause its respective Affiliates and their respective directors, managers, officers, employees, agents, consultants and advisors not to, release or disclose such Information to any other person, except, in each case, for disclosures to its Affiliates, auditors, attorneys, financial advisors, financing sources (including customary disclosures in the ordinary course, including in relation to fund raising, marketing, informational or reporting activities, to existing or prospective general and limited partners of the CD&R Fund or any Affiliated Fund) and other consultants and advisors to the extent the disclosure thereto is reasonable in connection with (1) the transaction contemplated hereby, (2) for purposes of monitoring its investment in the Company, (3) customary disclosures in the ordinary course to existing or prospective general and limited partners of the CD&R Fund or any Affiliated Fund (including in relation to fund raising, marketing, informational or reporting activities) and are subject to customary confidentiality obligations, or (4) enforcing its rights under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.

 

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Section 4.5. Securities Laws. During the Pre-Closing Period, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to (a) obtain all necessary permits and qualifications, if any, or secure an exemption therefrom, required by any state or country prior to the offer and sale of the Purchased Shares and (b) cause such authorization, approval, permit or qualification to be effective as of the Closing. Without limiting the foregoing, neither the Company nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other Person authorized by the Company to act on its behalf, shall take any action or steps that would cause the offering or issuance of Preferred Shares under this Agreement (or the conversion of such Preferred Shares into Common Shares) to be integrated with other offerings by the Company or that would result in neither Regulation D nor any other applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act to be available.

Section 4.6. Interim Operating Covenants. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.6, during the Pre-Closing Period and following the termination of this Agreement until the Limited Guarantee has been terminated and the Company has satisfied its obligations under Section 4.18 in full, the Company shall, and shall cause each other member of the Company Group (i) to operate its business in the ordinary course in substantially the same manner in which it previously has been conducted and (ii) use its reasonable best efforts to preserve intact in all material respects its business and assets and its relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and others having business dealings with it. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, during the Pre-Closing Period and following the termination of this Agreement until the Limited Guarantee has been terminated and the Company has satisfied its obligations under Section 4.18 in full, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser, the Company shall not, and shall cause each other member of the Company Group to not:

(a) declare, or make payment in respect of, any dividend or other distribution upon any Equity Securities of the Company;

(b) redeem, repurchase or acquire any shares of capital stock of any Company Group Member, other than repurchases of capital stock from employees, officers or directors of any Company Group Member in the ordinary course of business for purposes of the payment of the exercise price of Company Stock Options or for purposes of tax withholding pursuant to the exercise or settlement of Company Stock Options, Company RSUs or Company PRSUs, or as required by, any of the Company Group’s agreements or Plans in effect as of the date hereof;

 

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(c) (i) amend, alter, repeal or otherwise modify any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Certificate of Designations or the By-laws (other than in connection with the filing of the Certificate of Designations with the Secretary of State of the State of New York at or prior to the Closing) or take or authorize any action to wind up its affairs or dissolve, and (ii) enter into any scheme of arrangement, merger, reorganization or other consolidation or business combination that would treat the Purchased Shares in a manner inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement (including the Certificate of Designations);

(d) authorize (other than as contemplated as part of obtaining the Requisite Shareholder Approval), grant, issue or reclassify any capital stock, or securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into capital stock (including options, warrants or rights), of any Company Group Member other than (i) grants of Company Stock Options, Company RSUs and Company PRSUs under the Company Equity Plan in the ordinary course of business to employees, officers or directors of any Company Group Member or (ii) (A) issuances of capital stock or (B) or securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into shares of capital stock or other Equity Securities, of the Company, in each case, upon the exercise or settlement of any Company Stock Option, Company RSU or Company PRSU outstanding on the date of this Agreement;

(e) (i) amend the debt commitment letter related to the Debt Financing or the Fee Letter, (ii) complete the Debt Financing on any terms that are inconsistent with the terms set forth in the debt commitment letter related to the Debt Financing or the Fee Letter or (iii) enter into or amend any agreement relating to indebtedness for borrowed money, in each case, in a manner (x) that is material and adverse to the Purchaser (it being understood and agreed that any change that would limit or restrict (1) the Company’s ability to take any action in accordance with the Certificate of Designations, which failure to take such action would result in a Triggering Event (as defined in the Certificate of Designations), or (2) the Company’s ability to satisfy its obligations pursuant to Section 4.18 would be material and adverse to the Purchaser) or (y) that would otherwise restrict or limit in any respect the ability of the Company to pay dividends on the Preferred Shares; or

(f) agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.

Section 4.7. Exclusivity.

(a) During the Pre-Closing Period, without Purchaser’s prior written consent, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary shall, unless required under applicable Law, directly or indirectly, take (and the Company shall not authorize or permit any directors, officers or employees of the Company or, to the extent within the Company’s control, other Affiliates or representatives of the Company or any Company Subsidiary to take) any action to (i) encourage (including by way of furnishing non-public information), solicit, initiate or facilitate any Acquisition Proposal, (ii) enter into any agreement with respect to any Acquisition Proposal or enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding requiring it to abandon, terminate or fail to consummate the issuance of the Purchased Shares or any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents or (iii) participate in any way in discussions or negotiations with,

 

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or furnish any information to, any Person in connection with, or take any other action to facilitate any inquiries or the making of any proposal that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to lead to, any Acquisition Proposal. Prior to the Closing, the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to take all actions reasonably necessary to ensure that the directors, officers and employees of the Company or any Company Subsidiary and, to the extent within the Company’s control, other Affiliates or representatives of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, do not take or do any of the actions referenced in the immediately foregoing sentence. Upon execution of this Agreement and during the Pre-Closing Period, unless the Purchaser otherwise consents in writing, the Company shall, if applicable, cease immediately and cause to be terminated any and all existing discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with respect to an Acquisition Proposal and promptly request that all confidential information with respect thereto furnished on behalf of the Company be returned.

(b) During the Pre-Closing Period, and as permitted by applicable Law, the Company shall, as promptly as practicable (and in no event later than one business day after receipt thereof), advise the Purchaser of any Acquisition Proposal or any inquiry received by it relating to any potential Acquisition Proposal and of the material terms of any proposal or inquiry, including, but not limited to, the identity of the Person and its Affiliates making the same, that it may receive in respect of any such Acquisition Proposal or inquiry, or of any information requested from it or of any negotiations or discussions being sought to be initiated with it, shall furnish to the Purchaser a copy of any such proposal or inquiry, if it is in writing, or a reasonably accurate written summary of any such proposal or inquiry, if it is not in writing, and shall keep the Purchaser informed on a reasonably prompt basis with respect to any developments with respect to the foregoing.

Section 4.8. Tax Matters.

(a) The Company shall pay, or procure the payment of, any and all documentary, stamp and similar issue or transfer taxes due upon the issuance of (i) the Purchased Shares and (ii) the Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Purchased Shares, and the Company shall, at its own expense, file all necessary tax returns and other documentation with respect to all such taxes and fees and, if required by Law, the Purchaser shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, join in the execution of any such tax returns and other documentation and provide all required information and tax registration numbers; provided, however, in the case of conversion of Preferred Shares, the Company shall not be required to pay any tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of Common Shares in a name other than that of the holder of the shares to be converted, and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the person requesting such issue has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax or duty, or has established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax or duty has been paid.

 

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(b) In light of the Purchased Shares rights to participate in growth of the Company, the Purchaser and the Company agree not to treat the Purchased Shares (based on their terms as set forth in the Certificate of Designations) as “preferred stock” within the meaning of Section 305 of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.305-5 for U.S. federal income tax and withholding tax purposes and shall not take any position inconsistent with such treatment, except as required pursuant to a final determination within the meaning of Section 1313 of the Code. The Purchaser and the Company shall not treat the Purchased Shares as giving rise to dividend income for U.S. federal income tax purposes prior to the receipt of cash therefor, except as required pursuant to a final determination within the meaning of Section 1313 of the Code.

(c) The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide information that Purchaser reasonably requests in connection with the tax affairs of Purchaser and its Affiliates arising out of the Purchased Shares, including, when relevant, the determination of earnings and profits or of whether the Company is a “U.S. real property holding corporation” under section 897 of the Code.

Section 4.9. Information Rights. Subject to the Purchaser holding at least 5% of the shares of As-Converted Common Shares at such time, the Company agrees to provide the Purchaser with the following:

(a) (i) promptly upon finalization (and in no event later than ninety (90) days following the end of each of the Company’s fiscal years), an audited annual consolidated balance sheet for such fiscal year of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows and (ii) promptly upon finalization (and in no event later than 45 days following the end of each of the Company’s fiscal quarters), an unaudited quarterly consolidated balance sheet for such fiscal quarter of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows (in each case, to the extent not already filed or furnished by the Company with the SEC);

(b) any financial information delivered to lenders of the Company and its Subsidiaries under their debt documents; and

(c) such other information relating to the financial condition, business, prospects or corporate or tax affairs of the Company as shall be reasonably requested by the Purchaser;

provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to provide information (i) that is publicly available in the Company’s filings pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or (ii) (A) if providing such information would constitute a disclosure of trade secrets or competitively sensitive information, disclosure of personal information, or a waiver of the attorney-client privilege or other similar legal immunity or protection from disclosure or (B) contravene applicable Law or Contract (provided that the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to provide such information in a manner that does not constitute a waiver of the attorney-client privilege or other similar legal immunity or

 

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protection from disclosure or contravene applicable Law or Contract, including by making reasonable and appropriate substitute disclosure arrangements, and give the Purchaser such information as is reasonably necessary to get an appreciation of the nature of the information so excluded and the reason for such exclusion). Information provided under this Section 4.9 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 4.4 and Purchaser acknowledges its potential receipt of material non-public information and awareness of applicable securities laws.

Section 4.10. Transfer Restrictions.

(a) In order to induce the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Purchaser hereby agrees that, from the Closing until the earlier of (i) the second anniversary of the Closing Date and (ii) the date on which the Company exercises its Conversion Option set forth in Section 6(a)(i)(A) of the Certificate of Designations or provides Redemption Notice (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) to exercise its Optional Redemption pursuant to Section 10(a) of the Certificate of Designations (the “Lock-up Period”), the Purchaser Parties shall not, directly or indirectly, in any single transaction or series of related transactions: (A) sell, offer to sell, hypothecate, pledge, transfer, contract or agree to sell, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Purchased Shares or any Common Shares received upon conversion thereof, or otherwise establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, with respect to (collectively, “Transfer”) any of the Purchased Shares or any Common Shares received upon conversion thereof, or any equity interests or other securities in the Company received in exchange for (or as a distribution on or with respect to) any of the foregoing (such shares, collectively, the “Lock-up Shares”); (B) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any of the Lock-up Shares, for cash or otherwise or (C) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (A) or (B). The Purchaser hereby authorizes the Company during the Lock-up Period to cause its transfer agent for the Lock-up Shares to decline to transfer, and to note stop transfer restrictions on the stock register and other records relating to, Lock-up Shares for which the Purchaser (or any Purchaser Party) is the record holder or beneficial holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.10(a), any Purchaser Party may (x) Transfer the Purchased Shares or any Common Shares received upon conversion thereof (i) to another Purchaser Party, but only if such other Purchaser Party agrees in writing for the benefit of the Company (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company) to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and if the transferee and the transferor agree for the express benefit of the Company that the transferee shall Transfer the Purchased Shares or any Common Shares received upon conversion thereof so Transferred back to the transferor at or before such time as the transferee ceases to be an Affiliate of the transferor, (ii) to any other person to the extent such Transfer has been approved in writing by a majority of the Company Board (including

 

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in respect of a Change of Control (as defined in the Certificate of Designation)), excluding, in the case such Transfer is a Transfer specifically with respect to the Lock-up Shares (and not as part of a transaction involving other equity interests of the Company), the Purchaser Designees, or (iii) to the Company (including by way of surrender, redemption or repurchase) or any Company Subsidiary; or (y) pledge or hypothecate the Purchased Shares or any Common Shares received upon conversion thereof in connection with a Back Leverage Transaction; provided, that, (i) at least five (5) business days prior to the execution of definitive documentation in respect of any such Back Leverage Transaction, and the consummation thereof, the Purchaser shall provide prior written notice to the Company of the identity of the lender or lenders thereunder and shall provide such other information about the lenders or the loan reasonably requested by the Company to comply with, or monitor compliance with, this Agreement, and (ii) any such Back Leverage Transaction shall not be a Margin Loan. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, any Back Leverage Transaction entered into by a Purchaser Party shall only be with (or provided by) one or more commercial banks or financial institutions that are not Prohibited Transferees, and no Prohibited Transferee shall be permitted to have any direct or indirect interest in any such Back Leverage Transaction (whether by participation or otherwise) and the definitive documentation in respect of any such Back Leverage Transaction shall provide that any transfer, assignment or participation to any Prohibited Transferee will be void.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 4.10(a), the Purchaser Parties shall not at any time, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of a majority of the Company Board excluding the Purchaser Designees, in any single transaction or series of related transactions, Transfer any of the Lock-up Shares:

(1) other than in accordance with all applicable Laws and the other terms and conditions of this Agreement;

(2) knowingly in connection with any “short sale” or similar “hedging” arrangement with the purpose of offsetting the loss that results from a decline in the market price of any shares of Common Shares, or any similar transaction with the same economic effect; or

(3) knowingly to any Prohibited Transferee, other than any Transfer (i) effected by means of an underwritten Block Sale (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), (ii) into the public market pursuant to a bona fide, broadly distributed underwritten public offering or (iii) pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act.

(c) Any attempted Transfer in violation of this Section 4.10 shall be null and void ab initio.

 

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(d) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prohibit or otherwise restrict the ability of any lender (or its securities affiliate) or collateral agent to foreclose upon and sell, dispose of or otherwise transfer the shares of Purchased Shares and/or Common Shares (including Common Shares issued upon conversion of the Purchased Shares following foreclosure on a Back Leverage Transaction) pledged to secure the obligations of the borrower following an event of default under a Back Leverage Transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, in the event that any lender or other creditor with respect to a Back Leverage Transaction (including any agent or trustee on their behalf) or any Affiliate of the foregoing exercises any rights or remedies in respect of the shares of Purchased Shares (or Common Shares issuable or issued upon conversion thereof) or any other collateral for any Back Leverage Transaction or Transfers or causes the Transfer of any shares of Purchased Shares (or Common Shares issuable or issued upon conversion thereof), no lender, creditor, agent, trustee or transferee or Affiliate of any of the foregoing (including any subsequent transferee of any of the foregoing but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Purchaser Parties) shall be entitled to any rights under this Agreement under Article IV, except under this Section 4.10(d) (it being understood that such lender shall continue to have the economic rights associated with the ownership of the Purchased Shares as set forth in the Certificate of Designations (including the right to dividends and priority returns in the event of a liquidation)). Subject to the terms set forth in this and the immediately succeeding sentence, on or after the Closing Date, if requested by a Purchaser Party, at the sole cost and expense of the Purchaser Parties, the Company will use reasonable best efforts to provide such cooperation and assistance as may be reasonably requested in connection with such Purchaser Party obtaining any Back Leverage Transaction, provided that any cooperation and assistance as the Purchaser may reasonably request will not unreasonably disrupt the operation of the Company’s business, which cooperation may include entering into such customary agreements (including an issuer agreement) in forms reasonably acceptable to the Company, and using commercially reasonable efforts to cause any transfer agent to take such actions and enter into such agreements, as are reasonably requested by a Purchaser Party. In connection with any cooperation or assistance contemplated pursuant to the foregoing sentence, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall (A) be required to pay any fees, expenses or other amounts in connection with obtaining any Back Leverage Transaction, (B) be required to enter into, or cause any other person to enter into, any agreement or instrument unless it is on terms reasonably acceptable to the Company or (C) have any liability or obligation under any Back Leverage Transaction or any related document or any other agreement or document in connection with any Back Leverage Transaction (except for this Agreement and any agreement entered into by the Company or any such Subsidiary in accordance with this Section 4.10).

 

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(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or elsewhere to the contrary, no sale by any Purchaser Party (other than any CD&R Director) of the Preferred Shares or any Common Shares issuable or issued upon conversion of any of the Preferred Shares or purchase by any Purchaser Party of any Common Shares of the Company (either directly or indirectly through another Person) shall be subject to any policies, procedures or limitations (other than any applicable federal securities laws and any other applicable laws) otherwise applicable to the CD&R Directors with respect to trading in the Company’s securities and the Company acknowledges and agrees that such policies, procedures or limitations applicable to the CD&R Directors shall not be violated by any such transfer or purchase, other than any applicable federal securities laws and any other applicable laws.

(f) The Company shall, at Purchaser’s sole cost and expense, provide such reasonable cooperation as reasonably requested by the Purchaser and its Affiliates in connection with any transfer not prohibited by this Section 4.10.

Section 4.11. Board Representation.

(a) From and after the Closing, until such time as the Purchaser Parties collectively no longer Beneficially Own a number of As-Converted Common Shares equal to (i) at least 25% of the outstanding As-Converted Common Shares (adjusted for subdivisions, stock-splits, combinations, recapitalizations or similar events), the Purchaser shall be entitled to designate three (3) individuals, who shall be Partners, Managing Directors, Advisors or Principals of the Purchaser, Clayton Dubilier & Rice, LLC or an Affiliated Fund to serve on the Company Board (the “Purchaser Designees” and each a “Purchaser Designee”), (ii) at least 15% (but less than 25%) of the outstanding As-Converted Common Shares (adjusted for subdivisions, stock-splits, combinations, recapitalizations or similar events), the Purchaser shall be entitled to designate two (2) Purchaser Designees and (iii) at least 5% (but less than 15%) of the outstanding As-Converted Common Shares (adjusted for subdivisions, stock-splits, combinations, recapitalizations or similar events), the Purchaser shall be entitled to designate one (1) Purchaser Designee. At such time that the Purchaser is no longer entitled to designate one or more of its Purchaser Designees pursuant to the previous sentence, the Purchaser shall promptly cause such number of Purchaser Designees which it no longer is entitled to designate to offer to resign from the Company Board. The Purchaser Designees shall initially be those persons named on Schedule 4.11 to this Agreement. A person that is a Purchaser Designee shall remain and be regarded as a Purchaser Designee for purposes of this Agreement so long as he or she shall serve as a director on the Company Board pursuant to the terms of this Section 4.11(a). The Company’s obligations to have any Purchaser Designee appointed to the Company Board or nominate any Purchaser Designee for election as a director at any meeting of the Company’s shareholders pursuant to this Section 4.11, as applicable, shall in each case be subject to such Purchaser Designee’s satisfaction of all requirements regarding service as a director of the Company under applicable Law and stock exchange rules regarding service as a director of the Company. The Purchaser Parties will cause each Purchaser Designee to make himself or herself reasonably available for interviews and to consent to such reference and background checks or other investigations and provide such information as the Company Board may reasonably request to determine the Purchaser Designee’s eligibility and qualification to serve as a director of the Company Board.

 

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(b) From and after the Closing, the Company shall take such actions as are necessary to cause the Purchaser Designees to be nominated as members of the Company Board and shall, subject to applicable Law and the exercise of the fiduciary duties of the Company Board, include in any proxy statement prepared, used, delivered or publicly filed by the Company to solicit the vote of its shareholders in connection with any meeting of Company shareholders the recommendation of the Company Board that shareholders of the Company vote in favor of the Purchaser Designees and solicit votes in favor of the election of the Purchaser Designees to Company Board consistent with the Company’s efforts to solicit votes in favor of the election of the Company’s other nominees to the Company Board.

(c) The Company, the Purchaser and each Purchaser Designee shall enter into a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement on reasonably acceptable terms, which shall (i) provide that a Purchaser Designee shall be permitted to disclose confidential or non-public information received by such Purchaser Designee in its capacity as a member of the Company Board to representatives of the Purchaser and its Affiliates and (ii) contain customary acknowledgements with respect to Purchaser’s and each Purchaser Designee’s potential receipt of material non-public information and awareness of applicable securities laws.

(d) For so long as a CD&R Person or Purchaser Designee is serving on the Company Board, (i) the Company shall not implement or maintain any trading policy, equity ownership guidelines (including with respect to the use of Rule 10b5-1 plans and preclearance or notification to the Company of any trades in the Company’s securities) or similar guideline or policy with respect to the trading of securities of the Company that applies to any Purchaser Party (including a policy that limits, prohibits or restricts any Purchaser Party from entering into any hedging or derivative arrangements), in each case other than with respect to any CD&R Person or Purchaser Designee solely in his or her individual capacity, except as provided herein, (ii) any share ownership requirement for any Purchaser Designee serving on the Company Board will be deemed satisfied by the securities owned by any Purchaser Party and under no circumstances shall any of such policies, procedures, processes, codes, rules, standards and guidelines impose any restrictions on any Purchaser Party’s transfers of securities pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or otherwise, subject to compliance with applicable securities Laws, (iii) under no circumstances shall any policy, procedure, code, rule, standard or guideline applicable to the Company Board be violated by any Purchaser Designee receiving compensation from any Purchaser Party and (iv) no Purchaser Designee shall be excluded or required to recuse himself or herself from any meetings or materials of the Company Board as a result of or in connection with his or her affiliation with the CD&R Group or the CD&R Group’s ownership of any Preferred Shares or Common Shares except in connection with a transaction with, or dispute involving, the Purchaser or any other member of the CD&R Group, and, in each case of the foregoing clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), it is agreed that any such policies in effect from time to time that purport to impose terms inconsistent with this Section 4.11 shall not apply to the extent inconsistent with this Section 4.11 (but shall otherwise be applicable to the Purchaser Designee).

 

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(e) To the fullest extent permitted by the New York Business Corporation Law and subject to any express agreement that may from time to time be in effect, including the confidentiality provisions set forth in this Agreement, to the extent in compliance with applicable Law, the Company agrees that any Purchaser Designee, CD&R Person, CD&R Group and any CD&R Affiliate or any portfolio company thereof (collectively, “Covered Persons”) may, and none of the foregoing shall have any duty not to, (i) invest in, carry on and conduct, whether directly, or as a partner in any partnership, or as a joint venturer in any joint venture, or as an officer, director, shareholder, equityholder or investor in any person, or as a participant in any syndicate, pool, trust or association, any business of any kind, nature or description, whether or not such business is competitive with or in the same or similar lines of business as the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) do business with any client, customer, vendor or lessor of any of the Company or its Affiliates, and/or (iii) make investments in any kind of property in which the Company may make investments. To the fullest extent permitted by the New York Business Corporation Law, to the extent in compliance with applicable Law, the Company renounces any interest or expectancy to participate in any business or investments of any Covered Person as currently conducted or as may be conducted in the future, and waives any claim against a Covered Person. Except as set forth below, the Company agrees that in the event that a Covered Person acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter which may constitute a corporate opportunity for both (x) the Covered Person and (y) the Company or its Subsidiaries, the Covered Person shall not have any duty to offer or communicate information regarding such corporate opportunity to the Company or its Subsidiaries. To the fullest extent permitted by the New York Business Corporation Law, the Company hereby renounces any interest or expectancy in any potential transaction or matter of which the Covered Person acquires knowledge and waives any claim against each Covered Person that such Covered Person is liable to the Company or its shareholders for breach of any fiduciary duty solely by reason of the fact that such Covered Person (A) pursues or acquires any corporate opportunity for its own account or the account of any Affiliate or other person, (B) directs, recommends, sells, assigns or otherwise transfers such corporate opportunity to another person or (C) does not communicate information regarding such corporate opportunity to the Company, in each case, except for any corporate opportunity which is expressly offered to a Covered Person in his or her capacity as a member of the Company Board, it being understood that any such corporate opportunity shall belong to the Company.

 

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(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time, the Purchaser may, by written notice thereof, irrevocably relinquish the rights to designate Purchaser Designees and upon delivery of such notice, the Purchaser Parties shall cease to have any right to designate any Purchaser Designees.

Section 4.12. Preemptive Rights.

(a) From the Closing until such time as the Purchaser Parties cease to Beneficially Own at least 25% of the Purchased Shares received by the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement (adjusted for subdivisions, stock-splits, combinations, recapitalizations or similar events, and provided that any Common Shares issued upon conversion of Preferred Shares shall be treated as that number of Preferred Shares with respect to which such Common Shares were converted into), if the Company makes any public or non-public offering of any Equity Securities or Convertible Securities (as defined below) (“New Securities”), other than (1) pursuant to any employee or director benefit Plan or the granting, settlement or exercise of Company Stock Options, Company RSUs, Company PRSUs or other equity incentives pursuant to the Company Equity Plan (or any successor of the Company Equity Plan or any future customary bona fide equity incentive plans for the benefit of employees, directors, or other service providers of the Company) or employment or consulting arrangements with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (2) issuances made as consideration for any acquisition (by sale, merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation, or otherwise) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of equity in, or assets of, another person, business unit, division or business, (3) issuances of any securities issued as a result of a stock split, stock dividend, reclassification or reorganization or similar event, (4) issuances of Equity Securities issued upon conversion or exchange of, or as a dividend on, Preferred Shares then outstanding, (5) Equity Securities issued to (i) lenders in connection with bona fide debt financings, (ii) bona fide joint venture or strategic partners in exchange for contribution of assets (other than cash, cash equivalents or marketable securities) or services (in each case, other than a relationship focused on the raising of equity capital approved by the Board of Directors), (6) issuances of any securities of a Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, (7) issuances of securities issued upon the conversion, exercise or exchange of Company Stock Options, Company RSUs, Company PRSUs or any other Convertible Securities of the Company that were issued and outstanding on the Closing Date or issued after the Closing Date in compliance with this Section 4.12, or (8) any rights issued under a shareholder rights plan, the Purchaser and each Purchaser Party to whom Purchaser later transfers any Preferred Shares purchased on the Closing Date (or any Common Shares issued upon conversion of such Preferred Shares) shall be afforded the opportunity to acquire from the Company such Purchaser Party’s Preemptive Rights Portion of such New Securities for the same price as that offered to the other purchasers of such Equity Securities or other securities (provided that, in the case of any Equity Securities otherwise subject to a public offering, the purchase price shall be the public offering price of such Equity Securities, without any reduction for any underwriting discount, commission or similar fee (the “Price”)); provided that the Purchaser Parties shall not be entitled to acquire any New Securities pursuant to this Section 4.12 to the extent the

 

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issuance of such New Securities to the Purchaser Parties would require approval of the shareholders of the Company as a result of any such Purchaser Party’s status as an Affiliate of the Company or pursuant to the rules and listing standards of NASDAQ (or other Acceptable Exchange), in which case the Company may consummate the proposed issuance of New Securities to other Persons prior to obtaining approval of the shareholders of the Company (subject to compliance by the Company with Section 4.12(f) below). “Convertible Securities” means any securities that are convertible or exchangeable into (or exercisable for) Equity Securities, including warrants, options or other such rights to purchase Equity Securities.

(b) Subject to the foregoing proviso in Section 4.12(a), the amount of New Securities that each Purchaser Party shall be entitled to purchase in the aggregate shall be determined by multiplying (1) the total number of such offered New Securities by (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of As-Converted Common Shares held by such Purchaser Party, as of the date of the Preemptive Rights notice, and the denominator of which is the number of shares of As-Converted Common Shares then outstanding, as of the date of the Preemptive Rights notice (the “Preemptive Rights Portion”).

(c) If the Company proposes to offer New Securities that are subject to the preemptive rights of the Purchaser as set forth in this Section 4.12, it shall give the Purchaser written notice of its intention, describing the anticipated price (or range of anticipated prices), anticipated amount of New Securities and other material terms and timing upon which the Company proposes to offer the same (including, in the case of a registered public offering and to the extent possible, a copy of the prospectus included in the registration statement filed with respect to such offering) at least five (5) business days prior to such issuance (or, in the case of a registered public offering, at least five (5) business days prior to the commencement of such registered public offering) (provided that, to the extent the terms of such offering cannot reasonably be provided five (5) business days prior to such issuance, notice of such terms may be given as promptly as reasonably practicable but in any event prior to such issuance). The Company may provide such notice to the Purchaser on a confidential basis prior to public disclosure of such offering. Other than in the case of a registered public offering, the Purchaser may notify the Company in writing at any time on or prior to the second business day immediately preceding the date of such issuance (or, if notice of all such terms has not been given prior to the second business day immediately preceding the date of such issuance, at any time prior to such issuance) whether any of the Purchaser Parties will exercise such preemptive rights and as to the amount of New Securities the Purchaser Parties desires to purchase, up to the maximum amount calculated pursuant to Section 4.12(b). In the case of a registered public offering, the Purchaser shall notify the Company in writing at any time prior to the second business day immediately preceding the date of commencement of such registered public offering (or, if notice of all such terms has not been given prior to the second business day immediately preceding the date of commencement of such registered public offering, at

 

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any time prior to the date of commencement of such registered public offering) whether any of the Purchaser Parties will exercise such preemptive rights and as to the amount of New Securities the Purchaser Parties desires to purchase, up to the maximum amount calculated pursuant to Section 4.12(b). Such notice to the Company shall constitute a binding commitment by the Purchaser Parties to purchase the amount of New Securities so specified at the price and other terms set forth in the Company’s notice to it. Subject to receipt of the requisite notice of such issuance, the failure of a Purchaser Party to respond prior to the time a response is required pursuant to this Section 4.12(c) shall be deemed to be a waiver of such Purchaser Party’s purchase rights under this Section 4.12 only with respect to the offering described in the applicable notice.

(d) Each Purchaser Party shall purchase the New Securities that it has elected to purchase under this Section 4.12 concurrently with the related issuance of such New Securities by the Company (subject to the receipt of any required approvals from any Governmental Entity to consummate such purchase by such Purchaser Party); provided that, other than in the case of a registered public offering, if such related issuance is prior to the fifteenth (15th) business day following the date on which such Purchaser Party has notified the Company that it has elected to purchase New Securities pursuant to this Section 4.12, then each Purchaser Party shall purchase such New Securities within ten (10) business days following the date of the related issuance. If the proposed issuance by the Company of securities that gave rise to the exercise by the Purchaser Parties of its preemptive rights pursuant to this Section 4.12 shall be terminated or abandoned by the Company without the issuance of any securities, then the purchase rights of the Purchaser Parties pursuant to this Section 4.12 shall also terminate as to such proposed issuance by the Company (but not any subsequent or future issuance), and any funds in respect thereof paid to the Company by the Purchaser Parties in respect thereof shall be refunded in full.

(e) In the case of the offering of securities for consideration in whole or in part other than cash, including securities acquired in exchange therefor (other than securities by their terms so exchangeable), the consideration other than cash shall be deemed to be the fair value thereof as reasonably determined by the Company Board; provided, however, that such fair value as determined by the Company Board shall not exceed the aggregate market price of the securities being offered as of the date the Company Board authorizes the offering of such securities.

(f) In the event that the Purchaser Parties are not entitled to acquire any New Securities pursuant to this Section 4.12 because such issuance would require the Company to obtain shareholder approval in respect of the issuance of such New Securities to the Purchaser Parties as a result of any such Purchaser Party’s status as an Affiliate of the Company or pursuant to the rules and listing standards of NASDAQ, the Company shall, upon the Purchaser’s reasonable request delivered to the Company in writing within five (5) business days following its receipt of the written notice of such issuance to the Purchaser pursuant to Section 4.12(c), at the Purchaser’s election, (i) waive the restrictions

 

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set forth in Section 4.13(b) solely to the extent necessary to permit any Purchaser Party to acquire, prior to the date that is six months following such issuance, such number of New Securities that were not issued by application of the proviso to Section 4.12(a) (provided that the Company’s obligations under Section 4.12(a) shall be deemed satisfied to the extent any Purchaser Party acquires such New Securities under this subclause (i)); (ii) consider and discuss in good faith modifications proposed by the Purchaser Parties to the terms and conditions of such portion of the New Securities that would otherwise be issued to the Purchaser Parties such that the Company would not be required to obtain shareholder approval in respect of the issuance of such New Securities as so modified; and/or (iii) use reasonable best efforts to seek shareholder approval in respect of the issuance of any New Securities to the Purchaser Parties.

(g) The election by any Purchaser Party to not exercise its subscription rights under this Section 4.12 in any one instance shall not affect its right as to any subsequent proposed issuance.

(h) The Company and the Purchaser Parties shall cooperate in good faith to facilitate the exercise of the Purchaser Parties’ rights pursuant to this Section 4.12, including using reasonable best efforts to secure any required approvals or consents.

(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights and obligations set forth in clauses (a) through (h) of this Section 4.12 shall not be applicable until the COI Amendment has become effective.

(j) Prior to the Closing and, to the extent the Requisite Shareholder Approval has not been obtained, following the Closing until the first meeting of shareholders of the Company following the Closing, the Company shall not without the Purchaser’s prior written consent (i) issue any Common Share at a Price per share less than $34.25 (adjusted for subdivisions, stock-splits, combinations, recapitalizations or similar events) or (ii) issue any class of Junior Securities (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) other than Common Shares (except, in each case, any issuances of Common Shares pursuant to the Company Equity Plan).

Section 4.13. Voting of Company Stock; Standstill.

(a) Voting of Company Stock.

(1) At each meeting of the shareholders of the Company and at every postponement or adjournment thereof, each of CD&R Fund and the Purchaser Parties shall, and shall use reasonable best efforts to cause each of their respective Affiliates and representatives to, take such action as may be required so that all of the Preferred Shares and Common Shares Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, by CD&R Fund or the Purchaser Parties and entitled to vote at such meeting of shareholders are voted (i) in favor of each director nominated and recommended by the Company Board for election at any such meeting (which nomination and recommendation shall include the Purchaser Designees) and (ii) against any shareholder nominations for director that are not approved and recommended by the Company Board for election at any such meeting.

 

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(2) The Purchaser shall, and each of CD&R Fund and Purchaser shall (to the extent necessary to comply with this Section 4.13(a)) cause the Purchaser Parties to, be present, in person or by proxy, at all meetings of the shareholders of the Company at which directors are nominated so that all Preferred Shares and Common Shares Beneficially Owned by CD&R Fund or the Purchaser Parties may be counted for the purposes of determining the presence of a quorum and voted in accordance with Section 4.13(a)(1) at such meetings (including at any adjournments or postponements thereof).

(b) Standstill. Each of CD&R Fund and the Purchaser Parties agree that during the Standstill Period, without the prior written approval of the Company Board, CD&R Fund and the Purchaser Parties shall not, directly or knowingly indirectly, and shall cause their respective controlled Affiliates not to (either individually, or in concert with any other Person, or as a “group” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act)):

(1) acquire, offer or seek to acquire, agree to acquire or make a proposal to acquire, by purchase or otherwise, any Equity Securities or direct or indirect rights to acquire any Equity Securities, loans or debt securities of the Company or any of its Affiliates, any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any such Equity Securities, loans or debt securities or any options or other derivative securities or contracts or instruments derived by reference to the price of Equity Securities, loans or debt securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries or substantially all of the assets or property of the Company and its Subsidiaries (but in any case excluding any issuance by the Company of Common Shares or options, warrants or other rights to acquire Common Shares (or the exercise thereof) (A) to any Purchaser Designees as compensation for their membership on the Company Board or (B) as a result of a dividend payment on, or the conversion of, the Preferred Shares pursuant to the provisions of the Certificate of Designations);

(2) other than to effectuate the nomination and election of the Purchaser Designees pursuant to Section 4.11, make or in any way participate or engage in any “solicitation” of “proxies,” “consents” or “authorizations” (whether or not relating to the election or removal of directors), as such terms are used in the rules of the SEC, to vote, or knowingly seek to advise or influence any Person with respect to voting of, any voting securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or call or seek to call a meeting of the Company’s shareholders (or action by written consent in lieu thereof) or initiate any shareholder proposal for action by the Company’s shareholders, or other than with respect to the Purchaser Designees pursuant to this Agreement, seek election to or to place a representative on the Company Board or seek the removal of any director from the Company Board;

 

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(3) make any public announcement with respect to, or offer, seek, propose or indicate an interest in (in each case with or without conditions), any merger, consolidation, business combination, tender or exchange offer, recapitalization, reorganization or purchase of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, or any other extraordinary transaction involving the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any of their respective Equity Securities or assets, or enter into any discussions, negotiations, arrangements, understandings or agreements (whether written or oral) with any other Person regarding any of the foregoing;

(4) effect or seek to effect (including by entering into discussions, negotiations, agreements or understandings with any third person), offer or propose (whether publicly or otherwise) to effect, or cause or participate in, or in any way assist or facilitate any other person to effect or seek, offer or propose (whether public or otherwise) to effect or participate (except as a holder of Common Shares or Preferred Shares) in a merger, consolidation, division, acquisition or exchange of any Equity Securities of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof or any material portion of the assets thereof, change of control transaction, recapitalization, restructuring, liquidation or similar transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(5) excluding the Purchaser Designees, otherwise act, alone or in concert with others, to seek to control or influence, in any manner, management or the Company Board, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(6) make any public proposal or public statement of inquiry or publicly disclose any intention, plan or arrangement inconsistent with any of the foregoing;

(7) advise, assist, knowingly encourage or direct any Person to do, or to advise, assist, encourage or direct any other person to do, any of the foregoing;

(8) take any action that would reasonably be expected to require the Company to make a public announcement regarding the possibility of a transaction or any of the events described in this Section 4.13(b);

(9) enter into any discussions, negotiations, arrangements or understandings with any third party (including Equity Security holders of the Company, but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any Purchaser Parties) with respect to any of the foregoing, including forming, joining or in any way participating in a “group” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) with any third party with respect to any Equity Securities of the Company or otherwise in connection with any of the foregoing;

 

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(10) request the Company or any of its representatives, directly or indirectly, to amend or waive any provision of this Section 4.13(b); provided that this clause shall not prohibit the Purchaser Parties from making a confidential request to the Company seeking an amendment or waiver of the provisions of this Section 4.13(b), which the Company may accept or reject in its sole discretion, so long as any such request is made in a manner that does not require public disclosure thereof by any Person;

(11) contest the validity of this Section 4.13(b) or make, initiate, take or participate in any demand, action (legal or otherwise) or proposal to amend, waive or terminate any provision of this Section 4.13(b);

(12) deposit any Equity Securities owned thereby (whether Beneficial Ownership or record ownership) in any voting trust or subject any such Equity Securities to any arrangement or agreement (other than customary brokerage accounts, margin accounts, prime brokerage accounts and the like) with respect to the voting of any such Equity Securities, other than any such voting trust, arrangement or agreement solely among CD&R Fund, the Purchaser Parties and their respective Affiliates and granting proxies in solicitations approved by the Board;

(13) engage in any short sale or any purchase, sale, or grant of any option, warrant, convertible security, share appreciation right, or other similar right (including any put or call option or “swap” transaction) with respect to any security (other than any index fund, exchange traded fund, benchmark fund or broad basket of securities) that derives any significant part of its value from a decline in the market price or value of any of the securities or loans of the Company or its Subsidiaries; or

(14) knowingly advise, assist, or encourage or direct any Person to do, or to advise, assist, encourage or direct any other person to do, any of the foregoing;

provided, however, that nothing in this Section 4.13(b) will limit (1) the Purchaser Parties’ ability to vote (subject to Section 4.13(a) and the other Transaction Documents) or Transfer (subject to Section 4.10 and the other Transaction Documents) their Preferred Shares or Common Shares, or otherwise exercise rights in respect of their Preferred Shares pursuant to the Certificate of Designations, (2) the preemptive rights of any Purchaser Party pursuant to Section 4.12, or (3) the ability of any Purchaser Designees to act in his or her capacity as a member of the Company Board, including his or her ability to vote or otherwise exercise his or her fiduciary duties.

 

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Section 4.14. Legend.

(a) The Purchaser agrees that any certificates or other instruments, including the Company’s internal records, representing the Preferred Shares or Common Shares subject to this Agreement will bear a legend substantially to the following effect:

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT WHILE A REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING THERETO IS IN EFFECT UNDER SUCH ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT OR SUCH LAWS.

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO TRANSFER AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN AN INVESTMENT AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 10, 2025, COPIES OF WHICH ARE ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE ISSUER.

(b) Upon request of the Purchaser and upon receipt by the Company of an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company to the effect that such legend is no longer required under the Securities Act and applicable state Laws, the Company shall promptly cause the first paragraph of the legend to be removed from any certificate for any Preferred Shares or Common Shares to be Transferred in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Company shall promptly cause the second paragraph of the legend to be removed upon the expiration of such transfer and other restrictions set forth in this Agreement (and, for the avoidance of doubt, immediately prior to any termination of this Agreement). The Purchaser acknowledges that the Preferred Shares, and the Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares, issued pursuant to this Agreement have not been registered under the Securities Act or under any state securities laws and agrees that it will not sell or otherwise dispose of any of the Preferred Shares or Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares or, if applicable, issued pursuant to this Agreement, except in compliance with the registration requirements or pursuant to an exemption from such requirements of the Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws.

Section 4.15. NASDAQ Listing of Shares. To the extent the Company has not done so prior to the date of this Agreement, the Company shall promptly, and from time to time, apply to cause the Purchased Shares and the maximum number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares to be approved for listing on NASDAQ or another U.S. national stock exchange that the Common Shares are then listed on, subject to official notice of issuance, and shall use reasonable best efforts to maintain such listing.

 

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Section 4.16. Corporate Actions.

(a) At any time that any Preferred Share is outstanding, the Company shall:

(1) from time to time take all lawful action within its control to cause the authorized shares of the Company after July 31, 2025 to include a sufficient number of authorized but unissued Common Shares to satisfy the conversion requirements of all Preferred Shares then outstanding (and, in the event of any Change of Control (as defined in the Certificate of Designations), condition such Change of Control transaction on there being sufficient authorized shares to comply with the terms of the Certificate of Designations); and

(2) not effect any voluntary deregistration under the Exchange Act or any voluntary delisting of the Common Shares from NASDAQ (unless moving to another Acceptable Exchange) other than in connection with a Change of Control (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) pursuant to which the Company agrees to satisfy, or will otherwise cause the satisfaction, in full of its obligations under Section 8 of the Certificate of Designations or is otherwise consistent with the terms set forth in Section 8 of the Certificate of Designations.

(b) If any occurrence since the date of this Agreement until the Closing would have resulted in an adjustment to the Conversion Price (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) pursuant to the Certificate of Designations if the Preferred Shares had been issued and outstanding since the date of this Agreement, the Company shall adjust the Conversion Price (as defined in the Certificate of Designations), effective as of the Closing, in the same manner as would have been required by the Certificate of Designations if the Preferred Shares had been issued and outstanding since the date of this Agreement.

(c) Prior to or upon the Closing, the Company shall file with the Secretary of State of the State of New York the Certificate of Designations substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

(d) At any time that any Preferred Shares are outstanding, the Company shall not adopt any shareholder rights agreement, “poison pill” or similar anti-takeover agreement or plan that is applicable to the Purchaser Parties unless the Company has excluded the Purchaser Parties from the definition of “acquiring person” (or such similar term) as such term is defined in such anti-takeover agreement to the extent of the Purchaser Parties’ beneficial ownership of Preferred Shares or Common Shares owned as of the date any such agreement or plan is adopted by the Company and any additional beneficial ownership resulting from any Accrued Dividends (as defined in the Certificate of Designations).

 

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Section 4.17. Requisite Shareholder Approval; COI Amendment. Subject to applicable law and the exercise of the fiduciary duties of the Company Board, at the Company’s first meeting of shareholders following the date hereof (the “Company Shareholders Meeting”), the Company shall seek to obtain the Requisite Shareholder Approval and the Company Board shall, and the Company shall cause the Company Board to, in connection with the Company Shareholder Meeting, recommend to the Company Shareholders that such shareholders vote in favor of the proposal set forth in clause (i) of the definition of Requisite Shareholder Approval (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) and the COI Amendment. If the Requisite Shareholder Approval is not obtained at the Company Shareholder Meeting, the Company shall, subject to applicable law and the exercise of the fiduciary duties of the Company Board, continue to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the Requisite Shareholder Approval following the Company Shareholder Meeting, including by (i) seeking such approval at each subsequent scheduled meeting of the shareholders of the Company, and (ii) if the Requisite Shareholder Approval is not obtained on or prior to July 31, 2026, calling a special meeting of the shareholders to be held at a date between August 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026 to seek the Requisite Shareholder Approval. Subject to applicable law and the exercise of the fiduciary duties of the Company Board, in connection with the Company Shareholder Meeting or any subsequent scheduled meeting of the shareholders of the Company if the Requisite Shareholder Approval is not obtained at the Company Shareholder Meeting, the Company shall promptly prepare and file with the SEC a preliminary proxy statement, shall use its reasonable best efforts to respond to any comments of the SEC or its staff and to cause a definitive proxy statement related to such shareholders’ meeting to be mailed to the Company Shareholders as promptly as practicable after clearance thereof by the SEC, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to solicit proxies for the Requisite Shareholder Approval. The Company shall consult with the Purchaser prior to filing any such proxy statement, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or responding to any comments from the SEC or its staff with respect thereto, and provide the Purchaser with a reasonable opportunity to comment on the portions thereof relating to the proposal set forth in clause (i) of the definition of Requisite Shareholder Approval or the COI Amendment, and consider in good faith any comments proposed by the Purchaser. The Company shall promptly, and in no event later than two (2) business days following the date the Requisite Shareholder Approval is obtained, cause the COI Amendment to become effective. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that unless otherwise agreed to by the parties hereto in accordance with NASDAQ guidance, there shall be no shareholder vote for the purposes of obtaining the Requisite Shareholder Approval after December 31, 2026.

Section 4.18. Indemnity. As a condition and material inducement to the willingness of the CD&R Fund to enter into the Limited Guarantee, the Company hereby covenants and agrees to indemnify and hold the CD&R Fund and the Purchaser and their respective Affiliates (the “CD&R Indemnitees”) harmless from and against any Losses that are imposed on or incurred by the CD&R Indemnitees to the extent arising out of or in connection with the Limited Guarantee.

 

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Section 4.19. D&O Indemnification; Insurance Priority Matters. Each Purchaser Designee who serves as a member of the Company Board (including a CD&R Director) (collectively, the “Section 4.19 Persons”) shall be eligible to enter into an indemnification agreement consistent with then-current form entered into by other directors of the Company. The Company acknowledges and agrees that any Section 4.19 Person who is a partner, member, employee, advisor or consultant of any member of the CD&R Group may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by the applicable member of the CD&R Group (collectively, the “CD&R Indemnitors”). The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall be the indemnitor of first resort with respect to any indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws and/or indemnification agreement to any Section 4.19 Person, in his or her capacity as a director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable (such that the Company’s obligations to such indemnitees in their capacities as directors are primary and any obligation of the CD&R Indemnitees to advance expenses or to provide indemnification or insurance for the same expenses or liabilities incurred by such indemnitees are secondary). Such indemnitees shall, in their capacities as directors, be entitled to all the rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and entitled to insurance to the extent provided under (a) the Certificate of Incorporation and/or By-laws of the Company as in effect from time to time and/or (b) such other agreement, if any, between the Company and such indemnitees, without regard to any rights such indemnitees may have against the CD&R Indemnitees. No advancement or payment by the CD&R Indemnitees on behalf of such indemnitees with respect to any claim for which such indemnitees have sought indemnification, advancement of expenses or insurance from the Company in their capacities as directors shall affect the foregoing and the CD&R Indemnitees shall have a right of contribution and/or be subrogated to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery of such indemnitees against the Company.

ARTICLE V.

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 5.1. Expenses. Except as set forth in Section 4.8(a) and Section 4.18, each party will bear and pay all other costs and expenses incurred by it or on its behalf in connection with the transactions contemplated pursuant to this Agreement; provided that, the Company shall, if the Closing occurs or promptly following the termination of this Agreement pursuant to (a) Section 5.15(b) or Section 5.15(e), in each case at a time when the Purchaser could have terminated this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.15(c) or (b) Section 5.15(c) (and provided, in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b), that the Kito Acquisition Agreement is terminated (i) by the Company pursuant to Section 12.1(b) of the Kito Acquisition Agreement, (ii) by the Company pursuant to Section 12.1(c) of the Kito Acquisition Agreement (in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), in a circumstance in which the failure to close the Kito Acquisition or termination of the Kito Acquisition

 

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Agreement, as applicable, resulted from the Company’s failure to use its reasonable best efforts pursuant to Section 4.2 of this Agreement or Section 7.2 of the Kito Acquisition Agreement) or (iii) by mutual agreement of the parties thereto pursuant to Section 12.1(a) of the Kito Acquisition Agreement (excluding, in each case, any such termination (x) arising from the failure of one or more conditions to closing the Kito Acquisition to be satisfied on or prior to the Outside Date (other than as a result of the Company’s failure to use its reasonable best efforts pursuant to Section 4.2 or Section 7.2 of the Kito Acquisition Agreement) or (y) consented to by the Purchaser in writing)), reimburse the Purchaser up to an aggregate amount of $7 million for (A) all filing fees under the HSR Act and (B) its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the evaluation (including due diligence), negotiation and consummation of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including fees and expenses of its outside legal and accounting advisors in connection with any of the foregoing, provided that the Company shall not be obligated to reimburse the Purchaser for any M&A advisory fees payable by the Purchaser to any financial advisor.

Section 5.2. Amendment; Waiver. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement will be effective with respect to any party unless made in writing and signed by an officer or duly authorized representative of such party. 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. The conditions to each party’s obligation to consummate the Closing are for the sole benefit of such party and may be waived by such party in whole or in part to the extent permitted by applicable Law. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by Law.

Section 5.3. Counterparts; Electronic Transmission. For the convenience of the parties hereto, this Agreement may be executed in any number of separate counterparts, each such counterpart being deemed to be an original instrument, and all such counterparts will together constitute the same agreement. Executed signature pages to this Agreement may be delivered by electronic transmission and such electronic transmission will be deemed as sufficient as if actual manual pages had been delivered.

Section 5.4. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to principles or rules of conflict of Laws to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of Laws of another jurisdiction. The parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the City of New York in the State of New York for any actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. The parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consent to the jurisdiction of

 

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such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such action, suit or proceeding and irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, any objection that they may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such action, suit or proceeding in any such court or that any such action, suit or proceeding which is brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Process in any such action, suit or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court. Without limiting the foregoing, each party agrees that service of process on such party as provided in Section 5.6 shall be deemed effective service of process on such party.

Section 5.5. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 5.6. Notices. Any notice, request, instruction or other document to be given hereunder by any party to the other will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given (a) on the date of delivery if delivered personally or by telecopy or electronic mail, upon confirmation of receipt, (b) on the first business day following the date of dispatch if delivered by a recognized next-day courier service or (c) on the third business day following the date of mailing if delivered by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. All notices hereunder shall be delivered as set forth below or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice.

(a) If to the Purchaser:

c/o Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC

375 Park Avenue, 18th Floor

New York, New York 10152

Attention: Andrew Campelli; Michael Pratt

Email: acampelli@cdr.com; mpratt@cdr.com

with a copy to (which copy alone shall not constitute notice):

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

66 Hudson Boulevard

New York, New York 10001

Attention: Uri Herzberg; Kate Durnan Taylor

Email: uherzberg@debevoise.com; ketaylor@debevoise.com

 

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(b) If to the Company:

Columbus McKinnon Corporation

Legal Department

Getzville, NY 14068

Attention:  General Counsel

Email:    alan.korman@cmworks.com

with a copy to (which copy alone shall not constitute notice):

DLA Piper LLP (US)

1251 Avenue of the Americas

27th Floor

New York, New York 10020

Attention:  James L. Kelly; Ilya A. Bubel

Email:    james.kelly@us.dlapiper.com;

   ilya.bubel@us.dlapiper.com

Section 5.7. Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Exhibits and Schedules hereto) constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all other prior agreements, understandings, representations and warranties, both written and oral, among the parties, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

Section 5.8. Assignment. Neither this Agreement, nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto (whether by operation of Law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other party, provided, however, that (a) the Purchaser may assign its rights, interests and obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, to one or more Permitted Transferees in accordance with this Agreement, including Section 4.10, and (b) in the event of such assignment, such assignee shall agree in writing to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, including the rights, interests and obligations so assigned; provided, that no such assignment will relieve the Purchaser of its obligations hereunder prior to the Closing. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

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Section 5.9. Interpretation; Other Definitions. Wherever required by the context of this Agreement, the singular shall include the plural and vice versa, and the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders and vice versa, and, unless specified otherwise, references to any agreement, document or instrument shall be deemed to refer to such agreement, document or instrument as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time. All article, section, paragraph or clause references not attributed to a particular document shall be references to such parts of this Agreement, and all exhibit, annex and schedule references not attributed to a particular document shall be references to such exhibits, annexes and schedules to this Agreement. In addition, the following terms are ascribed the following meanings:

(1) The term “business day” means any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks are generally required or authorized by Law to be closed in New York City, New York.

(2) The terms “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section, paragraph or subdivision.

(3) The words “including,” “includes,” “included” and “include” are deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”.

(4) The phrase “to the extent” means the degree to which a matter extends (rather than “if”);

(5) The word “or” is not exclusive.

(6) The term “person” has the meaning given to it in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and as used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act.

(7) “Acceptable Exchanges” means NASDAQ and New York Stock Exchange (or either of their respective successors).

(8) “Acquisition Proposal” means any proposal or offer from any Person relating to any direct or indirect (i) sale, lease or other disposition directly or indirectly by merger, consolidation, business combination, share exchange, joint venture or otherwise of assets of the Company or any Subsidiary representing 10% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company Group (other than (a) sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice or (b) as reasonably necessary for securing merger control approval under applicable Antitrust Laws for purposes of completing the Kito Acquisition); (ii) issuance, sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly (including by way of merger, consolidation, business combination, share exchange, joint venture or any similar transaction), of securities (or options, rights or warrants to purchase, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, such securities) representing 5% or more of any class of Equity Securities (other than (A) grants or issuances of Company Stock Options, Company RSUs and Company PRSUs under the Company Equity Plan in the ordinary course of business to employees, officers or directors of any Company Group Member and (B) a public or private offering of up to $115 million of

 

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Common Shares as long as the Price per share in such offering is not less than $34.25); (iii) tender offer or exchange offer as defined pursuant to the Exchange Act that, if consummated, would result in any person Beneficially Owning 5% or more of any class or series (or the voting power of any class or series) of Equity Securities or any other transaction in which any Person shall acquire Beneficial Ownership or the right to acquire Beneficial Ownership, of 5% or more of any class or series (or the voting power of any class or series) of Equity Securities; (iv) merger, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving any Company Group Member representing 10% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company Group; or (v) combination of the foregoing (in each case, other than the arrangements contemplated by the Transaction Documents).

(9) “Activist Investor” means, as of any date of determination, any Person that has, directly or indirectly through its known Affiliates, whether individually or as a member of a publicly disclosed “group” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), within the three-year period immediately preceding such date (i) publicly made, engaged in or been a participant (as defined in Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) in any “solicitation” of “proxies” (as such terms are defined in Regulation 14A as promulgated by the SEC), including in connection with a proposed change in control or other extraordinary or fundamental transaction involving a public traded company or any of its Subsidiaries, or a public proposal for the election or replacement of any directors of any such company, unless in each case and for the avoidance of doubt, in support of a proposal approved by the board of directors of such publicly traded company prior to such Person taking such public action, (ii) publicly called, or publicly sought to call, a meeting of shareholders of any publicly traded company or publicly initiated any shareholder proposal or meeting agenda item for action by shareholders of any such publicly traded company (including through action by written consent), in each case not approved by the board of directors (or equivalent) of such company prior to first public disclosure thereof, (iii) commenced a “tender offer” (as such term is used in Regulation 14D under the Exchange Act) to acquire equity securities of any publicly traded company that was not approved (at or before the time of commencement) by the board of directors (or equivalent) of such company, or (iv) publicly disclosed any intention, plan, arrangement or other Contract to do any of the foregoing.

 

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(11) “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with, such other person; provided that (i) portfolio companies in which any Person or any of its Affiliates has an investment shall not be deemed an Affiliate of such Person (other than for purposes of Sections 3.5 and 3.6), (ii) no Company Group Member, and none of the Company’s other controlled Affiliates, will be deemed to be Affiliates of the Purchaser for purposes of this Agreement and (iii) each Company Subsidiary shall be deemed an Affiliate of the Company and of each other Company Subsidiary. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) when used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to cause the direction of management or policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

(12) “Affiliated Fund” mean any Affiliate of the Purchaser or Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC.

(13) “Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

(14) “Antitrust Laws” means the Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1-7, as amended; the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 12-27, 29 U.S.C. §§ 52-53, as amended; the HSR Act; the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. § 41-58, as amended; and all other federal, state and foreign statutes, rules, regulations, orders, decrees, administrative and judicial doctrines and other Laws that are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade.

(15) “As-Converted Common Shares” means at the time of determination (i) the issued and outstanding Common Shares, (ii) Common Shares issuable upon conversion of all issued and outstanding Preferred Shares, disregarding for this purpose the last sentence of Section 6(a)(i)(B) of the Certificate of Designations and (iii) Common Shares issuable upon the conversion of any other issued and outstanding convertible securities, options, warrants or rights issued by the Company but only if at the time of determination the holder thereof has the right to so convert, exercise, or settle such securities.

(16) “Back Leverage Transaction” means any (a) bona fide loan or lending transaction entered into by any Purchaser Party and/or any of its Affiliates and (b) granting of Liens by such Purchaser Party and/or Affiliates to secure payment of such indebtedness and related obligations.

(17) “Beneficial Ownership” or “Beneficially Own” shall have the meaning given such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act and a Person’s Beneficial Ownership of securities shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of such Rule; provided, however, that for purposes of determining any Person’s Beneficial Ownership, such person shall be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of any Equity Securities which may be acquired by such person, whether within sixty (60) days or thereafter, upon the conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise of any warrants, options, rights or other securities issued by the Company or any Company Subsidiary.

 

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(18) “By-laws” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

(19) “Capitalization Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).

(20) “CD&R” shall mean Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC or a successor thereto.

(21) “CD&R Affiliate” shall mean any of CD&R, any private equity fund managed or advised by CD&R or any general partner thereof, or any of their respective Affiliates.

(22) “CD&R Director” shall mean each Purchaser Designee and any other person that is a managing director, officer, advisor or employee of CD&R or other CD&R management entity or general partner, in each case, that is serving on the Company Board.

(23) “CD&R Fund” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

(24) “CD&R Group” shall mean the Purchaser together with its Affiliates, including CD&R Affiliates.

(25) “CD&R Indemnitees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.18.

(26) “CD&R Person” shall mean any CD&R Director.

(27) “Certificate of Designations” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

(28) “Certificate of Incorporation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

(29) “Closing” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(a).

(30) “Closing Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(a).

(31) “Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(32) “COI Amendment” shall have the meaning set forth in the Certificate of Deisgnations.

 

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(33) “Combined Company” means the Company Group together with Kito and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, pro forma for the transactions contemplated by Kito Acquisition Agreement.

(34) “Combined Company Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to the Combined Company, any Effect that, individually or taken together with all other Effects that have occurred prior to the date of determination of the occurrence of the Combined Company Material Adverse Effect, is or is reasonably likely to be materially adverse to the business, assets, liabilities, results of operations or financial condition of the Combined Company, taken as a whole; provided, however, that in no event shall any of the following occurring after the date hereof, alone or in combination, be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether a Combined Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred: (A) any decrease in the market price of the Company’s Common Shares on an Acceptable Exchange; (B) any failure by the Company or Kito to meet any internal or public revenue or earnings projections; (C) any Effect that results from changes affecting the industry in which the Company or Kito operates, or the United States economy generally, or any Effect that results from changes affecting general worldwide economic or capital market conditions; (D) except with respect to Section 2.3(b), any Effect caused by the announcement or pendency of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Kito Acquisition Agreement; (E) acts of war (whether or not declared), armed hostilities, terrorism or natural disasters; (F) actions or omissions of the Company or Kito expressly required by the terms of this Agreement, the Kito Acquisition Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including compliance with the covenants set forth herein or therein (excluding Section 4.6 of this Agreement), or any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Company at the written request of the Purchaser; (G) changes in GAAP or other accounting standards (or any interpretation thereof); or (H) changes in any Laws or other binding directives issued by any Governmental Entity or interpretations or enforcement thereof; provided, however, that (x) the exceptions in clause (A) and (B) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any Effect underlying such decrease or failure has resulted in, or contributed to, a Combined Company Material Adverse Effect, (y) with respect to clauses (C), (E), (G) and (H), such Effects, alone or in combination, may be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether a Combined Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred, but only to the extent such Effects disproportionately affect the Combined Company relative to other companies operating in the same industry as the Combined Company.

(35) “Common Shares” means the common shares, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.

(36) “Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

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(37) “Company Board” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).

(38) “Company Competitor” means, at any time, means (a) any Person (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) that, directly or indirectly (including through its Affiliates), is primarily engaged in design, manufacturing and marketing of products for moving, lifting, positioning and securing materials, and a Person will be deemed to be primarily engaged in the relevant business if (A) it derives more than fifteen percent (15%) of its consolidated revenue or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization from such business in the most recently completed fiscal year thereof immediately prior to the relevant date of determination, or (B) the consolidated revenue or EBITDA derived from such business is fifteen percent (15%) or more of the consolidated revenue or EBITDA of the Company, in each case for the mostly recently completed fiscal year of such Person (or business) or the Company, as applicable; provided that, for purposes of determining primary engagement pursuant to this clause (a), the businesses and engagements of any Person shall be considered together with all businesses and engagements of such Person’s direct or indirect Subsidiaries and parent entities, (b) without limiting the generality of the preceding clause (a), any of the Persons listed in Schedule 5.9(a) to this Agreement or any Person that directly or indirectly controls such Persons or any Person referred to in clause (a) above and (c) any controlled Affiliate of any such Person in the preceding clause (a) or clause (b); provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, no Affiliate of Purchaser or the CD&R Fund shall be a Company Competitor.

(39) “Company Equity Plan” means (i) the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Second Amended and Restated 2016 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated on June 5, 2019, and as further amended, (ii) the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Second Amended and Restated 2016 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated on June 4, 2024, and, in respect of (i) and (ii), the forms of award agreements thereunder.

(40) “Company Group” means the Company and the Company Subsidiaries from time to time.

(41) “Company Group Member” means any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, unincorporated association, trust or other entity within the Company Group.

(42) “Company PRSUs” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).

(43) “Company RSUs” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).

 

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(44) “Company Stock Options” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).

(45) “Company Subsidiary” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b).

(46) “Contract” means any written or oral agreement, arrangement, commitment or other instrument or obligation.

(47) “Covered Persons” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.11(e).

(48) “Effect” means any change, event, effect, state of facts, occurrence, development or circumstance.

(49) “Equity Commitment Letter” means that certain Equity Commitment Letter by and between CD&R Fund and the Purchaser, dated as of the date hereof, a copy of which has been delivered to the Company concurrently with the execution of this Agreement.

(50) “Equity Securities” means equity securities of the Company, including the Common Shares and Preferred Shares.

(51) “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and all rules, regulations, rulings and interpretations adopted by the Internal Revenue Service or the Department of Labor thereunder.

(52) “Exchange Act” shall have the meaning set forth in Article II.

(53) “FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

(54) “GAAP” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(d).

(55) “Government Official” means any (i) officer, employee or other Person acting for or on behalf of any Governmental Entity or public international organization or (ii) holder of, or candidate for, public office, political party or official thereof or member of a royal family or any other Person acting for or on behalf of the foregoing.

(56) “Governmental Entity” means any transnational, multinational, domestic or foreign federal, state, provincial or local governmental, regulatory or administrative authority, instrumentality, department, court, arbitrator, agency, commission or official, including any political subdivision thereof, any state-owned or state-controlled enterprise, or any non-governmental self-regulatory agency, commission or authority.

 

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(57) “HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(58) “Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, all obligations (including all obligations in respect of principal, interest, penalties, fees and premiums and all fees, expenses, payments and costs associated with prepayment, termination, redemption, breakage or unwinding) of such Person (a) for borrowed money, (b) evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, (c) in respect of reimbursement obligations under letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, bank overdrafts, surety or performance bonds and similar instruments, (d) for the deferred purchase price of goods or services, including earn-outs, but excluding trade payables and other current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business, (e) under leases required to be classified as capital leases under GAAP, (f) under hedging or swap obligations or similar arrangements, (g) that are secured by a Lien (other than a Permitted Lien (as defined in the Kito Acquisition Agreement)) on any assets or properties of such Person and (h) guarantees of, or assurances to a creditor against, a loss with respect to the obligations described in clauses (a) through (g) above of any other Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Indebtedness” shall not include any intercompany obligations or any accounts payable or accrued expenses arising in the ordinary course of business, or obligations under leases that are properly accounted for as operating leases under GAAP.

(59) “Information” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.4.

(60) “Kito” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

(61) “Kito Acquisition” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

(62) “Kito Acquisition Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

(63) “Knowledge of the Company” means the actual knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, of the individuals set forth on Schedule 5.9(b).

(64) “Law” or “Laws” mean any statute, law, ordinance, treaty, rule, code, regulation or other binding directive issued, promulgated or enforced by any Governmental Entity.

(65) “Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, option, power of sale, retention of title, right of pre-emption, right of first refusal, hypothecation, security interest, encumbrance, claim, lien or charge of any kind, or an agreement, arrangement or obligation to create any of the foregoing.

 

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(66) “Lock-up Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.10(a).

(67) “Lock-up Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.10(a).

(68) “Margin Loan” means any loan where the borrowing ability under the loan, rates, acceleration terms or other rights or terms are tied to the trading price of stock and the primary credit support for such loan is such stock and the proceeds therefrom.

(69) “Losses” means (i) any and all losses, costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’, accountants’ and expert witness’ fees and expenses), judgments, fines, taxes, claims, damages, sanctions, penalties and assessments or other payments of whatever kind, all interest thereof, all costs and expenses of investigating any claim lawsuit or arbitration and any appeal therefrom plus (ii) interest on any amount paid to Kito pursuant to, or in connection with, the terms of the Limited Guarantee at an annual rate equal to 10% which shall accrue daily from the date such amounts are paid to Kito through the date such Losses are paid to the CD&R Fund in accordance with this Agreement.

(70) “Multiemployer Plan” means (x) a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA that is maintained in the United States and (y) a non-U.S. defined-benefit pension plan for the benefit of employees of multiple unrelated employers, in each case, to which any Company Group Member contributes or is or has been required to contribute.

(71) “NASDAQ” means the NASDAQ Stock Market (or its successor).

(72) “New Securities” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.12(a).

(73) “Non-Recourse Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.18.

(74) “OFAC” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.10(d).

(75) “Permitted Transferee” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any Affiliate of such Person, (ii) any successor entity of such Person and (iii) with respect to any Person that is an investment fund, vehicle or similar entity, any other investment fund, vehicle or similar entity of which such person or an Affiliate, advisor or manager of such person serves as the general partner, manager or advisor; provided, however, that no portfolio company of any Person shall be a Permitted Transferee.

 

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(76) “Person” means an individual, a corporation, a general or limited partnership, a limited liability company, an association, a trust, other legal entity or organization or Governmental Entity.

(77) “Placement Agent” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC.

(78) “Plan” means any employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, whether or not subject to ERISA) maintained for current or former employees of the Company, any Company Subsidiary or any other person with whom the Company is considered a single employer under Section 414 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA, to which any Company Group Member is required to contribute, including any pension, profit-sharing, retirement, death, disability, supplemental retirement, welfare benefit, retiree health, and life insurance plan, agreement or arrangement, or any other compensation plan, policy, program, agreement or arrangement, including any employment, change in control, bonus, equity or equity-based compensation, retention, severance, termination, deferred compensation or other similar agreement, arrangement, plan, policy or program that any Company Group Member, maintains, sponsors, is a party to, or as to which any Company Group Member otherwise has or would reasonably be expected to have any material obligation or material liability, but excluding any Multiemployer Plans.

(79) “Pre-Closing Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.

(80) “Preemptive Rights Portion” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.12(b).

(81) “Preferred Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

(82) “Prohibited Transferee” means (a) any Person who, immediately prior to the relevant Transfer, is a Company Competitor or an Activist Investor or (b) any Person or “group” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) who, without giving effect to the Transfer, Beneficially Owns 5% or more of the total voting power of the Equity Securities of the Company (other than, in the case of clause (b) of this definition, any Person who has reported its ownership of such securities of the Company on Schedule 13G).

(83) “Purchase Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.1.

(84) “Purchased Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.1.

 

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(85) “Purchaser” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

(86) “Purchaser Designee” or “Purchaser Designees” shall have the meanings set forth in Section 4.11(a).

(87) “Purchaser Parties” means the Purchaser and any Affiliated Fund.

(88) “Registration Rights Agreement” means that certain Registration Rights Agreement, the form of which is set forth as Exhibit B.

(89) “Relevant Persons” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.10(b).

(90) “SEC” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a).

(91) “SEC Documents” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a).

(92) “Section 4.19 Persons” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.19.

(93) “Securities Act” shall have the meaning set forth in Article II.

(94) “Standstill Period” means the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the later of (x) the second anniversary of the Closing Date and (y) the date that is six (6) months after the date on which a Purchaser Designee is no longer serving on the Company Board (whether due to resignation or otherwise) and the Purchaser Parties no longer have the right pursuant to this Agreement to designate any Purchaser Designee to serve on the Board (including as a result of the Purchaser having exercised its right under Section 4.11(f) to irrevocably relinquish such designation rights).

(95) “Subsidiary” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b).

(96) “Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Certificate of Designations and the Registration Rights Agreement.

(97) “Transfer” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.10(a).

(98) “Voting Debt” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b).

Section 5.10. Captions. The article, section, paragraph and clause captions herein are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and will not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof.

 

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Section 5.11. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person (including the officers and directors of the parties hereto) or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, will remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby, so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination, the parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon a suitable and equitable substitute provision to effect the original intent of the parties.

Section 5.12. No Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as set forth in the immediately succeeding sentences or as otherwise expressly provided herein, nothing contained in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto (and their permitted assigns), any benefit, right or remedies. Notwithstanding the foregoing (i) each Non-Recourse Party is a express third party beneficiary of Section 5.18, (ii) the Covered Persons are express third party beneficiaries of Section 4.11(e), (iii) the Purchaser Parties are express third party beneficiaries of Article IV, (iv) the CD&R Indemnitees are express third party beneficiaries of Section 4.18. Nothing in this Section 5.12 shall limit the rights of Kito Crosby Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, to seek specific performance against the Company to cause the Company to specifically enforce the provisions hereof and under the Equity Commitment Letter against the other parties hereto and thereto in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof and (v) the Placement Agent is an express third party beneficiary of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in Article II and of the Purchaser contained Section 3.3 and Section 3.8.

Section 5.13. Public Announcements. Subject to each party’s disclosure obligations imposed by Law or regulation or the rules of any stock exchange upon which its securities are listed, each of the parties hereto will cooperate with each other in the development and distribution of all news releases and other public information disclosures with respect to this Agreement and any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and neither the Company nor the Purchaser will make any such news release or public disclosure without first consulting with the other, and, in each case, also receiving the other’s consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and each party shall coordinate with the party whose consent is required with respect to any such news release or public disclosure; provided that, the Purchaser, the CD&R Fund and each Affiliated Fund may make customary disclosures in the ordinary course, including in connection with fund raising, marketing, informational or reporting activities, to existing or prospective general and limited partners of the CD&R Fund or any Affiliated Fund.

 

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Section 5.14. Specific Performance. The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that, without the necessity of posting bond or other undertaking, the parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, and the Company shall have the rights of specific performance as provided for in the Equity Commitment Letter, this being in addition to any other remedies to which the parties are entitled at Law or equity, and in the event that any action or suit is brought in equity to enforce the provisions of this Agreement, no party will allege, and each party hereby waives, the defense or counterclaim that there is an adequate remedy at Law.

Section 5.15. Termination. This Agreement will survive the Closing so long as the Purchaser and its Affiliates hold any Purchased Shares or Common Shares issuable upon the conversion of Preferred Shares. Prior to the Closing, this Agreement may only be terminated:

(a) by mutual written agreement of the Company and the Purchaser;

(b) by the Company or the Purchaser, upon written notice to the other party given at any time on or after the date that is eighteen (18) months after the date of this Agreement (the “End Date”); provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 5.15(b) shall not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligations under this Agreement shall have been the principal cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Closing to occur on or prior to such date;

(c) by the Company or the Purchaser, upon written notice to the other party given at any time after the termination of the Kito Acquisition Agreement in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 5.15(c) shall not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligations under this Agreement shall have been the principal cause of, or resulted in, the termination of the Kito Acquisition Agreement in accordance with its terms;

(d) by notice given by the Company to the Purchaser, if (i) the Closing shall not have occurred on or prior to the date required pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Kito Acquisition Agreement following notice thereof in accordance with Section 1.2 at a time when all conditions set forth in Section 1.3 have been satisfied or will be satisfied at the Closing; (ii) the Company has notified Purchaser in writing that the Company is ready, willing and able to effect the Closing; and (iii) Purchaser fails to consummate the Closing on the earlier of the End Date or the third (3rd) Business Day following the date of delivery of such written notification by the Company; or

(e) by notice given by the Purchaser to the Company, if there have been one or more breaches of one or more covenants or agreements made by the Company in this Agreement such that the conditions in Section 1.3(b) would not be satisfied and which have not been cured by the Company within seventy five (75) days after receipt by the Company of written notice from the Purchaser requesting such breaches to be cured.

 

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Section 5.16. Effects of Termination. In the event of any termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 5.15, neither party (nor any of its Affiliates) shall have any liability or obligation to the other (or any of its Affiliates) under or in respect of this Agreement, except to the extent of (A) any liability arising from any intentional and material breach by such party of its obligations under this Agreement arising prior to such termination, (B) actual, intentional fraud with respect to a party’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or (C) any liability with respect to terms of this Agreement which expressly survive such termination pursuant to this Section 5.16. In the event of any such termination, this Agreement shall become void and have no effect, and (if such termination is prior to the Closing) the transactions contemplated hereby shall be abandoned without further action by the parties hereto, in each case, except (x) as set forth in the preceding sentence, (y) that the provisions of Section 4.4 (Confidentiality), Section 4.18 (Indemnity), Section 5.1 (Expenses), Section 5.2 through Section 5.13 (Amendment, Waiver; Counterparts; Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial; Notices; Entire Agreement, Assignment; Interpretation; Other Definitions; Captions; Severability; No Third Party Beneficiaries; Public Announcements) and Section 5.18 (Non-Recourse) and (z) for as long as the Limited Guarantee has not been terminated or the Company has not satisfied its obligations under Section 4.18 in full, the second and third sentence of Section 4.2 and Section 4.6 shall survive the termination of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, an intentional and material breach by the Purchaser shall be deemed to include any failure by the Purchaser to consummate the Closing if it is obligated to do so hereunder. Nothing herein shall limit the Purchaser’s obligations under the Limited Guarantee.

Section 5.17. Survival. The representations and warranties, and covenants required to be completed prior to the Closing, of the parties contained in this Agreement shall survive for twelve (12) months following the Closing. All of the other covenants or agreements of the parties contained in this Agreement shall survive until fully performed or fulfilled, unless and to the extent that non-compliance with such covenants or agreements is waived in writing by the party entitled to such performance.

Section 5.18. Non-Recourse. This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claims or causes of action that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement may only be made against the entities that are expressly identified as parties hereto, including entities that become parties hereto after the date hereof, and no former, current or future equityholders, controlling persons, directors, officers, employees, agents or Affiliates of any party hereto or any former, current or future equityholder, controlling person, director, officer, employee, general or limited partner, member, manager, advisor, agent or Affiliate of any of the foregoing (each, a “Non-Recourse Party”) shall have any liability for any obligations or liabilities of the parties to this Agreement or for any claim (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) based on, in respect of, or by reason of, the transactions contemplated hereby or in respect of any representations made or alleged to be made in connection herewith, provided that the foregoing shall in no way limit any rights or

 

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remedies of the Company expressly set forth in the Equity Commitment Letter. Without limiting the rights of either party against the other party hereto, in no event shall either party or any of its Affiliates seek to enforce this Agreement against, make any claims for breach of this Agreement against, or seek to recover monetary damages from, any Non-Recourse Party, provided that the foregoing shall in no way limit any rights or remedies of the Company expressly set forth in the Equity Commitment Letter.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized officers of the parties hereto as of the date first herein above written.

 

COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ David J. Wilson

Name: David J. Wilson
Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer
CD&R XII KEYSTONE HOLDINGS, L.P.
By: CD&R Investment Associates XII, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Nathan K. Sleeper

Name: Nathan K. Sleeper
Title:  Chief Executive Officer
CLAYTON, DUBILIER & RICE FUND XII, L.P. (solely for purposes of Section 4.13 hereof)
By: CD&R Associates XII, L.P., its general partner
By: CD&R Investment Associates XII, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Nathan K. Sleeper

Name: Nathan K. Sleeper
Title:  Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Investment Agreement]


EXHIBIT A

Form of Certificate of Designations

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO THE

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION

(Under Section 805 of the Business Corporation Law)

The undersigned, David J. Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer, of Columbus McKinnon Corporation, a New York corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies as follows:

1. The name of the Corporation is COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION. The name under which the Corporation was formed is COLUMBUS MCKINNON CHAIN CO., INC.

2. The original Certificate of Incorporation was filed by the Department of State on September 23, 1929. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), was filed by the Department of State on October 17, 2022.

3. As authorized by Article FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation, the board of directors of the Corporation (hereinafter called the “Board of Directors,” which term shall include any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board of Directors) has authorized the issuance of a series of preferred shares of the Corporation and has adopted resolutions providing for the issuance of such series, including the number, designation and relative rights, preferences and limitations of the shares of such series.

This Certificate of Amendment (this “Certificate”) hereby amends the Certificate of Incorporation by the addition of the following Article NINTH setting forth, in full, the number, designation, relative rights, preferences and limitations of the foregoing series of preferred shares of the Corporation:

NINTH:

Section 1. Designation and Amount. There is hereby authorized for issuance a series of preferred shares, par value $1.00 per share (the “Preferred Shares”). The shares of such series shall be designated as “Series A Cumulative Convertible Participating Preferred Shares” (the “Series A Preferred Shares”) and the number of shares constituting the Series A Preferred Shares shall be 800,000. Subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 11(b), such number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors; provided, that no decrease shall reduce the number of Series A Preferred Shares to a number less than the number of shares then outstanding plus the number of shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options, rights or warrants or upon the conversion of any outstanding securities issued by the Corporation convertible into Series A Preferred Shares.


Section 2. Rank. Each Series A Preferred Share shall rank equally in all respects and shall be subject to the provisions herein. The Series A Preferred Shares shall, with respect to payment of dividends, redemption payments or rights (including as to the distribution of assets) upon Liquidation (as defined below), (i) rank senior and prior to the Corporation’s common shares, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Shares”), and each other class or series of equity securities of the Corporation, whether currently issued or issued in the future, that by its terms does not expressly rank senior to, or on parity with, the Series A Preferred Shares as to payment of dividends, redemption payments, rights (including as to the distribution of assets) upon Liquidation, or otherwise (all such equity securities, including the Common Shares, are collectively referred to herein as “Junior Securities”), (ii) rank junior to the Corporation’s debt obligations and each class or series of equity securities of the Corporation, whether currently issued or issued in the future in accordance with this Article NINTH, that by its terms expressly ranks senior to the Series A Preferred Shares as to payment of dividends, redemption payments, rights (including as to the distribution of assets) upon Liquidation, or otherwise (all such equity securities are collectively referred to herein as “Senior Securities”), and (iii) rank on parity with each class or series of equity securities of the Corporation, whether currently issued or issued in the future in accordance with this Article NINTH, that expressly provides that it ranks on parity with the Series A Preferred Shares as to payment of dividends, redemption payments, rights (including as to the distribution of assets) upon Liquidation, or otherwise (all such equity securities are collectively referred to herein as “Parity Securities”). The respective definitions of Junior Securities, Senior Securities and Parity Securities shall also include any securities, rights or options exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into any of the Junior Securities, Senior Securities or Parity Securities, as the case may be.

Section 3. Definitions.

(a) As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below or in the section cross-referenced below, as applicable, whether used in the singular or the plural:

Accrued Dividends” means, as of any date, with respect to any Series A Preferred Share, all dividends that have accrued in respect of such share pursuant to Section 4(a)(ii) but that have not been paid as of such date as Cash Dividends.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with, such Person.

Base Amount” means, with respect to any Series A Preferred Share, as of any date, the sum of (x) the Liquidation Preference and (y) the Base Amount Accrued Dividends with respect to such share as of such date.

Base Amount Accrued Dividends” means, with respect to any Series A Preferred Share, as of any date, (i) if a Preferred Dividend Payment Date has occurred since the issuance of such share, the Accrued Dividends with respect to such share as of the preceding Preferred Dividend Payment Date (taking into account the payment of Preferred Dividends in respect of such period ending on such preceding Preferred Dividend Payment Date, if any, as of such Preferred Dividend Payment Date) or (ii) if no Preferred Dividend Payment Date has occurred since the issuance of such share, zero.

Base Dividend Rate” means, for any day, 7.00% per annum.

 

2


Beneficially Own” and “Beneficial Ownership” has the meaning given such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, and a Person’s beneficial ownership of Equity Interests of any Person shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of such rule, but without taking into account any contractual restrictions or limitations on voting or other rights; provided that, for purposes of determining beneficial ownership, a Person shall be deemed to be the beneficial owner of any security which may be acquired by such Person, whether within sixty (60) days or thereafter, upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of any warrants, options, rights or other securities.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board of directors for the purposes in question.

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks are generally required or authorized by Law to be closed in New York City, New York.

By-Laws” means the Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Corporation, as amended from time to time.

Cash Dividend” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a)(ii).

Certificate of Incorporation” means the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended from time to time.

Change of Control” means the occurrence, directly or indirectly, of any of the following:

(i) any purchase, merger, acquisition or other transaction or series of related transactions immediately following which any Person or Group (excluding the Investor or its Affiliates or any Group including the Investor or its Affiliates) shall Beneficially Own, directly or indirectly, Voting Stock entitling such Person or Group to exercise more than 50% of the total voting power of all classes of Voting Stock of the Corporation, other than as a result of any such transaction in which (x) the holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction are substantially the same as the holders of securities that represent a majority of the total voting power of all classes of Voting Stock of the surviving Person or any parent entity thereof immediately after such transaction and (y) the holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction own directly or indirectly Voting Stock of the surviving Person or any parent entity thereof in substantially the same proportion to each other as immediately prior to such transaction;

(ii) any transaction or series of related transactions immediately following which the Persons who Beneficially Own the Voting Stock of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction or transactions cease to Beneficially Own more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Corporation, any successor thereto or any parent entity thereof immediately following such transaction or transactions; or

 

3


(iii) (x) the Corporation merges or consolidates with or into any other Person, another Person merges with or into the Corporation, or the Corporation conveys, sells, transfers or leases all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets to another Person (other than a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Corporation), or (y) the Corporation engages in any recapitalization, reclassification or other transaction in which all or substantially all of the Common Shares are exchanged for or converted into cash, securities or other property, in each case of clauses (x) and (y), other than any such transaction: (A) that does not result in a reclassification, conversion, exchange or cancellation of the outstanding Common Shares; (B) which is effected solely to change the Corporation’s jurisdiction of incorporation and results in a reclassification, conversion or exchange of outstanding Common Shares solely into shares of common stock (or equivalent) of the surviving entity; or (C) where the Voting Stock of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior to such transaction remains, or is converted into or is exchanged for, Voting Stock of the surviving or transferee Person constituting a majority of the outstanding shares of Voting Stock of such surviving or transferee Person (immediately after giving effect to such merger or consolidation).

Change of Control Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(a).

Change of Control Redemption” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(a).

Change of Control Redemption Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(b).

COC Redemption Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(a).

COI Amendment” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Requisite Shareholder Approval.

Common Share Dividend Record Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a)(iv).

Common Share Trading Price” means, as of any Trading Day, the closing price of a Common Share on such Trading Day (as reported on Bloomberg, based on composite transactions for the Trading Market).

Common Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.

control” (including the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”), with respect to the relationship between or among two or more Persons, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the affairs or management of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or otherwise.

Conversion Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(b)(v).

Conversion Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(b)(i).

Conversion Option” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a)(i)(A).

Conversion Option Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a)(i)(A).

Conversion Option Measurement Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a)(i)(A).

Conversion Price” means, as of any date, the Initial Conversion Price, as adjusted pursuant to Section 9.

Conversion Right” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a)(i)(B).

 

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Convertible Securities” means indebtedness or Equity Interests convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares.

Corporation” means Columbus McKinnon Corporation, a New York corporation.

Debt Financing Documents” means [•].

Dividend Payment Record Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a)(iv).

Dividend Rate” means, for any day, the Base Dividend Rate as increased by the Noncompliance Additional Rate, if any, applicable on such day pursuant to Section 4(b).

Equity Interests” of any Person means any and all shares, interests (including partnership interests), rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any preferred stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

Ex-Date” means, when used with respect to any distribution, the first date on which the Common Shares or other securities in question do not have the right to receive the distribution giving rise to an adjustment to the Conversion Price.

Excess Conversion Shares” means, prior to receipt of the Requisite Shareholder Approval, in connection with any conversion of Series A Preferred Shares (disregarding for this purpose the last sentence of Section 6(a)(i)(B)), those Common Shares (if any) that would result in the number of Common Shares issued in such conversion (when taken together with all Common Shares previously issued in connection with any conversion of Series A Preferred Shares) exceeding [•]1.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

Exchange Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a).

Governmental Entity” means any transnational, multinational, domestic or foreign federal, state, provincial or local governmental, regulatory or administrative authority, instrumentality, department, court, arbitrator, agency, commission or official, including any political subdivision thereof, any state-owned or state-controlled enterprise, or any non-governmental self-regulatory agency, commission or authority.

Group” means any “group” as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

Holder” means, at any time, any Person in whose name Series A Preferred Shares are registered, which may be treated by the Corporation as the absolute owner of such Series A Preferred Shares for the purpose of making payment and settling the related conversions and for all other purposes.

Holder COC Redemption Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(a).

 

1 

Such amount to equal such number of Common Shares that represents 19.99% of the Common Shares outstanding as of immediately prior to signing (or, if agreed by the parties in accordance with Nasdaq guidance, the closing).

 

5


Implied Quarterly Dividend Amount” means, with respect to any Series A Preferred Share, as of any date, the product of (a) the Base Amount of such Series A Preferred Share as of the first day of the applicable Payment Period and (b) one-fourth of the Dividend Rate applicable to such share on such date.

Initial Conversion Price” means (i) with respect to each Series A Preferred Share issued on the Original Issuance Date, $37.68 per Common Share and (ii) with respect to each Series A Preferred Share issued after the Original Issuance Date, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the issuance of such share.

Investment Agreement” means that certain Investment Agreement, dated as of February 10, 2025, by and among the Corporation, CD&R XII Keystone Holdings, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and, solely for purposes of Section 4.13 thereof, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund XII, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, as the same may be amended from time to time.

Investor” means, collectively, one or more investment vehicles affiliated with or managed by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC who acquire Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to the Investment Agreement.

Issuance Date” means, with respect to a Series A Preferred Share, the date of issuance of such Series A Preferred Share.

Junior Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.

Law” means any statute, law, ordinance, treaty, rule, code, regulation or other binding directive issued, promulgated or enforced by any Governmental Entity.

Liquidation” means the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

Liquidation Preference” means, with respect to each Series A Preferred Share, $1,000.00 per share.

Market Price” means, with respect to any particular security on any particular date, (i) if such security is listed or quoted on a principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange or traded on an over-the-counter market, the volume weighted average price per share (as reported on Bloomberg based, in the case of a listed security, on composite transactions for the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which such security is listed or quoted) of such security for the period of ten (10) consecutive Trading Days preceding (and excluding) the date of determination (or for any other period specified for this purpose in the applicable provision of this Article NINTH), or (ii) if such security is not listed or quoted on a principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange or traded on an over-the-counter market, the fair market value of such security on the date of determination, as determined pursuant to the Valuation Methodology.

NASDAQ” means the NASDAQ Stock Market (or its successor).

Noncompliance Additional Rate” means 3.00% per annum.

NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange (or its successor).

 

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Optional Redemption” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(a).

Options” means rights, options or warrants to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire Common Shares or Convertible Securities.

Original Issuance Date” means the date of closing pursuant to the Investment Agreement.

Parity Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.

Participating Dividends” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a)(i).

Payment Period” means, with respect to a Series A Preferred Share, the period beginning on the day after the preceding Preferred Dividend Payment Date (or if no Preferred Dividend Payment Date has occurred since the Issuance Date of such Series A Preferred Share, the day that would have been the day after the preceding Preferred Dividend Payment Date had the Issuance Date with respect to such Series A Preferred Share occurred prior to such date) to and including the next Preferred Dividend Payment Date.

Permitted Quarterly Dividends” means, with respect to any calendar quarter, a dividend of up to $0.07 per Common Share during such calendar quarter.

Person” means an individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act).

“Preferred Dividend Payment Date” means March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year (each, a “Quarterly Date”), commencing on the first Quarterly Date immediately following the Original Issuance Date; provided, that if any such Quarterly Date is not a Business Day, then the “Preferred Dividend Payment Date” shall be the next Business Day immediately following such Quarterly Date.

Preferred Dividends” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a)(ii).

Preferred Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.

Pro Rata Repurchase” means any acquisition (whether effected by repurchase or redemption) of Common Shares by the Corporation or any Affiliate thereof (other than, if applicable, the Investor or any of its Affiliates) pursuant to any tender offer or exchange offer subject to Section 13(e) of the Exchange Act, or pursuant to any other offer available to substantially all holders of Common Shares, whether for cash, Equity Interests or other securities of the Corporation, evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation or any other Person or any other property (including Equity Interests, other securities or evidences of indebtedness of a Subsidiary of the Corporation), or any combination thereof, effected while any Series A Preferred Shares are outstanding; provided that “Pro Rata Repurchase” shall not include any acquisition (whether effected by repurchase or redemption) of shares by the Corporation or any Affiliate thereof made in accordance with the requirements of Rule 10b-18 as in effect under the Exchange Act. The “Effective Date” of a Pro Rata Repurchase means the date of acceptance of shares for purchase or exchange under any tender or exchange offer which is a Pro Rata Repurchase or the date of acquisition (whether effected by repurchase or redemption) with respect to any Pro Rata Repurchase that is not a tender or exchange offer.

 

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Purchased Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(a)(iv).

Recognized Exchange” means any of the following: the NASDAQ, The Nasdaq Global Market, The Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE American, the NYSE Arca, or the OTCQB or the OTCQX operated by OTC Markets Group, Inc. (or any nationally recognized successor to any of the foregoing).

Redemption Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(a).

Redemption Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(a).

Redemption Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(a).

Register” means the securities register maintained in respect of the Series A Preferred Shares by the Corporation, or to the extent the Corporation has engaged a transfer agent, such transfer agent.

Registration Rights Agreement” means that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of [•], by and among the Corporation, CD&R XII Keystone Holdings, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any Person who becomes a party thereto in accordance therewith, as the same may be amended from time to time.

Registration Statement” means any registration statement of the Corporation filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act covering the resale of all Series A Preferred Shares and Common Shares into which the Series A Preferred Shares have been or may be converted pursuant to this Article NINTH.

Reorganization Event” means any of the following transactions:

(i) any reorganization, consolidation, merger, share exchange, statutory exchange, tender or exchange offer or other similar business combination involving the Corporation with or into another Person, in each case, pursuant to which the Common Shares will be converted into, or exchanged for, cash, securities or other property of the Corporation or another Person;

(ii) any reclassification, recapitalization or reorganization of the Common Shares into securities other than the Common Shares; or

(iii) any direct or indirect sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition (including in connection with any Liquidation) by the Corporation of all or substantially all of its assets or business, in each case under this clause (iii), pursuant to which the Common Shares will be converted into cash, securities or other property.

Required Reserved Shares” means, as of any date, a number of Common Shares equal to (a) the number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of all then outstanding Series A Preferred Shares as of such date (including any Excess Conversion Shares and disregarding for this purpose the last sentence of Section 6(a)(i)(B)) plus (b) the number of additional Common Shares that the Series A Preferred Shares would be convertible into following the first Preferred Dividend Payment Date after such date if a Cash Dividend is not paid on such Preferred Dividend Payment Date.

 

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Requisite Shareholder Approval” means the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at a regular or special meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation (at which a quorum is present) for the approval of (i) in accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635, the conversion and the voting of all Excess Conversion Shares and (ii) an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation (the “COI Amendment”) that (A) increases the number of authorized but unissued Common Shares of the Corporation to 100 million and (B) provides such changes as are necessary to permit the Corporation to comply with its obligations under Section 4.12 of the Investment Agreement without the effectiveness of paragraph (i) thereof.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Senior Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.

Series A Preferred Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.

Shelf Registration Statement” means a shelf Registration Statement (on Form S-3 to the extent permissible or any comparable or successor form or forms or any similar short-form registration constituting a “shelf” registration statement).

Subsidiary” or “Subsidiaries” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of capital stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof and for this purpose, a Person or Persons owns a majority ownership interest in such a business entity (other than a corporation) if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of such business entity’s gains or losses or shall be or control any managing director or general partner of such business entity (other than a corporation). For the purposes hereof, the term “Subsidiary” shall include all Subsidiaries of such Subsidiary.

Trading Day” means a day on which the Trading Market is open for the transaction of business.

Trading Market” means the NASDAQ (or any nationally recognized successor thereto); provided, however, that in the event the Common Shares are not listed on the NASDAQ (or any nationally recognized successor thereto) but are then listed or traded on a Recognized Exchange, then the “Trading Market” shall mean such Recognized Exchange on which the Common Shares are then listed or traded.

 

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Triggering Event” means: (i) the Corporation’s failure to (x) comply with its obligations to effect the conversion of Series A Preferred Shares in compliance with Section 6, (y) as of any date, reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued Common Shares, solely for the purpose of effecting conversions of the Series A Preferred Shares into Common Shares, the Required Reserved Shares as of such date (including any Excess Conversion Shares and disregarding for this purpose the last sentence of Section 6(a)(i)(B)); provided that, except for purposes of Section 4(c)(y), a Triggering Event shall not be deemed to have occurred as a result of clause (y) above prior to the earlier of (A) the date on which the Requisite Shareholder Approval is obtained and (B) July 31, 2025 or (z) to comply with the terms of Section 7), (ii) the Corporation’s failure to comply with its obligations to redeem Series A Preferred Shares when required in accordance with the terms of this Article NINTH, (iii) the failure of the Corporation to have received the Requisite Shareholder Approval, provided that, except for purposes of Section 4(c)(y), this clause (iii) shall not apply until July 31, 2025, (iv) the Corporation taking any action which requires the prior affirmative vote or written consent of any Holder pursuant to the terms of this Article NINTH, including any action described in Section 11(b), without the prior affirmative vote or written consent of such required affirmative vote or written consent, (v) the Corporation’s failure to maintain the listing of the Common Shares on the NASDAQ or NYSE or (vi) any other noncompliance with the terms set forth in this Article NINTH by the Corporation that, in case of this clause (vi) is not cured within thirty (30) days of the earlier of (1) the Corporation’s receipt of written notice from the Holders representing at least a majority of the then-issued and outstanding Series A Preferred Shares and (2) the Corporation becoming aware of such noncompliance.

Valuation Methodology” means (i) if, within ten (10) Business Days following notice from the Corporation of a good faith determination by the Board of Directors, the Holders of a majority of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares deliver written notice to the Corporation that they object to such determination, then determined by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm that has for this purpose (x) been selected by the Board of Directors, and (y) been consented to by Holders of a majority of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares or (ii) otherwise the good faith determination of the Board of Directors as set forth in the notice described in clause (i).

Voting Cap” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(a).

Voting Stock” means Equity Interests of the class or classes pursuant to which the holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary circumstances (determined without regard to any classification of directors) to elect one or more members of the Board of Directors (without regard to whether or not, at the relevant time, Equity Interests of any other class or classes (other than Common Shares) shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

 

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(b) In addition to the above definitions, unless the context requires otherwise:

(i) any reference to any statute, regulation, rule or form as of any time shall mean such statute, regulation, rule or form as amended or modified and shall also include any successor statute, regulation, rule or form from time to time;

(ii) the word “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

(iii) references to “$” or “dollars” means the lawful coin or currency of the United States of America;

(iv) the phrase “to the extent” means the degree to which something extends (and not “if”); and

(v) references to “Section” are references to Sections of this Article NINTH.

Section 4. Dividends.

(a) Holders of the issued and outstanding Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends, dividends on the terms described below:

(i) Holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to participate equally and ratably with the holders of Common Shares in dividends paid on the Common Shares (other than (A) dividends paid in the form of Common Shares, Convertible Securities or Options and (B) Permitted Quarterly Dividends) as if immediately prior to each Common Share Dividend Record Date, all Series A Preferred Shares then outstanding were converted into Common Shares (including any Excess Conversion Shares and disregarding for this purpose the last sentence of Section 6(a)(i)(B)). Dividends payable pursuant to this Section 4(a)(i) (the “Participating Dividends”) shall be payable on the same date that such dividends are payable to holders of Common Shares, and no dividends shall be payable to holders of Common Shares (except as otherwise provided in clauses (A) and (B) of the preceding sentence) unless the full dividends contemplated by this Section 4(a)(i) are paid at the same time to the Holders of the Series A Preferred Shares.

(ii) In addition to any dividends pursuant to Section 4(a)(i), on each Preferred Dividend Payment Date the Corporation shall either (at its option and sole discretion) (A) to the extent permitted by applicable Law, pay in cash (any Preferred Dividend paid in such manner, a “Cash Dividend”), if, as and when declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available therefor, dividends on each outstanding Series A Preferred Share or (B) if the Corporation does not pay a Cash Dividend on such Preferred Dividend Payment Date, allow dividends, automatically and without any action of the Corporation, to accumulate with respect to each outstanding Series A Preferred Share for such Payment Period, thereby constituting Base Amount Accrued Dividends and increasing the Base Amount (such dividends in accordance with clause (A) or clause (B) above, the “Preferred Dividends”), in each case at a rate per annum equal to the Dividend Rate as further specified in this Section 4(a)(ii) and in accordance with Section 4(a)(iii) below. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Corporation has not made the Cash Dividend payment in full in cash with respect to any Preferred Dividend Payment Date on or prior to such Preferred Dividend Payment Date, then the Corporation shall be deemed to have elected to satisfy the Preferred Dividends with respect to such Preferred Dividend Payment Date by the mechanics set forth in clause (B) of this Section 4(a)(ii). Preferred Dividends on each Series A Preferred Share shall accrue and accumulate on a daily basis from the Issuance Date of such share, whether or not declared and whether or not the Corporation

 

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has funds legally available for the payment of such dividends, shall compound quarterly on each Preferred Dividend Payment Date (to the extent not paid in cash on or prior to such Preferred Dividend Payment Date) and shall be payable quarterly in arrears, if, as and when so authorized and declared by the Board of Directors, on each Preferred Dividend Payment Date, commencing on the first Preferred Dividend Payment Date following the Issuance Date of such share. The amount of Preferred Dividends accruing with respect to any Series A Preferred Share for any day shall be determined by dividing (x) the Implied Quarterly Dividend Amount as of such day by (y) the actual number of days in the applicable Payment Period. The amount of Preferred Dividends payable with respect to any Series A Preferred Share for any Payment Period shall equal the sum of the Preferred Dividends accrued in accordance with the prior sentence of this Section 4(a)(ii) with respect to such share during such Payment Period.

(iii) Preferred Dividends that have accrued in a Payment Period may, at the option of the Corporation in its sole discretion and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, be paid as Cash Dividends in respect of such Payment Period; provided that (x) Cash Dividend payments shall be aggregated per Holder and shall be made to the nearest cent (with $.005 being rounded upward), and (y) Cash Dividends in respect of Accrued Dividends in respect of any Payment Period may be paid after the Preferred Dividend Payment Date in respect of such Payment Period solely with the consent of the Holders representing at least a majority of the then-issued and outstanding Series A Preferred Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Article NINTH, except as contemplated by clause (y) of the immediately preceding proviso, no Cash Dividends may be paid in respect of Accrued Dividends that have become Base Amount Accrued Dividends and the value associated with such Accrued Dividends shall be delivered to Holders through payment or conversion as contemplated by this Article NINTH (including in accordance with Section 5, Section 6, Section 7, Section 8 and Section 10).

(iv) Each Participating Dividend or Preferred Dividend shall be paid pro rata to the Holders of Series A Preferred Shares entitled thereto. Each Participating Dividend or Preferred Dividend shall be payable to the Holders of Series A Preferred Shares as they appear on the Register at the close of business on the record date designated by the Board of Directors for such dividends (each such date, a “Dividend Payment Record Date”), which (i) with respect to Participating Dividends, shall be the same day as the record date for the payment of dividends to the holders of Common Shares (the “Common Share Dividend Record Date”), and (ii) with respect to Preferred Dividends, shall be not more than thirty (30) days nor less than ten (10) days preceding the applicable Preferred Dividend Payment Date.

(b) Upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event, the Dividend Rate shall increase by the Noncompliance Additional Rate from and including the date on which the Triggering Event shall occur and be continuing through but excluding the date on which all then occurring Triggering Events are no longer continuing. The Dividend Rate shall not be increased further pursuant to this Section 4(b) for a subsequent Triggering Event occurring while the Dividend Rate is then-currently increased pursuant to this Section 4(b).

 

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(c) At any time during which a Triggering Event shall be occurring, without the consent of the Holders representing at least a majority of the then-issued and outstanding Series A Preferred Shares, (x) no dividends shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment, or other distributions declared or made, upon any Junior Securities (other than prior to December 31, 2026, Permitted Quarterly Dividends), nor shall any Junior Securities be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (nor shall any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of any such Junior Securities) by the Corporation, directly or indirectly (other than repurchases or redemptions of Common Shares from employees, officers or directors of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and, subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 hereof, by conversion into or exchange for Junior Securities or the payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares in connection therewith (collectively, “Permitted Junior Repurchases”)) and (y) the Corporation shall not consummate a Change of Control unless the Corporation provides each Holder the option to either (i) receive the consideration it would have received in such Change of Control if all of its Series A Preferred Shares had been converted into Common Shares (including in respect of any Excess Conversion Shares and disregarding for this purpose the last sentence of Section 6(a)(i)(B)) pursuant to Section 6, immediately prior to the effective time of the Change of Control or (ii) have all of its then-outstanding Series A Preferred Shares redeemed in full at a redemption price per share in cash equal to 150% of the sum of (A) the aggregate Liquidation Preference and (B) the aggregate Accrued Dividends of such Series A Preferred Shares as of the date of such redemption.

(d) Without the consent of the Holders representing at least a majority of the then-issued and outstanding Series A Preferred Shares, the Corporation shall not (i) declare, pay or set aside for payment any dividends or distributions upon any Junior Securities or (ii) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Junior Securities (other than Permitted Junior Repurchases) for any consideration or pay any moneys or make available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of such Junior Securities, unless, in each case, (A) immediately before and after the taking of such action, the fair value of the Corporation’s assets would exceed the sum of its debts (including for this purpose the aggregate Liquidation Preference and the aggregate Accrued Dividends of the Series A Preferred Shares), (B) immediately after the taking of such action, the Corporation, in its good faith judgment, would be able to pay all of its debts (including the aggregate Liquidation Preference and the aggregate Accrued Dividends of the Series A Preferred Shares) as they are reasonably expected to come due and (C) such action is otherwise in compliance with applicable Law.

Section 5. Liquidation Rights.

(a) In the event of any Liquidation, each Holder shall be entitled to receive liquidating distributions out of the assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution to its shareholders, before any payment or distribution of any assets of the Corporation shall be made or set apart for holders of any Junior Securities, including the Common Shares, for such Holder’s Series A Preferred Shares in an amount equal to the greater of (i) the sum of (A) the aggregate Liquidation Preference and (B) the aggregate Accrued Dividends of such Series A Preferred Shares as of the date of the Liquidation and (ii) the amount such Holder would have received had such Series A Preferred Shares, immediately prior to such Liquidation, been converted into Common Shares (including in respect of any Excess Conversion Shares and disregarding for this purpose the last sentence of Section 6(a)(i)(B)) pursuant to Section 6, without regard to any of the limitations on conversion or convertibility contained therein.

 

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(b) In the event the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to shareholders upon a Liquidation shall be insufficient to pay in full the amounts payable with respect to all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to Section 5(a), such assets, or the proceeds thereof, shall be distributed among the Holders ratably in proportion to the full respective liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled upon such Liquidation.

(c) Neither the sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer (for cash, equity securities, other securities or other consideration) of all or substantially all of the assets, capital stock or business of the Corporation (other than in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation) nor the merger, consolidation, share exchange, statutory exchange or any other business combination transaction of the Corporation into or with any other Person shall by itself be deemed to be a Liquidation for purposes of this Section 5.

Section 6. Conversion.

(a) Conversion of Series A Preferred Shares.

(i) Subject to and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6, Series A Preferred Shares may be converted into Common Shares as follows:

(A) For so long as a Shelf Registration Statement is in effect, if (a) at any time after the Original Issuance Date, the Common Share Trading Price exceeds 200% of the then-applicable Conversion Price for at least twenty (20) Trading Days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive Trading Day period (such period, the “Conversion Option Measurement Period”) and (b) the Corporation, at its option, delivers a written notice to the Holders of the Series A Preferred Shares within five (5) Business Days following the conclusion of the applicable Conversion Option Measurement Period, then each outstanding Series A Preferred Share shall be converted (the “Conversion Option”), as of the Business Day immediately prior to the date of such notice (the “Conversion Option Date”), into such number of fully paid and non-assessable Common Shares (calculated as to each conversion to the nearest 1/10,000th of a share) equal to the quotient of (A) the sum of (1) the Liquidation Preference and (2) the Accrued Dividends on such share as of the Conversion Option Date, divided by (B) the Conversion Price of such share in effect as of the Conversion Option Date; provided that, (x) if any Common Shares issuable in connection with any Conversion Option would constitute Excess Conversion Shares, the Corporation may not exercise the Conversion Option unless the Requisite Shareholder Approval has been obtained prior to the Conversion Option Date and (y) if any Common Shares issuable in connection with any Conversion Option would cause the voting rights of the Common Shares held by any Holder and its Affiliates at such time to exceed the Voting Cap, then the Corporation may, at its election, instead convert all of the Series A Preferred Shares other than solely the number of Series A Preferred Shares held by such Holder necessary to avoid such conversion resulting in the voting rights of the Common Shares held by such Holder and its Affiliates at such time to exceed the Voting Cap.

 

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(B) Subject to the last sentence of this Section 6(a)(i)(B), each Holder shall have the right (the “Conversion Right”), at any time and from time to time at such Holder’s option, to convert all or any portion of such Holder’s Series A Preferred Shares into fully paid and non-assessable Common Shares. Upon a Holder’s election to exercise its Conversion Right, each Series A Preferred Share for which the Conversion Right is exercised shall be converted into such number of Common Shares (calculated as to each conversion to the nearest 1/10,000th of a share) equal to the quotient of (A) the sum of (1) the Liquidation Preference and (2) the Accrued Dividends on such share as of the Conversion Date, divided by (B) the Conversion Price of such share in effect at the time of conversion. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article NINTH, (i) no Holder shall have the right to convert pursuant to this Section 6(a)(i)(B) prior to the earlier of (x) receipt of the Requisite Shareholder Approval and (y) December 31, 2026, (ii)2 prior to receipt of the Requisite Shareholder Approval, in no event shall the number of Series A Preferred Shares converted pursuant to this Section 6(a)(i)(B) (if applicable, taken together with all Common Shares previously issued in connection with any conversion of Series A Preferred Shares) result in the issuance of any Excess Conversion Shares and (iii) unless consented to in writing by the Corporation, no Holder shall be entitled to convert its Series A Preferred Shares into Common Shares to the extent that such conversion would cause the voting rights of the Common Shares held by such Holder and its Affiliates at such time to exceed the Voting Cap.

(ii) No fractional Common Shares shall be issued upon the conversion of any Series A Preferred Shares. If more than one Series A Preferred Share subject to conversion is held by the same Holder, the number of full Common Shares issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the sum of (A) the aggregate Liquidation Preference and (B) the aggregate Accrued Dividends as of the Conversion Date on all Series A Preferred Shares so subject. If the conversion of any share or Series A Preferred Shares results in a fractional Common Share issuable after application of the immediately preceding sentence, the Corporation shall pay a cash amount in lieu of issuing such fractional share in an amount equal to such fractional interest multiplied by the Market Price of a Common Share on the Trading Day immediately prior to the Conversion Date.

(iii) The Corporation will at all times after July 31, 2025, reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued Common Shares, solely for the purpose of effecting conversions of the Series A Preferred Shares into Common Shares, the Required Reserved Shares (including any Excess Conversion Shares and disregarding for this purpose the last sentence of Section 6(a)(i)(B)). The Corporation shall take all action permitted by Law, including calling meetings of the shareholders of the Corporation and soliciting proxies for any necessary vote of the shareholders of the Corporation, to amend the Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized and unissued Common Shares, if at any time there shall be insufficient authorized and unissued Common

 

2 

This limitation will be modified to the extent reasonably agreed to by the parties based on NASDAQ guidance.

 

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Shares to permit such reservation or to permit the conversion of all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares (including any Excess Conversion Shares and disregarding for this purpose the last sentence of Section 6(a)(i)(B)). The Corporation covenants that the Series A Preferred Shares and all Common Shares that may be issued upon conversion of Series A Preferred Shares shall upon issuance be duly authorized, fully paid and non-assessable and will not be subject to preemptive rights or subscription rights of any other shareholder of the Corporation. The Corporation further covenants that the Corporation shall, from time to time, at its sole expense, cause to be authorized for listing or quotation on the Trading Market (to the extent permitted by the Trading Market), the maximum number of Common Shares issued and issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares, subject to official notice of issuance.

(b) Mechanics of Conversion.

(i) If the Corporation exercises the Conversion Option and delivers notice thereof in accordance with Section 6(a)(i)(A), the Corporation shall notify the Holders of Series A Preferred Shares in writing of the Conversion Option promptly (and in any event within three (3) Business Days) following the Conversion Option Date by delivery of written notice to such Holders and shall update or cause to be updated the Register, effective as of the Conversion Option Date, to reflect the Common Shares held by such Holders as a result of the Conversion Option and shall, as promptly as practicable thereafter, re-designate or issue or cause to be issued to each such Holder the number of validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable Common Shares to which such Holder shall be entitled and deliver or cause to be delivered to each such Holder evidence of such re-designation or issuance reasonably satisfactory to such Holders.

(ii) The Conversion Right of a Holder of Series A Preferred Shares shall be exercised by the Holder by delivering written notice to the Corporation that the Holder elects to convert all or a portion of the Series A Preferred Shares held by such Holder (a “Conversion Notice”) and specifying the name or names (with address or addresses) in which Common Shares are to be issued and (if so required by the Corporation or the Corporation’s transfer agent) by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation or the transfer agent, as applicable, duly executed by the Holder or its legal representative.

(iii) As promptly as practicable after the receipt of the Conversion Notice, and the payment of required taxes or duties pursuant to Section 12(i), if applicable, and in no event later than three (3) Trading Days thereafter, the Corporation shall update or cause to be updated the Register to reflect the Common Shares held by such Holder as a result of such conversion and shall issue and shall deliver or cause to be issued and delivered to such Holder, or to such other Person on such Holder’s written order (A) evidence of such issuance reasonably satisfactory to such Holder, and (B) cash for any fractional interest in respect of a Common Share arising upon such conversion settled as provided in Section 6(a)(ii).

 

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(iv) The conversion of any Series A Preferred Share shall be deemed to have been made (i) in connection with any Conversion Option, at the close of business on the Conversion Option Date, and (ii) in connection with any exercise of the Conversion Right, at the close of business on the date of giving the Conversion Notice (the “Conversion Date”). Until the Conversion Date with respect to any Series A Preferred Share has occurred, such Series A Preferred Share will remain outstanding and will be entitled to all of the powers, designations, preferences and other rights provided herein, including that such share shall (A) accrue and accumulate Preferred Dividends and participate in Participating Dividends pursuant to Section 4 and (B) entitle the Holder thereof to the voting rights provided in Section 11.

(c) Corporation’s Obligations to Issue Common Shares. Subject to Section 13(i), the last sentence of Section 6(a)(i)(B), and compliance with the terms and conditions of this Article NINTH applicable to the conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares, the Corporation’s obligations to issue and deliver Common Shares upon conversion of Series A Preferred Shares in accordance with the terms hereof are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of any action or inaction by any Holder to enforce the same, any waiver or consent with respect to any provision hereof, the recovery of any judgment against any Person or any action to enforce the same, or any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, limitation or termination, or any breach or alleged breach by any Holder or any other Person of any obligation to the Corporation or any violation or alleged violation of Law by any Holder or any other Person, and irrespective of any other circumstance which might otherwise limit such obligation of the Corporation to any Holder in connection with the issuance of such Common Shares.

Section 7. Reorganization Events.

(a) Treatment of Series A Preferred Shares Upon a Reorganization Event. Subject to applicable Law, upon the occurrence of any Reorganization Event, (i) if the Corporation is the surviving company in such Reorganization Event, each Series A Preferred Share outstanding immediately prior to such Reorganization Event shall remain outstanding following such Reorganization Event (or be exchanged for an equivalent Preferred Share governed by the terms herein) (provided that (x) each Series A Preferred Share shall become convertible into the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property that the Holder of such Series A Preferred Share (other than the counterparty to the Reorganization Event or an Affiliate of such other party) would have received in such Reorganization Event had such Series A Preferred Share, immediately prior to such Reorganization Event, been converted into the applicable number of Common Shares using (i) the Conversion Price immediately prior to such Reorganization Event and (ii) the Liquidation Preference, together with the Accrued Dividends thereon, applicable at the time of such subsequent conversion (including in respect of any Excess Conversion Shares and disregarding for this purpose the last sentence of Section 6(a)(i)(B)) (such securities, cash and other property, the “Exchange Property”) (provided, further, that any Exchange Property that is not cash shall consist of marketable securities listed on the NASDAQ or NYSE), and (y) appropriate adjustments shall be made to the conversion provisions set forth in Section 6 and the adjustment to conversion price provisions set forth in Section 9 as determined reasonably and in good faith by the Board of Directors to place the Holders in as nearly as equal of a position as possible with respect to such matters following such Reorganization

 

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Event as compared to immediately prior to such Reorganization Event) or (ii) if the Corporation is not the surviving entity in such Reorganization Event or will be dissolved in connection with such Reorganization Event, each Series A Preferred Share outstanding immediately prior to such Reorganization Event shall be converted or exchanged into a security of the Person surviving such Reorganization Event or such other continuing entity in such Reorganization Event having rights, powers and preferences, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as nearly equal as possible to those provided herein (including with respect to any securities or other property to which the holders of Common Shares become entitled as a result of such Reorganization Event, which shall be determined in a manner similar to the rights in respect of Exchange Property in accordance with the preceding clause (i)) (with such adjustments as are appropriate to place the Holders in as nearly as equal of a position as possible following such Reorganization Event as compared to immediately prior to such Reorganization Event) (provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that any Exchange Property that is not cash shall consist of marketable securities listed on the NASDAQ or NYSE).

(b) Form of Consideration. In the event that Series A Preferred Shares become convertible into Exchange Property in connection with a Reorganization Event and the holders of Common Shares have the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be received in such transaction, the Exchange Property shall be based on the types and amounts of consideration received by the holders of Common Shares in the same proportion as was selected in the aggregate by the holders of Common Shares; provided that, to the extent the applicable transaction agreement provides for adjustments to such elected types and amounts of consideration that are generally applicable to holders of Common Shares making such elections, the Exchange Property will be subject to such adjustments.

(c) Successive Reorganization Events. The provisions of this Section 7 shall similarly apply to successive Reorganization Events.

(d) Notice of Reorganization Events. The Corporation (or any successor) shall, no later than ten (10) days following the consummation of any Reorganization Event, provide written notice to the Holders of such consummation of such event and of the kind and amount of the cash, securities or other property that constitutes the Exchange Property. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the operation of this Section 7.

(e) Requirements of Reorganization Events. The Corporation shall not, without consent of the Holders representing at least a majority of the then-issued and outstanding Series A Preferred Shares, enter into any agreement for, or consummate, any transaction or series of transactions constituting a Reorganization Event unless (A) (i) such agreement provides for or does not interfere with or prevent (as applicable) conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares into the Exchange Property in a manner that is consistent with and gives effect to this Section 7 (including by reserving Exchange Property that allows any conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares (or replacement securities) into Exchange Property to be completed in accordance with the terms of this Section 7), and (ii) to the extent that the Corporation is not the surviving company in such Reorganization Event or will be dissolved in connection with such Reorganization Event, proper provision shall be made in the agreements governing such Reorganization Event for the conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares into a security of the Person surviving such Reorganization Event or such other continuing entity in such Reorganization Event, which security shall meet the requirements of this Section 7 and (B) immediately following such Reorganization Event, neither the Series A Preferred Shares (or any share of preferred equity into which the Series A Preferred Shares are exchanged) nor any Exchange Property is subject to any limitations on conversion or voting pursuant to the rules of the applicable stock exchange or applicable Law.

 

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(f) Continuing Registration Rights. After a Reorganization Event, the Holder shall be entitled to receive registration rights with respect to the Equity Interests into which the Series A Preferred Shares (or any equivalent preferred stock which the Series A Preferred Shares have been exchanged for in accordance with the terms of this Agreement) as nearly equal as reasonably possible to those provided by the Registration Rights Agreement.

(g) Change of Control. For the avoidance of doubt, if a Reorganization Event constitutes a Change of Control, then Section 8 shall take precedence over this Section 7 to the extent there is any inconsistency between such sections.

Section 8. Change of Control.

(a) Change of Control Redemption. In the event of a Change of Control, the Corporation shall have the option, in its sole discretion and in accordance with applicable Law and subject to compliance with the notice requirements set forth in Section 8(b) and the Corporation having sufficient legally available funds to comply with its obligations hereunder (including pursuant to a binding commitment by the counterparty to any Change of Control Agreement (as defined below) to provide the necessary funds), to at any time following the execution of the definitive agreement contemplating the Change of Control until ten (10) Business Days prior to the effective date of the Change of Control (the effective date of the Change of Control, the “Change of Control Effective Date”), irrevocably elect to redeem on the Change of Control Effective Date, but immediately prior, and subject to, consummation of the Change of Control, all (and not less than all) of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares (a “Change of Control Redemption”) for a price in cash per Series A Preferred Share equal to 150% of the sum of (x) the Liquidation Preference of such Series A Preferred Share plus (y) the aggregate Accrued Dividends of such Series A Preferred Share in each case, as of the Change of Control Effective Date (the “COC Redemption Price”); provided that the Holder may, at any time following the receipt of a Change of Control Redemption Notice until the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Change of Control Effective Date elect (by irrevocable written notice to the Corporation) to instead receive, at the Change of Control Effective Date, consideration of the kind and amount that the Holder of such Series A Preferred Shares would have received in such Change of Control had such Series A Preferred Shares, immediately prior to the Change of Control Effective Date, been converted into the applicable number of Common Shares using the Conversion Price on the Change of Control Effective Date and the Liquidation Preference, together with Accrued Dividends thereon, applicable at the time of such conversion (including in respect of any Excess Conversion Shares and disregarding for this purpose the last sentence of Section 6(a)(i)(B)) (the “Holder COC Redemption Price”); provided, further, that if any such consideration consists of Equity Interests listed on a public exchange, the Holder thereof shall be entitled to receive registration rights with respect to such Equity Interests as nearly equal as reasonably possible to those provided by the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

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(b) Change of Control Notice. On or before the twentieth (20th) Business Day prior to the date on which the Corporation anticipates consummating any Change of Control (or, if later, promptly after the Corporation discovers that the Change of Control will occur but in no event later than ten (10) Business Days prior to the actual consummation of the Change of Control), the Corporation shall deliver to each Holder (as appearing in the Register of the Corporation) a written notice setting forth a description of the anticipated Change of Control and the date on which the Change of Control is anticipated to be effected (or, if applicable, the date on which a Schedule TO or other schedule, form or report disclosing a Change of Control was filed). On or before the tenth (10th) Business Day prior to the date on which the Corporation anticipates consummating a Change of Control Redemption (a “Change of Control Redemption Notice”), the Corporation shall deliver to each Holder (as appearing in the Register of the Corporation) a written notice setting forth the Corporation’s intention to exercise its right to effect a Change of Control Redemption and the expected Change of Control Effective Date. Any such Change of Control Redemption Notice shall also set forth the amount of (or methodology for determining) the COC Redemption Price and the Holder COC Redemption Price, together with the calculation of each and reasonable supporting details which shall include the Conversion Price used in such calculations. Upon a Change of Control, the Corporation shall (i) if the Series A Preferred Shares are to be redeemed in accordance with this Section 8 in exchange for the COC Redemption Price, deliver or cause to be delivered to the Holder by wire transfer the COC Redemption Price substantially concurrent with the consummation of the Change of Control and (ii) if the Series A Preferred Shares are to be redeemed in accordance with this Section 8 in exchange for the Holder COC Redemption Price, deliver or cause to be delivered to the Holder the Holder COC Redemption Price concurrently with when the consideration in such Change of Control is delivered to the holders of Common Shares.

(c) Change of Control Agreements. The Corporation shall not enter into any definitive agreement for a Change of Control (such an agreement, a “Change of Control Agreement”), or otherwise engage in or consummate, a transaction constituting a Change of Control, unless (i) such Change of Control Agreement provides for or does not interfere with or prevent (as applicable) the exercise by the Holders of their rights and the Corporation’s obligations under this Agreement, including this Section 8, (ii) the Corporation has the ability in connection with such Change of Control in accordance with applicable Law (including Section 513 of the New York Business Corporation Law) to satisfy its obligation to pay each Holder the COC Redemption Price or Holder COC Redemption Price, as elected by each Holder, in accordance with Section 8(a) and (iii) the acquiring or surviving Person in such Change of Control represents and covenants, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Board of Directors acting in good faith, that at the consummation of such Change of Control, to the effect that such Person shall have sufficient funds (which may include, without limitation, cash and cash equivalents on the Corporation’s balance sheet, the proceeds of any debt or equity financing, available lines of credit or uncalled capital commitments) to consummate such Change of Control (taking into account the satisfaction of any indebtedness required in connection with the Change of Control), including making all required payments to the Holders hereunder, including the payment of the COC Redemption Price or the Holder COC Redemption Price, as elected by each Holder.

 

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Section 9. Adjustments to Conversion Price.

(a) Adjustments to Conversion Price. Except as provided in Section 9(d), the Conversion Price shall be subject to the following adjustments:

(i) In-Kind Dividends and Distributions. If the Corporation declares a dividend or makes an in-kind distribution on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares, then the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the Ex-Date for such dividend or distribution shall be adjusted to the price determined by multiplying the Conversion Price at the opening of business on such Ex-Date by the following fraction:

  OS0  

OS1   

Where,

OS0 = the number of Common Shares outstanding at the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Date for such dividend or distribution.

OS1 = the sum of the number of Common Shares outstanding at the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Date for such dividend or distribution plus the total number of Common Shares constituting such dividend or distribution.

If any dividend or distribution described in this Section 9(a)(i) is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Price shall be readjusted, effective as of the date and time the Board of Directors determines not to make such dividend or distribution, to such Conversion Price that would be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

(ii) Subdivisions, Splits and Combination of the Common Shares. If the Corporation subdivides, splits or combines the Common Shares, then the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the effective date of such share subdivision, split or combination shall be adjusted to the price determined by multiplying the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the effective date of such share subdivision, split or combination by the following fraction:

  OS0  

OS1   

Where,

OS0 = the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of such share subdivision, split or combination.

OS1 = the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately after the opening of business on the effective date of such share subdivision, split or combination.

 

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If any subdivision, split or combination described in this Section 9(a)(ii) is announced but the outstanding Common Shares are not subdivided, split or combined, the Conversion Price shall be readjusted, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to subdivide, split or combine the outstanding Common Shares, to such Conversion Price that would be in effect if such subdivision, split or combination had not been announced.

(iii) Other Distributions. If the Corporation distributes any Convertible Securities, Options or any other assets (in each case, to the holders of its Equity Interests in respect thereof) for which there is no corresponding distribution in respect of the Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) (for the avoidance of doubt, any distribution of cash or non-cash property for which there is a corresponding distribution in respect of the Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) or any distribution of cash qualifying for the exception set forth in clause (B) of the first parenthesis of Section 4(a)(i) shall not give rise to an adjustment under this Section 9(a)(iii) (without duplication of, and subject to, (x) the following paragraph in the case of a “spin-off” and (y) Section 9(a)(v) below in the case of a rights plan), then the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the Ex-Date for such distribution shall be adjusted to the price determined by multiplying the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the Ex-Date for such distribution by the following fraction:

SP0 – FMV

SP0    

Where,

SP0 = the Market Price of a Common Share on the date immediately prior to the Ex-Date for such distribution.

FMV = the fair market value of the portion of the distribution applicable to one Common Share on the Ex-Date for such distribution, in the case of a non-cash distribution or with respect to the non-cash portion of a distribution, if any, as determined pursuant to the Valuation Methodology; provided that such value, whether determined pursuant to the foregoing clause (i) or (ii), shall not for the purposes hereof in any event be equal to or greater than the Market Price of a Common Share on such date.

In a “spin-off,” where the Corporation makes a distribution to all holders of Common Shares consisting of capital stock of any class or series, or similar equity interests of, or relating to, a Subsidiary of the Corporation or other business unit, the Conversion Price will be adjusted on the 15th Trading Day after the effective date of the distribution by multiplying such Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such 15th Trading Day by the following fraction:

  MP0  

MP0 + MPs    

Where,

MP0 = (i) if the Common Shares are listed or quoted on a principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange or traded on an over-the-counter market, the Market Price of a Common Share for the period ending on and including the tenth Trading Day following the effective date of such distribution, or (ii) if the Common Shares are not listed or quoted on a principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange or traded on an over-the-counter market, the Market Price of a Common Share on the effective date of such distribution.

 

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MPs = (i) if the capital stock or equity interests distributed to the holders of Common Shares are listed or quoted on a principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange or traded on an over-the-counter market, an amount equal to the product of (x) the number of shares of such capital stock or equity interests representing the portion of the distribution applicable to one Common Share and (y) the Market Price of such capital stock or equity interests for the period ending on and including the tenth Trading Day following the effective date of such distribution, or (ii) if such capital stock or equity interests are not listed or quoted on a principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange or traded on an over-the-counter market, the Market Price of the capital stock or equity interests representing the portion of the distribution applicable to one Common Share on the effective date of such distribution (after giving effect to such distribution).

In the event that such dividend, distribution, or spin-off described in this Section 9(a)(iii) is not so paid or made, the Conversion Price shall be readjusted, effective as of the date the Board of Directors publicly announces its decision not to pay, make, or consummate such dividend, distribution, or spin-off to the Conversion Price that would then be in effect if such dividend, distribution, or spin-off had not been declared.

(iv) Certain Acquisitions of Common Shares. If the Corporation effects a Pro Rata Repurchase of Common Shares that involves the payment by the Corporation of consideration per Common Share that exceeds the Market Price of a Common Share on the Effective Date of such Pro Rata Repurchase (provided that, if part or all of the consideration is not cash, the fair market value of the non-cash consideration shall be determined pursuant to the Valuation Methodology, then the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date of such Pro Rata Repurchase shall be adjusted (such adjustment to become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following the Effective Date of such Pro Rata Repurchase) by multiplying the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date of such Pro Rata Repurchase by the following fraction:

(OS0 x SP0) – AC

SP0 x OS1  

Where,

SP0 = the Market Price of a Common Share on the Trading Day immediately preceding the first announcement of the intent to effect such Pro Rata Repurchase.

OS0 = the number of Common Shares outstanding at the Effective Date of such Pro Rata Repurchase, including, if applicable, any shares validly tendered or exchanged and not withdrawn.

OS1= the number of Common Shares outstanding at the Effective Date of such Pro Rata Repurchase, including, if applicable, any shares validly tendered or exchanged and not withdrawn, minus the number of shares acquired (by way of redemption or repurchase) in such Pro Rata Repurchase (which shares shall equal the Purchased Shares (as defined below) if such Pro Rata Repurchase is effected pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer).

 

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AC = the aggregate cash and fair market value of the other consideration payable in such Pro Rata Repurchase, and in the case of non-cash consideration, as determined pursuant to the Valuation Methodology, based, in the case of a tender offer or exchange offer, on the number of shares actually accepted for acquisition (by way of redemption or repurchase) (the “Purchased Shares”).

In the event that the Corporation, or one of its Affiliates, is obligated to purchase Common Shares pursuant to any such Pro Rata Repurchase, but the Corporation, or such Affiliate, is permanently prevented by applicable Law from effecting any such purchases, or any such redemptions or repurchases are rescinded, then the Conversion Price shall be readjusted to be such Conversion Price that would then be in effect if such prevented or rescinded Pro Rata Repurchase had not been made.

(v) Rights Plans. To the extent that the Corporation has a rights plan in effect with respect to the Common Shares on any Conversion Date, upon conversion of any Series A Preferred Shares into Common Shares, the Holders will receive, in addition to the Common Shares, the rights under the rights plan, unless, prior to such Conversion Date, the rights have separated from the Common Shares, in which case the Conversion Price will be adjusted at the time of separation as if the Corporation had issued the rights to all holders of the Common Shares in an issuance triggering an adjustment pursuant to Section 9(a)(iii), subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights.

(b) Other Adjustments.

(i) The Corporation may make decreases in the Conversion Price, in addition to any other decreases required by this Section 9, if the Board of Directors deems it advisable to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of the Common Shares resulting from any in-kind dividend or distribution of Common Shares (or issuance of Options for Common Shares) or from any event treated as such for income tax purposes.

(ii) If the Corporation takes any action affecting the Common Shares, other than an action described in Section 9(a), which upon a determination by the Board of Directors, in its good faith discretion, would materially adversely affect the Conversion Rights of the Holders of Series A Preferred Shares, the Conversion Price shall be adjusted, to the extent permitted by Law, in such manner, if any, and at such time, as the Board of Directors determines in good faith to be equitable in the circumstances.

(c) Successive Adjustments. Successive adjustments in the Conversion Price shall be made, without duplication, whenever any event specified in Section 9(a) or Section 9(b) shall occur.

(d) Rounding of Calculations; Minimum Adjustments. All adjustments to the Conversion Price shall be calculated to the nearest one-tenth (1/10th) of a cent. No adjustment in the Conversion Price shall be required if such adjustment would be less than $0.01; provided that any adjustment which by reason of this Section 9(d) is not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment; provided, further, that on any Conversion Date adjustments to the Conversion Price will be made with respect to any such adjustment carried forward and which has not been taken into account before such date.

 

 

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(e) Statement Regarding Adjustments; Notices. Whenever the Conversion Price is to be adjusted in accordance with one or more of Section 9(a) or Section 9(b), the Corporation shall: (i) compute the Conversion Price in accordance with Section 9(a) or Section 9(b), taking into account the one cent threshold set forth in Section 9(d); (ii) (x) in the event that the Corporation shall give notice or make a public announcement to the holders of Common Shares of any action of the type described in Section 9(a) (but only if the action of the type described in Section 9(a) would result in an adjustment to the Conversion Price or a change in the type of securities or property to be delivered upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares), the Corporation shall, at the time of such notice or announcement, and in the case of any action which would require the fixing of a record date, at least ten (10) days prior to such record date, give notice to each Holder by mail, first class postage prepaid, at the address appearing in the Register, which notice shall specify the record date, if any, with respect to any such action, the approximate date on which such action is to take place and the facts with respect to such action as shall be reasonably necessary to indicate the effect on the Conversion Price and the number, kind or class of shares or other securities or property which shall be deliverable upon conversion or redemption of the Series A Preferred Shares or (y) in the event that the Corporation does not give notice or make a public announcement as set forth in subclause (x) of this clause (ii), the Corporation shall, as soon as practicable following the occurrence of an event that requires an adjustment to the Conversion Price pursuant to one or more of Section 9(a) or Section 9(b), taking into account the one cent threshold set forth in Section 9(d) (or if the Corporation is not aware of such occurrence, as soon as practicable after becoming so aware), provide, or cause to be provided, a written notice to the Holders of the occurrence of such event, in the same manner and with the same detail as the notice set forth in subclause (x) of this clause (ii); and (iii) whenever the Conversion Price shall be adjusted pursuant to one or more of Section 9(a) or Section 9(b), the Corporation shall, as soon as practicable following the determination of the revised Conversion Price, (x) file at the principal office of the Corporation, a statement showing in reasonable detail the facts requiring such adjustment, the Conversion Price that shall be in effect after such adjustment and the method by which the adjustment to the Conversion Price was determined and (y) cause a copy of such statement to be sent in the manner set forth in subclause (x) of clause (ii) to each Holder.

(f) Certain Adjustment Rules. If an adjustment in the Conversion Price made hereunder would reduce the Conversion Price to an amount below the par value of the Common Shares, then such adjustment in Conversion Price made hereunder shall reduce the Conversion Price to the par value of the Common Shares; provided that, the Corporation shall not take any action that would, or would reasonably be expect to, result in an adjustment to the Conversion Price which, but for this sentence, would reduce the Conversion Price to an amount below the par value of the Common Shares. As a condition precedent to the taking of any action which would require an adjustment pursuant to this Section 9, the Corporation shall use its reasonable best efforts to take any and all actions which may be necessary, including obtaining regulatory, the Trading Market or shareholder approvals or exemptions, in order that the Corporation may thereafter validly and legally issue as fully paid and nonassessable all Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares in compliance with the applicable listing standards of the Trading Market.

 

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Section 10. Optional Redemption.

(a) Subject to and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10, if as of the date of redemption pursuant to this Section 10(a), (i) (x) each Holder has the ability to convert (and, for the avoidance of doubt, immediately thereafter transfer without restriction under Section 4.10 of the Investment Agreement) all of its Series A Preferred Shares into Common Shares in accordance with Section 6 without the creation of any Excess Conversion Shares and (y) there is a Shelf Registration Statement in effect at such time that would permit the immediate sale of all such Common Shares and any additional Common Shares which a Holder would have the ability to convert its Series A Preferred Shares into but for the Voting Cap (including, taking into consideration any “suspension periods” (as set forth in Section 2(i) of the Registration Rights Agreement) related to such Shelf Registration Statement) from the date on which the Redemption Notice is delivered until the applicable Redemption Date, and (ii) the Corporation has sufficient funds legally available therefor to pay the Redemption Price in accordance with applicable Law, then the Corporation shall have the right, at its option, from time to time, subject to Section 10(c), to redeem (the “Optional Redemption”), out of funds legally available therefor, all or any portion of the Series A Preferred Shares then outstanding, in each case, at a redemption price per share in cash (the “Redemption Price”) equal to 200% of the sum of (A) the Liquidation Preference and (B) the Accrued Dividends of each such Series A Preferred Share as of the date of such redemption; provided that any redemption under this Section 10: (x) may be made only to the extent that immediately after such redemption the ratio which the Voting Stock held by such Holder bears to all of the Voting Stock of the Corporation at such time is less than 80% of the ratio which the Voting Stock held by such Holder immediately before such redemption bears to all of the Voting Stock of the Corporation at such time (taking into account all stock ownership in the Corporation by such Holder and its Affiliates known to the Corporation) and (y) if for less than all of the Series A Preferred Shares then outstanding, must not result in the aggregate Liquidation Preference and Accrued Dividends for the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares falling below $80 million. The Corporation may exercise its right to require redemption under this Section 10 by sending a written notice to each Holder of Series A Preferred Shares (the “Redemption Notice”) specifying (x) the date on which the redemption shall occur (the “Redemption Date”), which shall be a Business Day that is no earlier than thirty (30) days and no later than sixty (60) days from the date the Redemption Notice is sent and (y) the aggregate number of Series A Preferred Shares which are being redeemed pursuant to such redemption. If fewer than all of the Series A Preferred Shares then outstanding are to be redeemed pursuant to this Section 10(a), then such redemption shall occur on a pro rata basis with respect to all Holders of Series A Preferred Shares based on the total number of Series A Preferred Shares then held by such Holder relative to the total number of Series A Preferred Shares then outstanding. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10(a), each Holder may elect to convert all or any portion of the Series A Preferred Shares held by such Holder into Common Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 at any time prior to the applicable Redemption Date, and the Corporation must provide each Holder a reasonable opportunity to do so (including by cooperating with the Holder in connection with any partial conversion of Series A Preferred Shares and transfers of the resulting Common Shares to permit the Holder to convert all of the Holder’s Series A Preferred Shares prior to the Redemption Date without being limited by the Voting Cap).

 

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(b) Redemption pursuant to Section 10(a) shall become effective on the Redemption Date and the aggregate Redemption Price for such redeemed shares shall be due and payable in cash to the record Holder of the Series A Preferred Shares being redeemed on such date. If a Redemption Notice has been delivered in accordance with Section 10(a) and if the funds necessary for redemption have been paid to the Holders of Series A Preferred Shares being redeemed, then from and after the applicable Redemption Date, dividends and distributions will cease to accrue on such redeemed Series A Preferred Shares, such redeemed Series A Preferred Shares shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the Holders with respect to such redeemed Series A Preferred Shares will terminate, except the right to receive the aggregate Redemption Price for such redeemed Series A Preferred Shares held by each such Holder.

(c) The Corporation’s Optional Redemption right provided by Section 10(a) shall not be available to the Corporation at any time at which the Corporation is, or was during the five (5) consecutive Trading Day period immediately preceding the date of delivery of the Redemption Notice, in possession of material non-public information relating to the Corporation, that, if publicly disclosed, would be reasonably expected to have a material and positive effect on the Common Share Trading Price on the Trading Day immediately following the date on which such information is publicly disclosed relative to the Common Share Trading Price on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date on which such information is publicly disclosed (assuming such information is publicly disclosed pre-market open on a Trading Day or on a day that is not a Trading Day).

Section 11. Voting Rights.

(a) General. The Holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to vote with the holders of the Common Shares on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Corporation, except as otherwise provided herein or as required by applicable Law, voting together with the holders of Common Shares as a single class. For such purposes, each Holder shall be entitled to a number of votes in respect of the Series A Preferred Shares owned of record by it equal to the number of Common Shares into which such Series A Preferred Shares could be converted (taking into account the limitations in the last sentence of Section 6(a)(i)(B), applied ratably with respect to each outstanding Series A Preferred Share) as of the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote on such matters or, if no such record date is established, as of the date such vote is taken or any written consent of shareholders is solicited; provided that the number of votes in respect of the Series A Preferred Shares owned of record by any Holder and its Affiliates at any time shall be capped at an amount that, taken together with any Common Shares Beneficially Owned by such Holder and its Affiliates, equals forty-five percent (45%) of the sum of (i) the total number of outstanding Common Shares, (ii) the number of Common Shares into which such Holder’s and its Affiliates’ Series A Preferred Shares could be converted (taking into account the limitations in the last sentence of Section 6(a)(i)(B), applied ratably with respect to each outstanding Series A Preferred Share in order to reduce the Common Shares included under this clause (ii) as necessary to comply with the 45% cap described in this proviso) and (iii) the total number of votes of any other outstanding securities entitled to vote together with the holders of Common Shares, in each case, as of such time (calculated in an iterative manner taking into account the limitation described in this proviso and the last sentence of Section 6(a)(i)(B)) (the limitation described in

 

27


this proviso, the “Voting Cap”). For the avoidance of doubt, the Holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to any voting rights (other than pursuant to Section 11(b)) in respect of (1) any Series A Preferred Shares prior to the earlier of (x) receipt of the Requisite Shareholder Approval or (y) December 31, 2026 and (2) any Excess Conversion Shares prior to receipt of the Requisite Shareholder Approval. The Holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to notice of any shareholders’ meeting in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and the By-Laws as if they were holders of record of Common Shares for such meeting.

(b) Class Voting Rights. So long as any Series A Preferred Shares are outstanding, in addition to any other vote required by applicable Law, the Corporation may not take any of the following actions (including by means of merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) without the prior affirmative vote or written consent of the Holders representing at least a majority of the then-issued and outstanding Series A Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class:

(i) amend, alter, repeal or otherwise modify any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, this Article NINTH or the By-Laws in a manner that would alter or change the terms or the powers, preferences, rights or privileges of the Series A Preferred Shares as to affect them adversely;

(ii) enter into any merger, reorganization or other consolidation or business combination that would treat the Series A Preferred Shares in a manner inconsistent with the terms of this Article NINTH;

(iii) increase or decrease the authorized number of Series A Preferred Shares (except for the cancellation and retirement of Series A Preferred Shares as expressly permitted by and in accordance with this Article NINTH) or issue additional Series A Preferred Shares;

(iv) authorize, create, increase the authorized amount of, or issue any Senior Securities or Parity Securities or any other Equity Interests that do not constitute Junior Securities;

(v) authorize, create, increase the authorized amount of, or issue any class or series of Senior Securities, Parity Securities or Junior Securities (other than Common Shares) or any security convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for any of the foregoing (other than Common Shares) that could have the “result of the receipt of property by some shareholders” within the meaning of Section 305(b)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including but not limited to (A) any non-participating preferred share (including by means of merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or (B) any debt securities convertible into Equity Interests by their terms;

(vi) (x) amend, restate, supplement, modify or replace the Debt Financing Documents or (y) enter into any agreements or arrangements relating to indebtedness (or subsequently amend, restate, supplement, modify or replace any such agreements), in each case in clauses (x) and (y), that would materially and adversely limit or otherwise impact the Corporations ability to accrue or pay Preferred Dividends or Participating Dividends (in the case of Participating Dividends, other than as a result of a restriction on dividends on Common Shares) in accordance with this Article NINTH; or

 

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(vii) adopt any plan of Liquidation or file any voluntary petition for bankruptcy, receivership or any similar proceeding.

(c) The consent or votes required in Section 11(b) shall be in addition to any approval of shareholders of the Corporation which may be required by Law or pursuant to any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws. Each Holder will have one vote per share on any matter on which Holders of Series A Preferred Shares are entitled to vote separately as a class, whether at a meeting or by written consent.

Section 12. Transfer Agent; Certification of Series A Preferred Shares.

(a) The Corporation may, in its sole discretion, appoint a transfer agent and remove its transfer agent in accordance with the agreement between the Corporation and such transfer agent; provided that the Corporation shall appoint a successor transfer agent of recognized standing who shall accept such appointment prior to the effectiveness of such removal. Upon any such removal or appointment, the Corporation shall send notice thereof by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders. When a Holder requests to register the transfer of Series A Preferred Shares (provided that such transfer is not in violation of the transfer restrictions in this Article NINTH or the Investment Agreement), the Corporation or the Corporation’s transfer agent, as applicable, shall register the transfer as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met. Any transfer made not in compliance with the foregoing shall be disregarded and deemed void.

(b) The Series A Preferred Shares shall initially be uncertificated and issued in book-entry form; provided that, the Corporation shall reasonably promptly, following the request by the Holder, at any time, issue certificates under seal of the Corporation specifying the number of Series A Preferred Shares held by the Holder; provided that this obligation shall be subject always to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and the By-Laws, and any other applicable Law.

Section 13. Miscellaneous.

(a) Taxes. The issuance or delivery of Series A Preferred Shares, Common Shares or other securities issued on account of Series A Preferred Shares pursuant hereto, or certificates representing such shares or securities, shall be made without charge to the Holder for such shares or certificates or for any tax in respect of the issuance or delivery of such certificates or the securities represented thereby, including any share transfer, documentary, stamp or similar tax; provided that the Corporation shall not be required to pay any tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of Series A Preferred Shares, Common Shares or other securities in a name other than that in which the Series A Preferred Shares with respect to which such shares or other securities were issued, delivered or registered, or in respect of any payment to any Person other than a payment to the Holder thereof, and the transferee or payee, as the case may be, shall pay or bear the cost of any such tax, and the Corporation shall not be required to make any such issuance, delivery or payment unless and until the Person otherwise entitled to such issuance, delivery or payment has paid to the Corporation the amount of any such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Corporation, that such tax has been paid or is not payable. Without limiting Section [ ] of the Investment Agreement, all payments and distributions (or deemed distributions) on the Series A Preferred Shares (and any Common Shares issued upon the conversion of any Series A Preferred Share) shall be subject to withholding and backup withholding of taxes to the extent required by applicable Law, subject to applicable exemptions, and amounts withheld, if any, shall be treated as received by the Holders.

 

29


(b) Good Faith. The Corporation shall not, by amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation or through reorganization, consolidation, merger, dissolution, sale of assets, or otherwise, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Article NINTH, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the rights of the Holders of Series A Preferred Shares against dilution or other impairment as set forth in this Article NINTH.

(c) Status of Shares. Series A Preferred Shares which have been redeemed (or, if applicable, repurchased) shall be cancelled and have the status of authorized and unissued Preferred Shares, par value $1.00 per share, without designation as to series until such shares are once more, subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 11, designated as part of a particular series of Preferred Shares by the Board of Directors.

(d) Notices. All notices referred to herein shall be in writing, and, unless otherwise specified herein, all notices hereunder shall be deemed to have been given upon the earlier of receipt thereof or three (3) Business Days after the mailing thereof if sent by registered or certified mail (or by first class mail if the same shall be specifically permitted for such notice under the terms of this Article NINTH) with postage prepaid, addressed: (i) if to the Corporation, to its office at 205 Crosspoint Parkway, Getzville, New York 14068, Attention: Alan S. Korman, V.P., Corporate Development, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, or (ii) if to any Holder, to such Holder at the address of such Holder as listed in the Register or (iii) to such other address as the Corporation or any such Holder, as the case may be, shall have designated by written notice similarly given.

(e) Severability. If any right, preference or limitation of the Series A Preferred Shares set forth in this Article NINTH (as amended from time to time) is invalid, unlawful or incapable of being enforced by reason of any rule of Law or public policy, all other rights, preferences and limitations set forth in this Article NINTH (as so amended) which can be given effect without the invalid, unlawful or unenforceable right, preference or limitation shall, nevertheless, remain in full force and effect, and no right, preference or limitation herein set forth shall be deemed dependent upon any other such right, preference or limitation unless so expressed herein.

(f) Other Rights. Except as expressly provided in any agreement between a Holder and the Corporation, the Series A Preferred Shares shall not have any voting powers, preferences or relative, participating, optional or other special rights, or qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, other than as set forth herein or in the Certificate of Incorporation or as provided by applicable Law.

 

30


(g) Headings. The headings of the various subdivisions hereof are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of any of the provisions hereof.

(h) Effectiveness. This Article NINTH shall become effective upon the filing thereof with the Secretary of State of the State of New York.

(i) Waiver and Modifications. Notwithstanding any provision in this Article NINTH to the contrary, the powers (including voting powers) of the Series A Preferred Shares and the preferences and relative, participating, optional, special or other rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the Series A Preferred Shares may be waived or modified as to all Series A Preferred Shares in any instance (without the necessity of calling, noticing or holding a meeting of stockholders) with the written consent of the Holders representing at least a majority of the then-issued and outstanding Series A Preferred Shares.

* * *

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has subscribed this Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation and affirms the statements herein contained as true under penalties of perjury this [•]th day of [ ], 2025.

 

 

David J. Wilson
President and Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to the Certificate of Amendment]


EXHIBIT B

Form of Registration Rights Agreement

 

 

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

of

COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION

dated as of [•], 2025

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

                 Page  

1.

  Definitions      1  

2.

  Registration Rights      6  
 

(a)

  Shelf Registration      6  
 

(b)

  Shelf Takedowns      6  
 

(c)

  Cooperation with Shelf Takedowns      6  
 

(d)

  Automatic Shelf Registration Statements      7  
 

(e)

  Demand Rights      7  
 

(f)

  Effectiveness of Demand Registration      8  
 

(g)

  Continued Effectiveness      8  
 

(h)

  Priority on Demand Registration or Shelf Takedown      9  
 

(i)

  Postponements in Requested Registrations      9  
 

(j)

  Registration Expenses      10  
 

(k)

  Selection of Underwriters      10  

3.

  Piggyback Registrations      11  
 

(a)

  Right to Piggyback      11  
 

(b)

  Underwritten Registration        11  
 

(c)

  Piggyback Registration Expenses      11  
 

(d)

  Priority on Primary Registrations      11  
 

(e)

  Priority on Secondary Registrations      12  

4.

  Registration Procedures      12  

5.

  Indemnification      18  
 

(a)

  Indemnification by the Company      18  
 

(b)

  Indemnification by Holder of Registrable Securities      19  
 

(c)

  Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings      20  

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

                 Page  
 

(d)

  Contribution      20  
 

(e)

  Reserved      21  
 

(f)

  Non-Exclusivity      21  

6.

  Registration Expenses      21  

7.

  Rule 144      22  

8.

  Certain Additional Agreements      23  

9.

  Miscellaneous      23  
 

(a)

  Termination      23  
 

(b)

  Holdback Agreement      23  
 

(c)

  Amendments and Waivers      23  
 

(d)

  Successors, Assigns and Transferees      24  
 

(e)

  Notices      24  
 

(f)

  Further Assurances      25  
 

(g)

  Preservation of Rights      25  
 

(h)

  Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries      26  
 

(i)

  Governing Law; Jurisdiction and Forum; Waiver of Jury Trial      26  
 

(j)

  Severability      26  
 

(k)

  Enforcement      27  
 

(l)

  Titles and Subtitles      27  
 

(m)

  No Recourse      27  
 

(n)

  Counterparts; PDF Signatures      27  

 

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This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of [•], 2025, by and among Columbus McKinnon Corporation, a New York corporation (the “Company”), [CD&R XII Keystone Holdings, L.P.], a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“CD&R Investor”), and any Person who becomes a party hereto pursuant to Section 9(d) or by execution of a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in the text of this Agreement or in Section 1.

WHEREAS, on or prior to the date hereof, the Company has adopted and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York a Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Columbus McKinnon Corporation in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Certificate of Designations”), in order to create a series of preferred shares, par value $1.00 per share, designated as Series A Cumulative Convertible Participating Preferred Shares (the “Preferred Shares”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Investment Agreement, dated as of [•], 2025, by and among the Company, CD&R Investor and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund XII, L.P. (solely for purposes of Section [4.13] thereof) (as such agreement may be amended from time to time, the “Investment Agreement”), CD&R Investor acquired from the Company, and the Company issued to CD&R Investor, such number of Preferred Shares as set forth in Section [1.1] of the Investment Agreement;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Certificate of Designations, the Preferred Shares may be converted into a certain number of Common Shares, on the terms and subject to certain conditions specified in the Certificate of Designations; and

WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide to the Holders rights to registration under the Securities Act of Registrable Securities, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

AGREEMENT

1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following respective meanings:

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with, such person.

Agreement” has the meaning given to such term in the Preamble.

Automatic Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2(d).


Block Sale” means the sale of Common Shares or Preferred Shares to one or several purchasers in a registered transaction by means of a bought deal, a block trade or a direct sale.

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which banks are required or authorized by law to be closed in New York City.

CD&R Investor” has the meaning given to such term in the Preamble.

Certificate of Designations” has the meaning given to such term in the Recitals.

Charitable Gifting Event” means any transfer by a Holder, or any subsequent transfer by such Holder’s members, partners or other employees, in connection with a bona fide gift to any Charitable Organization made in connection with sales of Registrable Securities by a Holder pursuant to an effective registration statement.

Charitable Organization” means a charitable organization as described by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as in effect from time to time.

Closing” means the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Investment Agreement.

Closing Date” means the date on which the Closing occurs.

Common Shares” means the common shares, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, including any shares of capital stock into which the Common Shares may be converted (as a result of recapitalization, share exchange or similar event) or are issued, including with respect to any stock split or stock dividend, or a successor security.

Company” has the meaning given to such term in the Preamble.

control” (including the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”), with respect to the relationship between or among two or more Persons, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the affairs or management of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or otherwise.

Covered Person” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5(a).

Demand Registration” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2(e).

Demand Request” has the meaning defined in Section 2(e).

Effective Period” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2(g).

 

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Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute thereto and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

Free Writing Prospectus” has the meaning given to such term in Section 4(a).

Holdback Period” means, with respect to any registered offering covered by this Agreement 90 days after (or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the managing underwriter(s) for such offering) and during the 10 days before, the effective date of the related Registration Statement or, in the case of an underwritten takedown from a Shelf Registration Statement, 90 days after (or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the managing underwriter(s) for such offering) the date of the Prospectus supplement filed with the SEC in connection with such takedown and during such prior period (not to exceed 10 days) as the Company has given reasonable written notice to the Holders holding Registrable Securities.

Holder” means any of (i) CD&R Investor, (ii) any Person who becomes a party hereto pursuant to Section 9(d) or (iii) any direct or indirect transferee of a Holder who is a Permitted Rights Transferee, has acquired Registrable Securities representing at least 5% of the then-outstanding Common Shares (on an as-converted basis) from a Holder and has entered into a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, in each case so long as such Person continues to hold any Registrable Securities.

including” means “including without limitation”.

Indemnified Party” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5(c).

Indemnifying Party” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5(c).

Investment Agreement” has the meaning given to such term in the Recitals.

Lock-Up Period” means the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the date that is the earlier of (i) the 24-month anniversary of the Closing Date and (ii) the Company exercising, with respect to all or a portion of the Preferred Shares, its forced conversion or optional redemption rights under the Investment Agreement.

Losses” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5(a).

Marketed Underwritten Offering” means (i) an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Demand Registration or (ii) a Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering.

Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2(b).

 

3


Permitted Rights Transferee” means, for the purposes of this Agreement, any Person to whom CD&R Investor transfers Common Shares or Preferred Shares in accordance with Section [4.10] of the Investment Agreement.

Person” means any individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any department or agency thereof or any other entity.

Piggyback Registration” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3(a).

Piggybacking Holder” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2(h)(iii).

Preferred Shares” has the meaning given to such term in the Recitals.

Prospectus” means the prospectus included in any Registration Statement (including a prospectus that discloses information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, relating to Registrable Securities, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such prospectus.

Registration Expenses” has the meaning given to such term in Section 6.

Registrable Securities” means, as of any date of determination, (a)(i) any Common Shares or Preferred Shares held by a Holder and (ii) any Common Shares issuable upon conversion of Preferred Shares held by a Holder and (b) any equity securities or other equity interests issued or issuable, directly or indirectly, with respect to the Common Shares described in clause (a) by way of conversion or exchange thereof or stock dividends, stock splits or in connection with a combination of shares, reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization. As to any particular Registrable Securities, once issued, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (i) they are disposed of pursuant to an effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act, (ii) they are sold to the public pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 145 (or other exemption from registration under the Securities Act), (iii) they shall have ceased to be outstanding, or (iv) they have been sold in a private transaction in which the transferor’s rights under this Agreement are not assigned to the transferee of the securities.

Registration Statement” means any registration statement of the Company filed with the SEC under the Securities Act which covers any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including any Prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

 

4


Rule 144” means Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

Rule 145” means Rule 145 under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

Rule 405” means Rule 405 under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor statute thereto and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Selling Expenses” means all underwriting and brokerage discounts, selling commissions and transfer taxes, if any, and the fees and expenses of any counsel to the Holders (other than such fees and expenses subject to reimbursement from the Company as set forth in Section 6(vii) hereof) and any other advisors and agents, if any, to the Holders, in each case, associated with the Holders effecting any sales of Registrable Securities under any Registration Statement (other than such fees and expenses expressly included in Registration Expenses); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, Selling Expenses shall not include any fees and disbursements of any counsel retained by any underwriter in connection with any such sales.

Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2(a).

Shelf Takedown” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2(b).

Subsidiary” means (i) any corporation of which a majority of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors thereof, at the time as of which any determination is being made, are owned by another entity, either directly or indirectly and (ii) any joint venture, general or limited partnership, limited liability company or other legal entity in which an entity is the record or beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of a majority of the voting interests or the general partner.

Underwritten Offering” means an offering registered under the Securities Act in which securities of the Company are sold to one or more underwriters on a firm-commitment basis for reoffering to the public.

WKSI” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2(d).

 

5


2. Registration Rights.

(a) Shelf Registration. The Company shall file with the SEC and thereafter use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be declared or become effective promptly upon the expiration of the Lock-Up Period a registration statement on Form S-3 or any comparable or successor form or forms or any similar short-form registration constituting a “shelf” registration statement providing for the registration of, and the sale by the Holders on a continuous or delayed basis of, all of the Registrable Securities, pursuant to Rule 415 or otherwise (a “Shelf Registration Statement”). At all times, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to qualify for registration on a Form S-3 or any comparable or successor form or forms or any similar short-form registration.

(b) Shelf Takedowns. Subject to the provisions of Section 2(c) hereof, the Holders shall be entitled, at any time and from time to time when a Shelf Registration Statement is effective, to sell such Registrable Securities held by them as are then registered pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement (each, a “Shelf Takedown”). The number of Shelf Takedowns that the Holders may effect pursuant to this Section 2(b) shall not be limited, provided that the number of Underwritten Offerings that may be effected hereunder shall be limited to a total of six (6) (less any Demand Requests made pursuant to Section 2(e)), with any three (3) such Underwritten Offerings having a plan of distribution which contemplates a customary “road show” (including an “electronic road show”) or other substantial marketing effort by the Company and the underwriters (any such Underwritten Offering, a “Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering”). The Company shall not be required to facilitate a Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering unless the aggregate gross proceeds from such offering are reasonably expected to be at least the lesser of (x) $50 million and (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such offering assuming all of the remaining number of Registrable Securities held by the Holders are sold.Any such Shelf Takedown may be made in the United States by and pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to the Holders (including an underwritten offering, a direct sale to purchasers, a sale to or through brokers, dealers or agents, a sale over the internet, Block Sales, derivative transactions with third parties, sales in connection with short sales and other hedging transactions). The Company shall comply with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Holders participating in such Shelf Takedown.

(c) Cooperation with Shelf Takedowns. Upon receipt of prior written notice by the Holders that they intend to effect a Shelf Takedown, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cooperate in such Shelf Takedown, whether or not such Shelf Takedown constitutes an Underwritten Offering, by amending or supplementing the Prospectus related to such Shelf Registration Statement as may be reasonably requested by the Holders for so long as any Holders hold Registrable Securities; provided that the Company shall not be obligated to cooperate in an Underwritten Offering to be effected by means of a Block Sale if notice of such Underwritten Offering has not been delivered to the Company at least seven (7) Business Days prior to the intended launch of such Block Sale.

 

6


(d) Automatic Shelf Registration Statements. To the extent the Company is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405) (a “WKSI”) at a time when it is obligated to file a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall file an automatic shelf registration statement (as defined in Rule 405) on Form S-3 (an “Automatic Shelf Registration Statement”) in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, that covers the Registrable Securities. The Company shall pay the registration fee for all Registrable Securities to be registered pursuant to an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement at the time of filing of the Automatic Shelf Registration Statement and shall not elect to pay any portion of the registration fee on a deferred basis. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to remain a WKSI (and not to become an ineligible issuer (as defined in Rule 405)) during the period during which any Automatic Shelf Registration Statement is effective. If at any time following the filing of an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement when the Company is required to re-evaluate its WKSI status the Company determines that it is not a WKSI, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to post-effectively amend the Automatic Shelf Registration Statement to a Shelf Registration Statement that is not automatically effective or file a new Shelf Registration Statement or, if the Company is not eligible at such time to file a Shelf Registration Statement, a Registration Statement on Form S-1; have such Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC; and keep such Registration Statement effective during the period during which such Shelf Registration Statement or Registration Statement on Form S-1 is required to be kept effective in accordance with Section 2(g) hereof.

(e) Demand Rights. After the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, in the event the Company ceases to be eligible to register Registrable Securities on Form S-3 or has failed to perform its obligations under Section 2(a), the Holders shall have the right on four (4) occasions (provided, that the aggregate number of such rights effected pursuant to this Section 2(e) plus the number of any Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offerings effected pursuant to Section 2(b) shall not exceed six (6)) to require the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act in respect of all or a portion of Registrable Securities owned by the Holders (so long as such request covers at least $50,000,000 worth of the then current value of Common Shares (including, for purposes of such determination, any Common Shares issuable upon conversion of Preferred Shares)) or Preferred Shares, by delivering to the Company written notice stating that such right is being exercised, specifying the number of Registrable Securities owned by the Holders to be included in such registration, and describing the intended method of distribution thereof (each, a “Demand Request” and any registration effected pursuant thereto, a “Demand Registration”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to file any Registration Statement pursuant to a Demand Request within 90 days after the effective date of a previous Demand Registration or any previous Registration Statement in which the holders of Registrable Securities were given piggyback rights pursuant to Section 3 in which there was no reduction in the number of Registrable Securities to be included, and in each case, in which the sale of the Registrable Securities included therein was consummated. Any Holder who has elected to sell Registrable Securities in an offering pursuant to this Section 2(e) shall be permitted to withdraw from such registration by written notice to the Company if the price to the public at which the Registrable Securities are proposed to be sold will be less than 90% of the average closing price of the class of shares being sold in the offering during the 10 trading days preceding the date on which the Demand Request of such offering was given pursuant to this Section 2(e). The Company shall comply with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by the Demand Registration in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Holders. No Demand Registration

 

7


shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of this Section 2(e) if (x) the Registration Statement relating thereto (A) does not become effective, (B) is not maintained effective for the period required pursuant to Section 2(g), or (C) the offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement is subject to a stop order, injunction or similar order or requirement of the SEC during such period, (y) more than 90% of the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders to be included in such registration are not so included pursuant to Section 2(h) or (z) the conditions to closing specified in any underwriting agreement, purchase agreement or similar agreement entered into in connection with the registration relating to such request are not satisfied (other than as a result of a material default or breach thereunder by the Holders or their Affiliates) or otherwise waived by the Holders; provided that the Company’s obligation to pay Registration Expenses pursuant to Section 6 hereof shall still apply.

(f) Effectiveness of Demand Registration. As promptly as practicable, but in no event later than 20 Business Days after the Company receives a Demand Request pursuant to Section 2(e) hereof, the Company shall file with the SEC and thereafter use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be declared effective promptly a registration statement on the appropriate form (it being agreed that, subject to Section 2(d) hereof, such Registration Statement shall be an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement, if then available to the Company) providing for the registration of such number of Registrable Securities the Holders shall have requested be registered for distribution in accordance with such intended method of distribution; provided, however, no sale shall be made by any Holder pursuant to any Demand Registration prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, except with the prior written consent of the Company. The Company shall comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by any such registration statement in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition by the Holders.

(g) Continued Effectiveness. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep (A) any Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement continuously effective and usable for the resale of the Registrable Securities covered thereby, and to re-file such Shelf Registration Statement upon its expiration, until the date on which all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement and (B) any Registration Statement filed pursuant to a Demand Request effective for a period of at least 180 days after the effectiveness thereof or such shorter period during which all Registrable Securities included therein shall have actually been sold (such period, the “Effective Period”); provided, however, that in the event the Company suspends, postpones or delays the filing of a Registration Statement required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement, the Effective Period shall be extended by the duration of each such applicable suspension, postponement or delay. To the extent that the Company ceases to be eligible to register Registrable Securities on Form S-3, the Company shall file a “shelf” registration statement on Form S-1 not later than 45 days after the date of such ineligibility and use its reasonable best efforts to have such registration statement declared effective as promptly as practicable.

 

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(h) Priority on Demand Registration or Shelf Takedown . If any of the Registrable Securities registered pursuant to a Demand Request or a Shelf Takedown are to be sold in a Marketed Underwritten Offering, and the managing underwriter(s) advise the Holders that in its good faith opinion the total number or dollar amount of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in such Marketed Underwritten Offering (including securities proposed to be included by other holders of securities entitled to include securities in such Registration Statement pursuant to incidental or piggyback registration rights), is such as to adversely affect the success of such offering, then there shall be included in such Marketed Underwritten Offering the number or dollar amount of Registrable Securities that in the good faith opinion of such managing underwriter(s) can be sold without adversely affecting such offering, and such number of Registrable Securities shall be allocated as follows, unless the underwriters require a different allocation:

(i) first, to the Holders requesting such registration pro rata on the basis of the percentage of Registrable Securities owned by each such Holder relative to the number of Registrable Securities owned by all Holders, until with respect to each such Holder, all Registrable Securities requested for registration by such Holders have been included in such registration;

(ii) second, the securities for which inclusion in such Registration Statement was requested by the Company; and

(iii) third, Common Shares requested by other holders of Common Shares (each, a “Piggybacking Holder”) to be included in such Marketed Underwritten Offering, on a pro rata basis or in such other manner as such Piggybacking Holders shall agree.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no securities other than Registrable Securities held by the Holders shall be eligible for inclusion in the total number or dollar amount of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in any Block Sale effected pursuant to Section 2(b) or Section 2(e) of this Agreement.

(i) Postponements in Requested Registrations. If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement, including a Shelf Registration Statement, filed hereunder would require the Company to make a public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure in the good faith judgment of the Board (after consultation with external legal counsel) (i) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement so that such Registration Statement would not contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (ii) would not be required to be made at such time but for the filing, effectiveness or continued use of such Registration Statement and (iii) would reasonably be expected to adversely affect in any material respect the Company or its business or the Company’s ability to effect a bona fide material proposed acquisition, disposition, financing, reorganization, recapitalization or similar transaction, then the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders participating in such registration, delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement; provided that the Company shall not be permitted to do so (x) more than once in any 6-month period or (y) for any single period of time in excess of 60 days, or for periods exceeding, in the aggregate, 90 days during any 12-month period. In the event that the Company exercises its rights under the preceding sentence, such Holders agree to suspend, promptly upon receipt of the notice referred to above, the use of any Prospectus relating to such registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities. If the

 

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Company so postpones the filing of a Prospectus or the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, the demanding Holder shall be entitled to withdraw such request and, if such request is withdrawn, such registration request shall not count for the purposes of the limitations set forth in Section 2(e). The Company shall promptly give the Holders requesting registration thereof pursuant to this Section 2 written notice of any postponement made in accordance with the preceding sentence.

(j) Registration Expenses. The Company shall pay, and shall be responsible for, all Registration Expenses in connection with any registrations and offerings pursuant to this Section 2, including any underwritten offering, direct sales to purchasers, sales to or through brokers, dealers or agents, derivative transactions with third parties, sales in connection with short sales and other hedging transactions, that are effectuated pursuant to this Section 2; provided, however, that the Holders shall pay all Selling Expenses, if any, with respect to Registrable Securities sold by them.

(k) Selection of Underwriters. The lead underwriters of any Underwritten Offering effected pursuant to a Demand Registration or a Shelf Takedown shall be selected by the Holders, subject to the consent, not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, of the Company. If the Holders intend that the Registrable Securities requested to be covered by a Demand Registration shall be distributed by means of an Underwritten Offering, the Holders shall so advise the Company in writing. The right of any Holder to participate in an Underwritten Offering pursuant to this Section 2 will be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting and each such Holder will (together with the Company and any Piggybacking Holder distributing its securities through such underwriting) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter(s) selected for such underwriting (including pursuant to the terms of any over-allotment or “green shoe” option requested by the managing underwriter(s)), provided that (A) no Holder shall be required to sell more than the number of Registrable Securities that such Holder has requested the Company to include in any registration and (B) if any Holder disapproves of the terms of the underwriting, such Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company, the managing underwriter(s) and, in connection with an Underwritten Offering pursuant to this Section 2, the other Holders, provided, further, that no such Person (other than the Company) shall be required to make any representations or warranties other than (x) those related to the title and ownership of, and power and authority to transfer, Registrable Securities and (y) those related to the accuracy and completeness of statements made in a Registration Statement, Prospectus or other document in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information prepared and furnished to the Company or the managing underwriter(s) by such Person pertaining exclusively to such Holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Holder shall be required to agree to any indemnification obligations on the part of such Holder that are greater than its obligations pursuant to Section 5.

 

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3. Piggyback Registrations.

(a) Right to Piggyback. Whenever the Company proposes to register any of its securities (other than (x) a registration pursuant to this Agreement or (y) a registration relating solely to employee benefit plans or any dividend or distribution reinvestment or similar plan, or relating to a registration relating solely to the sale of debt or convertible debt instruments), whether or not for its own account, and the registration form to be filed may be used for the registration or qualification for distribution of Registrable Securities, the Company will give written notice at least fifteen (15) days before the anticipated filing date to the Holders of its intention to effect such a registration, which notice shall be held in confidence by the Holders until such registration is publicly disclosed, and will include in such registration all Registrable Securities held by the Holders with respect to which the Company has received from the Holder a written request for inclusion therein within ten (10) days after the date of the Company’s notice (a “Piggyback Registration”). If the Holder has made such a written request, it may withdraw its or any Registrable Securities from such Piggyback Registration by giving written notice to the Company and the managing underwriter(s), if any, on or before the fifth (5th) day prior to the planned effective date of such Piggyback Registration. The Company may terminate or withdraw any registration under this Section 3 prior to the effectiveness of such registration, whether or not the Holder has elected to include Registrable Securities in such registration, and, except for the obligation to pay Registration Expenses pursuant to Section 3(c), the Company will have no liability to the Holder in connection with such termination or withdrawal.

(b) Underwritten Registration. If the registration referred to in Section 3(a) is proposed to be an Underwritten Offering, the Company will so advise the Holders as a part of the written notice given pursuant to Section 3(a). In such event, the right of any Holder to registration pursuant to this Section 3 will be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting, and any Holder that holds Registrable Securities that are to be sold in such offering will (together with the Company and any other holders distributing their securities through such underwriting) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected for such offering by the Company. If the Holder disapproves of the terms of the underwriting, the Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the managing underwriter(s).

(c) Piggyback Registration Expenses. The Company will pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any Piggyback Registration, whether or not any registration or prospectus becomes effective or final; provided, however, that the Holders shall pay all Selling Expenses, if any, with respect to Registrable Securities sold by them.

(d) Priority on Primary Registrations. If a Piggyback Registration relates to a primary Underwritten Offering on behalf of the Company, and the managing underwriter(s) advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold without adversely affecting the marketability of such offering, the Company will include in such registration or prospectus only such number of securities that in the opinion of such underwriters can be sold without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, which securities will be so included in the following order of priority: (i) first, the securities the Company proposes to sell, (ii) second, the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by the Holders on a pro rata basis relative to the total number of Registrable Securities requested to be included therein by all Holders, until with respect to each such Holder, all Registrable Securities requested for registration by such Holders have been included in such registration and (iii) third, Common Shares requested by any other persons to be included in the Piggyback Registration, on a pro rata basis relative to the total number of Common Shares requested to be included in the Piggyback Registration by such other requesting persons, or in such other manner as such other requesting persons shall agree.

 

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(e) Priority on Secondary Registrations. If a Piggyback Registration relates to a secondary Underwritten Offering on behalf of other holders of the Company’s securities, and the managing underwriter(s) advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, the Company will include in such registration only such number of securities that in the opinion of such underwriters can be sold without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, which securities shall include securities requested to be included therein by the holder(s) making demand for such Underwritten Offering together with any Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by the Holders on a pro rata basis relative to the number of total Common Shares or Preferred Shares requested to be included therein by such other holder(s) and the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included therein by the Holders.

4. Registration Procedures. If and whenever the Company is required to use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act as provided in Section 2 and Section 3, the Company shall effect such registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall cooperate in the sale of such Registrable Securities and shall, as expeditiously as possible:

(a) prepare and file, in each case as promptly as practicable, with the SEC a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on such form as shall be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the Holders thereof or by the Company in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, make all required filings with FINRA, and, if such Registration Statement is not automatically effective upon filing, use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective as soon as practicable and to remain effective as provided herein; provided, however, that before filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto (including free writing prospectuses under Rule 433 (each a “Free Writing Prospectus”)) and, to the extent reasonably practicable, documents that would be incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in a Registration Statement filed pursuant to a Demand Request (other than a Shelf Registration Statement), the Company shall furnish or otherwise make available to the Holders, their counsel and the managing underwriter(s), if any, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed (including exhibits thereto), which documents will be subject to the reasonable review and comment of such counsel, and such other documents reasonably requested by such counsel, including any comment letter from the SEC, and, if requested by such counsel, provide such counsel reasonable opportunity to participate in the preparation of such Registration Statement and each Prospectus included therein and such other opportunities to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act, including reasonable access to the Company’s books and records, officers, accountants and other advisors. The Company shall not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto (including such documents that, upon filing, would be incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference therein and including Free Writing Prospectuses) with respect to a Demand Registration to which Holders or the managing underwriter(s), if any, shall reasonably object, in writing, on a timely basis, unless, in the opinion of the Company, such filing is necessary to comply with applicable law;

 

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(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith and such Free Writing Prospectuses and Exchange Act reports as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective during the period provided herein and comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement; and cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by any Prospectus supplement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of the securities covered by such Registration Statement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the Securities Act in each case, until such time as all of such securities have been disposed of in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement;

(c) notify each selling Holder of Registrable Securities, its counsel and the managing underwriter(s) of any Underwritten Offering (i) when a Registration Statement, pre-effective amendment to any Registration Statement, Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment or any Free Writing Prospectus has been filed, and, with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (ii) of any request by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related Prospectus or for additional information, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) if at any time the Company has reason to believe that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement contemplated by Section 4(m) below) cease to be true and correct, (v) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of such Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, and (vi) of the happening of any event that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or related Prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus, amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, as then in effect, untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in such Registration Statement, Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, not misleading, and that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (which notice shall notify the selling Holders only of the occurrence of such an event and shall provide no additional information regarding such event to the extent such information would constitute material non-public information);

 

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(d) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or the lifting of any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction at the earliest date reasonably practical;

(e) if requested by the Holders, or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering, the managing underwriter(s) of such Underwritten Offering, promptly include in a Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the Holders or such managing underwriter(s), as the case may be, may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution of such securities set forth in the Registration Statement and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company has received such request; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to take any actions under this Section 4(e) that are not, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, in compliance with applicable law;

(f) deliver to each selling Holder of Registrable Securities, its counsel, and the underwriters, if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of Prospectus) and each amendment or supplement thereto (including any Free Writing Prospectus) as such Persons may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof; and the Company, subject to the last paragraph of this Section 4, hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of Registrable Securities and the underwriters, if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus and any such amendment or supplement thereto;

(g) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Securities, the underwriters, if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any seller or underwriter reasonably requests in writing and to keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective and to take any other action that may be necessary or advisable to enable such Holders of Registrable Securities to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdiction in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof; provided, however, that the Company will not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 4(g), (ii) subject itself to taxation in any jurisdiction wherein it is not so subject or (iii) take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject (other than service of process in connection with such registration or qualification or any sale of Registrable Securities in connection therewith);

 

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(h) cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Securities and the managing underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any legends) representing Registrable Securities to be sold after receiving written representations from each Holder of such Registrable Securities that the Registrable Securities represented by the certificates so delivered by such Holder will be transferred in accordance with the Registration Statement, and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriter(s), if any, or Holders may request;

(i) Reserved;

(j) upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 4(c)(vi) above, promptly prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities being sold thereunder, such Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(k) provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities from and after the effective date of such Registration Statement (and in connection therewith, if required by the Company’s transfer agent, the Company will promptly after the effective date of the Registration Statement, cause an opinion of counsel (subject to such counsel’s receipt of any reasonably requested undertakings and representations from the Holders in order to deliver such opinion) as to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement to be delivered to and maintained with such transfer agent, together with any other authorizations, certificates and directions required by the transfer agent which authorize and direct the transfer agent to issue such Registrable Securities without any legend upon sale by the Holders or the underwriter or managing underwriter of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if any, of such Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement and to deposit such Registrable Securities with The Depository Trust Company);

(l) use its reasonable best efforts to cause all shares of Registrable Securities covered by any Registration Statement to be listed on each primary national securities exchange (if any) on which shares of the particular class of Registrable Securities are at that time listed;

 

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(m) in the case of any Underwritten Offering in which any Holder participates, enter into an underwriting agreement containing customary provisions (including provisions for indemnification, lockups, opinions of counsel and comfort letters), and take all such other customary and reasonable actions as the managing underwriters of such offering may request in order to facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities, including adding information requested by the managing underwriters to the Prospectus, and making such representations and warranties to the holders of such Registrable Securities and the underwriters, if any, with respect to the business of the Company and its material Subsidiaries, and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings, and, if true, confirm the same if and when requested;

(n) in the case of any Underwritten Offering in which any Holder participates, (A) make reasonably available, for inspection by a representative of the Holders, the managing underwriters of such offering and one law firm acting for all of the Holders selling Registrable Securities in such offering and one law firm acting for such managing underwriters, pertinent corporate documents and financial and other records of the Company and its Subsidiaries and controlled Affiliates, (B) cause the Company’s officers and employees to supply information reasonably requested by such representative, managing underwriters or law firms or accounting firms in connection with such offering, (C) make the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm (and, if necessary, any other independent registered public accounting firms of any material Subsidiary of the Company or of any business acquired by the Company for which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included in the Registration Statement) available for any such managing underwriters’ due diligence and have them provide customary comfort letters to such underwriters in connection therewith and to each Holder selling Registrable Securities in such offering (unless such accountants shall be prohibited from so addressing such letters by applicable standards of the accounting profession), (D) cause the Company’s outside counsel to furnish customary legal opinions and updates thereof (which legal opinions (in form, scope and substance) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter(s)) to such underwriters and to each Holder selling Registrable Securities in such offering in connection therewith (subject to delivery to outside counsel of each such Holder’s representation that it is knowledgeable with respect to the due diligence review process that an underwriter would perform in connection with an offering of securities registered pursuant to the Securities Act), covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such counsel and underwriters and (E) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by a Holder selling Registrable Securities in such offering, the managing underwriters of such offering or their counsel to evidence the continued validity of the representations and warranties made pursuant to Section 4(m) above and to evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company (it being understood that the above shall be done at each closing under such underwriting or similar agreement, or as and to the extent required thereunder); provided, however, that any such records and other information provided under clauses (A) and (B) above that is not generally publicly available shall be subject to such confidential treatment as is customary for underwriters’ due diligence reviews;

 

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(o) in the case of any Underwritten Offering in which any Holder participates, cause its management to use their reasonable best efforts to support the marketing of the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement (including participation in such number of “road shows” and other customary marketing activities, including “one-on-one” meetings with prospective purchasers of the Registrable Securities, in each case as the underwriter(s) reasonably request, and in any management diligence meetings or teleconferences as the underwriter(s) or their counsel reasonably request);

(p) cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities and each underwriter or agent participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with the FINRA;

(q) otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of any Registration Statement, which earnings statement will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder; and

(r) cooperate with the Holders subject to the Registration Statement and with the underwriter(s) or agent participating in the distribution, if any, to facilitate any Charitable Gifting Event and to prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to permit any such recipient Charitable Organization to sell in the underwritten offering if it so elects.

The Company may require each Holder of Registrable Securities as to which any registration is being effected to furnish to the Company in writing such information required in connection with such registration regarding such seller and the distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably request and the Company may exclude from such registration the Registrable Securities of any Holder who unreasonably fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such request.

The Company agrees not to file or make any amendment to any Registration Statement with respect to any Registrable Securities, or any amendment of or supplement to the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus used in connection therewith, that refers to any Holder covered thereby by name, or otherwise identifies such Holder as the holder of any securities of the Company, without the consent of such Holder, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, unless and to the extent such disclosure is required by law, in which case the Company shall furnish or otherwise make available to such Holder a copy of any such amendment or supplement no less than five Business Days prior to the filing of such amendment or supplement (unless and to the extent such amendment or supplement is required by law to be filed earlier) and including all comments reasonably and timely requested by such Holder thereon.

 

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If the Company files any Shelf Registration Statement for the benefit of the holders of any of its securities other than the Holders, the Company agrees that it shall use its reasonable best efforts to include in such registration statement such disclosures as may be required by Rule 430B under the Securities Act (referring to the unnamed selling security holders in a generic manner by identifying the initial offering of the securities to the Holders) in order to ensure that the Holders may be added to such Shelf Registration Statement at a later time through the filing of a Prospectus supplement rather than a post-effective amendment.

Each Holder holding Registrable Securities agrees if such Holder has Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Sections 4(c)(ii), 4(c)(iii), 4(c)(iv), 4(c)(v) and 4(c)(vi) hereof, such Holder will promptly discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement or Prospectus until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 4(j) hereof, or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus; provided, however, that the time periods under Section 2 with respect to the length of time that the effectiveness of a Registration Statement must be maintained shall automatically be extended by the amount of time the Holder is required to discontinue disposition of such securities.

Notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary, to the extent that any pro rata or other allocation or reduction of Registrable Securities is required pursuant to Sections 2(h), 3(d), 3(e) or any other section herein, (i) all Registrable Securities transferred by a Holder to a Charitable Organization in connection with an underwritten offering for which such pro rata or other allocation is required shall be included in the number of Registrable Securities deemed to be held by each Holder (or deemed to be included in such Holder’s request for inclusion of Registrable Securities) for purposes of calculating such Holder’s pro rata allocation or reduction in such underwritten offering and (ii) the number of Registrable Securities that a Holder is otherwise entitled to include in such underwritten offering shall be reduced by the number of Registrable Securities transferred by such Holder to a Charitable Organization in connection with such underwritten offering.

5. Indemnification.

(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall, without limitation as to time, indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities whose Registrable Securities are covered by a Registration Statement or Prospectus, the officers, directors, partners, members, managers, shareholders, accountants, attorneys, agents and employees of each of them, each Person who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) each such Holder and the officers, directors, partners, members, managers, shareholders, accountants, attorneys, agents and employees of each such controlling person, each underwriter, if any, and each Person who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) such underwriter (each such person being referred to herein as a “Covered Person”), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including costs of preparation and reasonable attorneys’ fees and any legal or other fees or expenses incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding), expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, charges and amounts paid in settlement (collectively, “Losses”), as incurred, arising out of or based upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus,

 

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Registration Statement or Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein or based on any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or any violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder applicable to the Company and relating to any action or inaction in connection with the related offering of Registrable Securities, and will reimburse each such Covered Person for any legal and any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating and defending or settling any such Loss, provided that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such Loss arises out of or is based on any untrue statement or omission by such Covered Person relating to such Covered Person or its Affiliates (other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), but only to the extent, that such untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) or omission (or alleged omission) is made in such Registration Statement, Prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein, in each case in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Covered Person with respect to such Covered Person for use therein. It is agreed that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 5(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such Loss or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

(b) Indemnification by Holder of Registrable Securities. As a condition to including any Registrable Securities in any Registration Statement filed in accordance with Section 4 hereof, the Company shall have received an undertaking reasonably satisfactory to it from the prospective seller of such Registrable Securities to indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by law, severally and not jointly with any other Holders holding Registrable Securities, the Company, its directors and officers and each Person who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company and all other prospective sellers, from and against all Losses arising out of or based on any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any such Registration Statement, Prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse the Company, such directors and officers, and controlling persons and prospective sellers for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such Loss, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission is made in such Registration Statement, Prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein, in each case in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Holder with respect to such Holder for inclusion in such Registration Statement, Prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein; provided, however, that the obligations of such Holder hereunder shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such Losses (or actions in respect thereof) if such settlement is effected without the consent of such Holder (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld); and provided, further, that the liability of such Holder of Registrable Securities shall be limited to the net proceeds received by such selling Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement.

 

19


(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. If any Person shall be entitled to indemnity hereunder (an “Indemnified Party”), such Indemnified Party shall give prompt notice to the party from which such indemnity is sought (the “Indemnifying Party”) of any claim or of the commencement of any proceeding with respect to which such Indemnified Party seeks indemnification or contribution pursuant hereto; provided, however, that the delay or failure to so notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any obligation or liability except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party has been materially prejudiced by such delay or failure. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right, exercisable by giving written notice to an Indemnified Party promptly after the receipt of written notice from such Indemnified Party of such claim or proceeding, to, unless in the Indemnified Party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist in respect of such claim, assume, at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, the defense of any such claim or proceeding, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party; provided, however, that an Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such claim or proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless: (i) the Indemnifying Party agrees to pay such fees and expenses; or (ii) the Indemnifying Party fails promptly to assume, or in the event of a conflict of interest cannot assume, the defense of such claim or proceeding or fails to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party; in which case the Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ counsel and to assume the defense of such claim or proceeding at the Indemnifying Party’s expense; provided, further, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall not, in connection with any one such claim or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related claims or proceedings in the same jurisdiction, arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one firm of attorneys (together with appropriate local counsel) at any time for all of the Indemnified Parties, or for fees and expenses that are not reasonable. Whether or not such defense is assumed by the Indemnifying Party, such Indemnifying Party will not be subject to any liability for any settlement made without its consent (but such consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). Without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that (x) does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation for which such Indemnified Party would be entitled to indemnification hereunder or (y) involves the imposition of equitable remedies or the imposition of any obligations on the Indemnified Party or adversely affects such Indemnified Party other than as a result of financial obligations for which such Indemnified Party would be entitled to indemnification hereunder.

(d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 5 is unavailable to an Indemnified Party in respect of any Losses (other than in accordance with its terms), then each applicable Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and such Indemnified Party, on the other hand, in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and Indemnified Party, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any

 

20


action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has been made (or omitted) by, or relates to information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent any such action, statement or omission.

The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5(d), an Indemnifying Party that is a selling Holder holding Registrable Securities shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount that such Indemnifying Party has otherwise been, or would otherwise be, required to pay pursuant to Section 5(b) by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the provisions on indemnification and contribution contained in the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with the underwritten public offering are more favorable to the Holders than the foregoing provisions, the provisions in the underwriting agreement shall control.

(e) Reserved.

(f) Non-Exclusivity. The obligations of the parties under this Section 5 shall be in addition to any liability which any party may otherwise have to any other party.

6. Registration Expenses . All fees and expenses incurred in the performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the Company including (i) all registration and filing fees (including fees and expenses (A) with respect to filings required to be made with the SEC, all applicable securities exchanges and/or FINRA and (B) with respect to compliance with securities or blue sky laws, including any fees and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 4(g)), (ii) printing expenses (including expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and of printing Prospectuses if the printing of Prospectuses is requested by the managing underwriter(s), if any, of an Underwritten Offering, or by the Holders), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses of the Company, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (v) expenses of the Company incurred in connection with any road show, and (vi) fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accounting firms referred to in Section 4(m) hereof (including the expenses of any comfort letters required by this Agreement) and any other persons, including special experts retained by the Company, (vii) reasonable, documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of outside legal counsel (together with appropriate local counsel) to the Holders retained in connection with registrations or Underwritten Offerings contemplated hereby in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for each registration and Underwritten Offering, (viii) all reasonable fees and disbursements of underwriters (other than those described in the next paragraph) customarily paid by issuers or sellers of securities, and (ix) all other costs, fees and expenses incident to the

 

21


Company’s performance or compliance with this Agreement (other than those described in the next paragraph), shall be borne by the Company whether or not any Registration Statement is filed or becomes effective (all such expenses, “Registration Expenses”). In addition, the Company shall pay its internal expenses (including all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit, the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the securities to be registered on any securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed and rating agency fees and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the Company.

The Company shall not be required to pay (i) any underwriter’s fees (including discounts, commissions or fees of underwriters, selling brokers, dealer managers or similar securities industry professionals) relating to the distribution of the Registrable Securities (other than with respect to Registrable Securities sold by the Company), (ii) expenses (other than the Company’s internal expenses) in connection with any offering pursuant to a Demand Request or Shelf Takedown begun pursuant to Section 2, the request of which has been subsequently withdrawn by the demanding Holder unless (x) the withdrawal is based upon (A) any fact, circumstance, event, change, effect or occurrence that individually or in the aggregate with all other facts or circumstances, events, changes, effects or occurrences has a material adverse effect on the Company or (B) material adverse information concerning the Company that the Company had not publicly disclosed at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to such registration request or that the Company had not otherwise notified, in writing, the demanding Holder of at the time of such request, or (y) the Holder issuing such Demand Request or requesting such Shelf Takedown, as applicable, has not withdrawn two Demand Requests relating to Underwritten Offerings of a type not covered by the foregoing clauses (ii)(x)(A) or (ii)(x)(B) or (z) after the demanding Holder’s withdrawal of two such Demand Requests where such withdrawal is not covered by clauses (iii)(x)(A) or (iii)(x)(B), such demanding Holder agrees to forfeit its right to one Demand Registration pursuant to Section 2 with respect to the limit set forth in Section 2(e) or (iii) any other expenses of the Holders holding Registrable Securities not specifically required to be paid by the Company pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 6.

7. Rule 144. The Company covenants that it will file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder (or, if the Company is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any of the Holders, make publicly available such information so long as necessary to permit sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144), and it will take such further action as any Holder of Registrable Securities (or, if the Company is not required to file reports as provided above, any of the Holders) may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell shares of Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144. Upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements and will, within the limitations of the exemption provided by Rule 144 (as such rule may be amended from time to time) or any similar rule enacted by the SEC, instruct the transfer agent to remove the restrictive legend affixed to any Common Shares or Preferred Shares to enable such shares to be sold in compliance with Rule 144 (as such rule may be amended from time to time) or any similar rule enacted by the SEC.

 

22


8. Certain Additional Agreements. If any Registration Statement or comparable statement under state blue sky laws refers to any Holder by name or otherwise as the holder of any securities of the Company, then such Holder shall have the right to require (a) the insertion therein of language, in form and substance satisfactory to such Holder and the Company, to the effect that the holding by such Holder of such securities is not to be construed as a recommendation by such Holder of the investment quality of the Company’s securities covered thereby and that such holding does not imply that such Holder will assist in meeting any future financial requirements of the Company, or (b) in the event that such reference to such Holder by name or otherwise is not in the judgment of the Company required by the Securities Act or any similar federal statute or any state blue sky or securities law then in force, the deletion of the reference to such Holder.

9. Miscellaneous.

(a) Termination. The provisions of this Agreement (other than Section 5 and Section 6) shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of (i) its termination by the written agreement of all parties hereto or their respective successors in interest, (ii) the date on which the Holders cease to own any Registrable Securities or Preferred Shares and (iii) the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company. Nothing herein shall relieve any party from any liability for the breach of any of the agreements set forth in this Agreement.

(b) Holdback Agreement. In consideration for the Company agreeing to its obligations under this Agreement, each Holder agrees in connection with any Underwritten Offering of Registrable Securities (whether or not such Holder is participating in such transaction) upon the request of the Company and the underwriter(s) managing such Underwritten Offering, not to effect (other than pursuant to such registration) any public sale or distribution of Registrable Securities, including, but not limited to, any sale pursuant to Rule 144, or make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of, or enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another Person any of the economic consequences of ownership of, any Registrable Securities, any other equity securities of the Company or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any equity securities of the Company without the prior written consent of the Company or such underwriters, as the case may be, during the Holdback Period.

If any registration pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement shall be in connection with any Underwritten Offering, the Company will not effect any public sale or distribution of any common equity (or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for common equity) (other than a registration statement (i) on Form S-4, Form S-8 or any successor forms promulgated for similar purposes or (ii) filed in connection with an exchange offer or any employee benefit or dividend reinvestment plan) for its own account, during the Holdback Period.

(c) Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement may be amended and the Company may take any action herein prohibited, or omit to perform any act herein required to be performed by it, only if any such amendment, action or omission to act, has received the written consent of the Company and each of the Holders. The failure of any party to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed as a waiver of such provisions and

 

23


shall not affect the right of such party thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms. Any Holder may waive (in writing) the benefit of any provision of this Agreement with respect to itself for any purpose. Any such waiver shall constitute a waiver only with respect to the specific matter described in such writing and shall in no way impair the rights of the Holder granting such waiver in any other respect or at any other time.

(d) Successors, Assigns and Transferees. CD&R Investor may assign any of its rights, interests and obligations hereunder to any Permitted Rights Transferee who acquires at least 5% of the then-outstanding Common Shares (on an as-converted basis), and in the event of, and as a condition to, any such assignment, such assignee shall enter into a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Holders acknowledge that no limited partner of an investment fund managed by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC or any portfolio company thereof (excluding the Company and its Subsidiaries) will be deemed to be a Holder for purposes of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any notice (or Demand Request, as applicable) of a Holder to register Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 2(b), Section 2(e) or Section 3(a) shall be deemed to include, and the Company shall register (subject to the limitations and conditions otherwise applicable to the Holder), any portion of such Registrable Securities that are transferred to a Permitted Rights Transferee prior to the execution of an underwriting agreement in connection with an Underwritten Offering, provided that the notice (or Demand Request, as applicable) described in Section 2(b), Section 2(e) or Section 3(a), as applicable, includes the identity of such Permitted Rights Transferee, the relationship (if any) of such Permitted Rights Transferee with the Company, their beneficial ownership of Common Shares or Preferred Shares, the Registrable Securities held by such Permitted Rights Transferee to be included in such registration and the intended method of distribution thereof, and any other information reasonably requested by the Company and/or the managing underwriter(s) for inclusion in the applicable Registration Statement, Prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto. The parties agree that upon CD&R Investor’s assignment of any of its rights, interests and obligations hereunder to any Permitted Rights Transferee in connection with CD&R Investor’s transfer of Registrable Securities or Preferred Shares to any Permitted Rights Transferee who acquires at least 5% of the then-outstanding Common Shares (on an as-converted basis), the parties will act in good faith to amend this Agreement to provide for the assignment of such rights, interests and obligations to such new Holder.

(e) Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including facsimile transmission) and shall be given:

If to the Company, to:

Columbus McKinnon Corporation

13320 Ballantyne Corporate Place, Suite D

Charlotte, NC 28277

Attention: [•]

Email: [•]

 

24


with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

DLA Piper LLP (US)

1251 Avenue of the Americas

27th Floor

New York, NY 10020

  Attention:

James L. Kelly;

 

Ilya A. Bubel

  Email:

james.kelly@us.dlapiper.com;

 

ilya.bubel@us.dlapiper.com

if to a Holder, to:

c/o Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC

375 Park Avenue, 18th Floor

New York, NY 10152

Attn: Andrew Campelli, Michael Pratt

Email: acampelli@cdr-inc.com, mpratt@cdr-inc.com

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

66 Hudson Boulevard

New York, NY 10001

Attention: Morgan J. Hayes, Uri Herzberg, Katherine Durnan Taylor

Email: mjhayes@debevoise.com, uherzberg@debevoise.com, ketaylor@debevoise.com

or such other address or email as such party may hereafter specify for the purpose by notice to the other parties hereto.

All such notices, requests and other communications shall be deemed received on the date of receipt by the recipient thereof if received prior to 5:00 p.m. on a Business Day in the place of receipt. Otherwise, any such notice, request or communication shall be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day in the place of receipt.

(f) Further Assurances. At any time or from time to time after the date hereof, the parties agree to cooperate with each other, and at the request of any other party, to execute and deliver any further instruments or documents and to take all such further action as the other party may reasonably request in order to evidence or effectuate the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and to otherwise carry out the intent of the parties hereunder.

(g) Preservation of Rights. The Company will not (i) grant any registration right to third parties which are more favorable than or inconsistent with the rights granted hereunder or (ii) enter into any agreement, take any action or permit any change to occur, with respect to its securities that violates or subordinates the rights expressly granted to the Holders.

 

25


(h) Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement (i) constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersede any prior discussions, correspondence, negotiation, proposed term sheet, agreement, understanding or agreement and there are no agreements, understandings, representations or warranties between the parties other than those set forth or referred to in this Agreement and (ii) except as provided in Section 5 with respect to an Indemnified Party, is not intended to confer in or on behalf of any Person not a party to this Agreement (and their successors and assigns) any rights, benefits, causes of action or remedies with respect to the subject matter or any provision hereof.

(i) Governing Law; Jurisdiction and Forum; Waiver of Jury Trial.

(i) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts executed and to be performed wholly within such State and without reference to the choice-of-law principles that would result in the application of the laws of a different jurisdiction.

(ii) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or any court of the State of New York located in such district any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, and hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such suit, action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such court. Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such suit, action or other proceeding. The parties further agree, to the extent permitted by law, that final and unappealable judgment against any of them in any suit, action or other proceeding contemplated above shall be conclusive and may be enforced in any other jurisdiction within or outside the United States by suit on the judgment, a certified copy of which shall be conclusive evidence of the fact and amount of such judgment.

(iii) EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

(j) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party hereto. Upon such a determination, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

 

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(k) Enforcement. Each party hereto acknowledges that money damages would not be an adequate remedy in the event that any of the covenants or agreements in this Agreement are not performed in accordance with its terms, and it is therefore agreed that in addition to and without limiting any other remedy or right it may have, the non-breaching party will have the right to an injunction, temporary restraining order or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction enjoining any such breach and enforcing specifically the terms and provisions hereof. In any action or proceeding brought to enforce any provision of this Agreement, the successful party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees in addition to its costs and expenses and other available remedies.

(l) Titles and Subtitles. The titles of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and will not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

(m) No Recourse. Notwithstanding anything that may be expressed or implied in this Agreement, the Company and each Holder (other than CD&R Investor) covenant, agree and acknowledge that no recourse under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection with this Agreement shall be had against any current or future director, officer, employee, shareholder, general or limited partner or member of CD&R Investor or of any Affiliate or assignee thereof, whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any statute, regulation or other applicable law, it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, be imposed on or otherwise be incurred by any current or future director, officer, employee, shareholder, general or limited partner or member of CD&R Investor or of any Affiliate or assignee thereof, as such for any obligation of CD&R Investor under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection with this Agreement for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation.

(n) Counterparts; PDF Signatures . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including via facsimile and electronic transmission), each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. This Agreement may be executed by PDF signature(s).

[Remainder of page left intentionally blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Agreement or caused this Agreement to be duly executed on its behalf as of the date first written above.

 

COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


[•]  
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]

Exhibit 10.2

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

383 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10179

February 10, 2025

Columbus McKinnon Corporation

13320 Ballantyne Corporate Place, Suite D

Charlotte, NC 28277

Attention: Greg Rustowicz, Executive Vice President Finance & CFO

Commitment Letter

Ladies and Gentlemen:

You have advised JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan”, the “Commitment Party”, “us” or “we”) that Columbus McKinnon Corporation, a New York corporation (“you” or the “Company”) intends to acquire, directly or indirectly through a wholly-owned subsidiary, all of the outstanding capital stock of the company you have identified to us as “Keystone” (the “Target”) and consummate the other transactions described on Exhibit A hereto (the “Transactions”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein are used with the meanings assigned to them on the Exhibits attached hereto (such Exhibits, together with this letter, collectively, the “Commitment Letter”).

 

1.

Commitments

In connection with the Transactions, JPMorgan is pleased to advise you of its commitment to provide, and hereby commits to provide, 100% of the aggregate amount of the Facilities, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this letter and Exhibits B, C and D hereto (collectively, the “Term Sheets”).

 

2.

Titles and Roles

It is agreed that:

(a) (i) JPMorgan will act as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner for the Facilities and (subject to the Alternate Transaction Fee section of the Arranger Fee Letter) any other credit facilities the proceeds of which are used to finance the transactions on terms to be agreed (acting in such capacities, the “Lead Arranger”); provided that the Company agrees that JPMorgan may perform its responsibilities hereunder through its affiliate, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“JPMS”) and (ii) JPMorgan (and as applicable, any of JPMorgan’s designated affiliates) will act as sole administrative agent for the Facilities; and

(b) JPMorgan will have “left side” designation and will appear on the top left in any marketing materials or other documentation used in connection with the Facilities and shall hold the leading role and responsibility customarily associated with such “top left” placement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may, on or prior to the date which is twenty (20) business days after the date of this Commitment Letter, appoint additional joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners and additional agents, co-agents or managers (any such joint lead arranger, joint bookrunner, agent, co-agent or manager, an “Additional Agent”) or confer other titles (other than administrative agent or collateral agent) in respect of any Facility in a manner determined by you and the Lead Arranger, and with such Additional Agents having aggregate economics not in excess of 65% of the economics of the Facilities (it being understood that, (x) each such Additional Agent (or its affiliate) (each, an “Additional Commitment Party”)


shall assume a proportion of the commitments with respect to the Facilities that is equal to the proportion of the economics allocated to such Additional Agent (or its affiliates) and such commitments shall be pro rata across the Facilities, (y) to the extent you appoint Additional Agents or confer other titles in respect of the Facilities, the economics allocated to, and the commitment amounts of, the relevant initial lenders in respect of such Facilities will be proportionately reduced by the amount of the economics allocated to, and the commitment amount of, such Additional Agent (or its affiliate), in each case upon the execution and delivery by such Additional Agent of customary joinder documentation acceptable to you and, thereafter, each such Additional Agent shall constitute a “Commitment Party,” and/or “Lead Arranger”, as applicable, under this Commitment Letter and under the Arranger Fee Letter delivered in connection herewith and (z) (i) in no event shall the Commitment Party party to this Commitment Letter as of the date hereof (the “Initial Commitment Party”), be entitled to less than 35% of the aggregate economics of the Facilities (exclusive of the fees set forth in the Administrative Agent Fee Letter) and (ii) no Additional Commitment Party shall receive greater economics than the Initial Commitment Party.

 

3.

Syndication

We intend to syndicate all or a portion of the Facilities to a group of lenders identified by us in consultation with you (together with the Commitment Parties, the “Lenders”); provided that, in any event, the Lead Arranger agrees not to syndicate any of the commitments with respect to the Facilities to (i) any financial institutions or other persons designated in writing by you to us on or prior to the execution of this Commitment Letter (or affiliates of the foregoing that are either identified by you to the Lead Arranger in writing, known to be an affiliate or readily identifiable on the basis of their name, other than any affiliate that is a bona fide diversified debt fund with respect to which the originally designated Disqualified Lender (as defined below) does not, directly or indirectly, possess the power to direct or cause the direction of the investment policies of such entity) or (ii) any competitors of you or your subsidiaries or the Target or its subsidiaries (or affiliates of such competitors) (collectively, “Disqualified Lenders”); provided that any update to the list of Disqualified Lenders shall not apply retroactively to disqualify any parties that have previously acquired an assignment or participation interest in the Facilities with respect to such previously acquired assignment or participation interest; provided that, on or after the Closing Date, the Company may designate additional entities with the consent of the applicable Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The Commitment Party intends to commence syndication efforts promptly, and you agree actively to assist (and to use your commercially reasonable efforts, to the extent practicable, appropriate and not in contravention of the Purchase Agreement, to cause the Target to actively assist) the Commitment Party in completing a syndication reasonably satisfactory to the Commitment Party and you. Such assistance shall include, prior to the earlier of (i) the Closing Date and (ii) the date on which a Successful Syndication (as defined in the Arranger Fee Letter) is achieved (A) your using commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the syndication efforts benefit from your and your affiliates’, and, to the extent practicable, appropriate and not in contravention of the Purchase Agreement, the Target’s and the Target’s affiliates’ existing banking relationships, (B) direct contact between your senior management and advisors and the proposed Lenders (and using your commercially reasonable efforts, to the extent practicable, appropriate and not in contravention of the Purchase Agreement, to ensure such contact between senior management of the Target and the proposed Lenders), (C) your preparing and providing to the Commitment Party all information, including financial information, with respect to you and your subsidiaries (and using your commercially reasonable efforts, to the extent practicable, appropriate and not in contravention of the Purchase Agreement, to cause the Target to prepare and provide information, including financial information, with respect to the Target and its subsidiaries) and the Acquisition, including Projections (as defined below), in each case, as the Commitment Party may reasonably request in connection with the arrangement and syndication of the Facilities and your assistance (and using your commercially reasonable efforts, to the extent practicable, appropriate and not in contravention of the Purchase Agreement, to cause the Target to assist) in the preparation of a customary confidential information memoranda (the “Confidential Information Memorandum”) and other marketing materials to be used in connection with the

 

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syndication (all such information, memoranda and material, “Information Materials”), (D) your hosting, with the Commitment Party, no more than one meeting of prospective Lenders at a time and location to be mutually agreed (and using your commercially reasonable efforts, to the extent practicable, appropriate and not in contravention of the Purchase Agreement, to cause the officers of the Target to be available for such meetings) (it being understood that any such meeting may take place via videoconference or web conference), (E) your using your commercially reasonable efforts to obtain (x) indicative corporate credit and/or corporate family ratings for you (after giving effect to the Transactions) and (y) ratings for the Term Facility and Notes, in each case from each of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”) as soon as practicable and in any event prior to the commencement of syndication of the Facilities and the marketing of the Notes, and (F) your ensuring that there is no competing offering, placement, arrangement or syndication of any debt securities or bank financing (other than the Facilities and the Notes) or announcement thereof by or on behalf of you or your subsidiaries (other than (x) prior to the Closing Date, any replacements, extensions and renewals of existing indebtedness that matures prior to the date that is 60 days following the Expiration Date (as defined below), short-term working capital facilities, capital leases, purchase money indebtedness and equipment financings, in each case, entered into in the ordinary course of business, other indebtedness to be mutually agreed and any other indebtedness of the Target or its subsidiaries permitted to be incurred pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and (y) following the Closing Date, any indebtedness permitted to be incurred under the Facilities Documentation (as defined below) (other than any Incremental Term Facility (as defined in Exhibit B hereto) (other than any Incremental Revolving Facility (as defined in Exhibit B hereto)), including any in-lieu indebtedness in respect of the forgoing, as applicable, and any other indebtedness incurred pursuant to an analogous ratio incurrence test, as applicable) if the offering, placement or arrangement of such debt securities or syndicated credit facilities would have, in the reasonable judgment of Lead Arranger holding at least a majority of the commitments hereunder, a detrimental effect upon the primary syndication of the Facilities. Upon the request of the Commitment Party, you will use your commercially reasonable efforts to furnish and to cause the Target to furnish, for no fee, to the Commitment Party an electronic version of your or Target’s, as applicable, trademarks, service marks and corporate logos for use in marketing materials for the purpose of facilitating the syndication of the Facilities (the “License”), including for purposes of posting copies thereof to a deal site on IntraLinks, DebtDomain, SyndTrak, ClearPar or any other electronic platform chosen by the Commitment Party to be its electronic transmission system (an “Electronic Platform”); provided, however, that the License shall be used solely for the purpose described above and may not be assigned or transferred. You also understand and acknowledge that we may provide to market data collectors, such as league table, or other service providers to the lending industry, information regarding the closing date, size, type, purpose of, and parties to, the Facilities.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Commitment Letter to the contrary and notwithstanding any syndication, assignment or other transfer by the Commitment Party, except with respect to assignments to Additional Commitment Parties made pursuant to Section 2 above, (a) the Commitment Party shall not be relieved, released or novated from its obligations hereunder (including its obligation to fund its applicable percentage of any Facility on the Closing Date if the conditions set forth on Exhibits B, C and D are satisfied or waived by Commitment Party) in connection with any syndication, assignment or other transfer until after the initial funding of Commitment Party’s commitment under such Facility on the Closing Date, (b) no such syndication, assignment or other transfer shall become effective with respect to any portion of Commitment Party’s commitments in respect of any Facility until the initial funding in full of such Facility on the Closing Date and (c) unless the Company agrees in writing in its sole discretion, Commitment Party shall retain exclusive control over all rights and obligations with respect to its commitments in respect of each Facility, including all rights with respect to any consent, waiver, modification, supplement and/or amendment, until the Closing Date has occurred.

 

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The Commitment Party will manage, in consultation with you, all aspects of the syndication, including decisions as to the selection of institutions to be approached and when they will be approached, when commitments will be accepted, which institutions will participate, the allocation of the commitments among the Lenders and the amount and distribution of fees among the Lenders. You hereby acknowledge and agree that the Commitment Party will have no responsibility other than to arrange the syndication as set forth herein and in no event shall the Commitment Party be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

At the request of the Commitment Party, you agree to assist in the preparation of a version of each Confidential Information Memorandum or other Information Material (a “Public Version”) consisting exclusively of information with respect to you and your subsidiaries, the Target and its subsidiaries and the Acquisition that is either publicly available (or could be derived from publicly available information) (or would be publicly available if the Target was a public reporting company) or not material with respect to you and your subsidiaries, the Target and its subsidiaries, any of your or the Target’s respective securities or the Acquisition for purposes of United States federal and state securities laws (such information, “Non-MNPI”). Such Public Versions, together with any other information prepared by you or the Target or your or its affiliates or representatives and conspicuously marked “Public” (collectively, the “Public Information”), which at a minimum means that the word “Public” will appear prominently on the first page of any such information, may be distributed by us to prospective Lenders who have advised us that they wish to receive only Non-MNPI (“Public Side Lenders”). You acknowledge that the Commitment Party’s public-side employees and representatives who are publishing debt analysts may participate in any meetings held pursuant to clause (D) of the third preceding paragraph; provided that such analysts shall not publish any information obtained from such meetings (i) until the syndication of the Facilities has been completed upon the making of allocations by the Lead Arranger and the Lead Arranger freeing the Facilities to trade or (ii) in violation of any confidentiality agreement between you or the Target and the Commitment Party.

In connection with our distribution to prospective Lenders of any Confidential Information Memorandum and, upon our request, any other Information Materials, you will execute and deliver to us (a) a customary authorization letter authorizing such distribution to a prospective Lender’s employees willing to receive MNPI (“Private Side Lenders”) and (b) a separate letter authorizing distribution of the Public Version to Public Side Lenders and, in the case of such Public Version or other Public Information, representing that it only contains Non-MNPI. Each Confidential Information Memorandum will be accompanied by a disclaimer exculpating you and us and our respective affiliates with respect to any use thereof and of any related Information Materials by the recipients thereof. You acknowledge and agree that, in addition to the Information Materials, unless you promptly notify us otherwise in writing (including by email), (a) drafts and final definitive documentation with respect to the Facilities, (b) administrative materials prepared by the Commitment Party for prospective Lenders (such as a lender meeting invitation, allocations and funding and closing memoranda) and (c) notifications of changes in the terms of the Facilities may be distributed to both Public Side Lenders and Private Side Lenders. The Company hereby authorizes JPMorgan to distribute draft and execution versions of the definitive documentation relating to the Facilities to Private Side Lenders and Public Side Lenders.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the commencement nor the completion of syndication of the Facilities or marketing of the Notes shall be a condition to the availability of the Facilities on the Closing Date.

For the avoidance of doubt, you will not be required to provide any information (x) to the extent that the provision thereof could reasonably be expected to violate any attorney-client privilege, law, rule or regulation or any fiduciary duty or obligation of confidentiality (not created in contemplation hereof) binding upon, or waive any privilege that may be asserted by, you, the Target or your or their respective affiliates (provided that in the case of any confidentiality obligation binding on you or your affiliates, you shall use commercially reasonable efforts to notify us, to the extent feasible, if any such information that we have specifically identified and requested is being withheld as a result of any such obligation of

 

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confidentiality and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to disclose such information in a manner that does not breach such confidentiality obligations or such attorney-client privilege) or (y) that consists of trade secrets, customer-specific data or competitively sensitive information of the Target or its subsidiaries that is not required to be provided pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Commitment Letter or the Fee Letters, but without limiting your obligations to assist with syndication efforts as set forth herein, it is understood that none of the foregoing obligations set forth in this paragraph, including, without limitation, the commencement or completion of the syndication of the Facilities, the placement of the Notes or the obtaining of ratings or your compliance with your obligations to assist with syndication efforts as set forth herein shall constitute a condition to the availability of the Facilities on the Closing Date or at any time thereafter.

 

4.

Information

You hereby represent and warrant that with respect to any information relating to you, or to your knowledge, any information relating to the Target and its subsidiaries (a) all information (including all Information Materials), other than the Projections and information of a general economic or industry specific nature (the “Information”), that has been or will be made available to us by you or any of your representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, when taken as a whole, does not or will not, when furnished to us, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not materially misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements are made (giving effect to all supplements thereto) and (b) the financial projections and other forward-looking information (the “Projections”) that have been or will be made available to us by you or any of your representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby have been or will be prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by you to be reasonable at the time furnished to us (it being recognized by the Commitment Party that such Projections are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such Projections may differ from the projected results, and such differences may be material). You agree that if, at any time prior to the Closing Date and thereafter until completion of our syndication efforts, you become aware that any of the representations in the preceding sentence would be incorrect (with respect to Information and Projections relating to the Target and its subsidiaries, to your knowledge) if such Information or Projections were furnished at such time and such representations were remade, in any material respect, then you will (or, with respect to the Information and Projections relating to the Target and its subsidiaries, will use commercially reasonable efforts to) promptly supplement the Information and the Projections so that (with respect to Information and Projections relating to the Target and its subsidiaries, to your knowledge) such representations when remade would be correct, in all material respects, under those circumstances. You understand that in arranging and syndicating the Facilities we may use and rely on the Information and Projections without independent verification thereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Commitment Letter or the Fee Letters, none of the making of any representation or warranty under this paragraph, any supplement thereto, or the accuracy of any such representation or warranty shall constitute a condition precedent to the availability and initial funding of the Facilities on the Closing Date.

 

5.

Fees

As consideration for the commitments and agreements of the Commitment Party hereunder, you agree to pay or cause to be paid the nonrefundable fees described in the Arranger Fee Letter, dated the date hereof and delivered herewith (the “Arranger Fee Letter”) and the Administrative Agent Fee Letter, dated the date hereof and delivered herewith (the “Administrative Agent Fee Letter” and together with the Arranger Fee Letter, the “Fee Letters”), in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein.

 

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You agree that, once paid, the fees or any part thereof payable hereunder or under the Fee Letters shall not be refundable under any circumstances, regardless of whether the transactions or borrowings contemplated by this Commitment Letter are consummated, except as otherwise agreed in writing by you and JPMorgan. All fees payable hereunder and under the Fee Letters shall be paid in immediately available funds in U.S. Dollars and shall not be subject to reduction by way of withholding, setoff or counterclaim or be otherwise affected by any claim or dispute related to any other matter. In addition, all fees payable hereunder shall be paid without deduction for any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any national, state or local taxing authority, or will be grossed up by you for such amounts.

 

6.

Conditions

The Commitment Party’s commitments and agreements hereunder are subject solely to the conditions set forth in Exhibit D (subject to the Limited Conditionality Provision) (the “Funding Conditions”).

Notwithstanding anything in this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letters or the Facilities Documentation (as defined in Exhibit C) to the contrary, (a) the only representations relating to you and your subsidiaries and the Target and its subsidiaries and their respective businesses the accuracy of which shall be a condition to availability of the Facilities on the Closing Date shall be (i) such of the representations made by and on behalf of the Target in the Purchase Agreement as are material to the interests of the Lenders, but only to the extent that the accuracy of any such representation is a condition to your (or your affiliate’s) obligations to close under the Purchase Agreement or you have (or your affiliate has) the right to terminate your (or its) obligations under the Purchase Agreement as a result of a breach of such representations in the Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement Representations”) and (ii) the Specified Representations (as defined below), and (b) the terms of the Facilities Documentation (which we agree will be drafted by your counsel) shall be in a form such that they do not impair availability of the funding for the Facilities on the Closing Date if the applicable Funding Conditions are satisfied. For purposes hereof, “Specified Representations” means the representations and warranties referred to in the Term Sheets relating to corporate existence and qualification of the Company and the Guarantors, power and authority of the Company and the Guarantors, due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company and the Guarantors of, and enforceability against the Company and the Guarantors of, the Facilities Documentation, effectiveness, validity and perfection of priority liens in the collateral under the security documents (subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph 10 of Exhibit D), no conflicts with organizational documents, solvency (on a consolidated basis as of the Closing Date) defined in accordance with Annex I to Exhibit D, use of proceeds not in violation of Patriot Act, OFAC or FCPA, Federal Reserve margin regulations and the Investment Company Act, as amended. Notwithstanding anything in this Commitment Letter or the Fee Letters to the contrary, the only conditions to availability of the Facilities on the Closing Date are the applicable Funding Conditions. This paragraph, and the provisions herein (including by cross reference), shall be referred to as the “Limited Conditionality Provision”.

 

7.

Limitation of Liability, Indemnification and Expenses

 

  (a)

Limitation of Liability.

You agree that (i) in no event shall any of JPMorgan, the Lead Arranger or their respective affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, advisors, and agents (each, and including, without limitation, JPMorgan and any other Lead Arranger, an “Arranger-Related Person”) have any Liabilities, on any theory of liability, for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages incurred by you, your affiliates or your respective equity holders arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letters or any other agreement or instrument contemplated hereby and (ii) no Arranger-Related Person shall have any Liabilities arising from, or be responsible for, the use by others of Information or other materials (including, without limitation, any personal data) obtained through

 

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electronic, telecommunications or other information transmission systems, including an Electronic Platform or otherwise via the internet; provided that, nothing in this clause (a) shall relieve you of any obligation you may have to indemnify an indemnified person, as provided in clause (b) below, against any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages asserted against such Indemnified Person by a third party. You agree, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to not assert any claims against any Arranger-Related Person with respect to any of the foregoing. As used herein, the term “Liabilities” shall mean any losses, claims (including intraparty claims), demands, damages or liabilities of any kind.

 

  (b)

Indemnity and Expenses.

You agree (A) to indemnify and hold harmless the Commitment Party, its affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees, advisors, agents and other representatives, but excluding any of the foregoing in its capacity, if applicable, as financial advisor to the Target or any of its direct or indirect equity holders or affiliates in connection with the Transactions (each, a “Sell-Side Advisor”) and any Related Parties (as defined below) of such Sell-Side Advisor in such capacity (each, an “indemnified person”) from and against any and all Liabilities to which any such indemnified person may become subject arising out of or in connection with this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letters, the Facilities, the use of the proceeds thereof or the Acquisition and the Transactions or any claim, litigation, investigation, arbitration or administrative, judicial or regulatory action or proceeding in any jurisdiction (a “Proceeding”) relating to any of the foregoing, regardless of whether any indemnified person is a party thereto, whether or not such Proceedings are brought by you, your equity holders, affiliates, creditors or any other person, and to reimburse each indemnified person upon demand for any reasonable legal or other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending any of the foregoing; provided that the foregoing indemnity will not, as to any indemnified person, apply to Liabilities or related expenses (i) to the extent they are found by a final, nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to arise from the willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence of, or material breach of this Commitment Letter by, such indemnified person or its control affiliates, directors, officers or employees (collectively, the “Related Parties”), (ii) arising out of, or in connection with, any Proceeding that does not arise from an act or omission by you or any of your affiliates and that is brought by an indemnified person against any other indemnified person other than any Proceeding against the relevant indemnified person in its capacity or in fulfilling its role as an agent, arranger or similar role under any of the Facilities or (iii) to the extent they have resulted from any agreement governing any settlement that is effected without your prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) and (B) regardless of whether the Closing Date occurs, to reimburse the Commitment Party and its affiliates for all reasonable, documented out-of-pocket expenses that have been invoiced at least three business days prior to the Closing Date or following termination or expiration of the commitments hereunder (including due diligence expenses, syndication expenses, travel expenses, and the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) incurred in connection with each of the Facilities and any related documentation (including this Commitment Letter and the definitive financing documentation) or the administration, amendment, modification or waiver thereof. It is further agreed that the Commitment Party shall only have liability to you (as opposed to any other person) and that the Commitment Party shall be liable solely in respect of its own commitment to the Facilities on a several, and not joint, basis with any other Commitment Party. If you have reimbursed any indemnified person for any legal or other expenses in accordance with this paragraph and there is a final and non-appealable determination by a court of competent jurisdiction that such indemnified person was not entitled to indemnification or contribution rights with respect to such payment pursuant to this paragraph, then such indemnified person shall promptly refund the amount of such reimbursement.

 

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  (c)

Settlement.

You shall not, without the prior written consent of JPMorgan and its affiliates (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), effect any settlement or any pending or threatened Proceedings in respect of which indemnity could have been sought hereunder by JPMorgan unless (x) such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified person in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to JPMorgan from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such Proceedings and (y) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of JPMorgan or any injunctive relief or other non-monetary remedy. You acknowledge that any failure to comply with your obligations under the preceding sentence may cause irreparable harm to JPMorgan and the other indemnified persons.

 

8.

Sharing of Information, Absence of Fiduciary Relationship, Affiliate Activities

You acknowledge that the Commitment Party (or an affiliate) is a full service securities firm and such person may from time to time effect transactions, for its own or its affiliates’ account or the account of customers, and hold positions in loans, securities or options on loans or securities of you, your affiliates, the Target and its affiliates and of other companies that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Commitment Letter. In addition, the Commitment Party and its affiliates will not use confidential information obtained from you or your affiliates or on your or their behalf by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby in connection with the performance by the Commitment Party and its affiliates of services for other companies or persons and the Commitment Party and its affiliates will not furnish any such information to any of their other customers. You also acknowledge that the Commitment Party and their respective affiliates have no obligation to use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, or to furnish to you, confidential information obtained from other companies or persons.

You further acknowledge and agree that (a) the transactions contemplated by this Commitment Letter are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Commitment Party and, if applicable, its affiliates, on the one hand, and you, on the other, (b) no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between you and the Commitment Party is intended to be or has been created with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Commitment Letter, irrespective of whether the Commitment Party has advised or is advising you on other matters (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes acting as a financial advisor to the Company or any of its affiliates in respect of any transaction related hereto), (c) you are responsible for making your own independent judgment with respect to such transactions and the process leading thereto, (d) you are capable of evaluating and understanding, and you understand and accept, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Commitment Letter, and the Commitment Party shall have no responsibility or liability to you with respect thereto, (e) you have been advised that the Commitment Party is engaged in a broad range of transactions that may involve interests that differ from your interests and that the Commitment Party has no obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to you, (f) you have consulted your own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent you have deemed appropriate, (g) the Commitment Party has been, is, and will be acting solely as a principal and, except as otherwise expressly agreed in writing by it and the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for you, any of your affiliates or any other person or entity and (h) the Commitment Party has no obligation to you or your affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein or in any other express writing executed and delivered by the Commitment Party and you or any such affiliate. Any review by the Commitment Party or any of its affiliates of the Company, the transaction contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of the Commitment Party and shall not be on behalf of the Company. You agree that you will not assert any claim against the Commitment Party based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by the Commitment Party in connection with this Commitment Letter and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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9.

Confidentiality

This Commitment Letter is delivered to you on the understanding that neither this Commitment Letter nor the Fee Letters nor any of their terms or substance shall be disclosed by you, directly or indirectly, to any other person except (a) you and CD&R (as defined in Exhibit A hereto) and your and their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, members, partners, stockholders, attorneys, accountants, agents and advisors, and those of the Target and its subsidiaries and the Target itself, in each case on a confidential and need-to-know basis (provided that any disclosure of any Fee Letter or its terms or substance to the Target or its officers, directors, employees, attorneys, accountants, agents or advisors shall be redacted in respect of the amount of fees and “market flex” set forth therein, unless the Commitment Party otherwise agrees), (b) in any legal, judicial or administrative proceeding or as otherwise required by law or regulation or as requested by a governmental authority (in which case you agree, to the extent permitted by law, to inform us promptly in advance thereof), (c) upon notice to the Commitment Party, this Commitment Letter and the existence and contents hereof (but not the Fee Letters or the contents thereof other than the existence thereof and the contents thereof as part of projections, pro forma information and a generic disclosure of aggregate sources and uses to the extent customary in marketing materials and other required filings) may be disclosed in any syndication or other marketing material in connection with the Facilities or in connection with any public filing requirement, (d) this Commitment Letter and the contents hereof, including the Term Sheets (but not the Fee Letters or the contents thereof) may be disclosed in any prospectus or other offering memorandum relating to the Notes or in any filing with the SEC in connection with the Transactions, (e) the Term Sheets may be disclosed to potential lenders and to any rating agency in connection with the Acquisition, the Facilities and the Notes and (f) you may disclose the Commitment Letter and the Arranger Fee Letter and the contents hereof and thereof to any prospective Additional Commitment Parties and its officers, directors, employees, attorneys, accountants, agents or advisors on a confidential and need-to-know basis. The obligations under this paragraph with respect to this Commitment Letter shall terminate automatically after the Facilities Documentation for the Facilities (or, in the event the Notes are issued in lieu of the Bridge Facility on or prior to the Closing Date, the Credit Facilities) shall have been executed and delivered by the parties thereto. To the extent not earlier terminated, the provisions of this paragraph with respect to this Commitment Letter shall automatically terminate on the second anniversary hereof.

The Commitment Party shall use all nonpublic information received by it in connection with the Acquisition and the related transactions solely for the purposes of providing the services that are the subject of this Commitment Letter and shall treat confidentially all such information; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prevent the Commitment Party from disclosing any such information (a) to rating agencies, (b) to any Lenders or participants or prospective Lenders or participants, (c) in any legal, judicial, administrative proceeding or other compulsory process or as required by applicable law or regulations (in which case the Commitment Party shall promptly notify you, in advance, to the extent permitted by law), (d) upon the request or demand of any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Commitment Party or its affiliates, (e) to the employees, legal counsel, independent auditors, professionals and other experts or agents of the Commitment Party (collectively, “Representatives”) who are informed of the confidential nature of such information and are or have been advised of their obligation to keep information of this type confidential and the Commitment Party shall be responsible for its Representatives’ compliance with this paragraph, (f) to any of its respective affiliates (provided that any such affiliate is advised of its obligation to retain such information as confidential, and the Commitment Party shall be responsible for its affiliates’ compliance with this paragraph), (g) to the extent any such information becomes publicly available other than by reason of disclosure by such Commitment Party, its affiliates or Representatives in breach of this Commitment Letter, (h) to market data collectors and service providers providing services in connection with the syndication or administration of the Facilities, and (i) for purposes of establishing a “due diligence” defense; provided that the disclosure of any such information to any Lenders or prospective Lenders or participants or prospective participants referred to above shall be made subject to the acknowledgment and acceptance by such Lender or prospective Lender or participant or prospective participant that such information is being disseminated on a confidential basis in accordance with the standard syndication processes of the Commitment Party or customary market standards for dissemination of such type of

 

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information; provided, however, that, no such disclosure shall be made by the Commitment Party to any of its affiliates or any of such affiliate’s respective officers, directors, employees, attorneys, accountants, advisors and other representatives that is a Sell-Side Advisor (other than a limited number of senior employees who are required, in accordance with industry regulations or the Commitment Party’s internal policies and procedures to act in a supervisory capacity and the Commitment Party’s internal legal, compliance, risk management, credit or investment committee members). The Commitment Party’s obligations under this paragraph shall automatically terminate and be superseded by the confidentiality provisions in the Facilities Documentation upon the initial funding thereunder and shall in any event terminate one year following the date of this Commitment Letter.

For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this confidentiality provision shall prohibit any person from voluntarily disclosing or providing any information within the scope of this confidentiality provision to any governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory organization (any such entity, a “Regulatory Authority”) to the extent that any such prohibition on disclosure set forth in this confidentiality provision shall be prohibited by the laws or regulations applicable to such Regulatory Authority.

 

10.

Miscellaneous

This Commitment Letter shall not be assignable by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto (and any purported assignment without such consent shall be null and void, it being understood that the Commitment Party may make assignments as set forth in Section 2 hereof and may syndicate the facilities as contemplated herein, subject to the second paragraph of Section 3 hereof), is intended to be solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and the indemnified persons and is not intended to and does not confer any benefits upon, or create any rights in favor of, any person other than the parties hereto and the indemnified persons to the extent expressly set forth herein. The Commitment Party reserves the right to employ the services of their affiliates in providing services contemplated hereby and to allocate, in whole or in part, to their affiliates certain fees payable to the Commitment Party in such manner as the Commitment Party and its affiliates may agree in their sole discretion; provided that no such action shall relieve any Commitment Party from its obligations hereunder. This Commitment Letter may not be amended or waived except by an instrument in writing signed by you and the Commitment Party. This Commitment Letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letters and/or any document to be signed in connection with this letter agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures (as defined below), deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be. “Electronic Signatures” means any electronic symbol or process attached to, or associated with, any contract or other record and adopted by a person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record. This Commitment Letter and the Fee Letters are the only agreements that have been entered into among us and you with respect to the Facilities and set forth the entire understanding of the parties with respect thereto. This Commitment Letter and any claim or controversy arising hereunder or related hereto shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York; provided that the interpretation of (i) Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) and whether a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) has occurred under the Purchase Agreement, (ii) the accuracy of any Purchase Agreement Representation and whether as a result of any inaccuracy thereof the Company or any of its subsidiaries have the right to terminate their respective obligations (or to refuse to consummate the Acquisition) under the Purchase Agreement and (iii) whether the Acquisition has been consummated in accordance with the Purchase Agreement, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles that would result in the application of the Law (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) of any other state (this proviso, the “Governing Law Exceptions”).

 

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You and we hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York (or if such court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York) over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby, this Commitment Letter or the Fee Letters or the performance of services hereunder or thereunder; provided, that with respect to any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Purchase Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby and which does not involve claims against us or the Lenders or any protected person, this sentence shall not override any jurisdiction provision set forth in the Purchase Agreement. You and we agree that service of any process, summons, notice or document by registered mail addressed to you or us shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court. You and we hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding has been brought in any inconvenient forum. You and we hereby irrevocably agree to waive trial by jury in any suit, action, proceeding, claim or counterclaim brought by or on behalf of any party related to or arising out of the Transactions, this Commitment Letter or the Fee Letters or the performance of services hereunder or thereunder.

Each of the parties hereto agrees that each of this Commitment Letter and the Fee Letters is a binding and enforceable agreement with respect to the subject matter contained herein or therein (including an obligation to negotiate the definitive documentation for each of the Facilities in good faith); it being acknowledged and agreed that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Commitment Letter or the Fee Letters, the commitments to fund each of the Facilities on the Closing Date are subject only to the applicable Funding Conditions; provided that nothing contained in this Commitment Letter obligates you or any of your affiliates to consummate the Acquisition or to draw down any portion of any of the Credit Facilities.

The Commitment Party hereby notifies you that, pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law on October 26, 2001) (the “PATRIOT Act”) and 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230 (the “Beneficial Ownership Regulation”), it and its affiliates are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Company and each Guarantor, which information includes names, addresses, tax identification numbers and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Company and each Guarantor in accordance with the PATRIOT Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation. This notice is given in accordance with the requirements of the PATRIOT Act and Beneficial Ownership Regulation and is effective for the Commitment Party and each Lender.

The indemnification, limitation of liability, settlement, affiliate activities, sharing of information, absence of fiduciary relationships, electronic signatures, fee, expense, jurisdiction, governing law, waiver of jury trial and waiver of objection to laying of venue and confidentiality provisions contained herein and/or in the Fee Letters shall remain in full force and effect regardless of whether definitive financing documentation shall be executed and delivered and notwithstanding the termination of this Commitment Letter or the commitments hereunder; provided that your obligations under this Commitment Letter (other than your obligations with respect to confidentiality) shall automatically terminate and be superseded, to the extent comparable, by the provisions of the Facilities Documentation upon the initial funding thereunder and the payment of all amounts owing at such time hereunder and under the Fee Letters, and you shall automatically be released from all liability in connection therewith at such time, in each case to the extent the Facilities Documentation has comparable provisions with comparable coverage.

 

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Section headings used herein are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Commitment Letter.

If the foregoing correctly sets forth our agreement, please indicate your acceptance of the terms of this Commitment Letter and the Fee Letters by returning to us executed counterparts of this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letters and a fully executed copy of the Purchase Agreement not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on February 10, 2025 (the countersign date, the “Signing Date”). This offer will automatically expire at such time if we have not received such executed counterparts in accordance with the preceding sentence. In the event that the initial borrowing under the Facilities does not occur on or before the Expiration Date, then this Commitment Letter and the commitments hereunder shall automatically terminate unless we shall, in our discretion, agree to an extension. “Expiration Date” means the earliest of (i) August 10, 2026, (ii) as to any Facility, the closing of the Acquisition without the use of such Facility, (iii) as to any Facility, the execution and delivery of definitive documentation relating to such Facility and (iv) the valid and legally binding termination of the Purchase Agreement by you or with your written consent prior to the closing of the Acquisition; provided that the termination of any commitment or this Commitment Letter pursuant to this paragraph does not prejudice your rights and remedies in respect of any breach or repudiation of this Commitment Letter that occurred prior to such termination. You shall have the right to terminate this Commitment Letter and the commitments of the Commitment Parties hereunder with respect to the Facilities (or a portion thereof (x) pro rata among the Commitment Parties under any given Facility, except that the commitments in respect of the Bridge Facility (other than a portion thereof that would not reduce the remaining Bridge Facility commitments below $300.0 million) may be terminated by you only in their entirety or (y) on a non-pro rata basis if any Commitment Parties at any time would qualify as a Defaulting Lender (as defined in Exhibit B)) at any time upon written notice to the Commitment Parties from you, subject to your surviving obligations as set forth in the third to last paragraph of this Commitment Letter and in the Fee Letters.

 

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We are pleased to have been given the opportunity to assist you in connection with this important financing.

 

 

Very truly yours,
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
By:  

/s/ Judy Marsh

  Name: Judy Marsh
  Title: Authorized Officer

 

Commitment Letter Signature Page


Accepted and agreed to as of the date first written above:
COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ David J. Wilson

  Name: David J. Wilson
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Commitment Letter Signature Page


EXHIBIT A

TRANSACTION SUMMARY

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Exhibit A shall have the meanings set forth in the Commitment Letter to which this Exhibit A is attached and in Exhibits B, C and D thereto.

Columbus McKinnon Corporation (the “Company”) intends to acquire (the “Acquisition”) the company identified to us as “Keystone” (the “Target”) pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 10, 2025 among the Company, as the Purchaser, Kito Crosby Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, the holders of all of the Shares, as Sellers, and Ascend Overseas Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, in its capacity as Representative (together with all exhibits, schedules, annexes, other attachments and other related documentation, and as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with paragraph 3 of Exhibit D, the “Purchase Agreement”).

In connection therewith, it is intended that:

(a) The Company will obtain a term loan facility (the “Term Facility”) in an aggregate amount of up to $1,325 million (as such amount may be increased, at the Borrower’s election, (i) pursuant to a Flex Increase (as defined in the Arranger Fee Letter) and/or (ii) an additional amount (such amount, the “Term Loan OID Increase Amount”) to fund any original issue discount in the issue price of the Notes), as described in Exhibit B.

(b) The Company will obtain a revolving facility (the “Revolving Facility” and, together with the Term Facility, the “Credit Facilities”) in an aggregate amount of $500.0 million, as described in Exhibit B.

(c) The Company will obtain (i) up to $1,225 million (as such amount may be increased, at the Borrower’s election, to fund any original issue discount or upfront fees in respect of the Term Facility (other than any Term Upfront Fee payable under, and as defined in, the Arranger Fee Letter)) in gross cash proceeds from the issuance and sale by the Company of senior secured notes (the “Notes”) in a “Rule 144A-for-life” private placement or (ii) in the event that all or any portion of the Notes are not issued on or prior to the Closing Date, a bridge facility (the “Bridge Facility”; the Bridge Facility together with the Credit Facilities, the “Facilities” and each a “Facility”), as described in Exhibit C in an aggregate amount equal to the remainder of $1,225 million less the aggregate cash proceeds of the Notes issued pursuant to the immediately preceding clause (c)(i) (as such amount may be increased, at the Borrower’s election, (i) pursuant to a Flex Increase (as defined in the Arranger Fee Letter) and/or (ii) an additional amount (such amount, the “Bridge Loan OID Increase Amount”) to fund any original issue discount in the issue price of the Notes).

(d) The Company will obtain $800 million in gross cash proceeds from the sale of convertible preferred stock to one or more newly formed investment vehicles affiliated with Clayton, Dubilier and Rice, LLC (“CD&R”) (the “PIPE Equity”). For purposes of the Facilities Documentation, the PIPE Equity shall not be treated as Indebtedness (to be defined in the Facilities Documentation).

 

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(e) The proceeds of the Facilities will be applied on the Closing Date (i) to refinance (other than contingent obligations and letters of credit that are cash collateralized, backstopped or “grandfathered” as having been issued under the Revolving Facility) the Company’s Existing Credit Agreement (as defined in Exhibit B) and that certain First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2024, among the Target, Crosby US Acquisition Corp and UBS AG, Stamford Branch (collectively, the “Refinancings”), (ii) to pay the cash consideration for the Acquisition, (iii) to pay the fees, premiums and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions and (iv) for any other purpose not prohibited under the Facilities Documentation.

The transactions described above are collectively referred to herein as the “Transactions”. For purposes of this Commitment Letter and the Fee Letters, “Closing Date” shall mean the date of the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Exhibit D and the initial funding of the relevant Facilities.

 

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EXHIBIT B

$1,825 million

Term Facility

Revolving Facility

Summary of Terms and Conditions

Set forth below is a summary of the principal terms and conditions for the Credit Facilities. Capitalized terms used but not defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Commitment Letter to which this Exhibit B is attached and in Exhibits A, C and D attached thereto.

1. PARTIES

 

Borrowers:    (a) In respect of the Term Facility, Columbus McKinnon Corporation (the “Company”).
   (b) In respect of the Revolving Facility, the Company, Columbus McKinnon EMEA GMBH (the “German Borrower”) and certain designated subsidiaries of the Company (the German Borrower and each other designated subsidiary, a “Designated Borrower” and, together with the Company, the “Borrowers”).
Guarantors:    Each of the Company’s direct and indirect, existing and future, U.S. subsidiaries and certain non-U.S. subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”; together with the Company, the “Loan Parties”), subject to exceptions substantially similar to those set forth in the Existing Credit Agreement (as defined below).

Sole Lead Arranger and

Sole Bookrunner:

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (and as applicable, any of its designated affiliates) (“JPMorgan” or in such capacity, the “Credit Facilities Lead Arranger”), subject to the appointment of any Additional Agents.
Administrative Agent:    JPMorgan (in such capacity, the “Credit Facilities Administrative Agent”).
Lenders:    A syndicate of banks, financial institutions and other entities arranged by the Commitment Party and reasonably acceptable to the Company (collectively, the “Credit Facilities Lenders”).
2. TYPES AND AMOUNTS OF CREDIT FACILITIES
A. Term Facility   
Type and Amount:    A 7-year term loan facility (the “Term Facility”) in the amount of $1,325 million (plus, at the Borrower’s election, (x) any Flex Increase and/or (y) the Term Loan OID Increase Amount) (the loans thereunder, the “Term Loans”).

 

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Maturity and Amortization:    The Term Loans will mature on the date that is 7 years after the funding of the Term Loans (the “Term Maturity Date”).
   The Term Loans shall be repayable in equal quarterly installments in an aggregate annual amount equal to 1.00% of the original amount of the Term Facility. Amortization of the Term Facility will commence at the end of the first full fiscal quarter ending after the Closing Date.
   The balance of the Term Loans will be repayable on the Term Maturity Date.
Availability:    The Term Loans shall be made to the Company in a single drawing on the Closing Date. Repayments and prepayments of the Term Loans may not be reborrowed.
Use of Proceeds:    The proceeds of the Term Loans will be used to finance in part the Transactions and to pay related fees, premiums and expenses.
B. Revolving Facility   
Type and Amount:    A 5-year revolving facility (the “Revolving Facility”; and together with the Term Facility, the “Credit Facilities”; the commitments thereunder, the “Revolving Commitments”) in the amount of $500.0 million (the loans thereunder, together with (unless the context otherwise requires) the Swingline Loans referred to below, the “Revolving Loans”; and together with the Term Loans, the “Loans”).
   A portion of the Revolving Facility not in excess $125.0 million will be available in Canadian Dollars, Euros, Hong Kong Dollars, Sterling, Swiss Francs and Yen and other currencies approved by the Revolving Lenders.

Availability and

Maturity:

   The Revolving Facility shall be available on a revolving basis during the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the date that is 5 years after the Closing Date (the “Revolving Termination Date”). The Revolving Commitments will expire, and the Revolving Loans will mature, on the Revolving Termination Date.
Letters of Credit/ Bankers’ Acceptances:    A portion of the Revolving Facility not in excess of $100.0 million shall be available for the issuance of letters of credit (the “Letters of Credit”) and bankers’ acceptances (the “B/As”) by the Credit Facilities Lead Arranger or other Credit Facilities Lenders reasonably satisfactory to the Company (in such capacity, the “Issuing Lender”). The letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances outstanding under that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2021, by and among, inter alios,

 

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   the Company, the German Borrower, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan and the other parties from time to time party thereto (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Existing Credit Agreement”) shall be rolled over and constitute Letters of Credit and B/As under the Revolving Facility. No Letter of Credit shall have an expiration date after the earlier of (a) one year after the date of issuance unless consented to by the Issuing Lender and (b) five business days prior to the Revolving Termination Date (the “LC-B/A Expiration Date”) and no B/A shall be required to be created if the maturity of such B/A would occur earlier than 30 days or later than 120 days from the date of issuance, and, in any event, later than 60 days before the LC-B/A Expiration Date; provided that any Letter of Credit with a one-year tenor may provide for the renewal thereof for additional one-year periods (which shall in no event extend beyond the date referred to in clause (b) above). Drawings under any Letter of Credit or B/A shall be reimbursed by the Company (whether with its own funds or with the proceeds of Revolving Loans) within one business day. To the extent that the Company does not so reimburse the Issuing Lender, the Credit Facilities Lenders under the Revolving Facility shall be irrevocably and unconditionally obligated to fund participations in the reimbursement obligations on a pro rata basis. Additionally, Letters of Credit may be issued on the Closing Date in order to backstop or replace letters of credit outstanding on the Closing Date under any facilities no longer available to the Target or its subsidiaries as of the Closing Date.
Swingline Loans:    A portion of the Revolving Facility not in excess of $50.0 million shall be available for swingline loans (the “Swingline Loans”) from the Credit Facilities Administrative Agent on same-day notice. Any Swingline Loans will reduce availability under the Revolving Facility on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Each Credit Facilities Lender under the Revolving Facility shall be irrevocably and unconditionally required to purchase, under certain circumstances, a participation in each Swingline Loan on a pro rata basis. The total exposure of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. with respect to the Revolving Commitments (including the full amount of the swingline loans that are outstanding) shall at no time exceed its Revolving Commitment.
Use of Proceeds:    The proceeds of the Revolving Loans shall be used to finance the working capital needs and general corporate purposes of the Borrowers and their subsidiaries. Up to $75.0 million of Revolving Loans (exclusive of letter of credit usage) may be made available on the Closing Date to fund fees and expenses in connection with the Transactions, finance capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes, plus such additional amounts as necessary (i) to fund “flex” OID under the Facilities or any OID on the Notes, (ii) for ordinary course working capital purposes (including to refinance any indebtedness incurred for

 

B-3


   working capital purposes) and (iii) to fund any purchase price adjustments in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement. Additionally, Revolving Loans may be made available on the Closing Date for any other purpose up to the amount of cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries of the Target and for which the repatriation of such funds may (i) result in material adverse tax consequences to the Company or one of its subsidiaries (as determined by the Company in good faith) or (ii) (1) be prohibited or delayed by or violate or conflict with applicable law, (2) be restricted by applicable organizational documents or any agreement, (3) be subject to other organizational or administrative impediments or (4) conflict with the fiduciary duties of the applicable directors, or result in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a material risk of personal or criminal liability for any applicable officer, director or manager.
C. Incremental Facilities:    The Credit Facilities Documentation will permit the Company to add one or more incremental term loan facilities to the Term Facility (each, an “Incremental Term Facility”) and/or increase commitments under the Revolving Facility (any such increase, an “Incremental Revolving Facility”; together with any Incremental Term Facilities, the “Incremental Facilities”) in an aggregate principal amount (the “Available Incremental Amount”) of the sum of (a) the greater of (x) $495.0 million and (y) 100% of Consolidated EBITDA (to be defined in a manner consistent with the Existing Credit Agreement but to include (i) an addback for restructuring charges, (ii) a customary addback for extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains or losses, (iii) a customary “run rate” addback (the “Run Rate Addback”) for cost savings expected to be realized within 36 months (the “Lookforward Period”), which shall replace the addback set forth in clause (viii) of the definition of Consolidated EBITDA in the Existing Credit Agreement to the extent duplicative and (iv) an addback for adjustments of the type in the quality of earnings report in connection with the Acquisition and any future quality of earnings report in connection with a permitted acquisition or investment made available to the Credit Facilities Administrative Agent prepared by independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing or any other accounting firm reasonably acceptable to the Credit Facilities Administrative Agent (it being understood that any “Big Four” accounting firms are acceptable)) for the most recently ended four fiscal quarter period of the Company for which financial statements are required to be delivered (the “Fixed Incremental Amount”) plus (b) all voluntary prepayments, debt buybacks (up to the actual amount of the resulting reduction in indebtedness), and payments utilizing the yank a bank provisions, as applicable, of the Term Loans, any Incremental Term Facility, Incremental Equivalent Debt (as defined below), the Revolving Facility, any Incremental Revolving Facility and any other indebtedness secured on a pari

 

B-4


   passu basis with, or senior to, the Term Loans funded on the Closing Date (in the case of any revolving facility to the extent accompanied by a permanent reduction of the relevant commitment) prior to such time to the extent not made with the proceeds of long-term indebtedness (other than revolving indebtedness) plus (c) unlimited amounts subject to pro forma compliance (assuming, in the case of an Incremental Revolving Facility, the full drawing thereunder and after giving effect to other permitted pro forma adjustment events and any permanent repayment of indebtedness after the beginning of the relevant determination period but prior to or simultaneous with such borrowing, but excluding the usage of any amount under clause (a) on the same day) with a First Lien Leverage Ratio (to be defined in a manner consistent with the Existing Credit Agreement) of either (I) 5.00:1.00 or (II) in connection with a permitted acquisition or investment, the First Lien Leverage Ratio immediately prior to such transaction (it being understood that (x) the Borrowers shall be deemed to have used the amounts under clause (c) prior to utilization of clauses (a) and (b), and (y) the Borrowers shall be deemed to have used the amounts under clause (b) prior to utilization of clause (a)); provided that (i) no Credit Facilities Lender will be required to participate in any such Incremental Facility, (ii) no event of default or default exists or would exist after giving effect thereto, (iii) the representations and warranties in the Credit Facilities Documentation shall be true and correct in all material respects immediately prior to, and after giving effect to, the incurrence of such Incremental Facility, (v) the maturity date and weighted average life to maturity of any such Incremental Term Facility shall be no earlier than the maturity date and weighted average life to maturity, respectively, of the Term Facility (except in the case of customary bridge loans which would either automatically be converted into or required to be exchanged for permanent refinancing that does not mature earlier than the Term Maturity Date, escrow or similar arrangements and “AHYDO saver” payments), (vi) the interest rates and, subject to clause (v) above, amortization schedule applicable to any Incremental Term Facility shall be determined by the Company and the lenders thereunder; provided that, only with respect to any Incremental Term Facility in an aggregate principal amount in excess of the greater of (x) $495.0 million and (y) 100% of Consolidated EBITDA (the “MFN Threshold”), that (1) consists of floating rate term loans that are pari passu in right of payment and security with the Term Loans, (2) is broadly syndicated to banks and other institutional investors, (3) is incurred prior to the date that is twelve (12) months after the Closing Date, (4) is not incurred in connection with a permitted acquisition or other investment and (5) is denominated in US dollars (collectively, the “MFN Requirements”), the all-in yield (whether in the form of interest rate margins, original issue discount, upfront fees or Term SOFR/Base Rate floors) applicable to any Incremental Term Facility will not be more than 0.50% higher than the

 

B-5


   corresponding all-in yield (giving effect to interest rate margins, original issue discount, upfront fees and Term SOFR/Base Rate floors) for the existing Term Facility, unless the interest rate margins with respect to the existing Term Facility are increased by an amount equal to the difference between the all-in yield with respect to the Incremental Term Facility and the corresponding all-in yield on the existing Loan Facility minus 0.50% (the “MFN Provisions”), (vii) any Incremental Revolving Facility shall be on the same terms as are applicable to the Revolving Facility (including the maturity date in respect thereof) and (viii) any Incremental Term Facility shall be on terms and pursuant to documentation to be determined, provided that, to the extent such terms and documentation are not consistent with, the Term Facility (except to the extent permitted by clause (v) or (vi) above), they shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Credit Facilities Administrative Agent. The proceeds of the Incremental Facilities shall be used for general corporate purposes of the Company and its subsidiaries.
3. CERTAIN PAYMENT PROVISIONS   
Fees and Interest Rates:    As set forth on Annex I.
Optional Prepayments and Commitment Reductions:   
   Loans may be prepaid and Revolving Commitments may be reduced, in whole or in part without premium or penalty, in minimum amounts to be consistent with the Existing Credit Agreement, at the option of the Company at any time upon one business day’s (or, in the case of a prepayment of Term Benchmark Loans (as defined in Annex I hereto) denominated in U.S. dollars, three business days’) prior notice, subject to reimbursement of the Credit Facilities Lenders’ redeployment costs in the case of a prepayment of Term Benchmark Loans prior to the last day of the relevant interest period. Optional prepayments of the Term Loans shall be applied as directed by the Company.
   Any (a) voluntary prepayment of the Term Loans using proceeds of indebtedness incurred by the Borrowers from a substantially concurrent incurrence of indebtedness for which the interest rate payable thereon on the date of such prepayment is lower than the Term Benchmark Rate on the date of such prepayment plus the Applicable Margin with respect to the Term Loans on the date of such prepayment and (b) repricing of the Term Loans pursuant to an amendment to the Credit Facilities Documentation (as defined below) resulting in the interest rate payable thereon on the date of such amendment being lower than the Term Benchmark Rate on the date immediately prior to such amendment plus the Applicable Margin with respect to the Term Loans on the date immediately prior to such amendment shall be accompanied by a prepayment

 

B-6


   fee equal to 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of such prepayment (or, in the case of clause (b) above, of the aggregate amount of Term Loans outstanding immediately prior to such amendment) if made on or prior to the date that is six months after the Closing Date; provided that, in no event shall such fee be payable in connection with any prepayment or repayment in connection with a change of control, acquisition or other investment otherwise prohibited by the Credit Facilities Documentation.
Mandatory Prepayments and Commitment Reductions:    In addition to the above, following the Closing Date, mandatory prepayments of Term Loans shall be required from:
   (a) 100% of the net cash proceeds from any non-ordinary course sale or other disposition of assets (including as a result of casualty or condemnation) by the Company and its subsidiaries (subject to step-downs to 50% and 0% based on achieving First Lien Leverage Ratio of 4.50:1.00 and 4.00:1.00, respectively (the “Asset Sale Step-Downs”) (subject to exceptions and reinvestment rights to be consistent with the Existing Credit Agreement);
   (b) 100% of the net cash proceeds from issuances or incurrences of debt by the Company and its subsidiaries (other than indebtedness permitted by the Credit Facilities Documentation); and
   (c) 50% with step-downs to 25% and 0% based upon the achievement and maintenance of a First Lien Leverage Ratios equal to or less than 4.50:1.00 and 4.00:1.00, respectively (such stepdowns, the “Excess Cash Flow Stepdowns”) of annual Excess Cash Flow (to be defined in a manner to be consistent with the Existing Credit Agreement) of the Company and its subsidiaries; provided that (i) any voluntary prepayments of Term Loans, Notes or other pari passu debt and (ii) investments or other permitted restricted payments, in each case, during the applicable fiscal year or after year-end and prior to the time such Excess Cash Flow prepayment is due, other than in the case of clause (i) prepayments funded with the proceeds of Funded Debt (to be defined in a manner to be consistent with the Existing Credit Agreement), shall be credited against Excess Cash Flow prepayment obligations for such fiscal year on a dollar-for-dollar basis without duplication of any such credit in any prior fiscal year.
   All mandatory prepayments of Term Loans will be applied first to Base Rate Loans and second to Term Benchmark Loans and RFR Loans (to be defined in the Credit Facilities Documentation), on a pro rata basis. Mandatory prepayments of the Term Loans may not be reborrowed.

 

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4. COLLATERAL   
Collateral:    Subject to exclusions and limitations consistent with the Existing Credit Agreement and the provisions of numbered paragraph 11 of Exhibit D hereto, the obligations of each of the Company and the Guarantors in respect of the Credit Facilities and any swap agreements and cash management arrangements provided by any Credit Facilities Lender (or any affiliate of a Credit Facilities Lender) shall be secured by a perfected first priority security interest in all of its tangible and intangible assets (including, without limitation, intellectual property and all of the capital stock of its direct subsidiaries (limited, in the case of foreign subsidiaries, to 65% of the capital stock thereof)), except for those assets as to which the Credit Facilities Administrative Agent shall determine in its sole discretion that the cost of obtaining a security interest therein is excessive in relation to the value of the security to be afforded thereby.
   The priority of security interests and relative rights of the Lenders under the Credit Facilities and the lenders under the Bridge Facility shall be subject to intercreditor arrangements to be set forth in an intercreditor agreement substantially in the form of an exhibit to the definitive credit agreement for the Credit Facilities (the “Intercreditor Agreement”). The terms of the Intercreditor Agreement will be consistent with, substantially similar to and no less favorable to the Borrower and its subsidiaries than the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2023, by and between Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as Original First Lien Agent, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as July 2023 First Lien Agent, and acknowledged by Brand Industrial Services, Inc. and certain of its affiliates, taking into account differences relating to the express terms of this Term Sheet. Without limiting the foregoing, the Credit Facilities Documentation and the Intercreditor Agreement will allow additional debt that is permitted under the Credit Facilities Documentation to be incurred and secured, and to share ratably in the collateral securing the Credit Facilities on (at the Borrower’s option) a first priority or junior priority basis with respect to the Collateral.
   The liens securing the Credit Facilities will rank senior to the liens securing any second lien term facility and any permitted refinancing thereof. The lien priority, relative rights and other creditors’ rights issues in respect of the Credit Facilities and any second lien term facility shall be governed by an intercreditor agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Credit Facilities Administrative Agent (the “Intercreditor Agreement”).

 

B-8


5. CERTAIN CONDITIONS
Initial Conditions:    The availability of the Credit Facilities on the Closing Date will be subject solely to the Funding Conditions, subject in each case to the Limited Conditionality Provision.
On-Going Conditions:    After the Closing Date, the making of each Revolving Loan and the issuance of each Letter of Credit shall be conditioned upon (a) the accuracy in all material respects (and in all respects if qualified by materiality) of all representations and warranties in the Credit Facilities Documentation for the Credit Facilities and (b) there being no default or event of default in existence at the time of, or after giving effect to, such extension of credit. It is agreed that the Credit Facilities Documentation shall include additional conditions consistent with the Existing Credit Agreement with respect to the designation of Designated Borrowers and extensions of credit in Alternative Currencies.
6. DOCUMENTATION
Credit Facilities Documentation:    The definitive documentation for the Credit Facilities (the “Credit Facilities Documentation”), the definitive terms of which will be negotiated in good faith, shall (i) be consistent with this Exhibit B (subject to the exercise of any “market flex” provisions in the Arranger Fee Letter), (ii) contain only those representations and warranties, expressly set forth in this Term Sheet, (iii) reflect baskets sizes, thresholds and ratios (as determined by the Company and the Commitment Party in good faith) that take into account the increased size and the operational and strategic requirements of the Company after taking into account the Transactions, (iv) reflect customary “Chewy” provisions consistent with the definition of “Excluded Subsidiary” in the Brand Credit Agreement (as defined below), (v) reflect that the CD&R and its affiliates shall be a “Permitted Holder” for purposes of a Change of Control, (vii) otherwise contain terms and provisions which are substantially similar to, and, in any event, no less favorable to the Company and its subsidiaries than, the terms and provisions of the Existing Credit Agreement, (viii) reflect agency provisions to be agreed and changes reasonably required to comply with changes in law, (ix) reflect customary “cured default” provisions consistent with the Brand Credit Agreement (as defined below) and (x) give due regard to the terms and provisions of that certain Credit Agreement, dated June 21, 2017 (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Brand Credit Agreement”), among, inter alia, Brand Industrial Services, Inc., Brandsafway Group, Inc., the lenders from time to time party thereto and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as administrative agent and collateral agent, together with other terms and provisions to be mutually agreed upon, subject to the Limited Conditionality Provision (it being understood and agreed that the only conditions to the availability of the Revolving Commitments and the funding of the Term Loans on the Closing Date are the conditions set forth in Exhibit D to the Commitment Letter).

 

B-9


Financial Covenants:    Term Facility: None.
   Revolving Facility: limited to a maximum First Lien Leverage Ratio (to be defined in a manner consistent with the Existing Credit Agreement) for the four consecutive fiscal quarters (each, a “Test Period”) ended on such date not to exceed 7.75:1.00 (provided that for purposes of this leverage ratio, if additional debt is incurred to fund OID or upfront fees (other than any Term Upfront Fee payable under, and as defined in the Arranger Fee Letter) then the leverage ratio will be modified upward to reflect any such additional debt) as of any date of determination with stepdowns to 7.25:1.00 on the first anniversary of the Closing Date, 6.75:1.00 on the second anniversary of the Closing Date and 6.25:1.00 on the third anniversary of the Closing Date (the “Financial Covenant”).
   The Financial Covenant will be tested quarterly commencing with the first full fiscal quarter to occur after the Closing Date; provided that the Financial Covenant shall only be tested if Revolving Loans (including the aggregate principal amount of drawn letters of credit then outstanding under the Revolving Facility (other than letters of credit which have been reimbursed, cash collateralized or backstopped within 3 business days following the end of the applicable fiscal quarter)) are or would be outstanding in an amount exceeding the 30% of the Revolving Facility at such time (provided, that (x) for the first four fiscal quarters following the Closing Date, any borrowings under the Revolving Facility that were made on the Closing Date to fund fees and expenses in connection with the Transactions and (y) any borrowings under the Revolving Facility that were made on the Closing Date to fund “flex” OID or any OID on the Notes shall, in each case, be disregarded in calculating such utilization).
Representations and Warranties:    Existence, qualification and power; authorization; no contravention; governmental authorization; other consents; binding effect; financial statements; no material adverse effect; no internal control event; litigation; no default; ownership of property; liens; environmental compliance; insurance; taxes; ERISA compliance; subsidiaries; equity interests; margin regulations; investment company act; other regulations; disclosure; compliance with laws; taxpayer identification number; intellectual property; licenses, cybersecurity, etc.; perfection of security interest; machinery and equipment; solvency; bank accounts; obligations as senior debt; use of proceeds; representations as to foreign loan parties; anti-corruption laws and sanctions; EEA financial institutions; Beneficial Ownership Regulations.

 

B-10


Affirmative Covenants:    Financial statements; certificates; other information; notices; payment of obligations; preservation of existence, etc.; maintenance of properties; maintenance of insurance; compliance with laws, organizational documents and contractual obligations; books and records; inspection rights; use of proceeds; additional guarantors and pledgors; approvals and authorizations; environmental laws; centre of main interest and establishment; post-closing obligations; use of proceeds; Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
Negative Covenants:    Limitations on: indebtedness (including guarantee obligations which shall permit among other things, Incremental Equivalent Debt); liens; mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions; sales of assets; dividends and other payments in respect of capital stock; acquisitions, investments, loans and advances; prepayments and modifications of subordinated, junior lien and other material debt instruments; transactions with affiliates; sale-leasebacks; changes in fiscal year; negative pledge clauses (including, without limitation, negative pledge clauses with respect to real property) and clauses restricting subsidiary distributions; changes in lines of business; amendments to certain material agreements (including the Purchase Agreement, and the other transaction documents).
   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the limitations on dividends and other payments in respect of capital stock, investments, and prepayments and modifications of subordinated, junior lien and other material debt instruments shall be subject to (i) a carve out in an amount to be agreed, which shall be comprised of a minimum fixed amount, plus the aggregate amount of Excess Cash Flow not otherwise required to be applied to prepay the Facilities for any fiscal year plus the aggregate amount of net cash proceeds of equity issuances following the Closing Date (such amount, the “Cumulative Credit”) and (ii) subject to no default or event of default, an exception to permit the payment of any other restricted payments in cash in an unlimited amount subject to achieving a Total Leverage Ratio of 4.00:1.00.
   For purposes of this Exhibit B, “Incremental Equivalent Debt” means indebtedness in an amount not to exceed the then available Available Incremental Amount consisting of one or more credit or debt facilities (senior secured pari passu with the Credit Facilities, junior secured or unsecured), the issuance of senior secured first lien or junior lien notes, subordinated notes or senior unsecured notes, in each case issued in a public offering, Rule 144A or other private placement or bridge facility in lieu of the foregoing, or secured or unsecured “mezzanine” debt, in each case on customary terms and conditions; provided that any Incremental Equivalent Debt incurred that is (x) secured on a pari passu basis with the Credit Facilities will be subject to pro forma compliance with a First Lien Leverage Ratio of either (I) 5.00:1.00 or (II) in

 

B-11


   connection with a permitted acquisition or investment, the First Lien Leverage Ratio immediately prior to such transaction, (y) secured on a junior lien basis to the Credit Facilities will be subject to pro forma compliance with a maximum Secured Leverage Ratio of (I) 5.50:1.00 or (II) in connection with a permitted acquisition or investment, the Secured Leverage Ratio immediately prior to such transaction or (z) unsecured will be subject to pro forma compliance with either (I) (A) a maximum Total Leverage Ratio of 6.00:1.00 or (B) in connection with a permitted acquisition or investment, the Total Leverage Ratio immediately prior to such transaction or (II) a minimum Interest Coverage Ratio (to be defined in the Credit Facilities Documentation) of 2.00:1.00 (the “ICR Prong”); provided further that any senior secured pari passu Incremental Equivalent Debt in the form of term loans that meet the MFN Requirements shall be subject to the MFN Provisions applicable to the Incremental Facilities.
Limited Conditionality Provisions:    The Credit Facilities Documentation will contain provisions applicable to limited conditionality transactions for purposes of (i) determining compliance with any provision of the Credit Facilities Documentation which requires the calculation of the First Lien Leverage Ratio, the Secured Leverage Ratio, the Total Leverage Ratio or the Interest Coverage Ratio, (ii) determining compliance with representations, warranties, defaults or events of default or (iii) testing availability under baskets set forth in the Credit Facilities Documentation, in each case, in connection with (x) the consummation of an acquisition or an investment that the Borrowers or one or more of subsidiaries of the Borrowers is contractually committed to consummate and whose consummation is not conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third party financing, (y) any prepayment, repurchase or redemption of indebtedness or preferred stock requiring irrevocable notice in advance of such prepayment, repurchase or redemption or (z) any dividends or distributions on, or redemptions of, equity in connection with an acquisition or investment of the type set forth in clause (x) hereof and permitted under the Credit Facilities Documentation and requiring declaration in advance thereof (any such transaction, a “Limited Condition Transaction”).
Events of Default:    Nonpayment of principal when due; nonpayment of interest or fees within 3 business days of when due or other amounts after 5 business days from when due (subject to an exception for nonpayments of any of principal, interest or other amounts resulting from the Borrower’s good faith payment of an invoice in a lesser amount received from the Credit Facilities Administrative Agent); material inaccuracy of a representation or warranty when made; violation of a covenant (subject, in the case of certain affirmative covenants, to a grace period of 30 days and, a 90-day grace period for failure to deliver financial statements and related compliance certificates); cross-default to material indebtedness;

 

B-12


   bankruptcy events; inability to pay debts; certain ERISA events; material judgments; actual or asserted invalidity of any loan document, guarantee, lien, security document or subordination provisions or non-perfection of any security interest; and a change of control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Credit Facilities Documentation shall provide that (x) a notice of default may not be given with respect to any action taken, and reported publicly pursuant to a press release, a filing with the SEC or a posting to applicable IntraLinks, SyndTrak Online, Debtdomain or similar electronic site for the Term Facility or otherwise reported to Lenders, more than two years prior to such notice of default and (y) any time period in the Credit Facilities Documentation to cure any actual or alleged default or event of default may be extended or stayed by a court of competent jurisdiction to the extent such actual or alleged default or event of default is the subject of litigation.
Voting:    Amendments and waivers with respect to the Credit Facilities Documentation shall require the approval of Credit Facilities Lenders holding more than 50% of the aggregate amount of the Term Loans and Revolving Commitments (the “Required Credit Facilities Lenders”), except that (a) the consent of each Credit Facilities Lender directly affected thereby shall be required with respect to (i) reductions in the amount or extensions of the scheduled date of any amortization or final maturity of any Loan, (ii) assignments or transfers by the Company of its rights and obligations under the Credit Facilities Documentation, (iii) reductions in the rate of interest or any fee or extensions of any due date thereof, (iv) increases in the amount or extensions of the expiry date of any Credit Facilities Lender’s commitment and (v) (A) changes in the pro rata sharing provisions or the payment waterfall in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing or payments or setoffs required thereby, or (B) contractually subordinate the liens on all or substantially all of the Collateral in right of payment, in each case in respect of any other Indebtedness for borrowed money, subject to exceptions and qualifications consistent with and no less favorable to the Company and its subsidiaries than Subsection 11.1(a)(xiii) of the Brand Credit Agreement and (b) the consent of 100% of the Credit Facilities Lenders shall be required with respect to (i) reductions of any of the voting percentages, (ii) releases of all or substantially all the collateral, (iii) releases of all or substantially all of the Guarantors and (iv) changes to the alternate currency provisions or designated borrower provisions.
   Notwithstanding the foregoing, amendments and waivers of the financial covenants with respect to the Revolving Facility shall only require the approval of Credit Facilities Lenders holding more than 50% of the aggregate amount of the Revolving Facility commitments (other than any Defaulting Lender) without the consent of any other Credit Facilities Lenders.

 

B-13


   The Credit Facilities Documentation shall contain customary provisions for replacing non-consenting Credit Facilities Lenders in connection with amendments and waivers requiring the consent of all Credit Facilities Lenders or of all Lenders directly affected thereby so long as the Required Credit Facilities Lenders of the aggregate amount of the Term Loans and Revolving Commitments shall have consented thereto.
   The Credit Facilities Documentation will include provisions with respect to “net short lenders” consistent with that certain Credit Agreement, dated May 6, 2024, among, inter alia, Panther Platform Holdco, L.P., Panther Platform Midco, L.P., Truist Insurance Holdings, LLC, McGriff Insurances Services, LLC, the lenders and issuing banks from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent.
Assignments and Participations:    The Credit Facilities Lenders shall be permitted to assign all or a portion of their Loans and commitments with the consent, not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, of (a) the Company, unless (i) the assignee is a Credit Facilities Lender, an affiliate of a Credit Facilities Lender or an approved fund or (ii) a payment or bankruptcy event of default has occurred and is continuing; provided that the Company shall be deemed to have consented unless they object within ten business days following receipt of written notice, (b) the Credit Facilities Administrative Agent, unless a Term Loan is being assigned to a Credit Facilities Lender, an affiliate of a Credit Facilities Lender or an approved fund and (c) any Issuing Lender; provided that no consent of an Issuing Lender shall be required if (i) a payment or bankruptcy event of default occurs and (ii) such Issuing Lender has no outstanding Letters of Credit or B/As at that time; provided further that no consent of the Issuing Lenders shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of the Term Loans. In the case of a partial assignment (other than to another Credit Facilities Lender, an affiliate of a Credit Facilities Lender or an approved fund), the minimum assignment amount shall be (i) with respect to Term Loans, $1,000,000 and (ii) with respect to Revolving Loans, $5,00,000, unless, in each case, otherwise agreed by the Company and the Credit Facilities Administrative Agent. The Credit Facilities Administrative Agent shall receive a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 in connection with each assignment. The Credit Facilities Lenders shall also be permitted to sell participations in their Loans. Participants shall have the same benefits as the selling Credit Facilities Lenders with respect to yield protection and increased cost provisions, subject to customary limitations and will be subject to voting restrictions consistent with the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

B-14


Yield Protection:    The Credit Facilities Documentation shall contain customary provisions (a) protecting the Credit Facilities Lenders against increased costs or loss of yield resulting from changes in reserve, tax, capital adequacy, liquidity requirements and other requirements of law (provided that (i) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision or by United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, and (ii) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof, shall in each case be deemed to be a change in law, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented) and from the imposition of or changes in withholding or other taxes and (b) indemnifying the Credit Facilities Lenders for “breakage costs” incurred in connection with, among other things, any prepayment of a Term Benchmark Loan (as defined in Annex I) on a day other than the last day of an interest period with respect thereto.
Defaulting Lenders:    The Credit Facilities Documentation shall contain provisions relating to “defaulting” Credit Facilities Lenders (including provisions relating to reallocation of participations in, or the Company providing cash collateral to support, Swingline Loans or Letters of Credit, to the suspension of voting rights and rights to receive certain fees and to assignment of the Revolving Commitments or Loans of such Credit Facilities Lenders).
Bail-in Provisions:    The Credit Facilities Documentation shall contain customary EU/UK bail-in provisions.
ERISA Fiduciary Status:    The Credit Facilities Documentation shall contain Credit Facilities Lender representations as to fiduciary status under ERISA.
Delaware Divisions:    The Credit Facilities Documentation shall contain customary provisions related to divisions and plans of division under Delaware law.
QFC Stay Regulations:    The Credit Facilities Documentation shall contain customary provisions related to Qualified Financial Contracts.
Limitation of Liability;   
Expenses and Indemnification:    The Credit Facilities Administrative Agent, the Credit Facilities Lead Arranger, the Credit Facilities Lenders and the Issuing Lenders (and their affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, advisors and agents) shall not have any Liabilities, on any theory of liability, for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages incurred by the Company or any of its subsidiaries arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, the Credit Facilities or the Credit Facilities Documentation. As used herein, the term “Liabilities” shall mean any losses, claims (including intraparty claims), demands, damages or liabilities of any kind.

 

B-15


   Regardless of whether the Closing Date occurs, the Company shall pay (a) all reasonable, documented out-of-pocket expenses of the Credit Facilities Administrative Agent, the Credit Facilities Lenders and the Credit Facilities Lead Arranger associated with the syndication of the Credit Facilities and the preparation, execution, delivery and administration of the Credit Facilities Documentation and any amendment or waiver with respect thereto (including the reasonable, documented fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel) and (b) all out-of-pocket expenses of the Credit Facilities Administrative Agent and the Credit Facilities Lenders (including the fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel) in connection with the enforcement of the Credit Facilities Documentation.
   The Credit Facilities Administrative Agent, the Credit Facilities Lead Arranger, the co-syndication agents and the Credit Facilities Lenders (and their affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, advisors and agents) will have no liability for, and will be indemnified and held harmless against, any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel) incurred in respect of the financing contemplated hereby or the use or the proposed use of proceeds thereof, except to the extent they are found by a final, nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to arise from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the relevant indemnified person (or its related parties).
   The Credit Facilities Administrative Agent shall have no liability to the Lenders with respect to any calculations delivered to the Company or any other Loan Party from time to time of amounts under the Credit Facilities Documentation in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Governing Law:    New York, subject to the Governing Law Exceptions.
Forum:    United States District Court for the Southern District of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan (or if such court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan), and any appellate court from any thereof.
Counsel to the Credit Facilities Administrative Agent and the Commitment Party:    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.

 

B-16


Annex I to Exhibit B

INTEREST AND CERTAIN FEES

 

Interest Rate Options:    The Company may elect that the Loans comprising each borrowing bear interest at a rate per annum equal to (a) the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin or (b) the Term SOFR Rate, plus the Applicable Margin; provided that all Swingline Loans shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin.
As used herein:   
   Base Rate” means the highest of (i) the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal in the U.S. as the prime rate in effect (the “Prime Rate”), (ii) the NYFRB Rate from time to time plus 0.5% and (iii) the Term SOFR Rate for a one month interest period as published two U.S. Government Securities Days prior to such day plus 1%. If the Base Rate as determined pursuant to the foregoing would be less than 1.50%, such rate shall be deemed to be 1.50%.
   Base Rate Loans” means Loans bearing interest based upon the Base Rate. All Base Rate Loans shall be denominated in Dollars.
   Applicable Margin” means (a) with respect to Term Loans (i) 2.25%, in the case of Base Rate Loans and (ii) 3.25%, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans; and (b) with respect to Revolving Loans (including Swingline Loans), (x) initially (i) 2.25% in the case of Base Rate Loans and (ii) 3.25% in the case of Term Benchmark Loans and (y) following the delivery of financial statements for the first full fiscal quarter following the Closing Date (the “Trigger Date”), a rate per annum in accordance with the pricing grid set forth below.

 

Level

  

Total Leverage Ratio

   Commitment
Fee
     Term Benchmark
Rate
     Standby Letter
of Credit
     Commercial Letter
of Credit
     Base Rate  

I

  

Greater than or equal to 4.50x

     0.55      3.25      3.25      1.625      2.25

II

  

Less than 4.50x but greater than or equal to 3.75x

     0.50      3.00      3.00      1.50      2.00

III

  

Less than 3.75x but greater than or equal to 3.00x

     0.45      2.75      2.75      1.375      1.75

IV

  

Less than 3.00x

     0.40      2.25      2.25      1.125      1.25

 

   Term Benchmark Loans” means Loans bearing interest based upon the Term SOFR Rate.

 

B-I-1


   Term SOFR Rate” means, with respect to any borrowing of Term Benchmark Loans denominated in dollars and for any tenor comparable to the applicable interest period, the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m., Chicago time, two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the commencement of such tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, as such rate is published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator. If the Term SOFR Rate as determined pursuant to the foregoing would be (x) with respect to the Term Facility, less than 0.50%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0.50% and (y) with respect to the Revolving Facility, less than 0.00%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0.00%.
   Term SOFR Reference Rate” means, for any day and time (such day, the “Term SOFR Determination Day”), with respect to any borrowing of Term Benchmark Loans denominated in dollars and for any tenor comparable to the applicable interest period, the rate per annum published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator and identified by the Credit Facilities Administrative Agent as the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR. If by 5:00 pm (New York City time) on such Term SOFR Determination Day, the “Term SOFR Reference Rate” for the applicable tenor has not been published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date (to be defined in the Credit Facilities Documentation) with respect to the Term SOFR Rate has not occurred, then, so long as such day is otherwise a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such Term SOFR Determination Day will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate as published in respect of the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate was published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator, so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than five (5) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Term SOFR Determination Day.
   U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday or (iii) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.
   Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositary institutions, as determined in such manner as the NYFRB shall set forth on its public website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding business day by the NYFRB as the federal funds effective rate, provided that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to zero for the purposes of calculating such rate.

 

B-I-2


   NYFRB Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day (or for any day that is not a business day, for the immediately preceding business day); provided that, if none of such rates are published for any day that is a business day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m. on such day received by the Administrative Agent from a federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided further, that if any of the aforesaid rates shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to zero for the purposes of calculating such rate.
   Overnight Bank Funding Rate” means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight eurocurrency borrowings denominated in Dollars by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions, as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on its public website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding business day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate (from and after such date as the NYFRB shall commence to publish such composite rate).The Credit Facilities Documentation will contain the Credit Facilities Administrative Agent’s version of ARRC’s Recommended Hardwired Approach Language, including with respect to foreign currencies.
Interest Payment Dates:    In the case of Base Rate Loans, quarterly in arrears.
   In the case of Term Benchmark Loans, on the last day of each relevant interest period and, in the case of any interest period longer than three months, on each successive date three months after the first day of such interest period.
Commitment Fees:    The Borrowers shall pay a commitment fee calculated at a rate per annum on the average daily unused portion of the Revolving Facility, which shall accrue quarterly in arrears and be payable on the fifteenth day following the end of each quarter, which shall initially be equal to 0.55 %, and, following the Trigger Date, a rate per annum in accordance with the pricing grid set forth above. Swingline Loans shall, for purposes of the commitment fee calculations only, not be deemed to be a utilization of the Revolving Facility.
Letter of Credit Fees:    The Company shall pay a fee on the face amount of each standby Letter of Credit and each commercial Letter of Credit at a per annum rate which shall initially be equal to 3.25% in the case of standby letters of credit and 1.625% in the case of commercial letters of credit and, following the Trigger Date, a rate per annum in accordance with the pricing grid set forth above. Such fee shall be shared ratably among the Credit Facilities Lenders participating in the Revolving Facility and shall accrue quarterly in arrears and be payable on the fifteenth day following the end of each quarter.

 

B-I-3


   A fronting fee in an amount to be agreed on the face amount of each Letter of Credit shall accrue quarterly in arrears and be payable on the fifteenth day following the end of each quarter to the Issuing Lender for its own account. In addition, customary administrative, issuance, amendment, payment and negotiation charges shall be payable to the Issuing Lender for its own account.
Default Rate:    At any time when the Company is in default in the payment of any amount under the Credit Facilities, after giving effect to any applicable grace period, such overdue amounts shall bear interest at 2.00% per annum above the rate otherwise applicable thereto (or, in the event there is no applicable rate, 2.00% per annum in excess of the rate otherwise applicable to Revolving Loans maintained as Base Rate Loans from time to time).
Rate and Fee Basis:    All per annum rates shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days (or 365/366 days, in the case of (i) Base Rate Loans the interest rate payable on which is then based on the Prime Rate, (ii) RFR Loans and (iii) Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars or Hong Kong Dollars) for actual days elapsed.

 

B-I-4


EXHIBIT C

$1,225 million

Bridge Facility

Summary of Terms and Conditions

Set forth below is a summary of the principal terms and conditions for the Bridge Facility. Capitalized terms used but not defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Commitment Letter to which this Exhibit C is attached and in Exhibits A, B and D attached thereto.

 

Borrower:    The Company.
Guarantors:    Same as the Term Facility.
Sole Lead Arranger and   
Sole Bookrunner:    JPMorgan (in such capacity, the “Bridge Facility Lead Arranger”).
Administrative Agent:    JPMorgan (in such capacity, the “Bridge Facility Administrative Agent” and together with the Credit Facilities Administrative Agent, the “Administrative Agents”).
Lenders:    A syndicate of banks, financial institutions and other entities arranged by the Commitment Party (collectively, the “Bridge Lenders”).
Bridge Facility:    A senior secured bridge facility (the “Bridge Facility”) in the amount of $1,225 million (less the aggregate gross cash proceeds from any Notes issued on or prior to the Closing Date and plus, at the Borrower’s election, (x) any Flex Increase and/or (y) the Bridge Loan OID Increase Amount) (the loans thereunder, the “Bridge Loans”).
Availability:    The Bridge Loans shall be made to the Company in a single drawing on the Closing Date. Repayments and prepayments of the Bridge Loans may not be reborrowed.
Use of Proceeds:    The proceeds of the Bridge Loans will be used to finance in part the Transactions and to pay related fees and expenses.
Security:    Same as the Credit Facilities.
Interest Rates:    The Bridge Loans shall bear interest at Term SOFR Rate plus 3.25% per annum (the “Interest Rate”) and such spread over the Term SOFR Rate shall automatically increase by 0.50% for each period of three months after the Closing Date that Bridge Loans remain outstanding; provided, however, that the interest rate determined in accordance with the foregoing shall not exceed the Total Bridge Loan Cap (as defined in the Arranger Fee Letter) (excluding interest at the default rate as described below). Upon the occurrence of a Demand Failure Event (as defined in the Arranger Fee Letter), the outstanding Bridge Loans shall automatically begin to accrue interest at the Total Bridge Loan Cap.

 

C-1


Interest Payments:    Interest on the Bridge Loans will be payable in cash, quarterly in arrears.
Default Rate:    Overdue principal, interest and other amounts shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to the Interest Rate plus 200 basis points.
Conversion and Maturity:    Any outstanding amount under the Bridge Loans will be required to be repaid on the earlier of (a) the closing date(s) of any permanent financing(s), but only to the extent of the net cash proceeds realized therefrom, and (b) the one year anniversary of the initial funding date of the Bridge Loans (the “Bridge Loan Maturity Date”); provided, however, that if the Company has failed to raise permanent financing before the date set forth in (b) above, the Bridge Loans shall be converted to a senior secured term loan facility (the “Extended Term Loans”) with a maturity of seven years after the Conversion Date (as defined in Annex C-I hereto). At any time or from time to time on or after the Conversion Date, upon reasonable prior written notice from the Bridge Lenders and in a minimum aggregate principal amount of at least $200 million in the case of the first such exchange and thereafter subject to frequency limitations to be agreed (or such lesser principal amount as represents all outstanding Extended Term Loans), the Extended Term Loans may be exchanged in whole or in part for senior secured exchange notes (the “Exchange Notes”) having an equal principal amount and having the terms set forth in Annex C-II hereto.
   The Extended Term Loans will be governed by the provisions of the Bridge Facility Documentation (as defined below) and will have the same terms as the Bridge Loans except as expressly set forth in Annex C-I hereto. The Exchange Notes will be issued pursuant to an indenture that will have the terms set forth on Annex C-II hereto.
Mandatory Prepayments:    The Company will prepay the Bridge Loans at par, together with accrued interest to the prepayment date, with any of the following: (i) the net proceeds from the issuance of the Securities (as defined in the Arranger Fee Letter); provided that in the event any Bridge Lender or affiliate of a Bridge Lender purchases debt securities from the Company pursuant to a “Securities Demand” under the Arranger Fee Letter at an issue price above the level at which such Bridge Lender or affiliate has reasonably determined such Securities can be resold by such Bridge Lender or affiliate to a bona fide third party at the time of such purchase (and notifies the Company thereof), the net proceeds received by the Company in respect of such Securities may, at the option of such Bridge

 

C-2


   Lender or affiliate, be applied first to repay the Bridge Loans held by such Bridge Lender or affiliate (provided that if there is more than one such Bridge Lender or affiliate then such net proceeds will be applied pro rata to repay the Bridge Loans of all such Bridge Lenders or affiliates in proportion to such Bridge Lenders’ or affiliates’ principal amount of Securities purchased from the Borrower) prior to being applied to prepay the Bridge Loans held by other Bridge Lenders; (ii) subject to prepayment requirements under the Credit Facilities Documentation, the net proceeds from any Refinancing Debt (to be defined in the Bridge Facility Documentation in a manner consistent with the standard set under the heading “Documentation” below)incurred by the Company and its subsidiaries; and (iii) subject to certain customary and other exceptions, reinvestment rights to be agreed upon and prepayment requirements under the Credit Facilities Documentation, the net proceeds from non-ordinary course asset sales and other disposition of assets by, and casualty or condemnation events related to the property of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
Voluntary Prepayments:    The Bridge Loans may be prepaid at par prior to the Bridge Loan Maturity Date, in whole or in part, upon written notice, at the option of the Company, at any time, together with accrued interest to the prepayment date and break funding payments, if applicable.
Change of Control:    In the event of a Change of Control (to be defined in a manner consistent with the Documentation Precedent), each Bridge Lender will have the right to require the Company to, and the Company must offer, to prepay at par the outstanding principal amount of the Bridge Loans plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of prepayment.
Assignments and Participations:    The Bridge Lenders shall have the right to assign their interest in the Bridge Loans in whole or in part without the consent of the Company (other than to Disqualified Institutions (to be defined in the Bridge Facility Documentation); provided, however, that (i) prior to the date that is one year after the Closing Date and unless a Demand Failure Event (as defined in the Arranger Fee Letter) in respect of the Bridge Loans has occurred or a payment or bankruptcy event of default shall have occurred and be continuing, the consent of the Company shall be required with respect to any assignment (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) if, subsequent thereto, the Commitment Parties and each Additional Agent (if any) (together with their respective affiliates) would hold, in the aggregate, less than 50.1% of the outstanding Bridge Loans and (ii) the Company shall be notified of such assignment. For any assignments for which the Company’s consent is required, such consent shall be deemed to have been given if the Company has not responded within ten business days of a written request for such consent. All assignments (other than to existing Bridge Lenders or their affiliates or approved funds) shall require the consent of the Bridge Facility Administrative Agent.

 

C-3


   The Bridge Lenders shall have the right to participate their interest in the Bridge Loans without restriction, other than customary voting limitations and, to the extent the list of Disqualified Institutions is made available to all Bridge Lenders to Disqualified Institutions. Participants will have the same benefits as the selling Bridge Lenders would have (and will be limited to the amount of such benefits) with regard to cost and yield protection, subject to customary limitations and restrictions.
Documentation:    The definitive credit documentation for the Bridge Facility, the Extended Term Loans, and the Exchange Notes (the “Bridge Facility Documentation” and together with the Credit Facilities Documentation, the “Facilities Documentation”) will be substantially similar to and no less favorable to the Company and its subsidiaries than the Indenture, dated as of August 1, 2023, among Brand Industrial Services, Inc., the guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee and note collateral agent (the “Documentation Precedent”) as modified to reflect (i) the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Commitment Letter (as modified by the “flex” provisions of the Arranger Fee Letter), (ii) the operational and strategic requirements of the Company and its subsidiaries (including the operational and strategic requirements of the Target and its subsidiaries) in light of their industries, businesses, geographic locations, business practices, financial accounting and accounting principles, proposed business plan and the disclosure schedules to the Purchase Agreement, (iii) operational and administrative changes reasonably required by the Bridge Facility Administrative Agent, the definitive terms of which will be negotiated in good faith and (iv) the Company’s status as a public company.
   Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Bridge Facility Documentation will contain only those mandatory repayments, representations, warranties, covenants and events of default expressly set forth (or referred to) in this Term Sheet and the only conditions to borrowing thereunder will be the Funding Conditions, subject in each case to the Limited Conditionality Provisions.
Conditions Precedent to Borrowing:    The availability of the Bridge Facility and the funding of the Bridge Loans on the Closing Date will be subject solely to Funding Conditions, subject in each case to the Limited Conditionality Provisions.
Limited Conditionality Provisions:    To conform to the Credit Facilities Documentation.

 

C-4


Representations and Warranties:    The Bridge Documentation will contain representations and warranties relating to the Company and its subsidiaries substantially similar to those contained in the Credit Facilities Documentation, with such changes as are appropriate to reflect the secured bridge loan nature of the Bridge Loans (and in any event such representations and warranties shall be no more restrictive to the Company and its subsidiaries than those set forth in the Credit Facilities Documentation).
Covenants:    The Bridge Facility Documentation will contain affirmative and incurrence-based negative covenants relating to the Company and its subsidiaries customary for bridge loan financing of this type and consistent, to the extent applicable, with those contained in the Documentation Precedent and, in addition, a securities demand covenant consistent with the provision contained in the Arranger Fee Letter. In no event will the covenants be more restrictive to the Company and its subsidiaries than those set forth in the Credit Facilities Documentation, provided that the negative covenant governing restricted payments may be more restrictive than that applicable to the Credit Facilities Documentation prior to the Conversion Date. The Bridge Facility Documentation shall not contain any financial maintenance covenants.
Events of Default:    Customary for bridge loan financings of this type and in no event less favorable to the Company and its subsidiaries than those set forth in the Documentation Precedent, including, without limitation, payment defaults, covenant defaults, bankruptcy and insolvency, monetary judgments in an amount in excess of a customary amount to be agreed, cross acceleration of and failure to pay at final maturity other indebtedness aggregating an amount in excess of a customary amount to be agreed, subject to, in certain cases, customary thresholds and grace periods.
Voting:    Amendments and waivers of the Bridge Facility Documentation will require the approval of Bridge Lenders holding at least a majority of the outstanding Bridge Loans, except that the consent of each affected Bridge Lender will be required for, among other things, (i) reductions of principal, interest rates or fees, (ii) extensions of the Bridge Loan Maturity Date or any scheduled date of payment of any principal, interest or fees, (iii) additional restrictions on the right to exchange Extended Term Loans for Exchange Notes or any amendment of the rate of such exchange, (iv) any amendment to the Exchange Notes that requires (or would, if any Exchange Notes were outstanding, require) the approval of all holders of Exchange Notes of (v) releases of all or substantially all of the value of the Guarantees.
Cost and Yield Protection:    To conform to the Credit Facilities Documentation.
Expenses and Indemnification:    To conform to the Credit Facilities Documentation.

 

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Changes in GAAP:    To conform to the Credit Facilities Documentation.
Governing Law and Forum;   
Submission to Exclusive Jurisdiction:    All Bridge Facility Documentation shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York. The Company and the Guarantors will submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan (or if such court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan), and any appellate court from any thereof.
Counsel to the Bridge Facility Administrative Agent and the Bridge Facility Lead Arrangers:    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.

 

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ANNEX C-I

 

   Extended Term Loans
Borrower:    Same as Bridge Loans.
Guarantors:    Same as Bridge Loans.
Security:    Same as Bridge Loans.
Facility:    Subject to “Conditions to Conversion” below, the Bridge Loans will convert into senior secured extended loans (the “Extended Term Loans”) in an initial principal amount equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the Bridge Loans on the one year anniversary of the Closing Date (the “Conversion Date”). The Extended Term Loans will be governed by the Bridge Facility Documentation and, except as set forth below, shall have the same terms as the Bridge Loans.
Maturity:    Seven years from the Conversion Date.
Interest Rate:    The Extended Term Loans shall bear interest, payable in cash semi-annually, in arrears at a fixed rate per annum equal to the Total Bridge Loan Cap.
Covenants, Events of Default and Prepayments:    From and after the Conversion Date, the covenants, events of default and mandatory prepayment provisions applicable to the Extended Term Loans will conform to those applicable to the Exchange Notes (described on Annex C-II), except with respect to the right to exchange Extended Term Loans for Exchange Notes; provided that the optional prepayment provisions applicable to the Bridge Loans shall remain applicable to the Extended Term Loans.
Conditions to Conversion:    One year after the Closing Date, the Bridge Loans shall convert into the Extended Term Loans.

 

C-I-1


ANNEX C-II

Exchange Notes

 

Issuer:   Same as the Borrower under Extended Term Loans.
Guarantees:   Same as Extended Term Loans.
Maturity:   Seven years from the Conversion Date.
Security:   Same as Extended Term Loans.
Interest Rate; Redemption:   Each Exchange Note will bear interest, payable in cash semi-annually in arrears, at a fixed rate per annum equal to the Total Bridge Loan Cap (as defined in the Arranger Fee Letter). Except as set forth below, the Exchange Notes will be non-callable until the third anniversary of the Closing Date and will be callable thereafter at par plus accrued interest plus a premium equal to half of the coupon of the Exchange Notes, declining ratably to par on the date that is two years prior to maturity of the Exchange Notes. The Exchange Notes will provide for mandatory repurchase offers customary for publicly traded high yield debt securities.
  Prior to the third anniversary of the Closing Date, the Company may redeem up to 40% of such Exchange Notes with the proceeds from an equity offering at a redemption price equal to par plus accrued interest plus a premium equal to 100% of the coupon in effect on such Exchange Notes.
  Prior to the third anniversary of the Closing Date, during any 12-month period, the Company may redeem up to 10% of such Exchange Notes at 103% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but not including the redemption date.
  Prior to the third anniversary of the Closing Date, the Company may redeem such Exchange Notes at a make-whole price based on U.S. Treasury notes with a maturity closest to the third anniversary of the Closing Date plus 50 basis points plus accrued interest.
  Prior to a Demand Failure Event, any Exchange Notes held by the Commitment Parties, each Additional Agent (if any) or their respective affiliates (other than (x) asset management affiliates purchasing Exchange Notes in the ordinary course of their business as part of a regular distribution of the Exchange Notes (“Asset Management Affiliates”) and (y) Exchange Notes acquired pursuant to bona fide open market purchases from third parties or market making activities), shall be prepayable and/or subject to redemption in whole or in part at par plus accrued interest on a non-ratable basis so long as such Exchange Notes are held by them.

 

C-II-1


Offer to Repurchase Upon a Change of Control:   The Issuer will be required to make an offer to repurchase the Exchange Notes following the occurrence of a “change of control” (to be defined consistent with the Documentation Precedent) at a price in cash equal to 101% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase; provided that Exchange Notes held by the Commitment Parties, each Additional Agent (if any) or their respective affiliates (other than Asset Management Affiliates or Exchange Notes acquired pursuant to bona fide open market purchases from third parties or market making activities) shall be subject to prepayment at par, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase.
Defeasance and Discharge Provisions:   Customary for publicly traded high yield debt securities and no less favorable to the Company and its Subsidiaries than the Documentation Precedent.
Modification:   Customary for publicly traded high yield debt securities and no less favorable to the Company and its Subsidiaries than the Documentation Precedent.
Registration Rights:   None – 144A for life.
Right to Transfer Exchange Notes:   The holders of the Exchange Notes shall have the absolute and unconditional right to transfer such Exchange Notes in compliance with applicable law to any third parties.
Covenants:   The indenture governing the Exchange Notes will include provisions customary for an indenture governing publicly traded high yield debt securities and no less favorable to the Company and its Subsidiaries than the Documentation Precedent (including in respects of baskets and carveouts to such covenants) and shall be no more restrictive than those contained in the Credit Facilities Documentation.
Events of Default:   Customary for publicly traded high yield debt securities and no less favorable to the Company and its Subsidiaries than the Documentation Precedent and in no event less favorable to the Company and its subsidiaries than those set forth in the Credit Facilities Documentation.

 

C-II-2


CONFIDENTIAL

EXHIBIT D

Conditions

The availability of the Facilities shall be subject solely to the satisfaction of the following conditions (in each case, subject to the Limited Conditionality Provision). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Commitment Letter to which this Exhibit D is attached and in Exhibits A, B and C thereto.

 

  1.

The Commitment Party shall have received:

 

  a.

customary closing certificates and legal opinions; and

 

  b.

a certificate from the chief financial officer of the Company, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Commitment Party, certifying that the Company and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby, are solvent, as set forth on Annex I hereto.

2. On the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Transactions, (i) the Refinancings shall have occurred and all liens created in connection therewith shall have been released and (ii) the Company shall have completed its $800 million issuance of PIPE Equity pursuant to the Investment Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), among Columbus McKinnon Corporation, a New York corporation, CD&R XII Keystone Holdings, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and, solely for purposes of Section 4.13 thereof, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund XII, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and no provision thereof shall have been amended, modified or waived, and no consent shall have been given thereunder, in any manner materially adverse to the interests of the Commitment Party or the Lenders without the prior written consent of the Commitment Party; provided that the Commitment Party shall be deemed to have consented to such modification, amendment, express waiver or express consent unless they shall object thereto within two business days after receipt of written notice of such modification, amendment, express waiver or express consent.

3. The Acquisition shall be consummated pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, substantially concurrently with the initial funding of the Facilities, and no provision thereof shall have been amended, modified or waived, and no consent shall have been given thereunder, in any manner materially adverse to the interests of the Commitment Party or the Lenders without the prior written consent of the Commitment Party (it being understood that (a) any amendment, waiver, consent or other modification that decreases the purchase price in respect of the Acquisition shall be deemed not to be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders so long as 100% of such decrease is allocated to reduce the commitments in respect of the Bridge Facility; provided that, if such reduction would reduce the remaining Bridge Facility commitments below $300.0 million, then the decrease shall be allocated to reduce the commitments in respect of the Term Facility, (b) any amendment, waiver, consent or other modification that increases the purchase price in respect of the Acquisition (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any purchase price adjustments in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement, with respect to which there shall be no

 

D-1


limitation on source of funding) shall be deemed not to be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders, so long as such increase is funded solely by cash, the issuance by the Company of equity and/or the proceeds of Revolving Loans and (c) any change to the definition of Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Purchase Agreement on the date hereof) shall be deemed materially adverse to the interests of the Commitment Party and the Lenders); provided that the Commitment Party shall be deemed to have consented to such modification, amendment, express waiver or express consent unless they shall object thereto within two business days after receipt of written notice of such modification, amendment, express waiver or express consent.

4. From February 10, 2025 until the Closing, there shall not have been a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Purchase Agreement).

5. The closing of the Facilities shall have occurred on or before the Expiration Date.

6. The Commitment Party shall have received (i) (a) audited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its subsidiaries, for the three most recently completed fiscal years ended at least 90 days before the Closing Date and (b) unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its subsidiaries, for each subsequent fiscal quarter ended at least 45 days before the Closing Date and for the comparable period of the prior fiscal year; provided that filing of the required financial statements on form 10-K and form 10-Q by the Company will satisfy the foregoing requirements of this clause (i), (ii) (a) audited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, changes in equity (deficit) and cash flows of the Target and its subsidiaries, for the two most recently completed fiscal years, including, without limitation, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and (b) unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, changes in equity (deficit) and cash flows of the Target and its subsidiaries, for each subsequent fiscal quarter ended, in each case, at least 45 days before the Closing Date (provided, that such financial statements may be subject to year-end adjustments) and for the comparable period of the prior fiscal year and (iii) a pro forma consolidated balance sheet and related pro forma statement of income of the Company, prepared after giving pro forma effect to the Transactions as if the Transactions have occurred as of such date (in the case of the balance sheet), relating to the most recently completed fiscal year ended at least 90 days before the Closing Date and any subsequent interim period ended at least 45 days before the Closing Date, in each case, for which accompanying financial statements are required to be delivered pursuant to (i) and (ii) above, which need not be prepared in compliance with Regulation S-X of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or include adjustments for purchase accounting to the extent not customary in private placements for high-yield bonds pursuant to Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act; provided, that it is understood and agreed that the Lead Arranger has previously received audited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of operations and comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in equity of the Company and its subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and related statements of operations and comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in equity of Company and its subsidiaries for three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

7. Each of the Purchase Agreement Representations shall be true and correct to the extent required by the Limited Conditionality Provision.

 

D-2


8. Each of the Specified Representations shall be true and correct in all material respects (or in all respects, if qualified by materiality), except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case such Specified Representations shall have been true and correct in all material respects (or in all respects, if qualified by materiality) as of such earlier date; provided that to the extent that any Specified Representation made by or on behalf of the Target or any of its subsidiaries is qualified by or subject to a “material adverse effect” or similar term or qualification, the definition thereof will be the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” as defined in the Purchase Agreement.

9. All fees and expenses (for which an invoice has been presented at least three business days prior to the Closing Date) due to the Commitment Party and the Lenders shall have been paid or shall have been authorized to be deducted from the proceeds of the initial fundings on the Closing Date under the Facilities.

10. All documents and instruments required to create and perfect the Administrative Agents’ security interest in the collateral shall have been executed and delivered by the Company and the Guarantors, and, if applicable, be in proper form for filing (or reasonably satisfactory arrangements shall have been mutually agreed upon for the execution, delivery and filing of such documents and instruments substantially concurrently with the consummation of the Acquisition) (it being understood that, to the extent any collateral (including the grant or perfection of any security interest) referred to in the Term Sheets is not or cannot be provided on the Closing Date (other than the grant and perfection of security interests (i) in assets with respect to which a lien may be perfected solely by the filing of a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code in jurisdictions within the United States of America or (ii) in capital stock of the Borrowers, the Target and the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries (other than the capital stock of the Target and/or any subsidiary thereof that has not been made available to the Company at least two business days prior to the Closing Date, to the extent the Company has used commercially reasonable efforts to procure delivery thereof) that constitutes collateral with respect to which a lien may be perfected by the delivery of a stock certificate) after your use of commercially reasonable efforts to do so without undue burden or expense, then the provision of such collateral shall not constitute a condition precedent to the availability of the Facilities on the Closing Date, but may instead be provided after the Closing Date pursuant to arrangements to be mutually agreed).

11. (a) The Administrative Agents and the Lead Arranger will have received at least three (3) business days prior to the Closing Date all outstanding documentation and other information about the Loan Parties required under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act that has been requested in writing at least 10 business days prior to the Closing Date and (b) if any Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity” customer under 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230 and the Administrative Agents have provided the Company the name of each requesting Lender and its electronic delivery requirements at least 10 business days prior to the Closing Date, the Administrative Agents and each such Lender requesting a beneficial ownership certification (a “Beneficial Ownership Certification”) (which request is made through the Administrative Agents) will have received, at least three (3) business days prior to the Closing Date, the Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to the applicable Borrower.

12. With respect to the Bridge Facility, (a) one or more investment banks reasonably satisfactory to the Lead Arranger (collectively, the “Investment Bank”) shall have been engaged to

 

D-3


sell or place the Notes (with the Commitment Party acknowledging that the condition set forth in this clause (a) has been satisfied) and (b) (i) the Investment Bank shall have received a preliminary offering memorandum or preliminary private placement memorandum (an “Offering Document”) which shall be in customary form and suitable for “Rule 144A-for-life” offerings of non-convertible high yield debt securities, including, without limitation, all financial statements of the Company, as applicable, and its subsidiaries (including the Target), pro forma financial statements, business financial data and other information customary for private placements of non-convertible high yield debt securities pursuant to Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act (which, for the avoidance of doubt, may exclude financial information required by Rule 3-05, 3-09, Rule 3-10, Rule 3-16, Rule 13-01 or 13-02 (or any successor provisions), segment reporting and disclosure (including as required by Regulation S-K Item 101(c) and FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 280), Item 302, Item 402, including any Compensation & Discussion Information, Item 403 and Item 404 and Item 601 of Regulation S-K (or any successor provisions), XBRL exhibits and information regarding executive compensation and related party disclosures related to SEC Release Nos. 33-8732A, 34-54302A and IC-27444A, the effects of purchase accounting or any adjustments related thereto for any applicable transaction to the extent exclusion thereof would be reasonable in “Rule 144A-for-life” offerings of non-convertible high yield debt securities, climate-related disclosures related to SEC Release Nos. 33-11275 and 34-99678, including, without limitation, any information, reports or exhibits required by Article 14 of Regulation S-X or Item 1506 of Regulation S-K, and any other information customarily excluded in “Rule 144A-for-life” offerings of non-convertible high yield debt securities) or that would be necessary for the Investment Bank to receive customary “comfort” (including negative assurance comfort) from independent accountants in connection with the offering of the Securities and, in the case of annual financial statements, the auditor’s report thereon; provided, that, the conditions set forth in this clause (i) shall be deemed satisfied if such Offering Document excludes the “description of notes” and sections that would customarily be provided by the Investment Bank or its counsel (including industry information) but is otherwise complete; (ii) the Company shall have used commercially reasonable efforts, to the extent consistent with the Purchase Agreement, to arrange for delivery of drafts of customary “comfort” letters (including “negative assurance” comfort) that independent accountants of the Borrower and the Target and its subsidiaries would be prepared to deliver upon completion of customary procedures in connection with the offering of the Notes and (iii) the Investment Bank shall have been afforded a period (the “Marketing Period”) of at least 10 consecutive business days (or such shorter period as may be reasonably agreed by the Investment Bank) commencing on the date of delivery to the Investment Bank of the Offering Document (provided that (i) if such ten (10) consecutive Business Day period shall not have ended on or prior to August 15, 2025, then such ten (10) consecutive Business Day period shall not commence prior to September 2, 2025, (ii) if such ten (10) consecutive Business Day period shall not have ended on or prior to December 19, 2025, then such ten (10) consecutive Business Day period shall not commence prior to January 5, 2026, and (iii) each of April 18, 2025, May 26, 2025, June 19, 2025, July 4, 2025, October 13, 2025, November 11, 2025, November 27, 2025, November 28, 2025, January 19, 2026, February 16, 2026, April 3, 2026, May 25, 2026, June 19, 2026 and July 3, 2026 shall not constitute a Business Day for purposes of calculating such ten (10) consecutive Business Day period (with such date being excluded for purposes of, but which shall not reset, the ten (10) consecutive Business Day period).

 

D-4


The information required by conditions 6 and 12 of this Summary of Additional Conditions above shall be referred to as the “Required Facilities Information”. If at any time you shall in good faith believe that you have provided the Required Facilities Information, you may deliver to the Lead Arranger and their counsel a written notice (which may be delivered by email) to that effect (stating when you believe you completed such delivery), in which case the requirements in the foregoing conditions 6 and 12 of this Summary of Additional Conditions will be deemed to have been satisfied as of the date of the applicable notice, unless the Lead Arranger in good faith reasonably believe that you have not completed the delivery of the Required Facilities Information and, within two business days after the delivery of such notice by you, deliver a written notice to you to that effect (stating with specificity which Required Facilities Information you have not delivered).

 

D-5


ANNEX D-I

Form of Solvency Certificate

Date:   , 20[•]

To the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders party to the Credit Agreement referred to below:

I, the undersigned, the [Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer] of _____, a _____ _____ (the “Borrower”), in that capacity only and not in my individual capacity (and without personal liability), do hereby certify as of the date hereof, and based upon (i) facts and circumstances as they exist as of the date hereof (and disclaiming any responsibility for changes in such fact and circumstances after the date hereof) and (ii) such materials and information as I have deemed relevant to the determination of the matters set forth in this certificate, that:

1. This certificate is furnished to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section __ of the Credit Agreement, dated as of _________ ____, 20[ ], among _________ (the “Credit Agreement”). Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this certificate shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

2. For purposes of this certificate, the terms below shall have the following definitions:

(a) “Fair Value”

The amount at which the assets (both tangible and intangible), in their entirety, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, within a commercially reasonable period of time, each having reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts, with neither being under any compulsion to act.

(b) “Present Fair Salable Value”

The amount that could be obtained by an independent willing seller from an independent willing buyer if the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole are sold with reasonable promptness in an arm’s-length transaction under present conditions for the sale of comparable business enterprises insofar as such conditions can be reasonably evaluated.

(c) “Stated Liabilities”

The recorded liabilities (including contingent liabilities that would be recorded in accordance with GAAP) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, as of the date hereof after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions, determined in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.

(d) “Identified Contingent Liabilities”

The maximum estimated amount of liabilities reasonably likely to result from pending litigation, asserted claims and assessments, guaranties, uninsured risks and other contingent liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole after giving effect to the Transactions (including all fees and expenses related thereto but exclusive of such contingent liabilities to the extent reflected in Stated Liabilities), as and to the extent identified and explained in terms of their nature and estimated magnitude by responsible officers of the Borrower.

(e) “Will be able to pay their Stated Liabilities and Identified Contingent Liabilities as they mature”

 

D-I-1


For the period from the date hereof through the Maturity Date, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole will have sufficient assets and cash flow to pay their respective Stated Liabilities and Identified Contingent Liabilities as those liabilities mature or (in the case of contingent liabilities) otherwise become payable.

(f) “Do not have Unreasonably Small Capital”

For the period from the date hereof through the Maturity Date, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole after consummation of the Transactions is a going concern and has sufficient capital to ensure that it will continue to be a going concern for such period.

3. For purposes of this certificate, I, or officers of the Borrower under my direction and supervision, have performed the following procedures as of and for the periods set forth below.

(a) I have reviewed the financial statements (including the pro forma financial statements) referred to in Section __ of the Credit Agreement.

(b) I have knowledge of and have reviewed to my satisfaction the Credit Agreement.

(c) As the [Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer] of the Borrower, I am familiar with the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

4. Based on and subject to the foregoing, I hereby certify on behalf of the Borrower that after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions, it is my opinion that (i) the Fair Value and Present Fair Salable Value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole exceed their Stated Liabilities and Identified Contingent Liabilities; (ii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole do not have Unreasonably Small Capital; and (iii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be able to pay their Stated Liabilities and Identified Contingent Liabilities as they mature.

* * *

 

D-I-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this certificate to be executed on its behalf by its [Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer] as of the date first written above.

[BORROWER]

 

  By:  

 

Name:    
Title: [Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer]

 

D-I-3

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

News Release

 

 

 

13320 Ballantyne Corporate Place Suite D

Charlotte, NC 28277

Immediate Release

Columbus McKinnon to Combine with Kito Crosby

Delivering Compelling Value Creation

 

   

Business combination materially improves scale and product scope, advancing Columbus McKinnon’s strategy as the holistic provider of intelligent motion solutions in materials handling

 

   

Complementary portfolio enhances strategic positioning in attractive verticals and target geographies, delivering an even stronger portfolio of products

 

   

Transaction valued at approximately $2.7 billion at a ~8x TTM Adjusted EBITDA multiple post-synergies

 

   

Expected to create ~$70 million in annual net cost synergies, improving Adjusted EBITDA Margins1 to greater than 23% and is expected to more than double revenue and triple Adjusted EBITDA1 on a pro-forma combined basis

 

   

Significant combined cashflow generation expected to enable de-leveraging to Net Leverage Ratio1 of approximately 3.0x within two years post-closing2

 

   

The transaction is expected to be funded with $2.6 billion in committed debt financing and an $0.8 billion perpetual convertible preferred equity investment from CD&R

CHARLOTTE, NC, February 10, 2025 - Columbus McKinnon Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCO) (“Columbus McKinnon” or the “Company”), a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of intelligent motion solutions for material handling, today announced a definitive agreement under which Columbus McKinnon will acquire Kito Crosby Limited (“Kito Crosby”) from funds managed by leading global investment firm KKR in an all-cash transaction valued at $2.7 billion subject to customary post-closing purchase price adjustments. The Company expects the deal to close later this calendar year, subject to regulatory approvals and satisfactory completion of customary closing conditions.

“This is an important next step in further strengthening Columbus McKinnon’s position as a scaled, holistic provider of intelligent motion solutions in materials handling. We’ve long had a great respect for Kito Crosby’s strong portfolio of offerings. The business that the Kito Crosby management team, led by Robert Desel and Yoshio Kito have built is exceptional, and we look forward to welcoming them to the Columbus McKinnon team,” said David Wilson, President and CEO of Columbus McKinnon. “Through this strategic combination, we’re creating a company that is extremely well-positioned to deliver real-world solutions for customers, with favorable tailwinds from megatrends, including reshoring, infrastructure investment, modernization of aging industrial facilities, and rising automation needs due to labor shortages. This combination also unites two highly talented teams with deep technical expertise, customer-centric cultures and a shared vision for operational excellence focused on safety, productivity and uptime on behalf of our customers.”

 

1


Kito Crosby is a global leader in lifting solutions with multiple manufacturing assembly plants and nearly 4,000 employees serving over 50 countries. KKR has owned Kito Crosby since 2013 and in the time had delivered significant value creation, more than doubling revenue, quadrupling the number of employees while reducing injury rates and expanding into new product categories, end markets and geographies. In 2024, Kito Crosby generated $1.1 billion in revenue through its extensive global channel partner network. Together the combined company will be a leader in material handling solutions with greater scale and a strong presence in attractive verticals and target geographies, delivering exceptional innovation and products to customers.

“We have long respected Columbus McKinnon. Our shared values of safety, quality, and a focus on our employees and customers will create value for all stakeholders,” said Robert Desel, Chief Executive Officer of Kito Crosby. “This deal brings together highly complementary, industry-leading brands, products and competencies with strong recurring sales dynamics. With the benefit of additional scale, and shared best practices and technology, we will be better positioned to meet our customers’ needs than ever before, simultaneously creating new opportunities for growth and development for our team members. We could not be more pleased to see these two great teams coming together.”

“Today’s announcement is a testament to the value we and the Kito Crosby team have created by transforming the business through organic initiatives, expanding global reach and pursuing strategic and accretive acquisitions. Kito Crosby is now better able to serve its customers with safety critical equipment than ever before, and the combination with Columbus McKinnon will further position the combined business to best serve all stakeholders. It has been an honor to closely partner with Robert, Yoshio and the whole Kito Crosby team and we believe the company is well positioned for this new chapter,” said Brandon Brahm, Partner at KKR.

As part of the transaction, Columbus McKinnon has partnered with CD&R, a leading private investment firm with deep experience delivering growth and operational improvement in industrials and manufacturing companies. As a result of CD&R’s investment in Columbus McKinnon it is expected that Mike Lamach, Nate Sleeper and Andrew Campelli will join the Company’s Board of Directors upon closing.

“We are excited to partner with Columbus McKinnon, their strong management team and Board, to support this highly strategic acquisition and the Company’s long-term opportunities,” said Michael Lamach, Operating Advisor to CD&R funds and former Executive Chair and CEO of Trane Technologies. “We look forward to working closely with Columbus McKinnon to realize the full potential of this combination and set the stage for the Company’s next phase of growth.”

“We are excited about this business combination and look forward to welcoming Mike, Nate and Andrew to the Board,” added Jerry Colella, Chair of the Board for Columbus McKinnon. “CD&R will bring deep industry knowledge, a strong results orientation and financial expertise to our already strong Board of Directors.”

Attractive Financial Profile to Drive Growth and Deleveraging

The combined company will have a highly attractive financial profile, with meaningfully enhanced scale, increased margins and exceptional cash flow characteristics that are consistent with best-in-class industrial product manufacturers. On a pro-forma basis, the Company is expected to have annual revenue of $2.1 billion, Adjusted EBITDA1 of $486 million and an Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 of 23%, accelerating the achievement of the Company’s fiscal year 2027 financial targets established at its 2022 Investor Day. The transaction is expected to be accretive to the Company’s Adjusted Earnings Per Share1 in the first year3 after closing and grow over time as synergies are achieved. The Company expects to achieve $70 million in annual net cost synergies by year three.

The combined significant cashflow generation will enable the Company to de-lever in the near-term and expects to reduce its Net Leverage Ratio1,2 from approximately 4.8x pro forma Adjusted EBITDA1 post transaction closing to approximately 3.0x within two years post-closing. The Company’s enhanced scale, margin profile and free cash flow provides a strong foundation to continue to return cash to shareholders through its dividend, reinvest in long-term organic growth and, over time, pursue additional acquisitions as it continues to execute on its strategy of building the premier intelligent motion solutions provider.

Transaction Details and Financing

The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of Columbus McKinnon. Columbus McKinnon intends to fund the acquisition through a combination of committed debt financing of $3.050 billion from J.P. Morgan including a $500 million revolving credit facility and $0.8 billion of perpetual convertible preferred equity investment from CD&R. Terms of the CD&R investment include a 7% coupon, payable in cash or payment-in-kind at Columbus McKinnon’s option, and a conversion price of $37.68, resulting in CD&R as-converted ownership of approximately 40% of the Company following completion of the transaction. CD&R has agreed to a customary lock-up on its shares.

 

1 

Net Leverage Ratio, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and Earnings Per Share are each a non-GAAP financial measure. See the note regarding forward looking non-GAAP financial measure at the end of this release.

2 

Net Leverage Ratio is calculated in accordance with the terms and conditions in the Company’s credit agreement and is defined as Net Debt over trailing-twelve month Adjusted EBITDA as defined in the Company’s credit agreement and in accordance with the Company’s previous filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

3 

Adjusted Earnings Per Share is calculated assuming full run-rate annualized net synergies in the first year.

 

2


The initial debt financing structure provides flexibility for timely execution of the transaction, which we expect to replace with a permanent financing structure. The Company has a strong track record of quickly de-levering its balance sheet following prior acquisitions.

Advisors

For Columbus McKinnon, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is acting as the financial advisor, and DLA Piper LLP (US) and Hogan Lovells US LLP are acting as legal advisors. Evercore and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC are acting as financial advisors for Kito Crosby and KKR, while Kirkland & Ellis LLC is acting as legal advisor. Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is acting as legal advisor for CD&R, with Guggenheim Securities LLC acting as its financial advisor.

About Columbus McKinnon

Columbus McKinnon is a leading worldwide designer, manufacturer and marketer of intelligent motion solutions that move the world forward and improve lives by efficiently and ergonomically moving, lifting, positioning, and securing materials. Key products include hoists, crane components, precision conveyor systems, rigging tools, light rail workstations, and digital power and motion control systems. The Company is focused on commercial and industrial applications that require the safety and quality provided by its superior design and engineering know-how. Comprehensive information on Columbus McKinnon is available at www.cmco.com.

About Kito Crosby

Kito Crosby is the global leader of the lifting and securement industry it pioneered, and for which it continues to set the quality standard. With global engineering, manufacturing, distribution, and operations, the company provides a broad range of products and solutions for the most demanding applications. Kito Crosby’s people, products, solutions, and service have innovated the lifting and securement industry for more than 250 years. Together we lift and secure the world today, for a safer, stronger, and more productive tomorrow. Our iconic brands include Kito, Crosby, Harrington, Gunnebo Industries, and Peerless.

About CD&R

Founded in 1978, CD&R is a leading private investment firm with a strategy of generating strong investment returns by building more robust and sustainable businesses through the combination of skilled investment experience and deep operating capabilities. In partnership with the management teams of its portfolio companies, CD&R takes a long-term view of value creation and emphasizes positive stewardship and impact. The firm invests in businesses that span a broad range of industries, including industrial, healthcare, consumer, technology and financial services end markets. CD&R is privately owned by its partners and has offices in New York and London. For more information, please visit www.cdr.com and follow the firm’s activities through LinkedIn and @CDRBuilds on X/Twitter.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com. For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group’s website at www.globalatlantic.com.

 

3


Analyst Conference Call

Columbus McKinnon will host a combined third quarter fiscal 2025 financial results and Kito Crosby acquisition conference call Monday, February 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time to discuss the transaction. The conference call and related presentation will be accessible through live webcast on the Company’s investor relations website at investors.cmco.com. A replay of the webcast will also be archived on the Company’s investor relations website through Monday, February 24, 2025.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “illustrative,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “shall,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and, in each case, their negative or other various or comparable terminology. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Columbus McKinnon and Kito Crosby to differ materially from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, (1) the risk that the cost synergies and any revenue synergies from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer than anticipated to be realized, (2) disruption to the parties’ businesses as a result of the announcement and pendency of the transaction, (3) the risk that the integration of Kito Crosby’s business and operations into Columbus McKinnon will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected, or that Columbus McKinnon is otherwise unable to successfully integrate Kito Crosby’s businesses into its own, including as a result of unexpected factors or events, (4) the ability by each of Columbus McKinnon and Kito Crosby to obtain required governmental approvals of the transaction on the timeline expected, or at all, and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect Columbus McKinnon after the closing of the transaction or adversely affect the expected benefits of the transaction, (5) reputational risk and the reaction of each company’s customers, suppliers, employees or other business partners to the transaction, (6) the failure of the closing conditions in the purchase agreement to be satisfied, or any unexpected delay in closing the transaction or the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the purchase agreement, (7) the dilution caused by the issuance of perpetual convertible preferred equity to CD&R, (8) the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events, (9) risks related to management and oversight of the expanded business and operations of Columbus McKinnon following the transaction due to the increased size and complexity of its business, (10) the outcome of any legal or regulatory proceedings that may be currently pending or later instituted against Columbus McKinnon before or after the transaction, or against Kito Crosby, and (11) general competitive, economic, political and market conditions and other factors that may affect future results of Columbus McKinnon and Kito Crosby. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but instead represent our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, the risk factors that are described under the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 as well as in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available on its website at www.sec.gov. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Columbus McKinnon undertakes no duty to update publicly any such forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law, regulation or other competent legal authority.

Forward Looking Non-GAAP Financial Metrics

This press release presents forward looking statements regarding non-GAAP Net Leverage Ratio, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and Adjusted Earnings Per Share. The Company is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures, net income, net income margin, and earnings per share because such information is not available, and management cannot reliably predict the necessary components of such GAAP measures without unreasonable effort or expense. In addition, the Company believes that such reconciliations would imply a degree of precision that would be confusing or misleading to investors. The unavailable information could have a significant impact on the Company’s financial results. These non-GAAP financial measures are preliminary estimates and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, among others, changes in connection with post-closing adjustments. Any

 

4


variation between the Company’s actual results and preliminary financial data set forth above may be material. Such non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for or alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures in this press release may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Contacts

Kristine Moser

VP IR and Treasurer

Columbus McKinnon Corporation

704-322-2488

kristy.moser@cmco.com

 

5

Slide 1

Q3 Fiscal 2025 Earnings & Kito Crosby Deal Announcement February 10, 2025 Kristine Moser Gregory Rustowicz David Wilson President & Chief Executive Officer Executive Vice President Finance & Chief Financial Officer Vice President, Investor Relations & Treasurer Exhibit 99.2


Slide 2

Safe Harbor Statement This presentation and the accompanying oral discussion contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "anticipate," “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “illustrative,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “shall,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and, in each case, their negative or other various or comparable terminology. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Columbus McKinnon and Kito Crosby to differ materially from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, (1) our strategy, outlook and growth prospects, including fiscal year 2025 net sales growth and Adjusted EPS guidance, and our fiscal year 2025 net leverage ratio and capital expenditure guidance; (2) our operational and financial targets and capital allocation policy; (3) general economic trends and trends in our industry and markets; (4) the amount of debt to be paid down by the Company during fiscal year 2025; (6) the competitive environment in which we operate, are forward looking statements; (7) the risk that the cost synergies and any revenue synergies from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer than anticipated to be realized, (8) disruption to the parties' businesses as a result of the announcement and pendency of the transaction, (9) the risk that the integration of Kito Crosby's business and operations into Columbus McKinnon will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected, or that Columbus McKinnon is otherwise unable to successfully integrate Kito Crosby's businesses into its own, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; (10) the ability by each of Columbus McKinnon and Kito Crosby to obtain required governmental approvals of the transaction on the timeline expected, or at all, and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect Columbus McKinnon after the closing of the transaction or adversely affect the expected benefits of the transaction; (11) reputational risk and the reaction of each company's customers, suppliers, employees or other business partners to the transaction; (12) the failure of the closing conditions in the purchase agreement to be satisfied, or any unexpected delay in closing the transaction or the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the purchase agreement; (13) the dilution caused by the issuance of perpetual convertible preferred equity to CD&R; (14) the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; (15) risks related to management and oversight of the expanded business and operations of Columbus McKinnon following the transaction due to the increased size and complexity of its business, (16) the outcome of any legal or regulatory proceedings that may be currently pending or later instituted against Columbus McKinnon before or after the transaction, or against Kito Crosby, and (17) general competitive, economic, political and market conditions and other factors that may affect future results of Columbus McKinnon and Kito Crosby. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but instead represent our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, the risk factors that are described under the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 as well as in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available on its website at www.sec.gov. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Columbus McKinnon undertakes no duty to update publicly any such forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law, regulation or other competent legal authority. Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Forward-looking Non-GAAP Financial Measures This presentation will discuss some non-GAAP (“adjusted”) financial measures which we believe are useful in evaluating Columbus McKinnon and Kito Crosby’s performance.  You should not consider the presentation of this additional information in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP.  The non-GAAP financial measures are noted and reconciliations of comparable historical GAAP measures with historical non-GAAP financial measures can be found in tables either included in the Supplemental Information portion of this presentation or our filings with the Securities and Exchange Comission.


Slide 3

Q3 Fiscal 2025 Financial Results Conference Call


Slide 4

Q3 FY25 Quarterly Review Net sales of $234.1 million with 7.6% operating margin or 10.9% on an adjusted basis1 Orders decreased 4% versus the prior year driven by a 6% decrease in short-cycle orders EMEA orders increased 1% driven by strength in montratec® Strength in precision conveyance and linear motion orders, up 16% and 8% respectively Backlog of $296.5 million remains healthy and continues to normalize with improved service levels GAAP EPS of $0.14 and Adjusted EPS1 of $0.56 include $0.08 impact of unfavorable FX in Q3 FY25 and $0.11 versus the prior year Repaid $15 million of debt in Q3 FY25; Anticipate $60 million of debt repayment in FY25 Advanced 80/20 footprint simplification plan with consolidation of two additional factories Q3 Results Reflect Softer Short-Cycle Demand and Impact of FX 1 Non-GAAP financial measure; see definition and reconciliation at the end of this Presentation


Slide 5

Orders and Backlog Mixed order performance; Book to bill of 0.95x Orders down 4% Y/Y driven by 6% decline in short-cycle Strength in precision conveyance and linear motion, up 16% and 8% respectively Softer demand in lifting impacted by U.S. policy uncertainty and macro weakness in Europe, particularly in Germany EMEA orders grew 1% Y/Y given strength in montratec Backlog down modestly Y/Y due to decline in short-cycle demand Project-related backlog up 3% Y/Y Strength in precision conveyance and linear motion, up 13% and 33% respectively Lead times improving; Customer experience remains an important focus Expect short-term backlog to continue to normalize from elevated levels over time Book:Bill Short Term Long Term1 ($ in millions, $M) Mixed Q3 Order Performance with Strength In Precision Conveyance; Backlog Remains Healthy 1Long term backlog is expected to ship beyond three months Orders Backlog


Slide 6

Net Sales Volume Impacted by Lower Short-Cycle Orders and Timing of EMEA Project Phasing Q3 FY25 Net Sales Bridge Q3 FY25 net sales decreased Y/Y due to: Short-cycle down 9% Y/Y impacted by U.S. policy uncertainty and lower demand in Europe Timing of EMEA project phasing due to delays in receiving final design specifications on certain large orders Partially offset by targeted pricing increases ($ in millions, $M)


Slide 7

Gross Profit & Margin 36.9% 35.1% Gross Margin 37.2% Adj. Gross Margin1 Q3 FY25 Gross Profit Q3 FY25 Adjusted Gross Profit1 Adjusted Gross Margin1 Primarily Impacted by Sales Volume and Mix 1 Non-GAAP financial measure; see definition and reconciliation at the end of this Presentation Q3 FY25 gross margin of 35.1% Gross profit of $82.1M impacted by: Sales volume & mix Factory consolidation and Monterrey, MX start-up costs Favorable product liability adjustment in prior year Partially offset by modestly higher pricing net of manufacturing cost changes Q3 FY25 Adjusted Gross Margin1 of 36.8% Adjusted Gross Profit1 impacted by: Sales volume & mix from lower short-cycle orders Favorable product liability adjustment in prior year Partially offset by modestly higher pricing net of manufacturing cost changes ($ in millions, $M)


Slide 8

RSG&A RSG&A as a % of Net Sales 23.4% 23.1% 25.2% 23.3% 24.3% R&D Selling G&A ($ in millions, $M) Quarterly RSG&A Q3 FY25 RSG&A decreased $2.6M Y/Y R&D costs decreased $1.4M Y/Y as we benefit from our center of excellence strategy G&A cost decreased $2.0M Y/Y driven by: Cost saving initiatives Lower incentive-based compensation Partially offset by two unique items: $1.5M legacy customs duty assessment in Mexico $1.3M large customer bankruptcy Selling increased $0.8M driven by: $0.4M business realignment costs Effectively Managing Costs in a Dynamic Environment… Down 4% Y/Y Note: Components may not sum due to rounding


Slide 9

Operating Income ($ in millions, $M) Quarterly Operating Income Q3 FY25 operating income of $17.7M with operating margin of 7.6%, down Y/Y due to: $9.9M impact from lower sales volume and mix $3.2M of higher factory consolidation and Monterrey, MX start-up costs $2.0M of higher product liability costs due to favorable adjustment in prior year $1.5M for a legacy customs duty assessment in Mexico $1.3M for a large customer bankruptcy Partially offset by lower RSG&A costs and modest pricing increases Q3 FY25 Adjusted Operating Income1 of $25.6M with Adjusted Operating Margin1 of 10.9%, down Y/Y due to: $9.9M impact from lower sales volume and mix $2.0M of higher product liability costs Partially offset by lower RSG&A costs and modest pricing increases Q3 FY25 Operating Margin Impacted by Lower Sales Volume and Several Unique Items 1 Non-GAAP financial measure; see definition and reconciliation at the end of this Presentation Operating Margin 10.6% 9.6% 8.8% 4.5% 7.6% Adj. Operating Margin1 11.7% 11.7% 10.7% 11.1% 10.9% Adjusted1 GAAP


Slide 10

Earnings Per Share Net Income $9.7 $11.8 $8.6 ($15.0) $4.0 Adj. Net Income1 $21.4 $21.8 $18.0 $20.2 $16.3 ($ in millions, $M) Quarterly Diluted EPS Adjusted1 GAAP Adjusted EPS1 of $0.56 Includes $0.08 Headwind Related to Unfavorable FX 1 Non-GAAP financial measure; see definition and reconciliation at the end of this Presentation Q3 FY25 net income of $4.0M, declined Y/Y due to: $6.6M impact from lower sales volume and mix $2.9M unfavorable FX $2.1M Factory consolidation and Monterrey start-up costs $1.3M for higher product liability costs due to favorable adjustment in prior year $1.0M for legacy customs duty assessment in Mexico $0.9M for customer bankruptcy Offset by $2.8M of net non-cash pension settlement Q3 FY25 Adjusted Net Income1 of $16.3M, decreased due to: $7.4M impact from lower sales volume and mix $3.2M unfavorable FX $1.5M for higher product liability costs Adjusted EPS1 impacted by $0.11 of unfavorable FX movements Y/Y Note: All variance numbers are tax effected at a 32.8% rate for GAAP net income and a 25.0% rate for Adjusted Net Income.


Slide 11

Adjusted EBITDA Adj. EBITDA Margin1 16.3% 16.2% 15.6% 16.2% 16.1% ($ in millions, $M) Quarterly Adjusted EBITDA1 Q3 FY25 Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 of 16.1% 1 Non-GAAP financial measure; see definition and reconciliation at the end of this Presentation Q3 FY25 Adjusted EBITDA1 of $37.8M, decreased due to: $9.9M impact from lower sales volume and mix $2.0M of higher product liability costs due to favorable adjustment in prior year Partially offset by lower RSG&A costs and modest pricing increases Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 of 16.1% Continued focus on EBITDA margin expansion over time 80/20 initiatives, including footprint simplification Operating leverage on increased scale to drive margin expansion


Slide 12

Cash Flow 3 Months Ended YTD 12/31/24 12/31/23 12/31/24 12/31/23 Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities $ 11.4 $29.1 $10.0 $28.6 Capital Expenditures 5.2 6.0 15.3 16.3 Free Cash Flow (FCF)1 $ 6.2 $23.1 ($5.3) $12.3 Note: Components may not sum due to rounding ($ in millions, $M) Free Cash Flow1 & FCF Conversion1 Q3 FY25 net cash provided by operating activities of $11.4M and Free Cash Flow1 of $6.2M behind prior year due to: $11.3M higher inventory due to timing of large orders and higher materials stocking levels to facilitate the consolidation of our manufacturing footprint $5.8M due to timing of unbilled over time revenue recognition on large projects Free Cash Flow Conversion1 of 266% on a trailing twelve-month basis Reflects impact of cash and noncash unique items on GAAP net income Q3 FY25 Free Cash Flow1 of $6.2M Reflects Higher Inventory and Timing of Revenue Recognition 1 Non-GAAP financial measure; see definition and reconciliation at the end of this Presentation


Slide 13

FY2025 Guidance Net Sales Growth Mid-single digit decrease Y/Y Adjusted EPS1 Low-teens decrease Y/Y Capital Expenditures $18 to $22 million Net Leverage Ratio1 ~3.0x FY25 Guidance Assumptions: FY25: ~$32M of interest expense, ~$30M of amortization, an effective tax rate of ~25% and 29.0M diluted average shares 1Adjusted EPS and Net Leverage Ratio are non-GAAP financial measures. See supplemental information for additional information on non-GAAP financial measures. Forward-looking guidance for Adjusted EPS and Net Leverage Ratio are made in a manner consistent with the relevant definitions and assumptions noted herein, but reconciliations are not available on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort. Revised Full Year Guidance for FY25


Slide 14

Columbus McKinnon to Acquire Kito Crosby Business Combination Delivers Compelling Value Creation


Slide 15

Highly Compelling Combination for All Stakeholders Holistic Provider of Intelligent Motion Solutions in Materials Handling + Adjusted EBITDA Margin and Free Cash Flow Conversion are non-GAAP financial measures. See supplemental information for additional information on non-GAAP financial measures. Forward-looking guidance for Adjusted EBITDA Margin and Free Cash Flow Conversion are made in a manner consistent with the relevant definitions and assumptions noted herein, but reconciliations are not available on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort. Adjusted EBITDA is pro forma for $70 million of synergies. Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by (used for) operating activities less capital expenditures divided by net income. While the Company expects Pro Forma Free Cash Flow Conversion of greater than 100% over time inclusive of synergies, the Company expects that metric may be impacted in the short-term by one-time costs. Scaled, Market Leading Platform Enhances Competitiveness $2B+ Revenue 23% Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA Margin1,2 >100% Pro Forma Free Cash Flow Conversion1,3 Strong Cash Flow Enables Rapid De-Leveraging to ~3.0x by Year 2 ~8x TTM Adjusted EBITDA Multiple Net of Synergies Compelling Value Creation ~$70M Net Cost Synergies & Top-Tier Margin Profile >30% Of Sales from Consumables Geographic Diversification & Increased Portfolio Resiliency


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Delivering Value Creation for Shareholders Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted Gross Margin, Free Cash Flow Conversion and Adjusted EPS are non-GAAP financial measures. See supplemental information for additional information on non-GAAP financial measures. Forward-looking guidance for Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted Gross Margin, Free Cash Flow Conversion and Adjusted EPS are made in a manner consistent with the relevant definitions and assumptions noted herein, but reconciliations are not available on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort. Includes $70 million of annual, pre-tax, net cost synergies assuming roughly 65% from cost of sales and 35% from SG&A. Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by (used for) operating activities less capital expenditures divided by net income. While the Company expects Pro Forma Free Cash Flow Conversion of greater than 100% over time inclusive of synergies, the Company expects that metric may be impacted in the short-term by one-time costs. Adjusted Earnings Per Share is calculated assuming full run-rate annualized net synergies in the first year. + >30% Hardware and Consumables Sales Accretive To Adjusted EPS1 in Year 14 ~700bps Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 Expansion >100% Free Cash Flow Conversion1,3 40% Adjusted Gross Margin1 $70M Run-rate Pre-Tax Net Cost Synergies $1.0B Revenue $153M Adjusted EBITDA1 16% Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 $2.1B Revenue $486M Adjusted EBITDA2 23% Adjusted EBITDA Margin2 PRO FORMA INCLUDING SYNERGIES2


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Kito Crosby At-a-Glance DIVERSIFIED END MARKETS IN KEY VERTICALS1 DIVERSIFIED GLOBAL PRESENCE1 1 Based on Kito Crosby Management Estimates 2Reflects Consumer, Entertainment, Government, Forestry and Other/Miscellaneous end markets 4,000 Channel Partners 600K+ End-Users Trained 250+ Years Of Brand Heritage 50+ Countries Served $1.1B 2024 Revenue 7% 2021-2024 Revenue CAGR KITO CROSBY BY THE NUMBERS Key Industry Brands KEY PRODUCTS Chains & Fittings Shackles Wire Rope Fittings Wire Rope Hoists Crane Blocks & Sheaves Load Monitoring Dynamometers REVENUE REVENUE


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Strong cash flow enables de-leveraging and capacity to reinvest 5 Value creation with significant synergies 4 Highly attractive financial profile 3 Growth supported by tailwinds from industry megatrends 2 Enhances scale and strengthens competitive position 1 Significant Strategic and Financial Benefits


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Enhances Scale and Strengthens Competitive Position Across Products and Markets   PRODUCT PLATFORMS1: Leadership position in Lifting; Platform to Grow in Intelligent Motion GEOGRAPHIES1: Complementary Footprint in EMEA and APAC VERTICAL END MARKETS1: Diversified End Markets with Strong Market Presence in Key Verticals 1 Increased End Market and Geographic Diversity Tethered to Markets With Strong Tailwinds Based on Columbus McKinnon Company data and Kito Crosby Management Estimates Other verticals include: Entertainment, E-Commerce, Forestry, Life Sciences, Elevator and Other /Miscellaneous 2 REVENUE REVENUE REVENUE


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Solidifying CMCO’s Leading Positioning in Lifting Solutions Growth in resilient hardware & consumables categories Increasing breadth and depth of product offering Positioning the Company for the Next Phase of its Value Creation Journey Geographic expansion: CMCO to expand across APAC and Kito Crosby to expand across LATAM and EMEA Cash flow generation enables reinvestment in the flywheel of growth over time Enhances Scale Delivering on Our Growth Framework 1 RE-IMAGINE CORE EXPAND CORE GROW CORE STRENGTHEN CORE


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Enhances Scale Delivering Commercial and Operational Excellence 1 Application of CMBS drives commercial and operational excellence SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS TO SCALE Enhanced breadth and depth of product offering with best-in-class customer service Broad market presence across key vertical markets and geographies Greater capacity to invest in tools, technology and resources Strong Free Cash Flow1 and significant liquidity to reinvest in future growth Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. See supplemental information for additional information on non-GAAP financial measures. Forward-looking guidance for Free Cash Flow is made in a manner consistent with the relevant definitions and assumptions noted herein, but reconciliations are not available on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort.


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Growth Supported by Exposure to Secular Mega Trends Across the Full Portfolio Growth Supported with Tailwinds from Industry Megatrends Nearshoring & Supply Chain Resilience 2 Labor Shortages Driving Demand Industrial Resurgence & Growth Infrastructure Investment Safety & Sustainability Focus Lifting Broad increased global demand for lifting solutions Heightened emphasis on productivity, uptime and safety Precision Conveyance Increased demand for specialized solutions Tailwinds from automation and electrification trends Automation Key enabler of productivity and safety improvements Ceiling to floor applications support customer requirements Linear Motion Bolsters a comprehensive intelligent motion portfolio Channel access to specialty end-markets


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FY2025E Pro Forma1,2 Revenue ($M) $1.0B $1.1B $2.1B Adjusted Gross Margin1 (%) 37% 39% 40% Adjusted EBITDA1 ($M) $153 $263 $486 Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 (%) 16% 23% 23% Top-Tier Financial Profile Supports >100% FCF Conversion Over Time3 Key Highlights: Significantly improved scale, with revenue of $2B+ Improved profitability and cash flow with synergies More geographically diverse Enhanced consumables & hardware presence Exposure to compelling vertical end markets Highly Attractive Financial Profile Through Strategic Combination + 3 Adjusted Gross Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin and Free Cash Flow Conversion are non-GAAP financial measures. See supplemental information for additional information on non-GAAP financial measures. Forward-looking guidance for Adjusted Gross Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin and Free Cash Flow Conversion are made in a manner consistent with the relevant definitions and assumptions noted herein, but reconciliations are not available on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort. Includes $70 million of annual, pre-tax, net cost synergies assuming roughly 65% from cost of sales and 35% from SG&A. Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by (used for) operating activities less capital expenditures over net income. While the company expects Pro Forma Free Cash Flow Conversion of greater than 100% over time inclusive of synergies, the Company expects that metric may be impacted in the short-term by one-time costs.


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Highly Attractive Financial Profile Accelerates the Realization of Investor Day Targets 1 Adjusted Gross Margin and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are non-GAAP financial measures. See supplemental information for additional information on non-GAAP financial measures. Forward-looking guidance for Adjusted Gross Margin and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are made in a manner consistent with the relevant definitions and assumptions noted herein, but reconciliations are not available on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort. 3 2022 Investor Day FY 2027 E Pro Forma (Including Synergies) Adjusted Gross Margin1 Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 Sales $2.1B 40% 40% 21% 23% $1.5B Achieved Investor Day Targets Ahead of Target


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Strong Track Record of Successful Integrations and Cost Synergy Realization Value Creation with Significant Synergies Additional Upside from Revenue Synergies Net Cost Synergies of ~$70M Annually 4 Increase breadth and depth of product offerings to existing customers Geographic expansion opportunities: Kito Crosby’s strong APAC footprint for CMCO products CMCO’s LATAM & EMEA footprint for Kito Crosby products Attract new customers with enhanced scale and combined capabilities Capture share of wallet by streamlining the customer experience


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COLUMBUS MCKINNON BUSINESS SYSTEM CMBS ENHANCED BY COLLECTIVE STRENGTHS: Best practices in standard work, including fulfilment, delivery and operational execution​ Excellent customer service with strong NPS and customer loyalty​ Collective benefits from prior investments in operational excellence at CMCO and Kito Crosby CMBS infrastructure, systems and documentation facilitate seamless integration Value Creation with Significant Synergies Enabled by CMBS 4 Framework To Deliver Value to Customers and Shareholders


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Primary allocation strategy for significant Free Cash Flow1 generation History of acquisitions followed by de-levering Debt structure built to facilitate debt paydown Strong Cash Flow Enables De-leveraging and Capacity to Reinvest 1 Non-GAAP financial measure; see definition and reconciliation at the end of this Presentation. 2 Net Leverage Ratio is calculated on a financial covenant basis per the Company’s Amended and Restated Credit Agreement 3 Net Leverage Ratio projects current assumptions assuming all else equal and no additional changes to the business 4 Net Leverage Ratio is calculated in accordance with the terms and conditions in the Company’s credit agreement and is defined as Net Debt over trailing-twelve month Adjusted EBITDA as defined in the Company’s credit agreement and in accordance with the Company’s previous filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. PRO FORMA NET LEVERAGE RATIO1,2,3 Demonstrated History of Net Leverage Ratio Reduction Following Acquisitions 5 NET LEVERAGE RATIO1,2,3 CAPITAL ALLOCATION PRIORITIES Debt Reduction Investment to drive sales growth and margin improvement Growth Continue track record of consistent dividend payment Significant FCF supports investment in intelligent motion strategy over the long-term Dividend M&A 1 2 3 4


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Supporting CMCO on its Transformation Journey PRO FORMA NET LEVERAGE RATIO1,2,3 Long-Term, Value-Added Partner with Significant Experience in the Public Markets CD&R Highlights Distinctive Operating Model Years in Business 47 Of Capital Invested in “Win-Win” Partnership Deals 50% Portfolio Investments Since 1978 120+ Relevant CD&R Industrials Public Investments Assets Under Management ~$80B Singular Focus on Private Equity Trusted and Reliable Partner Operating DNA Fund Value Creation from EBITDA Growth 80% Proven experience as a valued-added partner for great public companies


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Transaction Overview CMCO to acquire 100% of Kito Crosby in an all-cash transaction at an estimated value of $2.7B Represents ~8x Trailing-Twelve Month Adjusted EBITDA1 inclusive of synergies J.P. Morgan Securities provided a committed bridge financing package of $3.1B to fund the acquisition and refinance existing debt, including a $500 million revolving credit facility CD&R to provide $0.8 billion of perpetual convertible preferred equity; Terms of the CD&R investment include a 7% coupon, payable in cash or payment-in-kind at Columbus McKinnon’s option, and a conversion price of $37.68 ~4.8x Net Leverage Ratio1,2 at close, decreasing to ~3.0x by the second-year post closing driven by ~$200M+ Annual Free Cash Flow1 >$500M of liquidity upon closing, including cash and availability on the revolver and AR Securitization CD&R as-converted ownership at close is expected to be approximately 40% of the Company following completion of the transaction CD&R has agreed to a customary lock-up on its shares CD&R has the right to add three Board members to the Company’s Board upon closing and intends to designate Mike Lamach, Nate Sleeper and Andrew Campelli Anticipated close in later this calendar year Subject to regulatory approvals and satisfactory completion of customary closing conditions CONSIDERATION & VALUATION FINANCING OWNERSHIP & GOVERNANCE TIMING 1 Adjusted EBITDA, Net Leverage Ratio and Free Cash Flow are non-GAAP financial measures. See supplemental information for additional information on non-GAAP financial measures. Forward-looking guidance for Adjusted EBITDA, Net Leverage Ratio and Free Cash Flow are made in a manner consistent with the relevant definitions and assumptions noted herein, but reconciliations are not available on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort.


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Strong cash flow enables de-leveraging and capacity to reinvest 5 Value creation with significant synergies 4 Highly attractive financial profile 3 Growth supported by tailwinds from industry megatrends 2 Enhances scale and strengthens competitive position 1 Significant Strategic and Financial Benefits


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Supplemental Information


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Non-GAAP Measures The following information provides definitions and reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this presentation to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Company has provided this non-GAAP financial information, which is not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP, as information supplemental and in addition to the financial measures presented in this presentation that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Such non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for or alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the GAAP financial measures presented in this presentation. The non-GAAP financial measures in this presentation may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies. Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Margin Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Operating Margin Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow Conversion Net Debt and Net Leverage Ratio Forward-Looking: The Company has not reconciled the Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EPS and Net Leverage Ratio guidance to the most comparable GAAP measure because it is not possible to do so without unreasonable efforts due to the uncertainty and potential variability of reconciling items, which are dependent on future events and often outside of management’s control and which could be significant. Because such items cannot be reasonably predicted with the level of precision required, we are unable to provide guidance for the comparable GAAP financial measures. Forward-looking guidance regarding Adjusted EPS and Net Leverage Ratio for fiscal 2025 is made in a manner consistent with the relevant definitions and assumptions noted herein. Forward-looking guidance regarding Adjusted EBITDA Margin for fiscal 2027 is made in a manner consistent with the relevant definitions and assumptions noted herein.


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Non-GAAP Measures: Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Margin Adjusted Gross Profit is defined as gross profit as reported, adjusted for certain items. Adjusted Gross Margin is defined as Adjusted Gross Profit divided by net sales. Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Margin are not measures determined in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable with Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Margin as used by other companies. Nevertheless, Columbus McKinnon believes that providing non-GAAP financial measures, such as Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Margin, are important for investors and other readers of the Company’s financial statements and assists in understanding the comparison of the current quarter’s gross profit and gross profit margin to the historical periods' gross profit and gross margin, as well as facilitates a more meaningful comparison of the Company’s gross profit and gross profit margin to that of other companies.  ($ in thousands) Quarter TTM   Q3 FY24 Q3 FY25 Gross profit $ 93,897 $ 82,097 Add back (deduct):   Business realignment costs 150 526 Factory and warehouse consolidation costs — 556 Monterrey, MX new factory start-up costs 435 3,038 Adjusted Gross Profit $ 94,482 $ 86,217     Net sales $ 254,143 $ 234,138     Gross margin 36.9% 35.1% Adjusted Gross Margin 37.2% 36.8%


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Non-GAAP Measures: Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Operating Margin  ($ in thousands) Quarter   Q3 FY24 Q4 FY24 Q1 FY25 Q2 FY25 Q3 FY25 Income from operations $ 26,912 $ 25,437 $ 21,147 $ 10,805 $ 17,690 Add back (deduct):     Acquisition deal and integration costs 113 3 — — — Business realignment costs 1,452 — 850 281 987 Headquarter relocation costs 510 175 96 51 175 Hurricane Helene cost impact — — — 171 — Factory and warehouse consolidation — 545 — 11,904 653 Cost of debt repricing — 1,190 — — — Mexico customs duty assessment — — — — 1,500 Customer bad debt1 — — — — 1,299 Monterrey, MX new factory start-up costs 755 3,734 3,566 3,751 3,270 Adjusted Operating Income $ 29,742 $ 31,084 $ 25,659 $ 26,963 $ 25,574             Net sales $ 254,143 $ 265,504 $ 239,726 $ 242,274 $ 234,138       Operating margin 10.6% 9.6% 8.8% 4.5% 7.6% Adjusted Operating Margin 11.7% 11.7% 10.7% 11.1% 10.9% 1 Customer bad debt represents a reserve of $1,299,000 against an accounts receivable balance for a customer who declared bankruptcy in January of 2025 Adjusted Operating Income is defined as income from operations as reported, adjusted for certain items. Adjusted Operating Margin is defined as Adjusted Operating Income divided by net sales. Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Operating Margin are not measures determined in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable with Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Operating Margin as used by other companies. Nevertheless, Columbus McKinnon believes that providing non-GAAP financial measures, such as Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Operating Margin, are important for investors and other readers of the Company’s financial statements and assists in understanding the comparison of the current quarter’s income from operations and operating margin to the historical periods' income from operations and operating margin, as well as facilitates a more meaningful comparison of the Company’s income from operations and operating margin to that of other companies.


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Adjusted Net Income is defined as net income (loss) as reported, adjusted for certain items, including amortization of intangibles, and also adjusted for a normalized tax rate. Adjusted Diluted Shares Outstanding is defined as average diluted shares outstanding adjusted for the effect of dilutive share-based awards. Adjusted EPS is defined as Adjusted Net Income per Adjusted Diluted Shares Outstanding. Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted Shares Outstanding and Adjusted EPS are not measures determined in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable with the measures used by other companies. Nevertheless, Columbus McKinnon believes that providing non-GAAP financial measures, such as Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted Shares Outstanding and Adjusted EPS, are important for investors and other readers of the Company’s financial statements and assists in understanding the comparison of current periods' net income (loss), average diluted shares outstanding and GAAP EPS to the historical periods' net income (loss), average diluted shares outstanding and GAAP EPS, as well as facilitates a more meaningful comparison of the Company’s net income (loss) and GAAP EPS to that of other companies. The Company believes that presenting Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted Shares Outstanding and Adjusted EPS provides a better understanding of its earnings power inclusive of adjusting for the non-cash amortization of intangible assets, reflecting the Company’s strategy to grow through acquisitions as well as organically. Non-GAAP Measures: Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS  ($ in thousands, except per share data) Quarter   Q3 FY24 Q4 FY24 Q1 FY25 Q2 FY25 Q3 FY25 Net income $ 9,728 $ 11,809 $ 8,629 $ (15,043) $ 3,960 Add back (deduct):           Amortization of intangibles 7,486 7,525 7,500 7,547 7,501 Acquisition deal and integration costs 113 3 — — — Business realignment costs 1,452 — 850 281 987 Headquarter relocation costs 510 175 96 51 175 Hurricane Helene cost impact — — — 171 — Non-cash pension settlement expense 4,599 385 — 23,201 433 Factory and warehouse consolidation — 545 — 11,904 653 Monterrey, MX new factory start-up costs 755 3,734 3,566 3,751 3,270 Cost of debt repricing — 1,190 — — — Tax indemnification payment owed — 1,192 — — — Mexico customs duty assessment — — — — 1,500 Customer bad debt1 — — — — 1,299 Normalize tax rate to 25%2 (3,227) (4,767) (2,595) (11,647) (3,498) Adjusted Net Income $ 21,416 $ 21,791 $ 18,046 $ 20,216 $ 16,280             GAAP average shares outstanding 28,991 29,129 29,127 28,869 28,888 Add back:       Effect of diluted share-based awards — — — 205 — Adjusted Diluted Shares Outstanding 28,991 29,129 29,127 29,074 28,888             GAAP EPS $ 0.34 $ 0.41 $ 0.30 $ (0.52) $ 0.14             Adjusted EPS $ 0.74 $ 0.75 $ 0.62 $ 0.70 $ 0.56 1Customer bad debt represents a reserve of $1,299,000 against an accounts receivable balance for a customer who declared bankruptcy in January of 2025. 2Applies a normalized tax rate of 25% to GAAP pre-tax income and non-GAAP adjustments above, which are each pre-tax.


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Non-GAAP Measures: Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, and other adjustments. Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by net sales. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are not measures determined in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable with Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin as used by other companies. Nevertheless, Columbus McKinnon believes that providing non-GAAP financial measures, such as Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin, are important for investors and other readers of the Company’s financial statements.  ($ in thousands) Quarter   Q3 FY24 Q4 FY24 Q1 FY25 Q2 FY25 Q3 FY25 Net income $ 9,728 $ 11,809 $ 8,629 $ (15,043) $ 3,960 Add back (deduct):     Income tax expense (benefit) 3,911 2,497 3,421 (4,908) 1,929 Interest and debt expense 9,952 9,169 8,235 8,352 7,698 Investment (income) loss (758) (547) (209) (610) (54) Foreign currency exchange (gain) loss (1,155) 752 395 (792) 3,128 Other (income) expense, net 5,234 1,757 676 23,806 1,029 Depreciation and amortization expense 11,570 11,893 11,840 12,188 12,202 Acquisition deal and integration costs 113 3 — — — Business realignment costs 1,452 — 850 281 987 Factory and warehouse consolidation — 545 — 11,904 653 Headquarter relocation costs 510 175 96 51 175 Hurricane Helene cost impact — — — 171 — Cost of debt repricing — 1,190 — — — Mexico customs duty assessment — — — — 1,500 Customer bad debt1 — — — — 1,299 Monterrey, MX new factory start-up costs 755 3,734 3,566 3,751 3,270 Adjusted EBITDA $ 41,312 $ 42,977 $ 37,499 $ 39,151 $ 37,776             Net sales $ 254,143 $ 265,504 $ 239,726 $ 242,274 $ 234,138           Net income margin 3.8% 4.4% 3.6% (6.2)% 1.7 % Adjusted EBITDA Margin 16.3% 16.2% 15.6% 16.2 % 16.1 % 1Customer bad debt represents a reserve of $1,299,000 against an accounts receivable balance for a customer who declared bankruptcy in January of 2025.


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Non-GAAP Measures: Free Cash Flow (FCF) and Free Cash Flow Conversion Free Cash Flow is defined as GAAP net cash provided by (used for) operating activities less capital expenditures included in the investing activities section of the consolidated statement of cash flows. Free Cash Flow Conversion is defined as Free Cash Flow divided by net income. Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow Conversion are not measures determined in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable with the measures as defined or used by other companies. Nevertheless, the Company believes that providing non-GAAP financial measures, such as Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow Conversion, is important for investors and other readers of the Company’s financial statements and assists in understanding the comparison of the current periods’ Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow Conversion to Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow Conversion for historical periods. ($ in thousands) Year-to-Date Quarter Fiscal Year Fiscal Year TTM   Q3 FY24 Q3 FY25 Q3 FY24 Q3 FY25 2021 2022 2023 2024 Q3 FY25 Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities $ 28,591 $ 10,000 $ 29,149 $ 11,370 $ 98,890 $ 48,881 $ 83,636 $ 67,198 $ 48,607 Capital expenditures (16,334) (15,266) (6,015) (5,198) (12,300) (13,104) (12,632) (24,813) (23,745) Free Cash Flow (FCF) $ 12,257 $ (5,266) $ 23,134 $ 6,172 $ 86,590 $ 35,777 $ 71,004 $ 42,385 $ 24,862         Net income $ 9,106 $ 29,660 $ 48,429 $ 46,625 $ 9,355 Free Cash Flow Conversion 951% 121% 147% 91% 266%


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Non-GAAP Measures: Net Debt and Net Leverage Ratio Net Debt is defined in the credit agreement as total debt plus standby letters of credit, net of cash and cash equivalents. Net Leverage Ratio is defined as Net Debt divided by the Credit Agreement Trailing Twelve Month (“TTM”) Adjusted EBITDA. Credit Agreement TTM Adjusted EBITDA is defined in the Company’s credit agreement as net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, and other adjustments. Credit Agreement Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined as Credit Agreement TTM Adjusted EBITDA divided by net sales. Net Debt, Net Leverage Ratio, Credit Agreement TTM Adjusted EBITDA and Credit Agreement Adjusted EBITDA Margin are not measures determined in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable with the measures as used by other companies. Nevertheless, the Company believes that providing non-GAAP financial measures, such as Net Debt, Net Leverage Ratio, Credit Agreement TTM Adjusted EBITDA and Credit Agreement Adjusted EBITDA Margin are important for investors and other readers of the Company’s financial statements. 1 EBITDA is normalized to include a full year of the acquired entity and assuming that deal related synergies are achieved for montratec in TTM Q3 FY24. 2 The Company’s credit agreement definition of Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain acquisition deal and integration costs that are incurred beyond one year after the close of an acquisition. 3 The Company's credit agreement definition of Adjusted EBITDA excludes any cash restructuring costs in excess of $10 million per fiscal year. 4 Customer bad debt represents a reserve of $1,299,000 against an accounts receivable balance for a customer who declared bankruptcy in January of 2025.  ($ in thousands) Trailing Twelve Month   Q3 FY24 Q3 FY25 Net income $ 48,711 $ 9,355 Add back (deduct):     Annualize EBITDA for montratec1 2,131   — Annualize synergies for montratec1 184   — Income tax expense (benefit) 19,904 2,939 Interest and debt expense 36,456 33,454 Non-cash pension settlement   4,599 24,019 Amortization of deferred financing costs 2,158 2,486 Stock compensation expense 11,859 10,243 Depreciation and amortization expense 44,619 48,124 Acquisition deal and integration costs 3,381 3 Excluded deal and integration costs2 (172)   — Business realignment costs 2,715 2,118 Monterrey, MX new factory start-up costs   755 14,321 Excluded Monterrey, MX new factory start-up costs3   — (7,461) Factory and warehouse consolidation 199 13,102 Headquarter relocation costs 2,565 497 Cost of debt refinancing   — 1,190 Mexico customs duty assessment — 1,500 Customer bad debt4   — 1,299 Hurricane Helene Impact — 171 Other excluded costs3   (848) (4,257) Credit Agreement TTM Adjusted EBITDA $ 179,216 $ 153,103 Total debt 550,040 485,797 Standby letters of credit 15,740 15,440 Cash and cash equivalents (102,945) (41,224) Net Debt $ 462,835 $ 460,013 Net Leverage Ratio 2.58x 3.00x

v3.25.0.1
Document and Entity Information
Feb. 10, 2025
Cover [Abstract]  
Entity Registrant Name COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORP
Amendment Flag false
Entity Central Index Key 0001005229
Document Type 8-K
Document Period End Date Feb. 10, 2025
Entity Incorporation State Country Code NY
Entity File Number 001-34362
Entity Tax Identification Number 16-0547600
Entity Address, Address Line One 13320 Ballantyne Corporate Place
Entity Address, Address Line Two Suite D Charlotte NC
Entity Address, City or Town Charlotte
Entity Address, State or Province NC
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 28277
City Area Code (716)
Local Phone Number 689-5400
Security 12b Title Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
Trading Symbol CMCO
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre Commencement Tender Offer false
Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer false
Entity Emerging Growth Company false

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