-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, NQ5kLY4gHDoFnWk9+ow6L9Nasc8hnSmVsJ86R3DB1JvG6HoywE2+HumbKAaraOdt JuGsBLfCS2tu1f1nEbILsQ== 0001003297-03-000481.txt : 20031215 0001003297-03-000481.hdr.sgml : 20031215 20031215120949 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001003297-03-000481 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10QSB PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20031031 FILED AS OF DATE: 20031215 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ARGAN INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000100591 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT, NEC [3569] IRS NUMBER: 131947195 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0131 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10QSB SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-31756 FILM NUMBER: 031053567 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE CHURCH STREET STREET 2: SUITE 302 CITY: ROCKVILLE STATE: MD ZIP: 20850 BUSINESS PHONE: 301 315-0027 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE CHURCH STREET STREET 2: SUITE 302 CITY: ROCKVILLE STATE: MD ZIP: 20850 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: PUROFLOW INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ULTRA DYNAMICS CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19830522 10QSB 1 argan10q.htm Prepared by E-Services - www.edgar2.com

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-QSB

QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended October 31, 2003                                 Commission File Number 001-31756

                                              Argan, Inc.                                         
(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)
Formerly Puroflow Incorporated

DELAWARE 13-1947195
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
or organization)
(IRS Employer Identification No.
   
One Church Street, Suite 302, Rockville MD 20850
(Address of principal executive offices) (ZIP Code)
   

Issuer’s telephone number, including area code: (301) 315-0027

Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (a) of the Exchange Act during the last twelve months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant is required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes X     No __

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

Common Stock Shares outstanding
Common Stock, $.15 Par Value 1,798,280 as of December 9, 2003
   

Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (Check One): Yes [ ]  No [X ]


 

 

                                                                                                       PART I.

 

 

 

                                                                                      FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

ITEM 1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

ARGAN, INC

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 October 31, 

 

 January 31, 

 

 

  

2003

 

2003

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 $    8,518,000 

 $                -   

 

Accounts receivable

1,515,000 

                  -   

 

Escrow receivable from sale of subsidiary

          300,000 

                  -   

 

Estimated earnings in excess of billings

       1,074,000 

                  -   

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

          176,000 

25,000

 

Funds escrowed from acquisition

          260,000 

                  -   

  Current assets of discontinued operations

 - 

       3,322,000 

 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

     11,843,000 

       3,347,000 

 

PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT 

 

Leasehold improvements

          157,000 

                  -   

 

Machinery and equipment

       1,034,000 

                  -   

 

Trucks

          706,000 

                  -   

 

       1,897,000 

                  -   

 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

            84,000 

                  -   

 

NET PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

       1,813,000 

                  -   

 

 

Contractual customer relationships

       2,556,000 

                  -   

 

Trade name

       1,133,000 

                  -   

 

Goodwill

          695,000 

                  -   

Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations

 - 

       1,288,000 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 $   18,040,000 

 $      4,635,000 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 $    1,221,000 

 $                -   

 

Billings in excess of estimated earnings

            86,000 

                  -   

 

Accrued expenses

          293,000 

                  -   

 

Deferred income tax liability, net

          323,000 

                  -   

 

Current portion of long-term debt

          496,000 

                  -   

 

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

                  -   

          693,000 

 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

       2,419,000 

          693,000 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax liability, net of current portion

       1,807,000 

                  -   

 

Long-term debt

          832,000 

                  -   

 

Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations

                  -   

          145,000 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

Preferred stock, par value $.10 per share - authorized 500,000 shares - issued - none

 - 

 - 

 

Common stock, par value $.15 per share, authorized - 12,000,000 shares - issued

 

   

 

 

   1,801,304 shares at October 31, 2003 and 497,536  shares at January 31, 2003 and

 

 

 

   outstanding - 1,798,071 shares at October 31, 2003 and 494,306 shares at January 31, 2003

          270,000 

   

            74,000 

 

Warrants outstanding

          849,000 

                  -   

 

Additional paid-in capital

     14,092,000 

       5,502,000 

 

Accumulated deficit

      (2,196,000)

      (1,740,000)

 

Notes receivable from stockholders

                  -   

   

            (6,000)

 

Treasury stock, at cost

           (33,000)

           (33,000)

 

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

     12,982,000 

       3,797,000 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 $   18,040,000 

 $    4,635,000 

  

2


  

ARGAN, INC

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

Nine months ended

 

 

 

October 31,

October 31,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

2003

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 $    3,734,000 

 $               -   

 $    4,298,000 

 $            -   

Cost of goods sold

       2,779,000 

                  -   

       3,243,000 

               -   

Gross profit

          955,000 

                  -   

       1,055,000 

               -   

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

          690,000 

           48,000 

          992,000 

       148,000 

Operating (loss) income

          265,000 

          (48,000)

           63,000 

      (148,000)

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

          (27,000)

                  -   

          (31,000)

               -   

Other income 

           19,000 

                  -   

           46,000 

               -   

 

 

 

 

     Pretax income (loss) from continuing operations

          257,000 

          (48,000)

           78,000 

      (148,000)

Income tax benefit

          (40,000)

                  -   

          (40,000)

               -   

Income (loss) from continuing operations

297,000 

(48,000)

118,000 

(148,000)

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income 

 

 

 

tax  provision of $ 506,000, $ 4,000, $751,000

(351,000)

122,000 

(574,000)

448,000 

and $ 18,000, respectively

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 $        (54,000)

 $        74,000 

 $      (456,000)

 $    300,000 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

   

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

 $            0.17 

 $           (0.10)

 $            0.09 

 $        (0.30)

Basic earnings per share from discontinued operations

 $           (0.20)

 $            0.25 

 $           (0.42)

 $         0.91 

Basic net income (loss) per common share

 $           (0.03)

 $            0.15 

 $           (0.33)

 $         0.61 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

 $            0.16 

 $           (0.10)

 $            0.09 

 $        (0.30)

Diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations

 $           (0.19)

 $            0.25 

 $           (0.42)

 $         0.91 

Diluted net income (loss) per common share

 $           (0.03)

 $            0.15 

 $           (0.33)

 $         0.61 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares:

 

 

 

 

Basic

       1,798,000 

         494,000 

       1,373,000 

       494,000 

Diluted

       1,801,000 

         494,000 

       1,376,000 

       494,000 

 

 

 

 

  

  

3


ARGAN, INC

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

  Nine Months Ended
October 31,
 

2003

 

2002

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

Net (loss) income 

($456,000)

$300,000 

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash

(used in) provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

          194,000 

                 -   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

         (102,000)

                 -   

Estimated earnings in excess of billings

         (897,000)

                 -   

Deferred income taxes

          (40,000)

                 -   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

          (72,000)

          (19,000)

Accounts payable & accrued expenses

          595,000 

                 -   

Billings in excess of earnings

           15,000 

                 -   

Non-cash charges and working capital changes of discontinued operations

          677,000 

          (72,000)

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

          (86,000)

         209,000 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

Net purchase of Southern Maryland Cable, Inc.

      (3,705,000)

                 -   

 

Funds escrowed from acquisition

         (260,000)

 

Proceeds from sale of subsidiary, net of escrow funds held

       3,200,000 

Purchases of property and equipment

         (233,000)

                 -   

Investing activities of discontinued operations

          (88,000)

        (160,000)

Net cash used in investing activities

      (1,086,000)

        (160,000)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

Proceeds from private placement of common stock, net of offering costs

       9,634,000 

                 -  

 

Proceeds from long-term debt facility

       1,200,000 

 

Principal payments on credit lines

         (964,000)

 

Financing activities of discontinued operations

         (180,000)

          (49,000)

Net cash provided by / (used for)  financing activities

       9,690,000 

          (49,000)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

-

NET INCREASE  IN CASH

       8,518,000 

                 - 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 $    8,518,000 

   

 - 

  

 

4


 

ARGAN, INC

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)

(Unaudited)

2003

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and 

 

 

 

financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Issuance of warrants

 

$849,000 

 

Acquisition of Businesses: 

 

 

Fair value of net assets acquired

 

Accounts receivable

$1,590,000 

Other current assets

101,000 

Property and equipment

1,664,000 

Other non-current assets

6,000 

Total non-cash assets

3,361,000 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

775,000 

Short-term borrowings and current maturities of debt

427,000 

Other current liabilities

555,000 

Other non-current liabilities

2,179,000 

Long-term debt

544,000 

4,480,000 

Net non-cash assets acquired

(1,119,000)

Cash, cash equivalents and escrow funds

334,000 

Fair value of net assets acquired 

(785,000)

Excess of costs over fair value of net assets acquired

4,490,000 

Purchase price

$3,705,000 

 

Cash paid

$4,039,000 

Cash, cash equivalents and escrow funds acquired 

(334,000)

Purchase Price   

$3,705,000 

5


ARGAN, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

NOTE 1- ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

SALE OF SUBSIDIARY

Prior to October, 2003, Argan, Inc. (AI or the Company), operated under the name “Puroflow Incorporated”. On October 23, 2003 the shareholders of the Company approved a plan whereby the Company became a holding company and its operating assets and liabilities were assigned to a wholly owned operating subsidiary. Accordingly, the Company transferred substantially all of its Puroflow Incorporated operating assets and liabilities to a newly-formed, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and the Company changed its name to “Argan, Inc.”.The subsidiary then adopted the name “Puroflow Incorporated” (PI). The Company’s other wholly owned operating subsidiary is Southern Maryland Cable, Inc. (SMC) which it acquired in July, 2003. (See note 3 for details.)

On October 31, 2003, the Company completed the sale of PI to Western Filter Corporation (WFC) for approximately $3.5 million in cash of which $300,000 is being held in escrow for one year to indemnify WFC from any damages resulting from the breach of representations and warranties under the Stock Purchase Agreement.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of October 31, 2003 and the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended October 31, 2003 and 2002 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements contain all adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, considered necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of October 31, 2003 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the periods presented. The Company prepares its interim financial information using the same accounting principles as it does for its annual financial statements.

These financial statements do not include all disclosures associated with annual financial statements and, accordingly, should be read in conjunction with the footnotes contained in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended January 31, 2003, together with the auditors’ report, included in the Company’s Annual Report contained in Form 10-KSB, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for any other interim period or for a full fiscal year.

NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Cash and equivalents – Cash and equivalents include cash balances on deposit in banks, overnight investments in mutual funds, and other financial instruments having an original maturity of three months or less. For purposes of the condensed consolidated financial statements of cash flow, the Company considers these amounts to be cash equivalents.

Revenue recognition – Revenues on unit-price contracts are recognized when the related service is provided to the customer. Revenues on fixed price contracts are recognized using an efforts expended method. “Estimated earnings in excess of billings”, which aggregated $1,074,000 at October 31, 2003, represents revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed.

 

6


 

Cost Recognition – Direct contract costs includes all direct material, labor, subcontractor costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as equipment, supplies and tools where a reasonable allocation of such costs to contracts can be made. Selling, general and administrative costs are charged to expense when incurred. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are recognized in the period in which losses are determined. At October 31, 2003, the Company did not have uncompleted contracts for which it anticipated a loss.

Trucks, Machinery and Equipment – Trucks, machinery and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided principally using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are generally from three to seven years.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets – In June 2001, FASB issued SFAS No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, which supersedes APB Opinion No.17, “Intangible Assets”. SFAS No. 142 establishes new standards for goodwill and other intangible assets acquired in a business combination, eliminates amortization of goodwill, and sets forth methods to periodically evaluate goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment. The Company adopted SFAS No. 142 during the year ended January 31, 2003. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, the Company will conduct on at least an annual basis a review of its intangible assets to determine whether their carrying value exceeds their fair market value. Should this be the case, a detailed analysis will be performed to determine if the goodwill and other intangible assets are impaired.

Segment Information – SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments in interim financial reports issued to stockholders. It also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services and geographic areas. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and assessing performance.

After the disposition of PI, the Company's operates in one reportable segment. The Company conducts its telecom infrastructure services operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, SMC, which it acquired in July, 2003. The Company provides telecommunications and other infrastructure services, including project management, construction and maintenance through SMC for the Federal Government, telecommunications and broadband service providers as well as electric utilities. Senior management evaluates SMC’s performance and makes decisions with respect to capital resource allocations and business strategies using enterprise level information.

Income Taxes- The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return. Deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of its assets and liabilities.

Seasonality - The Company's telecom infrastructure services operations are expected to have seasonally weaker results in the first and fourth quarters of the year, and may produce stronger results in the second and third quarters. This seasonality is primarily due to the effect of winter weather on outside plant activities as well as reduced daylight hours and customer budgetary constraints. Certain customers tend to complete budgeted capital expenditures before the end of the year, and postpone additional expenditures until the subsequent fiscal period.

Stock Issued to Employees -The Company follows Accounting Principles Board Opinion 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, to account for stock option plans, which generally does not require income statement recognition of options granted at the market price on the date of issuance.

7


 

The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share as if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.

  For the three months
ended
October 31, 2003
For the nine months
ended
October 31, 2003
 
 
     
Net Loss:  $ (54,000) $ (456,000)
     
Less: Stock-based employee    
     compensation cost included    
     in the determination of net loss    
     as reported if the fair value    
     method had been applied ------ ------
     
Pro forma stock based    

     compensation expense

46,000 138,000
 

     
Pro forma net loss $ (100,000) $ (594,000)
 

Basic earnings per share:    
     
     As reported $.(03) $.(33)
     
     Pro forma $.(06) $.(43)

Prior to the nine months ended October 31, 2003, stock options issued did not have a material effect on the Company’s pro forma net income and earnings per share.

NOTE 3- ACQUISITION OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND CABLE, INC.

The Company is actively pursuing acquisitions in the telecom infrastructure services industry. On July 17, 2003, the Company acquired all of the common stock of Southern Maryland Cable, Inc. (“SMC”), a provider of telecommunications and other infrastructure services including project management, construction and maintenance to the Federal Government, telecommunications and broadband service providers as well as electric utilities. The Company’s purchase of SMC was focused on acquiring long-standing customer relationships and the well established reputation in a strategic geographic area, which supported the premium paid over the fair value of the tangible assets.

The results of operations of the acquired company are included in the consolidated results of the Company from July 17, 2003, the date of the acquisition. The estimated purchase price was approximately $4 million in cash, plus the assumption of approximately $971,000 in debt. The purchase price is also based on SMC achieving a pro forma net worth of $950,000 as of the July 17, 2003 acquisition date. Funds aggregating $260,000 have been held in escrow and classified as a current asset. If SMC does not have the minimum pro forma net worth, the purchase price will be reduced by amount of the shortfall. The Company leases the SMC headquarters at an annual rent of $72,000 from the former owners. The lease term is through January, 2006.

8


 

The Company accounted for the acquisition of SMC using the purchase method of accounting whereby the excess of cost over the net amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed is allocated to goodwill and intangible assets based on their estimated fair values. Such intangible assets include $2,662,000 and $1,133,000 allocated to Contractual Customer Relationships (“CCR”) and Trade Name, respectively, and $695,000 to Goodwill. The Company is amortizing the CCR over seven years. Amortization expense for the three months ended October 31, 2003 was approximately $100,000. As of October 31, 2003, accumulated amortization was $106,000. The Trade Name was determined to have an indefinite useful life and is not being amortized.

The following unaudited pro forma statements of operations summarizes the results of operations for the nine months ended October 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, as if the acquisition of SMC had been completed on February 1, 2002. The unaudited pro forma statements of operations do not include the operating results of PI which have been reflected as discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The unaudited pro forma statements of operations do not purport to be indicative of the results that would have actually been obtained if the aforementioned acquisition had occurred on February 1, 2002, or that may be obtained in the future.

  Nine Months Ended
  October 31,
   Pro Forma Statement of Operations  

2003

   

2002

   
   
   Net sales $ 8,574,000   $ 6,504,000
   Cost of goods sold   6,543,000     5,072,000
   
   
   Gross profit   2,031,000     1,432,000
Selling general and              
      administrative expenses   1,799,000     1,425,000
   
   
         Operating income from              
               continuing operations   232,000       7,000
Other expense     ------     (53,000)
     
   
Pretax income (loss) from continuing operations   232,000     (46,000)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes     93,000     (18,000)
     
   
               
Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 139,000     ($ 28,000)
 

   

Loss per share              
            - basic   $ .08     $ (0.02)
            - diluted   $ .08     $ (0.02)
Weighted average shares              
   Outstanding              
                  - basic   1,798,000     1,798,000
                  - diluted   1,801,000     1,798,000

 

9


NOTE 4 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On October 31, 2003, AI, as part of its plan to reallocate its capital to its acquisition program, sold PI to WFC. The sales price of approximately $3,500,000 was satisfied in cash of which $300,000 is being held in escrow for one year to indemnify WFC from any damages resulting from a breach of representation and warranties under the Stock Purchase Agreement. AI recognized a gain on sale of approximately $167,000, net of income taxes of $506,000. The Company utilized net operating losses to offset the gain on sale and thus, has no current tax liability. The $506,000 is the amount of the deferred tax assets related to the PI which has been sold. In accordance with SFAS No. 144 “Accounting for the impairment or disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, the Company classified the operating results of PI as discontinued operations in the accompanying statements of operations.

The results of the discontinued operations are as follows for the nine months ended October 31,

     

2003    

 

2002    

 
Net sales   $ 5,050,000   $ 4,999,000  
Cost of goods sold     3,834,000     3,233,000  
     
   
 
Gross profit     1,216,000     1,766,000  
Selling, general and administrative expenses   1,701,000     1 335,000  
   
   
 
Operating income (loss) from discontinued              
               operations     (485,000)     431,000  
Other income (expense)                
      Other income       ------     57,000  
       
       
      Interest expense       (11,000)     (22,000)  
       
   
 
Pretax income (loss) from discontinued operations   (496,000)     466,000  
         Income tax expense       245,000     18,000  
       
   
 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations     (741,000)     448,000  
Net gain on disposal of discontinued operations,            
            net of income tax expense of $506,000       167,000     ------  
       
   
 
Net loss from discontinued operations   $ (574,000)   $ 448,000  
   

   
 

10


 

The results of the discontinued operations are as follows for the three months ended October 31,

     

2003    

 

2002    

 
Net sales   $ 1,447,000   $ 1,642,000  
Cost of goods sold     1,317,000     1,051,000  
     
   
 
Gross profit       130,000     591,000  
Selling, general and administrative expenses     645,000     460,000  
     
   
 
Operating income (loss) from discontinued              
            operations       (515,000)     131,000  
Other income (expense)                
      Other income       ------     2,000  
       
   
 
      Interest expense       ( 3,000)     (7,000)  
       
   
 
Pretax income (loss) from discontinued operations   (518,000)     126,000  
         Income tax expense       ------     4,000  
       
   
 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations     (518,000)     122,000  
Net gain on disposal of discontinued operations,            
            net of income tax expense of $506,000       167,000     ------  
       
   
 
Net loss from discontinued operations   $ (351,000)   $ 122,000  
   

   
 

11


Company had assets and liabilities held for sale are comprised of the following

 
    2003        
CURRENT ASSETS OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS      
      Cash   $ 265,000  
      Accounts receivable     1,160,000  
      Deferred tax benefit, current     145,000  
      Inventories     1,655,000  
      Prepaid expenses and deposits     97,000  
     
 
         
               TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS     3,322,000  
     
 
NONCURRENT ASSETS OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS        
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT        
         Leasehold improvements     291,000  
         Machinery and equipment     3,706,000  
         Tooling and dies     401,000  
     
 
      4,398,000  
         Less accumulated depreciation        
            and amortization     3,730,000  
     
 
         
NET PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT     668,000  
     
 
         
DEFERRED TAX BENEFIT     590,000  
OTHER ASSETS     30,000  
     
 
      1,288,000  
     
 
         
ASSETS HELD FOR SALE   $ 4,610,000  
     
 
         
CURRENT LIABILITIES OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS        
   Line of credit,   $ 120,000  
   Notes payable, current,     62,000  
   Current portion of capital lease     7,000  
   Accounts payable     327,000  
   Accrued expenses     177,000  
     
 
         
      693,000  
     
 
         
LONG TERM LIABILITIES OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS     145,000  
     
 
         
LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE   $ 838,000  
     
 

12


NOTE 5 - EARNINGS PER SHARE:

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing income (loss) from continuing operations, income (loss) from discontinued operations and net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing income (loss) from continuing operations, income (loss) from discontinued operations and net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares and all dilutive securities. Outstanding stock options were anti-dilutive during the three and nine months ended October 31, 2002 due to the Company’s net loss position.

       

Nine Months Ended
October 31, 2003

   
               
               
Basic:       Shares   Per Share  
Income from                
   continuing operations $ 118,000   1,373,000   $ .09  
Loss from                
   discontinued operations (574,000)   1,373,000   (.42)  
 
 
 
 
Net loss $            (456,000)   1,373,000   $              (.33)  
 
     
 
                 
Diluted:                
Income from                
   continuing operations $ 118,000   1,376,000

(1)

$ .09  
       
       
Loss from                
   discontinued operations   (574,000)   1,376,000     (.42)  
 

 
 

 
Net loss $ (456,000)   1,376,000   $ (.33)  
 

 
 

 
                 
(1) Includes 3,000 shares for the dilutive impact for outstanding stock options.    
                 
          Three Months Ended          
          October 31, 2003          
                     
Basic:         Shares   Per Share  
Income from                    
   continuing operations   $              297,000   1,798,000   $   .17  
       
         
Loss from                    
   discontinued operations   (351,000)   1,798,000     (.20)  
   
 
 

 
Net loss   $ (54,000)   1,798,000   $ (.03)  
   

 
 

 
                     
Diluted:                    
Income from                    
   continuing operations   $ 297,000   1,801,000

(1)

$   .16  
         
         
Loss from                    
   discontinued operations     (351,000)   1,801,000       (.19)  
   

 
 


 
Net loss   $ (54,000)   1,801,000       $(.03)  
   

 
 


 

(1) Includes 3,000 shares for the dilutive impact of stock options.

13


 

 

NOTE 6 – PRIVATE OFFERING OF COMMON STOCK

On April 29, 2003, the Company completed a private offering of approximately 1,304,000 shares of common stock at a price of $7.75 per share. The proceeds of approximately $10,106,000 were reduced by offering costs of $472,000. A portion of the net proceeds of the private placement was used in the acquisition of SMC. The remaining net proceeds will be used for acquisitions in growth-oriented industries and for working capital. The private offering was approved by shareholder vote on April 15, 2003.

In connection with consummation of the private offering, the Company granted warrants to purchase an aggregate of 230,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a strike price of $7.75 per share. The warrants have an estimated value of $849,000, are fully vested and have been recorded as a reduction of the proceeds from the offering.

NOTE 7 – DEBT

In August, 2003, the Company entered into a financing arrangement with Bank of America (“ Bank”) aggregating $2,950,000 in available financing in two tranches – a revolving line of credit with $1,750,000 in availability, expiring July 31, 2004 and bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.75%, and a three year term note with an original outstanding balance of $1,200,000, expiring July 31, 2006 and bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.95%. The proceeds from the term note were used to payoff the SMC lines of credit and for working capital. As of October 31, 2003 the Company had $1,100,000 outstanding under the term note. AI has not drawn on the revolving line of credit. The financing arrangement contains financial as well as nonfinancial covenants including the ratios of debt to pro forma earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of 2.5 to 1, liabilities to tangible net worth of 1.5 to 1, fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.25 to 1, as well as requirements for bank consent for acquisitions and divestitures. At October 31, 2003, the Company was not in compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio and received a waiver from the Bank with respect to the breach of the covenant. The Company is in discussions with the Bank to either adjust the ratio or to establish a new financial measurement. Subsequent to October 31, 2003, because of the disposition of PI, the Company deposited $300,000 as additional collateral in a restricted cash account with the Bank.

14


 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION

This Form 10-QSB contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance, including statements relating to our products, customers, suppliers, business prospects, financings, investments and effects of acquisitions. In some cases, forward looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “ intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “potential,” or “continue,” the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including preliminary information; the effects of future acquisitions and/or investments; competitive factors; business and economic conditions generally; changes in government regulations and policies, our dependence upon third-party suppliers; continued acceptance of our products in the marketplace; technological changes; and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement.

Prior to October, 2003, Argan, Inc. (AI or Company), operated under the name “Puroflow Incorporated”. On October 23, 2003, the shareholders of the Company approved a plan whereby the Company became a holding company and its operating assets and liabilities were assigned to a wholly owned operating subsidiary. Accordingly, the Company transferred substantially all of its Puroflow Incorporated operating assets and liabilities to a newly-formed, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and the Company changed its name to “Argan, Inc.”. The subsidiary then adopted the name “Puroflow Incorporated” (PI). Prior to the disposition of PI described below, the Company’s other wholly owned operating subsidiary was Southern Maryland Cable, Inc. (SMC) which it acquired in July, 2003.

On October 31, 2003, AI, as part of its plan to reallocate its capital to its acquisition program, sold PI to WFC. The sales price of approximately $3,500,000 was received in cash of which $300,000 is being held in escrow for one year to indemnify WFC from any damages resulting from a breach of representation and warranties under the Stock Purchase Agreement. AI recognized a gain of $167,000, net of income taxes of $506,000. The Company utilized net operating losses to offset the gain on sale and thus, has no current tax liability. The $506,000 is the amount of the deferred tax assets related to the PI which has been sold In accordance with SFAS No. 144 “Accounting for the impairment or disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, the Company classified the operating results of PI as discontinued operations in the accompanying statements of operations.

The results of the discontinued operations are as follows for the nine months ended October 31,

15


 
        2003         2002      
Net sales       $ 5,050,000   $ 4,999,000  
Cost of goods sold         3,834,000     3,233,000  
         
   
 
Gross profit         1,216,000     1,766,000  
Selling, general and administrative expenses       1,701,000     1,335,000  
       
   
 
Operating income (loss) from discontinued                  
               operations         (485,000)     431,000  
Other income (expense)                    
      Other income         ------       57,000  
         
   

 
      Interest expense         (11,000)       (22,000)  
         
   

 
Pretax income (loss) from discontinued operations     (496,000)       466,000  
         Income tax expense         245,000       18,000  
         
   

 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations       (741,000)       448,000  
Net gain on disposal of discontinued operations,                
            net of income tax expense of $506,000         167,000       ------  
         
   

 
Net loss from discontinued operations     $ (574,000)   $   448,000  
       
   

 

The results of the discontinued operations are as follows for the three months ended October 31,

      2003       2002      
             
Net sales   $ 1,447,000   $ 1,642,000  
Cost of goods sold     1,317,000     1,051,000  
     
   
 
Gross profit       130,000     591,000  
Selling, general and administrative expenses     645,000     460,000  
   

   
 
Operating income (loss) from discontinued                
            operations       (515,000)     131,000  
Other income (expense)                  
      Other income       ------       2,000  
     

         
      Interest expense       ( 3,000)       (7,000)  
     

   

 
Pretax income (loss) from discontinued operations   (518,000)       126,000  
         Income tax expense       ------       4,000  
     

   

 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations     (518,000)       122,000  
Net gain on disposal of discontinued operations,              
            net of income tax expense of $506,000       167,000       ------  
     

   

 
                   
Net loss from discontinued operations   $ (351,000)     $ 122,000  
   

   

 

The aggregate loss from discontinued operations for the nine and three months ended October 31, 2003, respectively, was $574,000 and $351,000. The loss was due to the rapid softening of sales to PI’s traditional customer base.

 16


 

The Company is actively pursuing acquisitions in the telecom infrastructure services industry. On July 17, 2003, the Company acquired all of the common stock of Southern Maryland Cable, Inc. (“SMC”), a provider of telecommunications and other infrastructure services including project management, construction and maintenance to the Federal Government, telecommunications and broadband service providers as well as electric utilities. The Company’s purchase of SMC was focused on acquiring long-standing customer relationships and well established reputation in a strategic geographic area, which supported the premium paid over the fair value of the tangible assets.

The results of operations of the acquired company are included in the consolidated results of the Company from July 17, 2003, the date of the acquisition. The estimated purchase price was approximately $4 million in cash, plus the assumption of approximately $971,000 in debt. The purchase price is also based on SMC achieving a pro forma net worth of $950,000 as of the July 17, 2003 acquisition date. Funds aggregating $260,000 have been held in escrow and classified as a current asset. If SMC does not have the minimum pro forma net worth, the purchase price will be reduced by amount of the shortfall. The Company leases the SMC headquarters at an annual rent of $72,000 from the former owners. The lease term is through January, 2006.

The Company accounted for the acquisition of SMC using the purchase method of accounting whereby the excess of cost over the net amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed is allocated to goodwill and intangible assets based on their estimated fair values. Such intangible assets include $2,662,000 and $1,133,000 allocated to Contractual Customer Relationships (“CCR”) and Trade Name, respectively, and $695,000 to Goodwill. The Company is amortizing the CCR over seven years. Amortization expense for the three months ended October 31, 2003 was approximately $100,000. As of October 31, 2003, accumulated amortization was $106,000. The Trade Name was determined to have an indefinite useful life and is not being amortized.

The Company conducts its telecom services operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, SMC. The Company provides telecommunications infrastructure services including project management, construction and maintenance through SMC for the Federal Government, telecommunications and broadband service providers as well as electric utilities.

On September 2, 2003, the Company entered into a letter of intent with Dinsmore Communications Corp. (DCC) to acquire all of the common stock of DCC. The consummation of the transaction was contingent upon the completion of the Company's due diligence, the signing of a definitive purchase and sale agreement, approval of both companies' boards of directors and other conditions. At present, the Company does not believe the transaction contemplated in the letter of intent will be consummated.

Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended October 31, 2003 Compared to the Nine Months ended October 31, 2002

The following unaudited pro forma statements of operations summarizes the results of operations for the nine months ended October 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, as if the acquisition of SMC had been completed on February 1, 2002. The unaudited pro forma statements of operations do not include the operating results of PI which have been reflected as discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (See Note 4). The unaudited statements of operations do not purport to be indicative of the results that would have actually been obtained if the aforementioned acquisition had occurred on February 1, 2002, or that may be obtained in the future.

 

17


 
 

Nine Months Ended
October 31,

 
             
Pro Forma Statement of Operations   2003          2002       
             
   Net sales $ 8,574,000   $ 6,504,000  
   Cost of goods sold   6,543,000     5,072,000  
 

   
 
   Gross profit 2,031,000     1,432,000  
Selling general and                
      administrative expenses 1,799,000     1,425,000  
 
   
 
         Operating income from                
               continuing operations   232,000       7,000  
                 
Other expense   ------     (53,000)  
 

   
 
Pretax income (loss) from continuing operations 232,000     (46,000)  
Provision for income taxes (benefit)     93,000     (18,000)  
 


   
 
Net income (loss) from continuing operations $   139,000   ($   28,000)  
 


   

 
Earnings (Loss) per share                
            - basic $   .08   $   (0.02)  
            - diluted $   .08   $   (0.02)  
Weighted average shares                
   Outstanding                
                  -basic 1,798,000     1,798,000  
                  - diluted 1,801,000     1,798,000  

We have restated our previously issued financial statements to reflect, as discontinued operations, the disposition of our wholly owned subsidiary, PI. Because of the reclassification of PI as a discontinued operation, we are required to retroactively restate our financial statements for the nine months ended October 31, 2003 and 2002.

As disclosed above, we acquired SMC on July 17, 2003. Because of the sale of PI, substantially all of the Company’s historical business has been reclassified as discontinued operations. As a consequence, the Company has compared the pro forma operations of AI for the nine months ended October 31, 2003 to October 31, 2002 as presented above.

 18


 

Pro forma net sales

AI through its wholly owned subsidiary, SMC, had pro forma net sales of $8,574,000 for the nine months ended October 31, 2003 compared to pro forma net sales of $6,504,000 for the nine months ended October 31, 2002. The increase in pro forma net sales of $2,070,000 or 32% is due primarily to the increase in volume of infrastructure services provided to SMC’s customers under fixed-priced contracts.

Pro forma gross margin

For the nine months ended October 31, 2003, pro forma gross margin was $2,031,000 or 24% of pro forma net sales compared to $1,432,000 or 22% of pro forma net sales for the nine months ended October 31, 2002. Improved pro forma gross margin percent is due to efficencies of scale realized as the Company’s volume and number of fixed-priced contracts increased during the nine months ended October 31, 2003.

Pro forma selling general and administrative expenses

Pro forma selling, general and administrative expenses were $1,799,000 or 21% of pro forma net sales for the nine months ended October 31, 2003 compared to $1,425,000 or 22% of pro forma net sales for the nine months ended October 31, 2002 an increase of $374,000. General and administrative expenses incurred for general corporate expenses and for the new corporate management team whose efforts are focused on expansion into infrastructure services aggregated $482,000 for the nine months ended October 31, 2003 compared to $148,000 in corporate costs for the nine months ended October 31, 2002.

Pro forma operating income from continuing operations

Pro forma operating income from continuing operations was $232,000 for the nine months ended October 31, 2003 compared to $7,000 for the nine months ended October 31, 2002. The increase in operating income from continuing operations is due to the improving margins as the Company increased net sales.

Income Taxes

The Company recorded an income benefit of $40,000 for the nine months ended October 31, 2003 as compared to no provision for the nine months ended October 31, 2002. The income tax benefit was due to the acquisition of SMC. In connection with the acquisition, an intangible asset for Customer Contractual Relationships was recorded, the amortization of which is the tax benefit identified above established in purchase accounting. The Company currently estimates that it will not have a current tax liability for the year ended January 31, 2004.

 

19


 

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended October 31, 2003 Compared to the Three Months Ended October 31, 2002

The following unaudited pro forma statements of operations summarizes the results of operations for the three months ended October 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, as if the acquisition of SMC had been completed on February 1, 2002. The unaudited pro forma statements of operations do not include the operating results of PI which has been reflected as discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The unaudited statements of operations do not purport to be indicative of the results that would have actually been obtained if the aforementioned acquisition had occurred on February 1, 2002, or that may be obtained in the future.

 
 

Three Months Ended
October 31,

 
Pro Forma Statement of Operations 2003       2002      
         
         
Net sales $           3,734,000   $         2,434,000  
Cost of goods sold 2,779,000   1,876,000  
 
 
 
   Gross profit 955,000   558,000  
Selling general and            
      administrative expenses 690,000   476,000  
 
 
 
            Operating income from            
                  continuing operations 265,000   82,000  
             
Other expense   (8,000)     (4,000)  
   
 

 
         Pretax loss from continuing operations   257,000     78,000  
Provision for income taxes (benefit)   (40,000)   31,000  
 

 
 
             
Net income from continuing operations $ 297,000   $ 47,000  
 

 

 
Loss per share            
               - basic $ .17   $ .03  
               - diluted $ .16   $ .03  
Weighted average shares            
   Outstanding            
                     -basic 1,798,000   1,798,000  
                     - diluted 1,801,000   1,801,000  

 20


 

The Company has restated its previously issued financial statements to reflect, as discontinued operations, the disposition of its wholly owned subsidiary, PI. Because of the reclassification of PI as a discontinued operation, the Company is required to retroactively restate our financial statements for the three months ended October 31, 2002.

As disclosed above, AI acquired SMC on July 17, 2003. Because of the sale of PI substantially all of the Company’s historical business has been reclassified as a discontinued operation. As a consequence, the Company has compared the actual operations of AI for the three months ended October 31, 2003 to the pro forma operations for the three months ended October 31, 2002 as presented above.

Pro Forma Net sales

AI through its wholly owned subsidiary, SMC, had net sales of $3,734,000 for the three months ended October 31, 2003 compared to pro forma net sales of $2,434,000 for the three months ended October 31, 2002. The increase in pro forma net sales of $1,300,000 or 53% is due to the increase in volume of infrastructure services provided to SMC’s customers under fixed-priced contracts.

Pro Forma Gross margin

For the three months ended October 31, 2003, the Company’s gross margin was $955,000 or 26% of net sales compared to $558,000 or 23% of pro forma net sales for the three months ended October 31, 2002. Improved pro forma gross margin percent is due to efficencies of scale realized as the Company’s volume and number of fixed-priced contracts increased during the nine months ended October 31, 2003.

Pro Forma Selling general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $690,000 or 18% of net sales for the three months ended October 31, 2003 compared to pro forma selling, general and administrative expenses of $476,000 or 20% of pro forma net sales for the three months ended October 31, 2002 an increase of $214,000. General and administrative expenses incurred for general corporate expenses and for the new corporate management team whose efforts are focused on expansion into infrastructure services aggregated $251,000 for the three months ended October 31, 2003 compared to $48,000 in corporate costs for the three months ended October 31, 2002.

Pro Forma Operating income from continuing operations

Operating income from continuing operations was $265,000 for the three months ended October 31, 2003 compared to $82,000 for the three months ended October 31, 2002. The positive trend in operating income from continuing operations is due to the improving margins as the Company increased net sales as well as slowed incremental increases in administrative costs which reduced the relationship of administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales.

Income Taxes

The Company recorded an income benefit of $40,000 for the three months ended October 31, 2003 as compared to no provision for the three months ended October 31, 2002. The income tax benefit was due to the acquisition of SMC. In connection with the acquisition, an intangible asset for Customer Contractual Relationships was recorded, the amortization of which is the tax benefit identified above established in purchase accounting. The Company currently estimates that it will not have a current tax liability for the year ended January 31, 2004.

21


 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At October 31, 2003 and January 31, 2003, the Company had $8,518,000 and $265,000 respectively available in cash and cash equivalents. On April 29, 2003, the Company completed a private offering of approximately 1,304,000 shares of common stock at a price of $7.75 per share. The net proceeds from the private placement aggregated approximately $9,634,000. A portion of the proceeds were used in the acquisition of SMC. The Company plans to use the remaining proceeds for acquisitions in growth-oriented industries and for working capital.

On October 31, 2003, AI sold its subsidiary, PI, to Western Filter Corporation (WFC). The sale price of approximately $3,500,000 was satisfied in cash of which $300,000 is being held in escrow for one year.

Net cash used in operations for the nine months ended October 31, 2003 was $86,000 compared with $209,000 cash provided by operations for the nine months ended October 31, 2002. The decrease in cash provided by operations is primarily due to ramping up of SMC’s revenue with the related increase in accounts receivable and estimated earnings in excess of billings.

Cash used for investing activities was $1,086,000 for the nine months ended October 31, 2003 compared to $160,000 from the discontinued operations for the nine months ended October 31, 2002. Cash used for investing activities for the nine months ended October 31, 2003 consisted of approximately $3,705,000 used in the acquisition of SMC and approximately $3,500,000 in proceeds from the sale of PI, net of $300,000 held in escrow.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $9,690,000 for the nine months ended October 31, 2003 compared to net cash used for financing activities of $49,000 for the same period one year ago for the discontinued operation. The increase is due to the aforementioned private placement and proceeds from the credit line offset by, the Company paying off $300,000 in debt, primarily bank debt of the discontinued manufacturing operation.

In August, 2003, the Company entered into a financing arrangement with Bank of America (“Bank”) aggregating $2,950,000 in available financing in two tranches – a revolving line of credit with $1,750,000 in availability, expiring July 31, 2004 and bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.75% and a three year term note with an original outstanding balance of $1,200,000, expiring July 31, 2006 and bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.95%. The proceeds from the term note were used to payoff the SMC lines of credit and for working capital. As of October 31, 2003 the Company had $1,100,000 outstanding under the term note. AI has not drawn on the revolving line of credit. The financing arrangement contains financial as well as nonfinancial covenants including the ratios of debt to pro forma earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of 2.5 to 1, liabilities to tangible net worth of 1.5 to 1, fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.25 to 1 as well as requirements for bank consent for acquisitions and divestitures. At October 31, 2003, the Company was not in compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio and received a waiver from the Bank with respect to the breach of the covenant. The Company is in discussions with the Bank to either adjust the ratio or to establish a new financial measurement. Subsequent to October 31, 2003, because of the disposition of PI, the Company deposited $300,000 as additional collateral in a restricted cash account with the Bank.

22


 

With its present capital resources and cash flow from operations, the Company believes it should have sufficient resources to meet its operating needs for the next twelve months and to provide for debt maturities and capital expenditures. At October 31, 2003, the Company was in compliance, with the exception of the covenant with respect to the fixed charge coverage ratio for which the Bank granted a waiver, with all of its existing debt covenants. The Company is in discussions with the Bank to adjust or change the financial measurement.

Seasonality

The Company's telecom infrastructure services operations are expected to have seasonally weaker results in the first and fourth quarters of the year, and may produce stronger results in the second and third quarters. This seasonality is primarily due to the effect of winter weather on outside plant activities as well as reduced daylight hours and customer budgetary constraints. Certain customers tend to complete budgeted capital expenditures before the end of the year, and postpone additional expenditures until the subsequent fiscal period.

Critical Accounting Policies

Management is required to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported when we prepare financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2003 describes the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, our accounting for contingencies, allowance for doubtful accounts, valuation allowances for deferred tax assets and inventory reserves. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The following critical accounting policies are impacted significantly by judgments, assumptions, and estimates used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

Net sales are primarily derived from construction and installation of telecom and utility infrastructure for a wide range of customers. The infrastructure services revenue is recognized in accordance with contract provisions which are typically either unit-price contracts or fixed-price contracts. Revenues on unit-price contracts are recognized when the related service is provided to the customer. Revenues on fixed-price contracts are recognized using an efforts expended method, measured using contractual pricing schedules which detail unit prices for individual services performed. The asset, “Estimated earnings in excess of billings”, which aggregated $1,074,000 at October 31, 2003, represents revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed.

Long Lived Assets

The Company periodically evaluates the net realizable value of long lived assets including property and equipment, relying on a number of factors including operating results, economic projections, and anticipated cash flows. In connection with the Company’s acquisition, the excess of cost over the net amounts assigned to tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed is allocated to goodwill and discrete intangible assets recognized as separate from acquired goodwill. Such intangible assets include Contractual Customer Relationships (“CCR”) and Trade name. The Company amortizes CCR over seven years. The Company evaluates net realizable value for such intangibles on an ongoing basis for impairment.

 

23


 

Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. The approach requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Developing the Company’s provision for income taxes requires significant judgment and expertise in federal and state income tax laws, regulations and strategies, including the determination of deferred tax assets and liabilities and, if necessary, any valuation allowances that may be required for deferred tax assets.

ITEM 3. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures,as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in the Company’s periodic SEC reports. There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART ll

OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

None.

ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

24


 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

     The Company held its annual meeting of stockholders in New York, New York on October 23, 2003. The following sets forth matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders at the annual meeting:

(a) Seven members were elected to the Board of Directors, each to serve until the next annual meeting of the Company and until their respective successors have been elected and qualified. The following seven individuals were elected to the Board of Directors by the holders of common stock of the Company: Rainer H. Bosselmann, DeSoto S. Jordan, Daniel A. Levinson, W.G. Champion Mitchell, T. Kent Pugmire, James W. Quinn and Peter L. Winslow. Messrs. Bosselmann, Pugmire and Winslow were elected by a vote of 1,593,217 shares with 5,034 votes withheld. Messrs. Jordan, Levinson and Quinn were elected by a vote of 1,593,074 shares with 5,177 votes withheld. Mr. Mitchell was elected by a vote of 1,592,869 shares with 5,869 votes withheld.

(b) The stockholders elected to reorganize the Corporation into a new holding company structure through the transfer of the Corporation’s operating assets and liabilities relating to its Puroflow manufacturing business to a new wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation by a vote of 1,279,123 shares of common stock, with 5,077 shares of common stock voting against and 1,844 shares of common stock abstaining.

(c) The stockholders elected to amend the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation to change the corporate name of the Corporation from Puroflow Incorporated to Argan, Inc. by a vote of 1,583,637 shares of common stock, with 10,648 shares of common stock voting against and 3,965 shares of common stock abstaining.

(d) The stockholders elected to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors for the Corporation for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2004 by a vote of 1,587,919 shares of common stock, with 10,276 shares of common stock voting against and 55 shares of common stock abstaining.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

a) Exhibits:

Exhibit No. Title
   
   
Exhibit 10.7 Financing and Security Agreement dated as of August 19, 2003 among Puroflow Incorporated Southern Maryland Cable, Inc. and Bank of America, N.A.
   
Exhibit: 31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule
  13a-14(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
   
Exhibit: 31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule
  13a-14(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
   
Exhibit: 32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to
  18 U.S.C. Section 1350
   
Exhibit: 32.2 Certification of Chief Financial, pursuant to
  18 U.S.C. Section 1350

25


 

a) Reports on Form 8-K:

     In a Report on Form 8-K dated October 31, 2003, the Company reported under Item 2. "Acquisition or Disposition of Assets," the sale by the Company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Puroflow Incorporated to Western Filter Corporation.

     The Company reported under Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits

(b ) Pro Forma Financial Information:

Unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, and for the six months ended July 31, 2003 and unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of July 31, 2003.

(c) Exhibits:

10.01  Stock Purchase Agreement by and between Argan, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Western Filter Corporation, a California corporation, dated as of October 31, 2003.

     In a Report on Form 8-K dated October 23, 2003, the Company reported under Item. 5 Other Events the registrant assigned all of its operating assets and liabilities relating to its Puroflow manufacturing business to a wholly-owned subsidiary. In addition, immediately following the assignment, the registrant amended its Certificate of Incorporation to change its corporate name from Puroflow Incorporated to Argan, Inc., and its wholly-owned subsidiary to which the assets and liabilities were assigned amended its Certificate of Incorporation to change its corporate name to Puroflow Incorporated.

     In a Report on Form 8-K/A dated July 17, 2003, the Company reported under Item 2 "Acquisition or Disposition of Assets," the acquisition by the Company through a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Maryland Cable, Inc. (SMC) The Company also reported under Item 7, Financial Statements, Pro Forma Information and Exhibits, the following:

Financial statements of business acquired:

Audited balance sheets of SMC as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 and related statements of operations, retained earnings and cash flow for the years then ended.

Unaudited balance sheet of SMC as of June 30, 2003 and related statements of oerations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the six months then ended June 30, 2003 and June 30, 2002.

26


 

SIGNATURES

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto, duly authorized.

  ARGAN, INC.
     
December 12, 2003 By: /s/ Rainer Bosselmann
   
    Rainer Bosselmann
    Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
     
     
     
     
December 12, 2003 By: /s/ Arthur F. Trudel
   
    Arthur F. Trudel
    Chief Financial Officer

 

 

27

EX-10 3 ex10-7.htm Exhibit 10.7

FINANCING AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

THIS FINANCING AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made this 19th day of August, 2003, by and among PUROFLOW INCORPORATED, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware ("Puroflow") and SOUTHERN MARYLAND CABLE, INC., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware ("SMC") jointly and severally (each of Puroflow and SMC, a "Borrower"; Puroflow and SMC, collectively, the "Borrowers"); and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a national banking association ("Lender").

RECITALS

A.        The Borrowers have applied to the Lender for certain credit facilities consisting of (i) a revolving credit facility in the maximum principal amount of One Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,750,000) and (iii) a term loan facility in the maximum principal amount of One Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,200,000) to be used by the Borrowers for the Permitted Uses described in this Agreement.

B.         The Lender is willing to make the credit facilities available jointly and severally to the Borrowers upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

AGREEMENTS

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1              Certain Defined Terms.

As used in this Agreement, the terms defined in the Preamble and Recitals hereto shall have the respective meanings specified therein, and the following terms shall have the following meanings:

"Account" individually and "Accounts" collectively mean all presently existing or hereafter acquired or created accounts, accounts receivable, health-care insurance receivables, contract rights, notes, drafts, instruments, acceptances, chattel paper, leases and writings evidencing a monetary obligation or a security interest in, or a lease of, goods, all rights to payment of a monetary obligation or other consideration under present or future contracts (including, without limitation, all rights (whether or not earned by performance) to receive payments under presently existing or hereafter acquired or created letters of credit), or by virtue of property that has been sold, leased, licensed, assigned or otherwise disposed of, services rendered or to be rendered, loans and advances made or other considerations given, by or set forth in or arising out of any present or future chattel paper, note, draft, lease, acceptance, writing, bond, insurance policy, instrument, document or general intangible, and all extensions and renewals of any thereof, all rights under or arising out of present or future contracts, agreements or general interest in goods which gave rise to any or all of the foregoing, including all commercial tort claims, other claims or causes of action now existing or hereafter arising in connection with or under any agreement or document or by operation of law or otherwise, all collateral security of any kind (including, without limitation, real property mortgages and deeds of trust) Supporting Obligations, letter-of-credit rights and letters of credit given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing, all books and records in whatever media (paper, electronic or otherwise) recorded or stored, with respect to any or all of the foregoing and all equipment and general intangibles necessary or beneficial to retain, access and/or process the information contained in those books and records, and all Proceeds of the foregoing.


 

"Account Debtor" means any Person who is obligated on a Receivable and "Account Debtors" mean all Persons who are obligated on the Receivables.

"ACH Transactions" means any cash management or related services including the automatic clearing house transfer of funds by the Lender for the account of any of the Borrowers pursuant to agreement or overdrafts.

"Additional Borrower" means each Person that has executed and delivered an Additional Borrower Joinder Supplement that has been accepted and approved by the Lender.

"Additional Borrower Joinder Supplement" means an Additional Borrower Joinder Supplement in substantially the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT A, with the blanks appropriately completed and executed and delivered by the Additional Borrower and accepted by Puroflow on behalf of the Borrowers.

"Adjustment Date" has the meaning described in Section 8.5 (Assignments by Lender).

"Affiliate" means, with respect to any designated Person, any other Person, (a) directly or indirectly controlling, directly or indirectly controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with the Person designated, (b) directly or indirectly owning or holding ten percent (10%) or more of any equity interest in such designated Person, or (c) ten percent (10%) or more of whose stock or other equity interest is directly or indirectly owned or held by such designated Person.  For purposes of this definition, the term "control" (including with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling", "controlled by" and "under common control with") means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities or other equity interests or by contract or otherwise.

"Agreement" means this Financing and Security Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.2 (Amendments; Waivers).

"Asset Disposition" means the disposition of any or all of the Assets of any Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Borrower, whether by sale, lease, transfer or other disposition (including any such disposition effected by way of merger or consolidation) other than (a) sales of Inventory, (b) licensing of Patents, Trademarks and/or Copyrights, and (c) dispositions of worn, used, surplus or obsolete Equipment, but all only to the extent made in the ordinary course of business; provided that a disposition of Assets during any given fiscal year shall not constitute an Asset Disposition unless, until and only to the extent that the aggregate net proceeds from such disposition, when combined with all other such dispositions previously made during such fiscal year, exceeds $150,000.

 

2


 

"Assets" means at any date all assets that, in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, should be classified as assets on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries.

"Assignee" means any Person to which the Lender assigns all or any portion of its interests under this Agreement, any Commitment, and any Loan, in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.5 (Assignments by Lender), together with any and all successors and assigns of such Person; "Assignees" means the collective reference to all Assignees.

"Bankruptcy Code" means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended from time to time, and any successor Laws.

"Borrower" means each Person defined as a "Borrower" in the preamble of this Agreement and each Additional Borrower; "Borrowers" means the collective reference to all Persons defined as "Borrowers" in the preamble to this Agreement and all Additional Borrowers.

"Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in the State are authorized or required to close.

"Capital Adequacy Regulation" means any guideline, request or directive of any central bank or other Governmental Authority, or any other law, rule or regulation, whether or not having the force of law, in each case, regarding capital adequacy of any bank or of any corporation controlling a bank.

"Capital Expenditure" means an expenditure (whether payable in cash or other property or accrued as a liability) for Fixed or Capital Assets, including, without limitation, the entering into of a Capital Lease.

"Capital Lease" means with respect to any Person any lease of real or personal property, for which the related Lease Obligations have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, capitalized on the balance sheet of that Person.

"Cash Equivalents" means (a) securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States Government or any agency thereof, (b) certificates of deposit with maturities of one (1) year or less from the date of acquisition of, or money market accounts maintained with, the Lender, any Affiliate of the Lender, or any other domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000.00) or such other domestic financial institutions or domestic brokerage houses to the extent disclosed to, and approved by, the Lender and (c) commercial paper of a domestic issuer rated at least either A-1 by Standard & Poor's Corporation (or its successor) or P-1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (or its successor) with maturities of six (6) months or less from the date of acquisition.

"Chattel Paper" means a record or records (including, without limitation, electronic chattel paper) that evidence both a monetary obligation and a security interest in specific goods, a security interest in specific goods and software used in the goods, or a lease of specific goods; all Supporting Obligations with respect thereto; any returned, rejected or repossessed goods and software covered by any such record or records and all proceeds (in any form including, without limitation, accounts, contract rights, documents, chattel paper, instruments and general intangibles) of such returned, rejected or repossessed goods; and all Proceeds of the foregoing.

3


 

"Closing Date" means the Business Day, in any event not later than August ___, 2003, on which the Lender shall be satisfied that the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.1 (Conditions to Initial Advance) have been fulfilled or otherwise waived by the Lender.

"Collateral" means all property of each and every Borrower subject from time to time to the Liens of this Agreement, any of the Security Documents and/or any of the other Financing Documents, together with any and all Proceeds thereof.

"Collateral Disclosure List" has the meaning described in Section 3.3 (Collateral Disclosure List).

"Collection" means each check, draft, cash, money, instrument, item, and other remittance in payment or on account of payment of the Accounts or otherwise with respect to any Collateral, including, without limitation, cash proceeds of any returned, rejected or repossessed goods, the sale or lease of which gave rise to an Account, and other proceeds of Collateral; and "Collections" means the collective reference to all of the foregoing.

"Commitment" means the Revolving Credit Commitment or Term Loan Commitment, as the case may be, and "Commitments" means the collective reference to the Revolving Credit Commitment, the Term Loan Commitment and the commitment for any loan, letter of credit, interest rate protection, foreign exchange risk, cash management, and other Credit Facility now or hereafter provided to any of the Borrowers by the Lender whether under this Agreement or otherwise.

"Committed Amount" means the Revolving Credit Committed Amount or the Term Loan Committed Amount, as the case may be, and "Committed Amounts" means collectively the Revolving Credit Committed Amount and the Term Loan Committed Amount.

"Compliance Certificate" means a periodic Compliance Certificate described in Section 6.1.1 (Financial Statements).

"Commonly Controlled Entity" means an entity, whether or not incorporated, which is under common control with any Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Internal Revenue Code.

"Copyrights" means and includes, in each case whether now existing or hereafter arising, all of each Borrower's rights, title and interest in and to (a) all copyrights, rights and interests in copyrights, works protectable by copyright, copyright registrations, copyright applications, and all renewals of any of the foregoing, including without limitation, those set forth in Schedule 1.1 attached hereto, (b) all income, royalties, damages and payments now or hereafter due and/or payable under any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, damages or payments for past, current or future infringements of any of the foregoing, (c) the right to sue for past, present and future infringements of any of the foregoing, and (d) all rights corresponding to any of the foregoing throughout the world.

4


 

"Credit Facility" means the Revolving Credit Facility, or the Term Loan Facility, as the case may be, and "Credit Facilities" means collectively the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan Facility and any and all other credit facilities now or hereafter extended under or secured by this Agreement.

"Debt to Tangible Net Worth Ratio" means as to the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis at any date of determination thereof the ratio of (a) Liabilities to (b) Tangible Net Worth.

"Default" means an event which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, could or would constitute an Event of Default under the provisions of this Agreement.

"Documents" means all documents of title or receipts, whether now existing or hereafter acquired or created, and all Proceeds of the foregoing.

"EBITDA" means as to the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period of determination thereof, the sum of (a) the net profit (or loss) determined in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, plus (b) interest expense for such period, plus (c) income tax provisions for such period, plus (d) depreciation and amortization of assets for such period, and plus (e) $135,000 for each of the fiscal quarters ending January 31, 2003, April 30, 2003 and July 31, 2003, to the extent such periods are included in the calculation.

"Equipment" means all equipment, machinery, computers, chattels, tools, parts, machine tools, furniture, furnishings, fixtures and supplies of every nature, presently existing or hereafter acquired or created and wherever located, whether or not the same shall be deemed to be affixed to real property and all of such types of property leased by any of the Borrowers and all of the Borrowers' rights and interests with respect thereto under such leases (including, without limitation, options to purchase), together with all accessions, additions, fittings, accessories, special tools, and improvements thereto and substitutions therefore and all parts and equipment which may be attached to or which are necessary or beneficial for the operation, use and/or disposition of such personal property, all licenses, warranties, franchises and General Intangibles related thereto or necessary or beneficial for the operation, use and/or disposition of the same, together with all Accounts, Chattel Paper, Instruments and other consideration received by any Borrower on account of the sale, lease or other disposition of all or any part of the foregoing, and together with all rights under or arising out of present or future Documents and contracts relating to the foregoing and all Proceeds of the foregoing.

"Enforcement Costs" means all expenses, charges, costs and fees whatsoever (including, without limitation, reasonable outside and allocated in-house counsel attorney's fees and expenses) of any nature whatsoever paid or incurred by or on behalf of the Lender in connection with (a) the enforcement of any or all of the Obligations, this Agreement and/or any of the other Financing Documents and (b) the creation, perfection, collection, maintenance, preservation, defense, protection, realization upon, disposition, sale or enforcement of all or any part of the Collateral, this Agreement or any of the other Financing Documents, including, without limitation, those costs and expenses more specifically enumerated in Section 3.6 (Costs) and/or Section 8.10 (Enforcement Costs), and further including, without limitation, amounts paid to lessors, processors, bailees, warehousemen, sureties, judgment creditors and others in possession of or with a Lien against or claimed against the Collateral.

5


 

"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

"Event of Default" has the meaning described in ARTICLE VII (Default and Rights and Remedies).

"Facilities" means the collective reference to the loan, letter of credit, interest rate protection, foreign exchange risk, cash management, and other credit facilities now or hereafter provided to any one or more of the Borrowers by the Lender.

"Fees" means the collective reference to each fee payable to the Lender under the terms of this Agreement or under the terms of any of the other Financing Documents.

"Financing Documents" means at any time collectively this Agreement, the Notes, the Security Documents and any other instrument, agreement or document previously, simultaneously or hereafter executed and delivered by any Borrower, and/or any other Person, singly or jointly with another Person or Persons, evidencing, securing, guarantying or in connection with this Agreement, any Note, any of the Security Documents, any of the Facilities, and/or any of the Obligations.

"Fixed or Capital Assets" of a Person at any date means all assets which would, in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, be classified on the balance sheet of such Person as property, plant or equipment at such date.

"Fixed Charges" means as to the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries for any period of determination, the sum of all scheduled interest expense, the current portion of all Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, the current portion of all Capital Leases, all in accordance with GAAP.  For purposes hereof, the "current portion" shall be measured as of the date that is twelve (12) months prior to the date such covenant is being tested.

"Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means as to the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries for any period of determination thereof the ratio of (a) EBITDA, minus dividends and distributions and Capital Expenditures  to (b) Fixed Charges. 

"Funded Debt" means all Indebtedness of Borrowers in favor the Lender, including, without limitation, the outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Loan and the Term Loan, the face amount of any outstanding letters of credit and all Capital Leases.

"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America in effect from time to time.

"General Intangibles" means all general intangibles of every nature, whether presently existing or hereafter acquired or created, and without implying any limitation of the foregoing, further means all books and records, commercial tort claims, other claims (including without limitation all claims for income tax and other refunds), payment intangibles, Supporting Obligations, choses in action, claims, causes of action in tort or equity, contract rights, judgments, customer lists, software, Patents, Trademarks, licensing agreements, rights in intellectual property, goodwill (including goodwill of any Borrower's business symbolized by and associated with any and all Trademarks, trademark licenses, Copyrights and/or service marks), royalty payments, licenses, letter-of-credit rights, letters of credit, contractual rights, the right to receive refunds of unearned insurance premiums, rights as lessee under any lease of real or personal property, literary rights, Copyrights, service names, service marks, logos, trade secrets, amounts received as an award in or settlement of a suit in damages, deposit accounts, interests in joint ventures, general or limited partnerships, or limited liability companies or partnerships, rights in applications for any of the foregoing, books and records in whatever media (paper, electronic or otherwise) recorded or stored, with respect to any or all of the foregoing, all Supporting Obligations with respect to any of the foregoing, and all Equipment and General Intangibles necessary or beneficial to retain, access and/or process the information contained in those books and records, and all Proceeds of the foregoing.

6


 

"Governmental Authority" means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government and any department, agency or instrumentality thereof.

"Hazardous Materials" means (a) any "hazardous waste" as defined by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended from time to time, and regulations promulgated thereunder; (b) any "hazardous substance" as defined by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended from time to time, and regulations promulgated thereunder; (c) any substance the presence of which on any property now or hereafter owned, acquired or operated by any of the Borrowers is prohibited by any Law similar to those set forth in this definition; and (d) any other substance which by Law requires special handling in its collection, storage, treatment or disposal.

"Hazardous Materials Contamination" means the contamination (whether presently existing or occurring after the date of this Agreement) by Hazardous Materials of any property owned, operated or controlled by any of the Borrowers or for which any of the Borrowers has responsibility, including, without limitation, improvements, facilities, soil, ground water, air or other elements on, or of, any property now or hereafter owned, acquired or operated by any of the Borrowers, and any other contamination by Hazardous Materials for which any of the Borrowers is, or is claimed to be, responsible.

"Indebtedness" of a Person means at any date the total liabilities of such Person at such time determined in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.

"Indebtedness for Borrowed Money" of a Person means at any time the sum at such time of (a) Indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services, (b) any obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit, banker's or other acceptances or similar obligations issued or created for the account of such Person, (c) Lease Obligations of such Person with respect to Capital Leases, (d) all liabilities secured by any Lien on any property owned by such Person, to the extent attached to such Person's interest in such property, even though such Person has not assumed or become personally liable for the payment thereof, (e) obligations of third parties which are being guarantied or indemnified against by such Person or which are secured by the property of such Person; (f) any obligation of such Person under an employee stock ownership plan or other similar employee benefit plan; (g) any obligation of such Person or a Commonly Controlled Entity to a Multi-employer Plan; and (h) any obligations, liabilities or indebtedness, contingent or otherwise, under or in connection with, any Swap Contract; but excluding trade and other accounts payable in the ordinary course of business in accordance with customary trade terms and which are not overdue (as determined in accordance with customary trade practices) or which are being disputed in good faith by such Person and for which adequate reserves are being provided on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP.

7


 

"Indemnified Parties" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.19 (Indemnification).

"Instrument" means a negotiable instrument or any other writing which evidences a right to payment of a monetary obligation and is not itself a security agreement or lease and is of a type that in the ordinary course of business is transferred by delivery with any necessary endorsement or assignment, and all Supporting Obligations with respect to any of the foregoing and all Proceeds with respect to any of the foregoing.

"Internal Revenue Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the Income Tax Regulations issued and proposed to be issued thereunder.

"Inventory" means all goods of each Borrower and all right, title and interest of each Borrower in and to all of its now owned and hereafter acquired goods and other personal property furnished under any contract of service or intended for sale or lease, including, without limitation, all raw materials, work-in-process, finished goods and materials and supplies of any kind, nature or description which are used or consumed in any Borrower's business or are or might be used in connection with the manufacture, packing, shipping, advertising, selling or finishing of such goods and other personal property and all licenses, warranties, franchises, General Intangibles, personal property and all documents of title or documents relating to the same, together with all Accounts, Chattel Paper, Instruments and other consideration received by any Borrower on account of the sale, lease or other disposition of all or any part of the foregoing, and together with all rights under or arising out of present or future Documents and contracts relating to the foregoing and all Proceeds of the foregoing.

"Investment Property" means a security, whether certificated or uncertificated, security entitlement, securities account, commodity contract or commodity account and all Proceeds of, and Supporting Obligations with respect to, the foregoing.

"Item of Payment" means each check, draft, cash, money, instrument, item, and other remittance in payment or on account of payment of the Receivables or otherwise with respect to any Collateral, including, without limitation, cash proceeds of any returned, rejected or repossessed goods, the sale or lease of which gave rise to a Receivable, and other proceeds of Collateral; and "Items of Payment" means the collective reference to all of the foregoing.

"Laws" means all ordinances, statutes, rules, regulations, orders, injunctions, writs, or decrees of any Governmental Authority.

"Lease Obligations" of a Person means for any period the rental commitments of such Person for such period under leases for real and/or personal property (net of rent from subleases thereof, but including taxes, insurance, maintenance and similar expenses which such Person, as the lessee, is obligated to pay under the terms of said leases, except to the extent that such taxes, insurance, maintenance and similar expenses are payable by sublessees), including rental commitments under Capital Leases.

8


 

"Letter-of-credit right" means a right to payment or performance under a letter of credit, whether or not the beneficiary has demanded or is at the time entitled to demand payment or performance.

"Liabilities" means at any date all liabilities that in accordance with GAAP consistently applied should be classified as liabilities on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries.

"LIBOR Rate" shall mean a daily fluctuating rate equal to the one (1) month rate of interest (rounded upwards, if necessary to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) appearing on Telerate Page 3750 (or any successor page) as the one (1) month London interbank offered rate for deposits in U.S. Dollars at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London, time), on the second preceding business day, as adjusted from time to time in the Lender's sole discretion for then-applicable reserve requirements, deposits insurance assessment rates and other regulatory costs.  If for any reason such rate is not available, the term "LIBOR Rate" shall mean the fluctuating rate of interest equal to the one (1) month rate of interest (rounded upwards, if necessary to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) appearing on Reuters Screen LIBO Page as the one (1) month London interbank offered rate for deposits in U.S. Dollars at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London Time) on the second preceding business day, as adjusted from time to time for then-applicable reserve requirements, deposit insurance assessment rates and other regulatory costs; provided, however, if more than one rate is specified on Reuters Screen LIBO page, the applicable rate shall be the arithmetic mean of all such rates.

"Lien" means any mortgage, deed of trust, deed to secure debt, grant, pledge, security interest, assignment, encumbrance, judgment, lien, financing statement, hypothecation, provision in any instrument or other document for confession of judgment, cognovit or other similar right or other remedy, claim, charge, control over or interest of any kind in real or personal property securing any indebtedness, duties, obligations, and liabilities owed to, or claimed to be owed to, a Person, all whether perfected or unperfected, avoidable or unavoidable, based on the common law, statute or contract or otherwise, including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, and the filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction, excluding the precautionary filing of any financing statement by any lessor in a true lease transaction, by any bailor in a true bailment transaction or by any consignor in a true consignment transaction under the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction or the agreement to give any financing statement by any lessee in a true lease transaction, by any bailee in a true bailment transaction or by any consignee in a true consignment transaction.

"Loan" means each of the Revolving Loan or the Term Loan, as the case may be, and "Loans" means the collective reference to the Revolving Loan and the Term Loan.

"Loan Notice" has the meaning described in Section 2.1.2 (Procedure for Making Advances).

"Maximum Rate" has the meaning described in Section 2.3.4 (Maximum Interest Rate).

"Multi-employer Plan" means a Plan that is a Multi-employer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

9


 

"Net Worth" means the Borrowers' consolidated shareholders' equity, defined in accordance with GAAP.

"Note" means the Revolving Credit Note or the Term Note, as the case may be, and "Notes" means collectively the Revolving Credit Note and the Term Note, and any other promissory note which may from time to time evidence all or any portion of the Obligations.

"Obligations" means all present and future indebtedness, duties, obligations, and liabilities, whether now existing or contemplated or hereafter arising, of any one or more of the Borrowers to the Lender under, arising pursuant to, in connection with and/or on account of the provisions of this Agreement, each Note, each Security Document, and/or any of the other Financing Documents, the Loans, any Swap Contract and/or any of the Facilities including, without limitation, the principal of, and interest on, each Note, late charges, the Fees, Enforcement Costs, and prepayment fees (if any), letter of credit reimbursement obligations, letter of credit fees or fees charged with respect to any guaranty of any letter of credit; also means all other present and future indebtedness, duties, obligations, and liabilities, whether now existing or contemplated or hereafter arising, of any one or more of the Borrowers to the Lender or its Affiliates of any nature whatsoever, regardless of whether such indebtedness, duties, obligations, and liabilities be direct, indirect, primary, secondary, joint, several, joint and several, fixed or contingent; and also means any and all renewals, extensions, substitutions, amendments, restatements and rearrangements of any such indebtedness, duties, obligations, and liabilities.

"Patents" means and includes, in each case whether now existing or hereafter arising, all of each Borrower's rights, title and interest in and to (a) any and all patents and patent applications, including without limitation, those set forth in Schedule 1.1 attached hereto, (b) any and all inventions and improvements described and claimed in such patents and patent applications, (c) reissues, divisions, continuations, renewals, extensions and continuations-in-part of any patents and patent applications, (d) income, royalties, damages, claims and payments now or hereafter due and/or payable under and with respect to any patents or patent applications, including, without limitation, damages and payments for past and future infringements, (e) rights to sue for past, present and future infringements of patents, and (f) all rights corresponding to any of the foregoing throughout the world.

"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

"Permitted Liens" means:  (a) Liens for Taxes which are not delinquent or which the Lender has determined in the exercise of its sole and absolute discretion (i) are being diligently contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, and such contest operates to suspend collection of the contested Taxes and enforcement of a Lien, (ii) the respective Borrower has the financial ability to pay, with all penalties and interest, at all times without materially and adversely affecting such Borrower, and (iii) are not, and will not be with appropriate filing, the giving of notice and/or the passage of time, entitled to priority over any Lien of the Lender; (b) deposits or pledges to secure obligations under workers' compensation, social security or similar laws, or under unemployment insurance in the ordinary course of business; (c) Liens securing the Obligations; (d) judgment Liens to the extent the entry of such judgment does not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under the terms of this Agreement or result in the sale or levy of, or execution on, any of the Collateral; (e) purchase money security interests in machinery and equipment securing Indebtedness not in excess of $50,000 in the aggregate per each calendar year; and (f) such other Liens, if any, as are set forth on Schedule 4.1.20 attached hereto and made a part hereof.

10


 

"Permitted Uses" means (a) with respect to the Term Loan  to refinance certain existing Indebtedness of the Borrowers and (b) with respect to the Revolving Loan, the payment of expenses incurred in the ordinary course of any Borrower's business.

"Person" means and includes an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a joint venture, a limited liability company or partnership, a trust, an unincorporated association, a Governmental Authority, or any other organization or entity.

"Plan" means any pension plan that is covered by Title IV of ERISA and in respect of which any Borrower or a Commonly Controlled Entity is an "employer" as defined in Section 3 of ERISA.

"Post-Default Rate" means with respect to all Obligations, the LIBOR Rate in effect from time to time, plus four percent (4.0%) per annum.

"Prepayment" means a Revolving Loan Optional Prepayment or a Term Loan Optional Prepayment, as the case may be, and "Prepayments" mean collectively all, Revolving Loan Optional Prepayments and Term Loan Optional Prepayments.

"Proceeds" has the meaning described in the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.

"Purchase Agreement" means that certain agreement and plan of merger dated July 17, 2003 by and among the Borrowers, Southern Maryland Cable, Inc. and the Seller.

"Purchase Agreement Documents" means collectively the Purchase Agreement and any and all other agreements, documents or instruments (together with any and all amendments, modifications, and supplements thereto, restatements thereof, and substitutes therefore) previously, now or hereafter executed and delivered by any or all of the Borrowers, the Seller, or any other Person in connection with the Purchase Agreement Transaction.

"Purchase Agreement Transaction" means the stock purchase agreement and merger transaction contemplated by the provisions of the Purchase Agreement.

"Receivable" means one of each Borrower's now owned and hereafter owned, acquired or created Accounts, Chattel Paper, General Intangibles and Instruments; and "Receivables" means all of each Borrower's now or hereafter owned, acquired or created Accounts, Chattel Paper, General Intangibles and Instruments, and all Proceeds thereof.

"Registered Organization" means an organization organized solely under the law of a single state or the United States and as to which the state or the United States must maintain a public record showing the organization to have been organized.

"Reportable Event" means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations thereunder.

11


 

"Responsible Officer" means for Puroflow, Rainer Bosselmann, President, Haywood Miller, Executive Vice President, Art Trudel, Senior Vice President and CFO and for SMC, Haywood Miller, Vice President and Secretary and Art Trudel, Vice President and Treasurer.

"Revolving Credit Commitment" means the agreement of the Lender relating to the making of the Revolving Loan and advances thereunder subject to and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

"Revolving Credit Commitment Period" means the period of time from the Closing Date to the Business Day preceding the Revolving Credit Termination Date.

"Revolving Credit Committed Amount" has the meaning described in Section 2.1.1 (Revolving Credit Facility).

"Revolving Credit Expiration Date" means July 31, 2004.

"Revolving Credit Facility" means the facility established by the Lender pursuant to Section 2.1 (Revolving Credit Facility).

"Revolving Credit Note" has the meaning described in Section 2.1.3 (Revolving Credit Note).

"Revolving Credit Termination Date" means the earlier of (a) the Revolving Credit Expiration Date, or (b) the date on which the Revolving Credit Commitment is terminated pursuant to Section 7.2 (Remedies) or otherwise.

"Revolving Credit Unused Line Fee" and "Revolving Credit Unused Line Fees" have the meanings described in Section 2.1.7 (Revolving Credit Unused Line Fee).

"Revolving Loan" has the meaning described in Section 2.1.1 (Revolving Credit Facility).

"Revolving Loan Account" has the meaning described in Section 2.1.6 (Revolving Loan Account).

"Revolving Loan Optional Prepayment" and "Revolving Loan Optional Prepayments" have the meanings described in Section 2.1.4 (Optional Prepayment of Revolving Loan).

"Security Documents" means collectively any assignment, pledge agreement, security agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, deed to secure debt, financing statement and any similar instrument, document or agreement under or pursuant to which a Lien is now or hereafter granted to, or for the benefit of, the Lender on any real or personal property of any Person to secure all or any portion of the Obligations, all as the same may from time to time be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified.

"Seller" means F. Ray Weems and  Janet Weems.

"Solvent" means when used with respect to any Person that at the time of determination:

12


 

(a)                the assets of such Person, at a fair valuation, are in excess of the total amount of its debts (including, without limitation, contingent liabilities); and

(b)               the present fair saleable value of its assets is greater than its probable liability on its existing debts as such debts become absolute and matured; and

(c)                it is then able and expects to be able to pay its debts (including, without limitation, contingent debts and other commitments) as they mature; and

(d)               it has capital sufficient to carry on its business as conducted and as proposed to be conducted.

For purposes of determining whether a Person is Solvent, the amount of any contingent liability shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

"State" means the State of Maryland.

"Subordinated Indebtedness" means all Indebtedness incurred at any time by any one or more of the Borrowers, which is in amounts, subject to repayment terms, and subordinated to the Obligations, as set forth in one or more written agreements, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender in its sole and absolute discretion.

"Subsidiary" means any corporation the majority of the voting shares of which at the time are owned directly by any Borrower and/or by one or more Subsidiaries of any Borrower.

"Supporting Obligation" means a Letter-of-credit right, secondary obligation or obligation of a secondary obligor or that supports the payment or performance of an account, chattel paper, a document, a general intangible, an instrument or investment property.

"Swap Contract" means any document, instrument or agreement between Borrower and Lender or any affiliate of Lender, now existing or entered into in the future, relating to an interest rate swap transaction, forward rate transaction, interest rate cap, floor or collar transaction, any similar transaction, any option to enter into any of the foregoing, and any combination of the foregoing, which agreement may be oral or in writing, including, without limitation, any master agreement relating to or governing any or all of the foregoing and any related schedule or confirmation, each as amended from time to time.

"Tangible Net Worth" means as to the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis at any date of determination thereof, the value of the Borrowers' consolidated total stockholder's interest less goodwill, Patents, Trademarks, organization expense, unamortized debt discount and expense, capitalized or deferred research and development costs, deferred marketing expenses, deferred receivables, and other like intangibles, monies due from Affiliates which are not eliminated in consolidation, officers, directors, employees, shareholders, members or managers of the Borrowers.

13


 

"Taxes" means all taxes and assessments whether general or special, ordinary or extraordinary, or foreseen or unforeseen, of every character (including all penalties or interest thereon), which at any time may be assessed, levied, confirmed or imposed by any Governmental Authority on any of the Borrowers or any of its or their properties or assets or any part thereof or in respect of any of its or their franchises, businesses, income or profits.

"Term Loan" has the meaning described in Section 2.2.1 (Term Loan Commitment).

"Term Loan Commitment" has the meaning described in Section 2.2.1 (Term Loan Commitment).

"Term Loan Committed Amount" has the meaning described in Section 2.2.1 (Term Loan Commitment).

"Term Loan Facility" means the facility established by the Lender pursuant to Section 2.2 (Term Loan Facility).

"Term Loan Optional Prepayment" and "Term Loan Optional Prepayments" have the meanings described in Section 2.2.3 (Optional Prepayments of Term Loan).

"Term Note" has the meaning described in Section 2.2.2 (The Term Note).

"Trademarks" means and includes in each case whether now existing or hereafter arising, all of each Borrower's rights, title and interest in and to (a) any and all trademarks (including service marks), trade names and trade styles, and applications for registration thereof and the goodwill of the business symbolized by any of the foregoing, including without limitation, those set forth in Schedule 1.1 attached hereto, (b) any and all licenses of trademarks, service marks, trade names and/or trade styles, whether as licensor or licensee, (c) any renewals of any and all trademarks, service marks, trade names, trade styles and/or licenses of any of the foregoing, (d) income, royalties, damages and payments now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto, including, without limitation, damages, claims, and payments for past, present and future infringements thereof, (e) rights to sue for past, present and future infringements of any of the foregoing, including the right to settle suits involving claims and demands for royalties owing, and (f) all rights corresponding to any of the foregoing throughout the world.

"Uniform Commercial Code" means, unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted by and in effect from time to time in the State or in any other jurisdiction, as applicable.

"Wholly Owned Subsidiary" means any domestic United States corporation, all the shares of stock of all classes of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) at the time are owned directly or indirectly by a Borrower and/or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of a Borrower.

Section 1.2              Accounting Terms and Other Definitional Provisions.

Unless otherwise defined herein, as used in this Agreement and in any certificate, report or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto, accounting terms not otherwise defined herein, and accounting terms only partly defined herein, to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them under GAAP, as consistently applied to the applicable Person.  All terms used herein which are defined by the Uniform Commercial Code shall have the same meanings as assigned to them by the Uniform Commercial Code unless and to the extent varied by this Agreement.  The words "hereof", "herein" and "hereunder" and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and article, section, subsection, schedule and exhibit references are references to articles, sections or subsections of, or schedules or exhibits to, as the case may be, this Agreement unless otherwise specified.  As used herein, the singular number shall include the plural, the plural the singular and the use of the masculine, feminine or neuter gender shall include all genders, as the context may require.  Reference to any one or more of the Financing Documents shall mean the same as the foregoing may from time to time be amended, restated, substituted, extended, renewed, supplemented or otherwise modified.  Reference in this Agreement and the other Financing Documents to the "Borrower", the "Borrowers", "each Borrower" or otherwise with respect to any one or more of the Borrowers shall mean each and every Borrower and any one or more of the Borrowers, jointly and severally, unless a specific Borrower is expressly identified.

14


 

ARTICLE II
THE CREDIT FACILITIES

Section 2.1              The Revolving Credit Facility.

2.1.1        Revolving Credit Facility.

Subject to and upon the provisions of this Agreement, the Lender establishes a revolving credit facility in favor of the Borrowers.  The aggregate of all advances under the Revolving Credit Facility is sometimes referred to in this Agreement as the "Revolving Loan".

The principal amount of One Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,750,000) is the "Revolving Credit Committed Amount".

During the Revolving Credit Commitment Period, any or all of the Borrowers may request advances under the Revolving Credit Facility in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; provided that after giving effect to any Borrower's request the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Loan would not exceed the Revolving Credit Committed Amount.

Unless sooner paid, the unpaid Revolving Loan, together with interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other Obligations shall be due and payable in full on the Revolving Credit Expiration Date.

2.1.2        Procedure for Making Advances Under the Revolving Loan; Lender Protection Loans.

The Borrowers may borrow under the Revolving Credit Facility on any Business Day.  Advances under the Revolving Loan shall be deposited to a demand deposit account of a Borrower with the Lender (or an Affiliate of the Lender) or shall be otherwise applied as directed by the Borrowers, which direction the Lender may require to be in writing.  No later than 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on the date of the requested borrowing, the Borrowers shall give the Lender oral or written notice (a "Loan Notice") of the amount and (if requested by the Lender) the purpose of the requested borrowing.  Any oral Loan Notice shall be confirmed in writing by the Borrowers within three (3) Business Days after the making of the requested advance under the Revolving Loan.  Each Loan Notice shall be irrevocable.

15


 

In addition, each of the Borrowers hereby irrevocably authorizes the Lender at any time and from time to time, without further request from or notice to the Borrowers, to make advances under the Revolving Loan, which the Lender, in its sole and absolute discretion, deems necessary or appropriate to protect the interests of the Lender, including, without limitation, advances and reserves under the Revolving Loan made to cover debit balances in the Revolving Loan Account, principal of, and/or interest on, any Loan, the Obligations, and/or Enforcement Costs, prior to, on, or after the termination of other advances under this Agreement, regardless of whether the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loan that the Lender may advance or reserve hereunder exceeds the Revolving Credit Committed Amount.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the occurrence of any Default, the Lender will provide notice of any advances made under the Revolving Loan pursuant to this provision.

2.1.3        Revolving Credit Note.

The obligation of the Borrowers to pay the Revolving Loan, with interest, shall be evidenced by a promissory note (as from time to time extended, amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the "Revolving Credit Note") substantially in the form of EXHIBIT B-1 attached hereto and made a part hereof, with appropriate insertions.  The Revolving Credit Note shall be dated as of the Closing Date, shall be payable to the order of the Lender at the times provided in the Revolving Credit Note, and shall be in the principal amount of the Revolving Credit Committed Amount.  Each of the Borrowers acknowledges and agrees that, if the outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Loan outstanding from time to time exceeds the face amount of the Revolving Credit Note, the excess shall bear interest at the Post-Default Rate for the Revolving Loan and shall be payable, with accrued interest, ON DEMAND.  The Revolving Credit Note shall not operate as a novation of any of the Obligations or nullify, discharge, or release any such Obligations or the continuing contractual relationship of the parties hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

2.1.4        Optional Prepayments of Revolving Loan.

The Borrowers shall have the option at any time and from time to time to prepay (each a "Revolving Loan Optional Prepayment" and collectively the "Revolving Loan Optional Prepayments") the Revolving Loan, in whole or in part without premium or penalty.

2.1.5        Treasury Management.

The Borrowers will provide the Lender with a list of all depository and investment accounts now or hereafter maintained with other financial institutions and upon request of the Lender, will obtain blocked account agreements in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender from such institutions; provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 2.1.5 shall not apply to deposit accounts used for payroll, payroll taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments to or for the benefit of Borrowers' employees.

2.1.6        Revolving Loan Account.

The Lender will establish and maintain a loan account on its books (the "Revolving Loan Account") to which the Lender will (a) debit (i) the principal amount of each advance of the Revolving Loan made by the Lender hereunder as of the date made, (ii) the amount of any interest accrued on the Revolving Loan as and when due, and (iii) any other amounts due and payable by the Borrowers to the Lender from time to time under the provisions of this Agreement in connection with the Revolving Loan, including, without limitation, Enforcement Costs, Fees, late charges, and service, collection and audit fees, as and when due and payable, and (b) credit all payments made by the Borrowers to the Lender on account of the Revolving Loan as of the date made.  The Lender may debit the Revolving Loan Account for the amount of any Item of Payment that is returned to the Lender unpaid.  All credit entries to the Revolving Loan Account are conditional and shall be readjusted as of the date made if final and indefeasible payment is not received by the Lender in cash or solvent credits.  Any and all periodic or other statements or reconciliations, and the information contained in those statements or reconciliations, of the Revolving Loan Account shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Borrowers in all respects, absent manifest error, unless the Lender receives specific written objection thereto from the Borrowers within thirty (30) Business Days after such statement or reconciliation shall have been sent by the Lender.

16


 

2.1.7        Revolving Credit Unused Line Fee.

The Borrowers shall pay to the Lender a revolving credit facility fee (collectively, the "Revolving Credit Unused Line Fees" and individually, a "Revolving Credit Unused Line Fee") in an amount equal to three eighths of one percent (.375%) per annum of the average daily unused and undisbursed portion of the Revolving Credit Committed Amount in effect from time to time accruing during each month.  The accrued and unpaid portion of the Revolving Credit Unused Line Fee shall be paid by the Borrowers to the Lender monthly in arrears on the last day of each month, commencing on the first such date following the date hereof, and on the Revolving Credit Termination Date.

Section 2.2              The Term Loan Facility.

2.2.1        Term Loan Commitment.

Subject to and upon the provisions of this Agreement, the Lender agrees to make a loan (the "Term Loan") to the Borrowers on the Closing Date in the principal amount of One Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,200,000) (the "Term Loan Committed Amount").  The obligation of the Lender to make the Term Loan is herein called its "Term Loan Commitment".

2.2.2        The Term Note.

The obligation of the Borrowers to pay the Term Loan with interest shall be evidenced by a promissory note (as from time to time extended, amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the "Term Note") substantially in the form of EXHIBIT B-2 attached hereto and made a part hereof with appropriate insertions.

2.2.3        Optional Prepayments of Term Loan.

The Borrowers may, at their option, at any time and from time to time, prepay (each a "Term Loan Optional Prepayment" and collectively the "Term Loan Optional Prepayments") the Term Loan, in whole or in part, upon five (5) Business Days prior written notice, specifying the date and amount of prepayment.  The amount to be so prepaid, together with interest accrued thereon to date of prepayment if the amount is intended as a prepayment of the Term Loan in whole, shall be paid by the Borrowers to the Lender on the date specified for such prepayment.  Partial Term Loan Optional Prepayments shall be in an amount not less than the amount of the next principal installment under the Term Note and shall be applied first to all accrued and unpaid interest on the principal of the Term Note, then to the balloon payment due at maturity and then to principal against the principal installments in the inverse order of their maturity.

17


 

Section 2.3              General Financing Provisions.

2.3.1        Borrowers' Representatives.

The Borrowers hereby represent and warrant to the Lender that each of them will derive benefits, directly and indirectly, from each Loan, both in their separate capacity and as a member of the integrated group to which each of the Borrowers belong and because the successful operation of the integrated group is dependent upon the continued successful performance of the functions of the integrated group as a whole, because (a) the terms of the consolidated financing provided under this Agreement are more favorable than would otherwise be obtainable by the Borrowers individually, (b) this financing is enabling the Purchase Agreement Transaction and (c) Borrowers' additional administrative and other costs and reduced flexibility associated with individual financing arrangements which would otherwise be required if obtainable would substantially reduce the value to the Borrowers of the financing.  The Borrowers in the discretion of their respective managements are to agree among themselves as to the allocation of proceeds of the Loan, provided, however, that the Borrowers shall be deemed to have represented and warranted to the Lender at the time of allocation that each benefit and use of proceeds is a Permitted Use.

For administrative convenience, each Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints Puroflow as the Borrower's attorney-in-fact, with power of substitution (with the prior written consent of the Lender in the exercise of its sole and absolute discretion), in the name of Puroflow or in the name of the Borrower or otherwise to take any and all actions with respect to the this Agreement, the other Financing Documents, the Obligations and/or the Collateral (including, without limitation, the Proceeds thereof) as Puroflow may so elect from time to time, including, without limitation, actions to (i) request advances under the Loan and direct the Lender to disburse or credit the proceeds of any Loan directly to an account of Puroflow any one or more of the Borrowers or otherwise, which direction shall evidence the making of such Loan and shall constitute the acknowledgment by each of the Borrowers of the receipt of the proceeds of such Loan, (ii) enter into, execute, deliver, amend, modify, restate, substitute, extend and/or renew this Agreement, any Additional Borrower Joinder Supplement, any other Financing Documents, security agreements, mortgages, deposit account agreements, instruments, certificates, waivers, letter of credit applications, releases, documents and agreements from time to time, and (iii) endorse any check or other item of payment in the name of the Borrower or in the name of Puroflow.   The foregoing appointment is coupled with an interest, cannot be revoked without the prior written consent of the Lender, and may be exercised from time to time through Puroflow's duly authorized officer, officers or other Person or Persons designated by Puroflow to act from time to time on behalf of Puroflow.

Each of the Borrowers hereby irrevocably authorizes the Lender to make Loans to any one or more of the Borrowers pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement upon the written, oral or telephone request of any one or more of the Persons who is from time to time a Responsible Officer of a Borrower under the provisions of the most recent certificate of corporate resolutions and/or incumbency of the Borrowers on file with the Lender and also upon the written, oral or telephone request of any one of the Persons who is from time to time a Responsible Officer of Puroflow under the provisions of the most recent certificate of corporate resolutions and/or incumbency for Puroflow on file with the Lender.

18


 

The Lender assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors, mistakes, and/or discrepancies in the oral, telephonic, written or other transmissions of any instructions, orders, requests and confirmations between the Lender and the Borrowers in connection with the Credit Facilities, any Loan or any other transaction in connection with the provisions of this Agreement. Without implying any limitation on the joint and several nature of the Obligations, the Lender agrees that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrowers may create reasonable inter-company indebtedness between or among the Borrowers with respect to the allocation of the benefits and proceeds of the advances and Credit Facilities under this Agreement.  The Borrowers agree among themselves, and the Lender consents to that agreement, that each Borrower shall have rights of contribution from all of the other Borrowers to the extent such Borrower incurs Obligations in excess of the proceeds of the Loans received by, or allocated to purposes for the direct benefit of, such Borrower.  All such indebtedness and rights shall be, and are hereby agreed by the Borrowers to be, subordinate in priority and payment to the indefeasible repayment in full in cash of the Obligations, and, unless the Lender agrees in writing otherwise, shall not be exercised or repaid in whole or in part until all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash.  The Borrowers agree that all of such inter-company indebtedness and rights of contribution are part of the Collateral and secure the Obligations.  Each Borrower hereby waives all rights of counterclaim, recoupment and offset between or among themselves arising on account of that indebtedness and otherwise.  Each Borrower shall not evidence the inter-company indebtedness or rights of contribution by note or other instrument, and shall not secure such indebtedness or rights of contribution with any Lien or security.  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the amount covered by each Borrower under the Obligations (including, without limitation, Section 2.3.8 (Guaranty)) shall be limited to an aggregate amount (after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Borrower in respect of the Obligations) which, together with other amounts owing by such Borrowers to the Lender under the Obligations, is equal to the largest amount that would not be subject to avoidance under the Bankruptcy Code or any applicable provisions of any applicable, comparable state or other Laws.

2.3.2        Use of Proceeds of the Loans.

The proceeds of each advance under the Loans shall be used by the Borrowers for Permitted Uses, and for no other purposes except as may otherwise be agreed by the Lender in writing.  The Borrowers shall use the proceeds of the Loans promptly.

2.3.3        Computation of Interest and Fees.

All applicable Fees and interest shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days elapsed.  Any change in the interest rate on any of the Obligations resulting from a change in the LIBOR Rate shall become effective as of the opening of business on the day on which such change in the LIBOR Rate is announced.

19


 

2.3.4        Maximum Interest Rate.

In no event shall any interest rate provided for hereunder exceed the maximum rate permissible for corporate borrowers under applicable law for loans of the type provided for hereunder (the "Maximum Rate").  If, in any month, any interest rate, absent such limitation, would have exceeded the Maximum Rate, then the interest rate for that month shall be the Maximum Rate, and, if in future months, that interest rate would otherwise be less than the Maximum Rate, then that interest rate shall remain at the Maximum Rate until such time as the amount of interest paid hereunder equals the amount of interest which would have been paid if the same had not been limited by the Maximum Rate.  In the event that, upon payment in full of the Obligations, the total amount of interest paid or accrued under the terms of this Agreement is less than the total amount of interest which would, but for this Section, have been paid or accrued if the interest rates otherwise set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect, then the Borrowers shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, pay the Lender, an amount equal to the excess of (a) the lesser of (i) the amount of interest which would have been charged if the Maximum Rate had, at all times, been in effect or (ii) the amount of interest which would have accrued had the interest rates otherwise set forth in this Agreement, at all times, been in effect over (b) the amount of interest actually paid or accrued under this Agreement.  In the event that a court determines that the Lender has received interest and other charges hereunder in excess of the Maximum Rate, such excess shall be deemed received on account of, and shall automatically be applied to reduce, the Obligations other than interest, in the inverse order of maturity, and if there are no Obligations outstanding, the Lender shall refund to the Borrowers such excess.

2.3.5        Payments.

All payments of the Obligations, including, without limitation, principal, interest, Prepayments, and Fees, shall be paid by the Borrowers without setoff, recoupment or counterclaim to the Lender in immediately available funds not later than 12:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the due date of such payment.  All payments received by the Lender after such time shall be deemed to have been received by the Lender for purposes of computing interest and Fees and otherwise as of the next Business Day.  Payments shall not be considered received by the Lender until such payments are paid to the Lender in immediately available funds to the Lender's principal office in Rockville, Maryland or at such other location as the Lender may at any time and from time to time notify the Borrowers.  Alternatively, at its sole discretion, the Lender may charge any deposit account of the Borrowers at the Lender or any Affiliate of the Lender with all or any part of any amount due to the Lender under this Agreement or any of the other Financing Documents to the extent that the Borrowers shall have not otherwise tendered payment to the Lender.

2.3.6        Liens; Setoff.

The Borrowers hereby grant to the Lender as additional collateral and security for all of the Obligations, a continuing Lien on any and all monies, Investment Property, and other property of the Borrowers and the proceeds thereof, now or hereafter held or received by or in transit to, the Lender, and/or any Affiliate of the Lender, from or for the account of, the Borrowers, and also upon any and all deposit accounts (general or special) and credits of the Borrowers, if any, with the Lender or any Affiliate of the Lender, at any time existing, excluding any deposit accounts held by the Borrowers in their capacity as trustee for Persons who are not Borrowers or Affiliates of the Borrowers.  Without implying any limitation on any other rights the Lender may have under the Financing Documents or applicable Laws, during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Lender is hereby authorized by the Borrowers at any time and from time to time, without notice to the Borrowers, to set off, appropriate and apply any or all items hereinabove referred to against all Obligations then outstanding (whether or not then due), all in such order and manner as shall be determined by the Lender in its sole and absolute discretion.

20


 

2.3.7        Requirements of Law.

In the event that the Lender shall have determined in good faith that (a) the adoption of any Capital Adequacy Regulation, or (b) any change in any Capital Adequacy Regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof or (c) compliance by the Lender or any corporation controlling the Lender with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or Governmental Authority, does or shall have the effect of reducing the rate of return on the capital of the Lender or any corporation controlling the Lender, as a consequence of the obligations of the Lender hereunder to a level below that which the Lender or any corporation controlling the Lender would have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration the policies of the Lender and the corporation controlling the Lender, with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by the Lender, in its reasonable discretion, to be material, then from time to time, after submission by the Lender to the Borrowers of a written request therefore and a statement of the basis for such determination, the Borrowers shall pay to the Lender such additional amount or amounts in order to compensate the Lender or its controlling corporation for any such reduction.

2.3.8        Guaranty.

(a)                Each Borrower hereby unconditionally and irrevocably, guarantees to the Lender:

(i)                  the due and punctual payment in full (and not merely the collectibility) by the other Borrowers of the Obligations, including unpaid and accrued interest thereon, in each case when due and payable, all according to the terms of this Agreement, the Notes and the other Financing Documents;

(ii)                the due and punctual payment in full (and not merely the collectibility) by the other Borrowers of all other sums and charges which may at any time be due and payable in accordance with this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Financing Documents;

(iii)               the due and punctual performance by the other Borrowers of all of the other terms, covenants and conditions contained in the Financing Documents; and

(iv)              all the other Obligations of the other Borrowers.

(b)               The obligations and liabilities of each Borrower as a guarantor under this Section 2.3.8 shall be absolute and unconditional and joint and several, irrespective of the genuineness, validity, priority, regularity or enforceability of this Agreement, any of the Notes or any of the Financing Documents or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor.  Each Borrower in its capacity as a guarantor expressly agrees that the Lender may, in its sole and absolute discretion, without notice to or further assent of such Borrower and without in any way releasing, affecting or in any way impairing the joint and several obligations and liabilities of such Borrower as a guarantor hereunder:

21


 

(i)                  waive compliance with, or any defaults under, or grant any other indulgences under or with respect to any of the Financing Documents;

(ii)                modify, amend, change or terminate any provisions of any of the Financing Documents;

(iii)               grant extensions or renewals of or with respect to the Credit Facilities, the Notes or any of the other Financing Documents;

(iv)              effect any release, subordination, compromise or settlement in connection with this Agreement, any of the Notes or any of the other Financing Documents;

(v)                agree to the substitution, exchange, release or other disposition of the Collateral or any part thereof, or any other collateral for the Loan or to the subordination of any lien or security interest therein;

(vi)              make advances for the purpose of performing any term, provision or covenant contained in this Agreement, any of the Notes or any of the other Financing Documents with respect to which the Borrowers shall then be in default;

(vii)             make future advances pursuant to this Agreement or any of the other Financing Documents;

(viii)           assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise transfer the Commitments, the Obligations, the Notes, any of the other Financing Documents or any interest therein, all as and to the extent permitted by the provisions of this Agreement;

(ix)              deal in all respects with the other Borrowers as if this Section 2.3.8 were not in effect;

(x)                effect any release, compromise or settlement with any of the other Borrowers, whether in their capacity as a Borrower or as a guarantor under this Section 2.3.8, or any other guarantor; and

(xi)              provide debtor-in-possession financing or allow use of cash collateral in proceedings under the Bankruptcy Code, it being expressly agreed by all Borrowers that any such financing and/or use would be part of the Obligations.

22


 

(c)                The obligations and liabilities of each Borrower, as guarantor under this Section 2.3.8, shall be primary, direct and immediate, shall not be subject to any counterclaim, recoupment, set off, reduction or defense based upon any claim that a Borrower may have against any one or more of the other Borrowers, the Lender, and/or any other guarantor and shall not be conditional or contingent upon pursuit or enforcement by the Lender of any remedies it may have against the Borrowers with respect to this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Financing Documents, whether pursuant to the terms thereof or by operation of law.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Lender shall not be required to make any demand upon any of the Borrowers, or to sell the Collateral or otherwise pursue, enforce or exhaust its remedies against the Borrowers or the Collateral either before, concurrently with or after pursuing or enforcing its rights and remedies hereunder.  Any one or more successive or concurrent actions or proceedings may be brought against each Borrower under this Section 2.3.8, either in the same action, if any, brought against any one or more of the Borrowers or in separate actions or proceedings, as often as the Lender may deem expedient or advisable.  Without limiting the foregoing, it is specifically understood that any modification, limitation or discharge of any of the liabilities or obligations of any one or more of the Borrowers, any other guarantor or any obligor under any of the Financing Documents, arising out of, or by virtue of, any bankruptcy, arrangement, reorganization or similar proceeding for relief of debtors under federal or state law initiated by or against any one or more of the Borrowers, in their respective capacities as borrowers and guarantors under this Section 2.3.8, or under any of the Financing Documents shall not modify, limit, lessen, reduce, impair, discharge, or otherwise affect the liability of each Borrower under this Section 2.3.8 in any manner whatsoever, and this Section 2.3.8 shall remain and continue in full force and effect.  It is the intent and purpose of this Section 2.3.8 that each Borrower shall and does hereby waive all rights and benefits which might accrue to any other guarantor by reason of any such proceeding, and the Borrowers agree that they shall be liable for the full amount of the obligations and liabilities under this Section 2.3.8, regardless of, and irrespective to, any modification, limitation or discharge of the liability of any one or more of the Borrowers, any other guarantor or any obligor under any of the Financing Documents, that may result from any such proceedings.

(d)               Each Borrower, as guarantor under this Section 2.3.8, hereby unconditionally, jointly and severally, irrevocably and expressly waives:

(i)                  presentment and demand for payment of the Obligations and protest of non-payment;

(ii)                notice of acceptance of this Section 2.3.8 and of presentment, demand and protest thereof;

(iii)               notice of any default hereunder or under the Notes or any of the other Financing Documents and notice of all indulgences;

(iv)              notice of any increase in the amount of any portion of or all of the indebtedness guaranteed by this Section 2.3.8;

(v)                demand for observance, performance or enforcement of any of the terms or provisions of this Section 2.3.8, the Notes or any of the other Financing Documents;

23


 

(vi)              all errors and omissions in connection with the Lender's administration of all indebtedness guaranteed by this Section 2.3.8, except errors and omissions resulting from the Lender's gross negligence or willful misconduct;

(vii)             any right or claim of right to cause a marshalling of the assets of any one or more of the other Borrowers;

(viii)           any act or omission of the Lender which changes the scope of the risk as guarantor hereunder; and

(ix)              all other notices and demands otherwise required by law which the Borrower may lawfully waive.

Within ten (10) days following any request of the Lender so to do, each Borrower will furnish the Lender and such other persons as the Lender may direct with a written certificate, duly acknowledged stating in detail whether or not any credits, offsets or defenses exist with respect to this Section 2.3.8.

2.3.9        ACH Transactions and Swap Contracts.

The Borrowers may request and the Lender or its Affiliates may, in their sole and absolute discretion, provide ACH Transactions and Swap Contracts.  In the event the Borrowers request Lender or its Affiliates to procure ACH Transactions or Swap Contracts, then the Borrowers agree to indemnify and hold the Lender or its Affiliates harmless from any and all obligations now or hereafter owing to the Lender or its Affiliates.  The Borrowers agree to pay the Lender or its Affiliates all amounts owing to the Lender or its Affiliates pursuant to ACH Transactions and Swap Contracts.  In the event the Borrowers shall not have paid to the Lender or its Affiliates such amounts, the Lender may cover such amounts by an advance under the Revolving Loan, which advance shall be deemed to have been requested by the Borrowers.  The Borrowers acknowledge and agree that the obtaining of ACH Transactions and Swap Contracts from the Lender or its Affiliates (a) is in the sole and absolute discretion of the Lender or its Affiliates and (b) is subject to all rules and regulations of the Lender or its Affiliates.

ARTICLE III
THE COLLATERAL

Section 3.1              Debt and Obligations Secured.

All property and Liens assigned, pledged or otherwise granted under or in connection with this Agreement (including, without limitation, those under Section 3.2 (Grant of Liens)) or any of the Financing Documents shall secure (a) the payment of all of the Obligations, and (b) the performance, compliance with and observance by the Borrowers of the provisions of this Agreement and all of the other Financing Documents or otherwise under the Obligations.

24


 

Section 3.2              Grant of Liens.

Each of the Borrowers hereby assigns, pledges and grants to the Lender, and agrees that the Lender shall have a perfected and continuing security interest in, and Lien on, all of the Borrowers' Accounts, Inventory, Chattel Paper, Documents, Instruments, Equipment, Investment Property and General Intangibles and all of the Borrowers' deposit accounts with any financial institution with which any of the Borrowers maintains deposits, whether now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising, all returned, rejected or repossessed goods, the sale or lease of which shall have given or shall give rise to an Account or Chattel Paper, all insurance policies relating to the foregoing, all books and records in whatever media (paper, electronic or otherwise) recorded or stored, with respect to the foregoing and all Equipment and General Intangibles necessary or beneficial to retain, access and/or process the information contained in those books and records, and all Proceeds and products of the foregoing.  Each of the Borrowers further agrees that the Lender shall have in respect thereof all of the rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code as well as those provided in this Agreement, under each of the other Financing Documents and under applicable Laws.

Without implying any limitation to the foregoing, as additional Collateral and security for the Obligations, each of the Borrowers hereby assigns to the Lender all of its respective rights, title and interest in, to, and under, the Purchase Agreement and all of the Purchase Agreement Documents, including, without limitation, all of the benefits of any representations and warranties provided by the Seller and any and all rights of any or all of the Borrowers to indemnification from the Seller or any other Person contained therein.  The Borrowers agree that neither the assignment to the  Lender nor any other provision contained in this Agreement or any of the other Financing Documents shall impose on the Lender any obligation or liability of any of the Borrowers under the Purchase Agreement and/or under any of the other Purchase Agreement Documents.  The Borrowers hereby agree to indemnify the Lender and hold the Lender harmless from any and all claims, actions, suits, losses, damages, costs, expenses, fees, obligations and liabilities which may be incurred by or imposed upon the Lender by virtue of the assignment of and Lien on each of the Borrower's rights, title and interest in, to, and under the Purchase Agreement and the Purchase Agreement Documents.  The Borrowers further acknowledge and agree that following the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Lender shall be entitled to enforce any and all rights and remedies available to any or all of the Borrowers under the Purchase Agreement and/or under any or all of the Purchase Agreement Documents and/or applicable Laws with respect to the Purchase Agreement Transaction.

Section 3.3              Collateral Disclosure List.

On or prior to the Closing Date, each of the Borrowers shall deliver to the Lender a list (the "Collateral Disclosure List") which shall contain such information with respect to such Borrower's business and real and personal property as the Lender may require and shall be certified by a Responsible Officer of such Borrower, all in the form provided to the Borrowers by the Lender.  Promptly after demand by the Lender, the Borrowers, as appropriate, shall furnish to the Lender an update of the information contained in the Collateral Disclosure List at any time and from time to time as may be requested by the Lender.

Section 3.4              Personal Property.

The Borrowers acknowledge and agree that it is the intention of the parties to this Agreement that the Lender shall have a first priority, perfected Lien, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender and its counsel, on all of the Borrowers' assets of any kind and nature whatsoever, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, subject only to the Permitted Liens, if any. In furtherance of the foregoing:

25


 

3.4.1        Investment Property, Chattel Paper, Promissory Notes, etc.

(a)                On the Closing Date and without implying any limitation on the scope of Section 3.2 (Grant of Liens), each of the Borrowers shall deliver to the Lender the originals of all of its letters of credit, Investment Property, Chattel Paper, Documents and Instruments and, if the Lender so requires, shall execute and deliver separate pledge, assignment and security agreements in form and content acceptable to the Lender, which pledge, assignment and security agreements shall assign, pledge and grant a Lien to the Lender on all such Borrower's letters of credit, Investment Property, Chattel Paper, Documents, and Instruments.

(b)               In the event that any of the Borrowers shall acquire after the Closing Date any letters of credit, Investment Property, Chattel Paper, Documents, or Instruments, each such Borrower shall promptly so notify the Lender and deliver the originals of all of the foregoing to the Lender promptly and in any event within ten (10) days of each acquisition.

(c)                All letters of credit, Investment Property, Chattel Paper, Documents and Instruments shall be delivered to the Lender endorsed and/or assigned as required by any pledge, assignment and security agreement and/or as the Lender may require and, if applicable, shall be accompanied by blank irrevocable and unconditional stock or bond powers and/or notices as the Lender may require.

Section 3.5              Record Searches.

As of the Closing Date and thereafter at the time any Financing Document is executed and delivered by the Borrowers pursuant to this Section, the Lender shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender, such Lien or record searches with respect to all of the Borrowers and/or any other Person, as appropriate, and the property covered by such Financing Document showing that the Lien of such Financing Document will be a perfected first priority Lien on the property covered by such Financing Document subject only to Permitted Liens or to such other matters as the Lender may approve.

Section 3.6              Costs.

The Borrowers agree to pay, as part of the Enforcement Costs and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws, on demand all costs, fees and expenses incurred by the Lender in connection with the taking, perfection, preservation, protection and/or release of a Lien on the Collateral, including, without limitation:

(a)                customary fees and expenses incurred in preparing Financing Documents from time to time (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees incurred in connection with preparing the Financing Documents, including, any amendments and supplements thereto);

(b)               all filing and/or recording taxes or fees;

(c)                all costs of Lien and record searches;

(d)               reasonable attorneys' fees in connection with all legal opinions required; and

(e)                all related costs, fees and expenses.

26


 

 

Section 3.7              Release.

Upon the indefeasible repayment in full in cash of the Obligations and performance of all Obligations of the Borrowers and all obligations and liabilities of each other Person, other than the Lender, under this Agreement and all other Financing Documents, and the termination and/or expiration of all of the Commitments, upon the Borrowers' request and at the Borrowers' sole cost and expense, the Lender shall release and/or terminate any Financing Document but only if and provided that there is no commitment or obligation (whether or not conditional) of the Lender to re-advance amounts which would be secured thereby.

Section 3.8              Inconsistent Provisions.

In the event that the provisions of any Financing Document directly conflict with any provision of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement govern.

ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Section 4.1              Representations and Warranties.

The Borrowers, for themselves and for each other, represent and warrant to the Lender, as follows:

4.1.1        Subsidiaries.

The Borrowers have the Subsidiaries listed on the Collateral Disclosure List and no others.  Each of the Subsidiaries is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary except as shown on the Collateral Disclosure List, which correctly indicates the nature and amount of each Borrower's ownership interests therein.

4.1.2        Existence.

Each Borrower (a) is a Registered Organization under the laws of the jurisdiction stated in the Preamble of this Agreement, (b) has the power to own its property and to carry on its business as now being conducted, and (c) is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the character of the properties owned by it therein or in which the transaction of its business makes such qualification necessary.  Each Borrower is organized under the laws of only one (1) jurisdiction.

4.1.3        Power and Authority.

Each Borrower has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, and the other Financing Documents and the Purchase Agreement Documents to which it is a party, to make the borrowings under this Agreement, to close and consummate the Purchase Agreement Transaction and to incur and perform the Obligations whether under this Agreement, the other Financing Documents or otherwise, all of which have been duly authorized by all proper and necessary action.  No consent or approval of owners or any creditors of any Borrower, and no consent, approval, filing or registration with or notice to any Governmental Authority on the part of any Borrower, is required as a condition to the execution, delivery, validity or enforceability of this Agreement, or any of the other Financing Documents or any of the Purchase Agreement Documents, the performance by any Borrower of the Obligations or the closing and consummation of the Purchase Agreement Transaction.

27


 

4.1.4        Binding Agreements.

This Agreement and the other Financing Documents executed and delivered by the Borrowers have been properly executed and delivered and constitute the valid and legally binding obligations of the Borrowers and are fully enforceable against each of the Borrowers in accordance with their respective terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties, and general principles of equity regardless of whether applied in a proceeding in equity or at law.

4.1.5        No Conflicts.

Neither the execution, delivery and performance of the terms of this Agreement or of any of the other Financing Documents executed and delivered by any Borrower nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will conflict with, violate or be prevented by (a) any Borrower's organizational or governing documents, (b) any existing mortgage, indenture, contract or agreement binding on any Borrower or affecting its property, or (c) any Laws.

4.1.6        No Defaults, Violations.

(a)                No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

(b)               None of the Borrowers nor any of their respective Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any obligation under any existing mortgage, indenture, contract or agreement binding on it or affecting its property in any respect which could be materially adverse to the business, operations, property or financial condition of any Borrower, or which could materially adversely affect the ability of any Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the other Financing Documents, to which any Borrower is a party.

4.1.7        Compliance with Laws.

None of the Borrowers nor any of their respective Subsidiaries is in violation of any applicable Laws (including, without limitation, any Laws relating to employment practices, to environmental, occupational and health standards and controls) or order, writ, injunction, decree or demand of any court, arbitrator, or any Governmental Authority affecting any Borrower or any of its properties, the violation of which, considered in the aggregate, could materially adversely affect the business, operations or properties of any Borrower and/or any Subsidiaries.

4.1.8        Margin Stock.

None of the proceeds of the Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, by any Borrower or any Subsidiary for the purpose of purchasing or carrying, or for the purpose of reducing or retiring any indebtedness which was originally incurred to purchase or carry, any "margin stock" within the meaning of Regulation U (12 CFR Part 221), of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or for any other purpose which might make the transactions contemplated in this Agreement a "purpose credit" within the meaning of Regulation U, or cause this Agreement to violate any other regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended, or any rules or regulations promulgated under any of such statutes.

28


 

4.1.9        Investment Company Act; Margin Stock.

None of the Borrowers nor any of their respective Subsidiaries is an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, nor is it, directly or indirectly, controlled by or acting on behalf of any Person which is an investment company within the meaning of said Act.  None of the Borrowers nor any of their respective Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying "margin stock" within the meaning of Regulation U (12 CFR Part 221), of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

4.1.10    Litigation.

Except as otherwise disclosed on Schedule 4.1.10 attached hereto and made a part hereof, there are no proceedings, actions or investigations pending or, so far as any Borrower knows, threatened before or by any court, arbitrator or any Governmental Authority which, in any one case or in the aggregate, if determined adversely to the interests of any Borrower or any Subsidiary, would have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, condition (financial or otherwise) or operations, present or prospective, of any Borrower.

4.1.11    Financial Condition.

The consolidated financial statements of Puroflow dated January 31, 2003, and for SMC's predecessor Southern Maryland Cable, Inc., a Maryland corporation dated December 31, 2002, are complete and correct and fairly present the financial position of each of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries and the results of their operations and transactions in their surplus accounts as of the date and for the period referred to and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the period involved.  There are no liabilities, direct or indirect, fixed or contingent, of any Borrower or any Subsidiary as of the date of such financial statements that are not reflected therein or in the notes thereto.  There has been no adverse change in the financial condition or operations of any Borrower or any Subsidiary since the date of such financial statements and to the Borrowers' knowledge no such adverse change is pending or threatened.  None of the Borrowers nor any Subsidiary has guaranteed the obligations of, or made any investment in or advances to, any Person, except as disclosed in such financial statements.

4.1.12    Full Disclosure.

The financial statements referred to in Section 4.1.11 (Financial Condition), the Financing Documents (including, without limitation, this Agreement), and the statements, reports or certificates furnished by any Borrower in connection with the Financing Documents (a) do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact and (b) when taken in their entirety, do not omit any material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading.  There is no fact known to any Borrower which such Borrower has not disclosed to the Lender in writing prior to the date of this Agreement with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Financing Documents that materially and adversely affects or in the future could, in the reasonable opinion of that Borrower materially adversely affect the condition, financial or otherwise, results of operations, business, or assets of any Borrower or any Subsidiary.

29


 

4.1.13    Indebtedness for Borrowed Money.

Except for the Obligations and except as set forth in Schedule 4.1.13 attached hereto and made a part hereof, the Borrowers have no Indebtedness for Borrowed Money.  The Lender has received photocopies of all promissory notes evidencing any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money set forth in Schedule 4.1.13, together with any and all subordination agreements, other agreements, documents, or instruments securing, evidencing,  guarantying or otherwise executed and delivered in connection therewith.

4.1.14    Taxes.

Each of the Borrowers and its Subsidiaries has filed all returns, reports and forms for Taxes that, to the knowledge of the Borrowers, are required to be filed, and has paid all Taxes as shown on such returns or on any assessment received by it, to the extent that such Taxes have become due, unless and to the extent only that such Taxes, assessments and governmental charges are currently contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings by a Borrower, such Taxes are not the subject of any Liens other than Permitted Liens, and adequate reserves therefore have been established as required under GAAP.  All tax liabilities of the Borrowers were as of the date of audited financial statements referred to in Section 4.1.11 (Financial Condition), and are now, adequately provided for on the books of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, as appropriate.  No tax liability has been asserted by the Internal Revenue Service or any state or local authority against any Borrower for Taxes in excess of those already paid.

4.1.15    ERISA.

With respect to any Plan that is maintained or contributed to by any Borrower and/or by any Commonly Controlled Entity or as to which any Borrower retains material liability: (a) no "accumulated funding deficiency" as defined in Code §412 or ERISA §302 has occurred, whether or not that accumulated funding deficiency has been waived; (b) no Reportable Event has occurred other than events for which reporting has been waived; (c) no termination of any plan subject to Title IV of ERISA has occurred; (d) neither the Borrower nor any Commonly Controlled Entity has incurred a "complete withdrawal" within the meaning of ERISA §4203 from any Multi-employer Plan; (e) neither the Borrower nor any Commonly Controlled Entity has incurred a "partial withdrawal" within the meaning of ERISA §4205 with respect to any Multi-employer Plan; (f) no Multi-employer Plan to which the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity has an obligation to contribute is in "reorganization" within the meaning of ERISA §4241 nor has notice been received by the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity that such a Multi-employer Plan will be placed in "reorganization".

4.1.16    Title to Properties.

The Borrowers have good and marketable title to all of their respective properties, including, without limitation, the Collateral and the properties and assets reflected in the balance sheets described in Section 4.1.11 (Financial Condition).  The Borrowers have legal, enforceable and uncontested rights to use freely such property and assets.  All of such properties, including, without limitation, the Collateral that were purchased, were purchased for fair consideration and reasonably equivalent value in the ordinary course of business of both the seller and the Borrowers and not, by way of example only, as part of a bulk sale.

30


 

4.1.17    Patents, Trademarks, Etc.

Each of the Borrowers and its Subsidiaries owns, possesses, or has the right to use all necessary Patents, licenses, Trademarks, Copyrights, permits and franchises to own its properties and to conduct its business as now conducted, without known conflict with the rights of any other Person.  Any and all obligations to pay royalties or other charges with respect to such properties and assets are properly reflected on the financial statements described in Section 4.1.11 (Financial Condition).

4.1.18    Employee Relations.

Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.1.18 attached hereto and made a part hereof, (a) no Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof nor any of the Borrower's or Subsidiary's employees is subject to any collective bargaining agreement, (b) no petition for certification or union election is pending with respect to the employees of any Borrower or any Subsidiary and no union or collective bargaining unit has sought such certification or recognition with respect to the employees of a Borrower, (c) there are no strikes, slowdowns, work stoppages or controversies pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrowers after due inquiry, threatened between any Borrower and its employees, and (d) no Borrower nor any Subsidiaries is subject to an employment contract, severance agreement, commission contract, consulting agreement or bonus agreement.  Hours worked and payments made to the employees of any one or more of the Borrowers have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable law dealing with such matters.  All payments due from any one or more of the Borrowers or for which any claim may be made against a Borrower, on account of wages and employee and retiree health and welfare insurance and other benefits have been paid or accrued as a liability on its books.  The consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Financing Agreement or any of the other Financing Documents, or by the Purchase Agreement or any of the other Purchase Agreement Documents, will not give rise to a right of termination or right of re-negotiation on the part of any union under any collective bargaining agreement to which any Borrower is a party or by which it is bound.

4.1.19    Presence of Hazardous Materials or Hazardous Materials Contamination.

To the best of each Borrower's knowledge, (a) no Hazardous Materials are located on any real property owned, controlled or operated by any of the Borrowers or for which any Borrower is, or is claimed to be, responsible, except for reasonable quantities of necessary supplies for use by a Borrower in the ordinary course of its current line of business and stored, used and disposed in accordance with applicable Laws; and (b) no property owned, controlled or operated by any Borrower or for which any Borrower has, or is claimed to have, responsibility has ever been used as a manufacturing, storage, or dump site for Hazardous Materials nor is affected by Hazardous Materials Contamination at any other property.

31


 

4.1.20    Perfection and Priority of Collateral.

The Lender has, or upon execution and recording of this Agreement and the Security Documents will have, and will continue to have as security for the Obligations, a valid and perfected Lien on and security interest in all Collateral, free of all other Liens, claims and rights of third parties whatsoever except Permitted Liens, including, without limitation, those described on Schedule 4.1.20 attached hereto and made a part hereof.

4.1.21    Collateral Disclosure List.

The information contained in the Collateral Disclosure List of each Borrower is complete and correct.  Each Collateral Disclosure List completely and accurately identifies (a) the type of entity, the state of organization and the chief executive office of the applicable Borrower (b) each other place of business of such Borrower, (c) the location of all books and records pertaining to the Collateral, and (d) each location, other than the foregoing, where any of the Collateral is located.

4.1.22    Business Names and Addresses.

In the five (5) years preceding the date hereof, no Borrower has changed its name, identity or corporate structure, has conducted business under any name other than its current name, and has conducted its business in any jurisdiction other than those disclosed on the Collateral Disclosure List.

4.1.23    Equipment.

All Equipment is personalty and is not and will not be affixed to real estate in such manner as to become a fixture or part of such real estate.  No equipment is held by any Borrower on a sale on approval basis.

4.1.24    Inventory.

The Inventory of the Borrowers is (a) of good and merchantable quality, free from defects, (b) not stored with a bailee, warehouseman, carrier, or similar party, (c) not on consignment, sale on approval, or sale or return, and (d) located at the places of business set forth on the Collateral Disclosure List.  No goods offered for sale by any Borrower are consigned to or held on sale or return terms by that Borrower.

4.1.25    Purchase Agreement Transaction.

The Lender has received true and correct photocopies of the Purchase Agreement and each of the other Purchase Agreement Documents, executed, delivered and/or furnished on or before the Closing Date in connection with the Purchase Agreement Transaction.  Neither the Purchase Agreement nor any of the other Purchase Agreement Documents have been modified, changed, supplemented, canceled, amended or otherwise altered or affected, except as otherwise disclosed to the Lender in writing on or before the Closing Date.  The Purchase Agreement Transaction has been effected, closed and consummated pursuant to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the Purchase Agreement and with all applicable Laws.

32


 

4.1.26    Seller's Creditor List.

To the best of the Borrowers' knowledge and belief, after due investigation, the information set forth in the list of the Seller's creditors provided to the Borrowers in accordance with the Purchase Agreement (the "Seller's Creditor List") is true, accurate and correct.

4.1.27    Accounts.

With respect to all Accounts and to the best of the Borrowers' knowledge (a) they are genuine, and in all respects what they purport to be, and are not evidenced by a judgment, an Instrument, or Chattel Paper (unless such judgment has been assigned and such Instrument or Chattel Paper has been endorsed and delivered to the Lender); (b) they represent bona fide transactions completed in accordance with the terms and provisions contained in the invoices, purchase orders and other contracts relating thereto, and the underlying transaction therefore is in accordance with all applicable Laws; (c) the amounts shown on the respective Borrower's books and records, with respect thereto are actually and absolutely owing to that Borrower and are not contingent or subject to reduction for any reason other than regular discounts, credits or adjustments allowed by that Borrower in the ordinary course of its business; (d) all Account Debtors thereon have the capacity to contract; and (e) the goods sold, leased or transferred or the services furnished giving rise thereto are not subject to any Liens except the security interest granted to the Lender by this Agreement and Permitted Liens.

4.1.28    Solvency

Each of the Borrowers is Solvent prior to and after giving effect to the Purchase Transaction and the making of the Loans.

Section 4.2              Survival; Updates of Representations and Warranties.

All representations and warranties contained in or made under or in connection with this Agreement and the other Financing Documents shall survive the Closing Date, the making of any advance under the Loans and extension of credit made hereunder, and the incurring of any other Obligations and shall be deemed to have been made at the time of each request for, and again at the time of the making of, each advance under the Loans, except that the representations and warranties which relate to the financial statements which are referred to in Section 4.1.11 (Financial Condition), shall also be deemed to cover financial statements furnished from time to time to the Lender pursuant to Section 6.1.1 (Financial Statements).

ARTICLE V
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Section 5.1              Conditions to the Initial Advance.

The making of the initial advance under the Loans is subject to the fulfillment on or before the Closing Date of the following conditions precedent in a manner satisfactory in form and substance to the Lender and its counsel:

33


 

5.1.1        Organizational Documents - Borrowers.

The Lender shall have received for each Borrower:

(a)                a certificate of good standing certified by the Secretary of State, or other appropriate Governmental Authority, of the state of formation of the Borrower;

(b)               a certified copy from the appropriate Governmental Authority under which the Borrower is organized, of the Borrower's organizational documents and all recorded amendments thereto;

(c)                a certificate of qualification to do business certified by the Secretary of State or other Governmental Authority of each jurisdiction in which the Borrower conducts business; and

(d)               a certificate dated as of the Closing Date by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Borrower covering:

(i)                  true and complete copies of the Borrower's organizational and governing documents and all amendments thereto;

(ii)                true and complete copies of the resolutions of its Board of Directors authorizing (A) the execution, delivery and performance of the Financing Documents and the Purchase Agreement Documents to which it is a party, (B) the borrowings hereunder (C) the granting of the Liens contemplated by this Agreement and the Financing Documents to which the Borrower is a party, and (D)  the Purchase Agreement Transaction if and to the extent the Borrower is a party;

(iii)               the incumbency, authority and signatures of the officers of the Borrower authorized to sign this Agreement and the other Financing Documents to which the Borrower is a party; and

(iv)              the identity of the Borrower's current directors, common stock holders and other equity holders who, to the knowledge of any Borrower, own more than twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding common stock, as well as their respective percentage ownership interests.

5.1.2        Opinion of Borrowers' Counsel.

The Lender shall have received the favorable opinion of counsel for the Borrowers addressed to the Lender.

5.1.3        Consents, Licenses, Approvals, Etc.

The Lender shall have received copies of all consents, licenses and approvals, required in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity and enforceability of the Financing Documents and the Purchase Agreement Documents, and such consents, licenses and approvals shall be in full force and effect.

5.1.4        Notes.

The Lender shall have received the Term Note and the Revolving Credit Note, each conforming to the requirements hereof and executed by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower and attested by a duly authorized representative of each Borrower.

34


 

5.1.5        Financing Documents and Collateral.

Each Borrower shall have executed and delivered the Financing Documents to be executed by it, and shall have delivered original Chattel Paper, Instruments, Investment Property, and related Collateral and all opinions, title insurance, and other documents contemplated by ARTICLE III (The Collateral).

5.1.6        Other Documents, Etc.

The Lender shall have received such other certificates, opinions, documents and instruments confirmatory of or otherwise relating to the transactions contemplated hereby as may have been reasonably requested by the Lender.

5.1.7        Payment of Fees.

The Lender shall have received payment of any Fees due on or before the Closing Date.

5.1.8        Collateral Disclosure List.

Each Borrower shall have delivered the Collateral Disclosure List required under the provisions of Section 3.3 (Collateral Disclosure List) duly executed by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower.

5.1.9        Recordings and Filings.

Each Borrower shall have: (a) executed and delivered all Financing Documents required to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create, in favor of the Lender, a perfected Lien in the Collateral (subject only to the Permitted Liens) in form and in sufficient number for filing, registration, and recording in each office in each jurisdiction in which such filings, registrations and recordations are required, and (b) delivered such evidence as the Lender deems satisfactory that all necessary filing fees and all recording and other similar fees, and all Taxes and other expenses related to such filings, registrations and recordings will be or have been paid in full.

5.1.10    Insurance Certificate.

The Lender shall have received an insurance certificate in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.1.8 (Insurance).

5.1.11    Purchase Agreement Transaction.

The Purchase Agreement Transaction shall have been completed and closed prior to or simultaneously herewith upon terms and conditions satisfactory to the Lender, in accordance with the Purchase Agreement and applicable Laws.

The Lender shall have received photocopies of all Purchase Agreement Documents executed, delivered and/or furnished in connection with the Purchase Agreement Transaction, together with a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of each of the Borrowers certifying that the Purchase Agreement and the other Purchase Agreement Documents furnished to the Lender are true, correct, in full force and effect and the provisions thereof have not been in any way modified, amended or waived, the Purchase Agreement Transaction has been closed and completed in accordance with the Purchase Agreement and the other Purchase Agreement Documents furnished to the Lender and in accordance with all applicable Laws, including, any and all bulk transfer laws, the Borrowers have given public notice of their obligation to pay the obligations and liabilities assumed by the Borrowers under, and in connection with, the Purchase Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Article 6 of the Uniform Commercial Code,  the Borrowers have obtained all consents, licenses and approvals to permit it to engage in the business previously operated and conducted by the Seller, and the Seller has duly and properly assigned to the Borrowers all of its right, title and interest in, and to, any and all Trademarks, Copyrights and Patents, together with the goodwill of the Seller associated with, and/or symbolized by, any of the foregoing, and such assignment has been duly and properly filed, registered and recorded with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office and with such other state or Federal Governmental Authorities as may be necessary to effect and consummate an assignment of such Trademarks, Copyrights and Patents, together with the goodwill associated with, or symbolized by any of the foregoing from the Seller to the Borrowers.

35


 

The obligations and liabilities of the Seller assumed by the Borrowers under, and in connection with, the Purchase Agreement are fully and completely set forth in Schedule 4.1.13.

The Lender shall have received a reliance letter in form and substance acceptable to the Lender in its sole and absolute discretion, executed and delivered by the Seller, which reliance letter shall grant to the Lender the benefit of all of the rights, warranties, and indemnifications benefiting any or all of the Borrowers under and in connection with the Purchase Agreement, the other Purchase Agreement Documents and the Purchase Agreement Transaction.  In addition, the Lender shall have received all opinions of counsel for the Seller and the Borrowers required under or in connection with the Purchase Agreement, the other Purchase Agreement Documents and the Purchase Agreement Transaction.

Section 5.2              Conditions to all Extensions of Credit.

The making of all advances under the Loans is subject to the fulfillment of the following conditions precedent in a manner satisfactory in form and substance to the Lender and its counsel:

5.2.1        Compliance.

Each Borrower shall have complied and shall then be in compliance with all terms, covenants, conditions and provisions of this Agreement and the other Financing Documents that are binding upon it.

5.2.2        Default.

There shall exist no Event of Default or Default hereunder.

5.2.3        Representations and Warranties.

The representations and warranties of each of the Borrowers contained among the provisions of this Agreement shall be true and with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made at the time of the making of, and of the request for, each advance under the Loans, except that the representations and warranties which relate to financial statements which are referred to in Section 4.1.11 (Financial Condition), shall also be deemed to cover financial statements furnished from time to time to the Lender pursuant to Section 6.1.1 (Financial Statements).

36


 

5.2.4        Adverse Change.

No adverse change shall have occurred in the condition (financial or otherwise), operations or business of any Borrower that would, in the good faith judgment of the Lender, materially impair the ability of that Borrower to pay or perform any of the Obligations.

5.2.5        Legal Matters.

All legal documents incident to each advance under the Loans shall be reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Lender.

ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS OF THE BORROWERS

Section 6.1              Affirmative Covenants.

So long as any of the Obligations (or any the Commitments therefore) shall be outstanding hereunder, the Borrowers agree jointly and severally with the Lender as follows:

6.1.1        Financial Statements.

The Borrowers shall furnish to the Lender:

(a)                Annual Statements and Certificates.  The Borrowers shall furnish to the Lender as soon as available, but in no event more than ninety (90) days after the close of the Borrowers' fiscal years, (i) a copy of the annual financial statement in reasonable detail satisfactory to the Lender relating to the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, prepared in accordance with GAAP and examined and certified by independent certified public accountants satisfactory to the Lender, which financial statement shall include a consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and consolidated and consolidating statements of income, cash flows and changes in shareholders equity of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, (ii) a Compliance Certificate, in substantially the form attached to this Agreement as EXHIBIT C, as may be amended by the Lender from time to time, containing a detailed computation of each financial covenant in this Agreement which is applicable for the period reported, a certification that no change has occurred to the information contained in the Collateral Disclosure List (except as set forth in a schedule attached to the certification), each prepared by a Responsible Officer of the Borrowers in a format acceptable to the Lender and (iii) a management letter in the form prepared by the Borrowers' independent certified public accountants.

(b)               Quarterly Statements and Certificates.  The Borrowers shall furnish to the Lender as soon as available, but in no event more than forty five (45) days after the close of the Borrowers' fiscal quarters, consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries as of the close of such period, consolidated and consolidating income, cash flows and changes in shareholders equity statements for such period and a Compliance Certificate, in substantially the form attached to this Agreement as EXHIBIT C, containing a detailed computation of each financial covenant in this Agreement which is applicable for the period reported, a certification that no change has occurred to the information contained in the Collateral Disclosure List (except as set forth on a schedule attached to the certification), each prepared by a Responsible Officer of or on behalf of each Borrower in a format acceptable to the Lender, all as prepared and certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrowers and accompanied by a certificate of that officer stating whether any event has occurred which constitutes a Default or an Event of Default hereunder, and, if so, stating the facts with respect thereto.

37


 

(c)          Annual Budget and Projections.  The Borrowers shall furnish to the Lender as soon as available, but in no event later than the thirty (30) days before the end of each fiscal year a consolidated and consolidating budget and pro forma financial statements on a quarterly basis for the following fiscal year.

(d)               Additional Reports and Information.  The Borrowers shall furnish to the Lender promptly, such additional information, reports or statements as the Lender may from time to time reasonably request.

6.1.2        Reports to SEC and to Stockholders.

The Borrowers will furnish to the Lender, promptly upon the filing or making thereof, at least one (l) copy of all financial statements, reports, notices and proxy statements sent by any Borrower to its stockholders, and of all regular and other reports filed by any Borrower with any securities exchange or with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

6.1.3        Recordkeeping, Rights of Inspection, Field Examination, Etc.

(a)                Each of the Borrowers shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain (i) a standard system of accounting in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its properties, business and activities.

(b)               Each of the Borrowers shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit authorized representatives of the Lender to visit and inspect the properties of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, to review, audit, check and inspect the Collateral at any time with or without notice, to review, audit, check and inspect the Borrowers' other books of record at any time with or without notice and to make abstracts and photocopies thereof, and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, with the officers, directors, employees and other representatives of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries and their respective accountants, all at such times during normal business hours and other reasonable times and as often as the Lender may reasonably request.

(c)                Each of the Borrowers hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs all accountants and auditors employed by any of the Borrowers and/or any of their Subsidiaries at any time prior to the repayment in full of the Obligations to exhibit and deliver to the Lender copies of any and all of the financial statements, trial balances, management letters, or other accounting records of any nature of any or all of the Borrowers and/or any or all of their respective Subsidiaries in the accountant's or auditor's possession, and to disclose to the Lender any information they may have concerning the financial status and business operations of any or all of the Borrowers and/or any or all of their respective Subsidiaries.  Further, each of the Borrowers hereby authorizes all Governmental Authorities to furnish to the Lender copies of reports or examinations relating to any and all of the Borrowers and/or any or all Subsidiaries, whether made by the Borrowers or otherwise.  The Lender agrees that prior to the occurrence of a Default to give the Borrowers five (5) days prior notice before requesting any such information from any such accountants, auditors or Governmental Authorities.

38


 

(d)               Any and all costs and expenses incurred by, or on behalf of, the Lender in connection with the conduct of any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, travel, lodging, meals, and other expenses for inspections of the Collateral and the Borrowers' operations for each auditor employed by the Lender for inspections of the Collateral and the Borrowers' operations, shall be part of the Enforcement Costs and shall be payable to the Lender upon demand.  Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Borrowers shall not be responsible for the cost of more than two (2) field examinations in any twelve (12) month period.  The Borrowers acknowledge and agree that such expenses may include, but shall not be limited to, any and all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Lender's employees and agents in, and when, traveling to any of the Borrowers' facilities.

6.1.4        Existence.

Each of the Borrowers shall (a) maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, its existence in good standing in the jurisdiction in which it is organized and in each other jurisdiction where it is required to register or qualify to do business if the failure to do so in such other jurisdiction might have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Borrower to perform the Obligations, on the conduct of the Borrower's operations, on the Borrower's financial condition, or on the value of, or the ability of the Lender to realize upon, the Collateral and (b) remain a Registered Organization under the laws of the jurisdiction stated in the Preamble of this Agreement.

6.1.5        Compliance with Laws.

Each of the Borrowers shall comply, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, with all applicable Laws and observe the valid requirements of Governmental Authorities, the noncompliance with or the non-observance of which might have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Borrowers to perform the Obligations, on the conduct of the Borrowers' operations, on the Borrowers' consolidated financial condition, or on the value of, or the ability of the Lender to realize upon, the Collateral.

6.1.6        Preservation of Properties.

Each of the Borrowers will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, at all times (a) maintain, preserve, protect and keep its properties, whether owned or leased, in good operating condition, working order and repair (ordinary wear and tear excepted), and from time to time will make all proper repairs, maintenance, replacements, additions and improvements thereto needed to maintain such properties in good operating condition, working order and repair, and (b) do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and to keep in full force and effect its material franchises, leases of real and personal property, trade names, Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and permits which are necessary for the orderly continuance of its business.

6.1.7        Line of Business.

Each of the Borrowers will continue to engage substantially in the businesses of the marketing and manufacture of filtration related products and providing infrastructure services to the government and the telecommunications and utility industries.

39


 

6.1.8        Insurance.

Each of the Borrowers will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, at all times maintain with "A" or better rated insurance companies such insurance as is required by applicable Laws and such other insurance, in such amounts, of such types and against such risks, hazards, liabilities, casualties and contingencies as are usually insured against in the same geographic areas by business entities engaged in the same or similar business.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of the Borrowers will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep adequately insured all of its property against loss or damage resulting from fire or other risks insured against by extended coverage and maintain public liability insurance against claims for personal injury, death or property damage occurring upon, in or about any properties occupied or controlled by it, or arising in any manner out of the businesses carried on by it, all in such amounts not less than the Lender shall reasonably determine from time to time.  Each of the Borrowers shall deliver to the Lender on the Closing Date (and thereafter on each date there is a material change in the insurance coverage) an insurance certificate containing a detailed list of the insurance then in effect and stating the names of the insurance companies, the types, the amounts and rates of the insurance, dates of the expiration thereof and the properties and risks covered thereby.  Within thirty (30) days after notice in writing from the Lender, the Borrowers will obtain such additional insurance as the Lender may reasonably request.

6.1.9        Taxes.

Except to the extent that the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, each of the Borrowers will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries, to pay and discharge all Taxes prior to the date when any interest or penalty would accrue for the nonpayment thereof.  Each of the Borrowers shall furnish to the Lender at such times as the Lender may require proof satisfactory to the Lender of the making of payments or deposits required by applicable Laws including, without limitation, payments or deposits with respect to amounts withheld by any of the Borrowers from wages and salaries of employees and amounts contributed by any of the Borrowers on account of federal and other income or wage taxes and amounts due under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, as amended.

6.1.10    ERISA.

Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Commonly Controlled Entities to, comply with the funding requirements of ERISA with respect to Plans for its respective employees.  No Borrower will permit with respect to any Plan (a) any prohibited transaction or transactions under ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code, which results, or may result, in any material liability of any Borrower, or (b) any Reportable Event if, upon termination of the plan or plans with respect to which one or more such Reportable Events shall have occurred, there is or would be any material liability of the Borrower to the PBGC.  Upon the Lender's request, each Borrower will deliver to the Lender a copy of the most recent actuarial report, financial statements and annual report completed with respect to any Plan.

6.1.11    Notification of Events of Default and Adverse Developments.

Each of the Borrowers shall promptly notify the Lender upon obtaining knowledge of the occurrence of:

(a)                any Event of Default;

(b)               any Default;

40


 

 

(c)                any litigation instituted or threatened against any of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries and of the entry of any judgment or Lien (other than any Permitted Liens) against any of the assets or properties of any of the Borrowers or any Subsidiary where the claims against any Borrower or any Subsidiary exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) and are not covered by insurance;

(d)               any event, development or circumstance whereby the financial statements furnished hereunder fail in any material respect to present fairly, in accordance with GAAP, the financial condition and operational results of any of the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries;

(e)                any judicial, administrative or arbitral proceeding pending against any of the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries and any judicial or administrative proceeding known by any of the Borrowers to be threatened against any Borrower or any Subsidiary that, if adversely decided, could materially adversely affect the financial condition or operations (present or prospective) of any Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(f)                 the receipt by any of the Borrowers or any Subsidiary of any notice, claim or demand from any Governmental Authority which alleges that any of the Borrowers or any Subsidiary is in violation of any of the terms of, or has failed to comply with any applicable Laws regulating its operation and business, including, but not limited to, the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Environmental Protection Act; and

(g)                any other development in the business or affairs of any of the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries that may be materially adverse;

in each case describing in detail satisfactory to the Lender the nature thereof and the action the Borrowers propose to take with respect thereto.

6.1.12    Hazardous Materials; Contamination.

Each of the Borrowers agrees to:

(a)                give notice to the Lender immediately upon acquiring knowledge of the presence of any Hazardous Materials or any Hazardous Materials Contamination on any property owned, operated or controlled by any Borrower or for which any Borrower is, or is claimed to be, responsible (provided that such notice shall not be required for Hazardous Materials placed or stored on such property in accordance with applicable Laws in the ordinary course (including, without limitation, quantity) of a Borrower's line of business expressly described in this Agreement), with a full description thereof;

(b)               promptly comply with any Laws requiring the removal, treatment or disposal of Hazardous Materials or Hazardous Materials Contamination and provide the Lender with satisfactory evidence of such compliance;

41


 

 

(c)                provide the Lender, within thirty (30) days after a demand by the Lender, with a bond, letter of credit or similar financial assurance evidencing to the Lender's satisfaction that the necessary funds are available to pay the cost of removing, treating, and disposing of such Hazardous Materials or Hazardous Materials Contamination and discharging any Lien which may be established as a result thereof on any property owned, operated or controlled by any Borrower or for which any Borrower is, or is claimed to be, responsible; and

(d)               as part of the Obligations, defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Lender and its agents, employees, trustees, successors and assigns from any and all claims which may now or in the future (whether before or after the termination of this Agreement) be asserted as a result of the presence of any Hazardous Materials or any Hazardous Materials Contamination on any property owned, operated or controlled by any Borrower or for which any Borrower is, or is claimed to be, responsible.  Each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that this indemnification shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the Commitments and the payment and performance of all of the other Obligations.

6.1.13    Disclosure of Significant Transactions.

Each of the Borrowers shall deliver to the Lender a written notice describing in detail each transaction by it involving the purchase, sale, lease, or other acquisition or loss or casualty to or disposition of an interest in Fixed or Capital Assets which exceeds One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00), said notices to be delivered to the Lender within thirty (30) days of the occurrence of each such transaction.

6.1.14    Financial Covenants.

(a)                Debt to Tangible Net Worth Ratio.  The Borrowers, on a consolidated basis, will maintain at all times a Debt to Tangible Net Worth Ratio so that it is not more than 1.50 to 1.00 at all times. 

(b)               Funded Debt to EBITDA.  The Borrowers, on a consolidated basis, will not permit the ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA tested as of the last day of each of the Borrowers' fiscal quarters for the four (4) quarter period then ending, to be greater than 2.50 to 1.00. 

(c)                Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.  The Borrowers will maintain, on a consolidated basis and tested as of the last day of each of the Borrowers' fiscal quarters for the four (4) quarter period ending on that date, a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.25 to 1.00.

6.1.15    Collection of Receivables.

Until the occurrence of a Default, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries shall at their own expense have the privilege for the account of, and in trust for, the Lender of collecting their Receivables and receiving in respect thereto all Items of Payment and shall otherwise completely service all of the Receivables including (a) the billing, posting and maintaining of complete records applicable thereto, (b) the taking of such action with respect to the Receivables as the Lender may request or in the absence of such request, as each of the Borrowers and each of the Subsidiaries may deem advisable; and (c) the granting, in the ordinary course of business, to any Account Debtor, any rebate, refund or adjustment to which the Account Debtor may be lawfully entitled, and may accept, in connection therewith, the return of goods, the sale or lease of which shall have given rise to a Receivable and may take such other actions relating to the settling of any Account Debtor's claim as may be commercially reasonable.  The Lender may, at its option, at any time or from time to time after and during the continuance of an Event of Default hereunder, revoke the collection privilege given in this Agreement to any one or more of the Borrowers and each of the Subsidiaries by either giving notice of its assignment of, and Lien on the Collateral to the Account Debtors or giving notice of such revocation to the Borrowers.  The Lender shall not have any duty to, and the Borrowers hereby release the Lender from all claims of loss or damage caused by the delay or failure to collect or enforce any of the Receivables or to preserve any rights against any other party with an interest in the Collateral. The Lender shall be entitled at any time and from time to time after written notice to the Borrowers to confirm and verify Receivables.

42


 

 

6.1.16    Assignments of Receivables.

Each Borrower will promptly, upon request, execute and deliver to the Lender written assignments, in form and content acceptable to the Lender, of specific Receivables or groups of Receivables; provided, however, the Lien and/or security interest granted to the Lender under this Agreement shall not be limited in any way to or by the inclusion or exclusion of Receivables within such assignments.  Receivables so assigned shall secure payment of the Obligations and are not sold to the Lender whether or not any assignment thereof, which is separate from this Agreement, is in form absolute.  The Borrowers agree that neither any assignment to the Lender nor any other provision contained in this Agreement or any of the other Financing Documents shall impose on the Lender any obligation or liability of any of the Borrowers with respect to that which is assigned and the Borrowers hereby agree jointly and severally to indemnify the Lender and hold the Lender harmless from any and all claims, actions, suits, losses, damages, costs, expenses, fees, obligations and liabilities which may be incurred by or imposed upon the Lender by virtue of the assignment of and Lien on any Borrower's rights, title and interest in, to, and under the Collateral.

6.1.17    Government Accounts.

The Borrowers will immediately notify the Lender if any of the Receivables in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) and having a remaining term in excess of six (6) months arise out of contracts with the United States or with any other Governmental Authority, and, as appropriate, execute any documents and take any steps required by the Lender in order that all moneys due and to become due under such contracts shall be assigned to the Lender and notice thereof given to the Governmental Authority under the Federal Assignment of Claims Act or any other applicable Laws.

6.1.18    Inventory.

With respect to the Inventory, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries will:  (a) keep correct and accurate records itemizing and describing the kind, type, quality and quantity of Inventory, the Borrowers' and Subsidiaries' cost therefore and the selling price thereof, all of which records shall be available to the officers, employees or agents of the Lender upon demand for inspection and copying thereof; (b) not store any Inventory with a bailee, warehouseman or similar Person without the Lender's prior written consent, which consent may be conditioned on, among other things, delivery by the bailee, warehouseman or similar Person to the Lender of warehouse receipts, in form acceptable to the Lender, in the name of the Lender evidencing the storage of Inventory and the interests of the Lender therein; and (c) permit the Lender and its agents or representatives to inspect and examine the Inventory and to check and test the same as to quality, quantity, value and condition upon prior notice at any time or times hereafter during the Borrowers' and Subsidiaries' usual business hours or at other reasonable times.  The Borrowers and their Subsidiaries shall be permitted to sell their Inventory in the ordinary course of business until the occurrence of an Event of Default.

43


 

6.1.19    Maintenance of the Collateral.

The Borrowers will maintain the Collateral in good working order, saving and excepting ordinary wear and tear, and will not permit anything to be done to the Collateral that may materially impair the value thereof.  The Lender shall not have any duty to, and the Borrowers hereby release the Lender from all claims of loss or damage caused by the delay or failure to collect or enforce any of the Receivables or to, preserve any rights against any other party with an interest in the Collateral.

6.1.20    Equipment.

The Borrowers shall (a) maintain all Equipment as personalty, (b) not affix any Equipment to any real estate in such manner as to become a fixture or part of such real estate, and (c) shall hold no Equipment on a sale on approval basis.  The Borrowers hereby declare their intent that, notwithstanding the means of attachment, no goods of the Borrowers hereafter attached to any realty shall be deemed a fixture, which declaration shall be irrevocable, without the Lender's consent, until all of the Obligations have been paid in full and all of the Commitments have been terminated or have expired.

6.1.21    Defense of Title and Further Assurances.

At their expense, the Borrowers will defend the title to the Collateral (and any part thereof), and will immediately execute, acknowledge and deliver any renewal, affidavit, deed, assignment, security agreement, certificate or other document which the Lender may require in order to perfect, preserve, maintain, continue, protect and/or extend the Lien granted to the Lender under this Agreement or under any of the other Financing Documents and the first priority of that Lien, subject only to the Permitted Liens.  The Borrowers hereby authorize the filing of any financing statement or continuation statement required under the Uniform Commercial Code.  The Borrowers will from time to time do whatever the Lender may require by way of obtaining, executing, delivering, and/or filing landlords' or mortgagees' waivers, notices of assignment and other notices and amendments and renewals thereof and the Borrowers will take any and all steps and observe such formalities as the Lender may require, in order to create and maintain a valid Lien upon, pledge of, or paramount security interest in, the Collateral, subject to the Permitted Liens.  The Borrowers shall pay to the Lender on demand all taxes, costs and expenses incurred by the Lender in connection with the preparation, execution, recording and filing of any such document or instrument.  To the extent that the proceeds of any of the Accounts or Receivables of the Borrowers are expected to become subject to the control of, or in the possession of, a party other than the Borrowers, the Borrowers shall cause all such parties to execute and deliver on the Closing Date security documents or other documents as requested by the Lender and as may be necessary to evidence and/or perfect the security interest of the Lender in those proceeds.  Each Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints the Lender as the Borrower's attorney-in-fact, with power of substitution, in the name of the Lender or in the name of the Borrower or otherwise, for the use and benefit of the Lender, but at the cost and expense of the Borrowers and without notice to the Borrowers, to execute and deliver any and all of the instruments and other documents and take any action which the Lender may require pursuant the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.1.21.

44


 

 

6.1.22    Business Names; Locations.

Each of the Borrowers will notify and cause each of their Subsidiaries to notify the Lender not less than thirty (30) days prior to (a) any change in the name under which the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary conducts its business, (b) any change of the location of the chief executive office of the applicable Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary, and (c) the opening of any new place of business or the closing of any existing place of business, and (d) any change in the location of the places where the Collateral, or any part thereof, or the books and records, or any part thereof, are kept.

6.1.23    Use of Premises and Equipment.

The Borrowers agree that until the Obligations are fully paid and all of the Commitments have been terminated or have expired, the Lender (a) after and during the continuance of an Event of Default, may use any of the Borrowers' owned or leased lifts, hoists, trucks and other facilities or equipment for handling or removing the Collateral; and (b) shall have, and is hereby granted, a right of ingress and egress to the places where the Collateral is located, and may proceed over and through any of the Borrowers' owned or leased property.

6.1.24    Protection of Collateral.

The Borrowers agree that the Lender may at any time following an Event of Default take such steps as the Lender deems reasonably necessary to protect the interest of the Lender in, and to preserve the Collateral, including, the hiring of such security guards or the placing of other security protection measures as the Lender deems appropriate, may employ and maintain at any of the Borrowers' premises a custodian who shall have full authority to do all acts necessary to protect the interests of the Lender in the Collateral and may lease warehouse facilities to which the Lender may move all or any part of the Collateral to the extent commercially reasonable.  The Borrowers agree to cooperate fully with the Lender's efforts to preserve the Collateral and will take such actions to preserve the Collateral as the Lender may reasonably direct.  All of the Lender's expenses of preserving the Collateral, including any reasonable expenses relating to the compensation and bonding of a custodian, shall be part of the Enforcement Costs.

6.1.25    Appraisals.

Whenever a Default or an Event of Default exists, the Borrowers shall, at their expense, provide the Lender with appraisals or updates thereof of any or all of the Collateral from an appraiser and in form in all respects satisfactory to the Lender.

Section 6.2              Negative Covenants.

So long as any of the Obligations or the Commitments shall be outstanding hereunder, the Borrowers agree with the Lender as follows:

45


 

6.2.1        Capital Structure, Merger, Acquisition or Sale of Assets.

Except in connection with the Purchase Agreement Transaction, none of the Borrowers will alter or amend its capital structure, authorize any additional class of equity, issue any stock or equity of any class, enter into any merger or consolidation or amalgamation, windup or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution) or acquire all or substantially all the assets of any Person, or sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any of its assets (except Inventory disposed of in the ordinary course of business prior to an Event of Default).  Any consent of the Lender to the disposition of any assets may be conditioned on a specified use of the proceeds of disposition.  Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Section to the contrary, the Lender agrees that it will not unreasonably withhold its consent to one or more of the Borrowers creating one or more wholly owned operating Subsidiaries (collectively, the "Operating Subsidiary") and transferring substantially all of its assets to the Operating Subsidiary, provided, that at the time of such transfer and after giving effect thereto, each of the following conditions is met:  (a) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a result of such event; (b) the Lender shall have received and reviewed the pro forma projections of the Borrowers (in form and detail satisfactory to the Lender in its reasonable discretion) taking into effect the Operating Subsidiary, which pro forma projections demonstrate the Borrowers' continued compliance with all of the material terms of this Agreement throughout the term hereof; (c) the Lender shall have received a written summary of the revised capital structure of the Borrowers and the Operating Subsidiary; (d) Puroflow shall own one hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding stock of the Operating Subsidiary; (e) the Lender shall have received copies of all organizational documents for the Operating Subsidiary, including without limitation an incumbency certificate and resolution; (f) the Borrowers shall at the Borrowers' expense cause the Operating Subsidiary to be added as a co-obligor on this Agreement and the Financing Documents pursuant to an Additional Borrower Joinder Supplement and deliver such additional Financing Documents, instruments, and opinions as the Lender may reasonably require to cause all of the assets of the Operating Subsidiary to be subject to a first Lien security interest in favor of the Lender. 

6.2.2        Subsidiaries.

None of the Borrowers will create or acquire any Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiaries identified on the Collateral Disclosure List, without the prior written consent of the Lender.

6.2.3        Issuance of Stock.

None of the Borrowers will issue, or grant any option or right to purchase, any of its capital stock.

6.2.4        Purchase or Redemption of Securities, Dividend Restrictions.

None of the Borrowers will purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock or warrants now or hereafter outstanding, declare or pay any dividends thereon (other than stock dividends), apply any of its property or assets to the purchase, redemption or other retirement of, set apart any sum for the payment of any dividends on, or for the purchase, redemption, or other retirement of, make any distribution by reduction of capital or otherwise in respect of, any shares of any class of capital stock of any Borrower, or any warrants, permit any Subsidiary to purchase or acquire any shares of any class of capital stock of, or warrants issued by, any Borrower, make any distribution to stockholders or set aside any funds for any such purpose, and not prepay, purchase or redeem any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money other than the Obligations. 

46


 

6.2.5        Indebtedness.

None of the Borrowers will create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money or permit any Subsidiary to do so, except:

(a)                the Obligations;

(b)               current accounts payable arising in the ordinary course;

(c)                Indebtedness secured by Permitted Liens;

(d)               Subordinated Indebtedness;

(e)                Indebtedness resulting from endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business;

(f)                 Indebtedness of the Borrowers existing on the date hereof and reflected on the financial statements furnished pursuant to Section 4.1.11 (Financial Condition); and

(g)                Any extensions, renewals or replacements of Indebtedness described in clauses (c) and (e) above, which do not increase the amount of such Indebtedness.

6.2.6        Investments, Loans and Other Transactions.

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, none of the Borrowers will, or will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) make, assume, acquire or continue to hold any investment in any real property (unless used in connection with its business and treated as a Fixed or Capital Asset of any Borrower or any Subsidiary) or any Person, whether by stock purchase, capital contribution, acquisition of indebtedness of such Person or otherwise (including, without limitation, investments in any joint venture or partnership), (b) guaranty or otherwise become contingently liable for the Indebtedness or obligations of any Person, or (c) make any loans or advances, or otherwise extend credit to any Person, except:

(i)                  any loan or advance to an officer or employee of any Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided that the aggregate amount of all such loans advances by all of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) outstanding at any time shall not exceed Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000);

(ii)                the endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business;

(iii)               any investment in Cash Equivalents, which are pledged to the Lender as collateral and security for the Obligations; and

(iv)              trade credit extended to customers in the ordinary course of business.

47


 

 

6.2.7        Stock of Subsidiaries.

None of the Borrowers will sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of capital stock of any Subsidiary (except in connection with a merger or consolidation of a Wholly Owned Subsidiary into any of the Borrowers or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary of any of the Borrowers or with the dissolution of any Subsidiary) or permit any Subsidiary to issue any additional shares of its capital stock except pro rata to its stockholders.

6.2.8        Subordinated Indebtedness.

None of the Borrowers will, nor will permit any Subsidiary to make:

(a)                any payment of principal of, or interest on, any of the Subordinated Indebtedness, if a Default or an Event of Default then exists hereunder or would result from such payment;

(b)               any payment of the principal or interest due on the Subordinated Indebtedness as a result of acceleration thereunder or a mandatory prepayment thereunder;

(c)                any amendment or modification of or supplement to the documents evidencing or securing the Subordinated Indebtedness; or

(d)               payment of principal or interest on the Subordinated Indebtedness other than when due (without giving effect to any acceleration of maturity or mandatory prepayment).

6.2.9        Liens; Confessed Judgment.

Each Borrower agrees that it (a) will not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or permit any Subsidiary so to do, except for Liens securing the Obligations and Permitted Liens, (b) will not agree to, assume or suffer to exist any provision in any instrument or other document for confession of judgment, cognovit or other similar right or remedy, (c) will not enter into any contracts for the consignment of goods, will not execute or suffer the filing of any financing statements or the posting of any signs giving notice of consignments, and will not, as a material part of its business, engage in the sale of goods belonging to others, and (d) will not allow or suffer to exist the failure of any Lien described in the Security Documents to attach to, and/or remain at all times perfected on, any of the property described in the Security Documents.

6.2.10    Transactions with Affiliates.

None of the Borrowers nor any of their Subsidiaries will enter into or participate in any transaction with any Affiliate other than transactions in the ordinary course of business on fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the Borrowers than would be obtained in a comparable arm's length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate, with the officers, directors, employees and other representatives of any Borrower and/or any Subsidiary.

48


 

6.2.11    Other Businesses.

None of the Borrowers nor any of their Subsidiaries will engage directly or indirectly in any business other than its current line of business described elsewhere in this Agreement.

6.2.12    ERISA Compliance.

None of the Borrowers nor any Commonly Controlled Entity shall:  (a) engage in or permit any "prohibited transaction" (as defined in ERISA); (b) cause any "accumulated funding deficiency" as defined in ERISA and/or the Internal Revenue Code; (c) terminate any pension plan in a manner which could result in the imposition of a lien on the property of any Borrower pursuant to ERISA; (d) terminate or consent to the termination of any Multi-employer Plan; or (e) incur a complete or partial withdrawal with respect to any Multi-employer Plan.

6.2.13    Prohibition on Hazardous Materials.

None of the Borrowers shall place, manufacture or store or permit to be placed, manufactured or stored any Hazardous Materials on any property owned, operated or controlled by any Borrower or for which any Borrower is responsible other than Hazardous Materials placed or stored on such property in accordance with applicable Laws in the ordinary course of a Borrower's business expressly described in this Agreement.

6.2.14    Method of Accounting; Fiscal Year.

Each Borrower agrees that:

(a)                it shall not change the method of accounting employed in the preparation of any financial statements furnished to the Lender under the provisions of Section 6.1.1 (Financial Statements), unless required to conform to GAAP and on the condition that the Borrowers' accountants shall furnish such information as the Lender may request to reconcile the changes with the Borrowers' prior financial statements

(b)               it will not change its fiscal year from a year ending on January 31.

6.2.15    Compensation.

None of the Borrowers nor any Subsidiary will pay any bonuses, fees, compensation, commissions, salaries, drawing accounts, or other payments (cash and non-cash), whether direct or indirect, to any stockholders, Subsidiary, or any Affiliate, other than reasonable compensation (including bonuses) for actual services rendered by stockholders in their capacity as officers or employees of the Borrower or Subsidiary.

6.2.16    Transfer of Collateral.

None of the Borrowers nor any of their Subsidiaries will transfer, or permit the transfer, of the Collateral or the books and records related to any of the Collateral to a location not disclosed on the Collateral Disclosure List, except for "mobile goods" and vehicles being operated in the ordinary course of business.

49


 

6.2.17    Sale and Leaseback.

None of the Borrowers nor any of their Subsidiaries will directly or indirectly enter into any arrangement to sell or transfer all or any substantial part of its fixed assets and thereupon or within one (1) year thereafter rent or lease the assets so sold or transferred.

6.2.18    Disposition of Collateral.

None of the Borrowers will sell, discount, allow credits or allowances, transfer, assign, extend the time for payment on, convey, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of the Collateral, except, prior to an Event of Default, dispositions expressly permitted elsewhere in this Agreement, the sale of Inventory in the ordinary course of business, and the sale of unnecessary or obsolete Equipment.

ARTICLE VII
DEFAULT AND RIGHTS AND REMEDIES

Section 7.1              Events of Default.

The occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall constitute an "Event of Default" under the provisions of this Agreement:

7.1.1        Failure to Pay.

The failure of the Borrowers to pay any of the Obligations within five (5) days of when due and payable in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the Notes and/or any of the other Financing Documents.

7.1.2        Breach of Representations and Warranties.

Any representation or warranty made in this Agreement or in any report, statement, schedule, certificate, opinion (including any opinion of counsel for the Borrowers), financial statement or other document furnished in connection with this Agreement, any of the other Financing Documents, or the Obligations, shall prove to have been false or misleading when made (or, if applicable, when reaffirmed) in any material respect.

7.1.3        Failure to Comply with Covenants.

Default shall be made by the Borrower in the due observance and performance of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Sections 6.1.1 or 6.1.14 hereof or in Section 6.2 hereof.

7.1.4        Other Defaults.

Default shall be made by the Borrower in the due observance or performance of any other term, covenant or agreement herein contained (other than as set forth in Section 7.1.3 above), which default shall remain unremedied for thirty (30) days after written notice thereof to the Borrower by the Lender.

50


 

7.1.5        Default Under Other Financing Documents or Obligations.

A default shall occur under any of the other Financing Documents or under any other Obligations, and such default is not cured within any applicable grace period provided therein.

7.1.6        Receiver; Bankruptcy.

Any Borrower or any Subsidiary shall (a) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee or liquidator of itself or any of its property, (b) admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they mature, (c) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (d) be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, (e) file a voluntary petition in bankruptcy or a petition or an answer seeking or consenting to reorganization or an arrangement with creditors or to take advantage of any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law or statute, or an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any proceeding under any such law, or take corporate action for the purposes of effecting any of the foregoing, (f) by any act indicate its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or the appointment of any receiver of or trustee for any of its property, or suffer any such receivership, trusteeship or proceeding to continue undischarged for a period of sixty (60) days, or (g) by any act indicate its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any order, judgment or decree by any court of competent jurisdiction or any Governmental Authority enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the operation of a material portion of any Borrower's or any Subsidiary's business or the use or disposition of a material portion of any Borrower's or any Subsidiary's assets.

7.1.7        Involuntary Bankruptcy, etc.

(a) An order for relief shall be entered in any involuntary case brought against any Borrower or any Subsidiary under the Bankruptcy Code, or (b) any such case shall be commenced against any Borrower or any Subsidiary and shall not be dismissed within sixty (60) days after the filing of the petition, or (c) an order, judgment or decree under any other Law is entered by any court of competent jurisdiction or by any other Governmental Authority on the application of a Governmental Authority or of a Person other than any Borrower or any Subsidiary (i) adjudicating any Borrower, or any Subsidiary  bankrupt or insolvent, or (ii) appointing a receiver, trustee or liquidator of any Borrower or of any Subsidiary, or of a material portion of any Borrower's or any Subsidiary's assets, or (iii) enjoining, prohibiting or otherwise limiting the operation of a material portion of any Borrower's or any Subsidiary's business or the use or disposition of a material portion of any Borrower's or any Subsidiary's assets, and such order, judgment or decree continues unstayed and in effect for a period of thirty (30) days from the date entered.

7.1.8        Judgment.

Unless adequately insured in the opinion of the Lender, the entry of a final judgment for the payment of money involving more than $100,000 against any Borrower or any Subsidiary, and the failure by such Borrower or such Subsidiary to discharge the same, or cause it to be discharged, within thirty (30) days from the date of the order, decree or process under which or pursuant to which such judgment was entered, or to secure a stay of execution pending appeal of such judgment.

51


 

7.1.9        Execution; Attachment.

Any execution or attachment shall be levied against the Collateral, or any part thereof, and such execution or attachment shall not be set aside, discharged or stayed within thirty (30) days after the same shall have been levied.

7.1.10    Default Under Other Borrowings.

Default shall be made with respect to any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of any of the Borrowers (other than the Loans) if the default is a failure to pay at maturity or if the effect of such default is to accelerate the maturity of such Indebtedness for Borrowed Money or to permit the holder or obligee thereof or other party thereto to cause such Indebtedness for Borrowed Money to become due prior to its stated maturity.

7.1.11    Challenge to Agreements.

Any Borrower shall challenge the validity and binding effect of any provision of any of the Financing Documents or shall state its intention to make such a challenge of any of the Financing Documents or any of the Financing Documents shall for any reason (except to the extent permitted by its express terms) cease to be effective or to create a valid and perfected first priority Lien (except for Permitted Liens) on, or security interest in, any of the Collateral purported to be covered thereby.

7.1.12    Material Adverse Change.

The Lender, in its sole discretion, determines in good faith that a material adverse change has occurred in the financial condition of any of the Borrowers.

7.1.13    Impairment of Position.

The Lender, in its sole discretion, determines in good faith that an event has occurred which impairs in any material respect the prospect of payment of any of the Obligations and/or the value of the Collateral.

7.1.14    Liquidation, Termination, Dissolution, Change in Responsible Officers.

Any Borrower shall liquidate, dissolve or terminate its existence or shall suspend or terminate a substantial portion of its business operations or if 2 of the 3 current Responsible Officers at any time cease to be actively involved in the daily management of any Borrower without the prior written consent of the Lender.

7.1.15    Swap Default.

An event occurs which gives the Lender the right or option to terminate any Swap Contract which is secured by the Collateral.

Section 7.2              Remedies.

Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, the Lender may, in the exercise of its sole and absolute discretion from time to time, at any time thereafter exercise any one or more of the following rights, powers or remedies:

52


 

7.2.1        Acceleration.

The Lender may declare any or all of the Obligations to be immediately due and payable, notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement or in any of the other Financing Documents to the contrary, without presentment, demand, protest, notice of protest or of dishonor, or other notice of any kind, all of which the Borrowers hereby waive.

7.2.2        Further Advances.

The Lender may from time to time without notice to the Borrowers suspend, terminate or limit any further advances, loans or other extensions of credit under the Commitments, under this Agreement and/or under any of the other Financing Documents.  Further, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default or Default specified in Section 7.1.6 (Receiver; Bankruptcy) or Section 7.1.7 (Involuntary Bankruptcy, etc.), the Revolving Credit Commitment and any agreement in any of the Financing Documents to provide additional credit shall immediately and automatically terminate and the unpaid principal amount of the Notes (with accrued interest thereon) and all other Obligations then outstanding, shall immediately become due and payable without further action of any kind and without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrowers.

7.2.3        Uniform Commercial Code.

The Lender shall have all of the rights and remedies of a secured party under the applicable Uniform Commercial Code and other applicable Laws.  Upon demand by the Lender, the Borrowers shall assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Lender, at a place designated by the Lender.  The Lender or its agents may without notice from time to time enter upon any Borrower's premises to take possession of the Collateral, to remove it, to render it unusable, to process it or otherwise prepare it for sale, or to sell or otherwise dispose of it.

Any written notice of the sale, disposition or other intended action by the Lender with respect to the Collateral which is sent by regular mail, postage prepaid, to the Borrowers at the address set forth in Section 8.1 (Notices), or such other address of the Borrowers which may from time to time be shown on the Lender's records, at least ten (10) days prior to such sale, disposition or other action, shall constitute commercially reasonable notice to the Borrowers.  The Lender may alternatively or additionally give such notice in any other commercially reasonable manner.  Nothing in this Agreement shall require the Lender to give any notice not required by applicable Laws.

If any consent, approval, or authorization of any state, municipal or other Governmental Authority or of any other Person or of any Person having any interest therein, should be necessary to effectuate any sale or other disposition of the Collateral, the Borrowers agree to execute all such applications and other instruments, and to take all other action, as may be required in connection with securing any such consent, approval or authorization.

The Borrowers recognize that the Lender may be unable to effect a public sale of all or a part of the Collateral consisting of Investment Property by reason of certain prohibitions contained in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and other applicable Federal and state Laws.  The Lender may, therefore, in its discretion, take such steps as it may deem appropriate to comply with such Laws and may, for example, at any sale of the Collateral consisting of securities restrict the prospective bidders or purchasers as to their number, nature of business and investment intention, including, without limitation, a requirement that the Persons making such purchases represent and agree to the satisfaction of the Lender that they are purchasing such securities for their account, for investment, and not with a view to the distribution or resale of any thereof.  The Borrowers covenant and agree to do or cause to be done promptly all such acts and things as the Lender may request from time to time and as may be necessary to offer and/or sell the securities or any part thereof in a manner which is valid and binding and in conformance with all applicable Laws.   Upon any such sale or disposition, the Lender shall have the right to deliver, assign and transfer to the purchaser thereof the Collateral consisting of securities so sold.

53


 

7.2.4        Specific Rights With Regard to Collateral.

In addition to all other rights and remedies provided hereunder or as shall exist at law or in equity from time to time, the Lender may (but shall be under no obligation to), at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default, without notice to any of the Borrowers, and each Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints the Lender as its attorney-in-fact, with power of substitution, in the name of the Lender and/or in the name of any or all of the Borrowers or otherwise, for the use and benefit of the Lender, but at the cost and expense of the Borrowers and without notice to the Borrowers:

(a)                request any Account Debtor obligated on any of the Accounts to make payments thereon directly to the Lender, with the Lender taking control of the Proceeds thereof;

(b)               compromise, extend or renew any of the Collateral or deal with the same as it may deem advisable;

(c)                make exchanges, substitutions or surrenders of all or any part of the Collateral;

(d)               copy, transcribe, or remove from any place of business of any Borrower or any Subsidiary all books, records, ledger sheets, correspondence, invoices and documents, relating to or evidencing any of the Collateral or without cost or expense to the Lender, make such use of any Borrower's or any Subsidiary's place(s) of business as may be reasonably necessary to administer, control and collect the Collateral;

(e)                repair, alter or supply goods if necessary to fulfill in whole or in part the purchase order of any Account Debtor;

(f)                 demand, collect, receipt for and give renewals, extensions, discharges and releases of any of the Collateral;

(g)                institute and prosecute legal and equitable proceedings to enforce collection of, or realize upon, any of the Collateral;

(h)                settle, renew, extend, compromise, compound, exchange or adjust claims in respect of any of the Collateral or any legal proceedings brought in respect thereof;

54


 

(i)                  endorse or sign the name of any Borrower upon any Items of Payment, certificates of title, Instruments, Investment Property, stock powers, documents, documents of title, financing statements, assignments, notices or other writing relating to or part of the Collateral and on any proof of claim in bankruptcy against an Account Debtor;

(j)                 notify the Post Office authorities to change the address for the delivery of mail to the Borrowers to such address or Post Office Box as the Lender may designate and receive and open all mail addressed to any of the Borrowers; and

(k)               take any other action necessary or beneficial to realize upon or dispose of the Collateral or to carry out the terms of this Agreement.

7.2.5        Application of Proceeds.

Any proceeds of sale or other disposition of the Collateral will be applied by the Lender to the payment first of any and all Enforcement Costs, and any balance of such proceeds will be applied to the Obligations in such order and manner as the Lender shall determine.  If the sale or other disposition of the Collateral fails to fully satisfy the Obligations, the Borrowers shall remain liable to the Lender for any deficiency.

7.2.6        Performance by Lender.

The Lender without notice to or demand upon the Borrowers and without waiving or releasing any of the Obligations or any Default or Event of Default, may (but shall be under no obligation to) at any time after any Default or Event of Default make such payment or perform such act for the account and at the expense of the Borrowers, and may enter upon the premises of the Borrowers for that purpose and take all such action thereon as the Lender may consider necessary or appropriate for such purpose and each of the Borrowers hereby irrevocably appoints the Lender as its attorney-in-fact to do so, with power of substitution, in the name of the Lender, in the name of any or all of the Borrowers or otherwise, for the use and benefit of the Lender, but at the cost and expense of the Borrowers and without notice to the Borrowers.  All sums so paid or advanced by the Lender together with interest thereon from the date of payment, advance or incurring until paid in full at the Post-Default Rate and all costs and expenses, shall be deemed part of the Enforcement Costs, shall be paid by the Borrowers to the Lender on demand, and shall constitute and become a part of the Obligations.

7.2.7        Other Remedies.

The Lender may from time to time proceed to protect or enforce its rights by an action or actions at law or in equity or by any other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any of the covenants contained in this Agreement or in any of the other Financing Documents, or for an injunction against the violation of any of the terms of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Documents, or in aid of the exercise or execution of any right, remedy or power granted in this Agreement, the Financing Documents, and/or applicable Laws.  The Lender is authorized to offset and apply to all or any part of the Obligations all moneys, credits and other property of any nature whatsoever of any or all of the Borrowers now or at any time hereafter in the possession of, in transit to or from, under the control or custody of, or on deposit with, the Lender or any Affiliate of the Lender.

55


 

ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.1              Notices.

All notices, requests and demands to or upon the parties to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given or made when delivered by hand on a Business Day, or two (2) days after the date when deposited in the mail, postage prepaid by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or when sent by overnight courier, on the Business Day next following the day on which the notice is delivered to such overnight courier, addressed as follows:

Borrowers:                             Puroflow Incorporated
                                                                                One Church Street, Suite 302
                                                                                Rockville, Maryland 20850
                                                                                Attention:  Arthur F. Trudel
                                                                                Chief Financial Officer

with a copy to:                      Robinson & Cole LLP
280 Trumbull Street
Harford, CT 06103
Attention:  Eileen P. Baldwin, Esq.

                                 Lender:                                  Bank of America, N.A.
                                                                                1101 Wootton Parkway, 4th Floor
                                                                                Rockville, Maryland  20852
                                                                                Attention:  Michael J. Radcliffe, SVP

 with a copy to:                     Troutman Sanders LLP
1660 International Drive, Suite 600
McLean, Virginia 22102
Attention:          Richard M. Pollak, Esq.

By written notice, each party to this Agreement may change the address to which notice is given to that party, provided that such changed notice shall include a street address to which notices may be delivered by overnight courier in the ordinary course on any Business Day.

Section 8.2              Amendments; Waivers.

This Agreement and the other Financing Documents may not be amended, modified, or changed in any respect except by an agreement in writing signed by the Lender and the Borrowers.  No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or of any of the other Financing Documents, nor consent to any departure by the Borrowers therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing signed by the Lender.  No course of dealing between the Borrowers and the Lender and no act or failure to act from time to time on the part of the Lender shall constitute a waiver, amendment or modification of any provision of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Documents or any right or remedy under this Agreement, under any of the other Financing Documents or under applicable Laws.

56


 

Without implying any limitation on the foregoing:

(a)                Any waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance, for the terms and purpose for which given, subject to such conditions as the Lender may specify in any such instrument.

(b)               No waiver of any Default or Event of Default shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default, or impair any right consequent thereto.

(c)                No notice to or demand on the Borrowers in any case shall entitle the Borrowers to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstance.

(d)               No failure or delay by the Lender to insist upon the strict performance of any term, condition, covenant or agreement of this Agreement or of any of the other Financing Documents, or to exercise any right, power or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof, shall constitute a waiver, amendment or modification of any such term, condition, covenant or agreement or of any such breach or preclude the Lender from exercising any such right, power or remedy at any time or times.

(e)                By accepting payment after the due date of any amount payable under this Agreement or under any of the other Financing Documents, the Lender shall not be deemed to waive the right either to require prompt payment when due of all other amounts payable under this Agreement or under any of the other Financing Documents, or to declare a default for failure to effect such prompt payment of any such other amount.

Section 8.3              Cumulative Remedies.

The rights, powers and remedies provided in this Agreement and in the other Financing Documents are cumulative, may be exercised concurrently or separately, may be exercised from time to time and in such order as the Lender shall determine, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, and are in addition to, and not exclusive of, rights, powers and remedies provided by existing or future applicable Laws.  In order to entitle the Lender to exercise any remedy reserved to it in this Agreement, it shall not be necessary to give any notice, other than such notice as may be expressly required in this Agreement.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Lender may:

(a)                proceed against any one or more of the Borrowers with or without proceeding against any other Person (who may be liable (by endorsement, guaranty, indemnity or otherwise) for all or any part of the Obligations;

(b)               proceed against any one or more of the Borrowers with or without proceeding under any of the other Financing Documents or against any Collateral or other collateral and security for all or any part of the Obligations;

(c)                without reducing or impairing the obligation of the Borrowers and without notice, release or compromise with any guarantor or other Person liable for all or any part of the Obligations under the Financing Documents or otherwise;

57


 

(d)               without reducing or impairing the obligations of the Borrowers and without notice thereof:

(i)                  fail to perfect the Lien in any or all Collateral or to release any or all the Collateral or to accept substitute Collateral;

(ii)                approve the making of advances under the Revolving Loan under this Agreement;

(iii)               waive any provision of this Agreement or the other Financing Documents;

(iv)              exercise or fail to exercise rights of set-off or other rights; or

(v)                accept partial payments or extend from time to time the maturity of all or any part of the Obligations.

Section 8.4              Severability.

In case one or more provisions, or part thereof, contained in this Agreement or in the other Financing Documents shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any Law, then without need for any further agreement, notice or action:

(a)                the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall remain effective and binding on the parties thereto and shall not be affected or impaired thereby;

(b)               the obligation to be fulfilled shall be reduced to the limit of such validity;

(c)                if such provision or part thereof pertains to repayment of the Obligations, then, at the sole and absolute discretion of the Lender, all of the Obligations of the Borrowers to the Lender shall become immediately due and payable; and

(d)               if the affected provision or part thereof does not pertain to repayment of the Obligations, but operates or would prospectively operate to invalidate this Agreement in whole or in part, then such provision or part thereof only shall be void, and the remainder of this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect.

Section 8.5              Assignments by Lender.

The Lender may, without notice to or consent of the Borrowers, assign to any Person (each an "Assignee" and collectively, the "Assignees") all or a portion of the Lender's Commitments.  The Lender and its Assignee shall notify the Borrowers in writing of the date on which the assignment is to be effective (the "Adjustment Date").  On or before the Adjustment Date, the Lender, the Borrowers and the Assignee shall execute and deliver a written assignment agreement in a form acceptable to the Lender, which shall constitute an amendment to this Agreement to the extent necessary to reflect such assignment.  Upon the request of the Lender following an assignment made in accordance with this Section 8.5, the Borrowers shall issue new Notes to the Lender and its Assignee reflecting such assignment, in exchange for the existing Notes held by the Lender, provided the Lender shall have used good faith efforts to obtain a confidentiality agreement from any such Assignee.

58


 

In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Lender may at any time pledge all or any portion of the Lender's rights under this Agreement, any of the Commitments or any of the Obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank.

Section 8.6              Participations by Lender.

The Lender may at any time sell to one or more financial institutions participating interests in any of the Lender's Obligations or Commitments; provided, however, that (a) no such participation shall relieve the Lender from its obligations under this Agreement or under any of the other Financing Documents to which it is a party, (b) the Lender shall remain solely responsible for the performance of its obligations under this Agreement and under all of the other Financing Documents to which it is a party, and (c) the Borrowers shall continue to deal solely and directly with the Lender in connection with the Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Financing Documents.

Section 8.7              Disclosure of Information by Lender.

In connection with any sale, transfer, assignment or participation by the Lender in accordance with Section 8.5 (Assignments by Lender) or Section 8.6 (Participations by Lender), the Lender shall have the right to disclose to any actual or potential purchaser, assignee, transferee or participant all financial records, information, reports, financial statements and documents obtained in connection with this Agreement and/or any of the other Financing Documents or otherwise.

Section 8.8              Successors and Assigns.

This Agreement and all other Financing Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrowers and the Lender and their respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrowers shall not have the right to assign their rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of the Lender.

Section 8.9              Continuing Agreements.

All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrowers in this Agreement, in any of the other Financing Documents, and in any certificate delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall survive the making by the Lender of the Loans and the execution and delivery of the Notes, shall be binding upon the Borrowers regardless of how long before or after the date hereof any of the Obligations were or are incurred, and shall continue in full force and effect so long as any of the Obligations are outstanding and unpaid. From time to time upon the Lender's request, and as a condition of the release of any one or more of the Security Documents, the Borrowers and other Persons obligated with respect to the Obligations shall provide the Lender with such acknowledgments and agreements as the Lender may require to the effect that there exists no defenses, rights of setoff or recoupment, claims, counterclaims, actions or causes of action of any kind or nature whatsoever against the Lender and/or any of its agents and others, or to the extent there are, the same are waived and released.

59


 

Section 8.10          Enforcement Costs.

The Borrowers agree to pay to the Lender on demand all Enforcement Costs, together with interest thereon from the date incurred or advanced until paid in full at a per annum rate of interest equal at all times to the Post-Default Rate. Enforcement Costs shall be immediately due and payable at the time advanced or incurred, whichever is earlier.  Without implying any limitation on the foregoing, the Borrowers agree, as part of the Enforcement Costs, to pay upon demand any and all stamp and other Taxes and fees payable or determined to be payable in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Financing Documents and to save the Lender harmless from and against any and all liabilities with respect to or resulting from any delay in paying or omission to pay any Taxes or fees referred to in this Section.  The provisions of this Section shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the repayment of the other Obligations and shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Section 8.11          Applicable Law; Jurisdiction.

8.11.1    Applicable Law.

Borrowers acknowledge and agree that the Financing Documents, including, this Agreement, shall be governed by the Laws of the State, as if each of the Financing Documents and this Agreement had each been executed, delivered, administered and performed solely within the State even though for the convenience and at the request of the Borrowers, one or more of the Financing Documents may be executed elsewhere.  The Lender acknowledges, however, that remedies under certain of the Financing Documents that relate to property outside the State may be subject to the laws of the state in which the property is located.

8.11.2    Submission to Jurisdiction.

The Borrowers irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in the State over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the other Financing Documents.  Each of the Borrowers irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.  Final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrowers and may be enforced in any court in which the Borrowers are subject to jurisdiction, by a suit upon such judgment, provided that service of process is effected upon the Borrowers in one of the manners specified in this Section or as otherwise permitted by applicable Laws.

8.11.3    Appointment of Agent for Service of Process.

The Borrowers hereby irrevocably designate and appoint CT Corporation System, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, as the Borrowers' authorized agent to receive on the Borrowers' behalf service of any and all process that may be served in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in this Section in any state or federal court sitting in the State.  If such agent shall cease so to act, the Borrowers shall irrevocably designate and appoint without delay another such agent in the State satisfactory to the Lender and shall promptly deliver to the Lender evidence in writing of such other agent's acceptance of such appointment and its agreement that such appointment shall be irrevocable.

60


 

8.11.4    Service of Process.

Each of the Borrowers hereby consents to process being served in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in this Section by (a) the mailing of a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Borrower at the Borrower's address designated in or pursuant to Section 8.1 (Notices), and (b) serving a copy thereof upon the agent, if any, designated and appointed by the Borrower as the Borrower's agent for service of process by or pursuant to this Section.  The Borrowers irrevocably agree that such service (y) shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Borrowers in any such suit, action or proceeding, and (z) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be taken and held to be valid personal service upon the Borrowers.  Nothing in this Section shall affect the right of the Lender to serve process in any manner otherwise permitted by law or limit the right of the Lender otherwise to bring proceedings against the Borrowers in the courts of any jurisdiction or jurisdictions.

Section 8.12          Duplicate Originals and Counterparts.

This Agreement may be executed in any number of duplicate originals or counterparts, each of such duplicate originals or counterparts shall be deemed to be an original and all taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 8.13          Headings.

The headings in this Agreement are included herein for convenience only, shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose, and shall not be deemed to affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

Section 8.14          No Agency.

Nothing herein contained shall be construed to constitute the Borrowers as the agent of the Lender for any purpose whatsoever or to permit the Borrowers to pledge any of the credit of the Lender.  The Lender shall not be responsible or liable for any shortage, discrepancy, damage, loss or destruction of any part of the Collateral wherever the same may be located and regardless of the cause thereof.  The Lender shall not, by anything herein or in any of the Financing Documents or otherwise, assume any of the Borrowers' obligations under any contract or agreement assigned to the Lender, and the Lender shall not be responsible in any way for the performance by the Borrowers of any of the terms and conditions thereof, except for losses which are the direct result of the Lender's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Section 8.15          Date of Payment.

Should the principal of or interest on the Notes become due and payable on other than a Business Day, the maturity thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and in the case of principal, interest shall be payable thereon at the rate per annum specified in the Notes during such extension.

61


 

Section 8.16          Entire Agreement.

This Agreement is intended by the Lender and the Borrowers to be a complete, exclusive and final expression of the agreements contained herein.  Neither the Lender nor the Borrowers shall hereafter have any rights under any prior agreements pertaining to the matters addressed by this Agreement but shall look solely to this Agreement for definition and determination of all of their respective rights, liabilities and responsibilities under this Agreement.

Section 8.17          Waiver of Trial by Jury.

THE BORROWERS AND THE LENDER HEREBY JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO WHICH THE BORROWER AND THE LENDER MAY BE PARTIES, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY PERTAINING TO (A) THIS AGREEMENT, (B) ANY OF THE FINANCING DOCUMENTS, OR (C) THE COLLATERAL.  THIS WAIVER CONSTITUTES A WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY OF ALL CLAIMS AGAINST ALL PARTIES TO SUCH ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS, INCLUDING CLAIMS AGAINST PARTIES WHO ARE NOT PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT.

This waiver is knowingly, willingly and voluntarily made by the Borrowers and the Lender, and the Borrowers and the Lender hereby represent that no representations of fact or opinion have been made by any individual to induce this waiver of trial by jury or to in any way modify or nullify its effect.  The Borrowers and the Lender further represent that they have been represented in the signing of this Agreement and in the making of this waiver by independent legal counsel, selected of their own free will, and that they have had the opportunity to discuss this waiver with counsel.

Section 8.18          Liability of the Lender.

The Borrowers hereby agree that the Lender shall not be chargeable for any negligence, mistake, act or omission of any accountant, examiner, agency or attorney employed by the Lender in making examinations, investigations or collections, or otherwise in perfecting, maintaining, protecting or realizing upon any lien or security interest or any other interest in the Collateral or other security for the Obligations.

By inspecting the Collateral or any other properties of the Borrowers or by accepting or approving anything required to be observed, performed or fulfilled by the Borrowers or to be given to the Lender pursuant to this Agreement or any of the other Financing Documents, the Lender shall not be deemed to have warranted or represented the condition, sufficiency, legality, effectiveness or legal effect of the same, and such acceptance or approval shall not constitute any warranty or representation with respect thereto by the Lender.

62


 

Section 8.19          Indemnification.

The Borrowers agree to indemnify and hold harmless, Lender, the Lender's parent and Affiliates and the Lender's parent's and Affiliates' officers, directors, shareholders, employees and agents (each an "Indemnified Party," and collectively, the "Indemnified Parties"), from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs and expenses (whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party to any litigation), including without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees and costs and costs of investigation, document production, attendance at depositions or other discovery, incurred by any Indemnified Party with respect to, arising out of or as a consequence of (a) this Agreement or any of the other Financing Documents, including without limitation, any failure of the Borrowers to pay when due (at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) any principal, interest, fee or any other amount due under this Agreement or the other Financing Documents, or any other Event of Default; (b) the use by the Borrowers of any proceeds advanced hereunder; (c) the transactions contemplated hereunder; or (d) any claim, demand, action or cause of action being asserted against (i) the Borrowers or any of their Affiliates by any other Person, or (ii) any Indemnified Party by the Borrowers in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.  Notwithstanding anything herein or elsewhere to the contrary, the Borrowers shall not be obligated to indemnify or hold harmless any Indemnified Party from any liability, loss or damage resulting from the gross negligence, willful misconduct or unlawful actions of such Indemnified Party.  Any amount payable to the Lender under this Section will bear interest at the Post- Default Rate from the due date until paid.

[SIGNATURES APPEAR ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

63


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement under their respective seals as of the day and year first written above.

                                                                        Borrowers:

WITNESS/ATTEST:                                       PUROFLOW INCORPORATED      

_________________________                      By:____________________________(Seal)
                                                                                                Name:
                                                                                                Title:

WITNESS:                                                      SOUTHERN MARYLAND CABLE, INC

_________________________                      By:____________________________(Seal)
                                                                                                Name:
                                                                                                Title:

                                                                        Lender:

WITNESS:                                                      BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

_________________________                      By:____________________________(Seal)
                                                                                                Name:
                                                                                                Title:


LIST OF EXHIBITS

A.                    Additional Borrower Joinder Supplement

B-1.                 Revolving Credit Note

B-2.                 Term Note

C.                    Form of Compliance Certificate

 


EXHIBIT C

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

THIS CERTIFICATE is made as of __________________, 200_, by ____________________________________, a ________________ organized under the laws of the State of ___________________ (the "Borrower"), to Bank of America, N.A., a national banking association (the "Lender"), pursuant to Section 6.1.1 (__) of the Financing and Security Agreement dated ______________, 2003, (as amended, modified, restated, substituted, extended and renewed at any time and from time to time, the "Financing Agreement") by and between the Borrower and the Lender.

I, ____________________, hereby certify that I am the ______________ of the Borrower and am a Responsible Officer (as that term is defined in the Financing Agreement) authorized to certify to the Lender on behalf the Borrower as follows:

(a)                This Certificate is given to induce the Lender to make advances to the Borrower under the Financing Agreement.

(b)               This Certificate accompanies the _____________ financial statements for the period ended ___________________, 200__ (the "Current Financials") which the Borrower is furnishing to the Lender pursuant to Section 6.1.1(__) of the Financing Agreement. The Current Financials have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (as that term is defined in the Financing Agreement).

(c)                As required by Section 6.1.1(__) of the Financing Agreement, I have set forth on Schedule 1 a detailed computation of each financial covenant in Financing Agreement.

(d)               No change has occurred to the information contained in the Collateral Disclosure List except as set forth on Schedule 2 to this Certificate.  By way of example and not limitation, the Collateral Disclosure List, contains a listing of all of the Borrower's Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights (as those terms are defined in the Financing Agreement), all locations (owned, leased, warehouses or otherwise) where any Collateral (as that term is defined in the Financing Agreement) is located, all Subsidiaries (as that term is defined in the Financing Agreement).

(e)                As of the date hereof, there exists no Default or Event of Default, as defined in the Article VII (Default and Rights and Remedies) of the Financing Agreement, nor any event which, upon notice or the lapse of time, or both, would constitute such an Event of Default.

(f)                 On the date hereof, the representations and warranties contained in Article 4 of the Financing Agreement are true with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on the date hereof.

            WITNESS my signature this _____ day of ____________, 200_.

______________________________

Name:
Title:


 

Schedule 1

 

 

 

 


 

                                                                                                                                    Schedule 2

 

 

 


LIST OF SCHEDULES

Schedule 1.1                Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks

Schedule 4.1.10           Litigation

Schedule 4.1.13           Indebtedness for Borrowed Money

Schedule 4.1.18           Employee Relations

Schedule 4.1.20           Perfection and Priority of Collateral


 

FINANCING AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

Dated

August __, 2003

By and Among

And

PUROFLOW INCORPORATED

And

SOUTHERN MARYLAND CABLE, INC.

EX-31.1 4 ex31-1.htm Exhibit 31.1

 

Exhibit 31.1

SARBANES-OXLEY ACT SECTION 302(a) CERTIFICATION

I, Rainer Bosselmann, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-QSB of Argan, Inc.:
2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the small business issuer as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.

The small business issuer’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), for the small business issuer and have:

 

a)  Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the small business issuer, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the small business issuer’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

c) Disclosed in this report any change in the small business issuer’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the small business issuer’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the small business issuer’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

1


 

5.

The small business issuer's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the small business issuer’s auditors and the audit committee of the small business issuer’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a)  All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the small business issuer’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 small business issuer’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: December 12, 2003

By: /s/ Rainer Bosselmann
_______________________________________________
Rainer Bosselmann
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

2

EX-31.2 5 ex31-2.htm Exhibit 31.2

Exhibit 31.2

SARBANES-OXLEY ACT SECTION 302(a) CERTIFICATION

I, Arthur Trudel, certify that:

1 I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-QSB of Argan, Inc.:
2

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the small business issuer as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4

The small business issuer’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), for the small business issuer and have:

  a.

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the small business issuer, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

  b.

Evaluated the effectiveness of the small business issuer’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

  c.

Disclosed in this report any change in the small business issuer’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the small business issuer’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the small business issuer’s internal control over financial reporting; and

1


 

5

The small business issuer’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal controls over financial reporting, to the small business issuer’s auditors and the audit committee of the small business issuer’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

  a.

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the small business issuer’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 small business issuer’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: December 12, 2003

By: /s/ Arthur Trudel
_______________________________________________
Arthur Trudel
Chief Financial Officer

 

2

EX-32.1 6 ex32-1.htm Exhibit 32.1

 

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
     18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Argan, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), on Form 10-QSB for the period ended October 31, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Rainer Bosselmann, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:

1.
  

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.
  

Information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

By: /s/ Rainer Bosselmann
_______________________________________________
Rainer Bosselmann
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Date: December 12, 2003

A signed original of this document has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the SEC or its staff upon request.

 

EX-32.2 7 ex32-2.htm Exhibit 32.2

 

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
     18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Argan, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), on Form 10-QSB for the period ended, October 31, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Arthur F. Trudel, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:

1.
  

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.
  

Information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

By: /s/ Arthur F. Trudel
_______________________________________________
Arthur F. Trudel
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: December 12, 2003

A signed original of this document has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the SEC or its staff upon request.

 

-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----