-----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, BQicBOABdnywwdHaNyJR/JzpVt4eIVEUiy7gzLV0xYBBRamecOxjgyI3QKGDy2CG jQq6/FxXh5J2mw83sKm4Mw== 0000950133-07-000883.txt : 20070301 0000950133-07-000883.hdr.sgml : 20070301 20070301143700 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950133-07-000883 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 5 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20070228 ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20070301 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20070301 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Compass Diversified Trust CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001345126 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-HELP SUPPLY SERVICES [7363] IRS NUMBER: 576218917 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-51937 FILM NUMBER: 07662457 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 61 WILTON ROAD CITY: WESTPORT STATE: CT ZIP: 06880 BUSINESS PHONE: 203-221-1703 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 61 WILTON ROAD CITY: WESTPORT STATE: CT ZIP: 06880 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001345122 IRS NUMBER: 203812051 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-51938 FILM NUMBER: 07662458 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 61 WILTON ROAD CITY: WESTPORT STATE: CT ZIP: 06880 BUSINESS PHONE: 203-221-1703 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 61 WILTON ROAD CITY: WESTPORT STATE: CT ZIP: 06880 8-K 1 w31162e8vk.htm 8-K e8vk
 

 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 28, 2007
COMPASS DIVERSIFIED TRUST
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
Delaware   0-51937   57-6218917
(State or other jurisdiction   (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
of incorporation)        
COMPASS GROUP DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
Delaware   0-51938   20-3812051
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
         
Sixty One Wilton Road
Second Floor
Westport, CT 06880
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 221-1703
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 


 

Item 8.01 Acquisition of New Businesses
Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC (the “Company”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Compass Group Diversified Trust (the “Trust” and, together with the LLC, collectively “CODI,” “us” or “we”) in the ordinary course of its business acquires and manages small to middle market businesses. The following descriptions relate to the recent acquisition of two such businesses.
Aeroglide Corporation
On February 28, 2007, Aeroglide Holdings, Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Buyer”), entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Aeroglide Corporation (“Aeroglide”) and the shareholders of Aeroglide (the “Sellers”) to purchase, and consummated the purchase of, all of the outstanding capital stock of Aeroglide owned by the Sellers.
The Company paid an aggregate of approximately $57.4 million in cash for its majority owned share of the Aeroglide stock and its portion of transaction expenses which totalled approximately $1.2 million. The Company’s cash consideration and transaction expenses were funded by the Company through available cash and a drawing on the Company’s existing revolving credit facility. As a result of the transaction, CODI will own a substantial majority of the equity of Buyer. Aeroglide’s management and affiliates of two of CODI’s lenders invested in the transaction and will own minority interests in Buyer.
Founded in 1940 and based in Carey, North Carolina, Aeroglide is a leading global designer and manufacturer of industrial drying and cooling equipment. Aeroglide’s specialized thermal processing equipment is designed to remove moisture and heat from, as well as roasting, toasting, and baking a variety of processed products. The Company’s machinery is used in the production of a variety of human foods, animal and pet feeds, and industrial products.
Concurrent with the closing of the Buyer’s acquisition of Aeroglide, the Company provided a credit facility to the Buyer, as Co-Borrower and Aeroglide, as Borrower, which funded, in part, the Buyer’s purchase of Aeroglide’s stock from the Sellers and made available to the Buyer and Aeroglide a secured revolving loan commitment and secured term loans. The loans to Buyer and Aeroglide are secured by security interests in all of the assets of Buyer and Aeroglide and the pledge of the equity interests in Aeroglide and its subsidiaries. In addition to being similar to the terms and conditions of the credit facilities in place with our existing businesses, the Company believes that the terms of the loans are fair and reasonable given the leverage and risk profile of Buyer and Aeroglide.
Compass Group Management LLC, our manager, performed transaction services for the Buyer for which it received fees and expense payments from Aeroglide totaling approximately $0.6 million.
HALO Branded Solutions, Inc.
On February 28, 2007, HALO Holding Corporation, a majority-owned indirect subsidiary of the Company (the “Buyer”) entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with HA-LO Holdings, LLC (the “Seller”) to purchase, and consummated the purchase of, all of the outstanding capital stock of HALO Branded Solutions, Inc. (“HALO”) owned by the Seller.
The Company paid an aggregate of approximately $61.3 million in cash for its majority owned share of the HALO stock, net of indebtedness of HALO retired in connection with the closing and for its portion of transaction expenses which totalled approximately $1.1 million. The Company’s portion of the cash consideration and transaction expenses were funded by the Company through available cash and a drawing on the Company’s existing credit facility. As a result of the transaction, CODI will own a substantial majority of the equity of a newly formed limited liability company, which will own all of the stock of Buyer. HALO’s management and affiliates of two of CODI’s lenders invested in the transaction and will own minority interests in the limited liability company.
Founded in 1952 and based in Sterling, Illinois, HALO is a leading distributor of customized promotional products. HALO’s account executives work with a diverse group of end customers to develop the most effective means of communicating a logo or marketing message to a target audience.

2


 

Operating under the brand names HALO and Lee Wayne, HALO provides its more than 30,000 customers a one-stop-shop resource for design, sourcing, management and fulfillment across all categories of its customers’ promotional products needs.
Concurrent with the closing of the Buyer’s acquisition of HALO, the Company provided a credit facility to the Buyer, as Co-Borrower and HALO, as Borrower, which funded, in part, the Buyer’s purchase of HALO’s stock from the Sellers and made available to HALO a secured revolving loan commitment and secured term loans. The loans to the Buyer and HALO are secured by security interests in all of the assets of the Buyer and HALO and the pledge of the equity interests in the Buyer, HALO and HALO’s subsidiaries. In addition to being similar to the terms and conditions of the credit facilities in place with our existing businesses, the Company believes that the terms of the loans are fair and reasonable given the leverage and risk profile of the Buyer and HALO.
Compass Group Management LLC, our manager, performed transaction services for the Buyer for which it received fees and expense payments totaling approximately $0.6 million.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits.
     
99.1
  Press Release of the Company dated March 1, 2007 announcing the purchase of Aeroglide stock and HALO Stock.
 
   
99.2
  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2007, among Aeroglide Corporation, the shareholders of Aeroglide Corporation and Aeroglide Holdings, Inc.
 
   
99.3
  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2007, by and between HA-LO Holdings, LLC and HALO Holding Corporation.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
             
Date: March 1, 2007   COMPASS DIVERSIFIED TRUST    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ James J. Bottiglieri
 
James J. Bottiglieri
   
 
      Regular Trustee    
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
             
Date: March 1, 2007   COMPASS GROUP DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS LLC    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ James J. Bottiglieri
 
James J. Bottiglieri
   
 
      Chief Financial Officer    

3


 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS
     
Exhibit No.    
99.1
  Press Release of the Company dated March 1, 2007 announcing the purchase of Aeroglide stock and HALO Stock.
 
   
99.2
  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2007, among Aeroglide Corporation, the shareholders of Aeroglide Corporation and Aeroglide Holdings, Inc.
 
   
99.3
  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2007, by and between HA-LO Holdings, LLC and HALO Holding Corporation.

4

EX-99.1 2 w31162exv99w1.htm EX-99.1 exv99w1
 

Exhibit 99.1
         
800 Second Avenue
  Tel 212 682 6300    
New York, NY 1007
  Fax 212 697 0910    
 
      (KCSA LOGO)
 
       
     
Compass Diversified Trust
  Investor Relations Contact:
James J. Bottiglieri
  KCSA Worldwide
Chief Financial Officer
  Jeffrey Goldberger / Garth Russell
203.221.1703
  212.896.1249 / 212.896.1250
jim@compassequity.com
  jgoldberger@kcsa.com / grussell@kcsa.com
Compass Diversified Trust Acquires Aeroglide Corporation
and HALO Branded Solutions, Inc.
WESTPORT, CT March 1, 2007 – Compass Diversified Trust (NASDAQ: CODI), Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “CODI”) announced today that on February 28, 2007, CODI simultaneously entered into definitive agreements to acquire and consummated the acquisitions of Aeroglide Corporation (“Aeroglide”) and HALO Branded Solutions, Inc. (“HALO”).
Founded in 1940 and based in Carey, North Carolina, Aeroglide is a leading global designer and manufacturer of industrial drying and cooling equipment. Aeroglide’s specialized thermal processing equipment is designed to remove moisture and heat from, as well as roasting, toasting, and baking a variety of processed products. The Company’s machinery is used in the production of a variety of human foods, animal and pet feeds, and industrial products. CODI acquired Aeroglide based on a total enterprise value of $57.0 million. Aeroglide’s management invested in the transaction alongside CODI.
Founded in 1952 and based in Sterling, Illinois, HALO is a leading distributor of customized promotional products. HALO’s account executives work with a diverse group of end customers to develop the most effective means of communicating a logo or marketing message to a target audience. Operating under the brand names HALO and Lee Wayne, HALO provides its more than 30,000 customers a one-stop-shop resource for design, sourcing, management and fulfillment across all categories of its customers’ promotional products needs. CODI acquired HALO based on a total enterprise value of $62.5 million. HALO’s management invested in the transaction alongside CODI.
Commenting on the acquisitions, I. Joseph Massoud, the Company’s CEO, said, “We are extremely excited about the acquisitions of Aeroglide and HALO. These companies represent the second and third acquisitions since our IPO. More importantly, both Aeroglide and HALO exhibit the essential characteristics we look for in all of our subsidiary companies, including established leadership in their respective markets and outstanding management teams.

 


 

Furthermore, each of these transactions was greatly facilitated by our unique capital structure, which we consider to be a significant competitive advantage, enabling us to acquire attractive businesses without the need to secure cumbersome subsidiary-specific third party financing.”
Funding for the acquisitions was provided by excess cash on hand at the Company, as well as drawings under CODI’s revolving credit facility.
Additional information on the acquisitions will be available on the Company’s current report on form 8-K that will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before March 2, 2007.
About Compass Diversified Trust
CODI was formed to acquire and manage a group of profitable middle market businesses that are headquartered in North America. CODI provides public investors with an opportunity to participate in the ownership and growth of companies which have historically been owned by private equity firms, wealthy individuals or families. CODI’s disciplined approach to its target market provides opportunities to methodically purchase attractive businesses at values that are accretive to its shareholders. For sellers of businesses, CODI’s’ unique structure allows CODI to acquire businesses efficiently with no financing contingencies and, following acquisition, to provide its companies with substantial access to growth capital.
Upon acquisition, CODI works with the executive teams of its subsidiary companies to identify and capitalize on opportunities to grow those companies’ earnings and cash flows. These cash flows support distributions to CODI shareholders, which are intended to be steady and growing over the long term.
Subsidiary Businesses
In addition to Aeroglide and HALO, CODI’s current subsidiary businesses include:
         CBS Personnel Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, referred to as CBS Personnel, is a provider of temporary staffing services in the United States. CBS Personnel is headquartered in Cincinnati, OH, operates 147 branch locations in 17 states and was founded in 1970. The company is one of the largest commercial staffing companies in the nation.
 
         Compass AC Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiary, referred to as Advanced Circuits, is a manufacturer of low-volume quick-turn and prototype rigid printed circuit boards (“PCBs”). The Company is based in Aurora, CO and was founded in 1989.
 
         Silvue Technologies Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, referred to as Silvue, is a developer and manufacturer of proprietary, high- performance coating systems for polycarbonate, glass, acrylic, metals and other substrate materials used in the premium eyewear, aerospace, automotive and industrial markets. Silvue is based in Anaheim, CA and was founded in 1986.

 


 

         Anodyne Medical Device, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, referred to as AMD, is a leading manufacturer of medical support surfaces and patient positioning devices, primarily used for the prevention and treatment of pressure wounds experienced by patients with limited or no mobility. AMD is based in Los Angeles, CA and was founded in 2005.
To find out more about Compass Diversified Trust, please visit
www.compassdiversifiedtrust.com.
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements, including statements with regard to the future performance of the Trust. Words such as “believes,” “expects,” “projects,” and “future” or similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions. Certain factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements, and some of these factors are enumerated in the risk factor discussion in the Form 10Qs filed by CODI with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the quarters ended March 31,2006, June 30, 2006, September 30, 2006 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. CODI undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

EX-99.2 3 w31162exv99w2.htm EX-99.2 exv99w2
 

Execution Copy
Exhibit 99.2
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
among
AEROGLIDE CORPORATION,
THE SHAREHOLDERS OF AEROGLIDE CORPORATION
and
AEROGLIDE HOLDINGS, INC.
DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2007

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
ARTICLE 1 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
    1  
1.1   Defined Terms
    1  
1.2   General Rules of Construction and Interpretation
    9  
 
       
ARTICLE 2 PURCHASE AND SALE OF STOCK
    10  
2.1   Sale
    10  
2.2   Purchase Price; Initial Payment
    10  
2.3   Closing Working Capital Statement
    11  
2.4   Settlement
    12  
2.5   Expenses
    13  
 
       
ARTICLE 3 CLOSING
    13  
3.1   Time and Place
    13  
3.2   Simultaneous Actions
    13  
3.3   Deliveries by Sellers
    13  
3.4   Deliveries by Buyer
    14  
 
       
ARTICLE 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS
    15  
4.1   Authorization
    15  
4.2   Noncontravention
    15  
4.3   Consents
    15  
4.4   Stock Ownership
    15  
4.5   Litigation
    15  
4.6   Brokers
    16  
4.7   Related Party Transactions
    16  
 
       
ARTICLE 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
    16  
5.1   Organization
    16  
5.2   Power
    16  
5.3   Authorization
    16  
5.4   Capitalization
    17  
5.5   Company Subsidiaries
    17  
5.6   Noncontravention
    17  
5.7   Consents
    18  
5.8   Financial Statements
    18  
5.9   No Undisclosed Liabilities
    19  
5.10 Absence of Changes
    19  
5.11 Real Property
    20  
5.12 Company Contracts
    21  
5.13 Litigation, Orders
    22  
5.14 Compliance
    23  
5.15 Environmental
    24  
5.16 Employment Matters
    24  
5.17 Employee Benefit Plans
    26  
5.18 Related Party Transactions
    28  
5.19 Intellectual Property
    28  
5.20 Condition and Sufficiency of Assets
    29  
5.21 Inventory
    30  
5.22 Accounts Receivable
    30  
5.23 Tax Matters
    30  
5.24 Brokers
    31  
5.25 No Other Representations or Warranties
    32  

i


 

         
5.26 Books and Records
    32  
5.27 Insurance
    32  
5.28 Certain Payments
    33  
5.29 Customers and Suppliers
    34  
5.30 No Product Liabilities; Product Warranties
    34  
5.31 Accuracy of Information
    34  
 
       
ARTICLE 6 REPRESENTATIVES AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
    35  
6.1   Organization
    35  
6.2   Power
    35  
6.3   Authorization
    35  
6.4   Noncontravention
    35  
6.5   Consents
    35  
6.6   Investment Intent
    36  
6.7   Litigation
    36  
6.8   Brokers
    36  
6.9   Financial Capability
    36  
6.10 Knowledge Regarding Representations
    36  
6.11 Non-Reliance
    36  
 
       
ARTICLE 7 [RESERVED]
    36  
 
       
ARTICLE 8 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF BUYER
    36  
8.1   Representations and Warranties
    37  
8.2   Performance of Agreements
    37  
8.3   Approvals
    37  
8.4   Legal Matters
    37  
 
       
ARTICLE 9 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF SELLERS
    37  
9.1   Representations and Warranties
    37  
9.2   Performance of Agreements
    37  
9.3   Approvals
    37  
9.4   Consents
    38  
9.5   Legal Matters
    38  
9.6   Payment of Indebtedness by Related Persons
    38  
 
       
ARTICLE 10 RESERVED
    38  
 
       
ARTICLE 11 POST-CLOSING COVENANTS; TAX MATTERS
    39  
11.1   Access to Records
    39  
11.2   Public Statements
    39  
11.3   Tax Matters
    39  
11.4   Further Assurances
    41  
 
       
ARTICLE 12 INDEMNIFICATION
    41  
12.1   Survival
    41  
12.2   Indemnification
    42  
12.3   Third Party Claims
    44  
12.4   Remedies Exclusive
    45  
12.5   Recoveries
    45  
12.6   Characterization
    45  
 
       
ARTICLE 13 MISCELLANEOUS
    45  
13.1   Expenses
    45  
13.2   Binding Effect
    45  
13.3   Entire Agreement; Amendments
    46  

ii 


 

         
13.4 Notices
    46  
13.5 Governing Law
    47  
13.6 Jurisdiction
    47  
13.7 Waivers
    47  
13.8 Counterparts
    47  

iii 


 

STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
     This Stock Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of February 28, 2007 by and among Aeroglide Corporation, a North Carolina corporation (the “Company”), all the shareholders of the Company (“Sellers”) set forth on the Shareholder Schedule attached hereto (the “Shareholder Schedule”), and Aeroglide Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Buyer”).
     WHEREAS, Sellers collectively own all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company, which Buyer desires to purchase;
     WHEREAS, this Agreement sets forth the terms and conditions upon which Sellers will sell to Buyer, and Buyer will acquire from Sellers, all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company;
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained herein, the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
     1.1 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set forth below:
     “Adjustment Amount” is defined in Section 2.2(b).
     “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, each Person that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person. For the purpose of this definition, “control” of a Person shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of its management or policies, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
     “Agreement” is defined in the preamble.
     “Arbitrator” is defined in Section 2.3.
     “Balance Sheet” and “Balance Sheet Date” are defined in Section 5.8.
     “Base Consideration” is defined in Section 2.2.
     “business day” means any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which banks in Cary, North Carolina are authorized or obligated by Law to close.
     “Buyer” is defined in the preamble.
     “Buyer Parties” means, collectively, the Buyer and its officers, directors, employees, subsidiaries, Affiliates (including the Company from and after the Closing) and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
     “Cap Amount” is defined in Section 12.2.

 


 

     “Capitalized Leases” means the capitalized leases of the Companies set forth on Schedule 1.1.
     “Cash” means the cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the Closing Date as shown on the Closing Working Capital Statement calculated in accordance with GAAP. For the avoidance of doubt, Cash shall (i) be reduced by checks and drafts written by the Company or the Subsidiaries but not yet cleared, and (ii) exclude the proceeds of any debt or equity used to pay any portion of the Purchase Price.
     “Closing” means the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as described in Article 3.
     “Closing Date” means the date of this Agreement.
     “Closing Working Capital Statement” is defined in Section 2.3.
     “COBRA” means Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA.
     “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
     “Company” is defined in the preamble.
     “Company Contracts” means the Contracts set forth on Section 5.12(a) of the Disclosure Schedule.
     “Company Plan” is defined in Section 5.16.
     “Confidentiality Agreement” means the letter agreement dated as of ___, 2006, entered into between the Company and Buyer.
     “Contract” means any written or oral contract, lease, undertaking, agreement or other arrangement to or under which either the Company or Subsidiary is legally bound, including any and all amendments and modifications thereto.
     “Current Assets” means (i) Cash; plus (ii) accounts receivable; plus (iii) inventories; plus (iv) revenue in excess of billings; plus (v) other current assets, but excluding any deferred tax asset, all as determined in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis.
     “Current Liabilities” means (i) accounts payable; plus (ii) billings in excess of revenue; plus (iii) other accrued expenses, but excluding the current portion of long term debt, any line of credit, notes payable and deferred tax liability, all as determined in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis.
     “Deferred Compensation” means the amounts owed by the Company to employees under the Company’s phantom stock deferred compensation program, and the executive bonus program accrued as of the Closing Date in the amount of $3,000,000.

2


 

     “Disclosure Schedule” is defined at the beginning of Article 5.
     “Employment Agreements” is defined in Section 3.3(h).
     “Encumbrance” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien, assessment, conditional sale or other title retention agreement.
     “Environmental Claim” means any Proceeding, notice of violation, correspondence or demand issued pursuant to, or regarding compliance with, Environmental Laws, seeking cleanup costs, damages, costs, fines, charges, penalties or other regulatory assessments for actual or alleged non-compliance with any Environmental Laws, or seeking an order, injunction or similar relief against the Company or any Subsidiary by any Person, arising out of, based on, or resulting from any actual or threatened (a) release, spill, leak, discharge, emission, handling, management, or disposal of any Hazardous Substances by the Company or any Subsidiary at any location, or in, on, to or from the Properties, (b) circumstances forming the basis of any violation, or alleged violation, of any Environmental Laws by the Company or any Subsidiary or related to any of the Properties, or (c) exposure to any Hazardous Substances caused by the Company or any Subsidiary or at any of the Properties.
     “Environmental Laws” means all Laws as in effect as of or prior to the date hereof (a) related to the actual or threatened releases, spills, leaks, discharges, or emissions of any Hazardous Substances into the environment, including soil, surface water, groundwater, sediment or air, (b) governing the use, treatment, storage, disposal, recycling, transport, or handling of Hazardous Substances, or (c) related to the protection, preservation, conservation or regulation of the environment, human health or natural resources, which such Laws include the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, and their respective state and local counterparts, together with all amendments, implementing regulations and reauthorizations as in effect as of or prior to the date hereof.
     “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
     “ERISA Affiliate” means any Person that is or at any relevant time was part of the same controlled group, or under common control with, or part of an affiliated service group that includes the Company or any Subsidiary within the meaning of the Code Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) and/or ERISA Section 4001(a)(14).
     “Escrow Agent” means Branch Banking and Trust Company.
     “Escrow Agreement” is defined in Section 3.3(f).
     “Escrow Amount” means Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000).
     “Estimated Adjustment Amount” is defined in Section 2.2(c).
     “Estimated Tax Make-Whole Payment Amount” is defined in Section 2.2(e).

3


 

     “Financial Statements” is defined in Section 5.8.
     “GAAP” means, as of any date, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect on such date.
     “Governmental Authorization” means any approval, consent, ratification, license, permit, waiver or other authorization issued, granted, given or otherwise made available by or under the authority of any Governmental Body or pursuant to any Legal Requirement.
     “Governmental Body” means any United States or foreign, national, multinational, federal, state, provincial or local governmental, regulatory or administrative authority, agency or commission or any court or self regulatory organization, tribunal or judicial or arbitral body and any instrumentality of any of the foregoing.
     “Hazardous Substance” means all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or materials, any pollutants or contaminants (including all oil and petroleum of any kind and in any form, polychlorinated biphenyls, asbestos and raw materials which include hazardous constituents), or any other similar substances, or materials which are regulated by any Environmental Law.
     “Indebtedness” means (i) all indebtedness for borrowed money, outstanding line of credit and any notes payable, (ii) any indebtedness arising under capitalized leases, conditional sales contracts and other similar title retention instruments, and (iii) all indebtedness for the deferred purchase price of property or the deferred purchase price for services.
     “Indebtedness to be Repaid” means all Indebtedness of the Company and the Subsidiaries, or any of them, outstanding as of the Closing Date, except for Indebtedness arising under the Capitalized Leases.
     “Indemnified Party” is defined in Section 12.3.
     “Indemnifying Party” is defined in Section 12.3.
     “Initial Payment” is defined in Section 2.2.
     “Intellectual Property” means all of the following owned or used by the Company or any Subsidiary in the operation of its business:
  (a)   United States and foreign trademarks, service marks and trademark and service mark registrations and applications, trade names, logos, trade dress and slogans, and all goodwill related to the foregoing;
 
  (b)   patent applications, patents, inventions, improvements, know-how, formula methodology, research and development, business methods, processes, technology and software in any jurisdiction, including re-issues, continuations, divisions, continuations-in-part, renewals or extensions;
 
  (c)   trade secrets;

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  (d)   copyrights in writings, designs, software, mask works or other works, applications or registrations in any jurisdiction for the foregoing, other original works of authorship and all moral rights related thereto; and
 
  (e)   Internet web sites, web pages, domain names and applications and registrations pertaining thereto (excluding any third-party websites linked to or from the websites of the Company or any Subsidiary).
     “Knowledge of the Company” means the actual knowledge of any of the Chief Executive Officer, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President and Director of Operations, Senior Vice President and Director of Worldwide Sales, Director of Process Engineering, Chief Corporate Engineer, Information Systems Manager, Director of Customer Service and Vice President Purchasing of the Company.
     “Law” means any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, judgment, order, award or other decision or requirement of any Governmental Body.
     “Leased Properties” means any real property that is leased by the Company or any Subsidiary.
     “Losses” is defined in Section 12.2.
     “Majority in Interest of the Sellers” means a combination of Sellers who own, in the aggregate, more than fifty percent (50%) of the Shares.
     “Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on the business, results of operations or financial condition of the Company and the Subsidiaries; provided however, that none of the following (nor the effects thereof) shall be deemed, individually or in the aggregate, to constitute, and none of the following (nor the effects thereof) shall be taken into account in determining whether there has been or will be, a Material Adverse Effect:
  (a)   this Agreement, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the announcement thereof, including disclosure of the fact that Buyer is the prospective buyer of the Company;
 
  (b)   the Buyer’s announcement or other disclosure of its plans or intentions with respect to the conduct of the business of the Company or any Subsidiary, or any portion thereof;
 
  (c)   changes or conditions affecting the United States economy or financial markets or foreign economies or financial markets;
 
  (d)   changes in or developments in any industry in which the Company or any Subsidiary operates or changes in customer demand, including seasonal changes;

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  (e)   changes or conditions resulting from political or regulatory conditions, acts of war, terrorism, escalation of hostilities or earthquakes or other natural occurrences;
 
  (f)   any event, circumstance, change or effect predominantly arising from any action taken by Buyer or any of its Affiliates;
 
  (g)   any development or event resulting from Buyer’s refusal to consent to the Company or any Subsidiary taking any action otherwise prohibited by Section 7.2; or
 
  (h)   any change in Laws or the enforcement thereof or accounting rules.
     “Multiemployer Plan” means any “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
     “Multiple Employer Plan” means any Plan that has two or more contributing sponsors at least two of whom are not under common control, within the meaning of Section 4063 of ERISA.
     “Owned Properties” means any real property that is owned in fee simple by the Company or any Subsidiary.
     “Permitted Encumbrances” means
  (a)   Encumbrances for Taxes (and assessments and other governmental charges or levies) not yet due and payable or due but not delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
 
  (b)   mechanics’, builders’, workmen’s, repairmen’s, warehousemen’s, landlord’s, carriers’ or other like Encumbrances (including Encumbrances created by operation of law);
 
  (c)   Encumbrances in respect of easements, permits, licenses, right-of-way, restrictive covenants or encroachments or irregularities in, and other similar exceptions to title and any conditions with respect to real property that would be shown by a current survey, title report or other public record;
 
  (d)   zoning, entitlement, building, planning, land use and environmental restrictions or regulations and other Laws;
 
  (e)   Encumbrances with respect to debt or other liabilities that are reflected on the Balance Sheet;
 
  (f)   such other imperfections in title, easements, charges, restrictions and Encumbrances which do not materially detract from, materially diminish

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      the value of or materially interfere with the present use of the affected property; and
 
  (g)   Encumbrances consented to by Buyer.
     “Person” means an individual, a partnership (general or limited), a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, Governmental Body, a business or other trust, a joint venture, any other business entity or an unincorporated organization.
     “Plan” is defined in Section 5.16.
     “Proceeding” means any suit, proceeding, action, arbitration, complaint, decree, audit, hearing or lawsuit before or involving any Governmental Body.
     “Properties” means the Leased Properties and the Owned Properties, collectively.
     “Pro Rata Share” is defined in Section 2.2(d).
     “Proposed Adjustment” is defined in Section 2.3.
     “Purchase Price” is defined in Section 2.2.
     “Qualified Plan” is defined in Section 5.16.
     “Related Person” means with respect to a particular individual:
     (a) each other member of such individual’s Family;
     (b) any Person that is directly or indirectly controlled by such individual or one or more members of such individual’s Family; and
     (c) any Person with respect to which such individual or one or more members of such individual’s Family serves as a director, officer, partner, executor or trustee (or in a similar capacity).
     For purposes of this definition, the “Family” of an individual includes (i) the individual, (ii) the individual’s spouse, and (iii) a parent, child, sibling, nephew or niece of the individual or the individual’s spouse.
     “Seller Expenses” means the expenses incurred by Sellers in connection with Closing, including but not limited to amounts owed to the Company’s investment banking firm, accounting firm and law firm.
     “Sellers” is defined in the preamble.
     “Seller Parties” means, collectively, the Seller, its Affiliates (including, prior to Closing, the Company and the Subsidiaries), their respective officers, directors and employees, and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

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     “Shareholder Schedule” is defined in the preamble.
     “Shares” is defined in Section 2.1.
     “Stockholders’ Agreement” is defined in Section 3.3(i).
     “Subsidiary” means each of The National Drying Machinery Company, a Pennsylvania corporation, Aeroglide International LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company, and Aeroglide Asia Pacific Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysia corporation; collectively, the “Subsidiaries”.
     “Survival Period” is defined in Section 12.1.
     “Tax” or “Taxes” means
  (a)   all taxes, levies or other assessments of any kind or nature, including U.S,, state, local and foreign income taxes, withholding taxes, branch profit taxes, gross receipts taxes, franchise taxes, transfer taxes, sales and use taxes, business and occupation taxes, license taxes, property taxes, VAT, custom duties or imposts, stamp taxes, excise taxes, payroll taxes, employment taxes, estimated taxes, severance taxes, occupancy taxes, intangible taxes and capital taxes;
 
  (b)   any interest or penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts imposed in connection with any item described in the foregoing clause (a) or the failure to comply with any requirement imposed with respect to any Tax Return; and
 
  (c)   any obligation with respect to Taxes described in the foregoing clause (a) or (b) payable by reason of being a successor or indemnitor or by reason of contract, assumption, transferee liability, operation of Law, Treasury Regulation §1.1502-6 (or any predecessor or successor thereof or any analogous or similar provision under Law) or otherwise.
     “Tax Benefit” means the Tax effect of any item of loss, deduction or credit or any other item which decreases Taxes paid or payable or increases tax basis, including any interest with respect thereto or interest that would have been payable but for such item, net of any Tax detriment associated therewith.
     “Tax Make-Whole Payment Amount” is defined in Section 2.2(e).
     “Tax Return” means any return, report, declaration, statement, extension, form or other documents or information filed with or submitted to, or required to be filed with or submitted to, any Governmental Body in connection with the determination, assessment, collection or payment of any Tax.
     “Threshold Amount” is defined in Section 12.2.

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     “Treasury Regulation” means the regulations promulgated under the Code by the United States Department of Treasury.
     “Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as those terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title 1V of ERISA.
     “Working Capital” means Current Assets less Current Liabilities.
     1.2 General Rules of Construction and Interpretation.
          (a)     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.
          (b)      Terms defined in the singular shall have a comparable meaning when used in the plural, and vice versa.
           (c)     Any reference to a particular gender shall be deemed to include all other genders unless the context otherwise requires.
           (d)     Headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
           (e)     Unless an express reference is made to a different document, all references to a Section or Article will be understood to refer to the indicated Section or Article of this Agreement, and all references to a Schedule or Exhibit will be understood to refer to the indicated Schedule or Exhibit to this Agreement.
           (f)     Whenever the word “include,” “includes” or “including” is used in this Agreement, it shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.”
           (g)     In the event of an alleged ambiguity or a question of intent or interpretation, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.
           (h)     The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.”
           (i)     The Disclosure Schedule and all other Schedules and Exhibits attached hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein, and all references herein to “this Agreement” shall include the Disclosure Schedule and such other Schedules and Exhibits. Any capitalized terms used in the Disclosure Schedule or any other Schedule or any Exhibit but not otherwise defined therein shall have the meaning defined in this Agreement.

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ARTICLE 2
PURCHASE AND SALE OF STOCK
     2.1 Sale. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, Sellers hereby sell, assign, transfer and deliver to Buyer, and Buyer hereby purchases and accepts from Sellers, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company owned by Sellers (the “Shares”).
     2.2 Purchase Price; Initial Payment.
          (a) The aggregate purchase price (the “Purchase Price”) to be paid by Buyer to Sellers for the Shares shall be (i) Fifty Seven Million Dollars ($57,000,000) from which Indebtedness to be Repaid, the Escrow Amount, Deferred Compensation and Seller Expenses shall be paid (as reduced by such payments, the “Base Consideration”), plus (ii) the Adjustment Amount and the Tax Make-Whole Payment Amount, minus (iii) any Indebtedness associated with the Capitalized Leases.
          (b) The Adjustment Amount (which may be a positive or negative number) will be equal to the Working Capital of Company and the Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, as determined from the Closing Working Capital Statement prepared in accordance with Section 2.3, less Four Hundred Twenty Two Thousand Dollars ($422,000.00)(the “Adjustment Amount”).
          (c) At Closing, Buyer will deliver to or on behalf of Sellers, as an initial payment (the “Initial Payment”) of the Purchase Price, an amount equal to (i) $719,000, such amount being an estimate of the Adjustment Amount (the “Estimated Adjustment Amount”), plus (ii) the Base Consideration, plus (iii) the Estimated Tax Make Whole Payment.
          (d) Each Seller shall receive that portion of the Initial Payment equal to the product of (i) the Initial Payment, multiplied by (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing the number of Shares held by such Seller immediately prior to Closing by the number of Shares (such quotient referred to herein as such Seller’s “Pro Rata Share”).
          (e) At Buyer’s election, Buyer and the Sellers shall join in making an election with respect to the Company under Section 338(h)(10) of the Code, together with any corresponding elections under state or local tax law (collectively a “Section 338(h)(10) Election”) with respect to the purchase and sale of the Shares. Buyer and Sellers agree that the Purchase Price, liabilities and other relevant items will be allocated to the assets of the Company as set forth on Schedule 2.2(e). Buyer and Sellers shall file all Tax Returns and information reports in a manner consistent with Schedule 2.2(e), except (subject to the Tax Make-Whole Payment Amount below) to the extent advised by its accountants or legal counsel that to do so would be inconsistent with applicable Law. Buyer agrees to pay Sellers an amount (the “Tax Make-Whole Payment Amount”) equal to (i) an amount necessary to cause the Sellers’ net after tax proceeds from the sale of stock with the Section 338(h)(10) Election to be equal to the net after tax proceeds of the Sellers had the Section 338(h)(10) Election not been made, taking into account all appropriate state, federal and local tax implications (but excluding the effect of any Taxes imposed on Company pursuant to Section 1374 of the Code, or any comparable provision of state law), and (ii) an additional amount (i.e., a gross up amount) if any, such that the total payment received by Seller pursuant to this Section, net of any tax liability with respect to such

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payment, is equal to the amount in clause (i) of this sentence. Sellers shall submit their estimation of the Tax Make-Whole Payment Amount, together with supporting documentation therefore, to Buyer not less than three (3) business days prior to Closing. Sellers shall calculate the amount of such payment using the highest marginal applicable federal, state and local tax rates applicable to Sellers. Buyer shall review such estimate and supporting documentation, and Buyer and Sellers shall agree on an estimate of Tax Make-Whole Payment Amount (the “Estimated Tax Make-Whole Payment”). Notwithstanding the above provisions, Sellers agree to be responsible for any taxes imposed on Company pursuant to Section 1374 of the Code, or any comparable provision of state law.
          (f) On the date that is eighteen (18) months from the Closing Date, Buyer shall pay to each Seller an amount equal to (i) the Escrow Amount; multiplied by (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing the number of Shares held by such Seller by the aggregate number of Shares; provided, however, that the Escrow Amount may be reduced by the aggregate amount of any indemnification claims brought by Buyer against Seller, subject to the terms and conditions and limitations set forth in Article 12, until such indemnification claims have been finally resolved. Upon resolution of such indemnification claims, the amount of such claim shall be paid out of the Escrow Amount to either the Buyer or the Seller, as the case may be, as determined in accordance with the terms and conditions and agreement of the Buyer and Seller applicable to the Escrow Amount.
     2.3 Closing Working Capital Statement.
          (a) As promptly as practicable following the Closing, but not later than 60 days thereafter, Buyer shall prepare and deliver to Sellers a statement of the Working Capital of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the close of business on the Closing Date, including a calculation of the Adjustment Amount (the “Closing Working Capital Statement”), which shall be determined in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis.
          (b) Sellers may conduct a review of the Closing Working Capital Statement. Representatives of Sellers and Sellers’ Accountants shall have reasonable access to all journal entries and other records used by Buyer in the preparation of the Closing Working Capital Statement. Within 30 days after Sellers’ receipt of the Closing Working Capital Statement, Seller shall deliver written notice (the “Sellers’ Notice”) to Buyer either (i) stating that Sellers accept the Closing Working Capital Statement or (ii) describing in reasonable detail, including the nature and amount thereof, each adjustment (a “Proposed Adjustment”) that Sellers claim is required to be made in order for the Closing Working Capital Statement to have been prepared in accordance with Section 2.3(a). In order to submit a Proposed Adjustment, the aggregate amount of disputed items must exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000). If Buyer has not received Sellers’ Notice within such 30-day period, Sellers shall be deemed to have accepted the amount of the working capital and the calculation of the Adjustment Amount set forth in the Closing Working Capital Statement.
          (c) If Sellers’ Notice contains any Proposed Adjustment, then Buyer and Sellers shall negotiate in good faith to resolve such Proposed Adjustment in accordance with this Agreement, provided that if the parties have not resolved all Proposed Adjustments within 30 days following Buyer’s receipt of Sellers’ Notice, then Buyer and Sellers shall engage Ernst &

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Young LLP (or, if the parties agree, another mutually acceptable firm of independent public accountants of nationally recognized reputation) (the “Arbitrator”). The Arbitrator shall act as an arbitrator to determine only those Proposed Adjustments still in dispute and the resulting computation of the Adjustment Amount, which determination shall be made in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, rendered within 60 days of the Arbitrator’s engagement, and shall be final and binding on all parties.
     2.4 Settlement of Adjustment Amount. Within five business days following the final determination of the Adjustment Amount in accordance with Section 2.3 above, whether by agreement or deemed agreement of the parties or by the Arbitrator:
          (a) if the Adjustment Amount is more than the Estimated Adjustment Amount, Buyer shall deliver to each Seller immediately available funds in an amount equal to the product of (i) such excess multiplied by (ii) such Seller’s Pro Rata Share; or
          (b) if the Estimated Adjustment Amount is more than the Adjustment Amount, each Seller shall deliver to Buyer immediately available funds in an amount equal to the product of (i) such excess multiplied by (ii) such Seller’s Pro Rata Share.
     2.5 True-Up of Tax Make-Whole Payment Amount.
          (a) As promptly as practicable following the Closing, but not later than 75 days thereafter, Buyer shall prepare and deliver to Sellers a statement of proposed changes, if any, to the Estimated Tax Make-Whole Payment Amount. Sellers may conduct a review of such statement and, within 45 days after Sellers’ receipt thereof, shall deliver written notice to Buyer stating either that Sellers (i) accept such proposed changes to the Tax Make-Whole Payment Amount or (ii) do not accept such proposed changes and describing therein in reasonable detail the basis for such non-acceptance. If, upon receipt of such a statement of proposed changes, Sellers do not deliver a statement of non-acceptance with respect thereto within 45 days after receipt thereof, Sellers shall be deemed to have accepted Buyer’s proposed changes to the Estimated Tax Make-Whole Payment Amount.
          (b) Buyer and Sellers shall negotiate in good faith to resolve any disagreements as to the determination of the final Tax Make-Whole Payment Amount, provided that if the parties have not resolved all such disagreements within 30 days following delivery by Sellers to Buyer of notice of non-acceptance, then Buyer and Sellers shall engage the Arbitrator to finally determine the Tax Make-Whole Payment Amount in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, which determination shall be rendered within 60 days of the Arbitrator’s engagement and shall be final and binding on all parties.
          (c) Within five business days following the final determination of the Tax Make-Whole Payment Amount in accordance with this Section 2.5, whether by agreement or deemed agreement of the parties or by the Arbitrator:
          (a) if the Tax Make-Whole Payment Amount is more than the Estimated Tax Make-Whole Payment Amount, Buyer shall deliver to each Seller immediately available funds in an amount equal to the product of (i) such excess multiplied by (ii) such Seller’s Pro Rata Share; or

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          (b) if the Estimated Tax Make-Whole Payment Amount is more than the Tax Make-Whole Payment Amount, each Seller shall deliver to Buyer immediately available funds in an amount equal to the product of (i) such excess multiplied by (ii) such Seller’s Pro Rata Share.
     2.6 Expenses. All expenses relating to the work to be performed by Buyer as contemplated by Sections 2.3 and 2.5 shall be borne by Buyer, all expenses relating to the work to be performed by Sellers as contemplated by Sections 2.3 and 2.5 shall be borne by Sellers, and all expenses relating to the work, if any, to be performed by the Arbitrator in accordance with Sections 2.3 and 2.5 to resolve disputes shall be borne equally by Buyer, on the one hand, and Sellers, on the other hand.
ARTICLE 3
CLOSING
     3.1 Time and Place. Subject to the conditions set forth in Article 8 and Article 9, the Closing shall take place at the offices of Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP in Raleigh, North Carolina at 10:00 a.m. local time, on the Closing Date.
     3.2 Simultaneous Actions. All proceedings to be taken and all documents to be executed and delivered by the parties at the Closing shall be deemed to have been taken and executed simultaneously and no proceedings shall be deemed taken nor any documents executed or delivered until all have been taken, executed and delivered.
     3.3 Deliveries by Sellers. On or before the Closing Date, Sellers will deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Buyer, each in form acceptable to Buyer:
          (a) a certificate, dated the Closing Date, executed by the Company and each Seller, certifying that the conditions to Buyer’s obligation to consummate the Closing under Sections 8.1 and 8.2 have been satisfied;
          (b) a certificate of good standing for the Company and each Subsidiary and a certified copy of the Articles of Incorporation of each of the Company and each Subsidiary, and any amendments thereto, issued by the Secretary of State of the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company or the applicable Subsidiary, as applicable, as of a recent date;
          (c) resignations of each director of the Company and of each Subsidiary, executed by each applicable director and effective immediately as of the Closing;
          (d) the original certificate(s) evidencing the Shares accompanied by duly executed stock transfer power(s), or lost instrument affidavits in lieu thereof, and any other documents necessary to transfer to Buyer good title to the Shares;
          (e) payoff letters for the Indebtedness to be Repaid executed by each applicable lender and the Company and for Seller Expenses executed by each applicable Seller, a schedule setting forth the Indebtedness associated with the Capitalized Leases, and certification by the Company of the amount of Deferred Compensation owed to employees executed on behalf of the Company;

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          (f) releases from each of the Sellers executed by the applicable Seller, and from each employee to whom Deferred Compensation is owed executed by the applicable employee;
          (g) an escrow agreement, dated as of the Closing Date (the “Escrow Agreement”), by and among the Escrow Agent, the Buyer and the Sellers, executed by each Seller;
          (h) employment agreements, dated as of the Closing Date (the “Employment Agreements”), between the Company and each of James F. Kelly, Jr. Mike Williams, Mark Paulson and Tom Mix, executed by such employees; and
          (i) a stockholders’ agreement, dated as of the Closing Date (the “Stockholders’ Agreement”), by and among Buyer, Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC and the other stockholders party thereto, executed by such other stockholders.
     3.4 Deliveries by Buyer. On or before the Closing Date, Buyer will deliver:
          (a) to the Sellers, a certificate, dated the Closing Date, executed by Buyer, certifying that the conditions to Sellers’ obligation to consummate the Closing under Sections 9.1 and 9.2 have been satisfied;
          (b) to each Seller, such Seller’s Pro Rata Share of the Initial Payment, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in United States currency to an account or accounts designated in writing by Sellers, and Buyer will cause the Company to pay the Indebtedness to be Repaid, the Deferred Compensation and the Seller Expenses;
          (c) to the trust account of Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP for the benefit of the Escrow Agent, the Escrow Amount;
          (d) to each Seller, such Seller’s Pro Rata Share of the Estimated Tax Make-Whole Payment Amount, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in United States currency to an account or accounts designated in writing by such Seller;
          (e) to the Sellers, a certificate of good standing for Buyer and a certified copy of the Certificate of Incorporation of Buyer, and any amendments thereto, issued by the Secretary of State of the jurisdiction of incorporation of Buyer, as of a recent date;
          (f) to the Sellers, the Escrow Agreement executed by the Buyer;
          (g) to the Company, the Employment Agreements executed by the Company; and
          (h) to the Sellers, the Stockholders’ Agreement executed by Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC and the Buyer.

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ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS
     Each Seller, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:
     4.1 Authorization. Such Seller has all requisite power, authority and legal capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform such Seller’s obligations hereunder. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by such Seller, and is a valid and binding obligation of such Seller, enforceable in accordance with its terms.
     4.2 Noncontravention. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other documents contemplated hereby to which such Seller is a party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby that are applicable to such Seller, will not result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, or give rise to any right or cause of action under any contractual obligations of such Seller or any of the organizational documents, if applicable, of such Seller or any Law applicable to such Seller. No approval, consent, authorization or other order of, and no declaration, filing, registration, qualification or recording with any Governmental Authority or any other Person, including, without limitation, any party to any contractual obligation of such Seller, is required to be made by or on behalf of such Seller in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by such Seller of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby that are applicable to such Seller.
     4.3 Consents. No consent or approval by, or notification of or filing with, any Governmental Body is required to be obtained or made by such Seller in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by such Seller of this Agreement, or the consummation by such Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for any such consent, approval, notification or filing the failure of which to obtain or make would not reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect upon such Seller’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
     4.4 Stock Ownership. Such Seller is (prior to giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby) the record and beneficial owner and holder of good and marketable title to that number of Shares specified by such Seller’s name on Schedule 4.4 of the Disclosure Schedule, on the Closing Date, free and clear of all Encumbrances, options, restrictions on transfer or rights of refusal. No Person owns or has any beneficial interest in any of the Shares owned by such Seller except such Seller. Such Seller has not transferred or assigned, or entered into any agreement to transfer or assign, any of the Shares or any of the voting rights or dividend rights pertaining thereto.
     4.5 Litigation. No Proceeding has been commenced or, to the knowledge of such Seller, threatened against such Seller that challenges the validity of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or that would reasonably be expected to have the effect of preventing, materially delaying, materially impairing or making illegal the transactions contemplated, or materially impair such Seller’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

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     4.6 Brokers. Such Seller has not employed any broker, finder or investment banker in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement which would be entitled to a fee or commission in connection with such transactions.
     4.7 Related Party Transactions. Except as set forth in Section 4.7 of the Disclosure Letter, neither such Seller nor any of its Related Persons, other than the Companies, (i) has any interest in any property (whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible) used in or pertaining to the business of the Company or any Subsidiary, or (ii) has a material direct financial interest in any transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary.
ARTICLE 5
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
     Simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement by the Company, the Company is delivering to Buyer a disclosure schedule (the “Disclosure Schedule”) with numbered sections corresponding to sections in this Agreement. Any matter disclosed in any section of the Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed disclosed in all other sections of the Disclosure Schedule to the extent that such disclosure is reasonably apparent to be applicable to such other sections, notwithstanding the reference to a particular section or subsection. The inclusion of any information in the Disclosure Schedule shall not be deemed an admission or acknowledgement that such information is required to be set forth therein or that such information is material or that such information constitutes or would reasonably be expected to constitute a Material Adverse Effect.
     Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, the Company represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:
     5.1 Organization. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of North Carolina; The National Drying Machinery Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania; Aeroglide International LLC is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of North Carolina; and Aeroglide Asia Pacific Sdn. Bhd. is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Malaysia. Each of the Company and each Subsidiary has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its material properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. Each of the Company and each Subsidiary is duly qualified and in good standing to do business in every jurisdiction in which such qualification is necessary because of the nature of the property owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it, except where the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
     5.2 Power. The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder, and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
     5.3 Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each other agreement or document contemplated hereby by the Company and the consummation

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of the transactions contemplated hereby by the Company have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company. Each of this Agreement and each other agreement entered into by the Company in connection herewith has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company, and is a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general principles of equity.
     5.4 Capitalization. The entire authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 100,000 shares of Common Stock, without par value. There are currently issued and outstanding 10,000 Shares, which are held by Sellers as set forth on the Shareholder Schedule and are all duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. There is no:
          (a) outstanding security convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary;
          (b) option, warrant, put, call or other right to purchase or subscribe to capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary;
          (c) stock restriction agreement, or contract, commitment or agreement of any kind relating to the issuance or disposition of the Company or Subsidiary capital stock or the issuance or disposition of any security convertible into or exchangeable for the Company or Subsidiary capital stock; or
          (d) voting trust, proxy or other agreement or restriction on transfer with respect to the Shares or any Subsidiary’s shares.
Immediately prior to the Closing, the Sellers are the record and beneficial owner and holder of all of the Shares, which Shares represent all the equity securities of the Company.
     5.5 Company Subsidiaries. The Company owns all of the outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests of each Subsidiary, which shares, or other equity interests are all duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Other than the Subsidiaries, the Company does not own, and none of the Subsidiaries own, any capital stock or other equity interest in any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other Person.
     5.6 Noncontravention. Neither the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or any other agreement or documents contemplated hereby by the Company, nor the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by the Company with any of the provisions hereof will:
          (a) conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company or any Subsidiary, each as amended to date;
          (b) except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, violate, conflict with, breach or cause a default (or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, or acceleration) under any Contract to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a

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party, or by which the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their properties or assets is or may be bound or benefited;
          (c) except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect], violate any Law applicable to the Company or any Subsidiary;
          (d) violate or conflict with, or give any Governmental Body or other Person the right to challenge any of the Contemplated Transactions or to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under, any Law or Order to which the Company or any Subsidiary, or any of the assets owned or used by any of them, may be subject; or
          (e) violate or conflict with any of the terms or requirements of, or give any Governmental Body the right to revoke, withdraw, suspend, cancel, terminate or modify, any Governmental Authorization that is held by either the Company or any Subsidiary or that otherwise relates to the business of, or any of the assets owned or used by any of them.
     5.7 Consents. Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, no consent or approval by, or notification of or filing with, any Governmental Body is required to be obtained or made by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
     5.8 Financial Statements.
          (a) The Company has delivered to Buyer (i) the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2005, (December 31, 2005 being the “Balance Sheet Date”), and the related audited statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the fiscal years then ended (collectively, the “Financial Statements”) and (ii) the internal, unaudited, consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 (“Interim Balance Sheet” and December 31, 2006 being the “Interim Balance Sheet Date”), and the related internal, unaudited statements of income, stockholder’s equity and cash flow for the period then ended (the “Unaudited Financial Statements”).
          (b) The Financial Statements and the Unaudited Financial Statements:
  (1)   have been prepared based on the books and records of the Company and the Subsidiaries;
 
  (2)   except for the absence of footnote disclosures and normal year end adjustments which have not been made with respect to the Unaudited Financial Statements, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (in effect as of the respective dates thereof), consistently applied, in all material respects, and
 
  (3)   present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the respective

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      dates thereof and the results of operations, changes in stockholder’s equity and cash flows for the periods covered thereby.
     5.9 No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except for liabilities and obligations (a) incurred in the ordinary course of business after the Balance Sheet Date; (b) disclosed, reflected or reserved for in the Financial Statements or the Unaudited Financial Statements; (c) incurred in connection with the consummation of this Agreement; or (d) that would not have a Material Adverse Effect, as of the date hereof, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has incurred, since the Balance Sheet Date, any liabilities or obligations that would be required to be reflected or reserved against in a balance sheet of such Company or Subsidiary prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis.
     5.10 Absence of Changes. Since the Balance Sheet Date, the business of the Company and any Subsidiary has operated in all material respects in the ordinary course and consistent with past practice, and there has not been any Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in Section 5.10 of the Disclosure Schedule, there has not been any:
     (a) change in or issuance of capital stock or other equity interests;
     (b) amendment to the organizational documents;
     (c) payment or increase by Company or any Subsidiary of any (i) bonuses, salaries, or other compensation to any stockholder, director, or officer, (ii) entry into any employment, severance, or similar Contract with any director, officer or employee, or (iii) payment or increase by Company or any Subsidiary of any bonuses, salaries, or other compensation to any employee other than in the ordinary course of business;
     (d) adoption of, or increase in the payments to or benefits under, any profit sharing, bonus, deferred compensation, savings, insurance, pension, retirement, or other employee benefit plan;
     (e) damage to or destruction or loss of material assets or properties;
     (f) entry into, termination of, or receipt of notice of termination of (i) any license, distributorship, dealer, sales representative, joint venture, credit, or similar agreement, or (ii) any Contract or transaction unless involving a total remaining commitment by or to the Company or any Subsidiary or less than an agreed upon amount;
     (g) the sale, lease or other disposition of any material asset or property or the mortgage, pledge or imposition of any lien or other encumbrance on any material asset or property;
     (h) cancellation or waiver of any material claims or rights;
     (i) material change in the accounting methods; or
     (j) agreement, whether oral or written, to do any of the foregoing.

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     5.11 Real and Personal Property.
          (a) Section 5.11 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete list of the addresses of all Properties (identifying those that are Owned Properties and those that are Leased Properties) that are owned or leased by the Company or any Subsidiary.
          (b) Each of the Company and each Subsidiary, as applicable, has valid title in fee simple to all of the Owned Properties owned by it and valid leasehold interests in all Leased Properties leased by it, in each case free and clear of any Encumbrance, except for Permitted Encumbrances. The Real Property is in material compliance with all applicable building, zoning, subdivision, health and safety and other Law (collectively, the “Real Property Laws”). Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of violation of any Real Property Law. The Company has delivered to Buyer true and complete copies of each lease of the Leased Properties. Each such lease is legal, valid, binding and enforceable against the Company or Subsidiary, as applicable, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, against the other parties thereto, and is in full force and effect.
          (c) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received notice with respect to any Owned Property or to any Leased Property:
  (1)   that any building or structure thereon, any equipment therein or the operation or maintenance thereof violates any Law; or
 
  (2)   that any condemnation proceeding is pending or threatened.
          (d) (1)   Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default under any lease to which it is a party, including any Leased Property, and no event has occurred which with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a default by the Company or any Subsidiary under any such lease, except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and
  (2)   there are no outstanding written notices of breach or default given to the Company or any Subsidiary by any party to any such lease that remains uncured.
          (e) Each of the Company and each Subsidiary has good and valid title to, or a valid license or leasehold interest in, all of the personal properties and assets owned by it or used in its respective business, including, without limitation each item of equipment and other personal property, tangible, intangible or otherwise included as an asset in the Interim Balance Sheet (other than inventory and equipment disposed of in the ordinary course of business since the date of the Interim Balance Sheet), free and clear of all Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances.

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     5.12 Company Contracts.
     (a) Section 5.12(a) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth lists, and Company has provided to Buyer true and complete copies (or in the case of any oral Contract, a true and complete summary) of:
          (i) each distributor, dealer, advertising, agency, sales representative or similar Contract relating to the marketing or sale of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s products in each case providing for expenditures or receipts in excess of $50,000 (excluding customer purchase orders accepted in the ordinary course of business);
          (ii) each Contract for the future purchase or lease by the Company or any Subsidiary of materials, supplies, equipment, services or finished products purchased for resale providing for expenditures in excess of $50,000;
          (iii) each Contract having a term exceeding one year or involving amounts in excess of $50,000 for the future sale of products or services by the Company or any Subsidiary;
          (iv) each Contract for the employment of any officer, director or employee, and each other Contract with or commitments to any officer, director or employee;
          (v) each joint venture, partnership, design or license agreement to which any of the Company or the Subsidiaries are party or otherwise bound;
          (vi) each indenture, mortgage, promissory note, loan agreement, reimbursement agreement, guaranty, or other Contract or commitment in respect of Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary, including for the borrowing of money, for a line of credit or a letter of credit, or for a leasing transaction of a type required to be capitalized in accordance with FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13; or
          (vii) each Contract that was not entered into in the ordinary course of business, and
          (viii) each Contract that involves expenditures or receipts of either the Company or any Subsidiary in excess of $100,000.
Each of the Company Contracts is in full force and effect and (i) except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in breach or default with respect to any of the Company Contracts to which it is a party and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no other party to any Company Contract is in breach or default with respect to such Company Contract, and (ii) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any written notice since the Balance Sheet Date of any breach or default with respect to any Company Contract to which it is a party that remains uncured.
     (b) Except as set forth in Section 5.12(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, no officer or director of the Company or any Subsidiary is, to the Knowledge of the Company, bound by any Contract that purports to limit the ability of such Person to (A) engage in or continue any conduct, activity or practice relating to the business of either the Company or any Subsidiary, or

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(B) assign to either of the Company or any Subsidiary or to any other Person any rights to any invention, improvement or discovery, and to the Knowledge of the Company no employee of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound by any Contract that purports to limit the ability of such employee to perform the duties or tasks currently performed by such employee.
     (c) Except as set forth in Section 5.12(c) of the Disclosure Schedule:
     (i) the Company and Subsidiaries are in full compliance with all applicable terms and requirements of each Contract under which they have any obligation or liability or by which they or any of the assets owned or used by them are bound;
     (ii) to the Knowledge of the Company, each other Person that has any obligation or liability under any Contract under which the Company or any Subsidiary has any rights is in full compliance with all applicable terms and requirements of such Contract;
     (iii) to the Knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred that (with or without notice or lapse of time) may contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation or breach of, or give the Company, any Subsidiary or any other Person the right to declare a default or exercise any remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel, terminate or modify, any material Contract; and
     (iv) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has given to or received from any other Person, any notice or other communication (whether oral or written) regarding any actual, alleged, possible or potential violation or breach of, or default under, any Company Contract with respect to which obligations are owing to or due from any of them.
     5.13 Litigation, Orders.
     (a) Section 5.13(a) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list, as of the date of this Agreement, of all: (i) Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any Subsidiary or that otherwise relate to the business of, or any of the assets owned or used by, any of them, or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and (ii) judgments, decrees, injunctions or orders (collectively, “Orders”) of any Governmental Body having a continuing effect against the Company or any Subsidiary.
     (b) Except as set forth in Section 5.13(b) of the Disclosure Schedule:
     (i) each of the Company and each Subsidiary is in full compliance with all of the terms and requirements of each Order to which it, or any of the assets owned or used by it, is subject; and
     (ii) no event has occurred or, to the Knowledge of the Company, circumstance exists that constitutes or results in (with or without notice or lapse of time) a violation of or failure to comply with any item or requirement of any Order to which either of the Company or any Subsidiary, or any of the assets owned or used by any of them, is subject; and

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     (iii) neither of the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice or other communication (whether oral or written) from any Governmental Body or any other Person regarding any actual or potential violation of, or failure to comply with, any term of any Order to which any of them, has been subject, except where such violation or failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
     5.14 Compliance.
          (a) Each of the Company and each Subsidiary is in compliance with, and has not received any notice of any violation of, Laws that are applicable to it or to the conduct or operation of its business or the ownership or use of any of its assets, except, in each case, for such non-compliance or violations as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
          (b) No event has occurred that would reasonably be expected to constitute or result in a violation by either the Company or any Subsidiary of, or a failure on the part of any of them to comply with, any Law except where the failure to be in compliance would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
          (c) Section 5.14(c) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of each Governmental Authorization that is held by each of the Company and each Subsidiary or that otherwise relates to the business of, or to any of the assets owned or used by, any of them. Except as set forth in Section 5.14(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, each such Governmental Authorization is valid and in full force and effect and:
          (i) each of the Company and each Subsidiary is, and at all times since the Balance Sheet Date has been, in compliance with all of the terms and requirements of each Governmental Authorization issued, granted, given or otherwise made available by or under the authority of any Governmental Body or pursuant to any Law and necessary (A) for the lawful conduct or operation of its business as currently conducted, or (B) to permit it to own and use its assets in the manner in which it currently owns and uses such assets, except where the failure to be in compliance would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
          (ii) no circumstance exists and no event has occurred since the Balance Sheet Date that would reasonably be expected (with or without notice or lapse of time) to (A) constitute or result directly or indirectly in a material violation of or a material failure by either the Company or any Subsidiary to comply with any term or requirement of any Governmental Authorization, or (B) result directly or indirectly in the revocation, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation or termination of, or any modification to, any Governmental Authorization, except where such violation or failure, or such revocation, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation, termination or modification, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and
          (iii) all applications required to have been filed on behalf of each of the Company and each Subsidiary for the renewal of Governmental Authorizations have been duly filed with the appropriate Governmental Bodies, and all other filings required

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to have been made with respect to such Governmental Authorizations have been duly made with the appropriate Governmental Bodies, except where the failure to file would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
     5.15 Environmental.
          (a) Notwithstanding the generality of any other representations and warranties in this Agreement, this Section 5.15 shall be deemed to contain the only representations and warranties in this Agreement or arising out of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to Environmental Laws, Hazardous Substances, Environmental Claims, the environment or workplace health and safety.
          (b) The Company has provided Buyer true and complete copies of the environmental reports listed in Section 5.15(b) of the Disclosure Schedule. Except as set forth in Section 5.15(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, there have been no studies, analyses, tests or monitoring pertaining to Hazardous Substances or Environmental Claims that concern compliance by the Company or any Subsidiary, or to the Knowledge of the Company, any other Person for whose conduct the Company or any Subsidiary is or may be held responsible, with Environmental Laws, and there has been no storage, disposition, generation, treatment, release, discharge, use, recycling, transport, or handling of any Hazardous Substance by the Company or any Subsidiary, or at any of the Properties, in a manner or at a level that is in violation of applicable Environmental Laws.
          (c) Except as set forth in Section 5.15(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, each of the Company and each Subsidiary is, and at all times during the seven (7) year period ending on the Closing Date has been, in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental Laws and, except as set forth in Section 5.15(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, has not received written notice of any unresolved potential liability with respect to any Environmental Law.
          (d) Except as set forth in Section 5.15(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, there is no Environmental Claim pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any Subsidiary or otherwise relating to any of the Owned Properties or Leased Properties or any other real property for which the Company would reasonably be expected to be responsible in whole or in part.
     5.16 Employment Matters. Except as set forth in Section 5.16 of the Disclosure Schedule:
     (a) Each employee of the Company and of each Subsidiary is an “at-will” employee and there are no written employment or compensation agreements of any kind between any of them and any of such employees.
     (b) To the Knowledge of the Company, no employee of the Company or of any Subsidiary is a party to, or is otherwise bound by, any agreement or arrangement, including any confidentiality, noncompetition or proprietary rights agreement, between such employee and any other Person (“Proprietary Rights Agreement”) that in any way adversely affects or will affect (i) the performance of such employee’s duties as an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, as applicable, or (ii) the ability of either the Company or any Subsidiary to conduct its business,

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including any Proprietary Rights Agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary by any such employee.
     (c) Section 5.16(c) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of the following information for each retired employee or director of each of the Company and each Subsidiary, or their dependents, receiving benefits or scheduled to receive benefits in the future: name, pension benefit, pension option election, retiree medical insurance coverage, retiree life insurance coverage, and other benefits.
     (d) (i) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to (i) any collective bargaining agreement or similar agreement with any labor organization or employee association, (ii) any other written contract concerning employment or (iii) any binding oral contract concerning employment;
     (ii) No grievance or arbitration Proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining agreement is pending, and no such grievance or Proceeding is, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, against either the Company or any Subsidiary;
     (iii) There is no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened (i) labor dispute between either the Company or any Subsidiary and any labor organization, or strike, slowdown, jurisdictional dispute, work stoppage or other similar organized labor activity involving any employee of the Company or of any Subsidiary, or (ii) union organizing or election activity involving any employee of any of them;
     (iv) Each of the Company and each Subsidiary is in compliance with all material Laws regarding labor, employment and employment practices, conditions of employment, occupational safety and health, and wages and hours, including any bargaining or other obligations under the National Labor Relations Act (collectively, “Labor Laws”)
     (v) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is engaged in any unfair labor practice, and there is no unfair labor practice charge pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against any of them before the National Labor Relations Board or other Governmental Body.
     (vi) No union claims to represent any of the employees of the Company or any Subsidiary.
     (vii) No charges are pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened by or on behalf of any employee or former employee of either the Company or any Subsidiary against any of them before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other Governmental Body;
     (viii) No investigation with respect to either the Company or any Subsidiary is in progress or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened by any Governmental Body responsible for the enforcement of any Labor Law;

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     (ix) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is delinquent in any payments to any employee for any wages, salaries, commission, bonuses, fees or other direct compensation due with respect to any services performed for it to the date hereof or amounts required to be reimbursed to such employees;
     (x) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is subject to any Order or private settlement Contract in respect of any labor or employment matters;
     (xi) Each of the Company and each Subsidiary is, and at all times has been, in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of the IRCA, as the IRCA applies to any employee of the Companies;
     (xii) There is no policy, plan or program of paying severance pay or any form of severance compensation in connection with the termination of any employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.
     5.17 Employee Benefit Plans.
          (a) Section 5.17(a) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a correct and complete list of each “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, and each other plan, agreement, arrangement or policy providing for compensation, bonuses, consulting payments, profit-sharing, stock option, stock purchase, or other stock related rights or other forms of incentive or deferred compensation, vacation pay and benefits, insurance (including any self insured arrangements), health or medical benefits, employee assistance program, dependent care, tuition assistance, fringe benefits, perquisites, disability or sick leave benefits, workers’ compensation, supplemental unemployment benefits, retention payments or benefits, change in control benefits, employee loans, Code Section 125 plans, Code Section 501(c)(9) trusts, severance benefits and post-employment or retirement benefits (including compensation, pension, health, medical or life insurance benefits), or other employee benefits, in each case, which is maintained, administered, sponsored or contributed to by the Company or any Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate for the benefit of any Person including any current or former employee, officer, director, or independent contractor of the Company or any Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate (each, individually, a “Plan” and collectively, the “Plans”). Section 5.17(a) of the Disclosure Schedule specifically denotes each Plan that is either sponsored by the Company or any Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate or to which either the Company or any Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate is party (each, a “Company Plan”).
          (b) With respect to each Company Plan, the Company or any Subsidiary has made available to Buyer: (i) a true, correct and complete copy of such Company Plan; (ii) the three most recent Annual Report (Form 5500 Series) and accompanying schedules, if Forms 5500 were required by Law to be filed; (iii) the most recent annual financial report, if applicable; (iv) the most recent actuarial report, if any; and (v) the current summary plan description and any material modifications thereto for each Plan in respect of which there exists a summary plan description.
          (c) Section 5.17(c) of the Disclosure Schedule identifies each Company Plan that is intended to be a “qualified plan” within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code

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(“Qualified Plan”). Each Qualified Plan has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to so qualify or has a remaining period of time under applicable Treasury Regulations or IRS pronouncements in which to apply for such a determination; or it has been adopted in the form of a prototype or volume submitter plan that has been pre-approved by the IRS as is evidenced by a notification letter from the IRS; and the trusts created thereunder are exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code; copies of all determination and notification letters have been delivered to Buyer; and nothing has occurred since the date of such determination letters which is likely to cause the loss of such qualification or exemption, or result in the imposition of any excise tax or income tax on unrelated business income under the Code or ERISA with respect to any Company Plan.
          (d) Each Company Plan required to be listed on Section 5.17(a) of the Disclosure Schedule that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” (as defined in Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code) and was in existence prior to October 3, 2004, has not been “materially modified” (within the meaning of Section 885(d)(2)(B) of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 and any applicable guidance issued thereunder) since October 3, 2004, in a manner which would cause amounts deferred in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2005, under such plan to be subject to Section 409A of the Code or the Company Plan is otherwise compliant with the provisions of Section 409A under the good faith standards of the applicable guidance. Each Company Plan required to be listed on Section 5.17(a) of the Disclosure Schedule that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” (as defined in Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code) and which has not been terminated has been operated in good faith compliance since January 1, 2005 with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, Notice 2005-1 and the proposed Section 409A regulations issued September 29, 2005.
          (e) There are no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened Proceedings relating to any Company Plan other than routine claims by Persons entitled to benefits thereunder, nor is any Company Plan the subject of any pending (or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any threatened) investigation or audit by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any other Person;
          (f) No event has occurred, and there exists no condition or set of circumstances, which presents a material risk of a partial termination (within the meaning of Section 411(d)(3) of the Code) of any Company Plan;
          (g) Except as disclosed in Section 5.17(g) of the Disclosure Schedule, with respect to any Company Plan that is qualified under Section 401(k) of the Code, individually and in the aggregate, no event has occurred, and to the Knowledge of the Company, there exists no condition or set of circumstances in connection with which the Company could be subject to any material liability (except liability for benefits claims and funding obligations payable in the ordinary course) under ERISA, the Code or any other applicable law, and all employee contributions, including elective deferrals, to the Aeroglide Retirement Investment Plan (Plan No. 002) have been segregated from Company’s general assets and deposited into the trust established pursuant to the such plan in a timely manner in accordance with the “plan asset” regulations of the Department of Labor and other applicable law;

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          (h) None of the Company Plans promises or provides retiree medical or other retiree welfare benefits to any Person except as required by applicable law, and none of the Company or any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate has represented, promised or contracted (whether in oral or written form) to provide such retiree benefits to any employee, former employee, director, consultant or other Person, except to the extent required by COBRA or a similarly applicable state statute and except for the continuation of health or welfare benefits to former employees or service providers through the end of the month in which they terminate service, or pursuant to post-termination severance arrangements. No Company Plan or employment agreement provides health benefits that are not insured through an insurance contract other than a Code Section 125 Company Plan. Each Company Plan is amendable and terminable unilaterally by the Company at any time without material liability to the Company as a result thereof and no Company Plan, plan documentation or agreement, summary plan description or other written communication distributed generally to employees by its terms prohibits the Company from amending or terminating any such Company Plan;
          (i) Except as specifically set forth in Section 5.17(f) of the Disclosure Schedule, no employee or former employee or other Person of the Company or any Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate will become entitled to any bonus, severance or similar benefit (including acceleration of vesting or exercise of an incentive award) as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and there is no contract, plan or arrangement covering any employee or former employee or other Person of the Company or any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate that, individually or collectively, could reasonably be expected to give rise to a payment that would not be deductible to the Company by reason of Section 280G of the Code;
          (j) Except as disclosed in Section 5.17(j) of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary nor any ERISA Affiliate has ever (i) contributed to or been obligated to contribute to any Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan, or (ii) incurred any Withdrawal Liability, or (iii) contributed to any “employee pension benefit plan,” as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, subject to Title IV of ERISA.
          (k) The Plans are in compliance in all material respects both in form and operation with ERISA, the Code and other applicable Laws, and have been administered in all material respects in accordance with their terms.
     5.18 Related Party Transactions. Section 5.18 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of all Contracts between any Seller (or any Related Party of any Seller, other than the Company and any Subsidiary), on the one hand, and either the Company or any Subsidiary, on the other hand, and other arrangements whereby any Seller or Related Party to any Seller provide goods or services to, or obtain goods or services from, the Company or any Subsidiary.
     5.19 Intellectual Property.
          (a) Each of the Company and each Subsidiary, as applicable, owns all right, title and interest in and to, or has valid licenses to use, all its Intellectual Property that is material to the business of the Company or any Subsidiary.

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          (b) Section 5.19(b) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete list of all patents, patents pending, trademark/service mark applications and registrations, copyright applications and registrations, and domain name registrations that comprise Intellectual Property owned by the Company.
          (c) Except as set forth in Section 5.19(c) of the Disclosure Schedule:
  (1)   to the Knowledge of the Company, there is no infringement, misappropriation or other misuse being made by any third person of any Intellectual Property that is material to the business of the Company or any Subsidiary;
 
  (2)   no claim is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened to the effect that the operations of the Company or any Subsidiary infringe or conflict with the asserted rights of others in respect of any Intellectual Property material to the business of the Company or any Subsidiary; and
 
  (3)   no claim is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened to the effect that any Intellectual Property material to the business of the Company or any Subsidiary is invalid or unenforceable.
          (d) Section 5.19(d) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth the licenses pursuant to which the Company or any Subsidiary grants to any other Person the right to use Intellectual Property owned by the Company or any Subsidiary material to the business of the Company or any Subsidiary, and the licenses pursuant to which any other Person grants to the Company or any Subsidiary the right to use Intellectual Property material to the business of the Company or any Subsidiary owned by any other Person (other than licenses to use off-the-shelf software). To the Knowledge of the Company, except as set forth in Section 5.19(d) of the Disclosure Schedule:
  (1)   neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in material breach or default with respect to any of such licenses;
 
  (2)   no other party thereto is in material breach or default with respect to such licenses; and
 
  (3)   no event has occurred which, with due notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default.
     5.20 Condition and Sufficiency of Assets. The buildings, plants, structures and equipment of each of the Company and each Subsidiary are in good operating condition and in a good state of maintenance and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and are adequate for the uses to which they are being put, and none of such buildings, plants, structures or equipment is in need of maintenance or repairs, except for routine, non-material maintenance and repairs. Such assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries are sufficient for the continued conduct of the respective businesses of the Company and the Subsidiaries following the Closing in substantially

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the same manner as currently conducted, subject to such changes as are implemented in accordance with Article 7.
     5.21 Inventory. All inventories held by the Company and the Subsidiaries are valued on the Financial Statements and the Unaudited Financial Statements at the lower of cost or market. Such inventories consist of a quantity and quality useable in the ordinary course of business, subject to reasonable reserves.
     5.22 Accounts Receivable. The accounts receivable of each of the Company and each Subsidiary are reflected properly on its respective books and records, and such accounts receivable that are reflected on the Balance Sheet, the Interim Balance Sheet or the Closing Working Capital Statement represent valid obligations arising from transactions consummated by the Company or the Subsidiaries, as applicable, in the ordinary course of business.
     5.23 Tax Matters. Notwithstanding the generality of any other representations and warranties in this Agreement, this Section 5.23 shall be deemed to contain the only representations and warranties in this Agreement or arising out of the transactions contemplated herein with respect to Taxes.
          (a) Except as set forth in Section 5.23(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, (i) each of the Company and each Subsidiary has filed within the time and in the manner prescribed by Law all Tax Returns required to be filed by it, (ii) all such Tax Returns are true and accurate in all material respects, and (iii) each of the Company and each Subsidiary has timely paid all Taxes which are due and payable with respect to such Tax Returns and has set up in its financial records adequate reserves for all Taxes in dispute or not yet due and payable.
          (b) There are no liens for Taxes outstanding against any of the Company or the Subsidiaries, their respective assets or against the Shares, except for Permitted Encumbrances.
          (c) All Taxes and assessments that the Company or any Subsidiary is required to withhold or to collect have been duly withheld or collected, and all such withholdings and collections have either been duly and timely paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authorities or are, together with the payments due or to become due in connection therewith, duly reflected in the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s financial records in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied.
          (d) There are no outstanding waivers or comparable consents regarding the application of the statute of limitations with respect to any Taxes that have been given by the Company or any Subsidiary.
          (e) No federal, state, local or foreign audits or other administrative or court proceedings are presently pending against the Company or any Subsidiary with regard to any Taxes or Tax Returns. No deficiency for any Taxes has been proposed, asserted or assessed against the Company or any Subsidiary which has not been resolved and paid in full.
          (f) The Company is, and at all times since January 1, 1998 has been, an “S” corporation within the meaning of Section 1361 of the Code; each of the shareholders of the

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Company since such date has been a person permitted to be a shareholder of an S corporation under Section 1361(b)(1)(B) of the Code; no Subsidiary is a qualified subchapter S subsidiary within the meaning of Section 1361(b)(3)(B) of the Code; and the aggregate amount of net unrealized built-in gain for the Company and the Subsidiaries within the meaning of section 1374(d)(1) of the Code as of December 31, 2006 did not exceed $500,000.
          (g) There are no outstanding requests for extensions of time within which to file Tax Returns of the Company or any Subsidiary.
          (h) There are no Contracts with any Governmental Body, or any agreements between any of the Sellers and any Governmental Body, relating to Taxes in effect with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary that is in effect on the Closing Date.
          (i) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to any tax-sharing Contract, or similar arrangement (whether express or implied), including any terminated agreement as to which it could have any continuing liabilities after the Closing Date.
          (j) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has pending any application for a ruling relating to Taxes from any Governmental Body, has received a ruling relating to Taxes within the last five years from any Governmental Body, nor has entered into any closing agreement relating to Taxes with any Governmental Body.
          (k) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is, or has ever been, a “United States real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.
          (l) The transactions contemplated by this Agreement, either by themselves or in conjunction with any other transaction that the Company or any Subsidiary may have entered into or agreed to, will not as of the Closing Date give rise to any federal income tax liability under Section 355(e) of the Code for which the Company or any Subsidiary may in any way be held liable.
          (m) Except as set forth in Section 5.23(m) of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has, nor has any of them ever had, a “permanent establishment” in any foreign country, as such term is defined in any applicable Tax treaty or convention between the United States and such foreign country, nor has the Company or any Subsidiary otherwise taken steps that have exposed, or will expose, any of them to the taxing jurisdiction of a foreign country.
          (n) Except as set forth in Section 5.23(n) of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no joint ventures, partnerships, or limited liability companies, or other arrangements or contracts to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party and that could be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
     5.24 Brokers. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has employed any broker, finder or investment banker in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement

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which would be entitled to a fee or commission in connection with such transactions, except for Edgeview Partners, whose fees or commissions shall be the sole responsibility of Sellers.
     5.25 No Other Representations or Warranties. Except for the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, none of the Company, any Seller, any Affiliate of the Company or any Seller, or any officer, director, employee, agent, advisor, representative of the Company, any Seller or any Affiliate of the Company or any Seller or any other Person makes any representations or warranties. The Company and each Seller hereby disclaim any other representations or warranties, whether made by the Company, a Seller or any Affiliate of the Company or any Seller, or any of they respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors, representatives or other Person, with respect to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or the Company, or its business, assets or liabilities, notwithstanding the delivery or disclosure to Buyer or its representatives of any documentation or other information with respect to any one or more of the foregoing.
     5.26 Books and Records.
     The books of account, minute books and stock record books of the Company and each Subsidiary, all of which have been made available to Buyer and its representatives, are complete and correct in all material respects, and have been maintained in accordance with sound business practices. The minute books of the Company and each Subsidiary contain accurate and complete records of all meetings held of, and corporate action taken by, the stockholders or members, the board of directors or managers, and committees of such boards, and no meeting of any such stockholders, board of directors, or committee has been held for which minutes have not been prepared and are not contained in such minute books. At the Closing, all of such books and records will be in the possession of the Company.
     5.27 Insurance.
     (a) The Company has delivered or otherwise made available to Buyer a true and complete copy of (i) each policy of insurance to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or under which the assets of either the Company or any of the Subsidiaries are covered, together with a schedule setting forth (A) all insurance claims made by the Company or any Subsidiary since January 1, 2001 and (B) a description of each policy of insurance (other than those to which clause (i) of this paragraph (a) applies) to which the Company or any Subsidiary at any time since January 1, 2001 has been a party or under which the assets of either the Company or any of the Subsidiaries have been covered; (ii) each pending application, if any, of the Company and any Subsidiary for policies of insurance, and (iii) any statement by the auditor of the Company’s and any Subsidiary’s financial statements with regard to the adequacy of such entity’s coverage or of the reserves for claims. Section 5.27(a) of the Disclosure Schedule summarizes the insurance policies in effect as of the date hereof.
     (b) Section 5.27(b) of the Disclosure Schedule describes:
     (i) any self-insurance arrangement by or affecting the Company or any Subsidiary, including any reserves established thereunder; and

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     (ii) any contract or arrangement, other than a policy of insurance, for the transfer or sharing of any risk by the Company or any Subsidiary.
     (c) Each policy of insurance to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party:
     (A) is valid, outstanding, and to the Knowledge of the Company, enforceable;
     (B) is issued by an insurer that to the Knowledge of the Company is financially sound and reputable;
     (C) when taken together with all other policies of insurance of the Company and the Subsidiaries, provide adequate insurance coverage for the assets and operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries for the risks to which they are exposed in the ordinary course of business;
     (D) when taken together with all other policies of insurance of the Company and the Subsidiaries are sufficient for compliance with the Laws and Contracts to which the Company and the Subsidiaries are bound; and
     (E) will continue in full force and effect immediately following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
     (d) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received, with respect to any policy of insurance to which any of them is a party or under which the assets of any of them are covered, (A) any refusal of coverage or any notice that a defense will be afforded with reservation of rights, or (B) any notice that any insurance policy is no longer in full force or effect, will be or is cancelled, will not be renewed or the issuer thereof is not willing or able to perform its obligations thereunder.
     (e) All premiums due under each policy to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or that provides coverage to any of the Company or any Subsidiary have been paid or are being timely paid under financing arrangements offered by the applicable insurance provider and there are no lapses in coverage due to unpaid premiums.
     5.28 Certain Payments.
     Except as set forth in Section 5.28 of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor any Seller, nor any director, officer, agent or, to the Knowledge of the Company, employee of the Company or any Subsidiary has, at any time since April 23, 2004, directly or indirectly, for or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary, (a) made any contribution, gift, bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kick back, or other payment to any Person, private or public, regardless of form, whether in money, property, or services (i) to obtain favorable treatment in securing business, (ii) to pay for favorable treatment for business secured, (iii) to obtain special concessions or for special concessions already obtained for or in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary, or (iv) in violation of any Legal Requirement, or (b) established or maintained any fund or asset that has not been recorded in the books and records of the Company or any Subsidiary, as applicable.

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     5.29 Customers and Suppliers.
     (a) Set forth in Section 5.29(a) of the Disclosure Schedule is a list of the ten (10) largest customers of the Company and the Subsidiaries in terms of annual gross sales for the trailing 12-month period ended December 31, 2006. No such customer has notified the Sellers, the Company or any Subsidiary that such customer intends to terminate its business relationship with the Company or any Subsidiary.
     (b) Since the Balance Sheet Date, no material vendor or supplier of the Company or any Subsidiary has notified any of the Company, any Subsidiary or any Seller that it intends to terminate supplying goods or services to the Company or any Subsidiary.
     5.30 No Products Liabilities; Product Warranties
     (a) Except as set forth on Section 5.30 of the Disclosure Schedule, there is not pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, any, civil, criminal or administrative actions, suits, demands, claims, hearings, notices or violation, demand letters, investigations or any other similar Proceeding relating to injury to person or property of employees or any third parties suffered as a result of any product manufactured, distributed or sold by or on behalf of any of the Company or any Subsidiary or performance of any service by the Company or any Subsidiary, including claims arising out of any breach of product warranty (other than warranty service and repair claims in the ordinary course of business), strict liability in tort, negligent manufacture of product, negligent provision of services or any other allegation of liability, including or resulting in, but not limited to, product recalls, arising from the design, testing, manufacture, packaging, labeling (including instructions for use), materials or workmanship or sale of its products or from the provision of services or otherwise alleging any liability of either the Company or any Subsidiary as a result of any defect or other deficiency with respect to any product manufactured, distributed or sold by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary or performance of any service by the Company or any Subsidiary (hereafter collectively referred to as “Product Liability Claims”).
     (b) No product manufactured or sold by either the Company or any Subsidiary has been the subject of any material recall or similar action instituted by any Governmental Body or undertaken by either the Company or any Subsidiary on a voluntary basis. Except as set forth in Section 5.30(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has paid, settled or otherwise incurred any uninsured or insured liability with respect to, any Product Liability Claims.
     5.31 Accuracy of Information
     Neither the representations or warranties of the Company in this Agreement nor any statement contained in the Disclosure Schedule, certificates or other written statements and information furnished to Buyer or its representatives by or on behalf of Sellers or Company and any Subsidiary in connection with the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby contain any material misstatement of fact or omits to state a material fact or any fact necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which such statements are made, not misleading.

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ARTICLE 6
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
     Buyer represents and warrants to Sellers as follows:
     6.1 Organization. Buyer is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Buyer has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its material properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. Buyer is duly qualified and in good standing to do business in every jurisdiction in which such qualification is necessary because of the nature of the property owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it, except where the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not reasonably be expected to prevent Buyer from executing or delivering this Agreement or performing its obligations hereunder.
     6.2 Power. Buyer has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the purchase of the Shares and other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
     6.3 Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate and stockholder action on the part of Buyer. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Buyer and is a valid and binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general principles of equity.
     6.4 Noncontravention. Neither the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by Buyer with any of the provisions hereof will:
          (a) conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of its Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws or similar governing documents;
          (b) cause a default (or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration) under any material agreement or other material obligation to which Buyer is a party, except for such matters as would not reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect upon the ability of Buyer to perform its obligations under this Agreement; or
          (c) violate any Law applicable to Buyer, except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect upon the ability of Buyer to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
     6.5 Consents. No consent or approval by, or any notification of or filing with, any Governmental Body is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of this Agreement, or the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for any such consent, approval, notification or filing the failure of which to obtain or make would not reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect upon Buyer’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

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     6.6 Investment Intent. Buyer is acquiring the Shares for its own account for investment without a view to the sale, distribution, subdivision, transfer or fractionalization thereof Buyer acknowledges that the Shares (a) have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities law and there is no commitment to register the Shares, (b) have no public or other market, and (c) cannot be resold, unless they are subsequently registered or an exemption from registration is available. Buyer has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and in investments of this type that it is capable of evaluating the risks and merits of its investment in the Shares and of making an informed investment decision.
     6.7 Litigation. No Proceeding has been commenced or, to the knowledge of Buyer, threatened against Buyer that challenges the validity of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or that may have the effect of preventing, delaying or impairing, or making illegal the transactions contemplated hereby, or materially affecting Buyer’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
     6.8 Brokers. Buyer has not employed any broker, finder or investment banker in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement which would be entitled to a fee or commission in connection with such transactions, except for any broker, finder or investment banker whose fees or commissions shall be the sole responsibility of Buyer.
     6.9 Financial Capability. Buyer has sufficient funds to effect the Closing and all other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
     6.10 Knowledge Regarding Representations. Buyer is not aware of any material inaccuracy or misstatements in, or breach of, any representation or warranty of Sellers or the Company contained in this Agreement.
     6.11 Non-Reliance. Buyer acknowledges that it, together with its advisors, has made its own investigation of the Company, the Subsidiaries and their businesses and assets. Buyer is not relying on any representations, warranties or statements other than those expressly set forth in this Agreement and is not relying on implied warranties (whether of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or otherwise), or upon any representation or warranty whatsoever as to the prospects (financial or otherwise), or the viability or likelihood of success, of the business of the Company as conducted after the Closing Date, or upon the information (including any forecasts or projections) contained in the Confidential Memorandum furnished to Buyer in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE 7
[RESERVED]
ARTICLE 8
CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF BUYER
     The obligation of Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions unless waived by Buyer in its sole discretion:

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     8.1 Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of Sellers and the Company in this Agreement that are qualified as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all respects, and the representations and warranties of Sellers and the Company in this Agreement that are not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each case, except to the extent such representations and warranties refer to a specific date, as of the date hereof.
     8.2 Performance of Agreements. Sellers and the Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants, obligations and agreements to be performed or complied with by them on or before the Closing pursuant to this Agreement or any Schedule or Exhibit hereto, including each of Sellers’ obligations under Section 3.3.
     8.3 Approvals. Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, all consents, authorizations, approvals of, and expirations of waiting periods imposed by, any Governmental Body, the failure of which to obtain or occur would make the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby illegal, shall have been obtained or shall have occurred.
     8.4 Legal Matters. No preliminary or permanent injunction or other judgment, order or decree issued by a court of competent jurisdiction which prevents the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been issued and remain in effect, and no statute, rule or regulation shall have been enacted, promulgated or enforced by any Governmental Body which makes the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby illegal.
ARTICLE 9
CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF SELLERS
     The obligation of Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions unless waived by a Majority in Interest of Sellers in their sole discretion:
     9.1 Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of Buyer in this Agreement that are qualified as to Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct and the representations and warranties of Buyer in this Agreement that are not so qualified shall be true and correct except as would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Buyer’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, in each case as of the date hereof.
     9.2 Performance of Agreements. Buyer shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants, obligations and agreements to be performed or complied with by it on or before the Closing pursuant to this Agreement or any Schedule or Exhibit hereto, including each of Buyer’s obligations under Section 2.2 and Section 3.4.
     9.3 Approvals. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, all consents, authorizations, approvals of, and expirations of waiting periods imposed by, any Governmental Body, the failure of which to obtain or occur would make the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby illegal, shall have been obtained or shall have occurred.

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     9.4 Consents. The Company and Sellers shall have cooperated with Buyer in obtaining all consents, permits, approvals of, and exemptions by, any Governmental Body and all consents of any third party, in each case, necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
     9.5 Legal Matters. No preliminary or permanent injunction or other judgment, order or decree issued by a court of competent jurisdiction which prevents the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been issued and remain in effect, and no statute, rule or regulation shall have been enacted, promulgated or enforced by any Governmental Body which makes the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby illegal.
     9.6 Payment of Indebtedness by Related Persons.
     Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, Sellers will cause all indebtedness owed to the Company or any Subsidiary by any Seller or any Related Person of any Seller to be paid in full prior to or contemporaneous with Closing.
ARTICLE 10
SELLERS’ RELEASES
     Subject to and in consideration of Buyer’s payment of the Purchase Price for the Shares pursuant to this Agreement, effective as of the Closing, each Seller for itself and its Related Persons, hereby releases and forever discharges Buyer, the Company and the Subsidiaries and their respective individual, joint or mutual, past, present and future Affiliates, principals, officers, directors, members, managers, employees, agents and other representatives, successors and assigns (individually a “Releasee” and collectively, the “Releasees”) from any and all claims, demands, Proceedings, causes of action (including those arising out of or in any way related to any federal, state or local law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, sex, national origin, citizenship or other protected classification, including, without limitation, claims under Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and the Americans With Disabilities Act), Orders, obligations, rights of indemnification, contribution or subrogation, contracts, agreements, debts and liabilities whatsoever, whether known or unknown, by statute, at law and in equity (the “Released Claims”) which such Seller now has, has ever had or may hereafter have against the respective Releasees (i) arising contemporaneously with or prior to the Closing or (ii) on account of or arising out of any matter, cause or event occurring contemporaneously with or prior to the Closing and, in either case, related to the ownership of the Shares, service as an officer or director of the Company or any Subsidiary, Deferred Compensation or the business and affairs of the Company or any Subsidiary, including all such Released Claims arising under or in connection with any financing, guaranty or other financial accommodation (and all subrogation rights that may arise in the future on account thereof), investment, advance, loan, lease, provision of goods or services, Contract (including any certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents) or other undertaking or transaction entered into with or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary by any such Seller; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall operate to release any obligation (i) of Buyer, the Company and any Subsidiary arising pursuant to this Agreement or any document executed and delivered pursuant to this Agreement, or (ii) pursuant to any employment arrangement for events arising on or after the Closing or for accrued

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salary and benefits earned through the Closing, other than in respect of Deferred Compensation. Each Seller acknowledges that it may hereafter discover claims or facts in addition to or different from those which it now knows or believes to exist with respect to the subject matter of this release and which, if known or suspected at the time of executing this release, may have materially affected its willingness to enter into this release. Nevertheless, each Seller hereby waives any right, claim, or cause of action that might arise as a result of such different or additional claims or facts.
ARTICLE 11
POST-CLOSING COVENANTS; TAX MATTERS
     11.1 Access to Records. Following the Closing, Buyer shall (a) upon reasonable request provide Sellers, their Affiliates, accountants, attorneys and other representatives reasonable access during normal working hours to the books, records and personnel of the Company and any Subsidiary relating to transactions and the operation of the business of the Company and any Subsidiary through the Closing Date and the right to make copies thereof at Sellers’ expense; and (b) maintain such books and records for a period of at least five years after the Closing Date and give Sellers the opportunity to keep any books and records relating to the pre-Closing period which Buyer thereafter intends to no longer maintain.
     11.2 Public Statements. Except for compulsory disclosures in satisfaction of, or otherwise required by, applicable Law or securities exchange rules (including by making a public announcement through issuance of a press release or other reasonable means), no press release or other public announcement (if materially different from those previously made) relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been made by any party to this Agreement or its representatives without prior consultation among and approval by a Majority in Interest of the Sellers and the Buyer.
     11.3 Tax Matters The following provisions shall govern the allocation of responsibility as between the Sellers and Buyer for certain Tax matters following the Closing Date:
     (a) Buyer shall (and shall cause the Company and each Subsidiary), and the Sellers shall, cooperate fully, as and to the extent reasonably requested by the other party, in connection with the filing of Tax Returns pursuant to this section and any Proceeding with respect to Taxes. Such cooperation shall include the retention and (upon the other party’s request) the provision of records and information which are reasonably relevant to any such Proceeding and making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder.
     (b) Buyer shall prepare and timely file (including extensions), or cause to be prepared and timely filed (including extensions), at the expense of the Company, all income Tax Returns for the Company and each Subsidiary for any Taxable period that includes the Closing Date. At least fifteen (15) business days prior to the date that the Company intends to file each such income Tax Return, Buyer shall provide or cause to be provided to Sellers a draft of each such Tax Return in such form as contemplated by Buyer to be filed, and inform Sellers as to the date

39


 

by which such Tax Return is required to be filed. The Sellers and their advisors shall be entitled to review and comment on each such draft income Tax Return, and to have access to the books and records of the Company necessary to make such review meaningful, and shall provide written comments, if any, to Buyer not later than the day that is ten (10) business days after receipt of the applicable income Tax Return. Buyer shall make or cause to be made to each such draft income Tax Return such changes as necessary to reflect the reasonable written comments of the Sellers (i) so long as Buyer believes each such change has “a realistic possibility of being sustained on its merits” (if challenged by the applicable Taxing authority) with respect to the treatment of any item of a type that has been reported on a prior income Tax Return of Company or applicable Subsidiary or (ii) so long as Buyer believes each such change either (A) has “a realistic possibility of being sustained on its merits” (if so challenged) and will not have an adverse effect on Buyer or (B) is more likely than not to prevail, with respect to the treatment of any item of a type that has not been previously reported on a prior income Tax Return of the Company or applicable Subsidiary. Buyer shall make or cause to be made to each such draft income Tax Return such changes as necessary to reflect the reasonable written comments of the Sellers so long as Buyer believes each such change has “a realistic possibility of being sustained on its merits” with respect to such positions and elections if challenged by the applicable Taxing authority. All determinations necessary to give effect to the foregoing, including all income Tax Returns for the taxable periods ended December 31, 2006, shall be made and all income Tax Returns with respect to such periods shall be filed in a manner consistent with prior practice, policies and income tax returns of the Company and each applicable Subsidiary.
     (c) To the extent such Taxes have not been reflected as a liability on the Closing Working Capital Statement, the Sellers shall timely pay, or cause to be paid, all Taxes with respect to Company or any Subsidiary shown to be due on the income Tax Returns described in paragraph (b), to the extent such Taxes are properly allocable to periods on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to Section 11.2(d). In addition, with respect to any Tax Returns of Company or any Subsidiary relating to taxable periods that end prior to the Closing Date, Sellers shall be responsible for, and shall pay to Company (or the applicable Subsidiary), any additional Tax liabilities assessed against Company or Subsidiary, unless and to the extent that such Taxes have been reflected as a liability on the Closing Working Capital Statement. In the event that the Sellers for any reason fail to make any payment contemplated by this Section 11.3(c), then Buyer may bring an indemnification claim under Section 12.2.
     (d) For purposes of this Agreement:
          (1) In the case of any gross receipts, income, or similar Taxes that are payable by the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to a taxable period that begins before the Closing Date and ends after the Closing Date (a “Straddle Period”), the portion of such Taxes allocable to (A) the period before the Closing Date and ending on the Closing Date and (B) the portion of the Straddle Period beginning on the day after the Closing Date shall be determined on the basis of a deemed closing at the end of the Closing Date of the books and records of Company (and, where appropriate, each applicable Subsidiary). Any calculation relating to a Straddle Period shall be performed prior to the effect of any election under Section 338(h)(10) of the Code.
          (2) In the case of any Taxes (other than gross receipts, income, or similar Taxes) that are payable by the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to a Straddle Period, the

40


 

portion of such Taxes allocable to the portion of the Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date shall be equal to the product of all such Taxes multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days in the Straddle Period from the commencement of the Straddle Period through and including the Closing Date and the denominator of which is the number of days in the entire Straddle Period; provided, however, that appropriate adjustments shall be made to reflect specific events that can be identified and specifically allocated as occurring on or prior to the Closing Date (in which case the Sellers shall be responsible for any Taxes related thereto) or occurring after the Closing Date (in which case, Buyer shall be responsible for any Taxes related thereto). The parties agree that all deductions for Deferred Compensation shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be included in or allocated to the portion of the Straddle Period occurring prior to the Closing Date.
     11.4 Further Assurances. Each party shall at any time and from time to time after the Closing, upon the request of the other, do, execute, acknowledge and deliver, and cause to be done, executed, acknowledged or delivered, all such further acts, deeds, assignments, transfers, conveyances, powers of attorney or assurances as may be required for the better transferring, assigning, conveying, granting, assuring and confirming to Buyer, or for aiding and assisting in the collection of or reducing to possession by Buyer, of the Shares or to vest in Buyer title to the Shares and otherwise to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
     11.5 Termination of Certain Equity Holder Documents. Each party hereto hereby acknowledges and agrees, on behalf of itself and its affiliates, that the Phantom Stock Plan and the Phantom Stock Plan II identified in Section 5.17(a) of the Disclosure Schedule and that certain Stockholders’ Agreement of the Company dated August 7, 1998, as amended or restated through the date hereof shall be and hereby are terminated effective immediately prior to the Closing and all obligations of the parties thereunder shall and hereby do, upon compliance with the payment obligations set forth in this Agreement, terminate without further action on the part of any of the parties thereto and are of no further force and effect and without any liability to any of the Company or the Subsidiaries.
ARTICLE 12
INDEMNIFICATION
     12.1 Survival.
     (a) The representations of Sellers contained in Sections 4.1 and 4.4, and the Company in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 shall survive the Closing without limitation. All remaining representations and warranties of Buyer, the Company and Sellers contained herein shall survive the Closing for a period of one year following the Closing (the “Survival Date”), at which time such representations and warranties shall expire; provided, however, that the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5.15 (Environmental) shall survive the Closing for a period of three years following the Closing; provided, further, that the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5.17 (Employee Benefit Plans) and Section 5.23 (Tax Matters) shall survive until 30 days after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations. The covenants contained in

41


 

this Agreement shall survive the Closing, if at all, until, by their respective terms, they are no longer effective.
     (b) In all instances with respect to any specific representation or warranty under which an Indemnified Party delivers a notice of a claim prior to the Survival Date applicable to such representation or warranty and as to which such claim has not been completely and finally resolved prior to such termination date, such representation or warranty shall survive for purposes of such claim for the period of time beyond such termination date sufficient to resolve, completely and finally, the claim relating to such representation or warranty in accordance with this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein, the parties agree that no claims or causes of action may be brought against, the Company, any Seller or Buyer based upon the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement after the applicable Survival Date.
     12.2 Indemnification.
          (a) Sellers shall indemnify, defend and save the Buyer Parties harmless from, against, for and in respect of any damages, losses, obligations, liabilities, claims and expenses (including interest, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and all reasonable amounts paid in investigation, defense or settlement of any of the foregoing) (collectively, “Losses”) sustained or suffered by any of the Buyer Parties arising from a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of the Company or Sellers contained in this Agreement (including the Schedules and Exhibits attached hereto) which breach the Buyer did not know of and should not reasonably have known of at or prior to the Closing.
          (b) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the following limitations shall apply with reference to any indemnification claim against Seller under Section 12.2(a) with respect to an alleged breach of any representations or warranties:
  (1)   No such indemnification claim shall be brought against a Seller unless Buyer, at any time prior to the Survival Date, gives such Seller written notice, with reasonable specificity, of the existence of any such indemnification claim.
 
  (2)   The amount of Loss suffered by the Buyer Parties shall be determined after offsetting the amount of any applicable reserve or allowance included in the [Interim Balance Sheet], and any Tax Benefit, insurance proceeds or third party indemnification received or receivable.
 
  (3)   The amount of Losses from a matter shall be reduced to the extent such matter is reflected in the final determination of the Adjustment Amount pursuant to Article 2.
 
  (4)   No Seller shall be liable for any such indemnification payments unless and until the aggregate amount of the Losses suffered by the Buyer Parties exceeds one percent (1%) of the Purchase Price (the “Threshold Amount”), and then only to the extent of any such excess; provided, however, the Threshold Amount shall not apply

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      to (i) indemnity claims made under Sections 4.6, 5.1 through 5.5, or 5.24, (ii) indemnity claims made under Section 5.23, provided, however, that from and after the earlier of the date that is 18 months after the Closing Date or the day on which the Escrow Amount (as such term is defined in the Escrow Agreement) is reduced to zero, no Seller shall be liable for or in respect of any such claims unless and until the Losses suffered by the Buyer parties from and after the earlier of such dates exceeds $50,000, at which time the Sellers shall be liable for all such Losses back to the first dollar of such $50,000, or (iii) claims involving fraud or intentional misconduct.
 
  (5)   Sellers’ liability for all such indemnification claims shall in no event exceed ten percent (10%) of the Purchase Price (the “Cap Amount”), and each Seller’s liability for all such indemnification claims shall in no event exceed ten percent (10%) of such Seller’s Pro Rata Share of the Purchase Price; provided, however, that the Cap Amount shall not apply to indemnity claims made under Sections 4.1, 4.4, 4.6, 5.1 through 5.5, 5.23 or 5.24 nor shall the Cap Amount apply to claims involving fraud or intentional misconduct.
          (c) Buyer shall indemnify, defend and save the Seller Parties harmless from, against, for and in respect of any Losses sustained or suffered by any of the Seller Parties and arising from a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of Buyer contained in this Agreement which breach the Sellers did not know of and should not reasonably have known of at or prior to the Closing.
          (d) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the following limitations shall apply with reference to any indemnification claim against Buyer under Section 12.2(c) with respect to an alleged breach of any representations or warranties:
  (1)   No such indemnification claim shall be brought against Buyer unless a Seller, at any time prior to the Survival Date, gives Buyer written notice, with reasonable specificity, of the existence of any such indemnification claim.
 
  (2)   Buyer shall not be liable for any such indemnification payments unless and until the aggregate amount of the Losses suffered by all of the Sellers exceeds the Threshold Amount, and then only to the extent of any such excess.
 
  (3)   Buyer’s liability for all such indemnification claims shall in no event exceed the Cap Amount.

43


 

          (e) Sellers shall have no right of contribution, reimbursement or subrogation, or any similar right, against the Company or any Subsidiary for any indemnification payment made by Sellers, and each Seller hereby waives all such rights.
     12.3 Third Party Claims. With respect to claims resulting from the assertion of liability by third parties, the obligations and liabilities of the party allegedly responsible for indemnification (the “Indemnifying Party”) hereunder with respect to indemnification claims by the party allegedly entitled to indemnity (the “Indemnified Party”) shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
          (a) The Indemnified Party shall give prompt written notice to the Indemnifying Party of any assertion of liability by a third party which might give rise to a claim by the Indemnified Party against the Indemnifying Party based on the indemnity agreements contained in Section 12.2 hereof, stating the nature and basis of said assertion and the amount thereof, to the extent known.
          (b) If any Proceeding is brought against the Indemnified Party, with respect to which the Indemnifying Party may have liability under the indemnity agreement contained in Section 12.2 hereof, the Proceeding shall, upon the written agreement of the Indemnifying Party, be defended (including all Proceedings on appeal or for review which counsel for the defendant shall deem appropriate) by the Indemnifying Party. The Indemnified Parry shall have the right to employ its own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless
  (1)   the employment of such counsel shall have been specifically authorized by the Indemnifying Party in connection with the defense of such Proceeding,
 
  (2)   the Indemnifying Party shall not have agreed, within 60 days after the notice to it provided in subsection (a) above, to assume the defense of such Proceeding, or
 
  (3)   the Indemnified Party shall have reasonably concluded, based on advice of counsel, that there may be defenses available to it which conflict with those available to the Indemnifying Party;
in any of which events (A) that portion of such reasonable fees and expenses reasonably related to matters covered by the indemnity agreement contained in Section 12.2 hereof shall be borne by the Indemnifying Party, and (B) the Indemnifying Party shall not be responsible for the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for the Indemnified Party. The Indemnified Party shall be kept reasonably informed of such Proceeding at all stages thereof whether or not it is so represented. The Indemnified Party shall make available to the Indemnifying Party and its attorneys, accountants and other representatives all books and records of the Indemnified Party relating to such Proceedings and the parties hereto agree to render to each other such assistance as they may reasonably require of each other in order to ensure the proper and adequate defense of any such Proceeding.

44


 

          (c) The Indemnifying Party shall not make any settlement of any claims without the written consent of the Indemnified Party, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, provided, however, that the Indemnified Party’s consent shall not be required if the settlement involves only payment of money and the settlement includes a full written release of liability of the Indemnified Party with respect to such suit, proceeding or claim. If an Indemnified Party does not consent to a settlement proposed by the Indemnifying Party and accepted by the adverse third party that involves only the payment of money or other consideration from the Indemnifying Party, the liability of the Indemnifying Parry shall be limited to the amount that would have been paid in such settlement. The Indemnified Party shall not settle any claim for which it seeks indemnification without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent may be withheld in the sole and absolute discretion of the Indemnifying Party.
     12.4 Remedies Exclusive. If the Closing occurs, the remedies provided for in this Article 12 shall be the exclusive remedies available to a party arising out of an alleged breach of a representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made in this Agreement. Neither party will be liable to the other party for special, incidental, consequential, punitive, exemplary or similar damages arising from a breach of this Agreement, except to the extent, and subject to the limitations on indemnification set forth in this Article 12, such party actually paid such types of damages to a third party in respect of a matter for which such party is entitled to indemnification under Section 12.2(a) or 12.2(c), as the case may be.
     12.5 Recoveries. If an Indemnified Party subsequently receives payment (including proceeds of insurance, third party indemnification, payments on accounts receivable and Tax Benefits) with respect to a matter for which it has been fully indemnified by the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnified Party shall promptly pay the amount of such payment, up to the indemnification received, to the Indemnifying Party. Such Indemnified Party shall be obligated to reasonably seek any such payments to which it may be entitled.
     12.6 Characterization. Any amounts paid by an Indemnifying Party to an Indemnified Party pursuant to this Article 12 shall be treated for all Tax purposes as adjustments to the Purchase Price.
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS
     13.1 Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each party shall bear its own expenses in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
     13.2 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall become binding and effective when executed by Buyer, the Company and each Seller. This Agreement shall not be assignable by any party to this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other parties to this Agreement (which consent, if given by a Majority in Interest of the Sellers, shall be deemed to be given on behalf of all Sellers); provided, however, Purchaser may assign its rights under this Agreement for collateral security purposes, without consent of any party, to any lender or lenders providing financing to Purchaser and/or the Company. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement

45


 

shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the respective successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns of the parties hereto. This Agreement constitutes an agreement among the parties hereto and none of the agreements, covenants, representations or warranties contained herein shall be for the benefit of, or create any third party beneficiary rights in, any Person not a party to this Agreement (other than the Seller Parties and the Buyer Parties to the extent expressly provided in Article 12).
     13.3 Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement (including the Schedules and Exhibits attached hereto) contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter. The making, execution and delivery of this Agreement by the parties have not been induced by any representations, warranties, statements or agreements other than those expressed in this Agreement. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof except for the Confidentiality Agreement. This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument duly executed by Buyer, the Company and a Majority in Interest of the Sellers. Furthermore, nothing in this Agreement, whether express or implied, shall either (i) constitute an amendment to a Company Plan or to any other employee benefit plan, or (ii) constitute the creation of a new employee benefit plan by either the Company, the Buyer or any of their Affiliates.
     13.4 Notices. All notices or other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or sent by telecopy or sent, postage prepaid, by registered, certified or express mail, return receipt requested, or by reputable overnight courier service, as follows:
     If to a Seller, to the address set forth opposite such Seller’s name on the Shareholder Schedule attached hereto,
         
 
  with a copy to:   Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP
 
      4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 300
 
      Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
 
      Attn: Larry E. Robbins
 
      fax: (919) 781-4865
 
       
 
  if to the Company:   Aeroglide Corporation
 
      100 Aeroglide Drive
 
      Cary, North Carolina
 
      Attn: James F. Kelly, Jr.
 
      Fax: (919) 851-6029
 
       
 
  with a copy to:   Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP
 
      4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 300
 
      Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
 
      Attn: Larry E. Robbins
 
      Fax: (919) 781-4865

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  if to Buyer:   Aeroglide Holdings, Inc.
 
      61 Wilton Road, Second Floor
 
      Westport, CT 06880
 
      Attn: Alan Offenberg
 
      Fax: (203) 221-8253
 
       
 
  with a copy to:   Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.
 
      312 Walnut Street, Suite 3500
 
      Cincinnati, OH 45202
 
      Attn: Stephen C. Mahon
 
      Fax: (513) 361-1201
or to such other address as the party to whom notice is to be given may have furnished to the other party in writing in accordance herewith. Any such communication shall be deemed effective on the earlier of the date of receipt (or, if received on a non-business day, on the first business day after the date of receipt) or, if sent by registered, certified or express mail, on the fifth calendar day after such mailing.
     13.5 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflicts of laws principles.
     13.6 Jurisdiction. Each party irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware in connection with any legal proceeding arising out of or relating hereto or the transactions contemplated hereby, and hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such legal proceeding shall be heard and determined in such state or federal court. Each party irrevocably waives (and agrees not to plead or claim) any objection to the laying of venue of any legal proceeding arising out of or relating hereto or the transactions contemplated thereby in the courts of Delaware and the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding. Each party further agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that a final and non-appealable judgment against it in any legal proceeding contemplated above shall be conclusive and may be enforced in any other jurisdiction within or outside the United States by suit on the judgment, a certified copy of which shall be conclusive evidence of the fact and amount of such judgment. Each party agrees that service of process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to such person’s respective notice address determined in accordance with Section 13.4 (Notices) herein shall be effective service of process for any legal proceeding with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction pursuant to this Section.
     13.7 Waivers. Any provision of this Agreement may be waived only by a written instrument executed by the party to be charged with such waiver. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach. Any condition to a party’s obligations under this Agreement may be waived only in writing by such party.
     13.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed by each party upon a separate copy or separate signature page, and any combination of separate copies signed by all parties or including signature pages so signed will constitute a single counterpart of this Agreement. This

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Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same agreement. It will not be necessary, in proving this Agreement in any proceeding, to produce or account for more than one counterpart of this Agreement. This Agreement will become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each party, and delivered to the other party. Any party may deliver an executed copy of this Agreement (and an executed copy of any documents contemplated by this Agreement) by facsimile transmission to the other party, and such delivery will have the same force and effect as any other delivery of a manually signed copy of this Agreement (or such other document).
[signatures follow]

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Stock Purchase Agreement to be executed and delivered effective as of the date first above written.
             
    AEROGLIDE CORPORATION    
 
           
 
  By:
Name:
  /s/ J. Fredrick Kelly
 
   
 
  Title:        
 
           
    AEROGLIDE HOLDINGS, INC.    
 
           
 
  By:
Name:
  /s/ Alan B. Offenberg
 
   
 
  Title:        
 
           
    SELLERS:    
 
           
         
    J. Fredrick Kelly, Jr.    
 
           
         
    Judith Kelly    
 
           
         
    Robert E. Long, Jr.    
 
           
         
    Margaret L. Macauley    
 
           
         
    Elizabeth L. Long    
 
           
         
    Mary Helen Wilson.    
 
           
         
    Julian W. Bunn, Jr.    

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EX-99.3 4 w31162exv99w3.htm EX-99.3 exv99w3
 

Exhibit 99.3
Execution Version
 
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
HA-LO HOLDINGS, LLC
AND
HALO HOLDING CORPORATION
FEBRUARY 28, 2007
 

 


 

         
ARTICLE I THE TRANSACTION
    1  
1.1   The Stock Purchase
    1  
1.2   Consideration
    1  
1.3   Net Working Capital Adjustment
    1  
1.4   Escrow
    3  
1.5   Selling Expenses
    3  
ARTICLE II THE CLOSING AND TRANSFER OF STOCK
    3  
2.1   Closing
    4  
2.2   Closing Actions
    4  
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER
    6  
3.1   Status
    6  
3.2   Power and Authority
    6  
3.3   Enforceability
    6  
3.4   No Violations; Consents and Approvals
    6  
3.5   Brokers
    6  
3.6   Availability of Funds
    7  
3.7   Investment Representation
    7  
3.8   Solvency
    7  
3.9   Knowledge
    7  
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF Seller
    7  
4.1   Corporate Status
    8  
4.2   Power and Authority
    8  
4.3   Enforceability
    8  
4.4   Capitalization; Stock Ownership
    8  
4.5   Subsidiaries
    8  
4.6   No Violation; Consents and Approvals
    8  
4.7   Financial Statements
    9  
4.8   Absence of Certain Developments
    9  
4.9   Litigation
    10  
4.10 Environmental Matters
    10  
4.11 Title to Properties
    11  
4.12 Compliance with Laws
    12  
4.13 Labor and Employment Matters
    12  
4.14 Employee Benefit Plans
    13  
4.15 Tax Matters
    14  
4.16 Insurance
    15  
4.17 Licenses and Permits
    15  
4.18 Affiliated Transactions
    15  
4.19 Material Contracts
    15  
4.20 Intellectual Property
    17  
4.21 Customers and Suppliers
    17  
4.22 No Brokers
    17  
4.23 Certain Business Practices
    17  
4.24 Undisclosed Liabilities
    18  
4.25 Accounts Payable
    18  
4.26 Receivables
    18  

-i- 


 

         
4.27 Inventory
    18  
4.28 Bank Accounts
    18  
4.29 Product Warranty; Product Liability
    18  
4.30 Knowledge
    19  
ARTICLE V POST-CLOSING COVENANTS
    19  
5.1   Further Assurances
    19  
5.2   Transfer Taxes
    19  
5.3   Litigation Support
    19  
5.4   Director and Officer Liability and Indemnification
    19  
5.5   Access to Books and Records
    20  
5.6   Employee Benefits
    20  
5.7   Investment Intent of the Buyer
    20  
5.8   Responsibility for Filing Tax Returns
    21  
5.9   Change of Seller’s Name
    21  
ARTICLE VI SURVIVAL; INDEMNIFICATION
    21  
6.1   Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants
    21  
6.2   Indemnification Provisions for Benefit of the Buyer
    22  
6.3   Indemnification Provisions for Benefit of the Sellers
    23  
6.4   Matters Involving Third Parties
    23  
6.5   Determination of Losses
    24  
6.6   Mitigation
    25  
6.7   Exclusive Remedy
    25  
6.8   Third Party Beneficiaries
    25  
ARTICLE VII DEFINITIONS
    25  
7.1   Defined Terms
    25  
7.2   Other Definitional Provisions
    31  
ARTICLE VIII GENERAL PROVISIONS
    31  
8.1   Notices
    31  
8.2   Entire Agreement
    32  
8.3   Expenses
    33  
8.4   Amendment; Waiver
    33  
8.5   Binding Effect; Assignment
    33  
8.6   Counterparts
    33  
8.7   Interpretation
    33  
8.8   Governing Law; Interpretation
    33  
8.9   Specific Performance
    33  
8.10 Arm’s Length Negotiations; Drafting
    34  
8.11 Confidentiality; Publicity
    34  

-ii- 


 

     
SCHEDULES
   
 
   
Schedule A
  Closing Statement
Schedule B
  Statement of Selling Expenses
 
   
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE
 
   
Section 2.2(a)(ii)
  Indebtedness Payments
Section 4.4
  Capitalization; Stock Ownership
Section 4.6
  No Violation; Consents and Approvals
Section 4.7
  Financial Statements
Section 4.8
  Absence of Certain Developments
Section 4.9
  Litigation
Section 4.10
  Environmental Matters
Section 4.11(a)
  Personal Property
Section 4.11(b)
  Leased Real Property
Section. 4.14
  Employee Benefit Plans
Section 4.15
  Tax Matters
Section 4.16
  Insurance
Section 4.17
  Licenses and Permits
Section 4.18
  Affiliated Transactions
Section 4.19
  Material Contracts
Section 4.20
  Intellectual Property
Section 4.21(a)
  Material Suppliers
Section 4.21(b)
  Material Customers
Section 4.21(c)
  Customer and Supplier Terminations/Reductions
Section 4.28
  Bank Accounts
Section 4.29
  Product Warranty; Product Liability

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STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
     This STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of February 28, 2007, by and between Halo Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Buyer”), and HA-LO Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Seller”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Section 10.1 of this Agreement. The Buyer and the Seller may be referred to herein each as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.
RECITALS:
     WHEREAS, the Seller is the beneficial owner of one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding capital stock (the “Stock”) of Halo Branded Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation” or the “Company”);
     WHEREAS, the Seller desires to sell, and the Buyer desires to purchase, one hundred percent (100%) of the Stock on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; and
     WHEREAS, simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Buyer, the Seller and the Escrow Agent have executed and delivered the Escrow Agreement dated the date hereof (the “Escrow Agreement”).
TERMS OF AGREEMENT:
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants of the Parties set forth in this Agreement and in the Purchase Agreement, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE TRANSACTION
     1.1 The Stock Purchase. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing, the Seller shall sell and the Buyer shall acquire, the Stock, free and clear of all Liens and Restrictions.
     1.2 Consideration. In consideration for the Stock, the Buyer shall pay to the Seller Sixty-Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($62,500,000) (a) either (i) plus the amount, if any, by which the Net Working Capital is greater than Ten Million Three Hundred Thousand dollars ($10,300,000), or (ii) minus, the amount, if any, by which the Net Working Capital is less than Ten Million Three Hundred Thousand dollars ($10,300,000), minus (b) the amount of Indebtedness Payments as of the Closing Date as set forth in the Payoff Letters, and minus (c) the Selling Expenses (such amount is referred to herein as the “Purchase Price”). At the Closing, the Buyer shall pay to the Seller the Purchase Price minus the Escrow Funds.
     1.3 Net Working Capital Adjustment.
          (a) Estimated Net Working Capital. The Seller has delivered to the Buyer a good faith calculation of its estimate of the Net Working Capital (the “Estimated Net Working

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Capital”) and an estimate of the Purchase Price (the “Estimated Purchase Price”), which has been calculated in accordance with Section 1.2 (the “Closing Statement”), and which is attached hereto as Schedule A.
          (b) Final Net Working Capital.
               (i) No later than sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, the Buyer will deliver to the Seller a statement setting forth its calculation of the Net Working Capital (the “Buyer’s Closing Statement”). After delivery of the Buyer’s Closing Statement, the Seller and its accountants shall be permitted to review and copy the work papers of the Buyer and its accountants related to the preparation of the Buyer’s Closing Statement and make other inquiries of the Buyer and its accountants regarding questions concerning or disagreements with the Closing Statement arising in the course of its review thereof. If the Seller has any objections to the Closing Statement, then the Seller shall deliver to the Buyer a statement (an “Objection Statement”) setting forth its disputes or objections (the “Objection Disputes”) to the Closing Statement and Seller’s proposed calculation of the Net Working Capital (“Seller’s Closing Statement”). If a proper Objection Statement is not delivered to the Buyer within thirty (30) days after delivery of the Buyer’s Closing Statement, then the Buyer’s Closing Statement as originally delivered by the Buyer shall be final, binding and non-appealable by the Parties. If an Objection Statement is timely delivered, then the Buyer and the Seller shall negotiate in good faith to resolve any Objection Disputes, but if they do not reach a final resolution within thirty (30) days after the delivery of the Objection Statement, the Seller and the Buyer shall submit each unresolved Objection Dispute to the Chicago office of Ernst & Young LLP (provided that it not be submitted to a person who has been engaged by Compass Group or H.I.G. Capital or any of their portfolio companies) (the “Independent Auditor”) to resolve such Objection Disputes. The Independent Auditor shall be instructed to set forth a procedure to provide for prompt resolution of any unresolved Objection Disputes and, in any event, to make its determination in respect of such Objection Disputes within thirty (30) days following its retention. The Independent Auditor’s determination of such Objection Disputes shall be final and binding upon the Parties; provided, however, that no such determination with respect to any item reflected in the Objection Statement shall be any more favorable to the Buyer than is set forth in the Net Working Capital calculation reflected in the Closing Statement or any more favorable to the Seller than is proposed in the Objection Statement. All fees and costs of the Independent Auditor, if any, shall be paid by (x) the Seller, if the Net Working Capital after taking into account the adjustments made by the Independent Auditor is closer to the Net Working Capital calculation set forth in the Closing Statement, or (y) by the Buyer, if the Net Working Capital after taking into account the adjustments made by the Independent Auditor is closer to the Net Working Capital calculation set forth in the Objection Statement. The process set forth in this Section 1.3(b)(i) shall be the exclusive remedy of the Parties for any disputes related to items required to be reflected on the Closing Statement or included in the calculation of the Net Working Capital, whether or not the underlying facts and circumstances constitute a breach of any representations or warranties; provided that the preceding limitation is only intended to prevent double recovery by Buyer and shall not prohibit Buyer from making a claim for a breach of any representation or warranty to the extent the Losses sought to be recovered by Buyer are in addition to any deficiency in Net Working Capital.

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               (ii) If the Net Working Capital, as finally determined pursuant to clause (i) above, is greater than the Estimated Net Working Capital, then Buyer shall promptly (but in any event within five (5) Business Days of the final determination thereof) pay to the Seller such excess by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account or accounts designated by the Seller. If the Net Working Capital, as finally determined pursuant to clause (i) above, is less than the Estimated Net Working Capital, then the Seller shall promptly (but in any event within five (5) Business Days of the final determination thereof) pay to the Buyer such deficiency by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account or accounts designated by the Buyer.
          (c) Preparation of Closing Statement. The Closing Statement (and all calculations of Current Assets, Current Liabilities and Net Working Capital) shall be prepared and calculated in accordance with the same accounting methodologies, principles and procedures used in, and on a basis consistent with, those applied by the Corporation in preparing the Interim Financial Statements (including calculating reserves in accordance with the same methodology used to calculate such reserves in preparation of the Interim Financial Statements), except that the Closing Statement (and all calculations of Current Assets, Current Liabilities and Net Working Capital) shall: (i) not include any purchase accounting or other adjustment arising out of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) be based on facts and circumstances as they exist on the Closing Date and shall exclude the effect of any act, decision or event occurring on or after the Closing; (iii) include the same line items included in the Interim Financial Statements; (iv) not include any cash, or the application of such cash, wired to the Company on the Closing Date by the Buyer; and (v) not include any deduction for any Selling Expenses, provided however, the accrual for taxes payable shall be net of a reduction equal to $823,080 resulting from the payment of Employee Bonuses concurrently with the Closing.
          (d) Cooperation. Following the Closing, the Buyer shall, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Corporation and its officers, employees, consultants, accountants and agents to, cooperate fully with the Seller and its accountants in connection with its review of the Closing Statement and the preparation of the Objection Statement and to provide any information reasonably requested by the Seller and its accountants in connection therewith or in connection with resolving any Objection Dispute.
     1.4 Escrow. Pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement, the Escrow Funds shall be available to the Buyer upon the proper exercise of its indemnification rights hereunder, and otherwise payable to the Seller. The Escrow Funds will be held and disbursed by the Escrow Agent solely for the purposes and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Funds will be held as a trust fund and will not be subject to any Lien, attachment, trustee process or any other judicial process of any creditor of any Party.
     1.5 Selling Expenses. The Seller has delivered to the Buyer a true and correct calculation of the Selling Expenses attached hereto as Schedule B (the “Statement of Selling Expenses”).

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ARTICLE II
THE CLOSING AND TRANSFER OF STOCK
     2.1 Closing. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”), shall occur at the offices of McDermott Will & Emery LLP, in Chicago, Illinois, commencing at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, on the second (2nd) Business Day following the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions set forth in Article VII (other than conditions with respect to actions the respective Parties will take at the Closing itself) or at such other time or place as may be mutually agreed upon by the Parties (the “Closing Date”). The transactions contemplated hereby shall be effective as of 11:59 p.m. on the Closing Date.
     2.2 Closing Actions. At the Closing:
          (a) The Buyer shall:
               (i) deliver to the Seller the Estimated Purchase Price, less the Escrow Funds;
               (ii) deliver an amount equal to the Escrow Funds to the Escrow Agent, pursuant to the provisions of the Escrow Agreement;
               (iii) deliver to all lenders or other creditors of the Company, on behalf of the Company, and for their accounts, via wire transfer of immediately available funds to such bank accounts as are designated by such lenders or other creditors, any amounts necessary to pay off all Indebtedness outstanding as of the Closing Date, but immediately prior to the Closing (the “Indebtedness Payments”). The Indebtedness Payments are set forth on Section 2.2(a)(iii) of the Disclosure Schedules. For each instrument of Indebtedness fully repaid, Seller or the Corporation (pre-Closing), as applicable, will cause all lenders thereof to surrender at Closing and cancel all instruments evidencing such Indebtedness and obtain the release or termination of all security interests and guarantees relating thereto and the authorization for the Company to terminate on behalf of such lenders all UCC financing statements filed in connection therewith.
               (iv) deliver to all third parties, on behalf of Seller and the Corporation, and for their accounts, via wire transfer of immediately available funds to such bank and accounts as are designated by such third parties, any amounts necessary to pay the Selling Expenses pursuant to the Statement of Selling Expenses (but not the Employee Bonuses to Company employees, which shall instead be paid by the Company at the Closing);
               (v) deliver to the Seller: (a) a copy of the charter of the Buyer, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, dated as of a date no more than five (5) business Days prior to the Closing Date; (b) a certificate of good standing from the State of Delaware, and each jurisdiction in which it is duly qualified to transact business, dated as of a date no more than five (5) business Days prior to the Closing Date; and (c) a copy of the

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Buyer’s bylaws and certificate of incorporation, with all amendments thereto, certified by the Buyer’s secretary; and
               (vi) deliver to the Seller copies of the resolutions or written consents duly adopted by the Buyer’s board of directors, certified by the Buyer’s secretary, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby, and the consummation of all transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
          (b) The Seller shall:
               (i) deliver to the Buyer stock certificates representing the Stock endorsed in blank and accompanied by stock powers executed in blank;
               (ii) deliver to the Buyer the resignations, effective as of the Closing, of each director and officer of the Corporation, other than Marc Simon;
               (iii) deliver to the Buyer the Pay Off Letters;
               (iv) deliver to the Buyer all minute books, stock books, ledgers and registers, corporate seals, if any, and other corporate records relating to the organization, ownership and maintenance of the Corporation, if not already located on the premises of the Corporation;
               (v) deliver to the Buyer: (a) a copy of the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware dated as of a date no more than five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date; (b) a certificate of good standing from the State of Delaware and each jurisdiction in which it is duly qualified to transact business dated as of a date no more than five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date; and (c) a copy of the Corporation’s bylaws, with all amendments thereto, certified by the Corporation’s secretary;
               (vi) deliver to the Buyer copies of the resolutions or written consents duly adopted by the Seller’s board of managers, certified by the Seller’s secretary, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby, and the consummation of all transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; and
               (vii) deliver to the Buyer a legal opinion from McDermott Will & Emery LLP.
          (c) Buyer shall have also received the following:
               (i) employment agreements between the Corporation and Marc Simon;

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               (ii) a nonsolicitation agreement executed by the Buyer, the Seller, the Company and H.I.G. Capital, LLC, dated the date hereof; and
               (iii) a guaranty executed by Halo Acquisition Corp. dated the date hereof.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER
     The Buyer represents and warrants to the Seller that, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date:
     3.1 Status. The Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
     3.2 Power and Authority. The Buyer has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. All acts or proceedings required to be taken by the Buyer to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of the Buyer’s obligations hereunder have been properly taken.
     3.3 Enforceability. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Buyer and, assuming the due and valid authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Seller, this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Buyer, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as the same may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting or relating to creditors’ rights generally and general equitable principles.
     3.4 No Violations; Consents and Approvals. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Buyer, and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby will not: (a) violate any provision of the organizational documents of the Buyer; (b) violate any material law, statute, ordinance, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to, binding upon or enforceable against the Buyer; (c) result in any material breach of, or constitute a material default (or an event which would, with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, constitute a material default) under, or give rise to a right of payment under or the right to terminate, amend, modify, abandon or accelerate, any Contract to which the Buyer is a party or bound; (d) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the material property or material assets of the Buyer; or (e) other than compliance with the HSR Act, require the consent or approval of any Governmental Authority.
     3.5 Brokers. The Buyer has not incurred any obligation for any finder’s or broker’s or agent’s fees or commissions or similar compensation in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby for which the Seller may be liable.

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     3.6 Availability of Funds. The Buyer has immediately available funds sufficient to enable it to pay the Purchase Price and all other amounts payable by it in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
     3.7 Investment Representation. The Buyer is acquiring the Stock for its own account with the present intention of holding the Stock for investment purposes and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any public distribution of such securities in violation of any federal or state securities laws. The Buyer is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act. The Buyer acknowledges that the offering and sale of the Stock as contemplated by this Agreement are intended to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, and may not be resold by the Buyer except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or an exemption from registration thereunder and pursuant to registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) under applicable state securities laws.
     3.8 Solvency. Immediately after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and assuming that all of the representations and warranties made in this Agreement by the Seller are true and correct, to Buyer’s knowledge the Buyer and the Corporation shall (a) be able to pay their respective debts as they become due; (b) own property which has a fair saleable value greater than the amounts required to pay their respective debts (including a reasonable estimate of the amount of all contingent liabilities); and (c) have adequate capital to carry on their respective businesses. No transfer of property is being made and no obligation is being incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud either present or future creditors of the Buyer or the Corporation.
     3.9 Knowledge. Except for the facts disclosed under Section 4.9 of the Disclosure Schedules, as of the Closing, neither I. Joseph Massoud, Elias Sabo, Patrick Maciariello nor any director of the Buyer has actual knowledge of any facts or circumstances that would form the basis of, or give rise to, any claim against the Seller or its Affiliates under Article VI of this Agreement or otherwise related to the transactions consummated as a result of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER
     Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, the Seller hereby represents and warrants to the Buyer that, as of the date hereof:
     4.1 Corporate Status. Each of the Seller and the Corporation is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of its organization and has the requisite power and authority to own or lease its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. The Corporation is legally qualified to transact business as a foreign corporation in all jurisdictions where the nature of its properties and the conduct of its business as now conducted require such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no pending or threatened proceeding for the merger, consolidation, dissolution, liquidation, insolvency or rehabilitation of the Corporation.

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The copies of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Corporation as provided to the Buyer are true, accurate and complete in all respects and reflect all amendments made through the date of this Agreement.
     4.2 Power and Authority. The Seller has all limited liability company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. All limited liability company acts or proceedings required to be taken by the Seller to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of the Seller’s obligations hereunder have been properly taken.
     4.3 Enforceability. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Seller and, assuming the due and valid authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Buyer, this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Seller, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as the same may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting or relating to creditors’ rights generally and general equitable principles.
     4.4 Capitalization; Stock Ownership. Section 4.4 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth, with respect to the Corporation, (a) the number of authorized shares of each class of its capital stock; and (b) the number of issued and outstanding shares of each class of its capital stock. All of the shares of Stock (i) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, and (ii) were issued in compliance with all applicable state and federal securities laws. There are no outstanding rights, options, warrants, convertible securities, subscription rights, conversion rights, exchange rights or other agreements that require the Corporation to issue or sell any shares of its capital stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of its capital stock). No person has any right of first refusal or similar right with respect to the Stock. The Corporation is not obligated to redeem or otherwise acquire any of its outstanding shares of capital stock. The Seller is the sole record and beneficial holder of all issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation and the Stock is free and clear of all Liens and Restrictions.
     4.5 Subsidiaries. The Corporation does not own, directly or indirectly, the outstanding voting or non-voting equity of any other Person.
     4.6 No Violation; Consents and Approvals. Except as set forth on Section 4.6 of the Disclosure Schedule, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Seller and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby will not: (a) violate any provision of the organizational documents of the Seller or of the Corporation; (b) violate material any law, statute, ordinance, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to, binding upon or enforceable against Seller or the Corporation; (c) result in any material breach of, or constitute a material default (or an event which would, with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, constitute a material default) under, or give rise to a right of payment under or the right to terminate, amend, modify, abandon or accelerate, any Material Contract, other than with respect to those agreements relating to the Pay Off Letters; (d) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the material property or material assets of the Corporation; or (e) require the consent or approval of any Governmental Authority.

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     4.7 Financial Statements. Attached as Section 4.7 of the Disclosure Schedule are copies of (a) the audited consolidated financial statements of the Corporation as of and for the period from May 14, 2003 to December 31, 2003 and as of and for the one-year periods ended on December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2005, including the notes thereto (the “Audited Financial Statements”), and (b) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet and income statement of the Corporation as of and for the twelve month period December 31, 2006 (the “Interim Financial Statements” and collectively with the Audited Financial Statements, the “Financial Statements”). The Financial Statements (including the notes thereto) fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Corporation at each of the balance sheet dates and the results of operations and, in the case of the Audited Financial Statements, cash flows, for each of the periods covered thereby. The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods involved, except that the Interim Financial Statements do not reflect year-end adjustments and do not contain footnote disclosures.
     4.8 Absence of Certain Developments. Except as contemplated or permitted by this Agreement or as set forth on Section 4.8 of the Disclosure Schedule, since the date of the Interim Financial Statements:
          (a) the Corporation has not mortgaged, pledged or subjected to any material Lien, any material portion of the Corporation’s assets, taken as a whole, expect Permitted Liens;
          (b) the Corporation has not sold, assigned or transferred any material portion of the Corporation’s tangible assets or Intellectual Property, taken as a whole, in each case except in the ordinary course of business;
          (c) the Corporation has not issued, sold or transferred any of its capital stock or other equity securities convertible into its capital stock or other equity securities or warrants, options or other rights to acquire its capital stock or other equity securities, or other bonds or debt securities;
          (d) there has not occurred any change or event that has resulted in, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect;
          (e) the Corporation has not incurred any debts or liabilities (absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise), other than current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business;
          (f) the Corporation has not discharged or satisfied any Lien other than a Lien securing, or paid any obligation or liability other than, current liabilities shown in the Interim Financial Statements and current liabilities incurred from and after the Interim Financial Statements, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
          (g) the Corporation has not canceled or compromised any debt owed to or by or claim of or against it, or waived or released any right of material value other than in the ordinary course of business;

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          (h) the Corporation has not entered into any transaction (other than as contemplated by this Agreement) or otherwise committed or obligated itself to any capital expenditure, other than in the ordinary course of business;
          (i) the Corporation has not made any change in its accounting methods, principles or practices;
          (j) the Corporation has not made or suffered any amendment or termination of any Material Contract;
          (k) the Corporation has not paid, or agreed to pay, any increase in compensation payable or to become payable (including any bonus or commission formula) of any kind to any employee, officer, director or consultant;
          (l) the Corporation has not changed or suffered any change in any benefit plan or labor agreement affecting any employee of the Corporation otherwise than to conform to applicable laws;
          (m) the Corporation has not entered into any transaction with Seller or any Affiliate of Seller;
          (n) the Corporation has not failed to pay or perform any of its obligations when and to the extent due other than pursuant to a good faith defense or right of setoff;
          (o) the Corporation has not experienced any termination of employment (whether voluntary or involuntary) of (i) any key employee employed by the Corporation, or (ii) any key independent contractor engaged by the Corporation; and
          (p) the Corporation has not committed or agreed to any of the foregoing.
     4.9 Litigation. Except as set forth on the Section 4.9 of the Disclosure Schedule, (a) there are no (and during the past year there have been no) claims, actions, suits, arbitrations or proceedings or investigations (collectively, “Actions”) pending or, to the Seller’s Knowledge, threatened in writing against the Corporation, at law or in equity, before or by any Governmental Authority, arbitrator or mediator. In the opinion of the Seller, there are no Actions where there is a reasonable prospect of a determination adverse to the Corporation and which, if adversely determined to the Corporation, would have a Material Adverse Effect. The Corporation is not subject to any outstanding judgment, order or decree of any Governmental Authority which relate specifically to the Corporation.
     4.10 Environmental Matters. Except as set forth on Section 4.10 of the Disclosure Schedule:
          (a) The Corporation is in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental Laws.

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          (b) The Corporation has not, within the past two (2) years, received any written notice of violation of Environmental Laws or any liability arising under Environmental Laws, including any investigatory, remedial or corrective obligation, relating to the Corporation or its facilities, the subject of which is unresolved.
          (c) The Corporation has not generated, processed, produced, stored, treated, transported, Released or disposed of any Hazardous Materials at, in, on, under, about or from the Leased Real Property (including facilities previously leased or owned by the Corporation or any other business the stock or net assets of which have been acquired by the Corporation) or at any other location except in material compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws. To the Knowledge of the Seller, without investigation, there are no above-ground or underground storage tanks or electrical equipment containing PCB’s or any friable asbestos-containing materials on any of the Leased Real Property (including facilities previously leased or owned by the Corporation or any other business the stock or net assets of which have been acquired by the Corporation), except in material compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws.
          (d) The Corporation has provided to Buyer copies of all reports in its possession of environmental compliance audits, environmental assessments, environmental inspection reports, and correspondence with or submissions to Governmental Authority under Environmental Laws, in each case in connection with the operation of the Corporation’s business or the Leased Real Property.
          (e) Notwithstanding the generality of any other representations and warranties in this Agreement, the representations and warranties in this Section 4.10 constitute the sole and exclusive representations and warranties of the Seller with respect to matters directly or indirectly relating to, or arising out of any environmental, health or safety Laws, including any Environmental Laws.
     4.11 Title to Properties.
          (a) Except as set forth on Section 4.11(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Corporation has good, valid and marketable title to, or a valid and enforceable leasehold interest in (or other valid and enforceable right to use), all of the tangible personal property and assets owned by it or shown to be owned by it on the Interim Financial Statements, free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens or assets disposed of in the ordinary course of business since the date of the Interim Financial Statements.
          (b) The real property demised by the leases described on Section 4.11(b)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule (the “Leased Real Property”) constitutes all of the real property leased by the Corporation. Except as set forth on Section 4.11(b)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Leased Real Property leases are in full force and effect, subject to proper authorization and execution of such lease by the other party and the application of any bankruptcy or creditor’s rights laws. The Corporation has made available to the Buyer complete and accurate copies of each of such leases. The Corporation is not in default in any material respect under any of such leases.
          (c) The Corporation does not own any real property.

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          (d) The Corporation has not received any pending written notice from any landlord or sublandlord or any of their respective agents of the termination of any such leases. The Corporation has not subleased, assigned or transferred any of its rights with respect to the Leased Real Property, nor has the Corporation entered into any agreement to do so.
          (e) The Leased Real Property is supplied with utilities and other services necessary for the operation of the business conducted by the Corporation. No portion of the Leased Real Property is subject to any pending condemnation or other proceeding by any Governmental Authority, and to the Seller’s Knowledge, there is no threatened condemnation or other proceeding with respect thereto. There are no (i) contracts or other agreements, written or oral, to which the Corporation is a party, granting to any party or parties the right of use or occupancy of any portion of the parcels of the Leased Real Property or (ii) parties (other than the Corporation) in possession of the Leased Real Property.
     4.12 Compliance with Laws. The Corporation is in compliance, in all material respects, and to Seller’s Knowledge, has been in compliance, in all material respects, with all material applicable laws, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority since December 31, 2003 (“Laws”). Since December 31, 2003, the Corporation has not been cited, fined or otherwise notified in writing of any material failure to comply with any Laws, regulations or orders.. To Sellers’ Knowledge, there are no facts that are reasonably likely to give rise to any violation by the Corporation of any Law, except in such cases where such violation would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
     4.13 Labor and Employment Matters.
          (a) The Corporation has made available to Buyer the name and current rate of compensation of all employees of the Corporation as of January 1, 2007 including (i) base salary (ii) bonus arrangements, (iii) commission arrangements, and (iv) the date on which the most recent salary increase went into effect. Except as disclosed on Section 4.13 of the Disclosure Schedules, the Corporation has not agreed in writing to increase the current compensation level of any of its officers, directors or employees. The Corporation is not a party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreement, and to the Seller’s Knowledge there has been no organized effort by any labor union during the two (2) years prior to the date of this Agreement to organize any employees of the Corporation into one (1) or more collective bargaining units. There is no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Seller, threatened strike or organized work stoppage involving the employees of the Corporation. To the Knowledge of Seller, as of the date of this Agreement, no executive or group of key employees has any plans to terminate his, her or their employment with the Corporation as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby, .
          (b) Except as set forth on Section 4.13 of the Disclosure Schedules, the Corporation does not have any unfair labor practice charge or complaint or other proceeding pending or, to Sellers’ Knowledge, threatened against it before the National Labor Relations Board or similar authority, or any pending arbitrations, grievances, suits or administrative proceedings before any Governmental Authority relating to labor or employment matters involving any Employees. Section 4.13 of the Disclosure Schedules sets forth all written claims, written grievances, proceedings, disputes, governmental investigations or administrative

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proceedings of any kind against the Corporation regarding its employees or employment practices, or operations as they pertain to conditions of employment within two (2) years preceding the date of this Agreement.
          (c) The Corporation has classified all individuals who perform or who have performed services for them correctly under each Plan, ERISA, the Code and other applicable law as common law employees, independent contractors or leased employees.
     4.14 Employee Benefit Plans.
          (a) Except as set forth on Section 4.14 of the Disclosure Schedule, with respect to employees of the Corporation, the Corporation does not maintain or contribute to any “pension plans” (as such term is defined under Section 3(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”)) (the “Pension Plans”) or “welfare plans” (as such term is defined under Section 3(1) of ERISA) (the “Welfare Plans”). The Pension Plans and the Welfare Plans are collectively referred to as the “Plans.” Each of the Pension Plans that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service or is a prototype plan that has received a notification letter from the Internal Revenue Service. The Plans comply in form and in operation, in all material respects, with the requirements of the Code, ERISA and all applicable laws.
          (b) With respect to the Plans, all required contributions have been made or properly accrued, in all material respects.
          (c) The Corporation has made available to the Buyer true and complete copies of: (i) plan documents, amendments and related trust agreements; (ii) the most recent determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service regarding the Plans or notification letter from the Internal Revenue Service if a Plan is a prototype plan; and (iii) the latest financial statements for the Plans.
          (d) The Corporation is not a party to, and the Corporation would not be expected to have any material liability with respect to, any pension plan or welfare benefit plan that is a “multiemployer plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA), a “multiple employer plan” (within the meaning of Section 413 of the Code) or a “multiple employer welfare arrangement” (within the meaning of Section 3(40) of ERISA).
          (e) The Corporation has no material liability with respect to any pension plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) which is subject to Title IV of ERISA, Section 302 of ERISA, or Section 412 of the Code.
          (f) Except as would not result in material liability to the Corporation, all applicable reporting, disclosure, fiduciary and tax qualification requirements under ERISA and the Code have been fully and timely satisfied in all material respects with respect to each of the Plans. The Corporation has filed or caused to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service annual reports on form 5500 or 5500C/R, as applicable, for each of the Plans for all years and periods for which such reports were required to by filed by the Corporation. Except as would not result in material liability to the Corporation, all statements and disclosures made on documents or

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forms filed or distributed pursuant to the applicable reporting and disclosure requirements under ERISA and the Code have been true and complete in all respects and all such documents have been filed or distributed timely. None of the Plans has been assessed any material excise tax liability.
          (g) To Seller’s Knowledge: (i) no “prohibited transaction,” as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred with respect to any of the Plans for which no statutory, class or other exemption exists and which could reasonably be expected to result in material liability to the Corporation; (ii) no civil or criminal action brought pursuant to part 5 of Title I of ERISA is pending or is threatened in writing or orally against any fiduciary who is an employee or director of the Corporation; (iii) no civil or criminal action brought pursuant to part 5 of Title I of ERISA is pending or is threatened in writing or orally against any fiduciary who is not an employee or director of the Corporation; and (iv) no fiduciary violations, as described in Section 404 of ERISA, have occurred with respect to which the Corporation could reasonably be expected to have any material present or future liability or obligation. Except as required by applicable law, and except as could not reasonably be expected to result in material liability to the Corporation, each of the Plans is, and has been, operated and administered substantially in accordance with its terms.
          (h) Except as could not reasonably be expected to result in material liability to the Corporation, none of the Plans maintained by the Corporation provides post-retirement medical benefits, post-retirement death benefits or other post-retirement welfare benefits or has any obligation under any plan that provides such benefits, except to the extent of the continuation coverage rules as provided under Sections 601 through 608 of ERISA or any similar applicable state law.
     4.15 Tax Matters.
          (a) The Corporation has filed all material Tax Returns which are required to be filed by it (taking into account any extensions of time to file which have been duly perfected). Except as set forth on Section 4.15 of the Disclosure Schedule, all Taxes shown as owing by the Corporation on all such Tax Returns have been fully paid or properly accrued. All such Tax Returns are true and correct in all material respects, the provision for Taxes on the Interim Financial Statements is sufficient, in all material respects, for all accrued and unpaid Taxes as of the date thereof; and all material Taxes which the Corporation is obligated to withhold from amounts owing to any employee, creditor or third party have been fully paid or properly accrued, in all material respects. Except as set forth on Section 4.15 of the Disclosure Schedule, the Corporation is not, and not been, a party to any Tax allocation, Tax sharing, Tax indemnity, Tax reimbursement agreement or arrangement, and has not been subject to any audit relating to Taxes, in the past six (6) years. The Corporation is not liable for the Taxes of any other Person as a transferee or successor, by contract or otherwise. The Corporation is not liable for the Taxes of any other Person (other than any of its Subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulation § 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law) as a transferee or successor, by contract or otherwise. There are no Liens for Taxes (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of the assets of the Corporation. The Corporation is not a party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or plan that has resulted or could result, separately or in the aggregate, in the payment of any “excess

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parachute payment” within the meaning of Section § 280G of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state, local or foreign Tax law) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
          (b) The Corporation is not a party to any action or proceeding for assessment or collection of Taxes and no such action or proceeding has been asserted in writing. No waiver or extension of any statute of limitations which has been executed by the Corporation is in effect with respect to Taxes of the Corporation. There is no outstanding power of attorney authorizing anyone to act on behalf of the Corporation in connection with a Tax liability, Tax Return or proceeding relating to a Tax, and there is no outstanding closing agreement, ruling request, request to change a method of accounting, subpoena or request for information with or by any taxing authority with respect to the Corporation. The Corporation is not, nor has it ever been, a “United States real property holding company” within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code.
     4.16 Insurance. Section 4.16 of the Disclosure Schedule lists each insurance policy maintained by the Corporation, including the name of the insurer and policy number (the “Insurance Policies”). The Insurance Policies are in full force and effect, all premiums due thereon has been paid, and the Corporation is not in material breach or material default thereunder.
     4.17 Licenses and Permits.
          (a) The Corporation possesses, and is in compliance in all material respects with, all material licenses, permits, certificates, authorizations, rights and other approvals of Governmental Authorities (collectively, “Permits”) necessary to (i) occupy, maintain, operate and use the Leased Real Property as it is currently used and (ii) conduct its business as currently conducted. Section 4.17 of the Disclosure Schedules contains a true and complete list of all Permits.
     4.18 Affiliated Transactions. Except as set forth on Section 4.18 of the Disclosure Schedule, no officer, director, stockholder or Affiliate of the Corporation or, to the Seller’s Knowledge, any individual in such officer’s, director’s or stockholder’s immediate family or their Affiliates is a party to any material contract (other than employment agreements) with the Corporation or has any material interest in any material property used by the Corporation.
     4.19 Material Contracts. Section 4.19 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of all Contracts, including all amendments and supplements thereto, to which the Corporation is a party bound, or by which the Corporation is bound, meeting any of the descriptions set forth below (collectively referred to herein as the “Material Contracts”):
          (a) all Contracts or group of related Contracts with the same party for the purchase of products or services (other than purchase orders entered into in the ordinary course of business), under which the Corporation reasonably may be expected to purchase One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) or more of products or services during the twelve (12) months from the Closing Date and which cannot be terminated on less than one hundred twenty one (121) days notice without penalty;

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          (b) any Contracts (other than purchase orders providing for sales of products in the ordinary course of business) with any Material Customer or Material Supplier;
          (c) all employment Contracts pursuant to which the annual base salary for an employee is greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) and any Contracts with employees containing severance, noncompetition, or proprietary rights provisions;
          (d) all personal property leases involving payment obligations over the remaining term of the lease in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) and all capitalized leases;
          (e) all licenses and agreements pursuant to which the Corporation uses Intellectual Property that is material to the operation of the business (other than off-the-shelf software subject solely to “shrink-wrap” or non-negotiable licenses);
          (f) all material Contracts with state, federal, local, or other governmental entities; and
          (g) all Contracts (or group of related Contracts) under which the Corporation has created, incurred, assumed, or guaranteed any indebtedness for borrowed money (other than Contracts relating to Indebtedness Payments).
          (h) any agreement pursuant to which the Corporation leases, subleases, occupies or otherwise uses any real property;
          (i) any agreement that creates a partnership or joint venture;
          (j) any agreement that restricts the Corporation from engaging, or competing with any Person, in any line of business in any geographic area or restricts the Corporation from soliciting certain employees;
          (k) all contracts relating to the issuance or ownership of any equity securities, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for equity securities, of the Corporation or the granting of registration rights with respect thereto;
          (l) all contracts for the sale or purchase of any material asset, property or right of the Corporation (other than in the ordinary course of business), or for the grant of any options or preferential rights to purchase any such asset, property or right, provided the obligations under such contracts have not been fully performed;
          (m) all contracts which provide for earn-outs or similar contingent obligations;
Seller has made available to Buyer a true and correct copy of each written Material Contract prior to the date hereof. Neither the Corporation nor, to the Knowledge of the Seller, is any other party to any Material Contract is in material breach of, or in default under, any Material Contract.

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     4.20 Intellectual Property. Section 4.20 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete list of all registered Intellectual Property and applications therefor owned by the Corporation. Except as set forth in Section 4.20 of the Disclosure Schedule: (a) the Corporation owns and possesses all right, title and interest in and to, or possesses the valid and enforceable right to use, all material Intellectual Property and applications therefor used in the material operation of the business of the Corporation as currently conducted; (b) during the two-year period prior to the date of this Agreement, the Corporation has not received any written notices of infringement or misappropriation from any third party with respect to the Corporation’s use of any Intellectual Property; (c) to the Knowledge of the Seller, no third party is materially infringing or misappropriating any registered Intellectual Property owned by the Corporation; and (d) to the Knowledge of the Seller, none of the Intellectual Property or products or methods of the business of the Corporation, as currently conducted, materially infringes upon any other Person’s Intellectual Property. Except as set forth on Section 4.20 of the Disclosure Schedule, no rights of the Corporation in and to the Intellectual Property of the Corporation will be affected by the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. Except as set forth on Section 4.20 of the Disclosure Schedule, the Corporation has not sold, transferred, assigned, licensed or subjected to any Lien any Intellectual Property or any interest therein.
     4.21 Customers and Suppliers.
          (a) Section 4.21(a) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete list of those suppliers that have provided raw materials, products, supplies or services to the Corporation at a cost to the Corporation of greater than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) during the twelve (12) months prior to the date of this Agreement (each a “Material Supplier”).
          (b) Section 4.21(b) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete list of the ten (10) largest customers of the Corporation, determined on an aggregate basis and measured by sales in calendar year 2006 (each a “Material Customer”).
          (c) Except as set forth on Section 4.21(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, since December 31, 2005, the Corporation has not received any written or (to the Knowledge of the Corporation) oral notice from any of Material Supplier or Material Customer stating that such customer or supplier will, or intends to, terminate (or reduce its respective annual volume with the Corporation by more than twenty percent (20%) percent from its 2006 annual volume) its relationship with the Corporation.
     4.22 No Brokers. Except with respect to the broker representing the Seller in this transaction, Lincoln International LLC, neither the Seller nor the Corporation have incurred any obligation for any finder’s or broker’s or agent’s fees or commissions or similar compensation in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
     4.23 Certain Business Practices. Neither the Corporation nor any directors or officers, agents or employees of the Corporation acting in activities in connection with the Corporation’s operations, has (a) used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to political activity; (b) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to foreign or domestic political parties or

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campaigns or violated any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended; (c) made any contributions, payments or gifts constituting criminal bribery; or (d) accepted or received any illegal contributions, payments or gifts.
     4.24 Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, the Corporation does not have any liabilities, except for (a) liabilities reflected in the Financial Statements (including footnotes), and (b) liabilities which have arisen after the date of the Interim Financial Statements in the ordinary course of business (to the Knowledge of the Seller, none of which results from or arises out of any breach of contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement or violation of law).
     4.25 Accounts Payable. The accounts payable of the Corporation reflected in the Interim Financial Statements or accrued since the date of the Interim Financial Statements arose from bona fide transactions in the ordinary course of business and have been determined in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied in accordance with the Corporation’s past custom and practice.
     4.26 Receivables. All accounts receivable reflected in the Interim Financial Statements and all accounts receivable of the Corporation accrued since the date of the Interim Financial Statements (the “Receivables”) are valid claims and resulted from the bona fide sale of inventory or services by the Corporation or represent other bona fide obligations in favor of the Corporation. The Receivables in the aggregate are not subject to any pending or threatened defense, counterclaim, right of offset, returns, allowances or credits, except for early payment discounts in the ordinary course of business and except to the extent reserved against the Receivables as reflected in the Closing Statement.
     4.27 Inventory. All of the inventory of the Corporation (including raw materials, work in progress and finished goods) reflected in the Interim Financial Statements and all Inventory purchased since the date of the Interim Financial Statements (the “Inventory”) is, except to the extent reserved against the Inventory consistent with past practice as shown on the Closing Statement, of such quality to be useable and saleable by the Corporation in the ordinary course of business.
     4.28 Bank Accounts. Section 4.28 of the Disclosure Schedule contains a list of all of the Corporation’s bank accounts, safe deposit boxes and the Persons authorized to draw thereon or have access thereto.
     4.29 Product Warranty; Product Liability. Except as set forth in Section 4.29 of the Disclosure Schedule, all products manufactured, serviced, distributed, sold or delivered by the Corporation in connection with its business have been manufactured, serviced, distributed, sold and/or delivered in conformity in all material respects with all applicable contractual commitments, all express warranties and other applicable legal requirements, and the Corporation does not have any legally binding liability for replacement or repair thereof or other damages in connection therewith outside of the ordinary course of business, except to the extent of any reserve for product warranty claims set forth in the Interim Financial Statements or Closing Statement. Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, the Corporation does not have any liability arising out of any injury to individuals or property as a result of the

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ownership, possession or use of any product manufactured, processed, sold or delivered by the Corporation.
     4.30 Knowledge. As of the Closing, none of Seller, Marc Simon nor H.I.G. Capital LLC, has actual knowledge of any facts or circumstances that would form the basis of, or give rise to, any claim against the Buyer or its Affiliates under Article VI of this Agreement or otherwise related to the transactions consummated as a result of this Agreement.
Except for the representations and warranties set forth in this Article IV, (a) neither the Seller, the Corporation, nor any other Person are making any other representations or warranties, written or oral, statutory, express or implied, with respect to the Corporation or its business, operations, assets, stock, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects, and (b) the Buyer hereby expressly waives any representation or warranty, express, implied, at common law, by statute or otherwise relating to the accuracy or completeness of any information, data or other materials (written or oral) heretofore furnished to the Buyer, and the Buyer is solely relying on the representations and warranties made in this Article IV.
ARTICLE V
POST-CLOSING COVENANTS
     5.1 Further Assurances. From and after the Closing, upon the reasonable request of the other Party, each Party shall execute, acknowledge and deliver all such further documents as may be required to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
     5.2 Transfer Taxes. The Buyer will pay, and will indemnify and hold the Seller harmless against, any real property transfer or gains tax, stamp tax, stock transfer tax, or other similar Tax imposed on the Corporation as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (collectively, “Transfer Taxes”), and any penalties or interest with respect to the Transfer Taxes. The Seller agrees to cooperate with the Buyer in the filing of any returns with respect to the Transfer Taxes, including reasonably promptly supplying any information in the Seller’s possession that is reasonably necessary to complete such returns.
     5.3 Litigation Support. In the event and for so long as any Party actively is contesting or defending against any action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, charge, complaint, claim, or demand in connection with (a) any transaction contemplated under this Agreement, or (b) any fact, situation, circumstance, status, condition, activity, practice, plan, occurrence, event, incident, action, failure to act, or transaction on or prior to the Closing Date involving the Corporation, each Party will cooperate with the other Party or its counsel in the contest or defense, make available its personnel, and provide such testimony and access to its books and records as shall be necessary in connection with the contest or defense, all at the sole cost and expense of the contesting or defending Party (unless the contesting or defending Party is entitled to indemnification therefor below).
     5.4 Director and Officer Liability and Indemnification. For or covering a period of six (6) years after the Closing, the Buyer shall not, and shall not permit the Corporation to, amend, repeal or modify any provision in the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws

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(or other organizational documents) relating to the exculpation or indemnification of any officers and directors (unless required by law), it being the intent of the Parties that the officers and directors of the Corporation shall continue to be entitled to such exculpation and indemnification to the full extent of the law. Buyer intends to permit the Seller to remain on the Corporation’s existing D&O insurance policy through the current term of said policy; provided that Seller shall be responsible for any deductible payable with respect to its claims. To the extent the Corporation’s insurer refuses to allow the Seller to continue as an insured on said policy, Seller shall retain its own separate policy at Seller’s cost.
     5.5 Access to Books and Records. From and after the Closing, the Buyer shall, and shall cause the Corporation to, provide the Seller and its authorized representatives with reasonable access (for the purpose of examining and copying at the Seller’s expense), during normal business hours, to the books and records of the Corporation with respect to periods prior to the Closing Date. Unless otherwise consented to in writing by the Seller, the Buyer shall not permit the Corporation, for a period of five (5) years following the Closing Date, to destroy, alter or otherwise dispose of any books and records of the Corporation, or any portions thereof, relating to periods prior to the Closing Date without first giving reasonable prior written notice to the Seller and offering to surrender to the Seller such books and records or such portions thereof.
     5.6 Employee Benefits. For all purposes under the employee benefit plans of the Buyer providing benefits after the Closing Date, each employee who is as of the Closing Date an employee of the Corporation shall be credited with his or her years of service with the Corporation before the Closing Date, to the same extent as such employee was entitled, before the Closing Date, to credit for such service under any similar Plans, except to the extent such credit would result in a duplication of benefits. In addition, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing: (a) each employee shall be immediately eligible to participate, without any waiting time, in any and all employee benefit plans sponsored by the Purchaser and its Affiliates for the benefit of employees (such plans, collectively, the “New Plans”) to the extent coverage under such New Plan replaces coverage under a comparable Plan in which such employee participated immediately before the Closing Date (such Plans, collectively, the “Old Plans”), and (b) for purposes of each New Plan providing medical, dental, pharmaceutical or vision benefits to any employee, the Buyer shall cause all pre-existing condition exclusions and actively-at-work requirements of such New Plan to be waived for such employee and his or her covered dependents, and the Buyer shall cause any eligible expenses incurred by such employee and his or her covered dependents during the portion of the plan year of the Old Plan ending on the date such employee’s participation in the corresponding New Plan begins to be taken into account under such New Plan for purposes of satisfying all deductible, coinsurance and maximum out-of-pocket requirements applicable to such employee and his or her covered dependents for the applicable plan year as if such amounts had been paid in accordance with such New Plan. Such New Plans shall contain benefits at least as favorable as the benefits provided in the Old Plans.
     5.7 Investment Intent of the Buyer. The Buyer agrees that the certificates representing the Stock may bear legends to the effect that the Stock has not been registered under the Securities Act or such other state securities laws.

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     5.8 Responsibility for Filing Tax Returns. The Corporation shall prepare all Tax Returns that are due to be filed for the Corporation after Closing for the 2006 tax year (the “Final Tax Returns”). Such Final Tax Returns shall be prepared in accordance with applicable law and, to the extent not inconsistent with applicable law, the custom and past practice of the Corporation in preparing its Tax Returns. To the extent a Final Tax Return is an income Tax Return, the Corporation will deliver such Final Tax Return to the Seller no later than forty-five (45) days prior to the due date of such Final Tax Return, taking into account applicable extensions, for the Seller’s review and comment. The Seller shall have the right to review and comment on each Final Tax Return prior to the filing of such Final Tax Return. The Seller and Buyer agree to consult and resolve in good faith any issues and comments arising as a result of the review of each Final Tax Return, and mutually to consent to filing as promptly as possible each Final Tax Return provided that if the Seller and Buyer are unable to resolve any such issue within fifteen (15) days after any Final Tax Return is submitted to the Seller, the dispute shall be submitted to the Independent Accountant for resolution in accordance with Section 1.3. Buyer shall timely file, or cause the Corporation to file, each Final Tax Return prepared under this Section 6.6(a) and pay, or cause the Corporation to pay, the Tax shown thereon.
     5.9 Change of Seller’s Name. Promptly following the Closing, the Seller shall change its name to a name which does not contain “Halo” or “HA-LO” or similar derivative name and shall file articles of amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to effect such name change.
ARTICLE VI
SURVIVAL; INDEMNIFICATION
     6.1 Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Agreement shall survive the Closing as follows:
          (a) all covenants contained in this Agreement shall survive the Closing until fully performed;
          (b) the representations and warranties contained in Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.10 and 4.22 shall not terminate (collectively, the “Fundamental Representations and Warranties”);
          (c) the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.15 shall terminate and be of no further force and effect on the date that is thirty (30) days after expiration of the applicable statute of limitations; and
          (d) all other representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect on the date that is eighteen (18) months after the Closing Date.
No claim may be made for indemnification hereunder for breach of any representations, warranties or covenants after the expiration of the survival period applicable to such representation, warranty and covenant set forth above, except to the extent such claim involves

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fraud committed by the Seller or the Corporation; provided that if the Buyer or the Seller, as applicable, delivers written notice to the other Party of an indemnification claim for a breach of the representation, warranties and warranties (stating in reasonable detail the nature of, and factual and legal basis for, any such claim for indemnification) within the applicable time periods set forth above, such claim shall survive until resolved or judicially determined.
     6.2 Indemnification Provisions for Benefit of the Buyer.
          (a) Subject to the terms, conditions and limitations provided herein, in the event the Seller breaches any of the representations, warranties or covenants contained herein, and, provided that the Buyer makes a written claim for indemnification against the Seller pursuant to Section 8.1 below within the applicable survival period set forth in Section 6.1, then the Seller agrees to indemnify the Buyer, the Corporation (post-Closing) and their respective successors, assigns, directors, officers and agents (the “Buyer Parties”) from and against any Losses incurred by the Buyer Parties as a result of such breach; provided, however, that (a) except with respect to the breach of any of the Fundamental Representations and Warranties or, except to the extent such claim involves fraud committed by the Seller or the Corporation, the Seller shall not have any obligation to indemnify the Buyer from and against any such Losses until the aggregate amount of indemnifiable Losses suffered by the Buyer Parties by reason of all such breaches exceeds $345,000 (the “Deductible”) (after which the Seller will only be obligated to indemnify the Buyer Parties from and against indemnifiable Losses in excess of the Deductible); (b) except with respect to the breach of any of the Fundamental Representations and Warranties, or, except to the extent such claim involves fraud committed by the Seller or the Corporation, the Seller’s aggregate liability for indemnification under this Agreement shall not exceed $4,600,000 (the “Cap”) (after which point the Seller will have no obligation to indemnify Buyer from and against further such Losses); (c) the Seller shall have no liability to indemnify Buyer Parties for any Losses to the extent reflected or reserved for in the calculation of Net Working Capital or on the Financial Statements.
          (b) Notwithstanding Section 6.2(a) above, provided that the Buyer makes a written claim for indemnification against any of the Seller pursuant to Section 8.1 below within the applicable survival period set forth in Section 6.1, the Seller agrees to indemnify the Buyer Parties from and against any Losses incurred by the Buyer Parties as a result of the matters described on Schedule 4.9 (“Schedule 4.9 Losses”) without regard to the Deductible. The Schedule 4.9 Losses shall not be included in determining whether the Deductible has been utilized or exhausted. The Seller’s aggregate liability for Schedule 4.9 Losses shall not exceed the Cap, and shall be included in determining whether and the extent to which the Cap has been exhausted.
     6.3 Indemnification Provisions for Benefit of the Sellers. In the event the Buyer breaches any of its representations, warranties or covenants contained herein, and, provided that the Seller makes a written claim for indemnification against the Buyer pursuant to Section 8.1 below within the applicable survival period set forth in Section 6.1, then the Buyer agrees to indemnify the Seller from and against any Losses incurred by the Seller as a result of such breach; provided, however, that (a) except with respect to the breach of any of the Fundamental Representations and Warranties or except to the extent such claim involves fraud by Buyer, the

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Buyer shall not have any obligation to indemnify the Seller from and against any such Losses until the aggregate amount of indemnifiable Losses suffered by the Seller by reason of all such breaches exceeds the Deductible (after which the Buyer will only be obligated to indemnify the Seller from and against indemnifiable Losses in excess of the Deductible); and (b) except with respect to the breach of any of the Fundamental Representations and Warranties, or except to the extent such claim involves fraud by Buyer, the Buyer’s aggregate liability for indemnification under this Agreement shall not exceed the Cap (after which point the Buyer will have no obligation to indemnify Seller from and against further such Losses).
     6.4 Matters Involving Third Parties.
          (a) If a claim by a third Person is made against a Party (an “Indemnified Party”) (other than a claim involving Taxes, which shall be controlled solely by Buyer, and if such party intends to seek indemnity with respect thereto in accordance with this Article VI, such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the other Party (the “Indemnitor”) in writing of such claim, setting forth in reasonable detail the claim, the facts giving rise to such claim and/or references to the provisions of this Agreement pursuant to which such claim for indemnification was made (the “Third Party Notice”)), provided, that the failure to provide a Third Party Notice shall not relieve or otherwise affect the obligation of the Indemnitor to provide indemnification hereunder, except to the extent that any Losses directly resulted or were caused by such failure or the ability of the Indemnitor to mitigate damages or defend against the indemnifiable claim is prejudiced thereby. The Indemnitor shall have thirty (30) calendar days (or before the date that is five (5) days before the required response date (provided notice is given at least ten (10) days prior to the required response date), if the claim requires a response before the expiration of such thirty (30) day period) after receipt of a Third Party Notice to provide written notice (the “Control Notice”) to the Indemnified Party that the Indemnitor will undertake to conduct and control, through counsel of its own choosing and at its own expense, the settlement or defense thereof, and the Indemnified Party shall cooperate with it in connection therewith. If a Control Notice is delivered, the Indemnified Party may participate in such settlement or defense through counsel chosen by such Indemnified Party and paid at its own expense (which expense shall not constitute part of any Loss that is the subject of indemnity under this Article VI). If the Indemnitor does not notify the Indemnified Party within thirty (30) calendar days (or before the date that is five (5) days before the required response date (provided notice is given at least ten (10) days prior to the required response date), if the claim requires a response before the expiration of such thirty (30) day period) after receipt of a Third Party Notice that it elects to undertake the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to undertake, the defense of the claim, but shall not thereby waive any right to indemnity therefore. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnified Party shall upon notice to the Indemnitor assume control, through counsel of its own choosing, the settlement or defense of an indemnification claim if (i) the Indemnitor fails to diligently pursue such defense with customary care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise under the circumstances, (ii) the claim is by any Tax authority or criminal sanctions may result, (iii) the claimant seeks equitable relief against the Indemnified Party; or (iv) in the event the Indemnified Party is the Buyer, the third party is seeking damages which exceed the remaining Escrow Amount. The Party handling such defense shall pursue such defense with the customary care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise under the circumstances. If the Indemnitor decides not to undertake conduct and control

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of the settlement or defense of a claim, the Indemnitor may nonetheless participate in such settlement or defense through counsel chosen by such Indemnitor and paid at its own expense.
          (b) In no event shall the Indemnified Party pay or enter into any settlement of any claim or consent to any judgment with respect to any claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnitor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Indemnitor may enter into a settlement or consent to any judgment without the consent of the Indemnified Party so long as (i) the judgment or consent does not require the Indemnified Parties to admit any wrong-doing, does not involve any action by any Tax authority, does not provide the third party with any form of equitable relief against the Indemnified Parties and (ii) an unconditional term of the settlement or judgment is that the Person or Persons asserting such claim unconditionally release all Indemnified Parties from all liability with respect to such claim; otherwise, the consent of the Indemnified Party shall be required in order to enter into any settlement of, or the consent to entry of a judgment with respect to, any claim.
          (c) In no event shall the assumption of control of the settlement or defense of a third party claim by an Indemnified Party constitute a waiver of any right to indemnity under this Article VI.
     6.5 Determination of Losses. The amount of any Loss subject to indemnification shall be reduced by the amounts of any Tax Benefits realized by the Indemnified Party on account of such Loss and any insurance proceeds actually received by the Indemnified Party in connection therewith; provided that, any Tax Benefit which is a reduction of Taxes shall be deemed realized for purposes of this Section 6.5 only when it is actually used (and not deferred) on a first-in, first-used basis, by the Indemnified Party to reduce the Indemnified Party’s Tax liability in the then current tax year; and provided further that any Tax Benefit which is a refund of Taxes shall be deemed realized only when it is received in cash or when it is applied to a future Tax liability by the Indemnified Party in the then current tax year. If the Indemnified Party realizes a Tax Benefit after an indemnification payment is made to it, the Indemnified Party shall promptly pay to the Indemnifying Party that made or directed such indemnification payment the amount of such Tax Benefit at such time or times as and to the extent that such Tax Benefit is so realized by the Indemnified Party. For purposes hereof, “Tax Benefit” shall mean any refund of Taxes paid or reduction in the amount of Taxes which otherwise would have been paid. The Indemnified Party shall seek full recovery under all insurance policies covering any Losses to the same extent as they would if such Losses were not subject to indemnification hereunder. In the event that an insurance or other recovery is made by any Indemnified Party with respect to any Losses for which any such Person has been indemnified hereunder, then a refund equal to the amount of the recovery shall be made promptly to the Indemnifying Party that made or directed and provided such indemnification payments to such Indemnified Party.
     6.6 Mitigation. The Indemnified Party shall, and is obligated to, use all reasonable efforts to mitigate to the fullest extent reasonably practicable the amount of any Loss for which it is entitled to seek indemnification hereunder, and the Indemnifying Party shall not be required to make any payment to the Indemnified Party for that portion of any such Loss which is caused by or corresponds to the Indemnified Party’s failure to comply with its mitigation obligations under this Section 6.6.

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     6.7 Exclusive Remedy. The Buyer and the Seller acknowledge and agree that after the Closing the indemnification provisions in this Article VI shall be the exclusive remedy of the Buyer and the Seller with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The first source of recovery and recourse for indemnification or other claims of the Buyer and its Affiliates related to this Agreement shall be from the recovery of amounts under the Escrow Agreement, subject to the terms of the Escrow Agreement, except with respect to the breach of any of the Fundamental Representations and Warranties, or except to the extent the breach involves fraud by the other Party or the Corporation. The Parties may not avoid the limitations on liability set forth in this Article VI by seeking damages for breach of contract, tort or pursuant to any other theory or liability. Nothing in this Section 6.7 shall prevent or prohibit a Party from seeking and/or obtaining specific performance in accordance with Section 8.9.
     6.8 Third Party Beneficiaries. Each Indemnified Party is intended to be a third-party beneficiary of this Article VI.
ARTICLE VII
DEFINITIONS
     7.1 Defined Terms. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
     “Affiliate” of any particular Person means any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such particular Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, contract or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, portfolio companies (other than the Seller) of H.I.G. Capital, L.L.C. and/or its Affiliates shall not be considered Affiliates of the Seller or the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subsidiaries of Compass Diversified Trust and/or its Affiliates shall not be considered Affiliates of the Buyer or the Corporation.
     “Agreement” has the meaning forth in the Preamble.
     “Audited Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7.
     “Business Day” means any day, excluding Saturday, Sunday and any other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.
     “Buyer” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
     “Cap” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.
     “Closing” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
     “Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
     “Closing Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(b)(i).

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     “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
     “Confidentiality Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8.
     “Contract” means any contract or other legally binding agreement (whether written or oral).
     “Corporation” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
     “Current Assets” means the sum of the book value of (a) accounts receivable; (b) cash and cash equivalents; (c) inventory; (d) prepaid expenses; (e) current portion of taxes receivables (and not any deferred tax assets); and (f) and other current assets of the Corporation.
     “Current Liabilities” means the sum of the book value of (a) accounts payable; (b) accrued expenses; (c) taxes payable; and (d) the current portion of long-term debt (excluding the current portion of any Indebtedness and any Selling Expenses included in determining the Estimated Purchase Price).
     “Deductible” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.
     “Disclosure Schedule” means the disclosure schedule delivered by the Seller to the Buyer on the date hereof regarding certain exceptions to the representations and warranties in Article IV hereof.
     “DOJ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(b).
     “Employee Bonuses” means the bonus payments, set forth on Statement of Selling Expenses, payable to employees of the Corporation.
     “Environmental Laws” means all federal, state and local statutes and regulations and enacted and in effect on or prior to the Closing Date, concerning pollution or protection of the environment, including all those relating to the presence, use, production, generation, handling, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, distribution, labeling, testing, processing, discharge, release, control, or cleanup of any Hazardous Materials, substances or wastes.
     “ERISA” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.14(a).
     “Escrow Agent” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association.
     “Escrow Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
     “Escrow Funds” means an amount equal to [ten percent 10% of the Estimated Purchase Price].
     “Estimated Net Working Capital” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(a).

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     “Estimated Purchase Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(a).
     “Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7.
     “FTC” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(b).
     “Fundamental Representations and Warranties” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(a).
     “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United States of America from time to time.
     “Governmental Authority” means any nation or government, any state, regional, local or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity or official exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.
     “Hazardous Material(s)” shall mean any substance that is (i) defined as a hazardous substance, hazardous material, hazardous waste, biohazardous materials, pollutant, toxic substance, pesticide, contaminant or words of similar import under any Environmental Law, (ii) a petroleum hydrocarbon, including crude oil or any fraction thereof, (iii) hazardous, toxic, corrosive, flammable, explosive, infectious, radioactive, carcinogenic or a reproductive toxicant, or (iv) regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.
     “HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and any successor to such statute, rules or regulations.
     “Indebtedness” means, of any Person at any date, without duplication, all: (a) indebtedness for borrowed money or funded debt (or any obligation issued in substitution for or in exchange thereof), (b) liabilities in respect of capitalized leases and liabilities secured by any Lien on property owned or acquired, (c) notes payable and drafts accepted representing extensions of credit whether or not representing obligations for borrowed money; (d) any indebtedness or other amounts owing to Seller or Seller’s Affiliates, (e) any interest, principal, prepayment penalty, fees, or expenses, to the extent due, or owing in respect of those items listed in clauses (a) through (d) above, and (f) any guaranty made by the Seller in respect to those items listed in clauses (a) through (e).
     “Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(a).
     “Indemnifying Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(a).
     “Independent Auditor” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(b)(i).
     “Insurance Policies” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.16.
     “Intellectual Property” means, collectively, (i) all inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), all improvements thereto, and all patents,

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(ii) all trademarks, all goodwill associated therewith, and all applications, registrations, and renewals in connection therewith, (iii) moral rights and copyrights in any work of authorship (including but not limited to databases and software), (iv) all mask works and all applications, registrations, and renewals in connection therewith, (v) all trade secrets and confidential business information (including confidential ideas, research and development, know-how, methods, formulas, compositions, manufacturing and production processes and techniques, technical data, designs, drawings, specifications, customer and supplier lists, pricing and cost information, and business and marketing plans and proposals) and (vi) all copies and tangible embodiments thereof (in whatever form or medium).
     “Interim Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7.
     “Inventory” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.27.
     “Knowledge” when used with respect to the Seller means the actual knowledge, of Marc Simon, Jack Mewhirter and Stephanie Rains, after a reasonable inquiry of other management of the Corporation.
     “Leased Real Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.11(b).
     “Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, claim, lien or charge of any kind (including, but not limited to, 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 or comparable law or any jurisdiction in connection with such mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge).
     “Losses” means, with respect to any Person, any actual damage, liability, demand, claim, action, cause of action, cost, deficiency, penalty, fine, settlement payments, awards, interest or other actual loss or out-of-pocket expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, experts’ fees and disbursements and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with investigating, preparing, settling or defending any pending or threatened action, claim or proceeding (including those brought by third parties)), provided, that the Parties agree that “Losses” shall not include any punitive damages. Solely for purposes of calculating Losses under Article VI (but not in determining whether there has been a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement in this Agreement) the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements herein shall be interpreted without giving effect to any limitations or qualifications as to “materiality” (including, without limitation, the word “material”) or “Material Adverse Effect.”
     “Material Adverse Effect” means a change in the financial condition or business of the Corporation which change, individually or in the aggregate, has a materially adverse effect on the assets, financial condition or business of the Corporation taken as a whole. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any adverse circumstance, change, effect, event, occurrence, state of facts or development attributable or relating to or arising from any of the following shall not be taken into account in determining whether there has been or will be a Material Adverse Effect: (a) conditions generally affecting the industry in which the Corporation participates, the U.S. economy as a whole or the capital markets in general; (b) compliance with the terms of, or the

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taking of any action required by, this Agreement or approved by the Buyer; (c) the announcement of the execution of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (d) any change in applicable laws, rules or regulations or the interpretation hereof by any Governmental Authority; or (e) any action or statement taken or made by the Buyer or its representatives including, but not limited to, in connection with the Buyer’s discussions with employees or customers of the Corporations.
     “Material Contracts” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.19.
     “Material Customer” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.21(b).
     “Material Supplier” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.21(a).
     “Net Working Capital” shall mean the Current Assets of the Corporation as of the Closing Date, less the Current Liabilities of the Corporation as of the Closing Date.
     “New Plans” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6.
     “Objection Disputes” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(b)(i).
     “Objection Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(b)(i).
     “Old Plans” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6.
     “Party” or “Parties” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
     “Pay Off Letters” means the pay off letters indicating the amount necessary to pay off the Indebtedness at Closing.
     “Pension Plans” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.14(a).
     “Permits” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.17.
     “Permitted Liens” means (a) statutory liens for current Taxes or other governmental charges not yet due and payable or the amount or validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings by the Corporation and for which appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP; (b) mechanics’, carriers’, workers’, repairers’ and similar statutory liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business; (c) zoning, entitlement, building and other land use regulations imposed by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Leased Real Property which are not violated by the current use and operation of the Leased Real Property; (d) covenants, conditions, restrictions, easements and other similar matters of record affecting title to the Leased Real Property which do not materially impair the occupancy or use of the Leased Real Property for the purposes for which it is currently used or proposed to be used in connection with the business of the Corporation; (e) public roads and highways; (f) matters which would be disclosed by an inspection or accurate survey of each parcel of real property; (g) liens arising under worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance, social security, retirement and similar legislation; (h) purchase money

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liens and liens securing rental payments under capital lease arrangements; and (i) other immaterial liens.
     “Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, business trust, joint stock corporation, estate, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity, of whatever nature.
     “Plans” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.14(a).
     “Purchase Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2.
     “Receivables” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.26.
     “Release” shall mean any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping or disposing into the environment (including the abandonment or discarding of barrels, containers and other receptacles containing any Hazardous Material).
     “Restrictions” means any restriction on the exercise of any rights related to the Stock, including without limitation, proxies, voting agreements, transfer restrictions, agreements to sell or purchase and similar items.
     “Securities Act” means the Securities and Exchange Act of 1933.
     “Seller” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
     “Selling Expenses” means, as of immediately prior to the Closing, the then unpaid aggregate of the costs, fees (including attorney fees, accountants fees, investment banking fees, consent fees and loan prepayment fees) and other expenses incurred or payable by the Corporation and Seller in connection with this Agreement and the sale of the Stock to Buyer, including, without limitation, (i) the Employee Bonuses, (ii) all accrued and unpaid management fees and termination fees under the Corporation’s management services agreement with H.I.G. Capital, L.L.C., if any. Selling Expenses are set forth in the Statement of Selling Expenses to be delivered by the Seller prior to Closing.
     “Stock” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
     “Survival Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
     “Tax Benefit” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5.
     “Taxes” means all federal, provincial, territorial, state, municipal, local, domestic, foreign or other taxes, imposts, rates, levies, assessments and other charges including, without limitation, ad valorem, capital, capital stock, customs and import duties, disability, documentary stamp, employment, estimated, excise, fees, franchise, gains, goods and services, gross income, gross receipts, income, intangible, inventory, license, mortgage recording, net income, occupation, payroll, personal property, production, profits, property, real property, recording, rent, sales,

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severance, sewer, social security, stamp, transfer, escheat, transfer gains, unemployment, use, value added, water, windfall profits, and withholding, together with any interest, additions, fines or penalties with respect thereto or in respect of any failure to comply with any requirement regarding Tax Returns and any interest in respect of such additions, fines or penalties and shall include any transferee liability in respect of any and all of the above.
     “Tax Return” means any declaration, estimate, return, report, information statement, schedule or other document (including any related or supporting information) with respect to Taxes that is required to be filed with any Governmental Authority, including any amendment thereto.
     “Third Party Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(a).
     “Transfer Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.
     “Welfare Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.14(a).
     7.2 Other Definitional Provisions.
          (a) All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificates, reports or other documents made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, unless the context otherwise requires.
          (b) Terms defined in the singular shall have a comparable meaning when used in the plural, and vice versa.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
     8.1 Notices. All notices, requests, demands, claims, and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by certified or registered mail (first class postage pre-paid), guaranteed overnight delivery, or facsimile transmission if such transmission is confirmed by delivery by certified or registered mail (first class postage pre-paid) or guaranteed overnight delivery, to the following addresses and facsimile numbers (or to such other addresses or facsimile numbers which such Party shall designate in writing to the other Party):
         
 
  (a)   if to the Buyer to:
 
       
 
      Halo Holding Corporation
 
      c/o Compass Group Management LLC
 
      61 Wilton Road, 2nd Floor
Westport, CT 06880
 
      Attention: I. Joseph Massoud
 
      Facsimile: (203) 221-8253

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      with a copy to:
 
       
 
      Compass Group Management LLC
 
      24422 Avenida de la carlota, Suite 370
 
      Laguna Hills, California 92653
 
      Attention: Elias J. Sabo
 
      Facsimile: (949) 420-0777
 
       
 
      Paul, Hastings, Janofsy & Walker LLP
 
      695 Town Center Drive, Suite 1700
 
      Costa Mesa, CA 92626
 
      Attention: William J. Simpson
 
      Facsimile: (714) 668-6305
 
       
 
  (b)   if to the Corporation (prior to the Closing) or the Seller:
 
       
 
      HA-LO Holdings, LLC
 
      c/o H.I.G. Capital, L.L.C.
 
      Brickell Bay Drive, Suite 2708
 
      Miami, Florida 33113
 
      Attention: Douglas F. Berman and Roman Krislav
 
      Facsimile: (305) 379-2013
 
       
 
      with a copy to:
 
       
 
      McDermott Will & Emery LLP
 
      201 S. Biscayne Boulevard
 
      Suite 2200
 
      Miami, Florida 33131
 
      Attention: Harris C. Siskind, Esq.
 
      Facsimile: (305) 347-6500
     8.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto) and other documents delivered at the Closing pursuant hereto or thereto, contain the entire understanding of the Parties in respect of their subject matter and supersede all prior agreements and understandings (oral or written) between the Parties with respect to such subject matter, other than the Confidentiality Agreement. The Disclosure Schedule, Exhibits and Schedules constitute a part hereof as though set forth in full above.
     8.3 Expenses. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Parties shall pay their own fees and expenses, including their own counsel fees, incurred in connection with this Agreement.
     8.4 Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, supplemented, canceled or discharged, except by written instrument executed by the Buyer and the Seller. No failure to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right,

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power or privilege hereunder preclude the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. No waiver of any breach of any provision shall be deemed to be a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach of the same or any other provision, nor shall any waiver be implied from any course of dealing between the Parties. No extension of time for performance of any obligations or other acts hereunder or under any other agreement shall be deemed to be an extension of the time for performance of any other obligations or any other acts.
     8.5 Binding Effect; Assignment. The rights and obligations of this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and assigns. Except as provided in Section 8.9, nothing expressed or implied herein or therein shall be construed to give any other person any legal or equitable rights hereunder. Except as expressly provided herein, the rights and obligations of this Agreement may not be assigned by the Parties hereto without the prior written consent of the other Party; provided, however, the Buyer may assign its rights under this Agreement for collateral security purposes, without consent, to any lenders providing financing to the Buyer and/or the Corporation.
     8.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including by means of facsimile and electronically transmitted portable document format (pdf) signature pages), each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
     8.7 Interpretation. When a reference is made in this Agreement to an article, section, paragraph, clause, schedule or exhibit, such reference shall be deemed to be to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The headings contained herein and on the Schedules are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or the Schedules. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.”
     8.8 Governing Law; Interpretation. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed for all purposes by the internal substantive laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts executed and to be wholly performed within such State.
     8.9 Specific Performance. Each of the Parties agrees that this Agreement is intended to be legally binding and specifically enforceable pursuant to its terms and that the Buyer and the Seller would be irreparably harmed if any of the provisions of the Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific terms and that monetary damages would not provide adequate remedy in such event. Accordingly, in addition to any other remedy to which a non-breaching Party may be entitled at law, a non-breaching Party shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief without the posting of any bond to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to specifically enforce the terms and provisions hereof.
     8.10 Arm’s Length Negotiations; Drafting. Each Party herein expressly represents and warrants to the other Party hereto that before executing this Agreement, said Party has fully informed itself of the terms, contents, conditions and effects of this Agreement; said Party has relied solely and completely upon its own judgment in executing this Agreement; said Party has had the opportunity to seek and has obtained the advice of counsel before executing this Agreement, which is the result of arm’s length negotiations conducted by and among the Parties

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and their respective counsel. This Agreement shall be deemed drafted jointly by the Parties and nothing shall be construed against one Party or another as the drafting Party.
     8.11 Confidentiality; Publicity. Seller shall receive an advance copy of any press release or other public announcement or filing made by the Buyer in connection with the execution of this Agreement. Buyer will provide Seller with such advance copy as soon as practicable so that Seller has the opportunity to provide Buyer with reasonable comment on such press release or announcement; provided, however, that Seller will not have any right to cause such press release to be revised in a manner which would result in Buyer failing to meet any applicable legal requirements.
[SIGNATURES APPEAR ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Stock Purchase Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.
             
    HALO HOLDING CORPORATION    
 
           
 
  By:        
 
  Name:  
 
   
 
  Title:  
 
   
 
     
 
   
 
           
    HA-LO HOLDINGS, LLC, a    
    Delaware limited liability company    
 
           
 
  By:        
 
  Name:  
 
   
 
  Title:  
 
   
 
     
 
   

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