-----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, B8+KUje++wYPdR+MdepwMYMSvdFONDakEEnmVkZzw+Cg63nu3zOp0zqlykdBDNSY TIIBQ7iJBFqrE+o6Z/3iVQ== 0000950124-02-003057.txt : 20020926 0000950124-02-003057.hdr.sgml : 20020926 20020926172858 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950124-02-003057 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-4/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 FILED AS OF DATE: 20020926 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WHITWORTH MANAGEMENT INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092151 IRS NUMBER: 880233834 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NV FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-02 FILM NUMBER: 02773588 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WESTERN HOMES CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092147 IRS NUMBER: 752276910 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-03 FILM NUMBER: 02773589 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: VICTORY INVESTMENT CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092138 IRS NUMBER: 730961344 STATE OF INCORPORATION: OK FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-04 FILM NUMBER: 02773590 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: U S A MOBILE HOMES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092131 IRS NUMBER: 930980361 STATE OF INCORPORATION: OR FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-05 FILM NUMBER: 02773591 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: TRADING POST MOBILE HOMES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092129 IRS NUMBER: 610945344 STATE OF INCORPORATION: KY FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-06 FILM NUMBER: 02773592 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MODULINE INTERNATIONAL INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000067385 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: MOBILE HOMES [2451] IRS NUMBER: 910828539 STATE OF INCORPORATION: WA FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-24 FILM NUMBER: 02773611 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 2482030700 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: HOMES OF KENTUCKIANA LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001176510 IRS NUMBER: 611329519 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-32 FILM NUMBER: 02773619 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 CAMBRIDGE CT STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2483409090 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: HOMES AMERICA OF WYOMING INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092204 IRS NUMBER: 880233834 STATE OF INCORPORATION: WY FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-33 FILM NUMBER: 02773620 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: HOMES AMERICA OF UTAH INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092202 IRS NUMBER: 870540727 STATE OF INCORPORATION: UT FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-34 FILM NUMBER: 02773621 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: HOMES AMERICA OF OKLAHOMA INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092200 IRS NUMBER: 731489573 STATE OF INCORPORATION: OK FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-35 FILM NUMBER: 02773622 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: HOMES AMERICA OF CALIFORNIA INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092199 IRS NUMBER: 330697358 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-36 FILM NUMBER: 02773623 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: HOMES AMERICA OF ARIZONA INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092196 IRS NUMBER: 860895662 STATE OF INCORPORATION: AZ FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-37 FILM NUMBER: 02773624 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: HOMES AMERICA FINANCE INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092195 IRS NUMBER: 880351418 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NV FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-38 FILM NUMBER: 02773625 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: HOMEPRIDE FINANCE CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092194 IRS NUMBER: 383454767 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-39 FILM NUMBER: 02773626 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: HEARTLAND HOMES LP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001176509 IRS NUMBER: 383635803 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-40 FILM NUMBER: 02773627 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 CAMBRIDGE CT STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2483409090 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GRAND MANOR INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092191 IRS NUMBER: 383281658 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-41 FILM NUMBER: 02773628 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GEM HOMES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092190 IRS NUMBER: 760164265 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-43 FILM NUMBER: 02773630 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GATEWAY PROPERTIES CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092188 IRS NUMBER: 460426796 STATE OF INCORPORATION: SD FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-44 FILM NUMBER: 02773631 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GATEWAY MOBILE & MODULAR HOMES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092186 IRS NUMBER: 470709908 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-45 FILM NUMBER: 02773632 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GATEWAY ACCEPTANCE CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092185 IRS NUMBER: 460372684 STATE OF INCORPORATION: SD FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-46 FILM NUMBER: 02773633 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FLEMING COUNTY INDUSTRIES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092183 IRS NUMBER: 611078339 STATE OF INCORPORATION: KY FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-47 FILM NUMBER: 02773634 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FACTORY HOMES OUTLET INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092179 IRS NUMBER: 880283245 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-48 FILM NUMBER: 02773635 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CRESTPOINTE FINANCIAL SERVICES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092174 IRS NUMBER: 752140765 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-50 FILM NUMBER: 02773637 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CREST RIDGE HOMES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092171 IRS NUMBER: 383213167 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-51 FILM NUMBER: 02773638 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CLIFF AVE INVESTMENTS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092160 IRS NUMBER: 460365898 STATE OF INCORPORATION: SD FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-52 FILM NUMBER: 02773639 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CHANDELEUR HOMES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092157 IRS NUMBER: 383213165 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-54 FILM NUMBER: 02773641 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: A1 CHAMPION GP INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001176508 IRS NUMBER: 383639742 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-69 FILM NUMBER: 02773656 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 CAMBRIDGE CT STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2483409090 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: DUTCH HOUSING INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000877514 IRS NUMBER: 383157863 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-49 FILM NUMBER: 02773636 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CHAMPION HOME BUILDERS CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000019144 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: MOBILE HOMES [2451] IRS NUMBER: 381427299 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 0228 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-01 FILM NUMBER: 02773587 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5573 NORTH ST CITY: DRYDEN STATE: MI ZIP: 48428 BUSINESS PHONE: 3137962211 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CHAMPION ENTERPRISES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000814068 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: MOBILE HOMES [2451] IRS NUMBER: 382743168 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1225 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156 FILM NUMBER: 02773593 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 CAMBRIDGE COURT STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2483409090 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: OKAHUMPKA CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092187 IRS NUMBER: 592175753 STATE OF INCORPORATION: FL FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-07 FILM NUMBER: 02773594 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: STAR FLEET INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092184 IRS NUMBER: 351840506 STATE OF INCORPORATION: IN FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-08 FILM NUMBER: 02773595 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SOUTHERN SHOWCASE HOUSING INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092182 IRS NUMBER: 561686678 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NC FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-09 FILM NUMBER: 02773596 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SOUTHERN SHOWCASE FINANCE INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092180 IRS NUMBER: 562084038 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-10 FILM NUMBER: 02773597 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SERVICE CONTRACT CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092178 IRS NUMBER: 382719552 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-11 FILM NUMBER: 02773598 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SAN JOSE ADVANTAGE HOMES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092177 IRS NUMBER: 770411951 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-12 FILM NUMBER: 02773599 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: REGENCY SUPPLY CO INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092176 IRS NUMBER: 752155269 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-13 FILM NUMBER: 02773600 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: REDMAN RETAIL INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092175 IRS NUMBER: 752021720 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-14 FILM NUMBER: 02773601 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: REDMAN MANAGEMENT SERVICES BUSINESS TRUST CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092173 IRS NUMBER: 756469645 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-15 FILM NUMBER: 02773602 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: REDMAN INVESTMENT INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092170 IRS NUMBER: 752208257 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-16 FILM NUMBER: 02773603 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: REDMAN INDUSTRIES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000082666 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: MOBILE HOMES [2451] IRS NUMBER: 752246805 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-17 FILM NUMBER: 02773604 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNINVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 4832 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: REDMAN HOMES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092166 IRS NUMBER: 751364957 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-18 FILM NUMBER: 02773605 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: REDMAN HOMES MANAGEMENT CO INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092164 IRS NUMBER: 752573061 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-19 FILM NUMBER: 02773606 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: REDMAN BUSINESS TRUST CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092161 IRS NUMBER: 756469646 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-20 FILM NUMBER: 02773607 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: PRAIRIE RIDGE INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001122148 IRS NUMBER: 462935648 STATE OF INCORPORATION: KS FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-21 FILM NUMBER: 02773608 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 CAMBRIDGE COURT STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2483409090 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 CAMBRIDGE COURT STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: PHILADELPHIA HOUSING CENTER INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092156 IRS NUMBER: 640863980 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MS FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-22 FILM NUMBER: 02773609 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NORTHSTAR CORP/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092198 IRS NUMBER: 460433873 STATE OF INCORPORATION: SD FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-23 FILM NUMBER: 02773610 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MANUFACTURED HOUSING OF LOUISIANA INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092149 IRS NUMBER: 721416792 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-25 FILM NUMBER: 02773612 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: LAMPLIGHTER HOMES OREGON INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092146 IRS NUMBER: 930976577 STATE OF INCORPORATION: OR FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-26 FILM NUMBER: 02773613 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: LAMPLIGHTER HOMES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092143 IRS NUMBER: 911219267 STATE OF INCORPORATION: WA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-27 FILM NUMBER: 02773614 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ISEMAN CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092134 IRS NUMBER: 460365899 STATE OF INCORPORATION: SD FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-28 FILM NUMBER: 02773615 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: IDA INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092124 IRS NUMBER: 731384625 STATE OF INCORPORATION: OK FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-29 FILM NUMBER: 02773616 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: HOMES OF MERIT INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092122 IRS NUMBER: 383284410 STATE OF INCORPORATION: FL FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-30 FILM NUMBER: 02773617 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: HOMES OF LEGEND INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092119 IRS NUMBER: 383284410 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-31 FILM NUMBER: 02773618 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SUITE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GENESIS HOME CENTERS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001123325 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-42 FILM NUMBER: 02773629 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 CAMBRIDGE COURT STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 CAMBRIDGE COURT STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CHI INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092155 IRS NUMBER: 742813105 STATE OF INCORPORATION: OK FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-53 FILM NUMBER: 02773640 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 CAMBRIDGE COURT STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 CAMBRIDGE COURT STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: CARNIVAL HOMES INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19990729 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CHAMPION RETAIL INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092167 IRS NUMBER: 383392154 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-55 FILM NUMBER: 02773642 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 CAMBRIDGE COURT STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 CAMBRIDGE COURT STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: CHAMPION HOME CENTERS INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19990729 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CHAMPION MOTOR COACH INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092172 IRS NUMBER: 382721632 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-56 FILM NUMBER: 02773643 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CHAMPION HOME COMMUNITIES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092169 IRS NUMBER: 381947966 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-57 FILM NUMBER: 02773644 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CHAMPION GP INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001123323 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-58 FILM NUMBER: 02773645 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 CAMBRIDGE COURT STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 CAMBRIDGE COURT STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CHAMPION FINANCIAL CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092162 IRS NUMBER: 382742043 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-59 FILM NUMBER: 02773646 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI MANUFACTURED HOUSING INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092158 IRS NUMBER: 650561149 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MS FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-60 FILM NUMBER: 02773647 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CARE FREE HOMES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092153 IRS NUMBER: 870633793 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-61 FILM NUMBER: 02773648 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CAC FUNDING CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000822038 IRS NUMBER: 382756292 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-62 FILM NUMBER: 02773649 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: BUILDERS CREDIT CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092144 IRS NUMBER: 382725018 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-63 FILM NUMBER: 02773650 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AUBURN CHAMP INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092136 IRS NUMBER: 383264202 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-64 FILM NUMBER: 02773651 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ART RICHTER INSURANCE INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092133 IRS NUMBER: 880285995 STATE OF INCORPORATION: KY FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-65 FILM NUMBER: 02773652 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AMERICAN TRANSPORT INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092130 IRS NUMBER: 880285995 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NV FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-66 FILM NUMBER: 02773653 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ALPINE HOMES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092126 IRS NUMBER: 841138020 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CO FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-67 FILM NUMBER: 02773654 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: A 1 HOMES GROUP INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001092120 IRS NUMBER: 383416642 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92156-68 FILM NUMBER: 02773655 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482030700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2701 UNIVERSITY DR STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: AUBURN HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48326 S-4/A 1 k69724a1sv4za.htm AMENDMENT TO FORM S-4 sv4za
 

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 26, 2002
Registration No. 333-92156


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Amendment No. 1

Form S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Champion Enterprises, Inc.

Champion Home Builders Co.
Subsidiary Guarantors Listed on Schedule A Hereto
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
     
Champion Enterprises, Inc.
Michigan
  Champion Home Builders Co.
Michigan
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  (State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
 
38-2743168
  38-2744984
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

6711

(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)

2701 Cambridge Court, Suite 300

Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326
(248) 340-9090
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of
Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

John J. Collins, Jr.

Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
2701 Cambridge Court, Suite 300
Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326
(248) 340-9090
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code,
of Agent for Service)

Copy to:

D. Richard McDonald

Dykema Gossett PLLC
39577 Woodward Avenue, Suite 300
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
(248) 203-0700

     Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:    From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

     If the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box.    o

     If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o                            

     If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o                            

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

     The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.




 

SCHEDULE A

OTHER REGISTRANTS — SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

                         
State or Other Primary Standard
Jurisdiction of Industrial
Incorporation or Classification Code IRS Employer
Name of Registrant Organization Number Identification Number




A-1 Champion GP, Inc. 
    Michigan       5271       38-3639742  
A-1 Homes Group, L.P.
    Texas       5271       38-3416642  
Alpine Homes, Inc. 
    Colorado       5271       84-1138020  
American Transport, Inc. 
    Nevada       4213       88-0285995  
Art Richter Insurance, Inc. 
    Kentucky       6411       61-0718629  
Auburn Champ, Inc. 
    Michigan       2451       38-3264202  
Builders Credit Corporation
    Michigan       2451       38-2725018  
CAC Funding Corporation
    Michigan       2451       38-2756279  
Care Free Homes, Inc. 
    Michigan       5271       87-0633793  
Champion Financial Corporation
    Michigan       2451       38-2742043  
Champion GP, Inc. 
    Michigan       5271       38-3548969  
Champion Home Communities, Inc. 
    Michigan       2451       38-1947996  
Champion Motor Coach, Inc. 
    Michigan       3713       38-2721632  
Champion Retail, Inc. 
    Michigan       5271       38-3392154  
Chandeleur Homes, Inc. 
    Michigan       2451       38-3213165  
CHI, Inc. 
    Kansas       5271       74-2813105  
Cliff Ave. Investments, Inc. 
    South Dakota       5271       46-0365898  
Crest Ridge Homes, Inc. 
    Michigan       2451       38-3213167  
Crestpointe Financial Services, Inc. 
    Delaware       2451       75-2140765  
Dutch Housing, Inc. 
    Michigan       2451       38-3157863  
Factory Homes Outlet, Inc. 
    Idaho       5271       88-0283245  
Fleming County Industries, Inc. 
    Kentucky       2451       61-1078339  
Gateway Acceptance Corp.
    South Dakota       5271       46-0372684  
Gateway Mobile & Modular Homes, Inc. 
    Nebraska       5271       47-0709908  
Gateway Properties Corp.
    South Dakota       5271       46-0426796  
Gem Homes, Inc. 
    Delaware       2451       76-0164265  
Genesis Home Centers, Limited Partnership
    Michigan       5271       38-3548972  
Grand Manor, Inc. 
    Michigan       2451       38-3281658  
Heartland Homes, L.P.
    Texas       5271       38-3635803  
HomePride Finance Corp.
    Michigan       5271       38-3454767  
Homes America Finance, Inc. 
    Nevada       5271       88-0351418  
Homes America of Arizona, Inc. 
    Arizona       5271       86-0895662  
Homes America of California, Inc. 
    California       5271       33-0697358  
Homes America of Oklahoma, Inc. 
    Oklahoma       5271       73-1489573  
Homes America of Utah, Inc. 
    Utah       5271       87-0540727  
Homes America of Wyoming, Inc. 
    Wyoming       5271       88-0233834  
Homes of Kentuckiana, L.L.C. 
    Kentucky       5271       61-1329519  
Homes of Legend, Inc. 
    Michigan       2451       38-3284410  
Homes of Merit, Inc. 
    Florida       2451       59-1438488  
I.D.A., Inc. 
    Oklahoma       5271       73-1384625  
Iseman Corp.
    South Dakota       5271       46-0365899  


 

                         
State or Other Primary Standard
Jurisdiction of Industrial
Incorporation or Classification Code IRS Employer
Name of Registrant Organization Number Identification Number




Lamplighter Homes, Inc. 
    Washington       5271       91-1219267  
Lamplighter Homes (Oregon), Inc. 
    Oregon       5271       93-0976577  
Moduline International, Inc. 
    Washington       2451       91-0828539  
Northstar Corporation
    South Dakota       5271       46-0433873  
Prairie Ridge, Inc. 
    Kansas       5271       46-2935648  
Redman Business Trust
    Delaware       2451       75-6469646  
Redman Homes Management Company, Inc. 
    Delaware       2451       75-2573061  
Redman Homes, Inc. 
    Delaware       2451       75-1364957  
Redman Industries, Inc. 
    Delaware       2451       75-2246805  
Redman Investment, Inc. 
    Delaware       2451       75-2208257  
Redman Management Services Business Trust
    Delaware       2451       75-6469645  
Redman Retail, Inc. 
    Delaware       5271       75-2021720  
Regency Supply Company, Inc. 
    Delaware       2451       75-2155269  
San Jose Advantage Homes, Inc. 
    California       5271       77-0411951  
Service Contract Corporation
    Michigan       2451       38-2719552  
Southern Showcase Finance, Inc. 
    Michigan       5271       56-2084038  
Southern Showcase Housing, Inc. 
    North Carolina       5271       56-1686678  
Star Fleet, Inc. 
    Indiana       4213       35-1840506  
The Okahumpka Corporation
    Florida       2451       59-2175753  
Trading Post Mobile Homes, Inc. 
    Kentucky       5271       61-0945344  
U.S.A. Mobile Homes, Inc. 
    Oregon       5271       93-0980361  
Victory Investment Company
    Oklahoma       5271       73-0961344  
Western Homes Corporation
    Delaware       2451       75-2276910  
Whitworth Management, Inc. 
    Nevada       5271       88-0233834  

      The address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of the principal offices of the other registrants listed above is 2701 Cambridge Court, Suite 300, Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326; the telephone number at that address is (248) 340-9090.


 

The information in this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED [                    ], 2002

PROSPECTUS

Champion Home Builders Co.

OFFER TO EXCHANGE

$150,000,000 principal amount of its 11 1/4% Senior Notes due 2007

which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
for any and all of its outstanding 11 1/4% Senior Notes due 2007


The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m.,

New York City time, on [                    ], 2002, unless extended.

      We are offering to exchange 11 1/4% senior notes due 2007, or the “exchange notes,” for our currently outstanding 11 1/4% senior notes due 2007, or the “outstanding notes.” The exchange notes are substantially identical to the outstanding notes, except that the exchange notes have been registered under the federal securities laws and will not bear any legend restricting their transfer. The exchange notes will represent the same debt as the outstanding notes, and we will issue the exchange notes under the same indenture.

      The exchange notes will be senior unsecured obligations of ours and will be effectively senior to outstanding 7 5/8% senior notes due 2009 of our parent, Champion Enterprises, Inc., and any other debt issued by Champion Enterprises, Inc. The exchange notes will be fully guaranteed by our parent, Champion Enterprises, Inc. on a senior subordinated basis. In addition, the exchange notes will be guaranteed by each of our parent’s other existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries on a senior basis.

      The exchange notes will be effectively subordinate to secured indebtedness and other secured obligations of ours and the subsidiary guarantors to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt or other obligations.

      As of June 29, 2002 we had approximately $36.3 million of indebtedness that would be senior to, or effectively senior to, the exchange notes and $170.0 million of indebtedness that would be subordinate to, or effectively subordinate to the exchange notes.

      The principal features of the exchange offer are as follows:

  •  The exchange offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                    , 2002, unless extended.
 
  •  We will exchange all outstanding notes that are validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of the exchange offer. You should read the section called “The Exchange Offer” on page 21 for information on how to exchange outstanding notes for exchange notes.
 
  •  You may withdraw tenders of outstanding notes at any time prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.
 
  •  We believe that the exchange of outstanding notes will not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but you should see “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” on page 68 for more information.
 
  •  We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer.
 
  •  The terms of the exchange notes are substantially identical to those of the outstanding notes, except that the exchange notes are registered under the Securities Act and the transfer restrictions and registration rights applicable to the outstanding notes do not apply to the exchange notes.

      Broker-dealers receiving exchange notes in exchange for outstanding notes acquired for their own account through market-making or other trading activities must deliver a prospectus in any resale of the exchange notes. We do not intend to list the exchange notes on any exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market.


       Investing in the exchange notes involves risks. See “Risk Factors”

beginning on page 8.


       Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is [                    ], 2002.


 

      Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such exchange notes. The letter of transmittal delivered with this prospectus states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of exchange notes received in exchange for outstanding notes where such outstanding notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the completion of the exchange offer, we will make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See “Plan of Distribution.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

         
Page

Where You Can Find More Information
    iii  
Forward-Looking Statements
    iv  
Prospectus Summary
    1  
Risk Factors
    8  
Use Of Proceeds
    16  
Capitalization
    17  
Selected Financial Data Including Ratio Of Earnings To Fixed Charges
    18  
The Exchange Offer
    21  
Description Of Other Indebtedness And Financing Transactions
    29  
Description Of The Notes
    31  
Registration Rights Agreement
    66  
Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
    68  
Plan Of Distribution
    70  
Legal Matters
    71  
Experts
    71  
Part II — Information Not Required In Prospectus
    II-1  
Signatures
    II-2  
Exhibit Index
       

In this prospectus:

  •  “Champion Home Builders” and “issuer” refer only to Champion Home Builders Co., the issuer of the notes, and not its subsidiaries.
 
  •  “Champion,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Champion Enterprises, Inc., and its subsidiaries, including the issuer.
 
  •  “Champion Enterprises” refers only to Champion Enterprises, Inc. and not its subsidiaries.
 
  •  “Outstanding notes” refers to the 11 1/4% senior notes due 2007 that were issued on April 22, 2002 and “exchange notes” refers to the 11 1/4% senior notes due 2007 offered pursuant to this prospectus. We sometimes refer to the outstanding notes and the exchange notes collectively as the “notes.”


 

We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus as if we had authorized it. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which it relates, nor does this prospectus constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

      Champion Home Builders, Champion Enterprises and the guarantor subsidiaries have filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, a registration statement on Form S-4 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations thereunder, which we refer to collectively as the Securities Act, covering the notes to be issued in the exchange offer (File No. 333-                    ). This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. Any statement made in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract, agreement or other document is not necessarily complete. If we have filed any contract, agreement or other document as an exhibit to the registration statement, you should read the exhibit for a more complete understanding of the document or matter involved.

      The indenture governing the outstanding notes provides that Champion Home Builders will furnish to the holders of the notes copies of the periodic reports required to be filed by Champion Home Builders, if it were required to file such information, with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder, which we refer to collectively as the Exchange Act. Alternatively, we may provide, and intend to provide, copies of the periodic reports we are required to file under the Exchange Act, so long as the reports satisfy the Exchange Act financial reporting requirements relating to guaranteed securities. Even if neither we nor Champion Home Builders is subject to the periodic reporting and informational requirements of the Exchange Act, we will make such filings to the extent that such filings are accepted by the SEC.

      We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information filed by us at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. Our filings with the SEC are also available to the public at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov.

      This prospectus incorporates by reference important business and financial information about us that is not included or delivered with this prospectus. Such information is included in the following documents filed by us with the SEC, each of which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus:

  •  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2001;
 
  •  Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 30, 2002 and for the fiscal quarter ended June 29, 2002;
 
  •  Current Reports on Form 8-K filed February 13, 2002, March 25, 2002, April 5, 2002 (three filings), April 17, 2002 (two filings), April 25, 2002, May 16, 2002, May 23, 2002, June 18, 2002, June 27, 2002, July 17, 2002, August 8, 2002, August 14, 2002, September 20, 2002, and on Form 8-K/A filed August 19, 2002 (two filings); and
 
  •  Proxy Statement dated March 27, 2002 for the 2002 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on April 30, 2002.

      In addition, all reports and other documents we subsequently file pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and to be part of this prospectus from the date we subsequently file the reports and documents.

      Any statements contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus are deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent modified or superseded by another statement contained in any subsequently filed document also incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute part of this prospectus.

      You may also request a copy of any of these filings, at no cost, by contacting us at Champion Enterprises, Inc., 2701 Cambridge Court, Suite 300, Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326, Attention: Chief Financial Officer, telephone: (248) 340-9090. You may also obtain copies of these filings, at no cost, by accessing our website at http://www.championhomes.net. To obtain timely delivery of any copies of filings requested, please write or telephone no later than                     , 2002, five business days prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

      This prospectus contains and incorporates by reference both historical and forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but only predictions and generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee” or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals also are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated.

      Factors that could materially affect these forward-looking statements can be found in our periodic reports filed with the SEC. You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements, including the factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” below and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus are made only as of the date of this prospectus and we undertake no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events might or might not occur. We cannot assure you that projected results or events will be achieved.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

The Company

Overview

      We are the leading producer of manufactured homes in the United States, with a wholesale market share of approximately 19% in 2001 and 17% in the first two quarters of 2002. After completion of the restructuring announced on August 8, 2002, we will operate 39 manufacturing facilities in 16 states and in two provinces in western Canada. We are also a leading retailer in the manufactured housing industry, and after completion of the restructuring announced on August 8, 2002 we will own and operate 117 manufactured housing retail locations in 24 states. We sell most of our homes through our company-owned and approximately 3,000 independent retail locations throughout the United States and Western Canada.

      The address of our principal executive office is 2701 Cambridge Court, Suite 300, Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326. The telephone number at this office is (248) 340-9090.

Industry Overview

      The U.S. manufactured housing industry experienced a period of substantial growth in the 1990’s as total wholesale shipments increased from 171,000 homes in 1991 to a peak of 373,000 homes in 1998. This growth was driven by the introduction of new multi-section designs that appealed to a broader range of customers and an increase in the availability of consumer financing, including financing for lower-income and higher-risk borrowers. In response to the increased demand for manufactured homes, during this period, manufacturers expanded production capacity and the number of retail locations increased.

      By 1999, consumer lenders in the sector had begun to tighten underwriting standards and curtail credit availability as a result of higher than anticipated rates of loan defaults and losses upon repossession and resale of the homes collateralizing defaulted loans. As a result, based on industry data, we estimate that approximately 40% of all industry retail locations have closed since mid-1999 and that industry manufacturers have closed approximately 110 homebuilding facilities, representing approximately 33% of the industry’s manufacturing facilities. In addition, we estimate that inventories of new manufactured homes in the retail marketplace declined by approximately 45% from June 1999 to June 2002.

      According to industry data, in the fourth quarter of 2001, after 10 consecutive quarters of wholesale shipment year-over-year contraction, the industry experienced a 3.5% growth in wholesale shipments of manufactured homes built in sections in compliance with the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, or the HUD Code. However, wholesale shipments in the first two quarters of 2002 declined 5.3% from shipments in the first two quarters of 2001.

Competitive Strengths

      We possess a number of strengths that we believe enable us to effectively compete in our industry, including:

  •  being the leading producer and one of the largest retailers of manufactured housing in the United States, enabling us to respond effectively to our customers design and delivery needs and to lead industry innovation;
 
  •  being a low cost producer due to our purchasing power as the largest manufacturer in the industry and by continually developing new manufacturing techniques and best practices to improve our manufacturing processes and increase our efficiency;
 
  •  having what we believe is the most extensive distribution channel in the industry with 117 company-owned retail centers; approximately 3,000 independent retail locations, including approximately 600 independent retailers in our Champion Home Center distribution network; and our Genesis Homes division that builds and sells homes directly to over 400 small and medium-sized builders and developers;

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  •  having operational and geographic diversity by offering what we believe to be the broadest range of products in the industry in terms of both price and design with manufacturing facilities in 16 states and two western Canadian provinces and with company-owned retail locations in 24 states;
 
  •  having decentralized operations allowing us to respond more effectively to local market preferences and conditions and encouraging regional and local management autonomy;
 
  •  having a focused business model pursuant to which we focus on manufactured and modular housing and ancillary business such as community development and consumer finance that complement our manufacturing and retail operations; and
 
  •  having an experienced management team that has successfully managed manufactured housing operations during various industry cycles.

Business Strategy

      The major components of our business strategy consist of:

  •  strengthening our position as the industry leader by increasing sales through our traditional retail distribution channel;
 
  •  ensuring a quality home buying experience for our customers by using enhanced customer satisfaction measures and quality-control procedures;
 
  •  expanding the Genesis Homes division through which we build and sell homes directly to small and medium-sized builders and developers; and
 
  •  establishing a consumer financing business through our recent acquisition of the manufactured housing loan origination business of CIT Group, Inc.

The Offering

      On April 22, 2002, Champion Home Builders completed an offering of $150 million in aggregate principal amount of its 11 1/4% senior notes due 2007, which was exempt from registration under the Securities Act. We used the net proceeds of the offering to provide working capital for our existing business segments and our new consumer financing business, to finance the acquisition of the manufactured housing loan origination business of CIT, to repay a portion of our debt, including a significant portion of our floor plan payable, and for general corporate purposes.

 
Outstanding Notes Champion Home Builders sold the outstanding notes to Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation and First Union Securities, Inc., the initial purchasers, on April 22, 2002. The initial purchasers subsequently resold the outstanding notes to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to non-U.S. persons outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.
 
Registration Rights Agreement In connection with the sale of the outstanding notes, we entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers. Under the terms of that agreement we agreed to:
 
• file a registration statement within 90 days after the issuance of the outstanding notes relating to an offer to exchange the notes for publicly tradable notes with substantially identical terms;
 
• use our best efforts to cause the registration statement to become effective within 180 days after the issuance of the outstanding notes;

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• consummate the exchange offer within 30 days after our registration statement is declared effective; and
 
• use our best efforts to file a shelf registration statement for the resale of the outstanding notes if we cannot effect an exchange offer within the time periods listed above and in other limited circumstances.
 
Holders of outstanding notes will not have any remedy for our failure to comply with these obligations on a timely basis, other than the payment of additional interest of 0.25% up to 1.0% per year over the set interest rate during the period of the default. The exchange offer is being made pursuant to the registration rights agreement.

The Exchange Offer

      The following is a brief summary of terms of the exchange offer. For a more complete description of the exchange offer, see “The Exchange Offer.”

 
Securities Offered $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of 11 1/4% senior notes due 2007.
 
Exchange Offer Champion Home Builders is offering to exchange $1,000 principal amount of its 11 1/4% senior notes due 2007, which have been registered under the Securities Act, for each $1,000 principal amount of its currently outstanding 11 1/4% senior notes due 2007. We will accept any and all outstanding notes validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                          , 2002. Holders may tender some or all of their outstanding notes pursuant to the exchange offer. However, notes may be tendered only in integral multiples of $1,000 in principal amount. The form and terms of the exchange notes are the same as the form and terms of the outstanding notes except that:
 
• the exchange notes have been registered under the federal securities laws and will not bear any legend restricting their transfer;
 
• the exchange notes bear a different CUSIP number than the outstanding notes; and
 
• the holders of the exchange notes will not be entitled to certain rights under the registration rights agreement, including the provisions for an increase in the interest rate on the outstanding notes in some circumstances relating to the timing of the exchange offer.
 
See “The Exchange Offer.”
 
Transferability of exchange notes We believe that you will be able to freely transfer the exchange notes without registration or any prospectus delivery requirement so long as you may accurately make the representations listed under “Exchange Offer — Transferability of the Exchange Notes.”
 
Expiration Date The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on [                         ], 2002, unless we decide to extend the exchange offer.

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Conditions to the exchange offer The exchange offer is subject to certain customary conditions, some of which may be waived by us. See “The Exchange Offer — Conditions to the Exchange Offer.”
 
Procedures for tendering outstanding notes If you wish to accept the exchange offer, you must complete, sign and date the letter of transmittal in accordance with the instructions contained in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal. You should then mail or otherwise deliver the letter of transmittal, together with the outstanding notes to be exchanged and any other required documentation, to the exchange agent at the address set forth in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal.
 
By executing the letter of transmittal, you will represent to us that, among other things:
 
• you are acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary course of business;
 
• you have no arrangement or understandings with any person to participate in a distribution of the exchange notes within the meaning of the Securities Act;
 
• you are not an “affiliate” of Champion Home Builders or any of the guarantors, as that term is defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act or, if you are an affiliate, you will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable;
 
• if you are not a broker-dealer, that you are not engaged in, and do not intend to engage in, the distribution of the exchange notes; and
 
• if you are a broker-dealer, that you will receive exchange notes for your own account in exchange for outstanding notes that were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and that you will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such exchange notes.
 
See “The Exchange Offer — Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes.”
 
Effect of not tendering Any outstanding notes that are not tendered or that are tendered but not accepted will remain subject to the restrictions on transfer. Since the outstanding notes have not been registered under the federal securities laws, they bear a legend restricting their transfer absent registration or the availability of a specific exemption from registration. Upon the completion of the exchange offer, we will have no further obligations, except under limited circumstances, to provide for registration of the outstanding notes under the federal securities laws. We do not currently anticipate that we will register any outstanding notes that remain outstanding after the exchange offer. See “The Exchange Offer — Consequences of Failing to Exchange Outstanding Notes.”
 
Interest on the exchange notes and the outstanding notes The exchange notes will bear interest from the most recent payment date to which interest has been paid on the outstanding

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notes or, if no interest has been paid, from April 22, 2002. Interest on the outstanding notes accepted for exchange will cease to accrue upon the issuance of the exchange notes.
 
Withdrawal rights Tenders of outstanding notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on [                              ], 2002.
 
Federal tax consequences There will be no federal income tax consequences to you if you exchange your outstanding notes for exchange notes in the exchange offer. See “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
 
Use of proceeds We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of exchange notes pursuant to the exchange offer.
 
Exchange agent Bank One Trust Company, N.A., the trustee under the indenture, is serving as exchange agent in connection with the exchange offer.

Terms of the Exchange Notes

      The following is a brief summary of the terms of the exchange notes. The financial terms and covenants of the exchange notes are the same as the outstanding notes. For a more complete description of the terms of the exchange notes, see “Description of the Exchange Notes.”

 
Issuer Champion Home Builders Co.
 
Securities Offered $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of 11 1/4% Senior Notes due 2007.
 
Maturity Date April 15, 2007
 
Interest Payment Dates Interest will accrue from the date of issuance and will be payable semi-annually on each April 15 and October 15, commencing October 15, 2002.
 
Optional Redemption We may redeem any or all of the exchange notes at any time at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) the principal amount of the exchange notes and (2) the make-whole amount described in this prospectus, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest.
 
Change of Control Upon a change of control as described in the section “Description of Notes,” you will have the right to require us to purchase some or all of your exchange notes at 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase. We can give no assurance that upon such an event, we will have sufficient funds to purchase any of your exchange notes.
 
Guarantees The exchange notes will be guaranteed:
 
• by our existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries and any other restricted subsidiaries that guarantee the issuer’s indebtedness on a senior basis; and
 
• by Champion Enterprises on a senior subordinated basis.

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Ranking The exchange notes are the general unsecured obligations of the issuer. Your right to payment under the exchange notes will be:
 
• equal in right and payment to existing and future indebtedness of the issuer that is not by its terms expressly subordinated to the exchange notes;
 
• effectively senior to all of the obligations of Champion Enterprises, including its outstanding 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2009; and
 
• senior to existing and future subordinated obligations of the issuer, including the issuer’s subordinated guarantee of Champion Enterprises’ obligations under the 7 5/8% senior notes due 2009.
 
The guarantee of each of the subsidiary guarantors will also be the general unsecured obligations of the subsidiary guarantors. Your right to payment under any subsidiary guarantee will be:
 
• equal in right of payment to existing and future unsecured indebtedness of the subsidiary guarantor that is not by its terms expressly subordinated to the subsidiary guarantee;
 
• effectively junior to existing and future secured indebtedness of the subsidiary guarantor to the extent of the collateral securing such indebtedness; and
 
• senior to existing and future subordinated obligations of the subsidiary guarantors, including the subsidiary guarantors’ subordinated guarantees of Champion Enterprises’ obligations under the 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2009.
 
As of June 29, 2002 we had approximately $358.4 million of debt outstanding (including the outstanding notes), of which $38.4 million was secured debt.
 
Certain Covenants The indenture related to the exchange notes, among other things, restricts our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to:
 
• incur additional indebtedness, contingent liabilities and liens;
 
• issue additional preferred stock;
 
• pay dividends or make other distributions on our common stock;
 
• redeem or repurchase our common stock and redeem, repay or repurchase subordinated debt;
 
• make investments in subsidiaries that are not restricted subsidiaries;
 
• enter into joint ventures;
 
• use assets as security in other transactions;
 
• sell certain assets or enter into sale and leaseback transactions;
 
• restrict the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions on their common stock;
 
• engage in new lines of business;

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• consolidate with or merge with or into other companies;
 
• enter into certain transactions with our affiliates; and
 
• guarantee or secure indebtedness of Champion Enterprises.
 
For more details, see the section “Description of Notes” under the heading “Certain Covenants.”
 
Absence of a Public Market for the Exchange Notes The exchange notes are new securities, for which there is currently no established trading market, and none may develop. Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to the development or liquidity of any market for the exchange notes. The initial purchasers of the outstanding notes have advised us that they intend to make a market in the exchange notes. However, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making activities with respect to the exchange notes at any time without notice. We do not intend to apply for listing of the exchange notes on any securities exchange.

Risk Factors

      See “Risk Factors” for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in the exchange notes.

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RISK FACTORS

      In addition to the information contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this offering circular, the following risk factors should be carefully considered by each prospective investor in evaluating an investment in the notes.

If you do not properly tender your outstanding notes, your ability to transfer such outstanding notes will be adversely affected.

      We will only issue exchange notes in exchange for outstanding notes that are timely received by the exchange agent, together with all required documents, including a properly completed and signed letter of transmittal. Therefore, you should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery of the outstanding notes and you should carefully follow the instructions on how to tender your outstanding notes. Neither we nor the exchange agent are required to tell you of any defects or irregularities with respect to your tender of the outstanding notes. If you do not tender your outstanding notes or if we do not accept your outstanding notes because you did not tender your outstanding notes properly, then, after we consummate the exchange offer, you may continue to hold outstanding notes that are subject to the existing transfer restrictions. In addition, if you tender your outstanding notes for the purpose of participating in a distribution of the exchange notes, you will be required to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of the exchange notes. If you are a broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for your own account in exchange for outstanding notes that you acquired as a result of market-making activities or any other trading activities, you will be required to acknowledge that you will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such exchange notes. After the exchange offer is consummated, if you continue to hold any outstanding notes, you may have difficulty selling them because there will be less outstanding notes outstanding. In addition, if a large amount of outstanding notes are not tendered or are tendered improperly, the limited amount of exchange notes that would be issued and outstanding after we consummate the exchange offer could lower the market price of such exchange notes.

Significant Leverage — Our significant debt could adversely affect our financial health and prevent us from fulfilling our debt obligations. If we are unable to pay our debt obligations when due, we could be in default under our debt agreements and our lenders could accelerate our debt or take other actions which could restrict our operations.

      As of June 29, 2002, we had long-term debt of approximately $345 million, floor plan payables of approximately $11 million and warehouse borrowings of a consolidated third party entity of approximately $2 million. This indebtedness could, among other things:

  •  limit our ability to obtain future financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, surety bonds or other requirements;
 
  •  require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness and reduce our ability to use our cash flows for other purposes;
 
  •  limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the manufactured housing industry;
 
  •  place us at a competitive disadvantage to some of our competitors with less indebtedness; and
 
  •  make us more vulnerable in the event of a continued downturn in our business or in general economic conditions.

      In addition, our future cash flows may be insufficient to meet our debt service and other obligations. Our business may not generate sufficient cash flows from operations and proceeds may not be available to us from sales of manufactured home loans and contracts in connection with the warehouse facility and asset-backed securitization transactions in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our debt or to fund other liquidity needs. The factors that affect our ability to generate cash can also affect our ability to raise additional funds through the sale of equity securities, the refinancing of debt or the sale of assets.

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      We may need to refinance all or a portion of our debt on or before maturity. We may not be able to refinance any of our debt on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If we are unable to refinance our debt obligations, we could be in default under our debt agreements and our lenders could accelerate our debt or take other actions which could restrict our operations.

General Industry Conditions — The current downturn in the manufactured housing industry has adversely affected our operating results. If the current downturn does not reverse, our sales could decline and we may suffer further losses.

      Since mid-1999 the manufactured housing industry has experienced declining wholesale shipments, tightened consumer credit standards, excess retail locations and inventory, reduced consumer financing availability, high consumer repossession levels, higher interest rates on manufactured housing loans and a reduced number of wholesale lenders in the industry. Based on reports published by the National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards, or NCSBCS, industry wholesale shipments of manufactured housing decreased 5.3% for the first six months of 2002 versus 2001, 23% from 2000 to 2001 and 28% from 1999 to 2000. Based on data reported by Statistical Surveys, Inc. and other sources, we estimate that industry retail sales of new homes declined approximately 7% for the first six months of 2002 versus 2001, 25% from 2000 to 2001 and 17% from 1999 to 2000. In addition, we estimate that approximately 40% of industry locations, and 110 manufacturing facilities, or approximately 33% of industry manufacturing facilities, have closed since mid-1999. Largely as a result of these industry conditions, since mid-1999 and including the restructuring actions announced in August 2002, we have closed 29 homebuilding facilities in an attempt to return to profitability. Since June 2000, we have closed 196 retail sales centers. These downsizing efforts have resulted in closing-related expenses and fixed asset impairment charges. Additionally, in 2000 and 2002 we recorded goodwill impairment charges totaling $287 million and in 2002 recorded a valuation allowance for 100% of our deferred tax assets, or $120 million. For the first six months of 2002, we have reported pretax losses of $32.1 million excluding goodwill impairment charges. In 2001 and 2000, we reported pretax losses of $41.3 million and $30.6 million, respectively, excluding goodwill impairment charges. If the current downturn in the industry continues, our sales could continue to decline and we may incur further losses including additional closures or consolidations of existing operations, fixed asset impairment charges and goodwill impairment charges.

Fluctuations in Operating Results — The cyclical and seasonal nature of the manufactured housing market causes our revenues and operating results to fluctuate. We expect this fluctuation to continue in the future, which could result in operating losses during downturns.

      The manufactured housing industry is highly cyclical and is influenced by many national and regional economic and demographic factors, including:

  •  availability of financing for homebuyers and retailers;
 
  •  consumer confidence;
 
  •  interest rates;
 
  •  population and employment trends;
 
  •  income levels;
 
  •  housing demand; and
 
  •  general economic conditions, including inflation and recessions.

      In addition, the manufactured housing industry is affected by seasonality. Sales during the period from March to November are traditionally higher than in other months. As a result of the foregoing economic, demographic and seasonal factors, our revenues and operating results fluctuate, and we expect them to continue to fluctuate in the future. Moreover, we may experience operating losses during cyclical and seasonal downturns in the manufactured housing market.

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Consumer Financing Availability — Tightened credit standards, curtailed lending activity and increased interest rates among chattel, or home-only, retail lenders have reduced our sales. If chattel financing were to become further curtailed or unavailable, we may experience further sales declines.

      The consumers who buy our homes have historically secured retail financing from third-party lenders. The availability, terms and costs of retail financing depend on the lending practices of financial institutions, governmental policies and economic and other conditions, all of which are beyond our control. A consumer seeking to finance the purchase of a manufactured home without land will generally pay a higher interest rate and have a shorter loan maturity than a consumer seeking to finance the purchase of land and the home. Manufactured home chattel financing is at times more difficult to obtain than financing for site-built homes. Since 1999, home-only lenders have tightened the credit underwriting standards and increased interest rates for loans to purchase manufactured homes, which has reduced lending volumes and caused our sales to decline. On August 9, 2002, Conseco Inc., the parent company of Conseco Finance Corp., announced that a “radical change” in its capital structure is required. Conseco Finance has historically been one of the largest chattel finance companies in the manufactured housing industry. While Conseco stated that Conseco Finance will not be directly involved in the planned restructuring, we do not know what impact the restructuring may have on Conseco Finance’s manufactured home lending business, or the related impact on our retail and manufacturing operations. If chattel financing were to become further curtailed or unavailable, we may experience further retail and manufacturing sales declines.

Wholesale Financing Availability — Reduced number of floor-plan lenders and reduced amount of credit allowed to industry retailers may result in lower inventory levels and lower sales at our independent retailers and fewer sales centers, which could also affect our level of wholesale shipments to these retailers.

      Independent retailers of our manufactured homes generally finance their inventory purchases with wholesale floor-plan financing provided by lending institutions. Primarily the number of floor-plan lenders and their lending limits affects the availability of wholesale financing. During the past five years some wholesale lenders have exited the industry or curtailed their floor-plan operations while a smaller number have entered or expanded their floor plan operations. Conseco Finance has historically been the largest floor-plan lender, previously providing about 25% of the industry’s wholesale financing. Conseco Finance discontinued approving and funding new floor-plan loan requests commencing April 2002. In May 2002, Conseco Finance announced its intention to withdraw from the floor plan lending business by December 31, 2002, and asked its retail customers to pay off their floor plan balances by mid-July 2002, or enter into an arrangement to pay off their balances by December 31, 2002. With Conseco’s exit, Deutsche Financial Services recently became the largest floor-plan lender, providing 20% of the industry’s wholesale financing. In September 2002, Deutsche Financial Services announced it will discontinue approving and funding new floor-plan loan requests commencing November 2002 and that it intends to facilitate an expeditious and orderly liquidation of its existing floor-plan receivables. Reduced availability of floor-plan lending may affect our independent retailers’ inventory levels of new homes, their number of retail sales centers and related wholesale demand. Retail sales to consumers at our independent retailers could also be affected by reduced retail inventory levels or reduced number of sales centers.

 
Contingent Liabilities — We have, and will continue to have, significant contingent repurchase and other obligations, some of which may become actual obligations that we must repay.

      In connection with a floor plan arrangement for our wholesale shipments to independent retailers, the financial institution that provides the retailer financing customarily requires us to enter into a separate repurchase agreement with the financial institution. Under this separate agreement, for a period of 12 to 15 months from the date of our sale to the retailer, upon default by the retailer and repossession of the home by the financial institution, we are generally obligated to purchase from the lender the related floor plan loan or the home at a price equal to the unpaid principal amount of the loan, plus certain administrative and handling expenses, reduced by the amount of any damage to the home and any missing appliances. Our maximum aggregate potential contingent repurchase obligation at June 29, 2002 was approximately $270 million, before any resale value of the homes. This amount compares to $300 million at the beginning of the year and

10


 

$320 million a year earlier. During the first six months of 2002, we paid $2.9 million and incurred losses of $0.5 million under repurchase agreements related to 100 homes. We may be required to honor some or all of our contingent repurchase obligations in the future and we may suffer additional losses with respect to, and as a consequence of, these repurchase agreements.

      At June 29, 2002, we also had contingent debt obligations, surety bonds and letters of credit totaling $33 million (net of $45 million of cash collateral), and guarantees by certain of our consolidated subsidiaries of $6.6 million of debt of unconsolidated subsidiaries. In addition, the Company is contingently liable under an unconditional guaranty of a consolidated third party special purpose entity’s $150 million warehouse facility to support our finance company’s operations. The amount of the guaranty is limited to $15 million. If we were required to fund a material amount of these contingent obligations, our liquidity would be adversely affected.

 
Dependence upon Independent Retailers — If we are unable to establish or maintain relationships with independent retailers who sell our homes, our sales could decline.

      During 2001, approximately 79% of our wholesale shipments of homes were made to independent retail locations throughout the United States and western Canada. As is common in the industry, independent retailers may sell manufactured homes produced by competing manufacturers. We may not be able to establish relationships with new independent retailers or maintain good relationships with independent retailers that sell our homes. Even if we do establish and maintain relationships with independent retailers, these retailers are not obligated to sell our manufactured homes exclusively, and may choose to sell our competitors’ homes instead. The independent retailers with whom we have relationships can cancel these relationships on short notice. In addition, these retailers may not remain financially solvent as they are subject to the same industry, economic, demographic and seasonal trends that we face. If we do not establish and maintain relationships with solvent independent retailers in one or more of our markets, sales in those markets could decline.

 
Effect on Liquidity — Current industry conditions and our recent operating results have limited our sources of capital. If this situation does not improve and if we are unable to locate alternative sources of capital, we may be unable to expand or maintain our business.

      We depend on our cash balances, cash flows from operations, floor plan facilities, surety bond and insurance programs, and proceeds from sales of manufactured home loans and contracts in connection with the warehouse facility, and will depend on anticipated proceeds of asset-backed securitization transactions, to finance our operating requirements, capital expenditures and other needs. The downturn in the manufactured housing industry combined with our recent operating results and other changes have decreased sources of floor plan financing and required us to cash collateralize a portion of our surety bond and insurance program needs and our letters of credit.

      If the availability under our floor plan facilities, anticipated proceeds from sales of manufactured home loans and contracts in connection with the warehouse facility and asset-backed securitization transactions or cash flow from operations is insufficient to finance our operations and alternative capital is not available or surety bonds become unavailable to us, we may be unable to expand or maintain our operations, and our business, results of operations and financial position could suffer.

 
Entry into Consumer Finance Business — We face risks as a new entrant to the consumer finance business.

      Although CIT has operated a consumer finance business in the manufactured home sector for over 50 years, and we have obtained the services of substantially all of CIT’s former loan origination personnel in this business, we have limited experience operating a consumer finance business and are largely depending on these former CIT personnel. Our previous loan origination business, which we operated through our subsidiary, HomePride Finance Corp., experienced operational control inadequacies, which resulted in the origination of some loans that did not qualify for sale to intended third-party institutions. Our ability to increase our loan portfolio in connection with our new consumer finance business depends in part upon our ability to effectively market our consumer finance services to buyers of our manufactured homes and in the same general economic conditions affecting the consumer finance and manufactured housing industries. We

11


 

may incur losses as we develop our loan portfolio and integrate our consumer finance business into our existing operations. Moreover, due to our limited operating history and non-participation in the securitization market to date, the manufactured home loans and contracts that we seek to securitize may receive lower ratings and may be subject to stricter underwriting standards than those of our competitors that have an established consumer finance record. As a result, we may be required to bear a larger portion of the risk of loss on the financing agreements and may pay higher interest rates than our competitors. If we are unable to operate our consumer finance business profitably, we may be unable to recover accumulated operating losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our results and financial position.
 
Funding for Our New Consumer Finance Business — We face numerous risks associated with the securitization programs through which we intend primarily to fund our new finance operations.

      In connection with our new business as an originator of consumer financing for factory-built homes, we require continual access to significant, long-and short-term sources of cash to fund our originations of these manufactured home loans and contracts, interest payments, over-collateralization requirements for loan securitizations and other expenses.

      We are funding our consumer finance business with a portion of the proceeds from the outstanding notes, cash from operations, proceeds from sales of manufactured home loans and contracts in connection with the warehouse facility and, ultimately, from asset-backed securitization transactions in the capital markets. Adverse changes in the securitization market, interest rates, the market for factory-built homes or general economic conditions could impair our ability to originate, borrow against, purchase and sell manufactured home loans and contracts on a favorable or timely basis. This could prevent the accumulation of a sufficient number of manufactured home loans and contracts on terms required to securitize the manufactured home loans and contracts in asset-backed securitization transactions, in which case we could be forced to sell at a significant discount or hold manufactured home loans and contracts. Our inability to sell the manufactured home loans and contracts would increase our exposure to the risk of default and delinquency by the borrowers thereunder. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could require us to make cash payments in excess of the funds generated by our loan originations and under loans otherwise acquired by our consumer finance business, which could have a material adverse effect on our results and financial position. If we were unable to make such payments, our business and operations could be severely disrupted.

      If our cash requirements increase beyond those generated by our business and we are unable to increase proceeds available from sales of manufactured home loans and contracts in connection with the warehouse facility or access the securitization markets, we may be unable to maintain or increase the volume of our consumer finance business. Our warehouse facility has a one-year term. Although we expect to be able to obtain a replacement facility or renew the facility when it expires, such facility may not be available on favorable terms, if at all. To the extent that we are unable to arrange any facility or other financing, our loan origination activities would be curtailed, which could have a material adverse effect on our results and financial position.

 
Operation of Our Consumer Finance Business — We face risks of loss related to manufactured home loans and contracts, including risks associated with defaults, delinquencies and prepayments, many of which will be outside our control.

      We expect to face numerous additional risks in connection with our finance operations, many of which will be outside our control. Many purchasers of manufactured homes may be deemed to be relatively high credit risks due to various factors, including the lack of or impaired credit histories and limited financial resources. Accordingly, the loans we originate may bear relatively high interest rates and may involve higher default and delinquency rates and servicing costs. In the event that we foreclose on delinquent loans, our ability to sell the underlying collateral to recover or mitigate our loan losses will be subject to market valuations of the collateral. These values may be affected by factors such as the amount of available inventory of manufactured homes on the market and general economic conditions.

      Prepayments of our managed receivables, whether due to refinancing, repayments or foreclosures, in excess of management’s estimates could adversely affect our future cash flow as a result of the resulting loss of any servicing fee revenue and net interest income on such prepaid receivables. Prepayments can result from a

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variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including changes in interest rates and general economic conditions.

      The foregoing risks become more acute in any economic slowdown or recession. Periods of economic slowdown or recession may be accompanied by decreased demand for consumer credit and declining asset values. In the home equity mortgage and factory-built housing businesses, any material decline in real estate values reduces the ability of borrowers to use home equity to support borrowing and increases the loan-to-value ratios of loans previously made, thereby weakening collateral coverage and increasing the possibility of a loss in the event of a default. Delinquencies, foreclosures and losses generally increase during economic slowdowns or recessions. Loss of employment, increases in cost-of-living or other adverse economic conditions would likely impair the ability of our consumer borrowers to meet their payment obligations, which could impair our ability to continue to fund our finance operations.

 
Competition — The manufactured housing industry is very competitive. If we are unable to effectively compete, our growth could be limited and our sales could decline.

      The manufactured housing industry is highly competitive at both the manufacturing and retail levels, with competition based upon several factors, including price, product features, reputation for service and quality, merchandising, terms of retailer promotional programs and the terms of retail customer financing. Numerous companies produce manufactured homes in our markets. A number of our manufacturing competitors also have their own retail distribution systems and consumer finance operations. In addition, there are many independent manufactured housing retail locations in most areas where we have retail operations. Because barriers to entry for manufactured housing retailers are low, we believe that it is easy for new retailers to enter into our markets as competitors. In addition, our products compete with other forms of low to moderate-cost housing, including site-built homes, panelized homes, apartments, townhouses and condominiums. If we are unable to effectively compete in this environment, our retail sales and wholesale shipments could be reduced. As a result, our growth could be limited and our sales could decline.

 
Zoning — If the manufactured housing industry is not able to secure favorable local zoning ordinances, our sales could decline and our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

      Limitations on the number of sites available for placement of manufactured homes or on the operation of manufactured housing communities could reduce the demand for manufactured homes and our sales. Manufactured housing communities and individual home placements are subject to local zoning ordinances and other local regulations relating to utility service and construction of roadways. In the past, property owners often have resisted the adoption of zoning ordinances permitting the location of manufactured homes in residential areas, which we believe has restricted the growth of the industry. Manufactured homes may not receive widespread acceptance and localities may not adopt zoning ordinances permitting the development of manufactured home communities. If the manufactured housing industry is unable to secure favorable local zoning ordinances, our sales could decline and our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

 
Dependence upon Walter R. Young and Other Key Personnel — The loss of any of our executive officers could reduce our ability to achieve our business plan and could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.

      We depend on the continued services and performance of our executive officers, including our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Walter R. Young. If we lose the service of Mr. Young or any of our executive officers, it could limit our ability to achieve our business plan and could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.

 
Certain Elements of Our Business Strategy May Not Succeed — Our business strategy may not adequately address the issues currently facing our company and the manufactured housing industry or correctly identify future trends in the industry. Any failure of our business strategy could cause our sales to decline.

      Since mid-1999, retail sales and wholesale shipments of new manufactured homes have decreased as a result of high consumer repossession levels, tightened consumer credit standards, excess retail locations and

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inventory, a reduced number of consumer lenders in the traditional chattel lending portion of the industry, higher interest rates on chattel loans and a reduced number of wholesale lenders in the industry. As a result, our operating results have been adversely affected and we have closed a significant number of manufacturing facilities and retail sales centers. We are implementing strategies designed to address these issues. These strategies may not be successful because the reasons for the decline in demand or future trends in the industry may not be correctly identified, and our operating results may not improve. In addition, factors beyond our control, such as increased competition, reductions in consumer demand or continued economic downturn, may offset any improved operating results that are attributable to our strategy. Any failure of our business strategy could cause our sales to decline.
 
Restrictive Covenants — The terms of our debt place restrictions on us and our subsidiaries, reducing operational flexibility.

      The documents governing the terms of substantially all of our indebtedness contain covenants that place restrictions on us and our subsidiaries. The terms of our debt agreements include covenants that, to varying degrees, restrict our and our subsidiaries’ ability to:

  •  incur additional indebtedness, contingent liabilities and liens;
 
  •  issue additional preferred stock;
 
  •  pay dividends or make other distributions on our common stock;
 
  •  redeem or repurchase common stock and redeem, repay or repurchase subordinated debt;
 
  •  make investments in subsidiaries that are not restricted subsidiaries;
 
  •  enter into joint ventures;
 
  •  use assets as security in other transactions;
 
  •  sell certain assets or enter into sale and leaseback transactions;
 
  •  restrict the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions on their common stock;
 
  •  engage in new lines of business;
 
  •  guarantee or secure indebtedness;
 
  •  consolidate with or merge with or into other companies; and
 
  •  enter into transactions with affiliates.

      If we fail to comply with any of these covenants, the trustees could cause our debt to become due and payable prior to maturity. If this debt were to be accelerated, our assets might not be sufficient to repay our debt in full.

      The indenture governing the outstanding notes contains covenants, which among other things limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, issue additional redeemable preferred stock, pay dividends on or repurchase common stock, make certain investments and incur liens on assets. The debt incurrence covenant in the indenture currently limits additional debt to a working capital line of credit up to a borrowing base equal to 60% of otherwise unencumbered inventories and 75% of otherwise unencumbered accounts receivable; warehouse financing meeting certain parameters up to $200 million; other debt up to $30 million; and ordinary course indebtedness that includes non-speculative hedging obligations, floor plan financing, letters of credit, surety bonds, bankers’ acceptances, repurchase agreements related to retailer floor plan financing and guaranties of additional debt otherwise permitted to be incurred. The resulting effect at June 29, 2002, on our working capital line of credit is a limit of approximately $125 million of which no more than approximately $95 million could be secured debt.

      The $150 million warehouse facility we arranged in April 2002 contains covenants requiring us to maintain minimum interest coverage ratios and tangible net worth, as defined therein; maintain certain minimum unsecured debt ratings from two of the national ratings agencies; and perform certain other duties thereunder. Subsequent to June 29, 2002, the end of our second quarter, the consolidated special purpose third party entity entered into waiver agreements to cure noncompliance with the minimum interest coverage ratio

14


 

covenant for the quarter ended June 29, 2002 and to cure noncompliance with the minimum tangible net worth covenant as of June 29, 2002.

      We also have a $15 million floor plan financing facility that contains a covenant requiring us to maintain minimum earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), as defined. We expect not to be in compliance with this covenant for the quarter ending September 28, 2002. If we do not obtain an amendment to cure such noncompliance, the lender could terminate the credit line and cause the debt to become immediately due and payable. As of August 31, 2002, we had approximately $1.7 million outstanding under this facility.

      In September 2002, Moody’s Investor Service (“Moody’s”) placed a negative outlook on our senior implied credit rating and the ratings on our Senior Notes due 2007 and Senior Notes due 2009. This rating action, combined with an amendment entered into by the consolidated third party special purpose entity on the $150 million warehouse facility in September 2002, triggered a reduction in the loan selling price range under the $150 million warehouse facility from 83% to 85% down to 76% to 78%. As a result, for every $10 million of loans sold by the consolidated special purpose third party entity into the warehouse facility, initial proceeds will be $700,000 less than before the loan selling price range reduction. In August 2002, Standard & Poor’s announced that they have placed under review, for possible downgrade, our senior implied credit rating and the ratings on our Senior Notes due 2007 and Senior Notes due 2009. A negative rating action by either Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s could cause a default under the $150 million warehouse facility. A negative ratings action also could affect our ability to obtain or maintain various forms of business credit, including but not limited to letters of credit, surety bonds, trade payables and floor plan financing, or could result in our having to place additional collateral related thereto.

      We will need to obtain amendments to the performance covenants of the $150 million warehouse facility in order to ensure our continuing compliance and we expect to obtain such amendments by September 28, 2002. If we cannot obtain such amendments, we would be in default under the facility. Also, if our operating results do not improve we may again not comply with one or more of the covenants, which, if not cured or amended, would result in default under the facility. In an event of default, the agent bank could discontinue making further advances under the facility and enact alternate “waterfall” provisions that would reduce or eliminate current payments to the consolidated third party special purpose entity from the underlying consumer loans. If the agent were to discontinue further advances, we would seek other sources of capital for our consumer finance operations.

      In August 2002, our largest surety bond provider notified us that it is no longer willing to support our surety bond needs at the current level or terms. The related surety bonds total $20.8 million as collateral for our self-insurance program and approximately $14.2 million for general operating purposes. We have previously provided $9.6 million of cash collateral and $3.1 million of letter of credit collateral in support of these surety bonds. We have proposed a collateral increase in order to retain these surety bond programs with the current provider. If we cannot retain our current provider, we will seek alternative providers. The inability to retain our current provider or obtain alternative bonding sources could have a negative impact on our liquidity of up to $22 million.

 
Fraudulent Conveyance Issues — Federal and state laws allow courts, under specific circumstances, to void guarantees and to require you to return payments received from guarantors.

      Although you will be direct creditors of the guarantors of the exchange notes by virtue of the guarantees, existing or future creditors of any guarantor could avoid or subordinate such guarantor’s guarantee under the fraudulent conveyance laws if they were successful in establishing that:

  •  the guarantee was incurred with fraudulent intent; or
 
  •  the guarantor did not receive fair consideration or reasonably equivalent value for issuing its guarantee and:

  •  was insolvent at the time of the guarantee;
 
  •  was rendered insolvent by reason of the guarantee;

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  •  was engaged in a business or transaction for which its assets constituted unreasonably small capital to carry on its business; or
 
  •  intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debt beyond its ability to pay such debt as it matured.

      The measures of insolvency for purposes of determining whether a fraudulent conveyance occurred would vary depending upon the laws of the relevant jurisdiction and upon the valuation assumptions and methodology applied by the court. Generally, however, a company would be considered insolvent for purposes of the foregoing if:

  •  the sum of the company’s debts, including contingent, unliquidated and unmatured liabilities, is greater than all of such company’s property at a fair valuation; or
 
  •  if the present fair saleable value of the company’s assets is less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability on its existing debts as they become absolute and matured.

      We cannot assure you that you will be able to successfully file a claim under any of the guarantees if we default on our obligations under the notes.

 
Lack of Market for the Notes — You may not be able to sell your exchange notes if a trading market for the exchange notes does not develop.

      We cannot assure you that there will be an active trading market for the exchange notes because:

  •  the exchange notes will be new securities for which there currently is no trading market, and none may develop;
 
  •  the liquidity of any market for the exchange notes will depend on the number of holders of the exchange notes, the interest of securities dealers in making a market for the exchange notes and other factors;
 
  •  while the initial purchasers have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any such market-making at any time; and
 
  •  we do not intend to list the exchange notes on any securities exchange.

      If an active trading market does not develop or is not maintained, the market price and liquidity of the exchange notes may be adversely affected. If the exchange notes are traded, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price depending upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, general economic conditions, our performance and business prospects, and certain other factors.

USE OF PROCEEDS

      We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the exchange notes in the exchange offer. We will receive in exchange, outstanding notes in like principal amount. We will retire or cancel all of the outstanding notes tendered in the exchange offer.

      On April 22, 2002 we issued and sold the outstanding notes. The net proceeds from the sale of the outstanding notes were approximately $144 million after deducting the expenses of the offering, including discounts and commissions. We used the net proceeds to provide working capital for our existing business segments and our new consumer financing business, to finance the acquisition of the manufactured housing loan origination business of CIT, to repay a portion of our debt, including $50.0 million of our floor-plan payable, and $30.0 million in principal amount of our 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2009 for a cost of $23.8 million, and for general corporate purposes.

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CAPITALIZATION

      The following table sets forth our capitalization as of June 29, 2002:

      The information presented in the table below should be read in conjunction with “Use of Proceeds,” as well as “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

             
As of June 29,
2002

(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 85,636  
Restricted cash
    36,220  
     
 
Debt:
       
 
Floor-plan payable
  $ 10,745  
 
11 1/4% Senior Notes due 2007
    150,000  
 
7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2009(1)
    170,000  
 
Other debt(2)
    27,636  
     
 
   
Total debt
    358,381  
     
 
Series B-1 redeemable convertible preferred stock
    20,000  
Series C redeemable convertible preferred stock
    23,959  
Shareholders’ equity
    64,074  
     
 
   
Total capitalization
  $ 466,414  
     
 


(1)  The 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2009 were issued by Champion Enterprises and are effectively subordinated to the notes.
 
(2)  Other debt consists primarily of industrial revenue bond financing and capitalized leases, and includes approximately $2 million of warehouse borrowings of a consolidated third party entity.

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SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA INCLUDING RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

      The following table summarizes our financial data for the period and as of the dates presented. We derived the income statement, balance sheet and other financial data as of and for each of the fiscal years ended January 3, 1998, January 2, 1999, January 1, 2000, December 30, 2000 and December 29, 2001 from our audited consolidated financial statements. You should read this selected financial data in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 29, 2002 and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2001 which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

      The selected financial data as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2001 and June 29, 2002 have been derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, the interim consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position and cash flow for those periods. The results for the six months ended June 29, 2002 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year.

                                                             
Fiscal Year Six Months Ended


1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2001 2002







(Dollars in thousands)
Income Statement Data
                                                       
Net sales
                                                       
 
Manufacturing
  $ 1,733,162     $ 1,986,317     $ 2,068,627     $ 1,564,026     $ 1,296,315     $ 611,709     $ 580,351  
 
Retail
    60,624       561,659       787,011       606,708       452,910       237,805       176,732  
   
Less intercompany
    (39,300 )     (215,000 )     (291,000 )     (249,000 )     (201,000 )     (95,000 )     (89,200 )
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net sales
    1,754,486       2,332,976       2,564,638       1,921,734       1,548,225       754,514       667,883  
Cost of sales
    1,503,028       1,931,397       2,164,868 (1)     1,619,903       1,283,216       633,295       563,168  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Gross margin
    251,458       401,579       399,770       301,831       265,009       121,219       104,715  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    135,028       231,295       292,188 (1)     305,286       283,673       148,402       130,858  
Goodwill impairment charges(2)
                      189,700                   97,000  
Gain on debt retirement
                                                  (5,870 )
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Operating income (loss)
    116,430       170,284       107,582       (193,155 )     (18,664 )     (27,183 )     (117,273 )
Net interest income (expense)
    941       (13,486 )     (25,540 )     (27,177 )     (22,624 )     (12,210 )     (11,864 )
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Pre-tax income (loss) — continuing operations
    117,371       156,798       82,042       (220,332 )     (41,288 )     (39,393 )     (129,137 )
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Income (loss) — continuing operations
    70,771       94,198       50,042       (147,332 )     (27,888 )     (25,593 )     (211,137 )
Income — discontinued operations
    4,500                                      
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 75,271     $ 94,198     $ 50,042     $ (147,332 )   $ (27,888 )   $ (25,593 )     (211,137 )
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Other Financial Data
                                                       
EBITDA(3)
  $ 133,521     $ 197,195     $ 179,072     $ 51,991     $ 35,329     $ 3,504     $ 3,156  
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(4)
    91.4 x     9.4 x     3.4 x                        —  
Cash flows from (used for) operating activities
    99,248       105,789       99,936       114,712       67,034       28,403       (18,230 )
Cash flows used for investing activities
    (39,585 )     (309,303 )     (139,301 )     (22,114 )     (24,490 )     (13,787 )     (15,122 )
Cash flows from (used for) financing activities
    (26,518 )     157,811       28,384       (55,302 )     (23,231 )     (28,867 )     49,532  
Depreciation and amortization
    17,091       26,911       37,890       40,306       36,043       18,337       11,563  
Capital expenditures
    38,266       49,120       50,390       15,035       6,972       3,229       2,857  

18


 

                                                           
Fiscal Year Six Months Ended


1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2001 2002







(Dollars in thousands)
Other Statistical Information
                                                       
Number of employees at period-end
    11,300       14,000       15,000       12,000       10,600       11,000       10,300  
Homes sold:
                                                       
 
Wholesale
    64,285       70,359       71,761       52,442       39,551       19,128       16,869  
 
Retail — new
    983       11,738       15,853       11,483       7,578       4,007       2,624  
 
Retail — used
    87       2,867       4,102       2,863       1,897       1,042       723  
 
Wholesale multi-section mix
    58 %     63 %     66 %     71 %     77 %     76 %     81 %
Locations at period end:
                                                       
 
Manufacturing facilities
    55       60       60       53       49       49       46  
 
Retail sales centers
    22       246       280       260       218       230       181  
Balance Sheet Data
                                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 60,280     $ 23,828     $ 12,847     $ 50,143     $ 69,456     $ 35,892     $ 85,636  
Working capital(5)
    46,094       (8,065 )     24,536       33,680       53,110       18,380       116,882  
Net property, plant and equipment
    143,519       190,963       222,898       207,277       177,430       187,238       164,567  
Total assets
    501,250       1,021,672       1,182,940       942,056       858,152       896,380       752,038  
Total debt
    3,100       258,146       395,594       340,823       296,892       311,366       358,381  
Redeemable convertible preferred stock
                            20,000             43,959  
Shareholders’ equity
    280,416       405,246       444,262       296,809       272,034       272,646       64,074  


(1)  Cost of sales and SG&A expenses include non-recurring charges of $26.5 million and $7.1 million, respectively, related to the 1999 bankruptcy of our former largest independent retailer.
 
(2)  As a result of a recoverability analysis performed as of June 29, 2002, in the second quarter of 2002 we recorded non-cash pre-tax goodwill impairment charges of $97 million related to our retail operations that were acquired in 1998 and 1999.

  As a result of a recoverability analysis performed in 2000, in the fourth quarter of 2000 we recorded non-cash pre-tax goodwill impairment charges of $189.7 million, consisting of $180.0 million for seven retail companies that were acquired in 1998 and 1999 and $9.7 million for two manufacturing companies that were acquired in 1996 and 1998.

(3)  EBITDA consists of net income or loss before income taxes, net interest, income from discontinued operations, depreciation and amortization and non-recurring items. Non-recurring items consist of goodwill impairment charges, costs and losses associated with closed operations, gain on debt retirement, property insurance gains, and losses due to bankruptcy of our former largest independent retailer. Costs and losses associated with closed operations consist of asset impairment charges, lease termination costs, severance costs and, for closed operations, operating results during the year in which the locations were closed. EBITDA as defined by us may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Although EBITDA is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, we believe it is a generally recognized measure of performance used in the housing industry and by analysts who issue reports on companies in the housing industry. Nevertheless, EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income (loss), net income (loss), net cash provided

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by operating activities or any other measure for determining our operating performance or liquidity that is calculated in accordance with GAAP.

                                                             
Champion Enterprises, Inc.
EBITDA Reconciliation

Fiscal Year Six Months Ended


1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2001 2002







(Dollars in thousands)
Net income (loss)
  $ 75,271     $ 94,198     $ 50,042     $ (147,332 )   $ (27,888 )   $ (25,593 )   $ (211,137 )
Reconciliation to EBITDA:
                                                       
 
Income taxes
    46,600       62,600       32,000       (73,000 )     (13,400 )     (13,800 )     82,000  
 
Interest expense, net
    (941 )     13,486       25,540       27,177       22,624       12,210       11,864  
 
Income from discontinued operations
    (4,500 )                                    
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
   
Operating income (loss)
    116,430       170,284       107,582       (193,155 )     (18,664 )     (27,183 )     (117,273 )
 
Depreciation and amortization
    17,091       26,911       37,890       40,306       36,043       18,337       11,563  
 
Nonrecurring items:
                                                       
   
Goodwill impairment charges
                      189,700                   97,000  
   
Costs and losses associated with closed operations
                      17,040       17,950       12,350       17,736  
   
Gain on debt retirement
                                                  (5,870 )
   
Property insurance gains
                      (6,900 )                  
   
Losses due to bankruptcy of Company’s former largest independent retailer
                33,600       5,000                    
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
EBITDA
  $ 133,521     $ 197,195     $ 179,072     $ 51,991     $ 35,329     $ 3,504     $ 3,156  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 

(4)  No rates are presented for the years ended December 30, 2000 and December 29, 2001 and for the six month periods ended June 30, 2001 and June 29, 2002 as the earnings for such periods were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $218.4 million, $40.2 million, $39.4 million and $130.0 million, respectively.
 
(5)  Working capital is defined as current assets minus current liabilities.

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THE EXCHANGE OFFER

Purpose of the Exchange Offer

      We sold the outstanding notes to Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation and First Union Securities, Inc., the initial purchasers, on April 22, 2002. The initial purchasers subsequently resold the outstanding notes to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to non-U.S. persons outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. In connection with the issuance of the outstanding notes we entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers of the outstanding notes. The registration rights agreement requires us to register the exchange notes under the federal securities laws and offer to exchange the exchange notes for the outstanding notes. The exchange notes will be issued without a restrictive legend and generally may be resold without registration under the federal securities laws. We are effecting the exchange offer to comply with the registration rights agreement.

      The registration rights agreement requires us to:

  •  file a registration statement for the exchange offer and the exchange notes within 90 days after the issue date of the outstanding notes;
 
  •  use our best efforts to cause the registration statement to become effective under the Securities Act within 180 days after the issue date of the outstanding notes;
 
  •  consummate the exchange offer within 30 days after the date that the registration is declared effective; and
 
  •  file a shelf registration statement for the resale of the outstanding notes if we cannot effect an exchange offer within the time periods listed above and other limited circumstances.

      These requirements under the registration rights agreement will be satisfied when we complete the exchange offer. However, if we fail to comply with these and other deadlines for registering the issuance of the exchange notes and completion of the exchange offer, we must pay additional interest on the outstanding notes. We have also agreed to keep the registration statement for the exchange offer effective for at least 20 business days (or longer, if required by applicable law) after the date on which notice of the exchange offer is mailed to holders. See “Registration Rights Agreement.”

      Under the registration rights agreement, our obligations to register the exchange notes will terminate upon the completion of the exchange offer. However, under certain circumstances specified in the registration rights agreement, we may be required to file a “shelf” registration statement for a continuous offer in connection with the outstanding notes pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act.

      This summary includes only the material terms of the registration rights agreement. Please read the section captioned “Registration Rights Agreement” for more details regarding the registration rights agreement. For a full description, you should refer to the complete copy of the registration rights agreement, which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement for the exchange offer and the exchange notes. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

      Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account in exchange for outstanding notes, where such outstanding notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such exchange notes. See “Plan of Distribution.”

Transferability of the Exchange Notes

      Based on an interpretation of the Securities Act by the staff of the SEC, as set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, we believe that exchange notes issued in the exchange offer may be offered for resale,

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resold or otherwise transferred by holders of the exchange notes, without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, if:

  •  the holder is not our “affiliate” within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act;
 
  •  the exchange notes are acquired in the ordinary course of the holders’ business; and
 
  •  the holders have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the exchange notes.

However, the SEC has not specifically considered this exchange offer in the context of issuing a no-action letter. We cannot assure you that the staff of the SEC would make a similar determination with respect to the exchange offer as in the other circumstances. Each holder, other than a broker-dealer, must acknowledge that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of exchange notes and has no arrangement or understanding to participate in a distribution of exchange notes. If any holder is an affiliate of ours, is engaged in or intends to engage in or has any arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the exchange notes to be acquired in the exchange offer, that holder:

  •  will not be able to rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC, and
 
  •  must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction.

      Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account in exchange for outstanding notes where such outstanding notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the exchange notes. See “Plan of Distribution.” In addition, to comply with state securities laws, the exchange notes may not be offered or sold in any state unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification, with which there has been compliance, is available. The offer and sale of the exchange notes to “qualified institutional buyers,” as defined under Rule 144A of the Securities Act, is generally exempt from registration or qualification under the state securities laws. We currently do not intend to register or qualify the sale of exchange notes in any state where an exemption from registration or qualification is required and not available.

Terms of the Exchange Offer

      Upon the terms and conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the accompanying letter of transmittal, we will accept for exchange outstanding notes which are properly tendered on or before the expiration date and not withdrawn as permitted below. As used in this prospectus, the term “expiration date” means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on [                    ], 2002. However, if we, in our sole discretion, have extended the period of time for which the exchange offer is open, the term “expiration date” means the latest time and date to which we extend the exchange offer.

      As of the date of this prospectus, $150 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes is outstanding. This prospectus, together with the letter of transmittal, is first being sent on or about, [                    ], 2002, to all holders of outstanding notes known to us. Our obligation to accept outstanding notes for exchange pursuant to the exchange offer is subject to the conditions set forth below under “— Conditions to the Exchange Offer.”

      Outstanding notes tendered in the exchange offer must be in denominations of principal amount of $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000.

      Our acceptance of the tender of outstanding notes by a tendering holder will form a binding agreement upon the terms and subject to the conditions provided in this prospectus and in the accompanying letter of transmittal.

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Extensions, Delay in Acceptance, Termination or Amendment

      We reserve the right to extend the period of time during which the exchange offer is open. If we extend the exchange offer by giving oral or written notice of an extension to the holders of outstanding notes as described below, we will delay acceptance for exchange of any outstanding notes. During any extension period, all outstanding notes previously tendered will remain subject to the exchange offer and may be accepted for exchange by us. Any outstanding notes not accepted for exchange will be returned to the tendering holder after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer. We will notify you of any extension by means of a press release or other public announcement no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration date.

      We reserve the right to amend or terminate the exchange offer, and not to accept for exchange any outstanding notes not previously accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions of the exchange offer specified below under “— Conditions to the Exchange Offer.” We will give oral or written notice of any extension, amendment, non-acceptance or termination to the holders of the outstanding notes as promptly as practicable. If we materially change the terms of the exchange offer, we will resolicit tenders of the outstanding notes.

Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes

      Only a holder of outstanding notes may tender such outstanding notes in the exchange offer. To tender in the exchange offer, a holder must:

  •  complete, sign and date the letter of transmittal, or a facsimile of the letter of transmittal; have the signature on the letter of transmittal guaranteed if the letter of transmittal so requires; and mail or deliver such letter of transmittal or facsimile to the exchange agent prior to the expiration date; or
 
  •  comply with the automated tender offer program procedures of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), described below.

      In addition, either:

  •  the exchange agent must receive outstanding notes along with the letter of transmittal;
 
  •  the exchange agent must receive, prior to the expiration date, a timely confirmation of book-entry transfer of such outstanding notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC according to the procedure for book-entry transfer described below, and either a properly transmitted agent’s message or a letter of transmittal; or
 
  •  the holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.

      To be tendered effectively, the exchange agent must receive physical delivery of the letter of transmittal and other required documents at its address provided below under “— The Exchange Agent” prior to the expiration date.

      The tender by a holder that is not withdrawn prior to the expiration date will constitute an agreement between the holder and the Company in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions described in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal.

      The method of delivery of outstanding notes, the letter of transmittal and all other required documents to the exchange agent is at the holder’s election and risk. Rather than mail these items, we recommend that holders use an overnight or hand delivery service. In all cases, holders should allow sufficient time to assure delivery to the exchange agent before the expiration date. Holders should not send the letter of transmittal or outstanding notes to the Company. Holders may request their brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies or other nominees to effect the above transactions for you.

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How to Tender — Beneficial Owners

      Beneficial owners of outstanding notes that are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee wishing to tender those notes should contact the registered holder promptly and instruct it to tender on the beneficial owner’s behalf. Beneficial owners who wish to tender on their own behalf must, prior to completing and executing the letter of transmittal and delivering their outstanding notes, either:

  •  make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the outstanding notes in their name; or
 
  •  obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered holder of outstanding notes.

      The transfer of registered ownership may take considerable time and may not be completed prior to the expiration date.

When Endorsements or Bond Powers Are Needed

      If the letter of transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered holder of any outstanding notes, the outstanding notes must be endorsed or accompanied by a properly completed bond power. The bond power must be signed by the registered holder as the registered holder’s name appears on the outstanding notes and a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States, or an eligible guarantor institution must guarantee the signature on the bond power.

      If the letter of transmittal or any outstanding notes or bond powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or other acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, those persons should so indicate when signing. Unless waived by the Company, they should also submit evidence satisfactory to us of their authority to deliver the letter of transmittal.

Tendering Through DTC’s Automated Tender Offer Program

      The exchange agent and DTC have confirmed that any financial institution that is a participant in DTC’s system may use DTC’s automated tender offer program to tender. Participants in the program may, instead of physically completing and signing the letter of transmittal and delivering it to the exchange agent transmit their acceptance of the exchange offer electronically. They may do so by causing DTC to transfer the outstanding notes to the exchange agent in accordance with its procedures for transfer. DTC will then send an agent’s message to the exchange agent.

      The term “agent’s message” means a message transmitted by DTC, received by the exchange agent and forming part of the book-entry confirmation, to the effect that:

  •  DTC has received an express acknowledgment from a participant in its automated tender offer program that is tendering outstanding notes that are the subject of such book-entry confirmation;
 
  •  such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal or, in the case of an agent’s message relating to guaranteed delivery, that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the applicable notice of guaranteed delivery; and
 
  •  the agreement may be enforced against such participant.

Determinations Under the Exchange Offer

      We will determine in our sole discretion all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility, time of receipt, acceptance of tendered outstanding notes and withdrawal of tendered outstanding notes. Our determination will be final and binding. We reserve the absolute right to reject any outstanding notes not properly tendered or any outstanding notes our acceptance of which would, in the opinion of our counsel, be unlawful. We also reserve the right to waive any defects, irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular outstanding notes. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer, including the instructions in the letter of transmittal, will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection

24


 

with tenders of outstanding notes must be cured within such time as we shall determine. Neither the Company, the exchange agent or any other person will be under any duty to give notification of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of outstanding notes, and they will incur no liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of outstanding notes will not be deemed made until such defects or irregularities have been cured or waived. Any outstanding notes received by the exchange agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned to the tendering holder, unless otherwise provided in the letter of transmittal, as soon as practicable following the expiration date.

Signatures and Signature Guarantees

      Signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed unless the outstanding notes surrendered for exchange are tendered:

  •  by a registered holder of the outstanding notes who has not completed the box entitled “Special Issuance Instructions” on the letter of transmittal, or
 
  •  for the account of an “eligible institution.”

      If signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal are required to be guaranteed, the guarantees must be made by an “eligible institution.” An “eligible institution” is a financial institution — including most banks, savings and loan associations and brokerage houses — that is a participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program or the Stock Exchange Medallion Program.

Representations to the Company

      By tendering, you will represent to us that, among other things,

  •  any exchange notes received by you are being acquired in the ordinary course of business;
 
  •  you have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the exchange notes within the meaning of the Securities Act;
 
  •  you are not an “affiliate”, as defined in the Securities Act, of ours, or if you are an affiliate, you will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act;
 
  •  if you are not a broker-dealer, that you are not engaged in, and do not intend to engage in, the distribution of the exchange notes; and
 
  •  if you are a broker-dealer, that you will receive exchange notes for your own account in exchange for outstanding notes that were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and that you will be required to acknowledge that you will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such exchange notes.

      If any holder or other person acting on behalf of the holder is an “affiliate” of ours, as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act, or is engaged in, or intends to engage in, or has an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of the exchange notes that holder or other person can not rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC and must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction.

Acceptance of Outstanding Notes for Exchange; Delivery of Exchange Notes

      For each outstanding note accepted for exchange, the holder of the outstanding note will promptly receive an exchange note having a principal amount equal to that of the tendered outstanding note. The exchange notes will bear interest from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on the outstanding notes or, if no interest has been paid on the outstanding notes, from April 22, 2002. Accordingly, registered holders of exchange notes on the relevant record date for the first interest payment date following the completion of the

25


 

exchange offer will receive interest accruing from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from April 22, 2002. Outstanding notes accepted for exchange will cease to accrue interest from and after the date of completion of the exchange offer. Holders of outstanding notes whose outstanding notes are accepted for exchange will not receive any payment for accrued interest on the outstanding notes otherwise payable on any interest payment date the record date for which occurs on or after completion of the exchange offer and will be deemed to have waived their rights to receive the accrued interest on the outstanding notes.

      In all cases, issuance of exchange notes for outstanding notes will be made only after timely receipt by the exchange agent of:

  •  outstanding notes or a timely book-entry confirmation of such; and
 
  •  a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal and all other required documents or a properly transmitted agent’s message.

      Unaccepted or non-exchanged outstanding notes will be returned promptly without expense to the tendering holder of the outstanding notes. In the case of outstanding notes tendered by book-entry transfer pursuant to the book-entry procedures described below, the non-exchanged outstanding notes will be credited to an account maintained with the book-entry transfer facility, promptly after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.

Book-Entry Transfer

      The exchange agent will make a request to establish an account with respect to the outstanding notes at DTC for purposes of the exchange offer promptly after the date of this prospectus. Any financial institution participating in DTC’s system may make book-entry delivery of outstanding notes by causing DTC to transfer such outstanding notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC in accordance with DTC’s procedures for transfer. Holders of outstanding notes who are unable to deliver confirmation of the book-entry tender of their outstanding notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC or all other documents required by the letter of transmittal to the exchange agent on or prior to the expiration date must tender their outstanding notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.

Guaranteed Delivery Procedures

      If a registered holder of outstanding notes desires to tender the outstanding notes, and the outstanding notes are not immediately available, or time will not permit the holder’s outstanding notes or other required documents to reach the exchange agent before the expiration date, or the procedure for book-entry transfer (including delivery of an agent’s message) described above cannot be completed on a timely basis, a tender may nonetheless be made if:

  •  the tender is made through a member firm of a registered national securities exchange of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States, or an eligible institution;
 
  •  prior to the expiration date, the exchange agent receives from such member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States, or eligible institution either a properly completed and duly executed notice of guaranteed delivery by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery or a properly transmitted agent’s message and notice of guaranteed delivery:

  •  setting forth the holder’s name and address, the registered number(s) of the holder’s outstanding notes and the principal amount of outstanding notes tendered;
 
  •  stating that the tender is being made;
 
  •  guaranteeing that within three New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) trading days after the date of execution of the notice of guaranteed delivery, the certificates for all physically tendered outstanding notes, in proper form for transfer, or a book-entry confirmation, as the case may be, together with a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal with any necessary signature guarantees,

26


 

  or agent’s message in lieu of such letter, and any other documents required by the letter of transmittal will be deposited by the eligible institution with the exchange agent; and
 
  •  the certificates for all physically tendered outstanding notes, in proper form for transfer, or a book-entry confirmation, as the case may be, together with a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal with any required signature guarantees, or agent’s message in lieu of such letter, and all other documents required by the letter of transmittal, are received by the exchange agent within three NYSE trading days after the execution of the notice of guaranteed delivery.

Withdrawal Rights

      Except as otherwise provided in the prospectus, tenders of outstanding notes may be withdrawn at any time before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.

      For a withdrawal to be effective, the exchange agent must receive a written notice of withdrawal at the address or, in the case of eligible institutions, at the facsimile number, set forth below under “— Exchange Agent” before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. Any notice of withdrawal must:

  •  specify the name of the person, referred to as the depositor, having tendered the outstanding notes to be withdrawn;
 
  •  identify the notes to be withdrawn, including the certificate number or numbers and principal amount of the outstanding notes;
 
  •  contain a statement that the holder is withdrawing his election to have the outstanding notes exchanged;
 
  •  be signed by the holder in the same manner as the original signature on the letter of transmittal by which the outstanding notes were tendered, including any required signature guarantees, or be accompanied by documents of transfer to have the trustee with respect to the outstanding notes register the transfer of the outstanding notes in the name of the person withdrawing the tender; and
 
  •  specify the name in which the outstanding notes are registered, if different from that of the depositor.

      If outstanding notes have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer described above, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at the book-entry transfer facility to be credited with the withdrawn outstanding notes and otherwise comply with the procedures of the facility. We will determine all questions as to the validity, form and eligibility, including time of receipt, of notices of withdrawal. Our determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Any outstanding notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for exchange. No exchange notes will be issued unless the outstanding notes so withdrawn are validly retendered. Any outstanding notes that have been tendered for exchange, but which are not exchanged for any reason, will be returned to the tendering holder without cost to the holder. In the case of outstanding notes tendered by book-entry transfer, the outstanding notes will be credited to an account maintained with the book-entry transfer facility for the outstanding notes, as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the exchange offer. Properly withdrawn outstanding notes may be retendered by following the procedures described under “— Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes” above at any time on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

      Notwithstanding any other provision of the exchange offer, we shall not be required to accept for exchange, or to issue exchange notes in exchange for, any outstanding notes, and may terminate or amend the exchange offer, if at any time before the acceptance of the outstanding notes for exchange or the exchange of the exchange notes for the outstanding notes, we determine that the exchange offer violates any law, statute, rule, regulation or interpretation by the staff of the SEC or any order of any governmental agency or court of competent jurisdiction.

      In addition, we will not be obligated to accept for exchange the outstanding notes of any holder that has not made to us (1) the representations described under “— Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes” and

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“Plan of Distribution” and (2) such other representations as may be reasonably necessary under applicable SEC rules, regulations or interpretations to make available to us an appropriate form for registration of the new exchange notes under the Securities Act.

      These conditions to the exchange offer are for our sole benefit and may be asserted by us regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any of these conditions, or may be waived by us in whole or in part from time to time prior to the expiration of the exchange offer, in our sole discretion. Our failure at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights will not be deemed a waiver of any right.

      In addition, we will not accept for exchange any outstanding notes tendered, and no exchange notes will be issued in exchange for any outstanding notes, if at such time any stop order is threatened or in effect relating to the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part or the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

Exchange Agent

      We have appointed Bank One Trust Company, N.A. as the exchange agent for the exchange offer. You should direct all executed letters of transmittal to the exchange agent at the address set forth below. You should direct questions and requests for assistance, requests for additional copies of this prospectus or of the letter of transmittal and requests for notices of guaranteed delivery to the exchange agent addressed as follows:

DELIVERY TO:

Bank One Trust Company, N.A., Exchange Agent

     
By Mail or Overnight Courier By Hand Delivery
Bank One Trust Company, N.A.
1111 Polaris Parkway
Suite N1-0H1-0184
Columbus, Ohio 43240
  Bank One Trust Company, N.A.
1111 Polaris Parkway
Suite N1-0H1-0184
Columbus, Ohio 43240

or

Bank One, N.A.
c/o Transfer Agent Drop Services
55 Water Street, 1st Floor
New York, NY 10041
By Facsimile Transmission:
(614) 248-9987

For information or confirmation by telephone call: (800) 346-5153

      If you deliver the letter of transmittal to an address other than as set forth above, then your delivery or transmission will not constitute a valid delivery of the letter of transmittal.

Fees and Expenses

      The principal solicitation for this exchange offer is being made by mail; however, additional solicitation may be made by telephone, facsimile or in person by our officers, regular employees and affiliates. We will not pay any additional compensation to any officers or employees who engage in this solicitation. We will not make any payment to brokers, dealers, or others soliciting acceptances of the exchange offer. We will, however, pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and reimburse reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the exchange offer.

      Holders who tender outstanding notes in the exchange offer will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees with respect to the exchange of notes. Tendering holders will also not be required to pay transfer taxes in the exchange offer. We will pay all charges and expenses in connection with the exchange offer. However, we will not pay any taxes incurred in connection with a holder’s request to have exchange

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notes or non-exchanged notes issued in the name of a person other than the registered holder. See “— Transfer Taxes” in this section below.

      The estimated cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the exchange offer will be paid by us. We estimate these expenses in the aggregate to be approximately $100,000.

Accounting Treatment

      We will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting purposes upon the consummation of the exchange offer. We will amortize the expense of the exchange offer over the term of the exchange notes under generally accepted accounting principles.

Transfer Taxes

      Holders who tender their outstanding notes for exchange will not be obligated to pay any related transfer taxes, except that holders who instruct us to register exchange notes in the name of, or request that outstanding notes not tendered or not accepted in the exchange offer be returned to, a person other than the registered tendering holder will be responsible for the payment of any applicable transfer taxes.

Consequences of Failing to Exchange Outstanding Notes

      Holders of outstanding notes who do not exchange their outstanding notes for exchange notes pursuant to the exchange offer will remain subject to the existing restrictions on transfer of the outstanding notes. We do not currently anticipate that we will register any outstanding notes that are not exchanged pursuant to the exchange offer. Accordingly, the outstanding notes not tendered may be resold only:

  •  to us or our subsidiaries;
 
  •  pursuant to a registration statement which has been declared effective under the Securities Act;
 
  •  for so long as the outstanding notes are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, to a person the seller reasonably believes is a qualified institutional buyer that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that the transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A; or
 
  •  pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act (in which case we and the trustee shall have the right to require the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certifications and/or other information satisfactory to us and the trustee), subject in each of the foregoing cases to any requirements of law that the disposition of the seller’s property or the property of such investor account or accounts be at all times within its or their control and in compliance with any applicable state securities laws.

      Upon completion of the exchange offer, due to the restrictions on transfer of the outstanding notes and the absence of such restrictions applicable to the exchange notes, it is likely that the market, if any, for outstanding notes will be relatively less liquid than the market for exchange notes. Consequently, holders of outstanding notes who do not participate in the exchange offer could experience significant diminution in the value of their outstanding notes, compared to the value of the exchange notes.

DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS AND FINANCING TRANSACTIONS

7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2009

      On May 3, 1999, Champion Enterprises completed an offering of $200 million of unsecured senior notes due 2009 with interest payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15 at an annual rate of 7 5/8%. In April and May 2002, we repurchased a total of $30.0 million in principal amount of the 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2009. The 7 5/8% senior notes due 2009 will be effectively subordinated to the exchange notes. Champion Enterprises’ only material asset is its common equity investment in Champion Home Builders, the issuer of the outstanding notes and of the exchange notes. Champion Enterprises used the net proceeds of $197.3 million from the offering of the 2009 senior notes primarily to reduce bank debt incurred in connection with various acquisitions completed primarily in 1998 and 1999. The indenture governing the 2009 senior notes

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contains covenants that limit Champion Enterprises’ ability to incur liens that secure our indebtedness and to engage in sale and lease-back transactions. Champion Enterprises may redeem the 2009 senior notes at any time, in whole or in part, at the greater of (1) their principal amount or (2) the discounted present value of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest. Champion Home Builders and the subsidiaries that guarantee the outstanding notes and that will guarantee the exchange notes will guarantee the 2009 senior notes of Champion Enterprises on a subordinated basis.

Floor-Plan Financing

      A small portion of the homes purchased by our company-owned retailers are financed by third-party lending institutions which provide our retailers with a credit line for the purchase price of the current inventory of homes secured by a lien on such homes. The retailer draws on the credit line to finance display models as well as to finance the initial purchase of a home from the manufacturer until the home buyer obtains permanent financing or otherwise pays the retailer for the home. At June 29, 2002, our company-owned retailers had $10.7 million in outstanding floor-plan financing. Champion Enterprises guarantees, but does not provide any additional collateral to secure, the obligations of our company-owned retailers, under floor-plan financing arrangements. See “Risk Factors — Restrictive Covenants” for information regarding restrictions placed on us and our subsidiaries by the documents governing the terms of this financing arrangement.

      In accordance with trade practice, we enter into various repurchase agreements with those lending institutions providing wholesale floor-plan financing to both our independent and our company-owned retailers. Under these repurchase agreements, upon default by the retailer and the repossession of the home by the lending institution, we are generally obligated to purchase the loan or repurchase the home from the lending institution at an amount equal to the unpaid loan balance for the home, plus certain administrative and handling expenses, reduced by the amount of any damage to the home. Any homes that we repurchase are then available for resale by us.

Warehouse Facility and Asset-Backed Securities Transactions

      HomePride Finance Corp., our finance company, sells, on a true sale basis, designated fixed-rate manufactured housing loans and contracts to a bankruptcy-remote, special purpose subsidiary of ours, which, in turn, sells such manufactured housing loans and contracts to a bankruptcy-remote, special purpose entity owned by a third party. The third party entity has entered into a committed 364-day $150 million warehouse facility with Credit Suisse First Boston, New York Branch. This warehouse facility provides for the sale of undivided interests in the manufactured housing loans and contracts to Credit Suisse, or a commercial paper company administered by Credit Suisse, and is secured by the manufactured housing loans and contracts. The proceeds from this warehouse facility are used by the third party entity to pay a portion of its purchase price of such manufactured housing loans and contracts to our special purpose entity and, in turn, our special purpose entity uses such proceeds to pay a portion of its purchase price of such manufactured housing loans and contracts to HomePride. The warehouse facility has been structured to achieve a minimum credit rating of A2 by Moody’s and A by Standard & Poor’s. It is expected that pools of such manufactured housing loans and contracts will, from time to time, be sold by the third party entity to other bankruptcy-remote, special purpose entities for the purpose of securitizing these pools of manufactured housing loans and contracts in the asset-backed securities market. Champion Enterprises has provided a 10% limited guarantee to the lenders under the warehouse facility. Even though the third party entity will not be our subsidiary, under generally accepted accounting principles, its results of operations and financial condition will be included in our consolidated financial statements.

      The warehouse facility contains covenants requiring us to maintain minimum interest coverage ratios and minimum tangible net worth; maintain certain minimum unsecured debt ratings; and perform other duties. Subsequent to the end of second quarter, the consolidated third party special purpose entity entered into waiver agreements to cure its noncompliance with the minimum interest coverage ratio and minimum tangible net worth covenants for the quarter ended June 29, 2002. We are currently in compliance with these covenants and we are working with Credit Suisse to revise the performance covenants to ensure our continuing compliance for the foreseeable future. As of August 31, 2002, there was $13.5 million outstanding under the

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warehouse facility. See “Risk Factors — Restrictive Covenants” for more information regarding these covenants.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

      The form and terms of the exchange notes and the outstanding notes are identical in all material respects, except that transfer restrictions and registration rights applicable to the outstanding notes do not apply to the exchange notes.

      The outstanding notes are, and the exchange notes will be, issued under an Indenture, dated as of April 22, 2002 (the “Indenture”) by and among Champion Home Builders Co., as the Issuer, Champion Enterprises, Inc., as parent guarantor, the Subsidiary Guarantors and Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”). The terms of the notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders of notes are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of those terms. The following description is only a summary of the material provisions of the Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. We urge you to read the Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement because they, not this description, define your rights as holders of the notes.

      The definitions of certain terms used in the following summary are set forth below under “Certain Definitions.” For purposes of this summary, the term “Parent” refers only to Champion Enterprises, Inc. and not to any of its Subsidiaries and the term “Issuer” refers only to Champion Home Builders Co., a direct, wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent, and not to any of its Subsidiaries.

Brief Description of the Exchange Notes

      The exchange notes:

  •  are unsecured senior obligations of the Issuer, pari passu in right of payment to existing and future Indebtedness of the Issuer that is not by its terms expressly subordinated to the notes;
 
  •  are effectively senior to all of the obligations of Parent, including Parent’s outstanding 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2009;
 
  •  are senior in right of payment to any future Subordinated Obligations of the Issuer, including the Issuer’s subordinated guarantee of Parent’s obligations under its outstanding 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2009; and
 
  •  are fully and unconditionally Guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by Parent and are fully and unconditionally Guaranteed on a senior basis by all of the Issuer’s existing and future domestic Restricted Subsidiaries and all other Persons, other than Parent, that provide Guarantees in connection with any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantors outstanding at any time.

Principal, Maturity and Interest

      The Issuer issued the outstanding notes and will issue the exchange notes with an initial maximum aggregate principal amount of $150.0 million. The notes will mature on April 15, 2007. The Issuer may issue additional notes from time to time after the Offering under the Indenture, subject to the provisions of the Indenture described below under the “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” covenant. The notes and any additional notes subsequently issued under the Indenture would be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. Unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of the Indenture and this “Description of Notes,” references to the notes include any Additional Notes actually issued.

      Interest on the notes will accrue at the rate of 11 1/4% per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15, commencing on October 15, 2002, to Holders of record on the immediately preceding April 1 and October 1. Interest on the notes will accrue from the date of original

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issuance or, if interest has been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

Optional Redemption

      The Issuer, at its option, may at any time redeem all or any portion of the notes at a redemption price plus accrued interest to the date of redemption equal to the greater of

        (1) 100% of their principal amount, or
 
        (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the date of redemption on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the applicable Treasury Yield plus 50 basis points.

      “Treasury Yield” means, with respect to any redemption date applicable to the notes, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the applicable Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.

      “Comparable Treasury Issue” means, with respect to the notes, the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the notes that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the notes.

      “Independent Investment Banker” means, with respect to the notes offered hereby, Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation or its successor or, if such firm is unwilling or unable to select the applicable Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the Trustee.

      “Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date applicable to the notes,

        (1) the average of the applicable Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date after excluding the highest and lowest such applicable Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or
 
        (2) if the Trustee obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations.

      “Reference Treasury Dealer” means, with respect to the notes offered hereby, each of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation or its successor and four primary U.S. Government securities dealers in New York City (each a “Primary Treasury Dealer”) appointed by the Trustee in consultation with the Issuer; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Issuer shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.

      “Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date for the notes, the average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue for the notes (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such redemption date.

      Holders of the notes to be redeemed will receive notice thereof by first-class mail at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption.

      The Issuer is not required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the notes. However, under certain circumstances, the Issuer may be required to offer to purchase notes as described under the captions “— Change of Control” and “— Asset Sales” below. The Issuer may at any time and from time to time purchase notes in the open market or otherwise.

 
Change of Control

      Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder of notes will have the right to require the Issuer to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of such Holder’s notes

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pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”) at an offer price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuer will mail a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase notes on the date specified in such notice, which date shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”), pursuant to the procedures required by the Indenture and described in such notice. The Issuer will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes as a result of a Change of Control.

      On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuer will, to the extent lawful,

        (1) accept for payment all notes or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer,
 
        (2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all notes or portions thereof so tendered, and
 
        (3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the notes so accepted together with an officers’ certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of notes or portions thereof being purchased by the Issuer.

      The Paying Agent will promptly mail to each Holder of notes so tendered the Change of Control Payment for such notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the notes surrendered, if any; provided, however, that each such new note will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof. The Issuer will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

      The Change of Control provisions described above will be applicable whether or not any other provisions of the Indenture are applicable. Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control, the Indenture does not contain provisions that permit the Holders of the notes to require that the Issuer repurchase or redeem the notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.

      Any future agreements governing Working Capital Financing Lines, credit agreements or other agreements relating to senior Indebtedness to which the Issuer becomes a party may provide that certain change of control events with respect to the Issuer would constitute a default thereunder.

      The Issuer will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer and purchases all notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

 
Asset Sales

      Parent will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

        (1) Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value (evidenced in the case of an Asset Sale in which the consideration exceeds $5.0 million by a resolution of Board of Directors of Parent set forth in an officers’ certificate delivered to the Trustee) of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and
 
        (2) at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents; provided, however, that the amount of

        (a) any liabilities (as shown on Parent’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet) of Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee thereof) that are assumed by

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  the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability; and
 
        (b) any securities, notes or other obligations received by Parent or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are contemporaneously (but not later than 30 days after receipt) converted by Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash (to the extent of the cash received)

  shall, in the case of either (a) or (b) above, be deemed to be cash for purposes of this provision.

      Within 210 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary may apply such Net Proceeds, at its option,

        (I) to repay Indebtedness under any Working Capital Financing Lines Incurred by the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor and to correspondingly permanently reduce the commitments with respect thereto in the case of revolving borrowings; provided, however, that such commitments will not be required to be reduced below the then current Borrowing Base;
 
        (II) to the acquisition of a controlling interest in another business, the making of a capital expenditure or the acquisition of other long-term assets, in each case, in Permitted Businesses; or
 
        (III) to repurchase notes in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.

      Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in clauses (I), (II) or (III) above shall be deemed to constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $15.0 million, the Issuer shall be required to make an offer (an “Asset Sale Offer”) to all Holders of notes, as well as all holders of pari passu Indebtedness that has the benefit of provisions requiring the Issuer to make a similar offer, to purchase the maximum principal amount of notes and other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds, at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes and other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased or the lesser amount required under the agreements governing such pari passu Indebtedness, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. To the extent that the aggregate amount of notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Issuer may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of notes and pari passu Indebtedness surrendered by Holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Issuer shall select the notes and other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of notes and other pari passu Indebtedness so tendered. Upon completion of such offer to purchase, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

Ranking

 
Senior Indebtedness of Parent versus Notes

      The Indebtedness evidenced by the notes will be Guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by Parent, which Guarantee will be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all senior Indebtedness of Parent, including the obligations of Parent under its 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2009. The Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors will Guarantee the 2009 notes on a subordinated basis to the notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees. However, because substantially all of Parent’s operations are conducted through its Subsidiaries, claims of creditors of such Subsidiaries, including claims under the notes or Subsidiary Guarantees, or Guarantees issued by such Subsidiaries generally will have priority with respect to the assets and earnings of such Subsidiaries over the claims of Parent’s creditors, including holders of the 2009 notes. Accordingly, the notes will be effectively senior to creditors (including trade creditors) of Parent, including holders of its 2009 notes. Parent’s only material asset is its common equity investment in the Issuer.

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Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors versus Notes

      The Indebtedness evidenced by the outstanding notes and by the exchange notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees will be unsecured and will rank pari passu in right of payment to the senior Indebtedness of the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, including all Indebtedness Incurred under any Working Capital Financing Lines and Floor Plan Financing Lines. The notes will be Guaranteed on a senior basis by the Subsidiary Guarantors.

      As of June 29, 2002, the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries had approximately $182.9 million of senior Indebtedness, including $32.9 million of secured Indebtedness. Although the Indenture contains limitations on the amount of additional Indebtedness that Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries, including the Issuer, may incur, under certain circumstances the amount of such Indebtedness could be substantial and, in any case, such Indebtedness may be senior Indebtedness of Parent. See “— Certain Covenants — Limitation on Indebtedness” below.

      The notes are unsecured obligations of the Issuer. Secured Indebtedness and other secured obligations of the Issuer (including obligations with respect to Working Capital Financing Lines and Floor Plan Financing Lines) will be effectively senior to the notes to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt or other obligations.

 
Liabilities of Subsidiaries versus Notes

      A substantial portion of the Issuer’s operations are conducted through its Subsidiaries. Claims of creditors of such Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors, including trade creditors and creditors holding Indebtedness or Guarantees issued by such Subsidiaries generally will have priority with respect to the assets and earnings of such Subsidiaries over the claims of the Issuer’s creditors, including holders of the notes. Accordingly, the notes will be effectively subordinated to creditors (including trade creditors) of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors.

      Several of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries, including Moduline Industries (Canada), Ltd. and Champion Development Corp. and its Subsidiaries, will not be Subsidiary Guarantors. In addition, any Special Purpose Vehicles the Issuer may form in the future will not be Guarantors.

      As of June 29, 2002, Subsidiaries that will not be Subsidiary Guarantors had approximately $3.4 million principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding. Although the Indenture limits the Incurrence of Indebtedness and Preferred Stock by certain of Parent’s and the Issuer’s Subsidiaries, such limitation is subject to a number of significant qualifications. Moreover, the Indenture does not impose any limitation on the Incurrence by such Subsidiaries of liabilities that are not considered Indebtedness under the Indenture. See “— Certain Covenants — Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.”

Subsidiary Guarantees

      Each of Parent’s existing and future Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Issuer or any Foreign Subsidiary of Parent), and any other Person (including Foreign Subsidiaries of Parent), that provides a Guarantee in connection with any Indebtedness of Parent, the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor outstanding at any time, will jointly and severally Guarantee, on a senior unsecured basis, the Issuer’s obligations under the notes. The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guaranty will be full and unconditional and will only be limited as necessary to prevent such Subsidiary Guaranty from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law. These Restricted Subsidiaries will also Guarantee Parent’s 2009 notes on a subordinated basis to the notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees.

      The Subsidiary Guarantors are: A-1 Champion GP, Inc.; A-1 Homes Group, L.P.; Alpine Homes, Inc.; American Transport, Inc.; Art Richter Insurance, Inc.; Auburn Champ, Inc.; Builders Credit Corporation; CAC Funding Corporation; Care Free Homes, Inc.; Champion Financial Corporation; Champion GP, Inc.; Champion Retail, Inc.; Champion Home Communities, Inc.; Champion Motor Coach, Inc.; Chandeleur Homes, Inc.; CHI, Inc.; Cliff Ave. Investments, Inc.; Crest Ridge Homes, Inc.; Crestpointe Financial Services, Inc.; Dutch Housing, Inc.; Factory Homes Outlet, Inc.; Fleming County Industries, Inc.; Gateway

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Acceptance Corp.; Gateway Mobile & Modular Homes, Inc.; Gateway Properties Corp.; Gem Homes, Inc.; Genesis Home Centers, Limited Partnership; Grand Manor, Inc.; Heartland Homes, L.P.; HomePride Finance Corp.; Homes America Finance, Inc.; Homes America of Arizona, Inc.; Homes America of California, Inc.; Homes America of Oklahoma, Inc.; Homes America of Utah, Inc.; Homes America of Wyoming, Inc.; Homes of Kentuckiana, L.L.C.; Homes of Legend, Inc.; Homes of Merit, Inc.; I.D.A., Inc.; Iseman Corp.; Lamplighter Homes, Inc.; Lamplighter Homes (Oregon), Inc.; Moduline International, Inc.; Northstar Corporation; Prairie Ridge, Inc.; Redman Business Trust; Redman Homes Management Company, Inc.; Redman Homes, Inc.; Redman Industries, Inc.; Redman Investment, Inc.; Redman Management Services Business Trust; Redman Retail, Inc.; Regency Supply Company, Inc.; San Jose Advantage Homes, Inc.; Service Contract Corporation; Southern Showcase Finance, Inc.; Southern Showcase Housing, Inc.; Star Fleet, Inc.; The Okahumpka Corporation; Trading Post Mobile Homes, Inc.; U.S.A. Mobile Homes, Inc.; Victory Investment Company; Western Homes Corporation; and Whitworth Management, Inc.

Certain Covenants

 
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock

      Parent will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and Parent shall not issue any Disqualified Stock, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any shares of Preferred Stock; provided, however, that Parent may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock and the Issuer and any Restricted Subsidiaries which are Subsidiary Guarantors may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) if Parent’s Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for its most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred or such Disqualified Stock is issued would have been at least 2.25 to 1, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been Incurred, or the Disqualified Stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

      The provisions of the first paragraph of this covenant shall not apply to the Incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, “Permitted Debt”) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby:

        (1) the Incurrence by Parent, the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness under Working Capital Financing Lines, the proceeds of which may be used only for working capital purposes and to fund interest and mandatory principal payments when due on Indebtedness; provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (1), does not exceed the then current Borrowing Base;
 
        (2) the Incurrence by Parent and the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Existing Indebtedness;
 
        (3) the Incurrence by the Issuer of Indebtedness represented by the outstanding notes, the exchange notes and any exchange notes with respect to Additional Notes Incurred in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Incurrence by Parent of its Guarantee and by the Subsidiary Guarantors of the Subsidiary Guarantees in respect of the outstanding notes, exchange notes and any Additional Notes Incurred in accordance with the terms of the Indenture;
 
        (4) the Incurrence by Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness Incurred under any Warehouse Facility, provided that (A) such Warehouse Facility is rated A2 (or the equivalent successor ranking) or better by Moody’s or A (or the equivalent successor rating) or better by S&P and (B) the amount of such Indebtedness (excluding funding drafts issued thereunder) outstanding at any time pursuant to this clause (4) may not exceed 90% of the principal amount of Financial Assets consisting of obligations for the payment of money (including capitalized lease obligations) securing Indebtedness thereunder plus 90% of the value of other assets or property (other than supporting obligations and collateral supporting or securing such Financial Assets) securing Indebtedness thereunder; provided,

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  however, that the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness outstanding at any time and Incurred pursuant to this clause (4) does not exceed $200.0 million;
 
        (5) the Incurrence by Parent, the Issuer or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance or replace Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was Incurred under the first paragraph of this covenant or clauses (2), (3) or (4) of this paragraph or this clause (5);
 
        (6) subject to the provisions of the “No Senior Guarantees of Parent Indebtedness” below, the Incurrence by Parent, the Issuer or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness or Preferred Stock between or among Parent, the Issuer and any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries that are Subsidiary Guarantors; provided, however, that

        (a) if the Issuer is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the notes and the Indenture,
 
        (b) if Parent is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of Parent’s Guarantee of the notes,
 
        (c) if a Subsidiary Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee; and
 
        (d) (I) any subsequent event or issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness or Preferred Stock being held by a Person other than Parent, the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor and (II) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness or Preferred Stock to a Person that is not Parent, the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an Incurrence of such Indebtedness or Preferred Stock by Parent, the Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (6);

        (7) the Incurrence by Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary of Hedging Obligations in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices for the purpose of fixing or hedging currency, commodity or interest rate risk (including with respect to any floating rate Indebtedness that is permitted by the terms of the Indenture to be outstanding in connection with the conduct of their respective businesses) and not for speculative purposes;
 
        (8) the Incurrence by Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary of Guarantees of Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary that was permitted to be Incurred by another provision of this “— Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” covenant; provided, however, that neither the Issuer nor any Subsidiary Guarantor may Guarantee any Indebtedness of Parent other than with respect to a Guarantee that is subordinated in right of payment in full to the notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees;
 
        (9) the Incurrence of Indebtedness of Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred in respect of performance bonds, bankers’ acceptances and letters of credit in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices, including Indebtedness evidenced by letters of credit or surety bonds issued in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices to support the insurance or self-insurance obligations of Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary (including to secure workers’ compensation and other similar insurance coverages), but excluding letters of credit issued in respect of or to secure money borrowed;
 
        (10) the Incurrence by Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness under repurchase agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with customary industry practices in connection with floor-plan financing arrangements;
 
        (11) the Incurrence by Parent, the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness under Floor Plan Financing Lines in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;

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        (12) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred and outstanding on or prior to the date on which such Subsidiary was acquired by Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness Incurred in connection with, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Subsidiary became a Subsidiary or was acquired by Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary); provided, however, that on the date of such acquisition and after giving pro forma effect thereto, Parent would have been able to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the first paragraph of this “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” covenant; and
 
        (13) the Incurrence by Parent, the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to refund, refinance or replace any other Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (13), not to exceed $30.0 million.

      For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (13) above as of the date of Incurrence thereof or is entitled to be Incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant as of the date of Incurrence thereof, the Issuer shall, in its sole discretion, classify (or later reclassify in whole or in part, in its sole discretion) such item of Indebtedness in any manner that complies with this covenant. The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock shall not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for the purposes of this covenant.

 
No Senior Guarantees of Parent Indebtedness

      The Issuer will not, and Parent will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, Guarantee any Indebtedness Incurred by Parent (other than (1) the Subsidiary Guarantees with respect to the outstanding notes, exchange notes and any Additional Notes issued in accordance with the Indenture and (2) Guarantees that are expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of the notes and Subsidiary Guarantees) and Parent will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, incur any Liens or otherwise secure any Indebtedness Incurred by Parent (other than the Subsidiary Guarantees with respect to the notes).

 
Restricted Payments

      Parent will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to make a Restricted Payment if at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto:

        (1) a Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or would result therefrom);
 
        (2) the Parent would not have been entitled, assuming such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, to Incur an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” covenant; or
 
        (3) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other Restricted Payments since the Issue Date would exceed the sum of (without duplication):

        (a) 50% of Parent’s Consolidated Net Income accrued during the period (treated as one accounting period) from the beginning of the fiscal quarter immediately following the fiscal quarter during which the Issue Date occurs to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending prior to the date of such Restricted Payment for which financial statements are publicly available (or, in case such Consolidated Net Income shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit); plus

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        (b) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by Parent after the Issue Date from the issuance or sale of Parent’s Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the issuance or sale of Disqualified Stock to the extent that it has been converted or exchanged into Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of Parent (in each case, other than an issuance or sale to a Subsidiary of Parent) and 100% of any cash capital contribution received by Parent from its shareholders subsequent to the Issue Date; plus
 
        (c) the amount by which Indebtedness of Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary is reduced on Parent’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange (other than by a Subsidiary of Parent) subsequent to the Issue Date of any such Indebtedness convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of Parent (less the amount of any cash, or the fair value of any other property, distributed by Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary upon such conversion or exchange); plus
 
        (d) an amount equal to the sum of

        (I) the net reduction in the Investments (other than Permitted Investments) made by Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Person resulting from repurchases, repayments or redemptions of such Investments by such Person, proceeds realized on the sale of such Investment and proceeds representing the return of capital, in each case received by Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary; and
 
        (II) to the extent such Person is an Unrestricted Subsidiary of Parent, the portion (proportionate to the equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary of Parent; provided, however, that the foregoing sum shall not exceed, in the case of any such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary, the amount of Investments (excluding Permitted Investments) previously made (and treated as a Restricted Payment) by Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary, in such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary; plus

        (e) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by Parent subsequent to the Issue Date from any Person (other than a Subsidiary of Parent) upon the exercise of any options, warrants or rights to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of Parent.

      The preceding provisions will not prohibit:

        (A) any Restricted Payment made out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, or made by exchange for, Capital Stock of Parent (other than Disqualified Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or sold to a Subsidiary of Parent) or a substantially concurrent cash capital contribution received by Parent from its shareholders; provided, however, that (x) such Restricted Payment shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments and (y) the net cash proceeds from such sale or such cash capital contribution (to the extent so used for such Restricted Payment) shall be excluded from the calculation of amounts under clause (3)(b) above;
 
        (B) any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Obligations made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Indebtedness which is permitted to be Incurred pursuant to the “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” covenant; provided, however, that such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
 
        (C) dividends paid within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if at such date of declaration such dividend would have complied with this covenant; provided, however, that at the time of payment of such dividend, no other Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result therefrom); provided further, however, that such dividend shall be included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;

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        (D) so long as no Default under clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Event of Default” has occurred and is continuing, the repurchase or other acquisition of shares of Capital Stock of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries from employees, former employees, directors or former directors of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (or permitted transferees of such employees, former employees, directors or former directors), pursuant to the terms of the agreements (including employment agreements) or plans (or amendments thereto) approved by the Board of Directors of Parent under which such individuals purchase or sell or are granted the option to purchase or sell, shares of such Capital Stock; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of such repurchases and other acquisitions shall not exceed $2.0 million in any calendar year; provided further, however, that such repurchases and other acquisitions shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
 
        (E) Restricted Payments that, when taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (E) in an aggregate amount since the Issue Date, do not exceed $2.0 million;
 
        (F) Restricted Payments made in connection with Refinancing Indebtedness with the proceeds of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;
 
        (G) Restricted Payments in connection with purchase price adjustments, contingent purchase price payments or other earnout payments, contingent or otherwise, with respect to transactions consummated by Parent or its Subsidiaries prior to the Issue Date;
 
        (H) the payment of any dividend or other distribution by a Restricted Subsidiary of Parent to holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;
 
        (I) any payments by Parent with respect to the Existing Preferred Stock, in accordance with the terms of the Existing Preferred Stock; and
 
        (J) Restricted Payments from any Restricted Subsidiary to Parent for the purpose of satisfying Parent’s ordinary course obligations, including general corporate expenses and obligations and obligations under the 2009 Notes; provided, however, that at the time of payment of such Restricted Payment, no Default under clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Event of Default” shall have occurred and be continuing (or result therefrom); provided further, however, that such Restricted Payments shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments.

 
Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries

      Parent will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

        (1) pay

        (a) dividends or make any other distributions to Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary (I) on its Capital Stock or (II) with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or
 
        (b) any Indebtedness owed to Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary;

        (2) make loans or advances to Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary; or
 
        (3) transfer any of its properties or assets to Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary;

  except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

        (a) Existing Indebtedness as in effect on the Issue Date, including Indebtedness under the Indenture, and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof; provided, however, that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacement or refinancings are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in the Existing Indebtedness as in effect on the Issue Date;

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        (b) any encumbrance or restriction contained in any Working Capital Financing Lines or Warehouse Facilities permitted under the “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” covenant or in any agreement pursuant to which any such Working Capital Financing Lines or Warehouse Facilities were Incurred; or
 
        (c) the Indenture and the notes;
 
        (d) applicable law or by judicial or regulatory action;
 
        (e) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness was Incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired; provided, however, that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of the Indenture to be Incurred;
 
        (f) by reason of customary non-assignment provisions in contracts or leases entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices;
 
        (g) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices that impose restrictions of the nature described in clause (3) above on the property so acquired;
 
        (h) Indebtedness of the Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantors, provided that such Indebtedness was permitted to be Incurred pursuant to the Indenture;
 
        (i) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, provided, however, that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;
 
        (j) customary restrictions on transfers of property subject to a Lien permitted under the Indenture;
 
        (k) customary restrictions contained in an agreement for the sale or disposition of Capital Stock or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary or an agreement entered into for the sale of specified assets (in either case, so long as such encumbrance or restriction, by its terms, terminates on the earlier of the termination of such agreement or the consummation of such agreement and so long as such restriction applies only to the Capital Stock or assets to be sold);
 
        (l) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices, provided that such restrictions do not materially impair the Issuer’s ability to pay interest on and repay the notes as and when the same become due and payable;
 
        (m) provisions with respect to the pro rata disposition or distributions of assets or property in accordance with joint venture agreements and similar agreements;
 
        (n) any encumbrance or restriction in effect on the Issue Date; or
 
        (o) any encumbrance or restriction contained in agreements and related documents governing or pertaining to Securitization Transactions.

 
Transactions with Affiliates

      Parent will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or Guarantee with,

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or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of any such Person (each of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:

        (1) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to Parent or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and
 
        (2) Parent delivers to the Trustee

        (a) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $2.0 million, a resolution of its Board of Directors set forth in an officers’ certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (1) above and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of its Board of Directors, and
 
        (b) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $10.0 million, an opinion as to the fairness to the Holders of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an investment banking firm (or, if an investment banking firm is generally not qualified to give such an opinion, by an appraisal firm) of national standing;

  provided, however, that none of the following shall be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions:

        (I) any employment agreement entered into by Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices and any contract, agreement or understanding with, or for the benefit of, or plan for the benefit of, employees of Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries generally (in their capacities as such), which contract, agreement, understanding or plan is entered into, made or adopted in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices and with the approval of Parent’s Board of Directors;
 
        (II) transactions between or among Parent and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries that are Subsidiary Guarantors;
 
        (III) any sale or other issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of Parent;
 
        (IV) Restricted Payments that are permitted by the covenant described above under the “Restricted Payments” covenant;
 
        (V) fees and compensation paid to members of the Board of Directors of Parent and of its Restricted Subsidiaries in their capacity as such, to the extent such fees and compensation are reasonable and customary;
 
        (VI) advances to employees for moving, entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices;
 
        (VII) advancements of fees and expenses, and indemnity payments to or provided on behalf of, officers, directors or employees of Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary, either (i) in the ordinary course of business or (ii) as determined in any other case by the Board of Directors of Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary, to the extent that in either case (i) or (ii) such fees, expenses and indemnities are reasonable and customary; and
 
        (VIII) transactions between Parent and/or any Restricted Subsidiary and a Special Purpose Vehicle in connection with Securitization Transactions.

 
Liens

      Parent will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, incur or permit to exist any Lien (the “Initial Lien”) of any nature whatsoever on any of its properties (including Capital Stock

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of a Subsidiary), other than Permitted Liens, without effectively providing that the notes shall be secured equally and ratably with or prior to pari passu obligations and prior to all Subordinated Obligations so secured for so long as such obligations are so secured.

      Any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders of the notes pursuant to the preceding sentence shall provide by its terms that such Lien shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of the Initial Lien.

 
Sale and Leaseback Transactions

      Parent will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale/ Leaseback Transaction with respect to any property unless:

        (1) Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to Incur Indebtedness in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt with respect to such Sale/ Leaseback Transaction pursuant to the “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” covenant;
 
        (2) the Net Proceeds received by Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such Sale/ Leaseback Transaction are at least equal to the fair value (as determined by the Board of Directors of Parent) of such property; and
 
        (3) the Net Proceeds of such transaction are applied in compliance with provisions described under “Mandatory Redemptions; Offers to Purchase; Open Market Purchases — Asset Sales.”

 
Merger and Consolidation

      The Issuer will not merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into any other Person or sell, transfer, assign, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets in any one transaction or series of transactions other than a merger of a Restricted Subsidiary into the Issuer where the Issuer is the surviving Person or the Restricted Subsidiary is the Surviving Person and it shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental thereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Issuer under the notes and the Indenture.

      Parent will not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of transactions, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all its assets to, any Person, unless:

        (1) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”) shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company (if not Parent) shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental thereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of Parent under its Guarantee of the notes and the Indenture;
 
        (2) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by such Successor Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
 
        (3) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction, the Successor Company would have had a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 2.0 to 1;
 
        (4) Parent shall have delivered to the Trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with the Indenture;

provided, however, that clause (3) will not be applicable to Parent merging with an Affiliate other than the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer solely for the purpose and with the sole effect of reincorporating Parent in another U.S. jurisdiction.

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      The Successor Company will be the successor to Parent and shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, Parent under the Indenture and the Guarantee and Parent, except in the case of a lease, shall be released from the obligations under the Guarantee and the Indenture.

      Parent will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or substantially all of its assets to any Person other than to the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor unless:

        (1) except in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor that has been disposed of in its entirety to another Person (other than to Parent or an Affiliate of Parent), whether through a merger, consolidation or sale of Capital Stock or assets, if in connection therewith Parent provides an officers’ certificate to the Trustee to the effect that Parent will, and will cause the Restricted Subsidiaries to, comply with the obligations under the provisions described under “Mandatory Redemption; Offers to Purchase; Open Market Purchases — Asset Sales” and the “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” covenant in respect of such disposition, the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (if not such Subsidiary) shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction under which such Subsidiary was organized or under the laws of the United States of America, or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and such Person shall expressly assume, by a Guaranty Agreement, in a form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of such Subsidiary, if any, under its Subsidiary Guarantee;
 
        (2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the resulting, surviving or transferee Person as a result of such transaction as having been issued by such Person at the time of such transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
 
        (3) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such Guaranty Agreement, if any, complies with the Indenture.

 
Future Subsidiary Guarantors

      Parent will cause each existing and future Restricted Subsidiary (other than the Issuer or any Foreign Subsidiary of Parent), and any other Person (including Foreign Subsidiaries of Parent), that provides a Guarantee in connection with any Indebtedness of Parent, the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor outstanding at any time, to execute and deliver to the Trustee a Guaranty Agreement pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary or Person, as the case may be, will Guarantee payment of the notes on a senior basis and on the same terms and conditions as those set forth in the Indenture; provided that (i) if a Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a guarantor under the Indebtedness of the Parent, the Issuer or the Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to which it became a Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with this covenant, such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be deemed released from all obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee (so long as such Subsidiary Guarantor has not provided any other Guarantee in connection with any other Indebtedness of the Parent, the Issuer or any other Subsidiary Guarantor outstanding at any time ranking pari passu or junior in right of payment with the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee of the notes) and (ii) a Subsidiary Guarantor shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged under the circumstances described under “Merger and Consolidation” in respect of a disposition of a such Subsidiary Guarantor.

 
Business Activities

      Parent will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, engage in any line of business other than a Permitted Business, except to such extent as would not be material to Parent and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

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Reports

      The Indenture will provide that whether or not the Issuer is required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, so long as any notes are outstanding, the Issuer will furnish to each of the Holders of notes

        (1) all quarterly and annual financial information that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Issuer were required to file such financial information, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” that describes the financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer any consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, and, with respect to the annual information only, reports thereon by the Issuer’s independent public accountants (which shall be firm(s) of established national reputation) and
 
        (2) all information that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Issuer were required to file such reports;

provided, however, that comparable reports and filings by the Parent will satisfy the Issuer’s obligations under this “Reports” covenant if such reports satisfy the requirements under the rules and regulations of the SEC with respect to the presentation of financial information of the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

      In addition, whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, Parent and the Issuer shall file a copy of all such information and reports with the SEC for public availability within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations (unless the SEC will not accept such a filing) and make such information available to securities analysts and prospective investors upon request.

Defaults

      Each of the following is an Event of Default:

        (1) a default in the payment of interest on the notes when due, continued for 30 days;
 
        (2) a default in the payment of principal of and premium, if any, on any note when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon declaration or otherwise;
 
        (3) the failure by either Parent or the Issuer to comply with its obligations under the “Merger and Consolidation” covenant or failure by Parent or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the “No Senior Guarantees of Parent Indebtedness” covenant above;
 
        (4) the failure by either Parent or the Issuer to comply for 30 days after notice with any of its obligations in the covenants described above under “Mandatory Redemption; Offers to Purchase; Open Market Purchases — Change of Control” or “— Asset Sales” (other than a failure to purchase notes) or under the “Incurrence of Indebtedness” covenant, “Restricted Payments” covenant, “Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries” covenant, “Affiliate Transactions” covenant, “Liens” covenant, “Sale and Leaseback Transactions” covenant, “Future Guarantors” covenant or “Business Activities” covenant;
 
        (5) the failure by either Parent or the Issuer, as applicable, to comply for 60 days after notice with its obligations under the “Reports” covenant or other obligations under the Indenture, other than with respect to the provisions relating to clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) above;
 
        (6) Indebtedness of Parent, the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary is not paid within any applicable grace period after final maturity or is accelerated by the holders thereof because of a default and the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $20.0 million and such default continues for ten days after notice (the “cross acceleration provision”);
 
        (7) any final judgment or decree for the payment of money in excess of $10.0 million (net of applicable insurance coverage) is entered against Parent, the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary and remains undischarged, unwaived or unstayed for a period of 60 consecutive days following the date on which the right to appeal such judgment has expired or becomes subject to an enforcement proceeding (the “judgment default provision”);

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        (8) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Parent, the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary (the “bankruptcy provisions”); or
 
        (9) Parent’s Guarantee of the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of the Indenture or such Guarantee or Subsidiary Guarantee) or Parent or any Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Guarantee or Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable (the “guarantee provisions”).

      However, a default under clauses (4), (5), (6) or (7) will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the notes outstanding notify the Issuer of the default and Parent or the Issuer does not cure such default within the time specified after receipt of such notice.

      If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the notes outstanding may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Parent, the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary occurs and is continuing, the principal of and interest on all the notes will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders of the notes. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes outstanding may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the notes and its consequences.

      Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the Trustee, in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the notes unless such holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder of a note may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the notes unless:

        (1) such holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing;
 
        (2) holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the notes outstanding have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
 
        (3) such holders have offered the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense;
 
        (4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity; and
 
        (5) holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes outstanding have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

      Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes outstanding are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder of a note or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

      If a Default occurs, is continuing and is known to the Trustee, the Trustee must mail to each holder of the notes notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of or interest on any note, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of its trust officers determines that withholding notice is not opposed to the interest of the holders of the notes. In addition, the Issuer is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate indicating whether the signers of the certificate know of any Default that occurred during the previous year. The Issuer is also required to deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after its occurrence, written notice of any event which would constitute certain Defaults, its status and what action Parent or the Issuer is taking or proposes to take in respect of the event.

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      In the case of any Event of Default occurring by reason of any willful action or inaction taken or not taken by or on behalf of Parent or the Issuer with the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Issuer would have had to pay upon an optional redemption of the notes or otherwise, an equivalent premium shall also become and be immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by law upon acceleration of the notes.

Amendments and Waivers

      Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture may be amended with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for the notes) and any past default or compliance with any provisions may also be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding. However, without the consent of each holder of a note affected thereby, an amendment may not, among other things:

        (1) reduce the amount of notes whose holders must consent to an amendment;
 
        (2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any note;
 
        (3) reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any note;
 
        (4) reduce the amount payable upon the redemption of any note or change the time at which any note may be redeemed as described under “— Optional Redemption” above;
 
        (5) make any note payable in money other than that stated in the note;
 
        (6) impair the right of any holder of the notes to receive payment of principal of and interest on such holder’s notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s notes, Parent’s Guarantee of the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee;
 
        (7) make any change in the amendment provisions which require each holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions;
 
        (8) make any change in the ranking or priority of any note that would adversely affect the holders; or
 
        (9) make any change in Parent’s Guarantee of the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee that would adversely affect the holders.

      Notwithstanding the preceding, without the consent of any holder of the notes, Parent, the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors and Trustee may amend the Indenture, Parent’s Guarantee of the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee:

        (a) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;
 
        (b) to provide for the assumption by a successor Person of the obligations of the Issuer under the Indenture or Parent under its Guarantee of the notes;
 
        (c) to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of certificated notes (provided that the uncertificated notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code);
 
        (d) to add Guarantees, including Subsidiary Guarantees, with respect to the notes or to release Subsidiary Guarantors from Subsidiary Guarantees as provided by the terms of the Indenture or to secure the notes;
 
        (e) to add to the covenants of Parent or the Restricted Subsidiaries for the benefit of the holders of the notes or to surrender any right or power conferred upon Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary;

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        (f) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of the notes; or
 
        (g) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

      The consent of the holders of the notes is not necessary under the Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.

      After an amendment under the Indenture becomes effective, the Issuer is required to mail to holders of the notes a notice briefly describing such amendment; provided, however, that, if the amendment relates solely to the addition of one or more Subsidiary Guarantors, such notice shall not be required. However, the failure to give such notice to all holders of the notes, or any defect therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.

Defeasance

      At any time, the Issuer may terminate all of its obligations under the notes and the Indenture (“legal defeasance”), except for certain obligations, including those respecting the defeasance trust and obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the notes, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes and to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of the notes.

      In addition, at any time the Issuer may terminate its obligations and the obligations of Parent under the covenants described under “— Certain Covenants” (other than the “Merger and Consolidation” covenant), the operation of the cross acceleration provisions, the bankruptcy provisions with respect to Significant Subsidiaries, the judgment default provisions and the guarantee provisions described under “— Defaults” above and the limitations contained in clauses (2) and (3) under the “Merger and Consolidation” covenant above (“covenant defeasance”).

      The Issuer may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option. If the Issuer exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Issuer exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in clauses (4), (5), (6), (7), (8) (with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries) or (9) under “— Defaults” above or because of the failure of Parent to comply with clauses (2) and (3) under the “Merger and Consolidation” covenant above. If the Issuer exercises either its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, Parent will be released from all its Guarantee of the notes and each Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from all its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee.

      In order to exercise either of its defeasance options, the Issuer must irrevocably deposit in trust (the “defeasance trust”) with the Trustee money sufficient or U.S. Government Obligations, the principal of and interest on which when due, will be sufficient, or a combination thereof, sufficient for the payment of principal and interest on the notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be, and must comply with certain other conditions, including delivery to the Trustee of an opinion of counsel to the effect that holders of the notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred (and, in the case of legal defeasance only, such opinion of counsel must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or other change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law).

Concerning the Trustee

      Bank One Trust Company, N.A. is to be the Trustee under the Indenture and has been appointed by the Issuer as Registrar and Paying Agent with regard to the notes.

      The Indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee, should it become a creditor of the Issuer, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any

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such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; provided, however, if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the Trust Indenture Act) it must either eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue or resign.

      The holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes outstanding will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to certain exceptions. If an Event of Default occurs (and is not cured), the Trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any holder of notes, unless such holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense and then only to the extent required by the terms of the Indenture.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

      No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of Parent, the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer under the notes, the Indenture, Parent’s Guarantee of the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of notes by accepting a note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the notes. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the Commission that such a waiver is against public policy.

Governing Law

      The Indenture, the notes, Parent’s Guarantee of the notes and each Subsidiary Guarantee will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to applicable principles of conflicts of law to the extent that the application of the law of another jurisdiction would be required thereby.

Certain Definitions

      Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the Indenture. Reference is made to the Indenture for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided.

      “Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person,

        (1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, including, without limitation, Indebtedness Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person; provided, however, that any such Indebtedness that is redeemed, defeased, retired or otherwise repaid at the time of or immediately following consummation of the transaction by which such Person becomes or merges with or into Parent or a Restricted Subsidiary shall not be Acquired Debt, and
 
        (2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person; provided, however, that any such Indebtedness that is redeemed, defeased, retired or otherwise repaid at the time of or immediately following consummation of the transaction by which such asset is acquired shall not be Acquired Debt.

      “Affiliate” of any specified Person means

        (1) any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or
 
        (2) under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person.

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      For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; provided, however, that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the voting securities of a Person shall be deemed to be control. The terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

      “Asset Sale” means

        (1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights (including, without limitation, by way of a sale and leaseback) other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices; provided, however, that the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Parent and Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions described above under “Mandatory Redemption; Offers to Purchase; Open Market Purchases — Change of Control” and under the “Merger and Consolidation” covenant and not by the provisions described above under the caption “Mandatory Redemption; Offers to Purchase; Open Market Purchases — Asset Sales”; and
 
        (2) the issue or sale by Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary,

  in the case of either clause (1) or (2), whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions

        (a) that have a fair market value in excess of $1.0 million or
 
        (b) for Net Proceeds in excess of $1.0 million.

      Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the following shall constitute Asset Sales:

        (I) sales, leases, conveyances or other dispositions of assets (i) by Parent or the Issuer to a Subsidiary Guarantor, (ii) by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Issuer or to a Subsidiary Guarantor or (iii) by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor to another Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor;
 
        (II) issuances or sales of Equity Interests (i) by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Issuer, (ii) by a Restricted Subsidiary to a Subsidiary Guarantor or (iii) by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor to another Restricted Subsidiary that is not Subsidiary Guarantor;
 
        (III) Restricted Payments that are permitted by the “Restricted Payments” covenant;
 
        (IV) sales, leases, conveyances or other dispositions of damaged, worn-out or obsolete equipment or assets that, in the Issuer’s reasonable judgment, are no longer either used or useful in the business of Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary;
 
        (V) sales, leases, conveyances or other dispositions of unused equipment and surplus real property for Net Proceeds not to exceed $2.0 million in the aggregate for all such transactions; provided, however, that Parent or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary shall have received at least the fair market value of the property disposed of pursuant to this clause (V);
 
        (VI) sales, conveyances or other dispositions in the ordinary course of business and for value of Financial Assets by Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent in connection with any Securitization Transaction; and
 
        (VII) sales or other dispositions of Cash or Cash Equivalents.

      “Attributable Debt” in respect of a Sale/ Leaseback Transaction means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the interest rate borne by the notes, compounded annually) of the total obligations of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale/ Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended). The term “net rental payments” under any lease for any period shall mean the sum of the rental and other payments required to be

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paid in such period by the lessee thereunder, not including, however, any amounts required to be paid by such lessee on account of maintenance and repairs, reconstruction, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates or similar charges required to be paid by such lessee thereunder or any amounts required to be paid by such lessee thereunder contingent upon the amount of sales, maintenance and repairs, reconstruction, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates or similar charges. Attributable Debt may be reduced by the present value of the rental obligations, calculated on the same basis, that any sublessee has for all or part of the applicable property.

      “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the applicable Person or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board.

      “Borrowing Base” means the sum of:

        (1) 60% of the lesser of the wholesale invoice and expected sale price of the completed manufactured homes inventory of Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
        (2) 60% of the lesser of the market value and book value of the other inventory of Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
 
        (3) 75% of the book value of the accounts receivable of Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

provided, however, that the value of any inventory in the case of clauses (1) and (2) and of accounts receivable in the case of clause (3) that is subject to a Lien with respect to Indebtedness other than under Working Capital Financing Lines shall be excluded from the total book value of such inventory and accounts receivable when calculating the Borrowing Base.

      “Business Day” means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.

      “Capital Lease Obligation” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with GAAP; and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

      “Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

      “Cash Equivalents” means:

        (1) United States dollars;
 
        (2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition;
 
        (3) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500 million and a Thompson Bank Watch Rating of “B” or better;
 
        (4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;
 
        (5) commercial paper having the highest rating obtainable from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or one of the two highest ratings from Standard & Poor’s with maturities of not more than six months from the date of acquisition; and

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        (6) securities issued by any fund with total assets in excess of $500.0 million that invests at least 85% of its assets in investments of the types described in clauses (1) through (5) above.

      “Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

        (1) the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole to any “person” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act);
 
        (2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of Parent or the Issuer;
 
        (3) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as defined above) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that a person shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that the Parent has knowledge that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total of the Voting Stock of Parent (measured by voting power rather than number of shares);
 
        (4) individuals who on the Issue Date constituted the Board of Directors of Parent (together with any new directors whose election by such Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of Parent was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of Parent then still in office who were either directors on the Issue Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute the majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Parent; or
 
        (5) Parent consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person or sells, assigns, conveys, transfers, leases or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, Parent, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding Voting Stock of Parent is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the Voting Stock of Parent outstanding immediately prior to such transaction is converted into or exchanged for Voting Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the surviving or transferee Person constituting a majority of the outstanding shares of such Voting Stock of such surviving or transferee Person (immediately after giving effect to such issuance).

      The use of the term “all or substantially all” in provisions of the Indenture such as clause (5) of the definition of “Change of Control” and under “— Merger and Consolidation” has no clearly established meaning under New York law, which governs the Indenture, and has been the subject of limited judicial interpretation in only a few jurisdictions. Accordingly, there may be a degree of uncertainty in ascertaining whether any particular transaction would involve a disposition of “all or substantially all” of the assets of a person, which uncertainty should be considered by prospective purchasers of the notes.

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

      “Consolidated Cash Flow” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus (each to the extent included or deducted, as the case may be, in calculating such Consolidated Net Income and determined in accordance with GAAP) the sum for such period, without duplication, of:

        (1) an amount equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net gain realized in connection with an Asset Sale;
 
        (2) provision for state single business taxes and taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
        (3) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether paid or accrued and whether or not capitalized (including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment

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  obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net payments (if any) pursuant to Hedging Obligations); and
 
        (4) depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses (including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period or that will be paid prior to the maturity of the notes and excluding charges for goodwill impairment charges to the extent such amounts have been added to Consolidated Net Income in accordance with clause (4) of the definition thereof) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries; minus
 
        (5) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income (other than items that were accrued in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provision for taxes on the income or profits of, and the depreciation and amortization and other non-cash charges of, a Restricted Subsidiary shall be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute Consolidated Cash Flow of Parent only to the extent (and in same proportion) that the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and only if a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be paid as a dividend to Parent by such Restricted Subsidiary without prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained), and without direct or indirect restriction pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders.

      “Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the net income (loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries (for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP); provided, however, that

        (1) the net income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor,
 
        (2) the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that net income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders,
 
        (3) the net income (but not loss) of any Person acquired in a pooling of interests transaction for any period prior to the date of such acquisition shall be excluded, and
 
        (4) any deduction from net income for goodwill impairment charges shall be added to net income for the purpose of calculating Consolidated Net Income, and
 
        (5) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles shall be excluded.

      “Consolidated Tangible Assets” means, with respect to Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries, the total consolidated assets of Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries, less applicable reserves and all goodwill, trade names, trademarks and any other intangible assets, all as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of Parent and such Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently completed fiscal quarter for which financial statements are publicly available and calculated in accordance with GAAP.

      “Credit Facilities” means one or more debt facilities with banks or other institutional lenders, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.

      “Currency Agreement” means, in respect of a Person, any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency values.

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      “Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

      “Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the option of the holder) or upon the happening of any event:

        (1) matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise;
 
        (2) is convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock; or
 
        (3) is mandatorily redeemable or must be purchased upon the occurrence of certain events or otherwise, in whole or in part;

in each case on or prior to the first anniversary of the Stated Maturity of the notes; provided, however, that the Existing Preferred Stock shall not be considered to be Disqualified Stock.

      “Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

      “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

      “Existing Indebtedness” means the Indebtedness of Parent, the Issuer and their Restricted Subsidiaries in existence on the Issue Date, until such amounts are repaid.

      “Existing Preferred Stock” means up to 35,000 shares of Parent’s Series C 5% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, with a stated value per share of $1,000, and the related warrant dated March 29, 2002 for 1,082,720 shares of Parent’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share, subject to adjustment, and up to 32,000 shares of Parent’s Series B 5% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, with a stated value of $1,000 per share, each as provided for in the Agreements between Parent and Fletcher International, Ltd. dated June 29, 2001 and March 29, 2002.

      “Financial Assets” means mortgages, instruments, promissory notes, chattel paper, purchase-money obligations, installment sales contracts, rights to receive rent and other rights to payment of money, in each case owing to Parent or any Subsidiary, or any interest in any of the foregoing, together in each case with any collections or other proceeds thereof, any and all lockboxes and collection or deposit accounts related thereto, and any and all collateral, guaranties, security agreements, mortgages, leases or other property or claims supporting or securing payment by any obligor thereon or providing for rights against property.

      “Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP, of:

        (1) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net payments (if any) pursuant to Hedging Obligations);
 
        (2) the consolidated interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period;
 
        (3) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

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        (4) the product of

        (a) all dividend payments, whether or not in cash, on any series of Preferred Stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividend payments on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Issuer (other than Disqualified Stock), times
 
        (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal (other than dividend payments that are deductible for income tax purposes, in which case the denominator for such dividend payments shall be one).

      “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that Parent, the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, Guarantees or redeems any Indebtedness (other than revolving credit borrowings under any Working Capital Financing Lines or Floor-Plan Financing Plans) or issues Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period. In addition, for purposes of making the computation referred to above,

        (1) acquisitions that have been made by Parent, the Issuer or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations and including any related financing transactions, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date shall be deemed to have occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period and Consolidated Cash Flow for such reference period shall be calculated without giving effect to clause (3) of the proviso set forth in the definition of Consolidated Net Income;
 
        (2) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, shall be excluded; and
 
        (3) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, shall be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the referent Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date.

      “Floor-Plan Financing Lines” means Indebtedness in the form of mortgage financings or purchase money obligations used solely to fund working capital or the acquisition of the same or similar property; provided, however, that such Indebtedness (i) is provided by a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Issuer, (ii) is secured by otherwise unencumbered retail inventory, related property and equipment and the proceeds thereof of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and (iii) which otherwise constitutes Non-Recourse Debt.

      “Foreign Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary not created or organized in the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

      “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect as of the Issue Date, including those set forth in:

        (1) the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants;
 
        (2) statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board;
 
        (3) such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession; and

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        (4) the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements (including pro forma financial statements) in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC.

      “Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:

        (1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation of such Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise); or
 
        (2) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);

provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning. The term “Guarantor” shall mean any Person Guaranteeing any obligation.

      “Guaranty Agreement” means a supplemental indenture, in a form satisfactory to the Trustee, pursuant to which a Person Guarantees the Issuer’s obligations with respect to the notes on the terms provided in the Indenture.

      “Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Agreement.

      “Holder” or “Noteholder” means the Person in whose name a note is registered on the Registrar’s books.

      “Incur” means issue, assume, Guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of Parent (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Subsidiary. The term “Incurrence” when used as a noun shall have a correlative meaning. The accretion of principal of a non-interest bearing or other discount security shall not be deemed the Incurrence of Indebtedness.

      “Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication):

        (1) the principal in respect of

        (a) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and
 
        (b) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable, including, in each case, any premium on such indebtedness to the extent such premium has become due and payable;

        (2) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person and all Attributable Debt in respect of Sale/Leaseback Transactions entered into by such Person;
 
        (3) all obligations of such Person (contingent or otherwise) issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of such Person and all obligations of such Person under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices);
 
        (4) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in clauses (1) through (3) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices of such Person to the extent such letters

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  of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the tenth Business Day following payment on the letter of credit);
 
        (5) the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock or, with respect to any Subsidiary of such Person, the liquidation preference with respect to any Preferred Stock (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends);
 
        (6) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (5) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, including by means of any Guarantee;
 
        (7) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (6) of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such property or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured; and
 
        (8) to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, Hedging Obligations of such Person.

      The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and with respect to contingent obligations, the amount of liability required by GAAP to be accrued or reflected on the most recently published balance sheet of such Person.

      “Interest Rate Agreement” means, in respect of a Person, any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates.

      “Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of direct or indirect loans (including Guarantees of Indebtedness or other Obligations), advances of assets or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and entertainment, moving, and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary, Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the fair market value of the Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of the covenant described above under the “Restricted Payments” covenant.

      “Issue Date” means the date on which the notes are originally issued.

      “Legal Holiday” is a Saturday, a Sunday, a day on which banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York or any day on which the Federal Reserve System Fedwire is not scheduled to be operational.

      “Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof).

      “Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

      “Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds or Cash Equivalents received by Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of all costs relating to such Asset Sale (including, without limitation, legal, accounting, investment banking and brokers fees, and sales and underwriting commissions) and any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements) and any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP.

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      “Non-Recourse Debt” means, with respect to any Person, Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) of such Person for which the sole legal recourse for collection of principal, premium, and interest on such Indebtedness is against the specific property identified in the instruments evidencing or securing such Indebtedness, which property was acquired with the proceeds of such Indebtedness or such Indebtedness was Incurred within 180 days after the acquisition of such property, without any liability on the part of any such Person for any deficiency with respect to principal, premium or interest; provided, however, that Indebtedness that is otherwise Non-Recourse Debt will not lose its character as Non-Recourse Debt because there is recourse to the borrower, any guarantor or any other Person for (a) environmental warranties and indemnities or (b) indemnities for and liabilities arising from fraud, misrepresentation, waste, mechanics’ liens and misapplication or non-payment of rents, profits, insurance, condemnation proceeds and other sums actually received by the borrower from secured assets to be paid to the lender.

      “Paying Agent” means, initially, the Trustee.

      “Permitted Business” means the lines of business conducted or proposed to be conducted by Parent and its Subsidiaries on the Issue Date and businesses reasonably related thereto, including financing of products and services to be provided by a Subsidiary of Parent, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of Parent and the Issuer and evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

      “Permitted Investments” means an Investment by Parent, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary:

        (1) in a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person that will, upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary;
 
        (2) in another Person if as a result of such Investment such other Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its assets to, a Restricted Subsidiary;
 
        (3) in cash and Cash Equivalents;
 
        (4) in Hedging Obligations;
 
        (5) existing on the Issue Date;
 
        (6) through the acquisition of any assets or inventory in fulfillment of the obligations of Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary to repurchase assets or inventory in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices;
 
        (7) in receivables owing to Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided, however, that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as Parent or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;
 
        (8) in loans or advances to retailers in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices and not to exceed $5.0 million outstanding at any one time;
 
        (9) in Financial Assets originated by any Person in connection with the financing of the sale or lease of products or services by Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary or any similar products or services by another Person provided that the principal amount (including the capitalized portion of leases) of such Financial Assets does not exceed the sales price of the underlying products or services at the time of such Investment;
 
        (10) in payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices;
 
        (11) in loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices of Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary may make up to $2.0 million of loans or advances to employees in the ordinary course of business regardless of industry practices of Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary;

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        (12) in stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts owing to Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments;
 
        (13) in any Person to the extent such Investment represents the non-cash portion of the consideration received for an Asset Sale as permitted pursuant to the provisions described under “Mandatory Redemption; Offers to Purchase; Open Market Purchases — Asset Sales” above;
 
        (14) acquired by Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary

        (a) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by Parent or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable or
 
        (b) as a result of a foreclosure by Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

        (15) in assets used or useful in, or any Person engaged in, a Permitted Business, provided however, that the fair market value of such assets (measured as of the date made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), together with all other Investments pursuant to this clause (15), shall not exceed 5% of the Consolidated Tangible Assets of Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of such Investment, and provided further, that no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused by such Investment; and
 
        (16) any Investment made in a Special Purpose Vehicle in connection with a Securitization Transaction or to provide adequate capital to a Special Purpose Vehicle in anticipation of one or more Securitization Transactions.

      “Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

        (1) pledges or deposits by such Person under worker’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith pledges or deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits in connection with self-insurance arrangements, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or United States government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices;
 
        (2) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’ Liens;
 
        (3) Liens for taxes, assessments, governmental charges or levies not yet subject to penalties for non-payment or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;
 
        (4) Liens in favor of issuers of surety bonds or letters of credit issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business; provided, however, that such letters of credit do not constitute Indebtedness;
 
        (5) minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real property or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not Incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;
 
        (6) Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred to finance the construction, purchase or lease of, or repairs, improvements or additions to, property (including Capital Stock) of such Person; provided, however, that the Lien may not extend to any other property owned by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries at the time the Lien is Incurred, and the Indebtedness (other than any interest thereon) secured by the Lien may not be Incurred more than 360 days (or thereafter if such Lien is created pursuant to a firm commitment to lend entered into within such 360-day period) after the later of the

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  acquisition, completion of construction, repair, improvement, addition or commencement of full operation of the property subject to the Lien;
 
        (7) Liens existing on the Issue Date;
 
        (8) Liens on property or shares of Capital Stock of another Person at the time such other Person becomes a Subsidiary of such Person; provided, however, that such Lien may not extend to any other property owned by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries;
 
        (9) Liens on property at the time such Person or any of its Subsidiaries acquires the property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person; provided, however, that the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries;
 
        (10) Liens securing Indebtedness under Working Capital Financing Lines and Floor-Plan Financing Lines Incurred in accordance with the “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” covenant;
 
        (11) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Subsidiary of such Person owing to such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person;
 
        (12) Liens securing Hedging Obligations;
 
        (13) Liens to secure any Refinancing (or successive Refinancings) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (6), (7), (8), (9) and (10); provided, however, that:

        (a) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus improvements to or on such property); and
 
        (b) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of

        (I) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (6), (7), (8), (9) or (10) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien and
 
        (II) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement;

        (14) any Lien incurred or assumed in connection with the issuance by a state or political subdivision thereof of any securities, or any Lien securing any letters of credit issued in support of such securities, the interest on which is exempt from Federal income taxes by virtue of Section 103 of the Code, or any other laws and regulations in effect at the time of such issuance;
 
        (15) Liens in favor of, or required by contracts with, governmental entities;
 
        (16) Liens on assets of a Special Purpose Vehicle arising in connection with a Securitization Transaction;
 
        (17) Liens securing Indebtedness under any Warehouse Facility Incurred in accordance with the “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” covenant; provided, however, such Liens may not extend to any assets or property other than Financial Assets; and
 
        (18) Liens arising out of judgments against Parent or its Subsidiaries being contested in good faith by Parent or such Subsidiary.

      For purposes of this definition, the term “Indebtedness” shall be deemed to include interest, fees and expenses on such Indebtedness.

      “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness or Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of Parent or any Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiary issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds

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of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other Indebtedness of Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided, however, that:

        (1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable), plus accrued and unpaid interest on, any Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus the amount of reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith);
 
        (2) except with respect to Existing Indebtedness of Parent, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the date that is six months after the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded;
 
        (3) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is contractually subordinated in right of payment to the notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is contractually subordinated in right of payment to, the notes on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and
 
        (4) such Indebtedness is Incurred either (i) except with respect to Existing Indebtedness of Parent, by Parent if Parent is the obligor on Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed replaced, defeased or refunded, or (ii) by a Restricted Subsidiary with respect to Existing Indebtedness of Parent or if a Subsidiary Guarantor is the obligor on the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded or (iii) by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor if a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor is the obligor on the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.

      “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

      “Preferred Stock”, as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.

      “Refinance” means, in respect of any Indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue other Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such Indebtedness. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.

      “Restricted Payment” with respect to any Person means:

        (1) the declaration or payment of any dividends or any other distributions of any sort in respect of its Capital Stock (including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving such Person) or similar payment to the direct or indirect holders of its Capital Stock (other than dividends or distributions payable solely in its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) and dividends or distributions payable solely to a Restricted Subsidiary (but not to Parent), and other than pro rata dividends or other distributions made by a Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary to minority stockholders (or owners of an equivalent interest in the case of a Subsidiary that is an entity other than a corporation));
 
        (2) the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Capital Stock of Parent held by any Person or of any Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary held by Parent or any Affiliate of Parent (other than a Restricted Subsidiary), including the exercise of any option to exchange any Capital Stock (other than into Capital Stock of Parent that is not Disqualified Stock);
 
        (3) the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment of any

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  Subordinated Obligations of such Person (other than the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of Subordinated Obligations purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such purchase, repurchase or other acquisition); or
 
        (4) the making of any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) in any Person.

      “Restricted Subsidiary” means the Issuer and any Subsidiary of Parent that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a Special Purpose Vehicle; provided, however, that, on the Issue Date, all Subsidiaries of Parent, other than Champion Development Corp. and its Subsidiaries and Moduline Industries (Canada), Ltd., shall be Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer.

      “S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of McGraw Hill, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

      “Sale/ Leaseback Transaction” means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired whereby Parent or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and Parent or a Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person.

      “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

      “Securitization Transaction” means any sale, conveyance or other disposition by Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Financial Asset or any interest therein to a Special Purpose Vehicle.

      “Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would, directly or indirectly, be a “Significant Subsidiary” of Parent within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.

      “Special Purpose Vehicle” means a bankruptcy-remote entity or trust or other special purpose entity which is formed by Parent, any Subsidiary of Parent or any other Person for the purpose of, and engages in no material business other than, acting as a buyer in a Securitization Transaction or other similar transactions of Financial Assets or other similar assets, financing the purchases it makes as such a buyer and realizing, directly or indirectly, on such Financial Assets or other assets.

      The Board of Directors of Parent may designate any Subsidiary (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be a Special Purpose Vehicle. The Board of Directors of Parent may designate any Special Purpose Vehicle to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that immediately after giving effect to such designation

        (I) Parent could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test of the first paragraph of the “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” covenant and
 
        (II) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

      Any such designation by the Board of Directors of Parent shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors giving effect to such designation and an officers’ certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

      “Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency unless such contingency has occurred).

      “Subordinated Obligation” means, with respect to a Person, any Indebtedness of such Person (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) which is subordinate or junior in right of payment to the notes, a Guarantee or a Subsidiary Guaranty of such Person, as the case may be, pursuant to a written agreement to that effect.

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      “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by:

        (1) such Person;
 
        (2) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or
 
        (3) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

      “Subsidiary Guarantor” means each Subsidiary of Parent that executes the Indenture as a Guarantor and each other Subsidiary of Parent that thereafter Guarantees the notes pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.

      “Subsidiary Guarantee” means a Guarantee, including any Guaranty Agreement, on the terms set forth in the Indenture by a Subsidiary Guarantor of the Issuer’s obligations with respect to the notes.

      “Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:

        (1) any Subsidiary of Parent that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by Parent’s Board of Directors in the manner provided below;
 
        (2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;
 
        (3) Champion Development Corp. and its Subsidiaries; and
 
        (4) Moduline Industries (Canada), Ltd.

in each case, unless and until such Subsidiary is designated as a Restricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of Parent and a resolution of the Board of Directors to such effect is delivered to the Trustee.

      The Board of Directors of Parent may designate any Subsidiary (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, or holds any Lien on any property of, Parent or any other Subsidiary of Parent that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided, however, that either

        (a) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total assets of $1,000 or less or
 
        (b) if such Subsidiary has assets greater than $1,000, such designation would be permitted under the covenant described under the “Restricted Payments” covenant.

      The Board of Directors of Parent may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that immediately after giving effect to such designation

        (I) Parent could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test of the first paragraph of the “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” covenant and
 
        (II) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

      Any such designation by the Board of Directors of Parent shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors giving effect to such designation and an officers’ certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

      “U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and which are not callable at the Issuer’s option.

      “Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

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      “Warehouse Facility” means any Credit Facility entered into, or Guaranteed, by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to finance (i) the origination by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of Financial Assets in the ordinary course of business or the acquisition in the ordinary course of Parent’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ business of Financial Assets originated by any other Person or (ii) the acquisition of Financial Assets by the obligor thereunder from Parent or a Subsidiary of Parent.

      “Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing

        (1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying

        (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by
 
        (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment, by

        (2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

      “Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary, 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock and other Equity Interests of which is directly or indirectly owned by the Issuer.

      “Working Capital Financing Lines” means revolving credit Indebtedness, letters of credit (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder) and related Guarantees under Credit Facilities; provided, however, that the proceeds of such Indebtedness may be Incurred only for working capital purposes and to fund interest and mandatory principal payments when due on Indebtedness.

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

      The exchange notes will be issued in the form of one or more fully registered global notes (the “Global Note”). The Global Note will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (the “Depositary”) and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of the Depositary (such nominee being referred to herein as the “Global Note Holder”).

      The Depositary is a limited-purpose trust company which was created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the “Participants” or the “Depositary’s Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in such securities between Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Depositary’s Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to the Depositary’s system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies (collectively, the “Indirect Participants” or the “Depositary’s Indirect Participants”) that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of the Depositary only through the Depositary’s Participants or the Depositary’s Indirect Participants.

      The Issuer expects that pursuant to procedures established by the Depositary

        (1) upon deposit of the Global Note, the Depositary will credit the accounts of Participants with portions of principal amount of the Global Note and
 
        (2) ownership of the exchange notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary (with respect to the interests of the Depositary’s Participants), the Depositary’s Participants and the Depositary’s Indirect Participants. You are advised that the laws of some states require that certain Persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer exchange notes will be limited to such extent.

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      So long as the Global Note Holder is the registered owner of any exchange notes, the Global Note Holder will be considered the sole owner or holder of such notes outstanding under the Indenture. Except as provided below, owners of notes will not be entitled to have notes registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of notes in definitive form, and will not be considered the Holders thereof under the Indenture for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any directions, instructions or approvals to the Trustee thereunder. As a result, the ability of a Person having a beneficial interest in notes represented by the Global Note to pledge such interest to Persons or entities that do not participate in the Depositary’s system or to otherwise take actions in respect of such interest may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interest.

      Neither the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, the Paying Agent nor the Notes Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of notes by the Depositary, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary relating to such notes.

      Payments in respect of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on any notes registered in the name of a Global Note Holder on the applicable record date will be payable by the Trustee to or at the direction of such Global Note Holder in its capacity as the registered holder under the Indenture. Under the terms of the Indenture, the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may treat the Persons in whose names the notes, including the Global Notes, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments and for any and all other liability for the payment of such amounts to beneficial owners of notes (including principal, premium, if any, and interest).

      The Issuer believes, however, that it is currently the policy of the Depositary to immediately credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with such payment, in amounts proportionate to their respective holdings in principal amount of beneficial interests in the relevant security as shown on the records of the Depositary. Payments by the Depositary’s Participants and the Depositary’s Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practice and will be the responsibility of the Depositary’s Participants or the Depositary’s Indirect Participants.

      As long as the notes are represented by a Global Note, the Depositary’s nominee will be the holder of the notes and therefore will be the only entity that can exercise a right to repayment or repurchase of the notes. See “Covenants — Repurchase of Notes Upon a Change of Control” and “— Limitations on Dispositions of Assets.” Notice by Participants or Indirect Participants of the exercise of the option to elect repayment of beneficial interests in notes represented by a Global Note must be transmitted to the Depositary in accordance with its procedures on a form required by the Depositary and provided to Participants. In order to ensure that the Depositary’s nominee will timely exercise a right to repayment with respect to a particular note, the beneficial owner of such note must instruct the broker or the Participant or Indirect Participant through which it holds an interest in such note to notify the Depositary of its desire to exercise a right to repayment. Different firms have different cut-off times for accepting instructions from their customers and, accordingly, each beneficial owner should consult the broker or other Participant or Indirect Participant through which it holds an interest in a note in order to ascertain the cut-off time by which such an instruction must be given in order for timely notice to be delivered to the Depositary. The Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors will not be liable for any delay in delivery of notices of the exercise of the option to elect repayment.

 
Certificated Securities

      Subject to certain conditions, any Person having a beneficial interest in the Global Note may, upon request to the Issuer or the Trustee, exchange such beneficial interest for notes in the form of Certificated Securities. Upon any such issuance, the Trustee is required to register such notes in the name of, and cause the same to be delivered to, such Person or Persons (or the nominee of any thereof). In addition, if

        (1) the Issuer notifies the Trustee in writing that the Depositary is no longer willing or able to act as a depositary and the Issuer is unable to locate a qualified successor within 90 days or

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        (2) the Issuer, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of notes in the form of Certificated Securities under the Indenture, then, upon surrender by the relevant Global Note Holder of its Global Note, notes in such form will be issued to each Person that such Global Note Holder and the Depositary identify as the beneficial owner of the related notes.

      Neither the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors nor the Trustee shall be liable for any delay by the related Global Note Holder or the Depositary in identifying the beneficial owners of notes and each such Person may conclusively rely on and shall be protected in relying on, instructions from the Global Note Holder or of the Depositary for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the notes to be issued).

 
Same-Day Settlement and Payment

      The Indenture will require that payments in respect of the notes (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Global Note Holders.

 
Transfer and Exchange

      A holder may transfer or exchange the notes in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. The Registrar may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar is not required to transfer or exchange any note selected for redemption. Also, the Registrar is not required to transfer or exchange any note for a period of 15 days before a selection of the notes to be redeemed.

      The registered Holder of an exchange note will be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

      In connection with the sale of the outstanding notes, we entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers of the original notes, Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation and First Union Securities, Inc. Under that agreement, we agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, we will:

  •  within 90 days after the date that the outstanding notes are issued, file a registration statement with the SEC with respect to the exchange offer;
 
  •  use our best efforts to cause the exchange offer registration statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act within 180 days after the date that the outstanding notes are issued;
 
  •  as soon as practicable after the effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement, offer the exchange notes in exchange for surrender of the outstanding notes; and
 
  •  keep the exchange offer open for not less than 20 business days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date notice of the exchange offer is mailed to the holders of the outstanding notes.

      The exchange offer being made by this prospectus, if consummated within the required time periods, will satisfy our obligations under the registration rights agreement. This prospectus, together with the letter of transmittal, is being sent to all the beneficial holders known to us. For each outstanding note validly tendered to us in the exchange offer and not withdrawn by the holder of the outstanding note, the holder of the original note will receive an exchange note having a principal amount equal to that of the tendered original note. Interest on each exchange note will accrue from the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the tendered outstanding note in exchange for an exchange note or, if no interest has been paid on the original note, from April 22, 2002, the date of the original issue of the outstanding note.

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      In the event that:

  •  applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC do not permit us to effect such an exchange offer; or
 
  •  for any other reason we do not consummate the exchange offer within 210 days of the date that the outstanding notes are issued; or
 
  •  one of the two initial purchasers of the outstanding notes notifies us following consummation of the exchange offer that outstanding notes held by it are not eligible to be exchanged for exchange notes in the exchange offer; or
 
  •  certain holders are prohibited by law or SEC policy from participating in the exchange offer or may not resell the exchange notes acquired by them in the exchange offer to the public without delivering a prospectus,

then, we will, subject to certain exceptions,

  •  promptly file a shelf registration statement covering resales of the notes, with accompanying guarantees by Champion Enterprises and the subsidiary guarantors;
 
  •  use our best efforts to cause the shelf registration statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act; and
 
  •  keep the shelf registration statement effective until the earliest of (A) the time when the notes covered by the shelf registration statement can be sold pursuant to Rule 144 without any limitations under clauses (c), (e), (f) and (h) of Rule 144, (B) two years from the effective date of the shelf registration statement and (C) the date on which all notes registered thereunder are disposed of in accordance therewith.

      We will, in the event that a shelf registration statement is filed, among other things, provide to each holder for whom such shelf registration statement was filed copies of the prospectus which is a part of the shelf registration statement, notify each such holder when the shelf registration statement has become effective and take certain other actions as are required to permit unrestricted resales of the notes. A holder selling such notes pursuant to the shelf registration statement generally would be required to be named as a selling security holder in the related prospectus and to deliver a prospectus to purchasers, will be subject to certain of the civil liability provisions under the Securities Act in connection with such sales and will be bound by the provisions of the registration rights agreement that are applicable to such holder (including certain indemnification obligations).

      We will pay additional cash interest on the applicable notes, subject to certain exceptions,

  •  if we fail to file an exchange offer registration statement with the SEC on or prior to the 90th day after the date that the outstanding notes are issued;
 
  •  if the exchange offer registration statement is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the 180th day after the date that the outstanding notes are issued;
 
  •  if the exchange offer is not consummated on or before the 210th day after the date that the outstanding notes are issued;
 
  •  if obligated to file the shelf registration statement, we fail to file the shelf registration statement with the SEC on or prior to the 30th day after such filing obligation arises;
 
  •  if obligated to file a shelf registration statement, the shelf registration statement is not declared effective on or prior to the 180th day after the obligation to file a shelf registration statement arises, or
 
  •  after the exchange offer registration statement or the shelf registration statement, as the case may be, is declared effective, such registration statement thereafter ceases to be effective or usable (subject to certain exceptions) (each such event referred to in the preceding clauses is referred to as a “registration default”;

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from and including the date on which any such registration default shall occur to but excluding the date on which all registration defaults have been cured.

      The rate of the additional interest will be 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of a registration default, and such rate will increase by an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all registration defaults have been cured, up to a maximum additional interest rate of 1.0% per annum. We will pay such additional interest on regular interest payment dates. Such additional interest will be in addition to any other interest payable from time to time with respect to the notes.

      If we effect the exchange offer, we will be entitled to close the exchange offer 20 business days after the commencement thereof provided that we have accepted all notes theretofore validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the exchange offer.

MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

      The following is a general discussion of material United States federal income tax consequences associated with the exchange of the outstanding notes for the exchange notes in the exchange offer and the ownership and disposition of the exchange notes. This summary applies only to a holder of an exchange note who acquired an outstanding note at the initial offering from an initial purchaser for the original offering price and who acquires the exchange notes in the exchange offer. This discussion is based on provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury regulations, and administrative and judicial interpretations of the Code and the regulations, all as currently in effect and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion does not address the tax consequences to subsequent purchasers of the exchange notes and is limited to investors who hold the exchange notes as capital assets. The tax treatment of the holders of the notes may vary depending upon their particular situations. In addition, holders, including insurance companies, tax exempt organizations, financial institutions and broker-dealers, may be subject to special rules not discussed below.

      Each holder should consult its tax advisor regarding the particular tax consequences to the holder of the exchange of the outstanding notes for the exchange notes in the exchange offer and the ownership and disposition of the exchange notes, as well as any tax consequences that may arise under the laws of any relevant foreign, state, local or other taxing jurisdiction.

United States Taxation of United States Holders

      The term United States holder means a holder of an exchange note that is, for United States federal income tax purposes:

  •  a citizen or resident of the United States,
 
  •  a corporation or partnership created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision of the United States,
 
  •  an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, and
 
  •  a trust if a United States court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of that trust and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. The term non-U.S. holder means a holder of an exchange note that is not a United States holder.

Exchange Offer

      The exchange of an outstanding note for an exchange note in the exchange offer will not constitute a significant modification of the outstanding note for United States federal income tax purposes. Therefore, the exchange note received will be treated as a continuation of the outstanding note in the hands of the holder. As

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a result, there will be no United States federal income tax consequences to a United States holder who exchanges an outstanding note for an exchange note in the exchange offer and that holder will have the same adjusted tax basis and holding period in the exchange note as it had in the outstanding note immediately before the exchange.

Stated Interest

      Stated interest payable on an exchange note generally will be included in the gross income of a United States holder as ordinary interest income at the time accrued or received, in accordance with the United States holder’s method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes.

Disposition of the Exchange Notes

      Upon the sale, exchange, retirement at maturity or other taxable disposition of an exchange note, a United States holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized by the holder, except to the extent that amount is attributable to accrued interest, which will be treated as ordinary interest income, and the holder’s adjusted tax basis in the exchange note. The capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the United States holder’s holding period for the exchange note exceeds one year at the time of the disposition.

United States Taxation of Non-United States Holders

 
Stated Interest

      In general, payments of portfolio interest received by a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to United States federal withholding tax, provided that:

  •  (1) the non-U.S. holder does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our voting stock, (2) the non-U.S. holder is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to us actually or constructively through stock ownership, and (3) the beneficial owner of the exchange note, under penalty of perjury, either directly or through a financial institution which holds the exchange note on behalf of the non-U.S. holder and holds customers’ securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business, provides us or our agent with the beneficial owner’s name and address and certifies, under penalty of perjury, that it is not a United States holder;
 
  •  the interest received on the exchange note is not effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business within the United States and the non-U.S. holder complies with certain reporting requirements; and
 
  •  the non-U.S. holder is entitled to the benefits of an income tax treaty under which the interest is exempt from United States withholding tax and the non-U.S. holder complies with certain reporting requirement.

Payments of interest not exempt from United States federal withholding tax as described above will be subject to withholding tax at the rate of 30% (subject to reduction under an applicable income tax treaty).

 
Gain on Disposition

      A non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to gain recognized on a sale, redemption or other disposition of an exchange note unless:

  •  the gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States by the non-U.S. holder or
 
  •  in the case of a non-U.S. holder who is a nonresident alien individual, the holder is present in the United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year and other requirements are met. In addition, an exchange of an outstanding note for an exchange note in the exchange offer will not constitute a taxable

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  exchange of the outstanding note for non-U.S. holders. See “— United States Taxation of United States Holders — Exchange Offers” above.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

      Non-corporate United States holders may be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 30% on payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on, and the proceeds of the disposition of, the notes. In general, backup withholding will be imposed if the United States holder:

  •  fails to furnish its taxpayer identification number, which, for an individual, would be the holder’s Social Security number,
 
  •  furnishes an incorrect taxpayer identification number,
 
  •  is notified by the IRS that the holder has failed to report payments of interest or dividends or
 
  •  under certain circumstances, fails to certify, under penalty of perjury, that the holder has furnished a correct taxpayer identification number and has been notified by the IRS that the holder is subject to backup withholding tax for failure to report interest or dividend payments.

In addition, these payments of principal, premium and interest to United States holders will generally be subject to information reporting. United States holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining this exemption, if applicable.

      Backup withholding generally will not apply to payments made to a non-U.S. holder of an exchange note who provides the certification described under “United States Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders — Stated Interest” or otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding. Payments by a United States office of a broker of the proceeds of a disposition of the exchange notes generally will be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 30% unless the non-United States holder certifies it is a non-U.S. holder under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption.

      Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or credited against the holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

      Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the exchange notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of exchange notes received in exchange for outstanding notes where such outstanding notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the expiration date of the exchange offer, we will make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any resale.

      We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of exchange notes by broker-dealers. Exchange notes received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the exchange notes or a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such exchange notes. Any broker-dealer that resells exchange notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such exchange notes may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on any such resale of exchange notes and any commission or concessions received by such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation

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under the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.

      For a period of 180 days after the expiration date of the exchange offer, we will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in the letter of transmittal. We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the exchange offer, including the expenses of one counsel for the holders of the notes, other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and will indemnify the holders of the notes, including any broker-dealers, against various liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

LEGAL MATTERS

      Dykema Gossett PLLC, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan will pass upon the validity of the issuance of the exchange notes.

EXPERTS

      The Consolidated Financial Statements of Champion Enterprises, Inc. for the year ended December 29, 2001, incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 27, 2002, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

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$150,000,000

(Champion Logo)

EXCHANGE OFFER

11 1/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2007


PROSPECTUS


                    , 2002




 

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 21.     Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

      (a) Exhibits (see index to exhibits at E-1).

II-1


 

SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Champion Enterprises, Inc. has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Auburn Hills, state of Michigan on September 25, 2002.

  CHAMPION ENTERPRISES, INC.

  By:  *
 
  Anthony S. Cleberg
  Executive Vice President and
  Chief Financial Officer

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on September 25, 2002.

         
Signature Title


 
*

Walter R. Young
  Chairman of the Board of Directors
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
*

Anthony S. Cleberg
  Executive Vice President, and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
*

Richard P. Hevelhorst
  Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
*

Robert W. Anestis
  Director
 
*

Eric S. Belsky
  Director
 
*

Selwyn Isakow
  Director
 
*

Brian D. Jellison
  Director
 
*

Ellen R. Levine
  Director
 
*

George R. Mrkonic
  Director
 
*By:   JOHN J. COLLINS, JR.

Attorney-in-fact
   

II-2


 

SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Auburn Champ, Inc. has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Auburn Hills, state of Michigan on September 25, 2002.

  AUBURN CHAMP, INC.

  By:  *
 
  Anthony S. Cleberg
  Chief Financial Officer

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on September 25, 2002.

     
Signature Title


 
*

Anthony S. Cleberg
  Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
*

Richard Hevelhorst
  Chief Accounting Officer and Director
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
*

Walter R. Young
  Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
*

Colleen Bauman
  Director

*By:  /s/ JOHN J. COLLINS, JR.  

 
Attorney-in-fact  

II-3


 

SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each of the registrants listed below has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Auburn Hills, state of Michigan on September 25, 2002.

  REDMAN BUSINESS TRUST, REDMAN HOMES
  MANAGEMENT COMPANY, INC., REDMAN
  MANAGEMENT SERVICES BUSINESS TRUST

  By:  *
 
  Anthony S. Cleberg
  Chief Financial Officer

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on September 25, 2002.
         
Signature Title


 
*

Walter R. Young
  Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
*

Richard Hevelhorst
  Chief Accounting Officer and Director
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
*

Anthony S. Cleberg
  Chief Financial Officer and Director
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
/s/ JOHN J. COLLINS, JR.

John J. Collins, Jr.
  Director
 
*By:   JOHN J. COLLINS, JR.

Attorney-in-fact
   

II-4


 

SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each of the registrants listed below has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Auburn Hills, state of Michigan on September 25, 2002.

  CHAMPION HOME BUILDERS CO., A-1 CHAMPION GP, INC., ALPINE HOMES, INC., AMERICAN TRANSPORT, INC., ART RICHTER INSURANCE, INC., CARE FREE HOMES, INC., CHAMPION GP, INC., CHAMPION RETAIL, INC., CHI, INC., CLIFF AVE. INVESTMENTS, INC., FACTORY HOMES OUTLET, INC., GATEWAY ACCEPTANCE CORP., GATEWAY MOBILE & MODULAR HOMES, INC., GATEWAY PROPERTIES CORP., HOMES AMERICA FINANCE, INC., HOMES AMERICA OF ARIZONA, INC., HOMES AMERICA OF CALIFORNIA, INC., HOMES AMERICA OF OKLAHOMA, INC., HOMES AMERICA OF UTAH, INC., HOMES AMERICA OF WYOMING, INC., I.D.A., INC., ISEMAN CORP., LAMPLIGHTER HOMES, INC., LAMPLIGHTER HOMES (OREGON), INC., NORTHSTAR CORPORATION, SAN JOSE ADVANTAGE HOMES, INC., SOUTHERN SHOWCASE FINANCE, INC., SOUTHERN SHOWCASE HOUSING, INC., TRADING POST MOBILE HOMES, INC., U.S.A. MOBILE HOMES, INC., VICTORY INVESTMENT COMPANY, WHITWORTH MANAGEMENT, INC., PRAIRIE RIDGE, INC., CHANDELEUR HOMES, INC., CREST RIDGE HOMES, INC., DUTCH HOUSING, INC., FLEMING COUNTY INDUSTRIES, INC., GRAND MANOR, INC., HOMES OF LEGEND, INC., HOMES OF MERIT, INC, MODULINE INTERNATIONAL, INC., REDMAN HOMES, INC., REDMAN INDUSTRIES, INC., STAR FLEET, INC., WESTERN HOMES CORPORATION

  By:  *
 
  Anthony S. Cleberg
  Chief Financial Officer

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on September 25, 2002.

         
Signature Title


 
*

Anthony S. Cleberg
  Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
*

Richard Hevelhorst
  Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)

II-5


 

         
Signature Title


 
*

Walter R. Young
  Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
*

Philip C. Surles
  Director
 
/s/ JOHN J. COLLINS, JR.

John J. Collins, Jr.
  Director
 
*By:   JOHN J. COLLINS, JR.

Attorney-in-fact
   

II-6


 

SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each of the registrants listed below has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Auburn Hills, state of Michigan on September 25, 2002.

  BUILDERS CREDIT CORPORATION, CAC FUNDING CORPORATION, CHAMPION FINANCIAL CORPORATION, CRESTPOINTE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC., SERVICE CONTRACT CORPORATION

  BY:  *
 
  ANTHONY S. CLEBERG
  Chief Financial Officer

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on September 25, 2002.

         
Signature Title


 
*

Richard Hevelhorst
  Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
*

Anthony S. Cleberg
  Chief Financial Officer and Director
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
*

Walter R. Young
  Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
/s/ JOHN J. COLLINS, JR.

John J. Collins, Jr.
  Director
 
*By:   JOHN J. COLLINS, JR.

Attorney-in-fact
   

II-7


 

SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each of the registrants listed below has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Auburn Hills, state of Michigan on September 25, 2002.

  GEM HOMES, INC., CHAMPION HOMES COMMUNITIES, INC., CHAMPION MOTOR COACH, INC., REGENCY SUPPLY COMPANY, INC., REDMAN INVESTMENT, INC., REDMAN RETAIL, INC., THE OKAHUMPKA CORPORATION, HOME PRIDE FINANCE CORP.

  BY:  *
 
  ANTHONY S. CLEBERG
  Chief Financial Officer

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on September 25, 2002.

         
Signature Title


 
*

Richard Hevelhorst
  Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
*

Anthony S. Cleberg
  Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
*

Walter R. Young
  Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
/s/ JOHN J. COLLINS, JR.

John J. Collins, Jr.
  Director
 
*By:   JOHN J. COLLINS, JR.

Attorney-in-fact
   

II-8


 

EXHIBIT INDEX

         
Exhibit
Number Description


  3.5     Articles of Incorporation of the Issuer and each of the following subsidiaries of Champion: A-1 Champion GP, Inc., A-1 Homes Group, L.P., Champion Retail, Inc., Redman Homes, Inc., Redman Industries, Inc., San Jose Advantage Homes, Inc., Southern Showcase Housing, Inc., and Whitworth Management, Inc.*
  3.6     Bylaws of the Issuer and each of the following subsidiaries of Champion: A-1 Champion GP, Inc., A-1 Homes Group, L.P., Champion Retail, Inc., Redman Homes, Inc., Redman Industries, Inc., San Jose Advantage Homes, Inc., Southern Showcase Housing, Inc., and Whitworth Management, Inc.*
  5.1     Opinion of Dykema Gossett PLLC with respect to the new notes.*
  23.1     Consent of Dykema Gossett PLLC (contained in their opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1).
  23.2     Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.*


Filed herewith.
EX-3.5 3 k69724a1exv3w5.txt ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION EXHIBIT 3.5 C&S-550 934E#5158 0426 ORG&FI $62.50 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE -- CORPORATION AND SECURITIES BUREAU - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (FOR BUREAU USE ONLY) FILED Date Received Adjustments made pursuant to APR 23 1993 APR 23 1993 telephone authorization from Administrator Doris at C T Corporation System, MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT Detroit OF COMMERCE Corporation & Securities Bureau - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CERTIFICATE OF MERGER / SHARE EXCHANGE FOR USE BY DOMESTIC PROFIT OR FOREIGN PROFIT CORPORATIONS (Please read information and instructions on last page) Pursuant to the provisions of Act 284, Public Acts of 1972 (profit corporations), the undersigned corporations execute the following Certificate: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 a. The name of each constituent corporation or name of the corporation whose shares will be acquired and its corporation identification number (CID) is: GATEWAY HOMES, INC. - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAMPION HOME BUILDERS CO. 416-343 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- b. The name of the surviving or acquiring corporation and its corporation identification number is: CHAMPION HOME BUILDERS CO. 416-343 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 a. For each constituent corporation of the merger, state:
Designation Indicate class and number of Indicate class or series outstanding shares or series of entitled to in each class shares entitled vote as Name of corporation or series to vote a class GATEWAY HOMES, INC. 1,000 COMMON N/A N/A ------------------- ------------ --------- --------- ------------------- ------------ --------- --------- CHAMPION HOME BUILDERS CO. 1,000 COMMON N/A N/A ------------------- ------------ --------- --------- ------------------- ------------ --------- --------- ------------------- ------------ --------- ---------
If the number of shares is subject to change prior to the effective date of the merger, the manner in which the change may occur is as follows: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 b. If a merger, the amendments to the Articles, or a restatement of the Articles, of the surviving corporation to be effected by the merger are as follows: N/A 3. The terms and conditions of the proposed merger, including the manner and basis of converting the shares of each constituent corporation into shares, bonds, or other securities of the surviving corporation are as follows: The shares of Gateway common stock held in the name of Champion Enterprises Inc. shall be cancelled and one share of Gateway common stock shall be issued to Champion for each share cancelled. 4. (Complete for any foreign corporation only) This merger or share exchange is permitted by the laws of the state of ALABAMA, the jurisdiction under which GATEWAY HOMES, INC. (name of foreign corporation) is organized and the plan of merger or share exchange was adopted and approved by such corporation pursuant to and in accordance with the laws of that jurisdiction. 5. (Complete only if an effective date is desired other than the date of filing. This date must be no more than 90 days after receipt of this document in this office). The merger or share exchange shall be effective on the day of , 19 . - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Complete applicable section for each constituent corporation) a. The plan of merger or share exchange was approved by the unanimous consent of the incorporators of ___________________________________, which has not commenced business, has not issued any shares, and has not elected a Board of Directors. (Incorporators must sign on this page of the Certificate.) b. The plan of merger or share exchange has been adopted by the Board of _________________________________________, in accordance with Section 701 or 702 of the Act. c. The plan of merger or share exchange was approved by the shareholders of the following constituent corporations in accordance with Section 703(a): Champion Home Builders Co. GATEWAY HOMES, INC. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The plan of merger or share exchange will be furnished by the surviving or acquiring corporation, on request and without cost, to any shareholder of any constituent corporation. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sign this area for item 6a, incorporators only: - ----------------------------------------------- Signed this _______ day of __________________________, 19 _____. _______________________________ ______________________________ _______________________________ ______________________________ Sign this area for items 6b and 6c: - ----------------------------------- Signed this 5th day of APRIL, 1993. CHAMPION HOME BUILDERS CO. (Name of Corporation) ------------------------------------------------ By /s/ Gerald W. Paga --------------------------------------------- GERALD W. PAGA VICE PRESIDENT - FINANCE AND TREASURER (Type or Print Name and Title) Signed this 5th day of APRIL, 1993 GATEWAY HOMES, INC. (Name of Corporation) ------------------------------------------------- By /s/ James M. Curch --------------------------------------------- JAMES M. CURCH CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (Type or Print Name and Title) DOCUMENT WILL BE RETURNED TO NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS Name of person or INDICATED IN THE BOX BELOW. Include name, street and organization remitting number (or P.O. box), city, state and ZIP code. fees: _______________________ Ms. Claudia L. Saari C T CORPORATION SYSTEM _______________________ 615 Griswold St. Ste 1020 Preparer's name and Detroit, MI 48226 business telephone number: _______________________ (___)__________________ INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS 1. The merger or share exchange cannot be filed until this form, or a comparable document, is submitted. 2. Submit one original copy of this document. Upon filing, a microfilm copy will be prepared for the records of the Corporation and Securities Bureau. The original copy will be returned to the address appearing in the box above as evidence of filing. Since this document must be microfilmed, it is important that the filing be legible. Documents with poor black and white contrast, or otherwise illegible, will be rejected. 3. This certificate is to be used pursuant to sections 701 through 707 of the Act for the purpose of merging or exchanging shares of two or more domestic and/or foreign corporations and pursuant to section 731 if the merger or share exchange involves one or more foreign corporations. 4. If more than two corporations are merging or exchanging shares, the certificate may be adjusted as necessary, or the format may be used as a guide in drafting your own certificate. If additional space is required for any section, continue the section on an attachment. 5. Item 5 - This document is effective on the date approved and filed by the Bureau. A later effective date, no more than 90 days after the date of delivery, may be stated. 6. A domestic nonprofit charitable purpose corporation must obtain the consent of the Michigan Attorney General if it is merging or exchanging share with a for profit corporation. Contact the Charitable Trust Division; Michigan Attorney General; Room 670, Law Building; 525 West Ottawa; Lansing, Michigan 48913 at least 45 days before the desired effective date of the merger or share exchange. 7. This certificate must be signed in ink by the president, vice-president, chairperson, or vice-chairperson of each corporation that is merging or share exchanging, unless the incorporators of a domestic profit corporation approve the merger or share exchange pursuant to sections 706 and 707 of the Act. In that event, the certificate must be signed in ink by a majority of the incorporators if more than one of that corporation in item 5. 8. FEES: Nonrefundable fee (Make remittance payable to the State of Michigan).........................................................$50.00 Merger - If the survivor is a domestic profit corporation whose authorized shares are increased: first 60,000 authorized shares..................................$50.00 each additional 20,000 authorized shares........................$30.00 Share Exchange - Franchise fees are required for the articles of incorporation of the new corporation, if it is a domestic corporation. Credit - If a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this State merges or exchanges shares with a domestic profit corporation, the amount of franchise fees required to be paid by that domestic corporation shall be reduced by the initial or additional franchise fees paid to this State by the foreign corporation. 9. Mail form and fee to: Michigan Department of Commerce, Corporation and Securities Bureau, Corporation Division, P.O. Box 30054, 6546 Mercantile Way, Lansing, MI 48909, Telephone: (517) 334-6302 RECEIVED FILED JUN 26 1987 JUN 26 1987 MICHIGAN DEPT. OF COMMERCE Administrator CORPORATION DIVISION MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Corporation & Securities Bureau Effective June 27, 1987 at 12:01 a.m. CERTIFICATE OF MERGER of CHAMPION HOME BUILDERS CO. into CHB MERGER CORP. Pursuant to the provisions of Act 284, Public Acts of 1972, as amended, the undersigned corporations execute the following Certificate of Merger: 1. PLAN OF MERGER. The Plan of Merger is as follows: a. Constituent Corporations. The name of each constituent corporation and its corporation identification number (CID) is: Champion Home Builders Co. (002-205) CHB Merger Corp. (416-343) b. Surviving Corporation. The name of the surviving corporation and its corporation identification number (CID) is: CHB Merger Corp. (416-343) C. Capital Stock: Share Information.
Designation and number of Class or Class or outstanding series of series Name shares in each shares entitled of class or entitled to vote as Corporation series to vote a class - ----------- --------------- ----------- ------------ Champion Common Stock Common Common Home $1.00 par value Stock Stock Builders Co. 36,324,721 shares CHB Common Stock Common Common Merger Corp. $1.00 par value Stock Stock 1,000 shares
d. Terms and Conditions. The terms and conditions of the proposed merger, including the manner and basis of converting the shares of each constituent corporation into shares, or other securities of, or other interest in, the surviving corporation, or into cash or other consideration, are as follows: (i) Merger and Effective Date. On the effective date of the merger, Champion Home Builders Co. ("Champion") shall be merged with and into CHB Merger Corp. ("CHB") (the "Merger"), with CHB being the surviving corporation, pursuant to and with the effect provided by the laws of Michigan. On such effective date, the separate existence of Champion shall cease and CHB shall continue unaffected and unimpaired, with all its rights, powers, purposes and franchises unaffected. The Merger shall become effective at 12:0l a.m., June 27, 1987 (the "Effective Date"). (ii) Articles of Incorporation. On the Effective Date, the Articles of Incorporation of CHB as in effect immediately prior to the Merger shall be amended as set forth below and as so amended shall thereafter remain the Articles of Incorporation of CHB, as the surviving corporation, until altered, amended, or repealed thereafter in accordance with the provisions thereof and applicable law. (iii) Bylaws. The Bylaws of CHB, as in effect immediately prior to the Merger, shall continue as the Bylaws of CHB, as the surviving corporation, and shall remain in full force and effect until altered, amended or repealed thereafter in accordance with the provisions thereof and applicable law. (iv) Directors and Officers. On and after the Effective Date of the Merger, the persons who are directors and officers of CHB immediately prior to the Merger shall continue as the directors and officers, respectively, of CHB, as the surviving corporation, and shall continue to hold office as provided in the Bylaws of CHB, as the surviving corporation. (v) Corporate Acts. All corporate acts, plans, policies, agreements, arrangements, approvals, and authorizations of Champion, its shareholders, Board of Directors and committees thereof, officers and agents, which were effective immediately prior to the Effective Date of the Merger shall be taken for all purposes as the corporate acts, plans, policies, agreements, arrangements, approvals and authorizations of CHB, as the surviving corporation, and shall be as effective and binding thereon as the same were with respect to Champion except for the assumption of certain of these acts, plans, policies, agreements, arrangements. approvals and authorizations by Champion Enterprises, Inc. ("Enterprises") instead of by CHB as the surviving corporation, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated March 15, 1987 by and among Champion, CHB and Enterprises. (vi) Conversion of Shares. On the Effective Date of the Merger: A. Champion Common Stock. Each share of the Common Stock of Champion, $1.00 par value ("Champion Common Stock"), issued and outstanding or held in the treasury of Champion immediately prior to the Effective Date shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be converted into shares of the Common Stock of Enterprises, $1.00 par value ("Enterprises Common Stock"), or cash, as follows: 2 (1) All shareholders of Champion owning one hundred (100) or more shares of Champion Common Stock shall receive, in exchange therefor, one (1) share of Enterprises Common Stock for each five (5) shares of Champion Common Stock, and cash for any resulting fractions of Enterprises Common Stock at the rate per whole share of Enterprises Common Stock obtained by multiplying the closing price of the Champion Common Stock on the American Stock Exchange on June 26, 1987 (the "Closing Price") by five (5); and (2) All shareholders of Champion owning ninety-nine (99) or fewer shares of Champion Common Stock shall receive, in exchange therefor, cash for each share owned in an amount equal to the Closing Price. Provided, however, that those shareholders of Champion whose shares would otherwise be converted only into a right to receive cash pursuant to paragraph (2) above and who elected, prior to the Effective Date, to have their shares converted pursuant to paragraph (1) above by giving written notice of such election to Champion before such date shall have their shares converted pursuant to paragraph (1). Such shareholders who, as of the Effective Date, had not served written notice of such an election shall receive cash for each share owned in accordance with paragraph (2) above. B. CHB Common Stock. Each share of the Common Stock of CHB, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date of the Merger shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, remain outstanding as one (1) share of Common Stock of CHB, as the surviving corporation. C. Enterprises Common Stock. Each share of Enterprises Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date of the Merger shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be converted into and shall represent the right to receive the par value thereof in cash. D. Exchange of, and Payment for, Champion Shares. Following the Effective Date of the Merger, each registered holder of a certificate representing shares of Champion Common Stock shall be entitled to receive upon presentation thereof for exchange to an exchange 3 agent (the "Exchange Agent") designated by Enterprises a new certificate or new certificates representing the number of shares of Enterprises Common Stock and/or the cash payment, if any, as provided in Subparagraph A above. Promptly after the Effective Date of the Merger, the Exchange Agent shall mail or cause to be mailed to each holder of record of an outstanding certificate or certificates which prior thereto represented shares of Champion Common Stock a letter of transmittal and instructions for use in effecting the surrender of such certificate or certificates for exchange and/or payment as aforesaid. Upon surrender to the Exchange Agent of such certificate or certificates, together with such letter of transmittal, duly executed, the Exchange Agent shall promptly cause the issuance and/or payment to the persons entitled thereto of the certificates for shares of Enterprises Common Stock and/or the cash payment, as aforesaid, to which such persons are entitled. No interest will be paid or accrued on any cash payable upon surrender of any certificates of Champion Common Stock. Until so surrendered, each outstanding certificate which prior to the Effective Date represented shares of Champion Common Stock shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of the number of shares of Enterprises Common Stock, and/or the cash payment, into which such shares of Champion Common Stock shall have been converted as aforesaid. On the Effective Date, the stock transfer books for the shares of Champion Common Stock shall be closed, and no transfer of such shares shall thereafter be registered on such transfer books. (vii) Additional Action. If at any time CHB, as the surviving corporation, shall request the execution of any other documents or the taking of any other action by or on behalf of Champion to effectuate the Merger provided herein or to vest in CHB, as the surviving corporation, title to and possession of all properties or rights owned by Champion on the Effective Date of the Merger, the proper officers and directors of Champion shall execute all such documents and take all such action as CHB, as the surviving corporation, shall consider requisite or convenient to accomplish such purposes. e. Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of CHB. On the Effective Date of the Merger, the Articles of Incorporation of CHB, as in effect immediately prior to the Merger, shall be amended as set forth below: 4 Article FIRST shall be amended to read in its entirety as follows: FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Champion Home Builders Co. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF MERGER. The plan of merger was adopted by the Board of Directors of Champion and CHB, the constituent corporations, and was approved by the Shareholders of such corporations in accordance with Sections 701 to 704 of the Michigan Business Corporation Act, as amended, or pursuant to Section 407 of the Michigan Business Corporation Act, as amended, by written consent and written notice, if required by that Section. Signed this 26th day of June, 1987. CHAMPION HOME BUILDERS CO. By: /s/ RODNEY A. KNIGHT --------------------------------- Rodney A. Knight Its: Vice President-Legal Affairs and Secretary Signed this 26th day of June, 1987. CHB MERGER CORP. By: /s/ ROBERT A. POST --------------------------------- Robert A. Post Its: President 5 MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - CORPORATION AND SECURITIES BUREAU (FOR BUREAU USE ONLY) DATE RECEIVED FILED MAR 09 1987 MAR 09 1987 Administrator MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE EFFECTIVE DATE: Corporation & Securities Bureau CORPORATION IDENTIFICATION NUMBER 416-343 ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION FOR USE BY DOMESTIC PROFIT CORPORATIONS (Please read instructions on last page before completing form) Pursuant to the provisions of Act 284, Public Acts of 1972, as amended, the undersigned corporation executes the following Articles: ARTICLE I The name of the corporation is: CHB Merger Corp. ARTICLE II The purpose or purposes for which the corporation is organized is to engage in any activity within the purposes for which corporations may be organized under the Business Corporation Act of Michigan. ARTICLE III The total authorized capital stock is: Common Shares 50,000 Par Value Per Share $ 1.00 1. --------------- -------- Preferred Shares Par Value Per Share $ --------------- -------- and/or shares without par value as follows: Common Shares Stated Value Per Share $ 2. --------------- -------- Preferred Shares Stated Value Per Share $ --------------- -------- 3. A statement of all or any of the relative rights, preferences and limitations of the shares of each class is as follows: ARTICLE IV 1. The address of the registered office is: 615 Griswold Street Detroit, Michigan 48226 ------------------------------------------------ --------- (Street Address) (City) (Zip Code) 2. The mailing address of the registered office if different than above: Same , Michigan ------------------------------------------------ --------- (P.O. Box) (City) (Zip Code) 3. The name of the resident agent at the registered office is: The Corporation Company ARTICLE V The name(s) and address(es) of the incorporator(s) is (are) as follows: Name Residence or Business Address Rodney A. Knight 5573 North Street, Dryden, Michigan 48428 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARTICLE VI When a compromise or arrangement or a plan of reorganization of this corporation is proposed between this corporation and its creditors or any class of them or between this corporation and its shareholders or any class of them, a court of equity jurisdiction within the state, on application of this corporation or of a creditor or shareholder thereof, or on application of a receiver appointed for the corporation, may order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors or of the shareholders or class of shareholders to be affected by the proposed compromise or arrangement or reorganization, to be summoned in such manner as the court directs. If a majority in number representing 3/4 in value of the creditors or class of creditors, or of the shareholders or class of shareholders to be affected by the proposed compromise or arrangement or a reorganization, agree to a compromise or arrangement or a reorganization of this corporation as a consequence of the compromise or arrangement, the compromise or arrangement and the reorganization, if sanctioned by the court to which the application has been made, shall be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, or on all the shareholders or class of shareholders and also on this corporation. ARTICLE VII Any action required or permitted by the Act to be taken at an annual or special meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to shareholders who have not consented in writing. Use space below for additional Articles or for continuation of previous Articles. Please identify any Article being continued or added. Attach additional pages if needed. I, the incorporator sign my name this 5th day of March, 1987. /s/ Rodney A. Knight - ----------------------------------- ------------------------------ Rodney A. Knight - ----------------------------------- ------------------------------ - ----------------------------------- ------------------------------ - ----------------------------------- ------------------------------ - ----------------------------------- ------------------------------ DOCUMENT WILL BE RETURNED TO NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS INDICATED IN THE BOX BELOW. Include name, street and number (or P.O. box), city, state and ZIP code. MICHAEL DALIDA Telephone: 615 GRISWOLD Area Code ______________ STE 1414 DETROIT MI 48226 Number _________________ INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS 1. Submit one original copy of this document. Upon filing, a microfilm copy will be prepared for the records of the Corporation ??? Securities Bureau. The original copy will then be returned to the address appearing in the box above as ??? filing. Since this ??? must be microfilmed, it is important that the filing be legible. Documents with poor black and white ??? otherwise illegible, will be rejected. 2. This document ??? used pursuant to the provisions of Act 284, P.A. of 1972, by one or more persons for the purpose of ??? domestic profit corporation. 3. Article I -- The corporate name of a domestic profit corporation is required to contain one of the following words or abbreviations: "Corporation", "Company", "Incorporated", "Limited", "Corp.", "Co.", "Inc.", or "Ltd.". 4. Article II -- State, in general terms, the character of the particular business to be carried on. Under section 202(b) of the Act, it is sufficient to state substantially, alone or without specifically enumerated purposes, that the corporation may engage in any activity within the purposes for which corporations may be organized under the Act. The Act requires, however, that educational corporations state their specific purposes. 5. Article III (2) -- The Act requires the incorporators of a domestic corporation having shares without par value to submit in writing the amount of consideration proposed to be received for each share which shall be allocated to stated capital. Such stated value may be indicated either in item 2 of article III or in a written statement accompanying the articles of incorporation. 6. Article IV -- A post office box may not be designated as the address of the registered office. The mailing address may differ from the address of the registered office only if a post office box address in the same city as the registered office is designated as the mailing address. 7. Article V -- The Act requires one or more incorporators. The address(es) should include a street number and name (or other designation), city and state. 8. The duration of the corporation should be stated in the articles only if the duration is not perpetual. 9. This document is effective on the date approved and filed by the Bureau. A later effective date, no more than 90 days after the date of delivery, may be stated as an additional article. 10. The articles must be signed in ink by each incorporator. The names of the incorporators as set out in article V should correspond with the signatures. 11. FEES: Filing fee........................................... $10.00 Franchise fee -- 1/2 mill (.0005) on each dollar of authorized capital stock, with a minimum franchise fee of..................................... $25.00 Total minimum fees (Make remittance payable to State of Michigan)................................... $35.00 12. Mail form and fee to: Michigan Department of Commerce Corporation and Securities Bureau Corporation Division P.O. Box 30054 Lansing, MI 48909 Telephone: (517) 373-0493 ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF A-1 CHAMPION GP, INC. These Articles of Incorporation are signed by the incorporator for the purpose of forming a profit corporation pursuant to the provisions of Act 284, Public Acts of 1972, as amended, as follows: ARTICLE I The name of the corporation is A-l Champion GP, Inc. ARTICLE II The purpose or purposes for which the corporation is formed is to engage in any activity within the purposes for which corporations may be formed under the Business Corporation Act of Michigan (the "Act"). ARTICLE III The total authorized shares are 1,000 shares of Common Stock. ARTICLE IV The corporation has only one class of stock. ARTICLE V The address and mailing address of the registered office is: 30600 Telegraph Road Bingham Farms, Michigan 48025 The name of the resident agent at the registered office is The Corporation Company. ARTICLE VI The name and address of the incorporator is as follows: Name Residence or Business Address ---- ----------------------------- Jay L. Kreindler 2701 Cambridge Court, Suite 300 Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326 ARTICLE VII The duration of the corporation is perpetual. ARTICLE VIII A director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. However, this provision does not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any of the following: (a) any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders; (b) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (c) a violation of Section 551(l) of the Act; (d) a transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit; or (e) an act or omission occurring prior to the date this Article becomes effective. Any repeal, amendment or other modification of this Article shall not increase the liability or alleged liability of any director of the corporation then existing with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore existing or any action, suit or proceeding theretofore or thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts. If the Act is subsequently amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting personal liability of directors, then the liability of directors shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the Act as so amended. -2- ARTICLE IX Any action required or permitted by the Act, these Articles or the Bylaws of the corporation to be taken at an annual or special meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, are signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on the action were present and voted. The written consents shall bear the date of signature of each shareholder who signs the consent. No written consents shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to unless, within 60 days after the record date for determining shareholders entitled to express consent to or to dissent from a proposal without a meeting, written consents dated not more than 10 days before the record date and signed by a sufficient number of shareholders to take the action are delivered to the corporation, Delivery shall be to the corporation's registered office, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the minutes of the proceedings of its shareholders. Delivery made to a corporation's registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to shareholders who would have been entitled to notice of the shareholder meeting if the action had been taken at a meeting and who have not consented in writing. I, the sole incorporator, sign my name this 7th day of December, 2001. /s/ Jay L. Kreindler ----------------------------- Jay L. Kreindler Prepared by, and when filed return to: Jay L. Kreindler A-l Champion GP, Inc. 2701 Cambridge Court, Suite 300 Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326 (248)340-7688 -3- CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF A-1 HOMES GROUP, L.P. The undersigned General Partner, desiring to form a limited partnership (the "Partnership"), pursuant to Section 2.15 of the Texas Revised Limited Partnership Act (the "Act"), hereby duly executes this Certificate of Limited Partnership, to be effective as of 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2001. 1. The name of the Partnership is A-1 Homes Group, L.P. 2. The address of the registered office of the Partnership is 350 North St. Paul Street, Dallas, Texas 75201, and the name of the registered agent for service of process whose business office address will be the same as the registered office address is CT Corporation System. 3. The duration of the Partnership shall be perpetual. 4. The address of the principal office of the Partnership where its partnership records are to be kept or made available under Section 1.07 of the Act is 3800 E. 42nd St., Suite 604, Odessa, Texas 79762. 5. The name, the mailing address, and the street address of the business or residence of the sole general partner of the Partnership is as follows: NAME MAILING AND STREET ADDRESS A-1 Champion GP, Inc. 2701 Cambridge Ct., Suite 300, Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326 6. This certificate of limited partnership shall be effective at 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2001, as set forth in that certain Plan of Conversion providing for the conversion of Cal-Nel, Inc. into the Partnership. 7. The Partnership is being formed by the conversion of Cal-Nel, Inc., a Texas corporation incorporated on March 3, 1998 and having its address at 3800 E. 42nd St., Suite 604, Odessa Texas 79762. EXECUTED the 7th day of December, 2001. GENERAL PARTNER A-1 Champion GP, Inc. By: [SIG] Its: VP/Secretary & General Counsel MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER & INDUSTRY SERVICES CORPORATION, SECURITIES AND LAND DEVELOPMENT BUREAU Date Received (FOR BUREAU USE ONLY) This document is effective on the date filed, unless a subsequent effective date within 90 days after received date is stated in the document. Name Jay Kreindler / Champion Enterprises, Inc. Address 2701 University Dr. Suite 300 City State Zip Code Auburn Hills MI 48326 EFFECTIVE DATE: DOCUMENT WILL BE RETURNED TO THE NAME AND ADDRESS YOU ENTER ABOVE. IF LEFT BLANK DOCUMENT WILL BE MAILED TO THE REGISTERED OFFICE. CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION FOR USE BY DOMESTIC PROFIT AND NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS (Please read information and instructions on the last page) Pursuant to the provisions of Act 284, Public Acts of 1972 (profit corporations), or Act 162, Public Acts of 1982 (nonprofit corporations), the undersigned corporation executes the following Certificate: 1. The present name of the corporation is: Champion Home Centers, Inc. 2. The identification number assigned by the Bureau is: 507-720 3. Article I of the Articles of Incorporation is hereby amended to read as follows: The name of the corporation is Champion Retail, Inc. COMPLETE ONLY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: 4. (FOR AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT OF INCORPORATORS BEFORE THE FIRST MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES.) The foregoing amendment to the Articles of Incorporation was duly adopted on the ______ day of ________________, ______, in accordance with the provisions of the Act by the unanimous consent of the incorporator(s) before the first meeting of the Board of Directors or Trustees. Signed this ______ day of _____________________, ______ ----------------------------------- --------------------------------- (Signature) (Signature) ----------------------------------- --------------------------------- (Type or Print Name) (Type or Print Name) ----------------------------------- --------------------------------- (Signature) (Signature) ----------------------------------- --------------------------------- (Type or Print Name) (Type or Print Name) 5. (FOR PROFIT AND NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS WHOSE ARTICLES STATE THE CORPORATION IS ORGANIZED ON A STOCK OR ON A MEMBERSHIP BASIS.) The foregoing amendment to the Articles of Incorporation was duly adopted on the 4th day of November, 1999 by the shareholders if a profit --- --------- ---- corporation, or by the shareholders or members if a nonprofit corporation (check one of the following) at a meeting the necessary votes were case in favor of the amendment. --- by written consent of the shareholders or members having not less than --- the minimum number of votes required by statute in accordance with Section 407(1) and (2) of the Act if a nonprofit corporation, or Section 407(1) of the Act if a profit corporation. Written notice to shareholders or members who have not consented in writing has been given. (Note: Written consent by less than all of the shareholders or members is permitted only if such provision appears in the Articles of Incorporation.) X by written consent of all the shareholders or members entitled to vote --- in accordance with section 407(3) of the Act if a nonprofit corporation, or Section 407(2) of the Act if a profit corporation. by the board of a profit corporation pursuant to section 611(2). --- Profit Corporations Nonprofit Corporations Signed this 8th day of November, 1999 Signed this day of , --- -------- ---- --- -------- ---- By /s/ John J. Collins, Jr. By ------------------------------ ----------------------------------- (Signature of an authorized (Signature of President, officer or agent) Vice-President, Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson) John J. Collins, Jr. - ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- (Type or Print Name) (Type or Print Name) (Type or Print Title) ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF CHAMPION HOME CENTERS, INC. These Articles of Incorporation are signed by the incorporator for the purpose of forming a profit corporation pursuant to the provisions of Act 284, Public Acts of 1972, as amended, as follows: ARTICLE I The name of the corporation is Champion Home Centers, Inc. ARTICLE II The purpose or purposes for which the corporation is formed is to engage in any activity within the purposes for which corporations may be formed under the Business Corporation Act of Michigan (the "Act"). ARTICLE III The total authorized shares is 1,000 shares of Common Stock. ARTICLE IV The corporation has only one class of stock. ARTICLE V The address and mailing address of the registered office is: 30600 Telegraph Road Bingham Farms, MI 48025 The name of the resident agent at the registered office is The Corporation Company. ARTICLE VI The name and address of the incorporator are as follows: Name Residence or Business Address ---- ----------------------------- Jay L. Kreindler 2701 University Drive Suite 300 Auburn Hills, MI 48326 ARTICLE VII The duration of the corporation is perpetual. ARTICLE VIII A director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. However, this provision does not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any of the following: (a) any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders; (b) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (c) a violation of Section 551(1) of the Act; (d) a transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit; or (e) an act or omission occurring prior to the date this Article becomes effective. Any repeal, amendment or other modification of this Article shall not increase the liability or alleged liability of any director of the corporation then existing with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore existing or any action, suit or proceeding theretofore or thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts. If the Act is subsequently amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting personal liability of directors, then the liability of directors shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the Act as so amended. -2- ARTICLE IX Any action required or permitted by the Act, these Articles or the Bylaws of the corporation to be taken at an annual or special meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, are signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on the action were present and voted. The written consents shall bear the date of signature of each shareholder who signs the consent. No written consents shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to unless, within 60 days after the record date for determining shareholders entitled to express consent to or to dissent from a proposal without a meeting, written consents dated not more than 10 days before the record date and signed by a sufficient number of shareholders to take the action are delivered to the corporation. Delivery shall be to the corporation's registered office, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the minutes of the proceedings of its shareholders. Delivery made to a corporation's registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to shareholders who would have been entitled to notice of the shareholder meeting if the action had been taken at a meeting and who have not consented in writing. I, the sole incorporator, sign my name this 6th day of November, 1997. /s/ Jay L. Kreindler -------------------------------- Jay L. Kreindler -3- STATE OF DELAWARE SECRETARY OF STATE DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS FILED 03:00 PM 09/22/1993 932655361 - 772937 CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF REDMAN HOMES, INC. The undersigned, being the Executive Vice President and Secretary, respectively, of Redman Homes, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), do hereby certify: FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Redman Homes, Inc. SECOND: The Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on June 17, 1971. THIRD: The Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended by adding the provisions set forth in Exhibit A hereto (and incorporated herein by reference) as Article THIRTEENTH. FOURTH: The Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended by adding the provisions set forth in Exhibit B hereto (and incorporated herein by reference) as Article FOURTEENTH. FIRTH: The aforementioned amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation were duly adopted in accordance with Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL"). Written consent of the Corporation's sole stockholder has been given in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the DGCL. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed pursuant to Section 103(a)(2) of the DGCL by the undersigned duly authorized officers of the Corporation as of the 7th day of September, 1993. REDMAN HOMES, INC. By: /s/ Fergus J. Walker, Jr. ------------------------- Fergus J. Walker, Jr. Executive Vice President ATTEST: /s/ Paul L. Barrett - ------------------- Paul L. Barrett Secretary EXHIBIT A THIRTEENTH: The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was, is, or is threatened to be made a party to a proceeding (as hereinafter defined) by reason of the fact that he or she (i) is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or (ii) while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent, or similar functionary of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise, to the fullest extent permitted under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL"), as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. Such right shall be a contract right and as such shall run to the benefit of any director or officer who is elected and accepts the position of director or officer of the Corporation or elects to continue to serve as a director or officer of the Corporation while this Article Thirteenth is in effect. Any repeal or amendment of this Article Thirteenth shall be prospective only and shall not limit the rights of any such director or officer or the obligations of the Corporation with respect to any claim arising from or related to the services of such director of officer in any of the foregoing capacities prior to any such repeal or amendment to this Article Thirteenth. Such right shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation expenses incurred in investigating or defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition to the maximum extent permitted under the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. If a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty (60) days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim, and if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall also be entitled to be paid the expenses of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action that such indemnification or advancement of costs of defense is not permitted under the DGCL, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its board of directors or any committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or stockholders) to have made its determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of, or advancement of costs of defense to, the claimant is permissible in the circumstances nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its board of directors or any committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or stockholders) that such A-1 indemnification or advancement is not permissible shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that such indemnification or advancement is not permissible. In the event of the death of any person having a right of indemnification under the foregoing provisions, such right shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors, administrators, and personal representatives. The rights conferred above shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, by-law, resolution of stockholders or directors, agreement, or otherwise. The Corporation may additionally indemnify any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the extent permitted by then applicable law, the grant of mandatory indemnification pursuant to this Article Thirteenth shall extend to proceeding involving the negligence of such person. As used herein, the term "proceeding" means any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, or investigative, any appeal in such an action, suit, or proceeding, and any inquiry or investigation that could lead to such an action, suit, or proceeding. A-2 EXHIBIT B FOURTEENTH: A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Any repeal or amendment of this Article Fourteenth by the stockholders of the Corporation shall be prospective only, and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of a director of the Corporation arising from an act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or amendment. In addition to the circumstances in which a director of the Corporation is not personally liable as set forth in the foregoing provisions of this Article Fourteenth, a director shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders to such further extent as permitted by any law hereafter enacted, including without limitation any subsequent amendment to the DGCL. STATE OF DELAWARE SECRETARY OF STATE DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS FILED 12:40 PM 08/12/1998 981318097 - 2168750 CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF REDMAN INDUSTRIES, INC. Redman Industries, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY: FIRST: That the Board of Directors of Redman Industries, Inc. has filed with the minutes of the board, duly adopted resolutions setting forth a proposed amendment to the Restated Certificate of incorporation of said corporation. The resolution setting forth the proposed amendment as follows: RESOLVED, that the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of this corporation be amended by changing Article 4 so that, as amended the fourth paragraph of said Article shall be and read as follows: "FOURTH: The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to ISSUE is 1,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share." SECOND: That thereafter, upon written consent of the stockholders, given in accordance with the provisions of Section 228, as amended by Ch. 349, L. 1996, said amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said stockholder, Champion Enterprises, Inc., has caused this certificate to be signed by Walter R. Young, Jr., its President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, this 7th day of August, 1998. Champion Enterprises, Inc. By: /s/ Walter R. Young, Jr. --------------------------------- Walter R. Young, Jr. STATE OF DELAWARE SECRETARY OF STATE DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS FILED 04:26 PM 07/13/1993 931945602 - 559316 CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF REDMAN INDUSTRIES, INC. The undersigned, being the Executive Vice President and Secretary, respectively, of Redman Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), do hereby certify: FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Redman Industries, Inc. SECOND: The Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on November 14, 1960 under the name New Moon Homes, Inc. A Restated Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on August 18, 1989. THIRD: Article FIRST of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation hereby is amended to read in its entirety as follows: "FIRST - The name of the corporation is Redman Corporation." FOURTH: The aforementioned amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted in accordance with Section 242 of the General Corporation of Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL"). Unanimous written consent of the Corporation's sole stockholder has been given in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the DGCL. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed pursuant to Section 103(a)(2) of the DGCL by the undersigned duly authorized officers of the Corporation as of the 8th day of July, 1993. REDMAN INDUSTRIES, INC. BY: /S/ FERGUS J. WALKER ---------------------- NAME: FERGUS J. WALKER TITLE: EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT ATTEST: /S/ PAUL L. BARRETT - ---------------------- PAUL L. BARRETT, SECRETARY CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF REDMAN INDUSTRIES, INC. Redman Industries, Inc. (the "Corporation"), a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL"), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY THAT: FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Redman Industries, Inc. SECOND: The Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on August 5, 1988. THIRD: Article FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation") be, and it hereby is, amended and restated to read in its entirety as set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. FOURTH: The amendment to Article FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation made by this Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate of Amendment") effects a reverse stock split by means of the exchange and cancellation of issued stock described in Exhibit B attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. FIFTH: This amendment effects a change in the amount of the stated capital of the Corporation from $95,000.00 to $36,637.96, which is the amount of stated capital which will be in effect upon the effectiveness of this Certificate of Amendment. The Board of Directors of the Corporation has authorized the transfer to surplus from stated capital of an amount equal to the difference between the amount of stated capital in respect of the Old Common Stock and the amount of stated capital in respect of the New Common Stock (both terms as defined in Exhibit B). SIXTH: The aforementioned amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted in accordance with Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "GCLD"). Written consent of the Corporation's stockholders has been given in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the GCLD and written notice has been given to nonconsenting stockholders as provided in Section 228(d) of the GCLD. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed pursuant to Section 103(a)(2) of the DGCL by the undersigned duly authorized officers of the Corporation as of this 7th day of September, 1993. REDMAN INDUSTRIES, INC. By: /s/ Fergus J. Walker, Jr. -------------------------------- Fergus J. Walker, Jr. Executive Vice President ATTEST: By: /s/ Paul L. Barrett ----------------------- Paul L. Barrett Secretary 2 EXHIBIT A ARTICLE IV The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 30,000,000, 10,000,000 of such shares to be classified as preferred stock (the "Preferred Stock"), par value $0.01 per share, and 20,000,000 of such shares to be classified as common stock (the "Common Stock"), par value $0.01 per share. The designations and the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Preferred Stock and Common Stock of the Corporation are as follows: A. Provisions Relating to the Preferred Stock. 1. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more classes or series, the shares of each class or series to have such designations and powers, preferences, and rights, and qualifications, limitations, and restrictions thereof, as are stated and expressed herein and in the resolution adopted by the board of directors of the Corporation as hereafter prescribed. 2. Authority is hereby expressly granted to and vested in the board of directors of the Corporation to authorize the issuance of the Preferred Stock from time to time in one or more classes or series, and with respect to each such class or series of the Preferred Stock, to fix and state by the resolution or resolutions from time to time adopted providing for the issuance thereof the following: a. whether or not such class or series is to have voting rights, full, special, or limited, or is to be without voting rights, and whether or not such class or series is to be entitled to vote as a separate class either alone or together with the holders of one or more other classes or series of stock; b. the number of shares to constitute such class or series and the designations thereof; c. the preferences, and relative, participating, optional, or other special rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, if any, with respect to any class or series; d. whether or not the shares of any such class or series shall be redeemable at the option of the Corporation or the holders thereof or upon the happening of any specified event, and, if redeemable, the redemption price or prices (which may be payable in the form of cash, notes, securities, or other property), and the time or times at which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such shares shall be redeemable and the manner of redemption; e. whether or not the shares of such class or series shall be subject to the operation of retirement or sinking funds to be applied to the purchase or redemption of such shares for retirement, and, if such retirement or sinking fund or funds are to be established, the annual amount thereof, and the terms and provisions relative to the operation thereof; f. the dividend rate, whether dividends are payable in cash, stock of the Corporation, or other property, the conditions upon which and the times when such dividends are payable, the preference to or the relation to the payment of dividends payable on any other class or classes or series of stock, whether such dividends shall be cumulative or noncumulative, and if cumulative, the date or dates from which such dividends shall accumulate; g. the preferences, if any, and the amounts thereof which the holders of any such class or series shall be entitled to receive upon the voluntary or involuntary dissolution of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the Corporation; h. whether or not the shares of any such class or series, at the option of the Corporation or the holder thereof or upon the happening of any specified event, shall be convertible into or exchangeable for the shares of any other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock, securities, or other property of the Corporation and the conversion price or prices or ratio or ratios or the rate or rates at which such exchange may be made, with such adjustments, if any, as shall be stated and expressed or provided for in such resolution or resolutions; and i. such other special rights and provisions with respect to any such class or series as may to the board of directors of the Corporation seem advisable. 3. The shares of each class or series of the Preferred Stock may vary from the shares of any other class or series thereof in any or all of the foregoing respects. The board of directors of the Corporation may increase the number of shares of the Preferred Stock designated for any existing class or series by a resolution adding to such class or series by a resolution adding to such class or series authorized and unissued shares of the Preferred Stock not designated for any other class or series. The board of directors of the Corporation may decrease the number of shares of the Preferred Stock designated for any existing class or series by a resolution, subtracting from such series unissued shares of the Preferred Stock designated for such class or series, and the shares so subtracted shall become authorized, unissued, and undesignated shares of the Preferred Stock. B. Provisions Relating to the Common Stock. 1. Except as otherwise required by law, and subject to any special voting rights which may be granted any class or series of Preferred Stock in the board of directors resolution which creates such class or series, each holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock standing in such holder's name on the records of the Corporation on each matter submitted to a vote of the stockholders. 2. Subject to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive when, as, and if declared by the board of directors of the Corporation, out of funds legally available therefor, dividends payable in cash, stock, or otherwise. 3. Upon any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, and after the holders of the Preferred Stock and the holders of any bonds, debentures, or other obligations of the Corporation shall have been paid in full the amounts to which they shall be entitled (if any), or a sum sufficient for such payment in full shall have been set aside, the remaining net assets of the corporation shall be distributed pro rata to the holders of the Common Stock in accordance with their respective rights and interests, to the exclusion of the holders of the Preferred Stock and any bonds, debentures, or other obligations of the Corporation. C. General. 1. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, the Corporation may issue shares of its Preferred Stock and Common Stock from time to time for such consideration (not less than the par value thereof) as may be fixed by the board of directors of the Corporation, which is expressly authorized to fix the same in its absolute and uncontrolled discretion subject to the foregoing conditions. Shares so issued for which the consideration shall have been paid or delivered to the Corporation shall be deemed fully paid stock and shall not be liable to any further call or assessment thereon, and the holders of such shares shall not be liable for any further payments in respect of such shares. 2. The Corporation shall have authority to create and issue rights and options entitling their holders to purchase shares of the Corporation's capital stock of any class or series or other securities of the Corporation, and such rights and options shall be evidenced by instrument(s) approved by the board of directors of the Corporation. The board of directors of the Corporation shall be empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise, and other terms of such options or rights; provided, however, that the consideration to be received for any shares of capital stock subject thereto shall not be less than the par value thereof. EXHIBIT B Upon the adoption of the Certificate of Amendment by the holders of the Corporation's Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and due execution and filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware of this Certificate of Amendment incorporating such amendment to Article FOURTH, every share of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Old Common Stock"), of the Corporation authorized and outstanding as of the effective date of such amendment shall be automatically converted into, and deemed for all purposes to be, 0.3856627368 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share ("New Common Stock"), of the Corporation, and written notice thereof shall forthwith be given by the secretary of the Corporation to the holders of the outstanding shares of the Old Common Stock in person or at their latest addresses reflected on the records of the Corporation, together with notice of the procedures hereinafter specified for exchange or replacement of the certificates representing shares of the Old Common Stock. Upon surrender of the certificate(s) representing shares of the Old Common Stock by the registered holder thereof in properly endorsed and due form for exchange and cancellation (together with all necessary stock powers and other appropriate documentation), or upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the President, Executive Vice President or any Vice President of the Corporation of the loss, theft, or destruction of the certificate(s) therefor from the registered holder of such stock (together with delivery of an indemnity bond in appropriate amount, payable to the Corporation, if the President, Executive Vice President or any Vice president shall so require it in their reasonable judgment), the President, Executive Vice President or any Vice President of the Corporation or his designee shall accept and cancel the certificate(s) surrendered, if applicable, and shall issue to such holder certificate(s), endorsed with such legends as are required or are appropriate, in such denominations as such holder may request, amounting in the aggregate to 0.3856627368 shares of the New Common Stock for every one share of the Old Common Stock as shall have been surrendered or for which satisfactory evidence of loss, theft, or destruction shall have been received. The President, Executive Vice President or any Vice President, or his designee, shall enter the fact of cancellation of the old share certificate(s) for Old Common Stock and the issuance of the new certificate(s) for New Common Stock and the appropriate name or names of the holders of such shares represented by the new certificate(s) on its stock records and transfer books. To the extent that the holders of the shares of the Old Common Stock shall not present their shares for exchange in the manner specified above, such failure to act shall in no circumstance affect their status as holders of the new Common stock or the validity of their shares, except that each certificate they hold after the effective date of this Certificate of Amendment which prior thereto represented shares of the Old Common Stock shall be deemed to represent the appropriate number, as determined above, of the authorized and outstanding shares of the New Common Stock for every purpose. STATE OF DELAWARE SECRETARY OF STATE DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS FILED 04:27 PM 07/13/1993 931945603 - 2168750 CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF REDMAN HOLDING CORPORATION The undersigned, being the Executive Vice President and Secretary, respectively, of Redman Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), do hereby certify: FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Redman Holding Corporation. SECOND: The Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on August 5, 1988. THIRD: Article FIRST of the Certificate of Incorporation hereby is amended to read in its entirety as follows: "FIRST - The name of the corporation is Redman Industries, Inc." FOURTH: The aforementioned amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted in accordance with Section 242 of the General Corporation of Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL") Written consent of the Corporation's stockholders has been given in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the DGCL and written notice has been given to nonconsenting stockholders as provided in Section 228(d). IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed pursuant to Section 103(a)(2) of the DGCL by the undersigned duly authorized officers of the Corporation as of the 8th day of July, 1993. REDMAN HOLDING CORPORATION BY: /S/ FERGUS J. WALKER ---------------------- Name: Fergus J. Walker Title: Executive Vice President ATTEST: /S/ PAUL L. BARRETT - ---------------------- Paul L. Barrett, SECRETARY CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AFTER PAYMENT OF CAPITAL OF REDMAN HOLDING CORPORATION (Pursuant to Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware) Redman Holding Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify: FIRST: That Article Fourth and Article Sixth of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation be, and they hereby are, amended and restated to read in their entirety, respectively, as set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. SECOND: That the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation be, and it hereby is, amended in part to add Article Tenth thereto as set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. THIRD: That the attached amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation were duly adopted by the directors of the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. FOURTH: That the attached amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation were duly adopted by the sole stockholder of the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Redman Holding Corporation has caused this Certificate to be executed by its Vice President and attested by its Assistant Secretary as of this 12th day of October, 1988. REDMAN HOLDING CORPORATION By: /s/ Thomas W. Sturgess ________________________ Thomas W. Sturgess Vice President ATTEST: /s/ Suzanne C. Goddard ________________________ Suzanne C. Goddard, Assistant Secretary EXHIBIT A FOURTH: The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 40,000,000, 10,000,000 of such shares to be classified as preferred stock (the "Preferred Stock"), par value $0.01 per share, and 30,000,000 of such shares to be classified as common stock (the "Common Stock"), par value $0.01 per share. The designations and the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations, and restrictions of the Preferred Stock and the Common Stock of the Corporation are as follows: A. Provisions Relating to the Preferred Stock. 1. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more classes or series, the shares of each class or series to have such designations and powers, preferences, and rights, and qualifications, limitations, and restrictions thereof as are stated and expressed herein and in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of such class or series adopted by the board of directors of the Corporation as hereafter prescribed. 2. Authority is hereby expressly granted to and vested in the board of directors of the Corporation to authorize the issuance of the Preferred Stock from time to time in one or more classes or series, and with respect to each such class or series of the Preferred Stock, to fix and state by the resolution or resolutions from time to time adopted providing for the issuance thereof the following: (i) whether or not such class or series is to have voting rights, full, special, or limited, or is to be without voting rights, and whether or not such class or series is to be entitled to vote as a separate class either alone or together with the holders of one or more other classes or series of stock; (ii) the number of shares to constitute such class or series and the designations thereof; (iii) the preferences, and relative, participating, optional, or other special rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, if any, with respect to any such class or series; (iv) whether or not the shares of any such class or series shall be redeemable at the option of the Corporation or the holders thereof or upon the happening of any specified event, and, if redeemable, the redemption price or prices (which may be payable in the form of cash, notes, securities, or other property), and the time or times at which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such shares shall be redeemable and the manner of redemption; (v) whether or not the shares of such class or series shall be subject to the operation of retirement or sinking funds to be applied to the purchase or redemption of such shares for retirement, and, if such retirement or sinking fund or funds are to be established, the annual amount thereof, and the terms and provisions relative to the operation thereof; (vi) the dividend rate, whether dividends are payable in cash, stock of the Corporation, or other property, or a combination thereof, the conditions upon which and the times when such dividends are payable, the preference to or the relation to the payment of dividends payable on any other class or classes or series of stock, whether such dividends shall be cumulative or noncumulative, and if cumulative, the date or dates from which such dividends shall accumulate; (vii) the preferences, if any, and the amounts thereof which the holders of any such class or series shall be entitled to receive upon the voluntary or involuntary dissolution of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the Corporation; (viii) whether or not the shares of any such class or series, at the option of the Corporation or the holder thereof or upon the happening of any specified event, shall be convertible into or exchangeable for the shares of any other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock, securities, or other property of the Corporation and the conversion price or prices or ratio or ratios or the rate or rates at which such exchange may be made, with such adjustments, if any, as shall be stated and expressed or provided for in such resolution or resolutions; and (ix) such other special rights and provisions with respect to any such class or series as may to the board of directors of the Corporation seem advisable. 3. The shares of each class or series of the Preferred Stock may vary from the shares of any other class or series thereof in any or all of the foregoing respects. The board of directors of the Corporation may increase the number of shares of the Preferred Stock designated for any existing class or series by a resolution adding to such class or series authorized and unissued shares of the Preferred Stock not designated for any other class or series. The board of directors 2 of the Corporation may decrease the number of shares of the Preferred Stock designated for any existing class or series by a resolution, subtracting from such series unissued shares of the Preferred Stock designated for such class or series, and the shares so subtracted shall become authorized, unissued, and undesignated shares of the Preferred Stock. B. Provisions Relating to the Common Stock. 1. Except as otherwise required by law, and subject to any special voting rights which may be granted any class or series of Preferred Stock in the board of directors resolution which creates such class or series, each holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock standing in such holder's name on the records of the Corporation on each matter submitted to a vote of the stockholders. 2. Subject to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive when, as, and if declared by the board of directors of the Corporation, out of funds legally available therefor, dividends payable in cash, stock, or otherwise. 3. Upon any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, and after the holders of the Preferred Stock and the holders of any bonds, debentures, or other obligations of the Corporation shall have been paid in full the amounts to which they shall be entitled (if any), or a sum sufficient for such payment in full shall have been set aside, the remaining net assets of the Corporation shall be distributed pro rata to the holders of the Common Stock in accordance with their respective rights and interests, to the exclusion of the holders of the Preferred Stock and any bonds, debentures, or other obligations of the Corporation. C. General. 1. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, the Corporation may issue shares of its Preferred Stock and Common Stock from time to time for such consideration (not less than the par value thereof) as may be fixed by the board of directors of the Corporation, which is expressly authorized to fix the same in its absolute and uncontrolled discretion subject to the foregoing conditions. Shares so issued for which the consideration shall have been paid or delivered to the Corporation shall be deemed fully paid stock and shall not be liable to any further call or assessment thereon, and the holders of such shares not be liable for any further payments in respect of such shares. 2. The Corporation shall have authority to create and issue rights and options entitling their holders to purchase 3 shares of the Corporation's capital stock of any class or series or other securities of the Corporation, and such rights and options shall be evidenced by instrument(s) approved by the board of directors of the Corporation. The board of directors of the Corporation shall be empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise, and other terms of such options or rights; provided, however, that the consideration to be received for any shares of capital stock subject thereto shall not be less than the par value thereof. D. Exchange Effected. The amendment to Article Fourth of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation made by this Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation effects an exchange and cancellation of issued shares in the following manner: Upon the adoption of the Certificate of Amendment by the holder of the Corporation's Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, and due execution and filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware of this Certificate of Amendment setting forth such amendment to Article Fourth, every share of the Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share ("Old Common Stock"), of the Corporation authorized and outstanding as of the effective date of such Certificate of Amendment shall be automatically converted into, and deemed for all purposes to be, 100 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share ("New Common Stock"), of the Corporation, and written notice thereof shall forthwith be given by the secretary of the Corporation to the holder of the outstanding shares of the Old Common Stock in person or at its latest address reflected on the records of the Corporation, together with notice of the procedures hereinafter specified for exchange or replacement of the certificate or certificates representing shares of the Old Common Stock. Upon surrender of the certificate(s) representing shares of the Old Common Stock by the registered holder thereof in properly endorsed and due form for exchange and cancellation (together with all necessary stock powers and other appropriate documentation), or upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the executive officers of the Corporation of the loss, theft, or destruction of the certificate(s) therefor from the registered holder of such stock (together with delivery of an indemnity bond in appropriate amount, payable to the Corporation, if the executive officers shall so require it in their reasonable judgment), the executive officers of the Corporation, or their designee, shall accept and cancel the certificate(s) surrendered, if applicable, and shall issue to such holder certificate(s), endorsed with such legends as are required or are appropriate, in such denominations as such holder may request, amounting in the aggregate to 100 4 shares of the New Common Stock for every one share of the Old Common Stock as shall have been surrendered or for which satisfactory evidence of loss, theft, or destruction shall have been received. The executive officers, or their designee, shall enter the fact of cancellation of the old share certificate(s) for Old Common Stock and the issuance of the new certificate(s) for New Common Stock and the appropriate name or names of the holder or holders of such shares represented by the new certificate(s) on its stock records and transfer books. To the extent that the holder of the shares of the Old Common Stock shall not present its shares for exchange in the manner specified above, such failure to act shall in no circumstance affect its status as holder of the New Common Stock or the validity of its shares, except that each certificate it holds after the effective date of the Certificate of Amendment that prior thereto represented shares of the Old Common Stock shall be deemed to represent the appropriate number as determined above of the authorized and outstanding shares of the New Common Stock for every purpose. SIXTH: The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was, is, or is threatened to be made a party to a proceeding (as hereinafter defined) by reason of the fact that he (i) is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or (ii) while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent, or similar functionary of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise, to the fullest extent permitted under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "GCLD"), as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. Such right shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition to the maximum extent permitted under the GCLD, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. If a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim, and if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall also be entitled to be paid the expenses of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action that such indemnification or advancement of costs of defense are not permitted under the GCLD, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its board of directors or any committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or stockholders) to have made its determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of, or advancement of costs of defense to, the claimant is 5 permissible in the circumstances nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its board of directors or any committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or stockholders) that such indemnification or advancement is not permissible shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that such indemnification or advancement is not permissible. In the event of the death of any person having a right of indemnification under the foregoing provisions, such right shall inure to the benefit of his heirs, executors, administrators, and personal representatives. The rights conferred above shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, by-law, resolution of stockholders or directors, agreement, or otherwise. The Corporation may additionally indemnify any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law. As used herein, the term "proceeding" means any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, or investigative, any appeal in such an action, suit, or proceeding, and any inquiry or investigation that could lead to such an action, suit, or proceeding. TENTH: A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the GCLD, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. STATE OF DELAWARE SECRETARY OF STATE DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS FILED 04:30 PM 09/17/1993 733260049 - 2168750 RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF REDMAN INDUSTRIES, INC. (Pursuant to Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware) Redman Industries, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "Corporation"), does hereby certify as follows: 1. The name of the corporation is REDMAN INDUSTRIES, INC. (the "Corporation"). 2. The name under which the Corporation was originally incorporated is Redman Holding Corporation and the date of filing the original certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was August 5, 1988. 3. This Restated Certificate of Incorporation amends and restates the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended, and was duly adopted by the written consent of the stockholders of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon in accordance with the provisions of Sections 228, 242, and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. 4. The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended and restated hereby, shall, upon its filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, read in its entirety as follows: FIRST: The name of the corporation is Redman Industries, Inc. SECOND: The registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware is located at Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of the registered agent of the corporation at such address is The Corporation Trust Company. THIRD: The purpose of the corporation and the nature and objects of the business to be transacted, promoted, and carried on are to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware. FOURTH: The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 30,000,000 shares, divided into two classes as follows: (i) 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Preferred Stock"); and (ii) 20,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Common Stock"). The designations and the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations, and restrictions of the Preferred Stock and the Common Stock of the Corporation are as follows: A. Provisions Relating to the Preferred Stock. 1. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more classes or series, the shares of each class or series to have such designations and powers, preferences, and rights, and qualifications, limitations, and restrictions thereof as are stated and expressed herein and in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of such class or series adopted by the board of directors of the Corporation as hereafter prescribed. 2. Authority is hereby expressly granted to and vested in the board of directors of the Corporation to authorize the issuance of the Preferred Stock from time to time in one or more classes or series, and with respect to each such class or series of the Preferred Stock, to fix and state by the resolution or resolutions from time to time adopted providing for the issuance thereof the following: (i) whether or not such class or series is to have voting rights, full, special, or limited, or is to be without voting rights, and whether or not such class or series is to be entitled to vote as a separate class either alone or together with the holders of one or more other classes or series of stock; (ii) the number of shares to constitute such class or series and the designations thereof; (iii) the preferences, and relative, participating, optional, or other special rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, if any, with respect to any such class or series; 2 3. The shares of each class or series of the Preferred Stock may vary from the shares of any other class or series thereof in any or all of the foregoing respects. The board of directors of the Corporation may increase the number of shares of the Preferred Stock designated for any existing class or series by a resolution adding to such class or series authorized and unissued shares of the Preferred Stock not designated for any other class or series. The board of directors of the Corporation may decrease the number of shares of the Preferred Stock designated for any existing class or series by a resolution, subtracting from such series unissued shares of the Preferred Stock designated for such class or series, and the shares so subtracted shall become authorized, unissued, and undesignated shares of the Preferred Stock. B. Provisions Relating to the Common Stock. 1. Except as otherwise required by law, and subject to any special voting rights which may be granted any class or series of Preferred Stock in the board of directors resolution which creates such class or series, each holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock standing in such holder's name on the records of the Corporation on each matter submitted to a vote of the stockholders. 2. Subject to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive when, as, and if declared by the board of directors of the Corporation, out of funds legally available therefor, dividends payable in cash, stock, or otherwise. 3. Upon any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, and after the holders of the Preferred Stock and the holders of any bonds, debentures, or other obligations of the Corporation shall have been paid in full the amounts to which they shall be entitled (if any), or a sum sufficient for such payment in full shall have been set aside, the remaining net assets of the Corporation shall be distributed pro rata to the holders of the Common Stock in accordance with their respective rights and interests, to the exclusion of the holders of the Preferred Stock and any bonds, debentures, or other obligations of the Corporation. C. General. 1. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, the Corporation may issue shares of its Preferred Stock and Common Stock from time to time for such 4 ratified by the board of directors, a committee thereof (to the extent permitted by applicable law), or the stockholders. Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the board of directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transactions. SIXTH: The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was, is, or is threatened to be made a party to a proceeding (as hereinafter defined) by reason of the fact that he (i) is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or (ii) while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent, or similar functionary of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise, to the fullest extent permitted under the Delaware Code, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. Such right shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition to the maximum extent permitted under the Delaware Code, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. If a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim, and if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall also be entitled to be paid the expenses of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action that such indemnification or advancement of costs of defense are not permitted under the Delaware Code, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its board of directors or any committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or stockholders) to have its determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of, or advancement or costs of defense to, the claimant is permissible in the circumstances nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its board of directors or any committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or stockholders) that such indemnification or advancement is not permissible shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that such indemnification or advancement is not permissible. In the event of the death of any person having a right of indemnification under the foregoing provisions, such right shall inure to the benefit of his heirs, executors, administrators, and personal representatives. The rights conferred above shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, by- 6 law, resolution of stockholders or directors, agreement, or otherwise. The Corporation may additionally indemnify any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law. As used herein, the term "proceeding" means any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, or investigative, any appeal in such an action, suit, or proceeding, and any inquiry or investigation that could lead to such an action, suit, or proceeding. SEVENTH: All the powers of the Corporation, insofar as the same may be lawfully vested by this Certificate of Incorporation in the board of directors, are hereby conferred upon the board of directors. In furtherance and not in limitation of that power, the board of directors shall have the power, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors at a meeting lawfully convened and at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Classified Directors (as hereinafter defined) than serving to make, adopt, alter, amend, and repeal from time to time the Bylaws of the Corporation and to make from time to time new Bylaws of the Corporation (subject to the right of the stockholders entitled to vote thereon to adopt, alter, amend, and repeal Bylaws made by the board of directors or to make new Bylaws); provided, however, that the stockholders of the Corporation shall be entitled to adopt, alter, amend, or repeal Bylaws made by the board of directors or to make new Bylaws solely upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote thereon. EIGHTH: The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change, or repeal any provision contained in this certificate of incorporation in the manner new or hereafter prescribed by law and all rights conferred on officers, directors, and stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation. NINTH: A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 7 of the Delaware Code, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Any repeal or amendment of this Article NINTH by the stockholders of the Corporation shall be prospective only, and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of a director of the Corporation arising from an act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or amendment. In addition to the circumstances in which a director of the Corporation is not personally liable as set forth in the foregoing provisions of this Article NINTH, a director shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders to such further extent as permitted by any law hereafter enacted, including without limitation any subsequent amendment to the Delaware Code. TENTH: The number of directors constituting the board of directors shall be fixed by, or in the manner provided in, the Bylaws of the Corporation, provided that such number shall be no fewer than five and no more than nine (plus such number of directors as may be elected from time to time pursuant to the terms of any series of Preferred Stock that may be issued and outstanding from time to time). The directors of the Corporation (exclusive of directors who are elected pursuant to the terms of, and serve as representatives of the holders of, any series of Preferred Stock) shall be referred to herein as "Classified Directors" and shall be divided into three classes, with the first class referred to herein as "Class 1," the second class as "Class 2," and the third class as "Class 3." Each class shall consist as nearly as possible of one-third (1/3) of the total number of directors making up the entire board of directors. The term of office of the initial Class 1 directors shall expire at the 1994 annual meeting of stockholders, the term of office of the initial Class 2 directors shall expire at the 1995 annual meeting of stockholders, and the term of office of the initial Class 3 directors shall expire at the 1996 annual meeting of stockholders, with each director to hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors elected to succeed those directors whose terms then expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election, with each director to hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of any one or more Classes or series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately by series or by class (excluding holders of Common Stock), to elect directors, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies, 8 and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of this Certificate of Incorporation (including any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation that designates a series of Preferred Stock), and such directors so elected by the holders of Preferred Stock shall not be divided into classes pursuant to this Article TENTH unless expressly provided by such terms. Any or all Classified Directors may be removed, with cause, upon the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote at an election of such Classified Directors. ELEVENTH: The Corporation expressly elects to be governed by Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware. TWELFTH: Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation (including without limitation the election of Classified Directors) shall be effected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders, provided that the foregoing prohibitions shall not apply to any action to be taken exclusively by holders of any one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock, voting separately by series or by class (excluding holders or Common Stock). Special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called by the board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Classified Directors then serving, by the Chairman of the board of directors, or by any holder or holders of at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote on any matter for which the respective special meeting is being called. THIRTEENTH: Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote thereon shall be required to amend, alter, or repeal any one or more of Articles of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation. 9 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be executed and attested on this 15th day of September, 1993. REDMAN INDUSTRIES, INC. By: /s/ Fergus J. Walker -------------------- Fergus J. Walker, Executive Vice President ATTEST: /s/ Paul L. Barrett - -------------------- Paul L. Barrett, Secretary 10 CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF REDMAN MOBILE HOMES, INC. (Under Section 102 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware) ******************** FIRST: The name of the corporation is REDMAN MOBILE HOMES, INC. SECOND: The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is located at 100 West Tenth Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company. THIRD: The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted by the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, including without limitation the following: A. To engage in and conduct, in all its several departments, phases and branches, the business of designing, manufacturing, fabricating, assembling, processing, leasing as lessee, purchasing or otherwise acquiring, investing in, holding, owning, operating, servicing, mortgaging, pledging or otherwise giving liens against, leasing as lessor, selling, assigning, exchanging, transferring or otherwise disposing of, shipping, importing, exporting and generally dealing in and with any and all classes of goods, wares and merchandise and personal property of every class, character and description, and generally to engage in and conduct any form of manufacturing or mercantile business not contrary to law. B. To take, lease as lessee, purchase or otherwise acquire, invest in, own, hold, use, exchange, develop, improve, manage, operate, option, subdivide or otherwise deal in and with, mortgage, encumber, lease as lessor, sell, convey, assign, transfer, release or otherwise dispose of real property of any and all kinds and any and all estates, rights and interests therein. C. To engage in the business of managing, supervising and operating real property, buildings and structures; to negotiate and consummate for itself or for others leases with respect to any such property; to enter into contracts and arrangements, either as principal or as agent for the maintenance, repair and improvement of any such property; to furnish financial (without banking or discount privileges), management and other services to others; to purchase or otherwise acquire, own, use, improve, maintain, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any articles, materials, machinery and property used for or in connection with the business of the Corporation, and to engage in and conduct or authorize, license and permit others to engage in and conduct any business or activity incident, necessary, advisable or advantageous to the ownership of real property, buildings and structures. D. To carry on and conduct a general construction business, including the designing, constructing, removing or otherwise engaging in any work upon houses, buildings, factories and other structures of every description, and all kinds of excavation and iron, steel, wood, masonry, mechanical, electrical and earth construction and installations; to make, execute and take or receive any contracts or assignments of contracts therefor or in anywise connected therewith; to manufacture or otherwise acquire and furnish all building and other materials and supplies connected therewith or required therefor; to manufacture, produce, adapt and prepare, deal in and with any materials, articles or things incidental to or required for or useful in connection with any of its business. E. To enter into joint ventures, associations or general or limited partnership arrangements of every kind and character with any person, firm, association or corporation. F. To purchase or otherwise acquire the whole or any part of the property, assets, business, good will and rights, and to undertake and assume the whole or any part of the liabilities and obligations of any person, firm, association or corporation, and to pay for the same in cash, in shares of stock of any class of the Corporation or the bonds, notes or other obligations thereof, or otherwise; to hold or in any manner to dispose of, the whole or any part of the business so acquired, and to exercise all powers necessary or convenient in or about the conduct, management and carrying on of any such business. G. To subscribe for, purchase, borrow or otherwise acquire, own, hold, sell, lend, exchange, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of or deal in and with shares of stocks or bonds, debentures, notes, acceptances or other obligations made, created or issued by any private, public, quasi-public or other corporation or association, domestic or foreign, or by any domestic or foreign state, government or governmental authority, or by any political or administrative subdivision or department thereof, and any and all trust participation or other certificates of or for, or receipt evidencing interest in, any such shares or obligations and to issue in payment or exchange there- for by any other lawful means and, while the owner of any shares, bonds, debentures, notes, acceptances or other obligations, or of any interest therein, to posesss and exercise all the rights, powers and privileges of ownership, including the right to vote thereon for any and all purposes. H. To borrow or raise moneys for any of the purposes of the Corporation and, from time to time without limit as to amount, to draw, make, accept, endorse, execute and issue promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, warrants, bonds, debentures and other negotiable or non-negotiable instruments and evidences of indebtedness, and to secure the payment of any thereof and of the interest thereon by mortgage upon or pledge, conveyance or assignment in trust of the whole or any part of the property of the Corporation, whether at the time owned or thereafter acquired, and to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of such bonds or other obligations of the Corporation for its corporate purposes. In general, to possess and exercise all the powers and privileges granted by the Central Corporation Law of Delaware or by any other law of Delaware or by this certificate of incorporation together with any powers incidental or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the business or purposes of the Corporation. The business and purposes specified in the foregoing clauses shall, except where otherwise expressed, be in nowise limited or restricted by reference to, or inference from, the terms of any other clause in this certificate of incorporation, but the business and purposes specified in each of the foregoing clauses of this article shall be regarded as independent business and purposes. FOURTH: The Corporation is authorized to issue only one class of stock, which shall be designated "Capital Stock". The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is one thousand (1,000), and the par value of each of such shares is One Dollar ($1.00). FIFTH: The names and mailing addresses of the incorporators of the Corporation are: Name Mailing Address ---- --------------- F. W. Burnett, Jr. 2300 Republic National Bank Building Dallas, Texas 75201 Harry M. Roberts, Jr. 2300 Republic National Bank Building Dallas, Texas 75201 David R. McAtee 2300 Republic National Bank Building Dallas, Texas 75201 SIXTH: The following provisions are hereby adopted for the purpose of defining, limiting and regulating the powers of the Corporation and of the directors and stockholders: A. Election of directors need not be by ballot; B. The Board of Directors shall have power to make, alter, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation, except as otherwise provided in any bylaws adopted by the stockholders then entitled to vote, but bylaws so made, altered or amended by the Board of Directors may be altered or repealed by the stockholders then entitled to vote; C. The Corporation, its directors, officers and stockholders shall possess and may exercise all powers and privileges which are now or may hereafter be conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware; and D. To the extent permitted by law and subject to the provisions of this certificate of incorporation any contract, transaction or act of the Corporation or of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof which shall be ratified by a majority in interest of a quorum of the stockholders of the Corporation entitled to vote at any annual or special meeting called for such purpose shall be as valid and binding as though ratified by every stockholder of the Corporation; provided, however, that any failure to submit any such contract, transaction or act to the stockholders for approval and ratification or any failure of the stockholders to approve and ratify such contract, transaction or act, when submitted, shall not be deemed in any way to invalidate the same or deprive the Corporation, its directors or officers of their right to proceed with such contract, transaction or act. SEVENTH: Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between the Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between the Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of the Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of section 279 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of the Corporation as a consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, and also on the Corporation. EIGHTH: Cumulative voting for the election of directors shall not be permitted. NINTH: No holder of any shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall, as such holder, have any preemptive or preferential right to receive, purchase or subscribe to any shares of capital stock of the Corporation; any obligations, evidences of indebtedness or other securities of the Corporation convertible into or accompanied by rights to receive, purchase or subscribe to any shares of capital stock of the Corporation; any right of subscription to, or any warrant or option for the purchase of, any thereof; or any other securities that may be issued or sold by the Corporation. TENTH: The Corporation shall have perpetual existence. ELEVENTH: The stockholders of the Corporation shall not be personally liable for the payment of the Corporation's debts. TWELFTH: The Corporation reserves the right to take any lawful action and to make any amendment of this certificate of incorporation in any form, manner or substance now or hereafter authorized or permitted by law. All holders of stock of the Corporation, by acceptance of their shares, agree that all rights to which such shares entitle them are subject to the provisions of this certificate of incorporation from the time of issuance thereof. We, the undersigned, being each of the incorporators hereinbefore named, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, do make this certificate, hereby declaring and certifying that this is our act and deed and the facts stated herein are true and accordingly, have hereunto set our hands this 15th day of June, A.D., 1971. /s/ F. W. Burnett, Jr. ------------------------------ F. W. Burnett, Jr. /s/ Harry M. Roberts, Jr. ------------------------------ Harry M. Roberts, Jr. /s/ David R. McAtee ------------------------------ David R. McAtee THE STATE OF TEXAS } COUNTY OF DALLAS } BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this 15th day of June, A.D., 1971, personally came before me, /s/ Nancy L. Seelen, a Notary Public in and for Dallas County, Texas, F. W. BURNETT, JR., HARRY M. ROBERTS, JR. and DAVID R. MCATEE, all of the parties to the foregoing Certificate of Incorporation, known to me personally to be such, and severally acknowledged the said Certificate to be the act and deed of the signers respectively and that the facts therein stated are truly set forth. GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL OF OFFICE, the day and year aforesaid. /s/ Nancy L. Seelen ------------------------------ Notary Public in and for Dallas County, Texas. My Commission expires June 1, 1973. [SEALER] NANCY L. SEELEN, Notary public in and for Dallas County, Texas My commission expires June 1, 1973 CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION REDMAN MOBILE HOMES, INC., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY. FIRST: That the Board of Directors of said corporation, by the unanimous written consent of its members, filed with the minutes of the board, adopted a resolution proposing and declaring advisable the following amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of said corporation: RESOLVED, that the Certificate of Incorporation of REDMAN MOBILE HOMES, INC. be amended by changing the Article thereof number "FIRST" so that, as amended, said Article shall be and read as follows: "FIRST: The name of the Corporation is REDMAN HOMES, INC." SECOND: That in lieu of a meeting and vote of stockholders, the stockholders have given unanimous written consent to said amendment in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. THIRD: That the aforesaid amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 242 and 228 of the General Corporation, Law of the State of Delaware. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said REDMAN MOBILE HOMES, INC. has caused this certificate to be signed by , its Vice President, and attested by Winston L. Adkins, its Assistant Secretary, this 13 day of December, 1976. REDMAN MOBILE HOMES, INC. By /s/ ------------------------------ President ATTEST: By /s/ Winston L. Adkins ------------------------------ Assistant Secretary 1949299 ENDORSED FILED In the office of the Secretary of State of the State of California SEP 26 1995 /s/ Bill Jones BILL JONES, Secretary of State ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF SAN JOSE ADVANTAGE HOMES, INC. ARTICLE I The name of this corporation is SAN JOSE ADVANTAGE HOMES, INC. ARTICLE II The purpose of this corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation Law of California other than the banking business, the trust company business or the practice of a profession permitted to be incorporated by the California Corporation Code. ARTICLE III The name and address in the state of California of this corporation's initial agent for service of process are: Glenn Gilliam, 1260 Persian Drive, Suite Bl, Sunnyvale, California 94089. ARTICLE IV The liability of the directors of the corporation for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permissible under California law. ARTICLE V The corporation is authorized to provide indemnification of agents (as defined in Section 317 of the corporation Code) for breach of duty to the corporation and its shareholders through bylaws provisions or through agreements with agents, or both, in excess of the indemnification otherwise permitted by Section 317 of the Corporations Code, subject to the limits on such excess indemnification set forth in Section 204 of the Corporations Code. ARTICLE VI This corporation is authorized to issue only one class of shares of stock. The total number of shares which this corporation is authorized to issue is One Million (l,000,000). /s/ Peter M. Sproul ----------------------------- PETER M. SPROUL, Esq., Initial Incorporator I hereby declare that I am the person who executed the foregoing Articles of Incorporation, which execution is my act and deed. Dated: September 20, 1995 /s/ Peter M. Sproul ----------------------------- PETER M. SPROUL, Esq. Articles of Incorporation 2. ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF SOUTHERN SHOWCASE FINANCE, INC. These Articles of Incorporation are signed by the incorporator for the purpose of forming a profit corporation pursuant to the provisions of Act 284, Public Acts of 1972, as amended, as follows: ARTICLE I The name of the corporation is Southern Showcase Finance, Inc.. ARTICLE II The purpose or purposes for which the corporation is formed is to engage in any activity within the purposes for which corporations may be formed under the Business Corporation Act of Michigan (the "Act"). ARTICLE III The total authorized shares is 1,000 shares of Common Stock. ARTICLE IV The corporation has only one class of stock. ARTICLE V The address and mailing address of the registered office is: 30600 Telegraph Road Bingham Farms, MI 48025 The name of the resident agent at the registered office is The Corporation Company. ARTICLE VI The name and address of the incorporator are as follows: Name Residence of Business Address ---- ----------------------------- Jay L. Kreindler 2701 University Drive Suite 300 Auburn Hills, MI 48326 ARTICLE VII The duration of the corporation is perpetual. ARTICLE VIII A director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. However, this provision does not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any of the following: (a) any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders; (b) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (c) a violation of Section 551(l) of the Act; (d) a transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit; or (e) an act or omission occurring prior to the date this Article becomes effective. Any repeal, amendment or other modification of this Article shall not increase the liability or alleged liability of any director of the corporation then existing with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore existing or any action, suit or proceeding theretofore or thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts. If the Act is subsequently amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting personal liability of directors, then the liability of directors shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the Act as so amended. -2- ARTICLE IX Any action required or permitted by the Act, these Articles or the Bylaws of the corporation to be taken at an annual or special meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, are signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on the action were present and voted. The written consents shall bear the date of signature of each shareholder who signs the consent. No written consents shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to unless, within 60 days after the record date for determining shareholders entitled to express consent to or to dissent from a proposal without a meeting, written consents dated not more than 10 days before the record date and signed by a sufficient number of shareholders to take the action are delivered to the corporation. Delivery shall be to the corporation's registered office, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the minutes of the proceedings of its shareholders. Delivery made to a corporation's registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to shareholders who would have been entitled to notice of the shareholder meeting if the action had been taken at a meeting and who have not consented in writing. I, the sole incorporator, sign my name this 28th day of April, 1998. /s/ Jay L. Kreindler -------------------------- Jay L. Kreindler -3- ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF WHITWORTH MANAGEMENT, INC. KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned do hereby associate themselves into a corporation, under and by virtue of the Nevada Revised Statutes, Title 7, Chapter 78, as amended, and do hereby certify and adopt the following Articles of Incorporation: ARTICLE I The name of the corporation is WHITWORTH MANAGEMENT, INC. ARTICLE II The location of the principal office of the corporation in the State of Nevada is 241 Ridge Street, Suite 440, Reno, Nevada. Branch offices may hereafter be established at such other place or places, either within or without the State of Nevada as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. ARTICLE III The purpose for which said corporation is formed is to engage in any lawful activity. The corporation shall have all powers authorized by Title 7, Chapter 78, of the Nevada Revised Statues, as amended, except as otherwise provided in these ARTICLE IV The amount of the authorized capital stock of this corporation is 2,500 shares with no par value. Any and all shares of stock of this corporation of any class shall be paid in as the Board of Directors may designate and as provided by law, in cash, real or personal property, option to purchase, or any other valuable right or thing, for the uses and purposes of the corporation, and said shares of stock when issued in exchange therefor shall thereupon and thereby become and be fully paid, the same as though paid for in cash, and shall be nonassessable forever, and the judgment of the Board of Directors of the corporation concerning the value of the property, right or thing, acquired in purchase or exchange for capital stock shall be conclusive. No stockholder shall have any preemptive rights. ARTICLE V Section 1. Directors Members of the governing board shall be known as "Directors," and the number thereof shall not be less than one nor more than nine, except that, in cases where all the shares of the corporation are owned beneficially and of record by either one or two stockholders, the number of directors may be less than two but not less than the number of stockholders. Section 2. Personal Liability Directors of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for damages for 2 breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for (i) acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct, fraud, or a knowing violation of law; or (ii) the payment of dividends in violation of the provisions of Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. If Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes is amended after approval by the stockholders of this article to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the full extent permitted by Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, as so amended. Section 3. Indemnification Each person who is or was a director of the corporation (including the heirs, executors, administrators or estate of such person) shall be indemnified by the corporation as of right to the full extent permitted by Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes against any liability, cost or expense asserted against such director and incurred by such director by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director. The expenses of directors, past or present, incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding must be paid by the corporation as incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. 3 Section 4. Indemnification and Insurance The corporation to the full extent of its power to do so, shall indemnify all directors, officers, employees, and/or agents in accordance with the provisions the Nevada Revised Statutes. Further, the corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him in any such capacity or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of Nevada law. Section 5. Modifications Any repeal or modification of all or any portion of the provisions of this Article by the stockholders of the corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of an officer or director of the corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification. ARTICLE VI The name and address of the first Board of Directors of the corporation, which is one (1), are as follows: Sarah Smithson 45 Desert Springs Circle Sparks, Nevada 89431 4 ARTICLE VII The stock of this corporation, after the amount of the subscription price, or par value has been fully paid in, shall be nonassessable forever, and shall not be subject to pay the debts of the corporation. ARTICLE VIII The name and address of the incorporator signing these Articles of Incorporation are as follows: Sarah Smithson 45 Desert Springs Circle Sparks, Nevada 89431 ARTICLE IX The corporation is to have perpetual existence. ARTICLE X A resolution, in writing, signed by all of the members of the Board of Directors of the corporation, shall be and constitute action by the Board of Directors to the effect therein expressed with the same force and effect as though such resolution had been passed at a duly convened meeting, and it shall be the duty of the Secretary to record every such resolution in the Minute Book of the corporation under its proper date. ARTICLE XI The Directors shall have the power to make and alter the Bylaws of the corporation. Bylaws so made by the Directors under the power so conferred may be altered, amended or repealed by the Directors or by the Stockholders at any meeting called and held for that purpose. 5 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and executed these Articles of Incorporation this 4th day of February, 1988. /s/ Sarah Smithson ----------------------------- Sarah Smithson STATE OF NEVADA ) ) ss. COUNTY OF WASHOE ) On this 4th day of February, 1988, personally appeared before the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for the County of Washoe, State of Nevada, Sarah Smithson, know to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument freely and voluntarily and for the uses and purposes therein mentioned. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal the day and year in this certificate first above written. /s/ Donna Gerwin Ott ----------------------------- Notary Public [NOTARY SEAL] DONNA GERWIN OTT Notary Public - State of Nevada Appointment Recorded in Washoe County MY APPOINTMENT EXPIRES JAN 25, 1990 W/10/ss [STAMP] MCDONALD, CARANO, WILSON, MCCUNE, BERGIN, FRANKOVICH & HICKS 6
EX-3.6 4 k69724a1exv3w6.txt BYLAWS OF THE ISSUER EXHIBIT 3.6 BYLAWS OF CHAMPION HOME BUILDERS CO. (As amended through November 29, 1994) ARTICLE I Offices 1.01 Principal Office. The principal office of the Corporation shall be at such place within the State of Michigan as the Board of Directors shall determine from time to time. 1.02 Other Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at such other places as the Board of Directors from time to time determines or the business of the Corporation requires. ARTICLE II Seal 2.01 Seal. The Corporation shall have a seal in such form as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile to be impressed, affixed, reproduced or otherwise. ARTICLE III Capital Stock 3.01 Issuance of Shares. The shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be issued in such amounts, at such times, for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem advisable, subject to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation and the further provisions of these Bylaws, and subject also to any requirements or restrictions imposed by the laws of the State of Michigan. 3.02 Certificates for Shares. The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates signed by the Chairman of the Board, President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, and may be sealed with the seal of the Corporation or a facsimile thereof. The signatures of the officers may be facsimiles if the certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent or registered by a registrar other than the Corporation itself or its employee. In case an officer who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate ceases to be such officer before the certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer at the date of issuance. A certificate representing shares shall state upon its face that the Corporation is formed under the laws of the State of Michigan; the name of the person to whom it is issued; the 1 number and class of shares, and the designation of the series, if any, which the certificate represents; the par value of each share represented by the certificate, or a statement that the shares are without par value; and such other provisions as may be required by the laws of the State of Michigan. 3.03 Transfer of Shares. The shares of the capital stock of the Corporation are transferable only on the books of the Corporation upon surrender of the certificate therefor, properly endorsed for transfer, and the presentation of such evidences of ownership and validity of the assignment as the Corporation may require. 3.04 Registered Shareholders. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the person in whose name any share of stock is registered as the owner thereof for purposes of dividends and other distributions in the course of business, or in the course of recapitalization, consolidation, merger, reorganization, sale of assets, liquidation or otherwise and for the purpose of votes, approvals and consents by shareholders, and for the purpose of notices to shareholders, and for all other purposes whatever, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such shares on the part of any other person, whether or not the Corporation shall have notice thereof, save as expressly required by the laws of the State of Michigan. 3.05 Lost or Destroyed Certificates. Upon the presentation to the Corporation of a proper affidavit attesting the loss, destruction or mutilation of any certificate or certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation, the Board of Directors shall direct the issuance of a new certificate or certificates to replace the certificates so alleged to be lost, destroyed or mutilated. The Board of Directors may require as a condition precedent to the issuance of new certificates any or all of the following: (a) Presentation of additional evidence or proof of the loss, destruction or mutilation claimed; (b) Advertisement of loss in such manner as the Board of Directors may direct or approve; (c) A bond or agreement of indemnity, in such form and amount and with such sureties, or without sureties, as the Board of Directors may direct or approve; (d) Payment of any expenses incurred by the Corporation in processing the claim of loss, or in lieu thereof payment of a lost certificate processing fee in such amount as the Board of Directors may authorize or approve; (e) The order or approval of a court or judge. 2 ARTICLE IV Shareholders and Meetings of Shareholders 4.01 Place of Meetings. All meetings of shareholders shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation or at such other place as shall be determined by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of meeting. 4.02 Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Corporation shall be held on such business day in the months of April or May of each year, at such time, as the Board of Directors may fix. Directors shall be elected at each Annual Meeting and such other business transacted as may properly come before the meeting in accordance with these Bylaws. The Board of Directors acting by resolution may postpone and reschedule any previously scheduled Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Any Annual Meeting of Shareholders may be adjourned by the Chairman of the meeting or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors. 4.03 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the Chairman of the Board, or by the President, or pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors. Business transacted at a special meeting of shareholders shall be confined to the purpose or purposes of the meeting as stated in the notice of the meeting. The Board of Directors acting by resolution may postpone and reschedule any previously scheduled special meeting of shareholders. Any special meeting of shareholders may be adjourned by the Chairman of the meeting or pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors. 4.04 Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by statute, written notice of the time, place and purposes of a meeting of shareholders shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting, either personally or by mailing such notice to his last address as it appears on the books of the Corporation. No notice need be given of an adjourned meeting of the shareholders provided the time and place to which such meeting is adjourned is announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken and at the adjourned meeting only such business is transacted as might have been transacted at the original meeting. However, if after the adjournment, a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record on the new record date entitled to notice as provided in this Bylaw. 4.05 Record Dates. The Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board (if such office is filled) or the President may fix in advance a date as the record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of shareholders or an adjournment thereof, or to express consent or to dissent from a proposal without a meeting, or for the purpose of 3 determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend or allotment of a right, or for the purpose of any other action. The date fixed shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of the meeting, nor more than 60 days before any other action. In such case only such shareholders as shall be shareholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting or adjournment thereof, or to express consent or to dissent from such proposal, or to receive payment of such dividend or to receive such allotment of rights, or to participate in any other action, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any stock on the books of the Corporation, or otherwise, after any such record date. Nothing in this Bylaw shall affect the rights of a shareholder and his transferee or transferor as between themselves. 4.06 List of Shareholders. The Secretary of the Corporation or the agent of the Corporation having charge of the stock transfer records for shares of the Corporation shall make and certify a complete list of the shareholders entitled to vote at a shareholders' meeting or any adjournment thereof. The list shall be arranged alphabetically within each class and series, with the address of, and the number of shares held by, each shareholder; be produced at the time and place of the meeting; be subject to inspection by any shareholder during the whole time of the meeting; and be prima facie evidence as to who are the shareholders entitled to examine the list or vote at the meeting. 4.07 Quorum. Unless a greater or lesser quorum is required in the Articles of Incorporation or by the laws of the State of Michigan, the shareholders present at a meeting in person or by proxy who, as of the record date for such meeting, were holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting shall constitute a quorum at the meeting. Whether or not a quorum is present, a meeting of shareholders may be adjourned by a vote of the shares present in person or by proxy. When the holders of a class or series of shares are entitled to vote separately on an item of business, this Bylaw applies in determining the presence of a quorum of such class or series for transaction of such item of business. 4.08 Proxies. A shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders or to express consent or dissent without a meeting may authorize other persons to act for him by proxy. A proxy shall be signed by the shareholder or his authorized agent or representative and shall not be valid after the expiration of three years from its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy. A proxy is revocable at the pleasure of the shareholder executing it except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Michigan. 4.09 Inspectors of Election. The Board of Directors, in advance of a shareholders' meeting, may appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. If 4 inspectors are not so appointed, the person presiding at the shareholders' meeting may, and on request of a shareholder entitled to vote thereat shall, appoint one or more inspectors. In case a person appointed fails to appear or act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the Board of Directors in advance of the meeting or at the meeting by the person presiding thereat. If appointed, the inspectors shall determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum and the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate votes, ballots or consents, determine the result, and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders. On request of the person presiding at the meeting or a shareholder entitled to vote thereat, the inspectors shall make and execute a written report to the person presiding at the meeting of any of the facts found by them and matters determined by them. The report shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated and of the vote as certified by the inspectors. 4.10 Voting. Each outstanding share is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote, unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation. Votes may be cast orally or in writing as the Chairman of the meeting may determine, except that upon the written request of a shareholder served on the President or Secretary not less than forty-eight (48) hours prior to the time fixed for the meeting, votes shall be cast in writing. Votes taken orally shall be cast by, and votes cast in writing shall be signed by, the shareholder or his proxy. When an action, other than the election of directors, is to be taken by a vote of the shareholders, it shall be authorized by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote thereon, unless a greater plurality is required by the Articles of Incorporation or by the laws of the State of Michigan. Except as otherwise provided by the Articles of Incorporation, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at any election. ARTICLE V Directors 5.01 Number; Qualifications. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by a Board of not less than three nor more than nine directors as shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. Directors need not be residents of Michigan or shareholders of the Corporation. No person who has reached age 70 shall be eligible for election to the Board of Directors (but an incumbent director who reaches age 70 during his term of office shall continue to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until his successor is elected and shall have qualified). 5 5.02 Election, Resignation and Removal. Directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of the shareholders, each to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor is elected and qualified, or until his resignation or removal. A director may resign by written notice to the Corporation. The resignation is effective upon its receipt by the Corporation or a subsequent time as set forth in the notice of resignation. A director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors. 5.03 Vacancies. Vacancies in the Board of Directors occurring by reason of death, resignation, removal, increase in the number of directors or otherwise shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, unless filled by proper action of the shareholders of the Corporation. Each person so elected shall be a director for a term of office continuing only until the next election of directors by the shareholders. 5.04 Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors shall meet each year immediately after the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders, or within three days of such time excluding Sundays and legal holidays if such later time is deemed advisable, at the place where such meeting of the shareholders has been held or such other place as the Board may determine, for the purpose of election of officers and consideration of such business that may properly be brought before the meeting; provided, that if less than a majority of the directors appear for an annual meeting of the Board of Directors the holding of such annual meeting shall not be required and the matters which might have been taken up therein may be taken up at any later special or annual meeting, or by consent resolution. 5.05 Regular and Special Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such times and places as the majority of the directors may from time to time determine at a prior meeting or as shall be directed or approved by the vote or written consent of all the directors. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairman of the Board (if such office is filled) or the President and shall be called by the President or Secretary upon the written request of any two directors. 5.06 Notices. No notice shall be required for annual or regular meetings of the Board or for adjourned meetings, whether regular or special. Three days written notice shall be given for special meetings of the Board, and such notice shall state the time, place and purpose or purposes of the meeting. 5.07 Quorum. When the Board of Directors or any committee thereof consists of seven or less persons, a majority of the Board of Directors then in office, or of the members of a committee 6 thereof, constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. When the Board of Directors or any committee thereof consists of eight or more persons, less than a majority but in no event less than one-third of the members may constitute a quorum. The vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the acts of the Board or of the committee, except as a larger vote may be required by the laws of the State of Michigan. A member of the Board or of a committee designated by the Board may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in a meeting in this manner constitutes presence in person at the meeting. 5.08 Executive and Other Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, appoint two or more members of the Board as an executive committee to exercise all powers and authorities of the Board in management of the business and affairs of the Corporation; provided, however, that such committee shall not have power or authority to: (a) amend the Articles of Incorporation; (b) adopt an agreement of merger or consolidation; (c) recommend to shareholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation's property and assets; (d) recommend to shareholders a dissolution of the Corporation or revocation of dissolution; (e) amend these Bylaws; (f) fill vacancies in the Board; (g) fix the compensation of the directors for serving on the Board or on a committee; or (h) unless expressly authorized by the Board, declare a dividend or authorize the issuance of stock. The Board of Directors from time to time may, by like resolution, appoint such other committees of one or more directors to have such authority as shall be specified by the Board in the resolution making such appointments. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee who may replace an absent or disqualified member at any meeting thereof. 5.09 Dissents. A director who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors, or a committee thereof of which he is a member, 7 at which action on a corporate matter is taken is presumed to have concurred in that action unless his dissent is entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he files his written dissent to the action with, the person acting as secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall forward such dissent by registered mail to the Secretary of the Corporation promptly after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent does not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action. A director who is absent from a meeting of the Board, or a committee thereof of which he is a member, at which any such action is taken is presumed to have concurred in the action unless he files his written dissent with the Secretary of the Corporation within a reasonable time after he has knowledge of the action. 5.10 Compensation. The Board of Directors, by affirmative vote of a majority of directors in office and irrespective of any personal interest of any of them, may establish reasonable compensation of directors for services to the Corporation as directors or officers. 5.11 Employment of Others; Director-Emeritus. To assist in the performance of its duties, the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may employ any other corporation or any association, syndicate, trust, firm or individual, or any group or combination thereof, to serve, assist, advise or inform it, and may confer thereon such powers and authorities as it may deem advisable, and make or contract to make such payments, fees or other remuneration for services rendered as the Board may deem desirable. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, adopted by a majority of the whole Board, appoint a director or former director, who in either case, has served as a director for ten years, or more, as a Director-Emeritus. Such appointment shall be for a term expiring with the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders, but shall be subject to renewal, by the same vote, at the organizational meeting of the Board of Directors following such Annual Meeting. A Director-Emeritus shall not be considered a member of the Board of Directors, but shall be a consultant to the Board and, in such capacity, shall be invited to attend all meetings of the Board and such meetings of committees of the Board as the Chairman of the Board shall determine to be appropriate. For his services, a Director-Emeritus shall be entitled to receive the same compensation for meetings actually attended as members of the Board of Directors, but shall not be entitled to receive any annual or other periodic fee or retainer paid to members of the Board. ARTICLE VI Notices, Waivers of Notice and Manner of Acting 6.01 Notices. All notices of meetings required to be given to shareholders, directors or any committee of directors may be given by mail, telegram or cablegram to any shareholder, director or 8 committee member at his or her last address as it appears on the books of the Corporation. Notice to directors may also be given by telex, facsimile transmission or similar device. 6.02 Waiver of Notice. Notice of the time, place and purpose of any meeting of shareholders, directors or committee of directors may be waived by telegram, facsimile transmission, cablegram or other writing, either before or after the meeting, or in such other manner as may be permitted by the laws of the State of Michigan. Attendance of a person at any meeting of directors or a committee of directors, constitutes a waiver of notice of the meeting except when the person attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called and convened. 6.03 Action Without a Meetings. Any action required or permitted at any meeting of shareholders or directors or committee of directors may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if all of the shareholders or directors or committee members entitled to vote thereon consent thereto in writing. ARTICLE VII Officers 7.01 Number. The Board of Directors shall elect or appoint a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, and may elect a Chairman of the Board, and one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and/or Assistant Treasurers and such other officers as it shall deem advisable. The President and Chairman of the Board, if any, shall be members of the Board of Directors. Any two or more of the above offices may be held by the same person, but no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify an instrument in more than one capacity. 7.02 Term of Office, Resignation and Removal. An officer shall hold office for the term for which he is elected or appointed and until his successor is elected or appointed and qualified, or until his resignation or removal. An officer may resign by written notice to the Corporation. The resignation is effective upon its receipt by the Corporation or at a subsequent time specified in the notice of resignation. An officer may be removed by the Board with or without cause. The removal of an officer shall be without prejudice to his contract rights, if any. The election or appointment of an officer does not of itself create contract rights. 7.03 Vacancies. The Board of Directors may fill any vacancies in any office occurring for whatever reason. 7.04 Authority. All officers, employees and agents of theCorporation shall have such authority and perform such duties in the conduct and management of the business and affairs of the Corporation as may be designated by the Board of Directors and these Bylaws. 9 ARTICLE VIII Duties of Officers 8.01 Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board, if such office is filled, shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors at which he is present. He shall consult with and advise the President concerning the management and policies of the Corporation and, in conjunction with the President; shall direct the policies of the Corporation. He shall provide to the President whatever assistance is needed by the President in performing his duties and responsibilities as such. The Chairman of the Board shall also perform such other duties and execute such other duties and execute such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time by resolution prescribe. 8.02 President. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation. He shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect, and he shall have the general powers of supervision and management usually vested in the chief executive officer of a corporation, including the authority to vote all securities of other corporations and business organizations which are held by the Corporation. The President shall consult with the Chairman of the Board concerning the management and policies of the Corporation and shall, in conjunction with the Chairman of the Board, direct the policies of the Corporation. In the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board, or if that office has not been filled, the President shall also preside at all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors at which he is present, and perform such other duties and execute such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. 8.03 Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents, in order of their seniority, shall, in the absence or disability of the President, perform is duties and exercise his powers and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors or the President may from time to time prescribe. 8.04 Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and of shareholders and shall record all votes and minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose. He shall give or cause to be given notice of all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors. He shall keep in safe custody the seal of the Corporation, and, when authorized by the Board, affix the same to any instrument requiring it, and when so affixed it shall be attested by his signature, or by the signature of the Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary. The 10 Secretary may delegate any of his duties, powers and authorities to one or more Assistant Secretaries, unless such delegation is disapproved by the Board. 8.05 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities; shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books of the Corporation; and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable affects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. He shall render to the President and directors, whenever they may require it, an account of his transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. The Treasurer may delegate any of his duties, powers and authorities to one or more Assistant Treasurers unless such delegation be disapproved by the Board of Directors. 8.06 Assistant Secretaries and Treasurers. The Assistant Secretaries, in order of their seniority, shall perform the duties and exercise the powers and authorities of the Secretary in case of his absence or disability. The Assistant Treasurers, in the order of their seniority, shall perform the duties and exercise the powers and authorities of the Treasurer in case of his absence or disability. The Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers shall also perform such duties as may be delegated to them by the Secretary and Treasurer, respectively, and also such duties as the Board of Directors may prescribe. 8.07 Bonds. The Board of Directors may require any officer, agent or employee of the Corporation to give bond for the faithful discharge of his duty and for the protection of the Corporation, in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Board may deem advisable. ARTICLE IX Special Corporate Acts 9.01 Orders for Payment of Money. All checks, drafts, notes, bonds, bills of exchange and orders for payment of money of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer of officers or such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate. 9.02 Contracts and Conveyances. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may in any instance designate the officer and/or agent who shall have authority to execute any contract, conveyance, mortgage or other instrument on behalf of the Corporation, or may ratify or confirm any execution. When the execution of any instrument has been authorized without specification of the executing officers or agents, the Chairman of the Board, the President or any Vice President, and the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, may execute the same in the name and on behalf of this Corporation and may affix the corporate seal thereto. 11 ARTICLE X Books and Records 10.01 Maintenance of Books and Records. The proper officers and agents of the Corporation shall keep and maintain such books, records, and accounts of the Corporation's business and affairs, minutes of the proceedings of its shareholders, Board and committees, if any, and such stock ledgers and lists of shareholders, as the Board of Directors shall deem advisable, and as shall be required by the laws of the State of Michigan and others states or jurisdictions empowered to impose such requirements. Books, records and minutes may be kept within or without the State of Michigan in a place which the Board shall determine. 10.02 Reliance on Information, Opinions, Reports. In discharging his or her duties, a director or officer is entitled to rely on information, opinions, reports, or statements, including financial statements and other financial data, if prepared or presented by any of the following: (a) one or more directors, officers, or employees of the Corporation, or of a business organization under joint or common control, whom the director or officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented; (b) legal counsel, public accountants, engineers, or other persons as to matters the director or officer reasonably believes are within the person's professional or expert competence; and (c) a committee of the Board of which he or she is not a member if the director or officer reasonably believes the committee merits confidence. A director or officer is not entitled to rely on the information set forth in this Section 10.02 if he or she has knowledge concerning the matter in question that makes reliance otherwise permitted by this Section 10.02 unwarranted. 10.03 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be on a "52-53 week" basis. This fiscal year shall end with the Saturday which is closest to the last day of December of each year and the next fiscal year shall begin with the Sunday immediately following the Saturday on which the preceding fiscal year ended. 12 ARTICLE XI Indemnification 11.01 Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative ("proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the Michigan Business Corporation Act, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said Act permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment) against all expenses, liability and loss (including attorney's fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith; provided, however, that the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnity in connection with an action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. Such right shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it should be determined ultimately that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section or otherwise. 11.02 Right of Claimant to Bring Suit. If a claim under Section 11.01 is not paid in full by the Corporation within ninety days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a 13 defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the Michigan Business Corporation Act for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its shareholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Michigan Business Corporation Act, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or it shareholders) that the claimant had not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant had not met the applicable standard of conduct. 11.03 Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The right conferred on any person by Sections 11.01 and 11.02 shall not be exclusive or any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Articles of Incorporation, bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. 11.04 Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself or any such director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or both, against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the Michigan Business Corporation Act. ARTICLE XII Amendments 12.01 Amendments. The Bylaws of the Corporation may be amended, altered or repealed, in whole or in part, by the shareholders or by the Board of Directors at any meeting duly held in accordance with these Bylaws, provided that notice of the meeting includes notice of the proposed amendment, alteration or repeal. 14 BYLAWS OF Champion Home Centers, Inc. ARTICLE I OFFICES SECTION 1. REGISTERED OFFICE. The initial registered office shall be in the City of Bingham Farms, County of Oakland, State of Michigan. SECTION 2. OTHER OFFICES. The corporation may also have offices at such other places both in and outside the State of Michigan as the board of directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require. ARTICLE II SHAREHOLDERS SECTION 1. PLACE OF MEETING. All meetings of the shareholders of the corporation shall be held at the registered office or such other place, either within or without the State of Michigan, as may be determined from time to time by the board of directors. SECTION 2. ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS. The annual meeting of shareholders for election of directors and for such other business as may properly come before the meeting, commencing with the year 1998, shall be held on the first Monday of May, if not a legal holiday, and if a legal holiday, then on the next business day following, at 10 a.m., local time, or at such other date and time as shall be determined from time to time by the board of directors, unless such action is taken by written consent as provided in Section 12 of this Article. If the annual meeting is not held on the date designated therefor, the board shall cause the meeting to be held as soon thereafter as convenient. SECTION 3. ORDER OF BUSINESS AT ANNUAL MEETING. The order of business at the annual meeting of the shareholders shall be as follows: (a) Reading of notice and proof of mailing, (b) Reports of Officers, (c) Election of Directors, (d) Transaction of other business mentioned in the notice, (e) Adjournment. provided that the presiding officer may vary the order of business at his or her discretion. SECTION 4. NOTICE OF MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS. Except as otherwise provided in the Michigan Business Corporation Act (herein called the "Act"), written notice of the time, place and purposes of a meeting of shareholders shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, it is not necessary to give notice of the adjourned meeting if the time and place to which the meeting is adjourned are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken and at the adjourned meeting only business is transacted as might have been transacted at the original meeting. If after the adjournment the board of directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record on the new record date entitled to vote at the meeting. SECTION 5. LIST OF SHAREHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE. The officer or agent having charge of the stock transfer books for shares of the corporation shall make and certify a complete list of the shareholders entitled to vote at a shareholders' meeting or any adjournment thereof. The list shall: (a) Be arranged alphabetically within each class and series, with the address of, and the number of shares held by, each shareholder. (b) Be produced at the time and place of the meeting. (c) Be subject to inspection by any shareholder during the whole time of the meeting. (d) Be prima facie evidence as to who are the shareholders entitled to examine the list or to vote at the meeting. SECTION 6. SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS. A special meeting of shareholders may be called at any time by the chief executive officer of the corporation (see Article V, Section 4) or by a majority of the members of the board of directors then in office, or by shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than ten percent (10%) of all the shares entitled to vote at such special meeting. The method by which such meeting may be called is as follows: Upon receipt of a specification in writing setting forth the date and objects of such proposed special meeting, signed by the chief executive officer, or by a majority of the members of the board of directors then in office, or by shareholders as above provided, the secretary of the corporation shall prepare, sign and mail the notices requisite to such meeting. SECTION 7. QUORUM OF SHAREHOLDERS. Unless a greater or lesser quorum is provided in the articles of incorporation, in a bylaw adopted by the shareholders or incorporators, or in the Act, shares entitled to cast a majority of the votes at a meeting constitute a quorum at the meeting. The shareholders present in person or by proxy at the meeting may continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum. Whether or not a quorum is present, the meeting may be adjourned by a vote of the shares present. -2- SECTION 8. VOTE OF SHAREHOLDERS. Each outstanding share is entitled to one (1) vote on each matter submitted to a vote, unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation. A vote may be cast either orally or in writing. If an action, other than the election of directors, is to be taken by vote of the shareholders, it shall be authorized by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote on the action, unless a greater vote is required by the articles of incorporation or the Act. Except as otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at an election. SECTION 9. RECORD DATE FOR DETERMINATION OF SHAREHOLDERS. For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of shareholders or an adjournment of a meeting, the board of directors may fix a record date, which shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board. The date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of the meeting. If a record date is not fixed, the record date for determination of shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or if no notice is given, the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. When a determination of shareholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders has been made as provided in this Section, the determination applies to any adjournment of the meeting, unless the board of directors fixes a new record date under this Section for the adjourned meeting. For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to express consent to or to dissent from a proposal without a meeting, the board of directors may fix a record date, which shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board and shall not be more than ten (10) days after the board resolution. If a record date is not fixed and prior action by the board of directors is required with respect to the corporate action to be taken without a meeting, the record date shall be the close of business on the day on which the resolution of the board is adopted. If a record date is not fixed and prior action by the board of directors is not required, the record date shall be the first date on which a signed written consent is delivered to the corporation as provided in Section 12 of this Article. For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of a share dividend or distribution, or allotment of a right, or for the purpose of any other action, the board of directors may fix a record date, which shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board. The date shall not be more than sixty (60) days before the payment of the share dividend or distribution or allotment of a right or other action. If a record date is not fixed, the record date shall be the close of business on the day on which the resolution of the board of directors relating to the corporate action is adopted. SECTION 10. PROXIES. A shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders or to express consent or dissent without a meeting may authorize one or more other persons to act for him or her by proxy. A proxy shall be signed by the shareholder or his or her authorized agent or representative. A proxy is not valid after the expiration of three (3) years from its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy. -3- SECTION 11. INSPECTORS OF ELECTION. The board of directors, in advance of a shareholders' meeting, may appoint one (1) or more inspectors of election to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. If inspectors are not so appointed, the person presiding at a shareholders' meeting may, and on request of a shareholder entitled to vote thereat shall, appoint one (1) or more inspectors. In case a person appointed fails to appear or act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the board of directors in advance of the meeting or at the meeting by the person presiding thereat. The inspectors shall determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate votes, ballots or consents, determine the result, and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders. On request of the person presiding at the meeting or a shareholder entitled to vote thereat, the inspectors shall make and execute a written report to the person presiding at the meeting of any of the facts found by them and matters determined by them. The report is prima facie evidence of the facts stated and of the vote as certified by the inspectors. SECTION 12. ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT. The articles of incorporation may provide that any action required or permitted by the Act to be taken at an annual or special meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, are signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on the action were present and voted. The written consents shall bear the date of signature of each shareholder who signs the consent. No written consents shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to unless, within sixty (60) days after the record date for determining shareholders entitled to express consent to or to dissent from a proposal without a meeting, written consents dated not more than ten (10) days before the record date and signed by a sufficient number of shareholders to take the action are delivered to the corporation. Delivery shall be to the corporation's registered office, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the minutes of the proceedings of its shareholders. Delivery made to a corporation's registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Prompt notice of the taking of the Corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to shareholders who would have been entitled to notice of the shareholder meeting if the action had been taken at a meeting and who have not consented in writing. Any action required or permitted by the Act to be taken at an annual or special meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote if, before or after the action, all the shareholders entitled to vote consent in writing. SECTION 13. PARTICIPATION IN MEETING BY TELEPHONE. Unless otherwise restricted by the articles of incorporation, by oral or written permission of a majority of the shareholders, a shareholder may participate in a meeting of shareholders by a conference telephone or by other similar communications equipment through which all persons -4- participating in the meeting may communicate with the other participants. All participants shall be advised of the communications equipment and the names of the participants in the conference shall be divulged to all participants. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section constitutes presence in person at the meeting. ARTICLE III DIRECTORS SECTION 1. NUMBER AND TERM OF DIRECTORS. The number of directors which shall constitute the whole board shall be not less than three (3) nor more than five (5). The first board shall consist of three (3) directors. Thereafter, the number of directors which shall constitute the board of directors for each ensuing year shall be determined at the annual meeting by vote of the shareholders prior to such election; provided, however, that if a motion is not made and carried to increase or decrease the number of directors, the board shall consist of the same number of directors as were elected for the preceding year. The shareholders may also increase or decrease the number of directors at any meeting of the shareholders or by a written consent in lieu thereof. Either the shareholders or the board of directors may fill the vacancy caused by an increase in the number of directors. The first board of directors shall hold office until the first annual meeting of shareholders. At the first annual meeting of shareholders and at each annual meeting thereafter, the shareholders shall elect directors to hold office until the succeeding annual meeting, except in the case of classification of directors as permitted by the Act. A director shall hold office for the term for which he or she is elected and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until his or her resignation or removal. Directors need not be shareholders and may serve continuous terms. SECTION 2. VACANCIES. Unless otherwise limited by the articles of incorporation, if a vacancy, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors, occurs in the board of directors, the vacancy may be filled as follows: (a) The shareholders may fill the vacancy. (b) The board may fill the vacancy. (c) If the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the board of directors, they may fill the vacancy by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, if the holders of any class or classes of stock or series are entitled to elect one (1) or more directors to the exclusion of other shareholders, vacancies of that class or classes or series may be filled only by one (1) of the following: (a) By a majority of the directors elected by the holders of that class or classes or series then in office, whether or not those directors constitute a quorum of the board of directors. -5- (b) By the holders of shares of that class or classes of shares, or series Unless otherwise limited by the articles of incorporation or these bylaws, in the case of a corporation the board of directors of which are divided into classes, any director chosen to fill a vacancy shall hold office until the next election of the class for which the director shall have been chosen, and until his or her successor is elected and qualified. If because of death, resignation, or other cause, a corporation has no directors in office, an officer, a shareholder, a personal representative, administrator, trustee, or guardian of a shareholder, or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of a shareholder, may call a special meeting of shareholders in accordance with the articles of incorporation or these bylaws. A vacancy that will occur at a specific date, by reason of a resignation effective at a later date under Section 4 of this Article or otherwise, may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the newly elected or appointed director may not take office until the vacancy occurs. SECTION 3. REMOVAL. The shareholders may remove one (1) or more directors with or without cause unless the articles of incorporation provide that directors may be removed only for cause. The vote for removal shall be by a majority of shares entitled to vote at an election of directors, unless the articles of incorporation require a higher vote for removal without cause. SECTION 4. RESIGNATION. A director may resign by written notice to the corporation. The resignation is effective upon its receipt by the corporation or a later time as set forth in the notice of resignation. SECTION 5. POWERS. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by its board of directors except as otherwise provided in the Act or in the articles of incorporation. SECTION 6. LOCATION OF MEETINGS. Regular or special meetings of the board of directors may be held either in or outside the State of Michigan. SECTION 7. ORGANIZATION MEETING OF BOARD. The first meeting of each newly elected board of directors shall be held at the place of holding the annual meeting of shareholders, and immediately following the same, for the purpose of electing officers and transacting any other business properly brought before it, provided that the organization meeting in any year may be held at a different time and place than that herein provided by a consent of a majority of the directors of such new board. No notice of such meeting shall be necessary to the newly elected directors in order legally to constitute the meeting, provided a quorum shall be present, unless said meeting is not held at the place of holding and immediately following the annual meeting of shareholders. SECTION 8. REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD. Any regular meeting of the board of directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the board. -6- SECTION 9. SPECIAL MEETING OF BOARD. Any special meeting of the board of directors may be called by the chief executive officer, or by a majority of the persons then comprising the board of directors, at any time by means of notice of the time and place thereof to each director, given not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the time such special meeting is to be held. SECTION 10. COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS. The board of directors may designate one (1) or more committees, each committee to consist of one (1) or more of the directors of the corporation. The board may designate one (1) or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace an absent or disqualified member at a meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the members thereof present at a meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the board of directors creating such committee, may exercise all the powers and authority of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation. A committee does not have the power or authority to amend the articles of incorporation, adopt an agreement of merger or share exchange, recommend to the shareholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the corporation's property and assets, recommend to the shareholders a dissolution of the corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, amend the bylaws of the corporation or fill vacancies in the board of directors; and, unless the resolution of the board of directors creating such committee, the articles of incorporation or bylaws expressly so provide, a committee does not have the power or authority to declare a distribution, dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock. Any such committee, and each member thereof, shall serve at the pleasure of the board of directors. SECTION 11. QUORUM AND REQUIRED VOTE OF BOARD AND COMMITTEES. At all meetings of the board of directors, or of a committee thereof, a majority of the members of the board then in office, or of the members of a committee of the board of directors, constitutes a quorum for transaction of business, unless the articles of incorporation, these bylaws, or in the case of a committee, the board resolution establishing the committee, provide for a larger or smaller number. The vote of the majority of members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present constitutes the action of the board of directors or of the committee unless the vote of a larger number is required by the Act, the articles of incorporation, or these bylaws, or in the case of a committee, the board resolution establishing the committee. Amendment of these bylaws by the board of directors requires the vote of not less than a majority of the members of the board then in office. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the board of directors the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present. -7- SECTION 12. ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT. Action required or permitted to be taken under authorization voted at a meeting of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors, may be taken without a meeting if, before or after the action, all members of the board then in office or of the committee consent to the action in writing. The written consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the board of directors or committee. The consent has the same effect as a vote of the board of directors or committee for all purposes. SECTION 13. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS. The board of directors, by affirmative vote of a majority of directors in office and irrespective of any personal interest of any of them, may establish reasonable compensation of directors for services to the corporation as directors or officers, but approval of the shareholders is required if the articles of incorporation, these bylaws or any provisions of the Act so provide. SECTION 14. PARTICIPATION IN MEETING BY TELEPHONE. By oral or written permission of a majority of the board of directors, a member of the board of directors or of a committee designated by the board may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment through which all persons participating in the meeting can communicate with the other participants. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section constitutes presence in person at the meeting. ARTICLE IV NOTICES SECTION 1. NOTICE. Whenever any notice or communication is required to be given by mail to any director or shareholder under any provision of the Act, or of the articles of incorporation or of these bylaws, it shall be given in writing, except as otherwise provided in the Act, to such director or shareholder at the address designated by him or her for that purpose or, if none is designated, at his or her last known address. The notice or communication is given when deposited, with postage thereon prepaid, in a post office or official depository under the exclusive care and custody of the United States postal service. The mailing shall be registered, certified or other first class mail except where otherwise provided in the Act. Written ,notice may also be given in person or by telegram, telecopy, telex, radiogram, cablegram, or mailgram, and such notice shall be deemed to be given when the recipient receives the notice personally, or when the notice, addressed as provided above, has been delivered to the corporation, or to the equipment transmitting such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, a regular or special meeting of the board of directors need be specified in the notice of the meeting. SECTION 2. WAIVER OF NOTICE. When, under the Act or the articles of incorporation or these bylaws, or by the terms of an agreement or instrument, a corporation or the board of directors or any committee thereof may take action after notice to any person or after lapse of a prescribed period of time, the action may be taken without notice -8- and without lapse of the period of time, if at any time before or after the action is completed the person entitled to notice or to participate in the action to be taken or, in case of a shareholder, by his or her attorney-in-fact, submits a signed waiver of such requirements. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, a regular or special meeting of the board of directors need be specified in the waiver of notice of the meeting. Attendance of a person at a meeting of shareholders constitutes a waiver of objection to lack of notice or defective notice of the meeting, unless the shareholder at the beginning of the meeting objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting and a waiver of objection to consideration of a particular matter at the meeting that is not within the purpose or purposes described in the meeting notice, unless the shareholder objects to considering the matter when it is presented. A director's attendance at or participation in a meeting waives any required notice to him or her of the meeting unless he or she at the beginning of the meeting, or upon his or her arrival, objects to the meeting or the transacting of business at the meeting and does not thereafter vote for or assent to any action taken at the meeting. ARTICLE V OFFICERS SECTION 1. SELECTION. The board of directors, at its first meeting and at its organization meeting following the annual meeting of shareholders, shall elect or appoint a president, a secretary and a treasurer. The board of directors may also elect or appoint a chairman of the board, one (1) or more vice presidents and such other officers, employees and agents as it shall deem necessary who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the board. Two (2) or more offices may be held by the same person but an officer shall not execute, acknowledge or verify an instrument in more than one (1) capacity if the instrument is required by law or the articles or bylaws to be executed, acknowledged or verified by two (2) or more officers. SECTION 2. COMPENSATION. The salaries of all officers, employees and agents of the corporation shall be fixed by the board of directors; provided, however, that the board may delegate to the officers the fixing of compensation of assistant officers, employees and agents. SECTION 3. TERM, REMOVAL AND VACANCIES. Each officer of the corporation shall hold office for the term for which he or she is elected or appointed and until his or her successor is elected or appointed and qualified, or until his or her resignation or removal. An officer elected or appointed by the board of directors may be removed by the board with or without cause at any time. An officer may resign by written notice to the corporation. The resignation is effective upon its receipt by the corporation or at a subsequent time specified in the notice of resignation. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation shall be filled by the board of directors. -9- SECTION 4. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. If the board of directors desires to elect or appoint a chief executive officer, the board shall designate the chairman of the board or president as such officer at the first meeting of each newly elected board of directors; provided, however, that if a motion is not made and carried to change the designation, the designation shall be the same as the designation for the preceding year; provided, further, that the designation of the chief executive officer may be changed at any special meeting of the board of directors. The president shall be the chief executive officer whenever the office of chairman of the board is vacant. The chief executive officer shall be responsible to the board of directors for the general supervision and management of the business and affairs of the corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the board are carried into effect. The chairman of the board or president who is not the chief executive officer shall be subject to the authority of the chief executive officer, but shall exercise all of the powers and discharge all of the duties of the chief executive officer during the absence or disability of the chief executive officer. SECTION 5. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. If the board of directors elects or appoints a chairman of the board, he or she shall be elected or appointed by, and from among the membership of, the board of directors. He or she shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders, of the board of directors and of any executive committee. He or she shall perform such other duties and functions as shall be assigned to him or her from time to time by the board of directors. He or she shall be, ex officio, a member of all standing committees. Except where by law the signature of the president of the corporation is required, the chairman of the board of directors shall possess the same power and authority to sign all certificates, contracts, instruments, papers and documents of every conceivable kind and character whatsoever in the name of and on behalf of the corporation which may be authorized by the board of directors. During the absence or disability of the president, or while that office is vacant, the chairman of the board of directors shall exercise all of the powers and discharge all of the duties of the president. SECTION 6. PRESIDENT. During the absence or disability of the chairman of the board, or while that office is vacant, the president shall preside over all meetings of the board of directors, of the shareholders and of any executive committee, and shall perform all of the duties and functions, and when so acting shall have all powers and authority, of the chairman of the board. He or she shall be, ex officio, a member of all standing committees. The president shall, in general, perform all duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors. SECTION 7. VICE PRESIDENTS. The board of directors may elect or appoint one or more vice presidents. The board of directors may designate one or more vice presidents as executive or senior vice presidents. Unless the board of directors shall otherwise provide by resolution duly adopted by it, such of the vice presidents as shall have been designated executive or senior vice presidents and are members of the board of directors in the order specified by the board of directors (or if no vice president who is a member of the board of directors shall have been designated as executive or senior vice president, then -10- such vice presidents as are members of the board of directors in the order specified by the board of directors) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the president during the absence or disability of the president if the office of the chairman of the board is vacant. The vice presidents shall perform such other duties as may be delegated to them by the board of directors, any executive committee, the chairman of the board or the president. SECTION 8. SECRETARY. The secretary shall attend all meetings of the shareholders, and of the board of directors and of any executive committee, and shall preserve in the books of the corporation true minutes of the proceedings of all such meetings. He or she shall safely keep in his or her custody the seal of the corporation, if any, and shall have authority to affix the same to all instruments where its use is required or permitted. He or she shall give all notice required by the Act, these bylaws or resolution. He or she shall perform such other duties as may be delegated to him or her by the board of directors, any executive committee, the chairman of the board or the president. SECTION 9. TREASURER. The treasurer shall have custody of all corporate funds and securities and shall keep in books belonging to the corporation full and accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements; he or she shall deposit all moneys, securities and other valuable effects in the name of the corporation in such depositories as may be designated for that purpose by the board of directors. He or she shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and the board of directors whenever requested an account of all his or her transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the corporation. If required by the board of directors, he or she shall keep in force a bond in form, amount and with a surety or sureties satisfactory to the board of directors, conditioned for faithful performance of the duties of his or her office, and for restoration to the corporation in case of his or her death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and property of whatever kind in his or her possession or under his or her control belonging to the corporation. He or she shall perform such other duties as may be delegated to him or her by the board of directors, any executive committee, the chairman of the board or the president. SECTION 10. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS. The assistant secretary or assistant secretaries, in the absence or disability of the secretary, shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the secretary. The assistant treasurer or assistant treasurers, in the absence or disability of the treasurer, shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the treasurer. Any assistant treasurer, if required by the board of directors, shall keep in force a bond as provided in Section 9 of this Article. The assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the secretary or by the treasurer, respectively, or by the board of directors, any executive committee, the chairman of the board or the president. SECTION 11. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY AND DUTIES BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS. All officers, employees and agents shall, in addition to the authority conferred, or duties imposed, on them by these bylaws, have such authority and perform -11- such duties in the management of the corporation as may be determined by resolution of the board of directors not inconsistent with these bylaws. ARTICLE VI INDEMNIFICATION SECTION 1. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS: CLAIMS BY THIRD PARTIES. The corporation shall, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the Act or other applicable law, as the same presently exist or may hereafter be amended, but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent such amendment permits the corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than before such amendment, indemnify a director or officer (an "Indemnitee") who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to a threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative and whether formal or informal, other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, whether for profit or not, against expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgments, penalties, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the action, suit, or proceeding, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation or its shareholders, and with respect to a criminal action or proceeding, if the Indemnitee had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of an action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, does not, of itself, create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation or its shareholders, and, with respect to a criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. SECTION 2. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS: CLAIMS BROUGHT BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION. The corporation shall, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the Act or other applicable law, as the same presently exist or may hereafter be amended, but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent such amendment permits the corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than before such amendment, indemnify an Indemnitee who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to a threatened, pending, or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, whether for profit or not, against expenses, including attorneys' fees, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in -12- connection with the action or suit, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation or its shareholders. Indemnification shall not be made under this Section for a claim, issue, or matter in which the Indemnitee has been found liable to the corporation except to the extent authorized in Section 6 of this Article. SECTION 3. ACTIONS BROUGHT BY THE INDEMNITEE. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 1 and 2 of this Article, the corporation shall not be required to indemnify an Indemnitee in connection with an action, suit, proceeding or claim (or part thereof) brought or made by such Indemnitee except as otherwise provided herein with respect to the enforcement of this Article; unless such action, suit, proceeding or claim (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors of the corporation. SECTION 4. APPROVAL OF INDEMNIFICATION. An indemnification under Sections 1 or 2 of this Article, unless ordered by the court, shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because such Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 1 or 2 of this Article, as the case may be, and upon an evaluation of the reasonableness of expenses and amounts paid in settlement. This determination and evaluation shall be made in any of the following ways: (a) By a majority vote of a quorum of the board of directors consisting of directors who are not parties or threatened to be made parties to the action, suit, or proceeding. (b) If a quorum cannot be obtained in subsection (a), By majority vote of a committee duly designated by the board of directors and consisting solely of two (2) or more directors not at the time parties or threatened to be made parties to the action, suit or proceeding. (c) By independent legal counsel in a written opinion, which counsel shall be selected in one (1) of the following ways: (i) By the board of directors or its committee in the manner prescribed in subsection (a) or (b). (ii) If a quorum of the board of directors cannot be obtained under subsection (a) and a committee cannot be designated under subsection (b), by the board of directors. (d) By all independent directors (if any directors have been designated as such by the board of directors or shareholders of the corporation) who are not parties or threatened to be made parties to the action, suit, or proceeding. (e) By the shareholders, but shares held by directors, officers, employees, or agents who are parties or threatened to be made parties to the action, suit, or proceeding may not be voted. In the designation of a committee under subsection (b) or in the selection of independent legal counsel under subsection (c)(ii), all directors may participate. -13- SECTION 5. ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES. The corporation may pay or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by an Indemnitee who is a party or threatened to be made a party to an action, suit, or proceeding in advance of final disposition of the proceeding if all of the following apply: (a) The Indemnitee furnishes the corporation a written affirmation of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article. (b) The Indemnitee furnishes the corporation a written undertaking, executed personally or on his or her behalf, to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that he or she did not meet the standard of conduct. (c) A determination is made that the facts then known to those making the determination would not preclude indemnification under the Act. The undertaking required by subsection (b) must be an unlimited general obligation of the Indemnitee but need not be secured. Determinations and evaluations of payments under this Section shall be made in the manner specified in Section 4 of this Article. SECTION 6. COURT APPROVAL. An Indemnitee who is a party or threatened to be made a party to an action, suit, or proceeding may apply for indemnification to the court conducting the proceeding or to another court of competent jurisdiction. On receipt of an application, the court after giving any notice it considers necessary may order indemnification if it determines that the Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not he or she met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article or was adjudged liable as described in Section 2 of this Article, but if he or she was adjudged liable, his or her indemnification is limited to reasonable expenses incurred. SECTION 7. PARTIAL INDEMNIFICATION. If an Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under Sections 1 or 2 of this Article for a portion of expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, judgments, penalties, fines, and amounts paid in settlement, but not for the total amount, the corporation shall indemnify the Indemnitee for the portion of the expenses, judgments, penalties, fines, or amounts paid in settlement for which the indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified. SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS. Any person who is not covered by the foregoing provisions of this Article and who is or was an employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, whether for profit or not, may be indemnified to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the Act or other applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent such amendment permits the corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than before such amendment, but in any event only to the extent authorized at any time or from time to time by the board of directors. -14- SECTION 9. OTHER RIGHTS OF INDEMNIFICATION. The indemnification or advancement of expenses provided under Sections 1 through 8 of this Article is not exclusive of other rights to which a person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a contractual agreement. The total amount of expenses advanced or indemnified from all sources combined shall not exceed the amount of actual expenses incurred by the person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses. The indemnification provided for in Sections 1 through 8 of this Article continues as to a person who ceases to be a director, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, personal representatives, and administrators of the person. SECTION 10. DEFINITIONS. "Other enterprises" shall include employee benefit plans; "fines" shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and "serving at the request of the corporation" shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, the director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or its beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be considered to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests of the corporation or its shareholders" as referred to in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article. SECTION 11. LIABILITY INSURANCE. The corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have power to indemnify him or her against liability under the pertinent provisions of the Act. SECTION 12. ENFORCEMENT. If a claim under this Article is not paid in full by the corporation within thirty (30) days after a written claim has been received by the corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim, and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any is required, has been tendered to the corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the Act for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the corporation. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its board of directors, a committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or its shareholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that -15- indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because such claimant has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Act nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its board of directors, a committee thereof, independent legal counsel or its shareholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct. SECTION 13. CONTRACT WITH THE CORPORATION. The right to indemnification conferred in this Article shall be deemed to be a contract right between the corporation and each director or officer who serves in any such capacity at any time while this Article is in effect, and any repeal or modification of this Article shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore existing or any action, suit or proceeding theretofore or thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts. SECTION 14. APPLICATION TO A RESULTING OR SURVIVING CORPORATION OR CONSTITUENT CORPORATION. The definition for "corporation" found in Section 569 of the Act, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended is, and shall be, specifically excluded from application to this Article. The indemnification and other obligations set forth in this Article of the corporation shall be binding upon any resulting or surviving corporation after any merger or consolidation with the corporation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in Section 569 of the Act, no person shall be entitled to the indemnification and other rights set forth in this Article for acting as a director or officer of another corporation prior to such other corporation entering into a merger or consolidation with the corporation. SECTION 15. SEVERABILITY. Each and every paragraph, sentence, term and provision of this Article shall be considered severable in that, in the event a court finds any paragraph, sentence, term or provision to be invalid or unenforceable, the validity and enforceability, operation, or effect of the remaining paragraphs, sentences, terms, or provisions shall not be affected, and this Article shall be construed in all respects as if the invalid or unenforceable matter had been omitted. -16- ARTICLE VII STOCK AND TRANSFERS SECTION 1. SHARE CERTIFICATES: REQUIRED SIGNATURES. The shares of the corporation shall be represented by certificates which shall be signed by the chairman of the board of directors, vice chairman of the board of directors, president or a vice president and which also may be signed by another officer of the corporation. The certificate may be sealed with the seal of the corporation or a facsimile of the seal. The signatures of the officers may be facsimiles if the certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent or registered by a registrar other than the corporation itself or its employee. If an officer who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate ceases to be an officer before the certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if he or she were the officer at the date of issue. SECTION 2. SHARE CERTIFICATES: REQUIRED PROVISIONS. A certificate representing shares of the corporation shall state upon its face all of the following: (a) That the corporation is formed under the laws of this state. (b) The name of the person to whom issued. (c) The number and class of shares, and the designation of the series, if any, which the certificate represents. A certificate representing shares issued by a corporation which is authorized to issue shares of more than one (1) class shall set forth on its face or back or state on its face or back that the corporation will furnish to a shareholder upon request and without charge a full statement of the designation, relative rights, preferences and limitations of the shares of each class authorized to be issued, and if the corporation is authorized to issue any class of shares in series, the designation, relative rights, preferences and limitations of each series so far as the same have been prescribed and the authority of the board to designate and prescribe the relative rights, preferences and limitations of other series. SECTION 3. REPLACEMENT OF LOST OR DESTROYED SHARE CERTIFICATES. The corporation may issue a new certificate for shares or fractional shares in place of a certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost or destroyed, and the board of directors may require the owner of the lost or destroyed certificate, or his or her legal representative, to give the corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged lost or destroyed certificate or the issuance of such new certificate. SECTION 4. REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS. The corporation shall have the right to treat the registered holder of any share as the absolute owner thereof, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such share on the part of any other person, whether or not the corporation shall have express or other notice thereof, save as may be otherwise provided by the statutes of Michigan. -17- SECTION 5. TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR. The board of directors may appoint a transfer agent and a registrar in the registration of transfers of its securities. SECTION 6. REGULATIONS. The board of directors shall have power and authority to make all such rules and regulations as the board shall deem expedient regulating the issue, transfer and registration of certificates for shares in this corporation. ARTICLE VIII GENERAL PROVISIONS SECTION 1. DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH OR PROPERTY. The board of directors may authorize and the corporation may make distributions to its shareholders subject to restriction by the articles of incorporation and/or unless otherwise limited by the articles of incorporation, these bylaws or the Act. SECTION 2. RESERVES. The board of directors shall have power and authority to set apart such reserve or reserves, for any proper purpose, as the board in its discretion shall approve, and the board shall have the power and authority to abolish any reserve created by the board. SECTION 3. VOTING SECURITIES. Unless otherwise directed by the board of directors, the chairman of the board or president, or in the case of their absence or inability to act, the vice presidents, in order of their seniority, shall have full power and authority on behalf of the corporation to attend and to act and to vote, or to execute in the name or on behalf of the corporation a consent in writing in lieu of a meeting of shareholders or a proxy authorizing an agent or attorney-in-fact for the corporation to attend and vote at any meetings of security holders of corporations in which the corporation may hold securities, and at such meetings he or she or his or her duly authorized agent or attorney-in-fact shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the corporation might have possessed and exercised if present. The board of directors by resolution from time to time may confer like power upon any other person or persons. SECTION 4. CHECKS. All checks, drafts and orders for the payment of money shall be signed in the name of the corporation in such manner and by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the board of directors shall from time to time designate for that purpose. SECTION 5. CONTRACTS, CONVEYANCES, ETC. When the execution of any contract, conveyance or other instrument has been authorized without specification of the executing officers, the chairman of the board, president or any vice president, and the secretary or assistant secretary, may execute the same in the name and on behalf of this -18- corporation and may affix the corporate seal thereto. The board of directors shall have power to designate the officers and agents who shall have authority to execute any instrument on behalf of this corporation. SECTION 6. CORPORATE BOOKS AND RECORDS. The corporation shall keep books and records of account and minutes of the proceedings of its shareholders, board of directors and executive committees, if any. The books, records and minutes may be kept outside this state. The corporation shall keep at its registered office, or at the office of its transfer agent in or outside the State of Michigan, records containing the names and addresses of all shareholders, the number, class and series of shares held by each and the dates when they respectively became holders of record. Any of the books, records or minutes may be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. The corporation shall convert into written form without charge any record not in written form, unless otherwise requested by a person entitled to inspect the records. SECTION 7. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the board of directors. SECTION 8. SEAL. If the corporation has a corporate seal, it shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation and the words "Corporate Seal" and "Michigan." The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile to be affixed, impressed or reproduced in any other manner. ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS SECTION 1. The shareholders or the board of directors may amend or repeal the bylaws or adopt new bylaws unless the articles of incorporation provide that the power to adopt new bylaws is reserved exclusively to the shareholders or that these bylaws or any particular bylaw shall not be altered or repealed by the board of directors. Such action may be taken by written consent or at any meeting of shareholders or the board of directors; provided that if notice of any such meeting is required by these bylaws, it shall contain notice of the proposed amendment, repeal or new bylaws. Amendment of these bylaws by the board of directors requires the vote of not less than a majority of the members of the board then in office. -19- BYLAWS OF A-1 CHAMPION GP, INC. ARTICLE I OFFICES SECTION 1. REGISTERED OFFICE. The initial registered office shall be in the City of Bingham Farms, County of Oakland, State of Michigan. SECTION 2. OTHER OFFICES. The corporation may also have offices at such other places both in and outside the State of Michigan as the board of directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require. ARTICLE II SHAREHOLDERS SECTION 1. PLACE OF MEETING. All meetings of the shareholders of the corporation shall be held at the registered office or such other place, either within or without the State of Michigan, as may be determined from time to time by the board of directors. SECTION 2. ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS. The annual meeting of shareholders for election of directors and for such other business as may properly come before the meeting, commencing with the year 1998, shall be held on the first Monday of May, if not a legal holiday, and if a legal holiday, then on the next business day following, at 10 a.m., local time, or at such other date and time as shall be determined from time to time by the board of directors, unless such action is taken by written consent as provided in Section 12 of this Article. If the annual meeting is not held on the date designated therefor, the board shall cause the meeting to be held as soon thereafter as convenient. SECTION 3. ORDER OF BUSINESS AT ANNUAL MEETING. The order of business at the annual meeting of the shareholders shall be as follows: (a) Reading of notice and proof of mailing, (b) Reports of Officers, (c) Election of Directors, (d) Transaction of other business mentioned in the notice, (e) Adjournment, Provided that the presiding officer may vary the order of business at his or her discretion. SECTION 4. NOTICE OF MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS. Except as otherwise provided in the Michigan Business Corporation Act (herein called the "Act"), written notice of the time, place and purposes of a meeting of shareholders shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, it is not necessary to give notice of the adjourned meeting if the time and place to which the meeting is adjourned are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken and at the adjourned meeting only business is transacted as might have been transacted at the original meeting. If after the adjournment the board of directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record on the new record date entitled to vote at the meeting. SECTION 5. LIST OF SHAREHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE. The officer or agent having charge of the stock transfer books for shares of the corporation shall make and certify a complete list of the shareholders entitled to vote at a shareholders' meeting or any adjournment thereof. The list shall: (a) Be arranged alphabetically within each class and series, with the address of, and the number of shares held by, each shareholder. (b) Be produced at the time and place of the meeting. (c) Be subject to inspection by any shareholder during the whole time of the meeting. (d) Be prima facie evidence as to who are the shareholders entitled to examine the list or to vote at the meeting. SECTION 6. SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS. A special meeting of shareholders may be called at any time by the chief executive officer of the corporation (see Article V, Section 4) or by a majority of the members of the board of directors then in office, or by shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than ten percent (10%) of all the shares entitled to vote at such special meeting. The method by which such meeting may be called is as follows: Upon receipt of a specification in writing setting forth the date and objects of such proposed special meeting, signed by the chief executive officer, or by a majority of the members of the board of directors then in office, or by shareholders as above provided, the secretary of the corporation shall prepare, sign and mail the notices requisite to such meeting. SECTION 7. QUORUM OF SHAREHOLDERS. Unless a greater or lesser quorum is provided in the articles of incorporation, in a bylaw adopted by the shareholders or incorporators, or in the Act, shares entitled to cast a majority of the votes at a meeting constitute a quorum at the meeting. The shareholders present in person or by proxy at the meeting may continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum. Whether or not a quorum is present, the meeting may be adjourned by a vote of the shares present. -2- SECTION 8. VOTE OF SHAREHOLDERS. Each outstanding share is entitled to one (1) vote on each matter submitted to a vote, unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation. A vote may be cast either orally or in writing. If an action, other than the election of directors, is to be taken by vote of the shareholders, it shall be authorized by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote on the action, unless a greater vote is required by the articles of incorporation or the Act. Except as otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at an election. SECTION 9. RECORD DATE FOR DETERMINATION OF SHAREHOLDERS. For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of shareholders or an adjournment of a meeting, the board of directors may fix a record date, which shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board. The date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of the meeting. If a record date is not fixed, the record date for determination of shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or if no notice is given, the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. When a determination of shareholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders has been made as provided in this Section, the determination applies to any adjournment of the meeting, unless the board of directors fixes a new record date under this Section for the adjourned meeting. For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to express consent to or to dissent from a proposal without a meeting, the board of directors may fix a record date, which shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board and shall not be more than ten (10) days after the board resolution. If a record date is not fixed and prior action by the board of directors is required with respect to the corporate action to be taken without a meeting, the record date shall be the close of business on the day on which the resolution of the board is adopted. If a record date is not fixed and prior action by the board of directors is not required, the record date shall be the first date on which a signed written consent is delivered to the corporation as provided in Section 12 of this Article. For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of a share dividend or distribution, or allotment of a right, or for the purpose of any other action, the board of directors may fix a record date, which shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board. The date shall not be more than sixty (60) days before the payment of the share dividend or distribution or allotment of a right or other action. If a record date is not fixed, the record date shall be the close of business on the day on which the resolution of the board of directors relating to the corporate action is adopted. SECTION 10. PROXIES. A shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders or to express consent or dissent without a meeting may authorize one or more other persons to act for him or her by proxy. A proxy shall be signed by the shareholder or his or her authorized agent or representative. A proxy is not valid after the expiration of three (3) years from its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy. -3- SECTION 11. INSPECTORS OF ELECTION. The board of directors, in advance of a shareholders' meeting, may appoint one (1) or more inspectors of election to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. If inspectors are not so appointed, the person presiding at a shareholders' meeting may, and on request of a shareholder entitled to vote thereat shall, appoint one (1) or more inspectors. In case a person appointed fails to appear or act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the board of directors in advance of the meeting or at the meeting by the person presiding thereat. The inspectors shall determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate votes, ballots or consents, determine the result, and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders. On request of the person presiding at the meeting or a shareholder entitled to vote thereat, the inspectors shall make and execute a written report to the person presiding at the meeting of any of the facts found by them and matters determined by them. The report is prima facie evidence of the facts stated and of the vote as certified by the inspectors. SECTION 12. ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT. The articles of incorporation may provide that any action required or permitted by the Act to be taken at an annual or special meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, are signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on the action were present and voted. The written consents shall bear the date of signature of each shareholder that signs the consent. No written consents shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to unless, within sixty (60) days after the record date for determining shareholders entitled to express consent to or to dissent from a proposal without a meeting, written consents dated not more than ten (10) days before the record date and signed by a sufficient number of shareholders to take the action are delivered to the corporation. Delivery shall be to the corporation's registered office, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the minutes of the proceedings of its shareholders. Delivery made to a corporation's registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to shareholders who would have been entitled to notice of the shareholder meeting if the action had been taken at a meeting and who have not consented in writing. Any action required or permitted by the Act to be taken at an annual or special meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote if, before or after the action, all the shareholders entitled to vote consent in writing. SECTION 13. PARTICIPATION IN MEETING BY TELEPHONE. Unless otherwise restricted by the articles of incorporation, by oral or written permission of a majority of the shareholders, a shareholder may participate in a meeting of shareholders by a conference telephone or by other similar communications equipment through which -4- all persons participating in the meeting may communicate with the other participants. All participants shall be advised of the communications equipment and the names of the participants in the conference shall be divulged to all participants. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section constitutes presence in person at the meeting. ARTICLE III DIRECTORS SECTION 1. NUMBER AND TERM OF DIRECTORS. The number of directors that shall constitute the whole board shall be not less than one (1) nor more than nine (9). The first board shall consist of number of directors stated by the incorporator. Thereafter, the number of directors which shall constitute the board of directors for each ensuing year shall be determined at the annual meeting by vote of the shareholders prior to such election; provided, however, that if a motion is not made and carried to increase or decrease the number of directors, the board shall consist of the same number of directors as were elected for the preceding year. The shareholders may also increase or decrease the number of directors at any meeting of the shareholders or by a written consent in lieu thereof. Either the shareholders or the board of directors may fill the vacancy caused by an increase in the number of directors. The first board of directors shall hold office until the first annual meeting of shareholders. At the first annual meeting of shareholders and at each annual meeting thereafter, the shareholders shall elect directors to hold office until the succeeding annual meeting, except in the case of classification of directors as permitted by the Act. A director shall hold office for the term for which he or she is elected and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until his or her resignation or removal. Directors need not be shareholders and may serve continuous terms. SECTION 2. VACANCIES. Unless otherwise limited by the articles of incorporation, if a vacancy, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors, occurs in the board of directors, the vacancy may be filled as follows: (a) The shareholders may fill the vacancy. (b) The board may fill the vacancy. (c) If the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the board of directors, they may fill the vacancy by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, if the holders of any class or classes of stock or series are entitled to elect one (1) or more directors to the exclusion of other shareholders, vacancies of that class or classes or series may be filled only by one (1) of the following: (a) By a majority of the directors elected by the holders of that class or classes or series then in office, whether or not those directors constitute a quorum of the board of directors. -5- (b) By the holders of shares of that class or classes of shares, or series. Unless otherwise limited by the articles of incorporation or these bylaws, in the case of a corporation the board of directors of which are divided into classes, any director chosen to fill a vacancy shall hold office until the next election of the class for which the director shall have been chosen, and until his or her successor is elected and qualified. If because of death, resignation, or other cause, a corporation has no directors in office, an officer, a shareholder, a personal representative, administrator, trustee, or guardian of a shareholder, or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of a shareholder, may call a special meeting of shareholders in accordance with the articles of incorporation or these bylaws. A vacancy that will occur at a specific date, by reason of a resignation effective at a later date under Section 4 of this Article or otherwise, may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the newly elected or appointed director may not take office until the vacancy occurs. SECTION 3. REMOVAL. The shareholders may remove one (1) or more directors with or without cause unless the articles of incorporation provide that directors may be removed only for cause. The vote for removal shall be by a majority of shares entitled to vote at an election of directors, unless the articles of incorporation require a higher vote for removal without cause. SECTION 4. RESIGNATION. A director may resign by written notice to the corporation. The resignation is effective upon its receipt by the corporation or a later time as set forth in the notice of resignation. SECTION 5. POWERS. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by its board of directors except as otherwise provided in the Act or in the articles of incorporation. SECTION 6. LOCATION OF MEETINGS. Regular or special meetings of the board of directors may be held either in or outside the State of Michigan. SECTION 7. ORGANIZATION MEETING OF BOARD. The first meeting of each newly elected board of directors shall be held at the place of holding the annual meeting of shareholders, and immediately following the same, for the purpose of electing officers and transacting any other business properly brought before it, provided that the organization meeting in any year may be held at a different time and place than that herein provided by a consent of a majority of the directors of such new board. No notice of such meeting shall be necessary to the newly elected directors in order legally to constitute the meeting, provided a quorum shall be present, unless said meeting is not held at the place of holding and immediately following the annual meeting of shareholders. SECTION 8. REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD. Any regular meeting of the board of directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the board. -6- SECTION 9. SPECIAL MEETING OF BOARD. Any special meeting of the board of directors may be called by the chief executive officer, or by a majority of the persons then comprising the board of directors, at any time by means of notice of the time and place thereof to each director, given not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the time such special meeting is to be held. SECTION 10. COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS. The board of directors may designate one (1) or more committees, each committee to consist of one (1) or more of the directors of the corporation. The board may designate one (1) or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace an absent or disqualified member at a meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the members thereof present at a meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the board of directors creating such committee, may exercise all the powers and authority of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation. A committee does not have the power or authority to amend the articles of incorporation, adopt an agreement of merger or share exchange, recommend to the shareholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the corporation's property and assets, recommend to the shareholders a dissolution of the corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, amend the bylaws of the corporation or fill vacancies in the board of directors; and, unless the resolution of the board of directors creating such committee, the articles of incorporation or bylaws expressly so provide, a committee does not have the power or authority to declare a distribution, dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock. Any such committee, and each member thereof, shall serve at the pleasure of the board of directors. SECTION 11. QUORUM AND REQUIRED VOTE OF BOARD AND COMMITTEES. At all meetings of the board of directors, or of a committee thereof, a majority of the members of the board then in office, or of the members of a committee of the board of directors, constitutes a quorum for transaction of business, unless the articles of incorporation, these bylaws, or in the case of a committee, the board resolution establishing the committee, provide for a larger or smaller number. The vote of the majority of members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present constitutes the action of the board of directors or of the committee unless the vote of a larger number is required by the Act, the articles of incorporation, or these bylaws, or in the case of a committee, the board resolution establishing the committee. Amendment of these bylaws by the board of directors requires the vote of not less than a majority of the members of the board then in office. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the board of directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present. SECTION 12. ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT. Action required or permitted to be taken under authorization voted at a meeting of the board of directors or a committee -7- of the board of directors, may be taken without a meeting if, before or after the action, all members of the board then in office or of the committee consent to the action in writing. The written consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the board of directors or committee. The consent has the same effect as a vote of the board of directors or committee for all purposes. SECTION 13. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS. The board of directors, by affirmative vote of a majority of directors in office and irrespective of any personal interest of any of them, may establish reasonable compensation of directors for services to the corporation as directors or officers, but approval of the shareholders is required if the articles of incorporation, these bylaws or any provisions of the Act so provide. SECTION 14. PARTICIPATION IN MEETING BY TELEPHONE. By oral or written permission of a majority of the board of directors, a member of the board of directors or of a committee designated by the board may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment through which all persons participating in the meeting can communicate with the other participants. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section constitutes presence in person at the meeting. ARTICLE IV NOTICES SECTION 1. NOTICE. Whenever any notice or communication is required to be given by mail to any director or shareholder under any provision of the Act, or of the articles of incorporation or of these bylaws, it shall be given in writing, except as otherwise provided in the Act, to such director or shareholder at the address designated by him or her for that purpose or, if none is designated, at his or her last known address. The notice or communication is given when deposited, with postage thereon prepaid, in a post office or official depository under the exclusive care and custody of the United States postal service. The mailing shall be registered, certified or other first class mail except where otherwise provided in the Act. Written notice may also be given in person or by telegram, telecopy, telex, radiogram, cablegram, or mailgram, and such notice shall be deemed to be given when the recipient receives the notice personally, or when the notice, addressed as provided above, has been delivered to the corporation, or to the equipment transmitting such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, a regular or special meeting of the board of directors need be specified in the notice of the meeting. SECTION 2. WAIVER OF NOTICE. When, under the Act or the articles of incorporation or these bylaws, or by the terms of an agreement or instrument, a corporation or the board of directors or any committee thereof may take action after notice to any person or after lapse of a prescribed period of time, the action may be taken without notice and without lapse of the period of time, if at any time before or after the action is completed the person entitled to notice or to participate in the action to be taken -8- or, in case of a shareholder, by his or her attorney-in-fact, submits a signed waiver of such requirements. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, a regular or special meeting of the board of directors need be specified in the waiver of notice of the meeting. Attendance of a person at a meeting of shareholders constitutes a waiver of objection to lack of notice or defective notice of the meeting, unless the shareholder at the beginning of the meeting objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting and a waiver of objection to consideration of a particular matter at the meeting that is not within the purpose or purposes described in the meeting notice, unless the shareholder objects to considering the matter when it is presented. A director's attendance at or participation in a meeting waives any required notice to him or her of the meeting unless he or she at the beginning of the meeting, or upon his or her arrival, objects to the meeting or the transacting of business at the meeting and does not thereafter vote for or assent to any action taken at the meeting. ARTICLE V OFFICERS SECTION 1. SELECTION. The board of directors, at its first meeting and at its organization meeting following the annual meeting of shareholders, shall elect or appoint a president, a secretary and a treasurer. The board of directors may also elect or appoint a chairman of the board, one (1) or more vice presidents and such other officers, employees and agents as it shall deem necessary who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the board. Two (2) or more offices may be held by the same person but an officer shall not execute, acknowledge or verify an instrument in more than one (1) capacity if the instrument is required by law or the articles or bylaws to be executed, acknowledged or verified by two (2) or more officers. SECTION 2. COMPENSATION. The salaries of all officers, employees and agents of the corporation shall be fixed by the board of directors; provided, however, that the board may delegate to the officers the fixing of compensation of assistant officers, employees and agents. SECTION 3. TERM, REMOVAL AND VACANCIES. Each officer of the corporation shall hold office for the term for which he or she is. elected or appointed and until his or her successor is elected or appointed and qualified, or until his or her resignation or removal. An officer elected or appointed by the board of directors may be removed by the board with or without cause at any time. An officer may resign by written notice to the corporation. The resignation is effective upon its receipt by the corporation or at a subsequent time specified in the notice of resignation. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation shall be filled by the board of directors. SECTION 4. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. If the board of directors desires to elect or appoint a chief executive officer, the board shall designate the chairman of the board or president as such officer at the first meeting of each newly elected board of -9- directors; provided, however, that if a motion is not made and carried to change the designation, the designation shall be the same as the designation for the preceding year; provided, further, that the designation of the chief executive officer may be changed at any special meeting of the board of directors. The president shall be the chief executive officer whenever the office of chairman of the board is vacant. The chief executive officer shall be responsible to the board of directors for the general supervision and management of the business and affairs of the corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the board are carried into effect. The chairman of the board or president who is not the chief executive officer shall be subject to the authority of the chief executive officer, but shall exercise all of the powers and discharge all of the duties of the chief executive officer during the absence or disability of the chief executive officer. SECTION 5. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. If the board of directors elects or appoints a chairman of the board, he or she shall be elected or appointed by, and from among the membership of, the board of directors. He or she shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders, of the board of directors and of any executive committee. He or she shall perform such other duties and functions as shall be assigned to him or her from time to time by the board of directors. He or she shall be, ex officio, a member of all standing committees. Except where by law the signature of the president of the corporation is required, the chairman of the board of directors shall possess the same power and authority to sign all certificates, contracts, instruments, papers and documents of every conceivable kind and character whatsoever in the name of and on behalf of the corporation which may be authorized by the board of directors. During the absence or disability of the president, or while that office is vacant, the chairman of the board of directors shall exercise all of the powers and discharge all of the duties of the president. SECTION 6. PRESIDENT. During the absence or disability of the chairman of the board, or while that office is vacant, the president shall preside over all meetings of the board of directors, of the shareholders and of any executive committee, and shall perform all of the duties and functions, and when so acting shall have all powers and authority, of the chairman of the board. He or she shall be, ex officio, a member of all standing committees. The president shall, in general, perform all duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors. SECTION 7. VICE PRESIDENTS. The board of directors may elect or appoint one or more vice presidents. The board of directors may designate one or more vice presidents as executive or senior vice presidents. Unless the board of directors shall otherwise provide by resolution duly adopted by it, such of the vice presidents as shall have been designated executive or senior vice presidents and are members of the board of directors in the order specified by the board of directors (or if no vice president who is a member of the board of directors shall have been designated as executive or senior vice president, then such vice presidents as are members of the board of directors in the order specified by the board of directors) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the president during the absence or disability of the president if the office of the chairman of the board is vacant. The vice presidents shall perform such other duties as may be -10- delegated to them by the board of directors, any executive committee, the, chairman of the board or the president. SECTION 8. SECRETARY. The secretary shall attend all meetings of the shareholders, and of the board of directors and of any executive committee, and shall preserve in the books of the corporation true minutes of the proceedings of all such meetings. He or she shall safely keep in his or her custody the seal of the corporation, if any, and shall have authority to affix the same to all instruments where its use is required or permitted. He or she shall give all notice required by the Act, these bylaws or resolution. He or she shall perform such other duties as may be delegated to him or her by the board of directors, any executive committee, the chairman of the board or the president. SECTION 9. TREASURER. The treasurer shall have custody of all corporate funds and securities and shall keep in books belonging to the corporation full and accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements; he or she shall deposit all moneys, securities and other valuable effects in the name of the corporation in such depositories as may be designated for that purpose by the board of directors. He or she shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and the board of directors whenever requested an account of all his or her transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the corporation. If required by the board of directors, he or she shall keep in force a bond in form, amount and with a surety or sureties satisfactory to the board of directors, conditioned for faithful performance of the duties of his or her office, and for restoration to the corporation in case of his or her death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and property of whatever kind in his or her possession or under his or her control belonging to the corporation. He or she shall perform such other duties as may be delegated to him or her by the board of directors, any executive committee, the chairman of the board or the president. SECTION 10. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS. The assistant secretary or assistant secretaries, in the absence or disability of the secretary, shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the secretary. The assistant treasurer or assistant treasurers, in the absence or disability of the treasurer, shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the treasurer. Any assistant treasurer, if required by the board of directors, shall keep in force a bond as provided in Section 9 of this Article. The assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the secretary or by the treasurer, respectively, or by the board of directors, any executive committee, the chairman of the board or the president. SECTION 11. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY AND DUTIES BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS. All officers, employees and agents shall, in addition to the authority conferred, or duties imposed, on them by these bylaws, have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the corporation as may be determined by resolution of the board of directors not inconsistent with these bylaws. -11- ARTICLE VI INDEMNIFICATION SECTION 1. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS: CLAIMS BY THIRD PARTIES. The corporation shall, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the Act or other applicable law, as the same presently exist or may hereafter be amended, but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent such amendment permits the corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than before such amendment, indemnify a director or officer (an "Indemnitee") who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to a threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative and whether formal or informal, other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, whether for profit or not, against expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgments, penalties, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the action, suit, or proceeding, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation or its shareholders, and with respect to a criminal action or proceeding, if the Indemnitee had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of an action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, does not, of itself, create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation or its shareholders, and, with respect to a criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. SECTION 2. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS: CLAIMS BROUGHT BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION. The corporation shall, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the Act or other applicable law, as the same presently exist or may hereafter be amended, but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent such amendment permits the corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than before such amendment, indemnify an Indemnitee who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to a threatened, pending, or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, whether for profit or not, against expenses, including attorneys' fees, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the action or suit, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation or its shareholders. -12- Indemnification shall not be made under this Section for a claim, issue, or matter in which the Indemnitee has been found liable to the corporation except to the extent authorized in Section 6 of this Article. SECTION 3. ACTIONS BROUGHT BY THE INDEMNITEE. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 1 and 2 of this Article, the corporation shall not be required to indemnify an Indemnitee in connection with an action, suit, proceeding or claim (or part thereof) brought or made by such Indemnitee except as otherwise provided herein with respect to the enforcement of this Article, unless such action, suit, proceeding or claim (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors of the corporation. SECTION 4. APPROVAL OF INDEMNIFICATION. An indemnification under Sections 1 or 2 of this Article, unless ordered by the court, shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because such Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 1 or 2 of this Article, as the case may be, and upon an evaluation of the reasonableness of expenses and amounts paid in settlement. This determination and evaluation shall be made in any of the following ways: (a) By a majority vote of a quorum of the board of directors consisting of directors who are not parties or threatened to be made parties to the action, suit, or proceeding. (b) If a quorum cannot be obtained in subsection (a), by majority vote of a committee duly designated by the board of directors and consisting solely of two (2) or more directors not at the time parties or threatened to be made parties to the action, suit or proceeding. (c) By independent legal counsel in a written opinion, which counsel shall be selected in one (1) of the following ways: (i) By the board of directors or its committee in the manner prescribed in subsection (a) or (b). (ii) If a quorum of the board of directors cannot be obtained under subsection (a) and a committee cannot be designated under subsection (b), by the board of directors. (d) By all independent directors (if any directors have been designated as such by the board of directors or shareholders of the corporation) who are not parties or threatened to be made parties to the action, suit, or proceeding. (e) By the shareholders, but shares held by directors, officers, employees, or agents who are parties or threatened to be made parties to the action, suit, or proceeding may not be voted. In the designation of a committee under subsection (b) or in the selection of independent legal counsel under subsection (c)(ii), all directors may participate. SECTION 5. ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES. The corporation may pay or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by an Indemnitee who is a party or -13- threatened to be made a party to an action, suit, or proceeding in advance of final disposition of the proceeding if all of the following apply: (a) The Indemnitee furnishes the corporation a written affirmation of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article. (b) The Indemnitee furnishes the corporation a written undertaking, executed personally or on his or her behalf, to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that he or she did not meet the standard of conduct. (c) A determination is made that the facts then known to those making the determination would not preclude indemnification under the Act. The undertaking required by subsection (b) must be an unlimited general obligation of the Indemnitee but need not be secured. Determinations and evaluations of payments under this Section shall be made in the manner specified in Section 4 of this Article. SECTION 6. COURT APPROVAL. An Indemnitee who is a party or threatened to be made a party to an action, suit, or proceeding may apply for indemnification to the court conducting the proceeding or to another court of competent jurisdiction. On receipt of an application, the court after giving any notice it considers necessary may order indemnification if it determines that the Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not he or she met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article or was adjudged liable as described in Section 2 of this Article, but if he or she was adjudged liable, his or her indemnification is limited to reasonable expenses incurred. SECTION 7. PARTIAL INDEMNIFICATION. If an Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under Sections 1 or 2 of this Article for a portion of expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, judgments, penalties, fines, and amounts paid in settlement, but not for the total amount, the corporation shall indemnify the Indemnitee for the portion of the expenses, judgments, penalties, fines, or amounts paid in settlement for which the Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified. SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS. Any person who is not covered by the foregoing provisions of this Article and who is or was an employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, whether for profit or not, may be indemnified to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the Act or other applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent such amendment permits the corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than before such amendment, but in any event only to the extent authorized at any time or from time to time by the board of directors. SECTION 9. OTHER RIGHTS OF INDEMNIFICATION. The indemnification or advancement of expenses provided under Sections 1 through 8 of this Article is not -14- exclusive of other rights to which a person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a contractual agreement. The total amount of expenses advanced or indemnified from all sources combined shall not exceed the amount of actual expenses incurred by the person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses. The indemnification provided for in Sections 1 through 8 of this Article continues as to a person who ceases to be a director, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, personal representatives, and administrators of the person. SECTION 10. DEFINITIONS. "Other enterprises" shall include employee benefit plans; "fines" shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and "serving at the request of the corporation" shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, the director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or its beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be considered to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests of the corporation or its shareholders" as referred to in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article. SECTION 11. LIABILITY INSURANCE. The corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have power to indemnify him or her against liability under the pertinent provisions of the Act. SECTION 12. ENFORCEMENT. If a claim under this Article is not paid in full by the corporation within thirty (30) days after a written claim has been received by the corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim, and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any is required, has been tendered to the corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the Act for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the corporation. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its board of directors, a committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or its shareholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because such claimant has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Act nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its board of directors, a committee thereof, independent legal counsel or its shareholders) that the claimant has not met such -15- applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct. SECTION 13. CONTRACT WITH THE CORPORATION. The right to indemnification conferred in this Article shall be deemed to be a contract right between the corporation and each director or officer who serves in any such capacity at any time while this Article is in effect, and any repeal or modification of this Article shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore existing or any action, suit or proceeding theretofore or thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts. SECTION 14. APPLICATION TO A RESULTING OR SURVIVING CORPORATION OR CONSTITUENT CORPORATION. The definition for "corporation" found in Section 569 of the Act, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended is, and shall be, specifically excluded from application to this Article. The indemnification and other obligations set forth in this Article of the corporation shall be binding upon any resulting or surviving corporation after any merger or consolidation with the corporation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in Section 569 of the Act, no person shall be entitled to the indemnification and other rights set forth in this Article for acting as a director or officer of another corporation prior to such other corporation entering into a merger or consolidation with the corporation. SECTION 15. SEVERABILITY. Each and every paragraph, sentence, term and provision of this Article shall be considered severable in that, in the event a court finds any paragraph, sentence, term or provision to be invalid or unenforceable, the validity and enforceability, operation, or effect of the remaining paragraphs, sentences, terms, or provisions shall not be affected, and this Article shall be construed in all respects as if the invalid or unenforceable matter had been omitted. ARTICLE VII STOCK AND TRANSFERS SECTION 1. SHARE CERTIFICATES: REQUIRED SIGNATURES. The shares of the corporation shall be represented by certificates which shall be signed by the chairman of the board of directors, vice chairman of the board of directors, president or a vice president and which also may be signed by another officer of the corporation. The certificate may be sealed with the seal of the corporation or a facsimile of the seal. The signatures of the officers may be facsimiles if the certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent or registered by a registrar other than the corporation itself or its employee. If an officer who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate ceases to be an officer before the certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if he or she were the officer at the date of issue. SECTION 2. SHARE CERTIFICATES: REQUIRED PROVISIONS. A certificate representing shares of the corporation shall state upon its face all of the following: -16- (a) That the corporation is formed under the laws of this state. (b) The name of the person to whom issued. (c) The number and class of shares, and the designation of the series, if any, which the certificate represents. A certificate representing shares issued by a corporation which is authorized to issue shares of more than one (1) class shall set forth on its face or back or state on its face or back that the corporation will furnish to a shareholder upon request and without charge a full statement of the designation, relative rights, preferences and limitations of the shares of each class authorized to be issued, and if the corporation is authorized to issue any class of shares in series, the designation, relative rights, preferences and limitations of each series so far as the same have been prescribed and the authority of the board to designate and prescribe the relative rights, preferences and limitations of other series. SECTION 3. REPLACEMENT OF LOST OR DESTROYED SHARE CERTIFICATES. The corporation may issue a new certificate for shares or fractional shares in place of a certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost or destroyed, and the board of directors may require the owner of the lost or destroyed certificate, or his or her legal representative, to give the corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged lost or destroyed certificate or the issuance of such new certificate. SECTION 4. REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS. The corporation shall have the right to treat the registered holder of any share as the absolute owner thereof, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such share on the part of any other person, whether or not the corporation shall have express or other notice thereof, save as may be otherwise provided by the statutes of Michigan. SECTION 5. TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR. The board of directors may appoint a transfer agent and a registrar in the registration of transfers of its securities. SECTION 6. REGULATIONS. The board of directors shall have power and authority to make all such rules and regulations as the board shall deem expedient regulating the issue, transfer and registration of certificates for shares in this corporation. ARTICLE VIII GENERAL PROVISIONS SECTION 1. DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH OR PROPERTY. The board of directors may authorize and the corporation may make distributions to its shareholders subject to restriction by the articles of incorporation and/or unless otherwise limited by the articles of incorporation, these bylaws or the Act. -17- SECTION 2. RESERVES. The board of directors shall have power and authority to set apart such reserve or reserves, for any proper purpose, as the board in its discretion shall approve, and the board shall have the power and authority to abolish any reserve created by the board. SECTION 3. VOTING SECURITIES. Unless otherwise directed by the board of directors, the chairman of the board or president, or in the case of their absence or inability to act, the vice presidents, in order of their seniority, shall have full power and authority on behalf of the corporation to attend and to act and to vote, or to execute in the name or on behalf of the corporation a consent in writing in lieu of a meeting of shareholders or a proxy authorizing an agent or attorney-in-fact for the corporation to attend and vote at any meetings of security holders of corporations in which the corporation may hold securities, and at such meetings he or she or his or her duly authorized agent or attorney-in-fact shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the corporation might have possessed and exercised if present. The board of directors by resolution from time to time may confer like power upon any other person or persons. SECTION 4. CHECKS. All checks, drafts and orders for the payment of money shall be signed in the name of the corporation in such manner and by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the board of directors shall from time to time designate for that purpose. SECTION 5. CONTRACTS, CONVEYANCES, ETC. When the execution of any contract, conveyance or other instrument has been authorized without specification of the executing officers, the chairman of the board, president or any vice president, and the secretary or assistant secretary, may execute the same in the name and on behalf of this corporation and may affix the corporate seal thereto. The board of directors shall have power to designate the officers and agents who shall have authority to execute any instrument on behalf of this corporation. SECTION 6. CORPORATE BOOKS AND RECORDS. The corporation shall keep books and records of account and minutes of the proceedings of its shareholders, board of directors and executive committees, if any. The books, records and minutes may be kept outside this state. The corporation shall keep at its registered office, or at the office of its transfer agent in or outside the State of Michigan, records containing the names and addresses of all shareholders, the number, class and series of shares held by each and the dates when they respectively became holders of record. Any of the books, records or minutes may be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. The corporation shall convert into written form without charge any record not in written form, unless otherwise requested by a person entitled to inspect the records. SECTION 7. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the board of directors. -18- SECTION 8. SEAL. If the corporation has a corporate seal, it shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation and the words "Corporate Seal" and "Michigan." The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile to be affixed, impressed or reproduced in any other manner. ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS SECTION 1. The shareholders or the board of directors may amend or repeal the bylaws or adopt new bylaws unless the articles of incorporation provide that the power to adopt new bylaws is reserved exclusively to the shareholders or that these bylaws or any particular bylaw shall not be altered or repealed by the board of directors. Such action may be taken by written consent or at any meeting of shareholders or the board of directors; provided that if notice of any such meeting is required by these bylaws, it shall contain notice of the proposed amendment, repeal or new bylaws. Amendment of these bylaws by the board of directors requires the vote of not less than a majority of the members of the board then in office. -19- AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF A-1 HOMES GROUP, L.P. A TEXAS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF A-1 HOMES GROUP, L.P. THIS AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP of A-1 Homes Group, L.P. (this "Agreement"), is entered into effective as of the 31st day of December, 2001, among A-1 Champion GP, Inc., a Michigan corporation (the "General Partner") and Champion Retail, Inc., a Michigan corporation (the "Limited Partner"). ARTICLE 1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS Unless otherwise required by the context, for purposes of this Agreement: "Act" means the Texas Revised Limited Partnership Act, as amended and superseded from time to time. "Adjusted Capital Account" means, as of the end of each Fiscal Year, the balance in a Partner's Capital Account (a) increased by (i) any additional Capital Contributions the Partner is, or is treated as, unconditionally obligated to make pursuant to this Agreement or the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c); (ii) the amount of the Partner's share of "partnership minimum gain" (as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(d)); and (iii) the amount of the Partner's share of "partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain" (as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(2)), and (b) decreased by any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4),(5) and (6). This definition shall be interpreted and applied consistently with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d). "Affiliate" means any person who, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the General Partner. For this purpose, "control" means the direct or indirect ownership of more than 50% of the beneficial voting interests in an entity, or the ability to direct or cause the direction of the management or affairs of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. "Available Cash" means the amount of cash, cash equivalents and other temporary investments of Partnership cash on hand from time to time in excess of amounts required, in the sole opinion of the General Partner, to satisfy present and future obligations of the Partnership and to establish reserves for Partnership working capital and contingent liabilities. "Bankruptcy" or "Bankrupt" means the making of a general assignment for the benefit of a person's creditors; the entry with respect to a person of an order for relief in any bankruptcy, reorganization or insolvency proceeding; or the filing by or against a person of any application or petition for the appointment of a trustee or receiver over the person or any substantial part of the person's assets, or the commencement by or against a person of any proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization statute or under any dissolution or liquidation law, which, in the case of the filing against a person of any such application or petition, or the commencement against a person of any such proceeding, is not dismissed within 90 days after the date of its filing or commencement. "Book Depreciation" means depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deductions determined in the manner described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g)(3). "Book Value" means, with respect to each Partnership asset, the asset's adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, except that (i) the initial Book Value of any asset contributed (or deemed to have been contributed pursuant to Section 708(b)(1)(B) of the Code) to the Partnership by a Partner shall be the asset's agreed fair market value on the date of contribution, (ii) upon the occurrence a Revaluation Event, the Book Value of each Partnership asset shall be adjusted to equal its then fair market value (as determined by a Required Interest of the Partners), and (iii) when the Book Value of any Partnership asset differs from its adjusted tax basis, the Book Value of the asset shall thereafter be reduced by Book Depreciation in lieu of any depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deductions allowable for federal income tax purposes. "Capital Account" means the account established and maintained for each Partner pursuant to Section 3.3 of this Agreement. "Capital Contributions" means the amount of money and the agreed fair market value of other property (net of liabilities secured thereby which the Partnership is treated as having assumed or taken subject to under Code Section 752) contributed by a Partner or a Partner's predecessor in interest to the capital of the Partnership. "Certificate" means the certificate of limited partnership filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Texas as an exhibit to the Articles of Conversion providing for the formation of the Partnership, as amended from time to time. "Capital Contribution" means any contribution to the capital of the Partnership made by the Partner. "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and superseded from time to time. "Fiscal Year" means, except as otherwise required by Code Section 706(b), the calendar year (or any portion thereof for which items of Partnership taxable income, gain, loss and deduction are required to be determined and allocated to the Partners pursuant to the Code and Treasury Regulations). The Fiscal Year of the Partnership shall be the same for federal income tax and financial accounting purposes. "General Partner" means A-1 Champion GP, Inc. and any successor or additional general partner hereafter admitted to the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Act. "Income" and "Loss" mean, for each Fiscal Year, each item of Partnership income and gain and each item of Partnership loss and deduction, respectively, as determined, recognized and classified for federal income tax purposes, adjusted as follows: (a) Items of income and gain exempt from federal income tax shall be included as items of Income; (b) Expenditures of the Partnership described in Code Section 705(a)(2)(B), or treated as Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), shall be included as items of Loss; (c) Upon the occurrence of a Revaluation Event, each Partnership asset shall be treated as if it had been sold for its then fair market value (as determined by the General Partner) and the resulting items of income, gain, loss and deduction arising therefrom shall be included as items of Income or Loss and allocated to the Capital Accounts of the Partners as if actually realized and recognized by the Partnership; (d) As of the close of business on the date preceding the date of any distribution of Partnership property other than money, the property to be distributed shall be treated as if it had been sold for its then fair market value (as determined by the General Partner) and the resulting items of income, gain, loss and deduction arising therefrom shall be included as items of Income or Loss and allocated to the Capital Accounts of the Partners as if actually realized and recognized by the Partnership; (e) Gain or loss arising from a disposition of any Partnership asset shall be computed by reference to the Book Value of the asset immediately prior to the disposition rather than its adjusted tax basis; and (f) If the Book Value of any Partnership asset differs from its adjusted tax basis, Book Depreciation shall be taken into account as an item of Income or Loss in lieu of any depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deductions allowable for federal income tax purposes. "Limited Partner" means Champion Retail, Inc. and any substituted or additional Limited Partner hereafter admitted to the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Act. "Liquidator" has the meaning set forth therefor in Section 8.3. "Net Income" and "Net Loss" mean, for each Fiscal Year, the positive or negative difference, respectively, between all items of Income and Loss; except that items of Income and Loss specially allocated to a Partner pursuant to Section 4.2 shall be excluded from the computation of Net Income and Net Loss. "Partners" means the General Partner and the Limited Partner, and "Partner" means any one of them. "Partnership" means the Limited Partnership organized pursuant to this Agreement. "Percentage Interest" means the percentage specified for each Partner in Exhibit "A" attached hereto. "Required Interest" means, as to all or any specified group of Partners, those holding more than 66 2/3% of the aggregate Percentage Interests held by all of the Partners or by the specified group of Partners. "Revaluation Event" means (i) the acquisition of an additional interest in the Partnership by any new or existing Partner in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution, (ii) a distribution by the Partnership of more than a de minimis amount of money or other property to a Partner in consideration for all or part of the Partner's interest in the Partnership, and (iii) the liquidation of the Partnership within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g). "Treasury Regulations" means temporary and final Income Tax Regulations promulgated under the Code, as amended and superseded from time to time. Terms not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings, if any, assigned to them in the Act. ARTICLE 2. THE PARTNERSHIP 2.1. ADOPTION. The Partners hereby adopt this Agreement as part of that certain Plan of Conversion providing for the conversion of Cal-Nel, Inc., a Texas corporation, into the Partnership. 2.2. ADMISSION OF ADDITIONAL LIMITED PARTNERS. Additional Limited Partners may, with the consent of the General Partner and all of the Limited Partners, be admitted to the Partnership at any time on terms and conditions determined by the General Partner in its reasonable discretion. Each additional Limited Partner shall be required to execute an agreement acceptable to the General Partner pursuant to which the additional Limited Partner becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement and containing such other representations, warranties, covenants and conditions as the General Partner deems appropriate. 2.3. NAME. The name of the Partnership is A-1 Homes Group, L.P., and all business of the Partnership shall be conducted in such name, or in such other name or names as the General Partner may determine. 2.4. REGISTERED AGENT; REGISTERED AND PRINCIPAL OFFICES. The registered agent, registered office and principal office of the Partnership shall be as designated by the General Partner from time to time in accordance with the Act. The General Partner shall cause the Partnership to maintain at its principal office the records required by Section 1.07 of the Act and shall keep at its registered office the street address of its principal office. The General Partner may designate other Partnership offices from time to time and shall give notice to each Limited Partner of the address of the Partnership's initial registered office and principal office, and of any changes therein. 2.5. PURPOSES AND POWERS. The purposes of the Partnership shall be to conduct any lawful businesses for which partnerships may be organized under the Act. 2.6. OWNERSHIP OF PARTNERSHIP PROPERTY; WAIVER OF PARTITION. All Partnership property presently owned or hereafter acquired by or on behalf of the Partnership shall be owned by the Partnership and held in the name of the Partnership. Each Partner expressly waives any right it might have to require a partition thereof or, except as otherwise specifically provided herein, a dissolution of the Partnership. 2.7. TERM OF PARTNERSHIP. The term of the Partnership shall commence on the day its Certificate is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Texas and shall continue until the termination date listed in the Certificate or until earlier wound up pursuant to the provisions of Article 8. 2.8. WAIVER OF CONFLICTS. No contract or other transaction between the Partnership and any other entity shall be affected or invalidated by the fact that any one or more directors, shareholders, officers or Partners of the Partnership or the General Partner is or are interested in or is a director, officer, shareholder, or partners or are directors, officers, shareholders or partners of such other entity and no contract, act or transaction of the Partnership with any person or persons, firm or corporation, shall be affected or invalidated by the fact that any director, shareholder, officer or Partner of the Partnership or the General Partner is a party, or are parties to or are interested in such contract, act or transaction, or in any way connected with such person or persons, firm or association, and each and every person who may become an officer or Partner of the Partnership or the General Partner is hereby relieved from any liability that might otherwise exist from contracting with the Partnership for the benefit of himself or any firm, association, or corporation in which he may be in any way interested; provided that such transaction or contract is or shall be authorized, ratified or approved by a vote of a Required Interest of the Limited Partners. No officer or Partner shall be liable to account to the Partnership or its other Partners for any profits realized from any such transaction or contract authorized, ratified, or approved as aforesaid by reason of the fact that he, or any firm of which he is a member or any corporation of which he is a stockholder, officer, or director was interested in such transaction or contract. Nothing herein contained shall create liability in the events above described or prevent the authorization, ratification or approval of such contracts in any other manner permitted by law. ARTICLE 3. CAPITALIZATION 3.1. CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS. Except as specifically provided in Section 8.6, no Partner shall be required to make any additional Capital Contributions beyond those made as of the date hereof unless otherwise required by law. If the Partners agree upon an additional Capital Contribution, each Partner shall deliver to the Partnership the Partner's pro rata share thereof (in proportion to the respective Percentage Interest of the Partner on the date such notice is given) no later than 60 days following the date such notice is given. If a Partner does not deliver the Partner's share by that date, the defaulting Partner's Percentage Interest shall be reduced by the amount of the defaulting Partner's pro rata share of the agreed upon contribution. None of the terms, covenants, obligations or rights contained in this Section is or shall be deemed to be for the benefit of any person or entity other than the Partners and the Partnership, and no such third person shall under any circumstances have any right to compel any actions or payments by the Partners. 3.2. INTEREST; RETURN OF CONTRIBUTIONS. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, (i) no Partner shall be entitled to any return on or of its Capital Contributions or Capital Account, (ii) no Partner shall have the right to receive any distribution in a medium other than money, (iii) no Partner shall be required to contribute money or property to the Partnership to enable the return of any Partner's Capital Contributions or to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account and (iv) no interest shall be accrued or paid on the Capital Contributions or Capital Account of any Partner. 3.3. CAPITAL ACCOUNTS. Each Partner shall have a separate "Capital Account" which shall be established and maintained in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Consistent therewith, each Partner's Capital Account (a) shall be increased by (i) the fair market value of its Capital Contributions and (ii) allocations to it of Net Income and items of Income, and (b) shall be decreased by (i) the amount of money and the fair market value of other property (net of liabilities secured thereby which the Partner is considered to have assumed or taken subject to under Code Section 752) distributed to it by the Partnership and (ii) allocations to it of Net Loss and items of Loss. A Partner shall have a single Capital Account that reflects all of its Partnership interests, regardless of the class of Partnership interests owned by the Partner and regardless of the time or manner in which those Partnership interests were acquired. Upon the transfer of all or part of a Partnership interest, the transferee shall succeed to the Capital Account of the transferor to the extent attributable to the interest transferred. 3.4. LOANS. A Partner may, with the consent of the General Partner, but shall not be required to, lend money or other property to the Partnership and any loans from a Partner or Affiliate of a Partner to the Partnership shall be made only on commercially reasonable terms and conditions. ARTICLE 4. ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS 4.1. ALLOCATIONS OF NET INCOME OR NET LOSS. After first giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 4.2, for each Fiscal Year, Net Income or Net Loss, as the case may be, shall be allocated to the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests. 4.2. SPECIAL ALLOCATIONS. For each Fiscal Year, the following items of Income and Loss shall be specially allocated to the Partners in the following order and priority, before allocations of Net Income or Net Loss, as applicable, are made pursuant to Section 4.1: (a) If there is a net decrease in "partnership minimum gain" (as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(d)), items of income and gain (determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f)(6)) shall, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations, be specially allocated to the Partners in an amount equal to each Partner's share of the net decrease in partnership minimum gain (determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(g)). This Section 4.2(a) shall be applied consistently with, and subject to the exceptions contained in, the minimum gain chargeback requirements of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f). (b) If there is a net decrease in "partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain" (as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(2)), items of income and gain (determined in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(i)(4)) shall, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations, be specially allocated to the Partners in an amount equal to each Partner's share of the net decrease in partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain (determined in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(5)). This Section 4.2(b) shall be applied consistently with, and subject to the exceptions contained in, the partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain chargeback requirements of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4). (c) If a Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustment, allocation or distribution described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) or (6), items of income and gain (including gross income) shall be specially allocated to the Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations, the deficit balance in the Partner's Adjusted Capital Account as quickly as possible. This Section 4.2(c) shall be interpreted consistently with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d). (d) "Nonrecourse deductions" (as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(c)) shall be specially allocated to the Partners in accordance with their Percentage Interests. (e) "Partner nonrecourse deductions" (as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(2)) shall be specially allocated to the Partners who bear the economic risk of loss for the liability to which those deductions are attributable, determined in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(1). (f) To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset under Code Sections 734(b) or 743(b) is required to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), the amount of the Capital Account adjustment shall be included in Income or Loss as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases the basis of the asset) and shall be specially allocated to the Partners consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted by such Treasury Regulation. (g) To the extent any allocation of Net Loss would cause or increase a deficit balance in any Partner's Adjusted Capital Account, determined after all other allocations provided for in this Article 4 have been made, the amount thereof shall instead be allocated to Partners with positive Adjusted Capital Account balances, in proportion thereto and to the extent thereof, and the balance, if any, shall be allocated to the General Partner. (h) To minimize any distortions in the manner that the Partners intend to share distributions which may result from the special regulatory allocations required by Sections 4.2(a)-(g) ("Regulatory Allocations"), the General Partner may specially allocate to the Partners items of Income or Loss pursuant to this Section 4.2(h) so that the net amounts allocated to each Partner pursuant to this Section 4.2(h), the Regulatory Allocations, and Section 4.1 shall, to the extent reasonably possible, be equal to the net amounts that would have been allocated to each Partner pursuant to Section 4.1 if the Regulatory Allocations had not occurred. 4.3. OTHER ALLOCATION RULES. (a) To reflect the varying interests of the Partners during any Fiscal Year, Income, Loss, Net Income and Net Loss shall be determined on a daily, monthly or other basis by the General Partner using any convention or method permitted under Code Section 706 and the Treasury Regulations thereunder. (b) Excess nonrecourse liabilities of the Partnership (as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3)) shall be shared among the Partners in accordance with their Percentage Interests. 4.4. ALLOCATIONS FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. (a) Subject to Section 4.4(b), for each Fiscal Year, income, gain, loss and deduction (or item thereof) of the Partnership, determined for federal income tax purposes, shall be allocated to the Partners in the same manner as each correlative item of Income or Loss is allocated pursuant to the provisions of Sections 4.1,4.2 and 4.3. (b) In accordance with Section 704(c) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, (i) items of taxable income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to any Partnership asset contributed to the Partnership shall, solely for federal income tax purposes, be allocated among the Partners so as to take into account any variation at the time of contribution between the adjusted tax basis of the asset to the Partnership and the asset's initial Book Value, and (ii) if the Book Value of any Partnership asset is adjusted upon the occurrence of a Revaluation Event, subsequent allocations of taxable income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to the asset shall take into account any variation between the adjusted tax basis of the asset immediately prior to the event and the Book Value of the asset immediately thereafter. Unless otherwise agreed by a Required Interest of the Limited Partners and, if applicable, by the contributing Partner, such allocations shall be made utilizing the "Remedial Allocation Method" described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(d). 4.5. TAX DISTRIBUTIONS. For each Fiscal Year, the General Partner shall use its best efforts to cause the Partnership to make cash distributions to each of the Partners in an aggregate amount equal to the product of (i) the net amount of all items of Partnership taxable income and loss, times (ii) an imputed tax rate of 34% (each a "Tax Distribution"). The annual Tax Distributions shall be distributed not later than the last business day of February of the Fiscal Year following the Fiscal Year for which such Tax Distribution was determined. 4.6. CURRENT DISTRIBUTIONS. Subject to Sections 4.5 and 4.7, distributions of Available Cash shall be made to the Partners, at such times and in such amounts as may be determined by the General Partner in its sole discretion, in accordance with their Percentage Interests. 4.7. LIQUIDATING DISTRIBUTIONS. Upon the winding up of the Partnership, the proceeds of liquidation and all other assets of the Partnership shall be applied and distributed in the following order and priority: (a) To the payment, or provision for payment, of the expenses of liquidating the Partnership; (b) To the payment, or provision for payment, of creditors of the Partnership (including Partners, other than in respect of distributions) in the order of priority as provided by law; (c) To the establishment of any reserves deemed necessary or advisable by the Liquidator to provide for any other Partnership obligations (including contingent liabilities, known or unknown); (d) To the Partners, by the later of the end of the Fiscal Year during which the Partnership is liquidated (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)) or 90 days after the date of such liquidation, in accordance with the positive balances of their respective Capital Accounts (determined after taking into account all other Capital Account adjustments for all periods); and (e) The balance, if any, shall be distributed to the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests. ARTICLE 5. MANAGEMENT 5.1. PARTICIPATION IN MANAGEMENT; LIMITED LIABILITY. The Limited Partners in their capacity as such shall not be authorized to participate in the management of the Partnership's affairs and shall have no power to act for or bind the Partnership, said powers being vested exclusively in the General Partner. If a Limited Partner does not participate in the control of the business of the Partnership, then it shall not be personally liable for the expenses, liabilities, contracts, leases or other obligations of the Partnership in excess of its Capital Contributions and its share of Partnership capital and undistributed profits. 5.2. GENERAL AUTHORITY OF GENERAL PARTNER. The General Partner shall have exclusive responsibility for the affairs of the Partnership and for its management and control and shall have full power and authority to do all things necessary or appropriate to conduct the business of the Partnership. 5.3. RELIANCE BY THIRD PARTIES. Any third party dealing with the General Partner in connection with the Partnership shall be entitled to rely upon an affidavit of the General Partner to the effect that it has full power and authority to engage in any and all dealings on behalf of the Partnership. 5.4. INDEPENDENT ACTIVITIES; GENERAL PARTNER'S TIME. The General Partner and each Limited Partner may, notwithstanding the existence of this Agreement, engage in whatever activities they choose, whether the same may be competitive with the Partnership or otherwise, without having or incurring any obligation to offer any interest in such activities to the Partnership or any other Partner. Neither this Agreement nor any activity undertaken pursuant hereto shall prevent the General Partner from engaging in such activities, or require the General Partner to permit the Partnership or any Limited Partner to participate in any such activities, and as a material part of the consideration for the General Partner's execution hereof and admission of such Limited Partner, each Limited Partner hereby waives any such right or claim of participation. The General Partner shall devote such of its time and efforts as is reasonably necessary to conduct the Partnership's business and affairs. 5.5. TAX MATTERS PARTNER. The General Partner shall be the "tax matters partner" for the Partnership, as that term is defined in Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code. All out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the tax matters partner in connection with the performance of its duties and privileges as tax matters partner shall be borne by the Partnership. The General Partner shall have all rights and powers granted to it under the Code and Regulations, or under other applicable law, including: (i) to extend statutes of limitations for assessment of tax deficiencies against the Partnership or any Partner with respect to adjustments to the Partnership's foreign, federal, state, or local tax returns and reports; and (iii) to the extent provided in Code Sections 6221 through 6231, to represent the Partnership and the Partner before taxing authorities or courts of competent jurisdiction in tax matters affecting the Partnership, and to file any tax returns and reports and execute any agreements or other documents relating to or affecting such tax matters, including agreements or other documents that bind the Partners with respect thereto or otherwise affect the rights of the Partnership or Partners. 5.6. EXCULPATION. The General Partner, its employees, Affiliates and authorized representatives shall not be liable to the Partnership or any Partner for any act or failure to act on behalf of the Partnership if the person acted in good faith and reasonably believed (i) in the case of conduct in the person's official capacity as General Partner, that the person's conduct was in the Partnership's best interest, or in all other cases, that the person's conduct was at least not opposed to the Partnership's best interests, and (ii) in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that the person's conduct was unlawful. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Partner, its employees, Affiliates and authorized representatives shall not be entitled to exculpation with respect to a proceeding in which the person has been found liable for willful or intentional misconduct in the performance of the person's duty to the Partnership, or the person is found liable on the basis that the person received a personal benefit, whether or not the benefit resulted from an action taken in the person's official capacity. A determination that the standards for exculpation of the General Partner, its employees, Affiliates or authorized representatives have been met pursuant to this Section 5.6 shall be made by independent legal counsel selected by the General Partner. 5.7. INDEMNITY. To the fullest extent permitted by the Act or other applicable law, the General Partner, its employees, Affiliates and authorized representatives shall be indemnified by the Partnership against all losses, judgments, liabilities, expenses, penalties, fines, taxes and amounts paid in settlement sustained by them in connection with the defense or settlement of any actual or threatened action, proceeding or claim, relating to the Partnership, and shall be entitled to advancement of expenses related thereto; provided, that any such indemnification shall be limited to the assets of the Partnership. 5.8. COMPENSATION OF GENERAL PARTNER. (a) No Partner (acting in the capacity of a Partner) shall receive any salary, fee, or draw for services rendered to or on behalf of the Partnership, except to the extent agreed to by all the Partners. (b) Each Partner shall be reimbursed by the Partnership for out-of-pocket costs and expenses reasonably incurred on behalf of the Partnership or in furtherance of its business. ARTICLE 6. ACCOUNTING, REPORTING, BANKING, AND TAX MATTERS 6.1. BOOKS OF ACCOUNT. The General Partner shall maintain the Partnership's books and records and this Agreement at the principal office of the Partnership, and each Partner shall have access thereto for the purposes of examination and inspection at reasonable times and on reasonable notice. The General Partner, in its sole discretion, shall determine the accounting principles to be consistently applied and the accounting method to be used by the Partnership. 6.2. REPORTS. The General Partner shall cause to be prepared and delivered to the Partners, at the expense of the Partnership, the following reports: (a) Within a reasonable time after the end of each Fiscal Year, an unaudited balance sheet, income statement and statement of changes in the Partners' Capital Accounts for such year; and (b) Within 10 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, all Partnership information necessary for the preparation of the Partners' federal income tax returns. 6.3. BANKING. All funds of the Partnership shall be deposited in a separate account or accounts, not commingled with those of any other person, in a commercial bank or other financial institution or in short term investment accounts of brokers, mutual funds or similar companies. All checks drawn upon said account or accounts shall be drawn only for Partnership purposes and shall be signed by the General Partner or an authorized representative of the General Partner or the Partnership. 6.4. TAX ELECTION FOR BASIS ADJUSTMENT. Upon a transfer of an interest in the Partnership, or upon a distribution of assets of the Partnership, the General Partner shall, if requested, elect under Section 754 of the Code to adjust the basis of the Partnership's property as allowed by Sections 734(b) and 743(b) of the Code. 6.5. PARTNERSHIP RETURNS. The, General Partner shall file the annual Partnership federal information tax return and all other tax returns required to be filed by the Partnership within the time prescribed by law (including extensions). ARTICLE 7. TRANSFERS; WITHDRAWAL 7.1. TRANSFERS BY PARTNERS. A Partner shall not sell, assign, or transfer, by operation of law or otherwise, all or part of its interest in the Partnership (including, but not limited to, the right to allocations and distributions pursuant to this Agreement), and no transferee of an interest in the Partnership shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Partner, without the consent of the other Partners, which consent may, in each case, be given or withheld for any reason or no reason. Any transfer in violation of this Article 7 shall be null and void ab initio. Nothing herein shall prevent a Partner from pledging or otherwise encumbering that Partner's Percentage Interest. 7.2. WITHDRAWAL. Except upon a transfer of all of a Partner's interest in the Partnership in accordance with Section 7.1, no Partner shall have the right to withdraw from the Partnership before completion of the winding up of the Partnership. ARTICLE 8. DISSOLUTION AND WINDING UP OF PARTNERSHIP 8.1. DISSOLUTION. The Partnership shall be dissolved only upon the first to occur of any of the following events: (a) The election to dissolve the Partnership by the General Partner and all of the Limited Partners; (b) The sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership and conversion into cash of all proceeds thereof; (c) The expiration of the term of the Partnership set forth in Section 2.7; or (d) The entry of a decree of judicial dissolution pursuant to Section 8.02 of the Act. 8.2. WINDING UP. Upon dissolution of the Partnership, the Partnership shall be wound up as set forth herein. The General Partner or, if the General Partner has withdrawn, a liquidator elected by a Required Interest of the Limited Partners (the "Liquidator"), shall take full account of the Partnership's assets and liabilities, and the assets shall be liquidated as promptly as is consistent with obtaining the fair market value thereof, and the proceeds therefrom shall be applied and distributed as provided in Section 4.6. 8.3. LIQUIDATOR. Any Liquidator elected as herein provided need not be a Partner and shall receive such compensation for its services as may be approved by a Required Interest of the Limited Partners, and may be removed at any time upon the vote of a Required Interest of the Limited Partners. Upon the death, removal, or resignation of a Liquidator, a successor Liquidator (who shall have and succeed to all the rights, powers, and duties of the original Liquidator) shall, within 30 days thereafter, be appointed by the vote of a Required Interest of the Limited Partners. Every reference herein to "Liquidator" shall refer also to any successor Liquidator. Except as expressly provided in this Article 8, the Liquidator appointed in the manner provided herein shall have and may exercise, without further authorization or consent of any of the parties hereto or their legal representatives or successors in interest, all of the powers conferred upon the General Partner under the terms of this Agreement to the extent necessary or desirable in the good faith judgment of the Liquidator to carry out the duties and functions of the Liquidator hereunder and shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 5.6 and 5.7 hereof. If within 30 days after any time a Liquidator is required hereunder a Liquidator has not been appointed, any interested party may make application to any Judge of the United States District Court of the District in which the City of Dallas, Texas is then situated for appointment of such Liquidator, and such Judge, acting as an individual and not in his judicial capacity, shall be fully authorized and empowered to appoint and designate such Liquidator, who shall have all the powers, duties, rights and authorities of the Liquidator herein provided. 8.4. LIQUIDATION STATEMENTS. Each of the Partners shall be furnished with a statement prepared by the General Partner or Liquidator setting forth the disposition of assets and the discharge or provision for discharge of the liabilities of the Partnership in liquidation thereof. Upon completion of the liquidation of the Partnership, a proper certificate of cancellation shall be filed by the General Partner or Liquidator reflecting the termination of the Partnership. 8.5. DEFICIT CAPITAL ACCOUNTS. Upon the winding up of the Partnership, each Partner shall look solely to the assets of the Partnership for the return of its Capital Contributions, and, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement if the Partnership assets remaining after payment and discharge of the Partnership's liabilities to creditors are insufficient to return the Capital Contributions or Capital Account of a Partner, the Partner shall have no recourse or further right or claim against any other Partner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if upon the liquidation of the General Partner's Interest (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(ii)(g)), the General Partner has a negative balance in its Capital Account, as among the Partners, the sole obligation of the General Partner shall be to contribute to the Partnership, before the end of the Fiscal Year during which the liquidation occurs or, if later, within 90 days after the date of the liquidation, the lesser of (X) the excess of (i) 1.01% of the sum of the Capital Contributions of the Limited Partners, over (ii) the previous Capital Contributions of the General Partner, or (Y) the negative balance of its Capital Account, which amount shall be distributed to the other Partners in accordance with the positive balances of their Capital Accounts (determined after taking into account all Capital Account adjustments for all periods, except in respect of distributions pursuant to this Section 8.6). Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, no Limited Partner shall have any obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Partner to restore a negative balance in its Capital Account remaining upon liquidation of the Limited Partner's Interest (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(ii)(g)). ARTICLE 9. POWER OF ATTORNEY Each Limited Partner, by the execution of this Agreement or by authorizing its execution on its behalf, irrevocably constitutes and appoints the General Partner, and any successor General Partner, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, its true and lawful attorney and agent, with full power and authority for it and in its name, place, and stead to execute, certify, acknowledge, swear to, file, and record in the appropriate public offices this Agreement and all amendments thereto and all certificates of limited partnership and amendments thereto, and all other certificates and instruments which the General Partner deems necessary or appropriate to conduct the Partnership's business, including without limitation, (a) reflect the exercise by the General Partner of any of the powers granted to it under this Agreement; (b) reflect any amendments to this Agreement; (c) reflect the admission to the Partnership of any substituted Limited Partner or the withdrawal of any Partner, in the manner prescribed in this Agreement; (d) effect the dissolution of the Partnership, or conveyance or encumbrance of any of its assets; and (e) execute, deliver, acknowledge, file, and record any other instrument which may hereafter be required by law to be filed on the Partnership's behalf. Each Limited Partner authorizes such attorney-in-fact to take any further action it may consider necessary or advisable in connection with any of the foregoing, hereby giving such attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform each and every act or thing whatsoever requisite or advisable to be done in and about the foregoing as fully as such Limited Partner might or could do if personally present, and hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power of attorney shall be deemed to be coupled with an interest and irrevocable, and shall survive an assignment by a Limited Partner of all or part of its interest in the Partnership (except that where the assignee, with the consent of the General Partner, is admitted as a substituted Limited Partner, the power of attorney shall survive the delivery of such assignment for the sole purpose of enabling such attorney-in-fact to execute, acknowledge, swear to, and file any agreement, certificate, instrument, or document necessary to effect such substitution), and the death, incompetency, or termination of existence of the Limited Partner. Any person dealing with the Partnership may conclusively presume and rely upon the fact that any document executed by the attorney and agent herein appointed is regular and binding without further inquiry. ARTICLE 10. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 10.1. NOTICES. Any consent, notice, demand, offer, or other communication required or permitted to be given by any provision of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been delivered and given for all purposes as of the date received, if delivered personally to the party to whom directed, or as of the date deposited in the United States mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid, and addressed, if to the General Partner, to its address set forth on the signature page of this Agreement or to such other address as the General Partner may from time to time specify by written notice to the Limited Partners, and if to a Limited Partner, to the Limited Partner's address set forth on Exhibit "A" hereto, or to such other address as the Limited Partner may from time to time specify by written notice to the General Partner. 10.2. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBSTANTIVE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS. 10.3. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and in lieu of each such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision, there shall be deemed to have been added as part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be legal, valid and enforceable. 10.4. CAPTIONS. Captions contained in this Agreement are for reference only and shall not affect the interpretation hereof. 10.5. AMENDMENTS. (a) All amendments to this Agreement shall be in writing and may be adopted only upon the recommendation of the General Partner and the affirmative vote of a Required Interest of the Limited Partners. (b) Notwithstanding Section 10.5(a) and subject to Section 10.5(c), amendments to this Agreement which are of an inconsequential nature and do not adversely affect the Limited Partners in any material respect, or are necessary or desirable to comply with any applicable law or governmental regulation, or are required or contemplated by this Agreement, may be made by the General Partner alone pursuant to the power of attorney granted to it by Article 9 of this Agreement. (c) No amendment which alters the limited liability of a Limited Partner, a Limited Partner's share of allocations and distributions (except as a result of the admission of an additional Limited Partner as provided herein) or a Partners' obligation to contribute capital shall be made without the affirmative vote or written consent of each Limited Partner affected thereby. 10.6. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding upon and, except as otherwise provided herein, shall inure to the benefit of the Partners and their respective legal representatives, successors, and permitted assigns. 10.7. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which shall constitute one instrument. 10.8. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement among the Partners with respect to the subject matter hereof and there are no agreements, understandings, restrictions, representations or warranties among the Partners other than those set forth or provided for herein. 10.9. CONSTRUCTION. Unless clearly otherwise required by the context, as used herein (i) the gender of words shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter, (ii) the singular shall include the plural, and vice versa, (iii) references to Articles and Sections are to those of this Agreement, (iv) references to Exhibits are to those attached hereto, each of which is made a part hereof for all purposes, (v) the words herein, hereinafter or similar derivations shall be construed as references to this Agreement as a whole, and (vi) the words include, including and similar derivations shall be construed as without limitation. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first written above. GENERAL PARTNER: A-l CHAMPION GP, INC., a Michigan corporation By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE] ----------------- Its: Vice President ----------------- LIMITED PARTNER: CHAMPION RETAIL, INC., a Michigan corporation By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE] ----------------- Its: Vice President ----------------- EXHIBIT "A" AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF A-l HOMES GROUP, L.P.
NAMES AND ADDRESSES PERCENTAGE INTERESTS ------------------- -------------------- GENERAL PARTNER: A-l Champion GP, Inc. 1% 2701 Cambridge Court, Suite 300 Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326 LIMITED PARTNER: Champion Retail, Inc. 99% 2701 Cambridge Court, Suite 300 Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF REDMAN HOMES, INC. A Delaware Corporation TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ---- ARTICLE ONE: OFFICES 1.1 Registered Office and Agent......................................... 1 1.2 Other Offices....................................................... 1 ARTICLE TWO: MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS 2.1 Annual Meeting...................................................... 1 2.2 Special Meeting..................................................... 2 2.3 Place of Meetings................................................... 2 2.4 Notice.............................................................. 2 2.5 Voting List......................................................... 3 2.6 Quorum.............................................................. 3 2.7 Required Vote; Withdrawal of Quorum................................. 3 2.8 Method of Voting; Proxies........................................... 4 2.10 Conduct of Meeting.................................................. 5 2.11 Inspectors.......................................................... 6 ARTICLE THREE: DIRECTORS 3.1 Management.......................................................... 6 3.2 Number; Qualification; Election; Term............................... 6 3.3 Change in Number.................................................... 7 3.4 Removal............................................................. 7 3.5 Vacancies........................................................... 7 3.6 Meetings of Directors............................................... 8 3.7 First Meeting....................................................... 8 3.8 Election of Officers................................................ 8 3.9 Regular Meetings.................................................... 8 3.10 Special Meetings.................................................... 8 3.11 Notice.............................................................. 8 3.12 Quorum; Majority Vote............................................... 9 3.13 Procedure........................................................... 9 3.14 Presumption of Assent............................................... 9 3.15 Compensation........................................................ 10 ARTICLE FOUR: COMMITTEES 4.1 Designation......................................................... 10 4.2 Number; Qualification; Term......................................... 10 4.3 Authority........................................................... 10 4.4 Committee Changes................................................... 10 4.5 Alternate Members of Committees..................................... 10 4.6 Regular Meetings.................................................... 11 4.7 Special Meetings.................................................... 11 4.8 Quorum; Majority Vote............................................... 11 4.9 Minutes............................................................. 11
i 4.10 Compensation........................................................ 11 4.11 Responsibility...................................................... 11 ARTICLE FIVE: NOTICE 5.1 Method.............................................................. 12 5.2 Waiver.............................................................. 12 ARTICLE SIX: OFFICERS 6.1 Number; Titles; Term of Office...................................... 12 6.2 Removal............................................................. 13 6.3 Vacancies........................................................... 13 6.4 Authority........................................................... 13 6.5 Compensation........................................................ 13 6.6 Chairman of the Board............................................... 13 6.7 Chief Executive Officer............................................. 13 6.8 President........................................................... 14 6.9 Vice Presidents..................................................... 14 6.10 Treasurer........................................................... 14 6.11 Assistant Treasurers................................................ 14 6.12 Secretary........................................................... 15 6.13 Assistant Secretaries............................................... 15 ARTICLE SEVEN: CERTIFICATES AND SHAREHOLDERS 7.1 Certificates for Shares............................................. 15 7.2 Replacement of Lost or Destroyed Certificates....................... 16 7.3 Transfer of Shares.................................................. 16 7.4 Registered Stockholders............................................. 16 7.5 Regulations......................................................... 16 7.6 Legends............................................................. 17 ARTICLE EIGHT: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 8.1 Dividends........................................................... 17 8.2 Reserves............................................................ 17 8.3 Books and Records................................................... 17 8.4 Fiscal Year......................................................... 17 8.5 Seal................................................................ 17 8.6 Resignations........................................................ 18 8.7 Securities of Other Corporations.................................... 18 8.8 Telephone Meetings.................................................. 18 8.9 Action Without a Meeting............................................ 18 8.10 Invalid Provisions.................................................. 19 8.11 Mortgages; etc. .................................................... 19 8.12 Headings............................................................ 20 8.13 References.......................................................... 20 8.14 Amendments.......................................................... 20
ii AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF REDMAN HOMES, INC. A Delaware Corporation PREAMBLE These bylaws are subject to, and governed by, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "Delaware General Corporation Law") and the certificate of incorporation of Redman Homes, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"). In the event of a direct conflict between the provisions of these bylaws and the mandatory provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law or the provisions of the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, such provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law or the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, as the case may be, will be controlling. ARTICLE ONE: OFFICES 1.1 Registered Office and Agent. The registered office and registered agent of the Corporation shall be as designated from time to time by the appropriate filing by the Corporation in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. 1.2 Other Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware, as the board of directors may from time to time determine or as the business of the Corporation may require. ARTICLE TWO: MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS 2.1 Annual Meeting. An annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall be held each calendar year on such date and at such time as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors and stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice of such meeting. At such meeting, the stockholders shall elect directors and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. 2.2 Special Meeting. A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the board of directors, and shall be called by the President or the Secretary at the request in writing of the stockholders of record of not less than ten percent of all shares entitled to vote at such meeting or as otherwise provided by the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation. A special meeting shall be held on such date and at such time as shall be designated by the person(s) calling the meeting and stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice of such meeting. Only such business shall be transacted at a special meeting as may be stated or indicated in the notice of such meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice of such meeting. 2.3 Place of Meetings. An annual meeting of stockholders may be held at any place within or without the State of Delaware designated by the board of directors. A special meeting of stockholders may be held at any place within or without the State of Delaware designated in the notice of the meeting or a duly executed waiver of notice of such meeting. Meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation unless another place is designated for meetings in the manner provided herein. 2.4 Notice. Written or printed notice stating the place, day, and time of each meeting of the stockholders and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called shall be delivered not less than ten nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the President, the Secretary, or the officer or person(s) calling the meeting, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. If such notice is to be sent by mail, it shall be directed to such stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, unless he shall have filed with the Secretary of the Corporation a written request that notices to him be mailed to some other address, in which case it shall be directed to him at such other address. Notice of any meeting of stockholders shall not be required to be given to any stockholder who shall attend such meeting in person or by proxy and shall not, at the beginning of such meeting, object to the transaction of any business because the 2 meeting is not lawfully called or convened, or who shall, either before or after the meeting, submit a signed waiver of notice, in person or by proxy. 2.5 Voting List. At least ten days before each meeting of stockholders, the Secretary or other officer of the Corporation who has charge of the Corporation's stock ledger, either directly or through another officer appointed by him or through a transfer agent appointed by the board of directors, shall prepare a complete list of stockholders entitled to vote thereat, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. For a period of ten days prior to such meeting, such list shall be kept on file at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of meeting or a duly executed waiver of notice of such meeting or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held and shall be open to examination by any stockholder during ordinary business hours. Such list shall be produced at such meeting and kept at the meeting at all times during such meeting and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. 2.6 Quorum. The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on a matter, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of stockholders, except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these bylaws. If a quorum shall not be present, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat who are present, in person or by proxy, or, if no stockholder entitled to vote is present, any officer of the Corporation may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting (unless the board of directors, after such adjournment, fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting), until a quorum shall be present, in person or by proxy. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, in person or by proxy, any business may be transacted which may have been transacted at the original meeting had a quorum been present; provided that, if the adjournment is for more than 30 days or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting. 3 2.7 Required Vote; Withdrawal of Quorum. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one on which, by express provision of statute, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these bylaws, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. The stockholders present at a duly constituted meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. 2.8 Method of Voting; Proxies. Except as otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation or by law, each outstanding share, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot. At any meeting of stockholders, every stockholder having the right to vote may vote either in person or by a proxy executed in writing by the stockholder or by his duly authorized attorney-in-fact. Each such proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation before or at the time of the meeting. No proxy shall be valid after three years from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in the proxy. If no date is stated in a proxy, such proxy shall be presumed to have been executed on the date of the meeting at which it is to be voted. Each proxy shall be revocable unless expressly provided therein to be irrevocable and coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power or unless otherwise made irrevocable by law. 2.9 Record Date. (a) For the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders, or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion, or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors, for any such determination of stockholders, such date in any case to be not more than 60 days and not less than ten days prior to 4 such meeting nor more than 60 days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed: (i) The record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. (ii) The record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution relating thereto. (iii) A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the board of directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting. (b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors, and which date shall not be more than ten days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors. If no record date has been fixed by the board of directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the board of directors is required by law or these bylaws, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation's registered office in the State of Delaware, principal place of business, or such officer or agent shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the board of directors and prior action by the board of directors is required by law or these bylaws, the record date for determining stockholders 5 entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action. 2.10 Conduct of Meeting. The Chairman of the Board, if such office has been filled, and, if not or if the Chairman of the Board is absent or otherwise unable to act, the Chief Executive Officer or the President shall preside at all meetings of stockholders. The Secretary shall keep the records of each meeting of stockholders. In the absence or inability to act of any such officer, such officer's duties shall be performed by the officer given the authority to act for such absent or non-acting officer under these bylaws or by some person appointed by the meeting. 2.11 Inspectors. The board of directors may, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at such meeting or any adjournment thereof. If any of the inspectors so appointed shall fail to appear or act, the chairman of the meeting shall, or if inspectors shall not have been appointed, the chairman of the meeting may, appoint one or more inspectors. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector at such meeting with strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability. The inspectors shall determine the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation outstanding and the voting power of each, the number of shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the validity and effect of proxies and shall receive votes, ballots, or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, ballots, or consents, determine the results, and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders. On request of the chairman of the meeting, the inspectors shall make a report in writing of any challenge, request, or matter determined by them and shall execute a certificate of any fact found by them. No director or candidate for the office of director shall act as an inspector of an election of directors. Inspectors need not be stockholders. 6 ARTICLE THREE: DIRECTORS 3.1 Management. The business and property of the Corporation shall be managed by the board of directors. Subject to the restrictions imposed by law, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these bylaws, the board of directors may exercise all the powers of the Corporation. 3.2 Number; Qualification; Election; Term. The number of directors which shall constitute the entire board of directors shall be not less than one. The first board of directors shall consist of the number of directors named in the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation or, if no directors are so named, shall consist of the number of directors elected by the incorporator(s) at an organizational meeting or by unanimous written consent in lieu thereof. Thereafter, within the limits above specified, the number of directors which shall constitute the entire board of directors shall be determined by resolution of the board of directors or by resolution of the stockholders at the annual meeting thereof or at a special meeting thereof called for that purpose. Except as otherwise required by law, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these bylaws, the directors shall be elected at an annual meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Each director so chosen shall hold office until the first annual meeting of stockholders held after his election and until his successor is elected and qualified or, if earlier, until his death, resignation, or removal from office. None of the directors need be a stockholder of the Corporation or a resident of the State of Delaware. Each director must have attained the age of majority. 3.3 Change in Number. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the entire board of directors shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director. 3.4 Removal. Except as otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation or these bylaws, at any meeting of stockholders called expressly for that purpose, any director or the entire board of directors may be removed, with or without cause, by a vote of the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote on 7 the election of directors; provided, however, that so long as stockholders have the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors pursuant to the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, if less than the entire board of directors is to be removed, no one of the directors may be removed if the votes cast against his removal would be sufficient to elect him if then cumulatively voted at an election of the entire board of directors. 3.5 Vacancies. Vacancies and newly-created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director, and each director so chosen shall hold office until the first annual meeting of stockholders held after his election and until his successor is elected and qualified or, if earlier, until his death, resignation, or removal from office. If there are no directors in office, an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by statute. If, at the time of filling any vacancy or any newly-created directorship, the directors then in office shall constitute less than a majority of the whole board of directors (as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), the Court of Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders holding at least 10% of the total number of the shares at the time outstanding having the right to vote for such directors, summarily order an election to be held to fill any such vacancies or newly-created directorships or to replace the directors chosen by the directors then in office. Except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, when one or more directors shall resign from the board of directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have the power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office as provided in these bylaws with respect to the filling of other vacancies. 3.6 Meetings of Directors. The directors may hold their meetings and may have an office and keep the books of the Corporation, except as otherwise provided by statute, in such place or places within or without the State of Delaware as the board of directors may from time to time determine or as shall be specified in the notice of such meeting or duly executed waiver of notice of such meeting. 8 3.7 First Meeting. Each newly elected board of directors may hold its first meeting for the purpose of organization and the transaction of business, if a quorum is present, immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders, and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary. 3.8 Election of Officers. At the first meeting of the board of directors after each annual meeting of stockholders at which a quorum shall be present, the board of directors shall elect the officers of the Corporation. 3.9 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held at such times and places as shall be designated from time to time by resolution of the board of directors. Notice of such regular meetings shall not be required. 3.10 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors shall be held whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or any director. 3.11 Notice. The Secretary shall give notice of each special meeting to each director at least 24 hours before the meeting. Notice of any such meeting need not be given to any director who shall, either before or after the meeting, submit a signed waiver of notice or who shall attend such meeting without protesting, prior to or at its commencement, the lack of notice to him. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the board of directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting. 3.12 Quorum; Majority Vote. At all meetings of the board of directors, a majority of the directors fixed in the manner provided in these bylaws shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If at any meeting of the board of directors there be less than a quorum present, a majority of those present or any director solely present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. Unless the act of a greater number is required by law, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these bylaws, the act of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is in attendance shall be the act of the board of directors. At any time that the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation provides that directors elected by the holders of a class or series 9 of stock shall have more or less than one vote per director on any matter, every reference in these bylaws to a majority or other proportion of directors shall refer to a majority or other proportion of the votes of such directors. 3.13 Procedure. At meetings of the board of directors, business shall be transacted in such order as from time to time the board of directors may determine. The Chairman of the Board, if such office has been filled, and, if not or if the Chairman of the Board is absent or otherwise unable to act, the Chief Executive Officer or the President shall preside at all meetings of the board of directors. In the absence or inability to act of either such officer, a chairman shall be chosen by the board of directors from among the directors present. The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as the secretary of each meeting of the board of directors unless the board of directors appoints another person to act as secretary of the meeting. The board of directors shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings which shall be placed in the minute book of the Corporation. 3.14 Presumption of Assent. A director of the Corporation who is present at the meeting of the board of directors at which action on any corporate matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action unless his dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he shall file his written dissent to such action with the person acting as secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall forward any dissent by certified or registered mail to the Secretary of the Corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action. 3.15 Compensation. The board of directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation, including fees and reimbursement of expenses, paid to directors for attendance at regular or special meetings of the board of directors or any committee thereof; provided, that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity or receiving compensation therefor. 10 ARTICLE FOUR: COMMITTEES 4.1 Designation. The board of directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire board of directors, designate one or more committees. 4.2 Number; Qualification; Term. Each committee shall consist of one or more directors appointed by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire board of directors. The number of committee members may be increased or decreased from time to time by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire board of directors. Each committee member shall serve as such until the earliest of (i) the expiration of his term as director, (ii) his resignation as a committee member or as a director, or (iii) his removal as a committee member or as a director. 4.3 Authority. Each committee, to the extent expressly provided in the resolution establishing such committee, shall have and may exercise all of the authority of the board of directors in the management of the business and property of the Corporation except to the extent expressly restricted by law, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these bylaws. 4.4 Committee Changes. The board of directors shall have the power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, and to discharge any committee. 4.5 Alternate Members of Committees. The board of directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee. Any such alternate member may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. If no alternate committee members have been so appointed to a committee or each such alternate committee member is absent or disqualified, the member or members of such committee present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. 4.6 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of any committee may be held without notice at such time and place as may be designated from time to time by the committee and communicated to all members thereof. 11 4.7 Special Meetings. Special meetings of any committee may be held whenever called by any committee member. The committee member calling any special meeting shall cause notice of such special meeting, including therein the time and place of such special meeting, to be given to each committee member at least two days before such special meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting of any committee need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of any special meeting. 4.8 Quorum; Majority Vote. At meetings of any committee, a majority of the number of members designated by the board of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present at a meeting of any committee, a majority of the members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. The act of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is in attendance shall be the act of a committee, unless the act of a greater number is required by law, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these bylaws. 4.9 Minutes. Each committee shall cause minutes of its proceedings to be prepared and shall report the same to the board of directors upon the request of the board of directors. The minutes of the proceedings of each committee shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation for placement in the minute books of the Corporation. 4.10 Compensation. Committee members may, by resolution of the board of directors, be allowed a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, for attending any committee meetings or a stated salary. 4.11 Responsibility. The designation of any committee and the delegation of authority to it shall not operate to relieve the board of directors or any director of any responsibility imposed upon it or such director by law. 12 ARTICLE FIVE: NOTICE 5.1 Method. Whenever by statute, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these bylaws, notice is required to be given to any committee member, director, or stockholder and no provision is made as to how such notice shall be given, personal notice shall not be required and any such notice may be given (a) in writing, by mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such committee member, director, or stockholder at his address as it appears on the books or (in the case of a stockholder) the stock transfer records of the Corporation, or (b) by any other method permitted by law (including but not limited to overnight courier service, telegram, telex, or telefax). Any notice required or permitted to be given by mail shall be deemed to be delivered and given at the time when the same is deposited in the United States mail as aforesaid. Any notice required or permitted to be given by overnight courier service shall be deemed to be delivered and given at the time delivered to such service with all charges prepaid and addressed as aforesaid. Any notice required or permitted to be given by telegram, telex, or telefax shall be deemed to be delivered and given at the time transmitted with all charges prepaid and addressed as aforesaid. 5.2 Waiver. Whenever any notice is required to be given to any stockholder, director, or committee member of the Corporation by statute, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be equivalent to the giving of such notice. Attendance of a stockholder, director, or committee member at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such person attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. ARTICLE SIX: OFFICERS 6.1 Number; Titles; Term of Office. The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, a Secretary, and such other officers as the board of directors may from time to time elect or appoint, including a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, one or more Vice Presidents (with each Vice President to have such descriptive title, if any, 13 as the board of directors shall determine), and a Treasurer. Each officer shall hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified, until his death, or until he shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. None of the officers need be a stockholder or a director of the Corporation or a resident of the State of Delaware. 6.2 Removal. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the board of directors may be removed by the board of directors whenever in its judgment the best interest of the Corporation will be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Election or appointment of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights. 6.3 Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation (by death, resignation, removal, or otherwise) may be filled by the board of directors. 6.4 Authority. Officers shall have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the Corporation as are provided in these bylaws or as may be determined by resolution of the board of directors not inconsistent with these bylaws. 6.5 Compensation. The compensation, if any, of officers and agents shall be fixed from time to time by the board of directors; provided, however, that the board of directors may delegate the power to determine the compensation of any officer and agent (other than the officer to whom such power is delegated) to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the President. 6.6 Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board, if elected by the board of directors, shall have such powers and duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors. Such officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the board of directors. Such officer may sign all certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation. 6.7 Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer, if elected by the board of directors, shall, subject to the board of directors, have general executive charge, management and control of the properties and 14 operations of the Corporation in the ordinary course of its business, with all such powers with respect to such properties and operations as may be reasonably incident to such responsibilities. If the board of directors has not elected a Chairman of the Board or in the absence or inability to act of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall exercise all of the powers and discharge all of the duties of the Chairman of the Board. As between the Corporation and third parties, any action taken by the Chief Executive Officer in the performance of the duties of the Chairman of the Board shall be conclusive evidence that there is no Chairman of the Board or that the Chairman of the Board is absent or unable to act. 6.8 President. The President shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned to him by the board of directors, the Chairman of the Board, or the Chief Executive Officer. If the board of directors has not elected a Chief Executive Officer or in the absence or inability to act of the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall exercise all of the powers and discharge all of the duties of the Chief Executive Officer. As between the Corporation and third parties, any action taken by the President in the performance of the duties of the Chief Executive Officer shall be conclusive evidence that there is no Chief Executive Officer or that the Chief Executive Officer is absent or unable to act. 6.9 Vice Presidents. Each Vice President shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned to him by the board of directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, and (in order of their seniority as determined by the board of directors or, in the absence of such determination, as determined by the length of time they have held the office of Vice President) shall exercise the powers of the President during that officer's absence or inability to act. As between the Corporation and third parties, any action taken by a Vice President in the performance of the duties of the President shall be conclusive evidence of the absence or inability to act of the President at the time such action was taken. 6.10 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have custody of the Corporation's funds and securities, shall keep full and accurate account of receipts and disbursements, shall deposit all monies and valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depository or depositories as may be designated by the board of directors, 15 and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the President. 6.11 Assistant Treasurers. Each Assistant Treasurer shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned to him by the board of directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the President. The Assistant Treasurers (in the order of their seniority as determined by the board of directors or, in the absence of such a determination, as determined by the length of time they have held the office of Assistant Treasurer) shall exercise the powers of the Treasurer during that officer's absence or inability to act. 6.12 Secretary. Except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, the Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the board of directors and of the stockholders in books provided for that purpose, and he shall attend to the giving and service of all notices. He may sign with the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the President, in the name of the Corporation, all contracts of the Corporation and affix the seal of the Corporation thereto. He may sign with the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the President all certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation, and he shall have charge of the certificate books, transfer books, and stock papers as the board of directors may direct, all of which shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any director upon application at the office of the Corporation during business hours. He shall in general perform all duties incident to the office of the Secretary, subject to the control of the board of directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, and the President. 6.13 Assistant Secretaries. Each Assistant Secretary shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned to him by the board of directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the President. The Assistant Secretaries (in the order of their seniority as determined by the board of directors or, in the absence of such a determination, as determined by the length of time they have held the office of Assistant Secretary) shall exercise the powers of the Secretary during that officer's absence or inability to act. 16 ARTICLE SEVEN: CERTIFICATES AND SHAREHOLDERS 7.1 Certificates for Shares. Certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation shall be in such form as shall be approved by the board of directors. The certificates shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or a Vice President and also by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer. Any and all signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile and may be sealed with the seal of the Corporation or a facsimile thereof. If any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed, or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon, a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, such certificate may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue. The certificates shall be consecutively numbered and shall be entered in the books of the Corporation as they are issued and shall exhibit the holder's name and the number of shares. 7.2 Replacement of Lost or Destroyed Certificates. The board of directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of a certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation and alleged to have been lost or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate or certificates representing shares to be lost or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates the board of directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond with a surety or sureties satisfactory to the Corporation in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim, or expense resulting from a claim, that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate or certificates alleged to have been lost or destroyed. 7.3 Transfer of Shares. Shares of stock of the Corporation shall be transferable only on the books of the Corporation by the holders thereof in person or by their duly authorized attorneys or legal representatives. Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer agent of the Corporation of a certificate representing shares duly 17 endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment, or authority to transfer, the Corporation or its transfer agent shall issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate, and record the transaction upon its books. 7.4 Registered Stockholders. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law. 7.5 Regulations. The board of directors shall have the power and authority to make all such rules and regulations as they may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer, and registration or the replacement of certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation. 7.6 Legends. The board of directors shall have the power and authority to provide that certificates representing shares of stock bear such legends as the board of directors deems appropriate to assure that the Corporation does not become liable for violations of federal or state securities laws or other applicable law. ARTICLE EIGHT: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 8.1 Dividends. Subject to provisions of law and the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, dividends may be declared by the board of directors at any regular or special meeting and may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of stock of the Corporation. Such declaration and payment shall be at the discretion of the board of directors. 8.2 Reserves. There may be created by the board of directors out of funds of the Corporation legally available therefor such reserve or reserves as the directors from time to time, in their discretion, consider proper to provide for contingencies, to equalize dividends, or to repair or maintain any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the board of directors shall consider beneficial to the Corporation, and the board of directors may modify or for a purpose which is not opposed to the best interests of the corporation. 18 8.3 Books and Records. The Corporation shall keep correct and complete books and records of account, shall keep minutes of the proceedings of its stockholders and board of directors and shall keep at its registered office or principal place of business, or at the office of its transfer agent or registrar, a record of its stockholders, giving the names and addresses of all stockholders and the number and class of the shares held by each. 8.4 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by the board of directors; provided, that if such fiscal year is not fixed by the board of directors and the selection of the fiscal year is not expressly deferred by the board of directors, the fiscal year shall be the calendar year. 8.5 Seal. The seal of the Corporation shall be such as from time to time may be approved by the board of directors. 8.6 Resignations. Any director, committee member, or officer may resign by so stating at any meeting of the board of directors or by giving written notice to the board of directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or the Secretary. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time is specified therein, immediately upon its receipt. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. 8.7 Securities of Other Corporations. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or any Vice President of the Corporation shall have the power and authority to transfer, endorse for transfer, vote, consent, or take any other action with respect to any securities of another issuer which may be held or owned by the Corporation and to make, execute, and deliver any waiver, proxy, or consent with respect to any such securities. 19 8.8 Telephone Meetings. Stockholders (acting for themselves or through a proxy), members of the board of directors, and members of a committee of the board of directors may participate in and hold a meeting of such stockholders, board of directors, or committee by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this section shall constitute presence in person at such meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. 8.9 Action Without a Meeting. (a) Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, any action required by the Delaware General Corporation Law to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders (acting for themselves or through a proxy) of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which the holders of all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Every written consent of stockholders shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty days of the earliest dated consent delivered in the manner required by this Section 8.9(a) to the Corporation, written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take action are delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation's registered office, principal place of business, or such officer or agent shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. 20 (b) Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation or by these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the board of directors, or of any committee of the board of directors, may be taken without a meeting if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all the directors or all the committee members, as the case may be, entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof, and such consent shall have the same force and effect as a vote of such directors or committee members, as the case may be, and may be stated as such in any certificate or document filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or in any certificate delivered to any person. Such consent or consents shall be filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board or committee, as the case may be. 8.10 Invalid Provisions. If any part of these bylaws shall be held invalid or inoperative for any reason, the remaining parts, so far as it is possible and reasonable, shall remain valid and operative. 8.11 Mortgages, etc. With respect to any deed, deed of trust, mortgage, or other instrument executed by the Corporation through its duly authorized officer or officers, the attestation to such execution by the Secretary of the Corporation shall not be necessary to constitute such deed, deed of trust, mortgage, or other instrument a valid and binding obligation against the Corporation unless the resolutions, if any, of the board of directors authorizing such execution expressly state that such attestation is necessary. 8.12 Headings. The headings used in these bylaws have been inserted for administrative convenience only and do not constitute matter to be construed in interpretation. 8.13 References. Whenever herein the singular number is used, the same shall include the plural where appropriate, and words of any gender should include each other gender where appropriate. 8.14 Amendments. These bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed or new bylaws may be adopted by the stockholders or by the board of directors at any regular meeting of the stockholders or the board of directors or at any special meeting of the stockholders or the board of directors if notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal, or adoption of new bylaws be contained in the notice of such special meeting. [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] 21 The undersigned, being the Secretary of the Corporation, hereby certifies that the foregoing bylaws were adopted by the consent of the board of directors of the Corporation as of August 22, 1995. /s/ Paul L. Barrett ---------------------------------- Paul L. Barrett Secretary 22 AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF REDMAN INDUSTRIES, INC. A Delaware Corporation TABLE OF CONTENTS ARTICLE ONE: OFFICES 1.1 Registered Office and Agent ......................................... 1 1.2 Other Offices........................................................ 1 ARTICLE TWO: MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS 2.1 Annual Meeting ...................................................... 1 2.2 Special Meeting ..................................................... 2 2.3 Place of Meetings ................................................... 2 2.4 Notice .............................................................. 2 2.5 Notice of Stockholder Business; Nomination of Director Candidates ... 2 2.6 Voting List ......................................................... 4 2.7 Quorum .............................................................. 4 2.8 Required Vote; Withdrawal of Quorum ................................. 4 2.9 Method of Voting; Proxies ........................................... 4 2.10 Record Date ......................................................... 5 2.11 Conduct of Meeting .................................................. 5 2.12 Inspectors .......................................................... 5 ARTICLE THREE: DIRECTORS 3.1 Management .......................................................... 6 3.2 Number; Qualification; Election; Term ............................... 6 3.3 Change in Number .................................................... 7 3.4 Removal; Vacancies .................................................. 7 3.5 Meetings of Directors ............................................... 8 3.6 First Meeting ....................................................... 8 3.7 Election of Officers ................................................ 8 3.8 Regular Meetings .................................................... 8 3.9 Special Meetings .................................................... 8 3.10 Notice .............................................................. 8 3.11 Quorum; Majority Vote ............................................... 8 3.12 Procedure ........................................................... 8 3.13 Presumption of Assent ............................................... 9 3.14 Compensation ........................................................ 9 ARTICLE FOUR: COMMITTEES 4.1 Designation ......................................................... 9 4.2 Number; Qualification; Term ......................................... 9 4.3 Authority ........................................................... 9
i 4.4 Committee Changes ................................................... 9 4.5 Alternate Members of Committees ..................................... 9 4.6 Regular Meetings .................................................... 10 4.7 Special Meetings .................................................... 10 4.8 Quorum; Majority Vote ............................................... 10 4.9 Minutes ............................................................. 10 4.10 Compensation ........................................................ 10 4.11 Responsibility ...................................................... 10 ARTICLE FIVE: NOTICE 5.1 Method .............................................................. 10 5.2 Waiver .............................................................. 11 ARTICLE SIX: OFFICERS 6.1 Number; Titles; Term of Office ...................................... 11 6.2 Removal ............................................................. 11 6.3 Vacancies ........................................................... 11 6.4 Authority ........................................................... 11 6.5 Compensation ........................................................ 12 6.6 Chairman of the Board ............................................... 12 6.7 President ........................................................... 12 6.8 Vice Presidents ..................................................... 12 6.9 Treasurer ........................................................... 12 6.10 Assistant Treasurers ................................................ 12 6.11 Secretary ........................................................... 13 6.12 Assistant Secretaries ............................................... 13 ARTICLE SEVEN: CERTIFICATES AND STOCKHOLDERS 7.1 Certificates for Shares ............................................. 13 7.2 Replacement of Lost or Destroyed Certificates ....................... 13 7.3 Transfer of Shares .................................................. 14 1.4 Registered Stockholders ............................................. 14 7.5 Regulations ......................................................... 14 7.6 Legends ............................................................. 14 ARTICLE EIGHT: MISCELLANEOUS; PROVISIONS 8.1 Dividends ........................................................... 14 8.2 Reserves............................................................. 14 8.3 Books and Records ................................................... 14 8.4 Fiscal Year ......................................................... 15 8.5 Seal ................................................................ 15
ii 8.6 Resignations ........................................................ 15 8.7 Securities of Other Corporations .................................... 15 8.8 Telephone Meetings .................................................. 15 8.9 Action Without a Meeting ............................................ 15 8.10 Invalid Provisions .................................................. 16 8.11 Mortgages ........................................................... 16 8.12 Headings ............................................................ 16 8.13 References .......................................................... 16 8.14 Amendments .......................................................... 16
iii AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF REDMAN INDUSTRIES, INC. A Delaware Corporation PREAMBLE These Bylaws are subject to, and governed by, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Corporation Law") and the certificate of incorporation of Redman Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"). In the event of a direct conflict between the provisions of these Bylaws and the mandatory provisions of the Delaware Corporation Law or the provisions of the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, such provisions of the Delaware Corporation Law or the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, as the case may be, will be controlling. These Bylaws will become effective on the effective date of the Corporation's Registration Statement on Form S-l (No. 33-65970), as amended, with respect to the initial public offering of shares of common stock of the Corporation. ARTICLE ONE: OFFICES 1.1 Registered Office and Agent. The registered office and registered agent of the Corporation shall be as designated from time to time by the appropriate filing by the Corporation in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. 1.2 Other Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware, as the board of directors may from time to time determine or as the business of the Corporation may require. ARTICLE TWO: MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS 2.1 Annual Meeting. An annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall be held each calendar year on such date and at such time as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors and stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice of such meeting. At such meeting, the stockholders shall elect directors and transact such other business as may be properly brought before the meeting. 2.2 Special Meeting. A special meeting of the stockholders may be called by the board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Classified Directors (as defined in Section 3.2 hereof) then serving, by the Chairman of the Board, or by any holder or holders of record of at least 25% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote on any matter for which the respective special meeting is being called (considered for this purpose as one class). A special meeting shall be held on such date and at such time as shall be designated by the person(s) calling the meeting and stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice of such meeting. Only such business shall be transacted at a special meeting as may be stated or indicated in the notice of such meeting given in accordance with these Bylaws or in a duly executed waiver of notice of such meeting. 2.3 Place of Meetings. An annual meeting of stockholders may be held at any place within or without the State of Delaware designated by the board of directors. A special meeting of stockholders may be held at any place within or without the State of Delaware designated in the notice of the meeting or a duly executed waiver of notice of such meeting. Meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation unless another place is designated for meetings in the manner provided herein. 2.4 Notice. Written or printed notice stating the place, day, and time of each meeting of the stockholders and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called shall be delivered not less than ten nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the President, the Secretary, or the officer or person(s) calling the meeting, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. If such notice is to be sent by mail, it shall be directed to such stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, unless he shall have filed with the Secretary of the Corporation a written request that notices to him be mailed to some other address, in which case it shall be directed to him at such other address. Notice of any meeting of stockholders shall not be required to be given to any stockholder who shall attend such meeting in person or by proxy and shall not, at the beginning of such meeting, object to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened, or who shall, either before or after the meeting, submit a signed waiver of notice, in person or by proxy. 2.5 Notice of Stockholder Business; Nomination of Director Candidates. (a) At annual or special meetings of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meetings (i) pursuant to the Corporation's notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the board of directors, or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 2.5, who shall be entitled to vote at such meeting, and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.5. (b) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws shall be eligible to serve as directors. Nominations of persons for election to 2 the board of directors may be made at an annual or special meeting of stockholders (i) by or at the direction of the board of directors, (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 2.5, who shall be entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting, and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.5. (c) A stockholder must give timely, written notice to the Secretary of the Corporation to nominate directors at an annual or special meeting pursuant to Section 2.5(b) hereof or to propose business to be brought before an annual or special meeting pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 2.5(a) hereof. To be timely in the case of an annual meeting, a stockholder's notice must be received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 120 days before the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting (or by April 30 with respect to the 1994 annual meeting). To be timely in the case of a special meeting or in the event that the date of the annual meeting is changed by more than 30 days from such anniversary date, a stockholder's notice must be received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation no later than the close of business on the tenth day following the earlier of the day on which notice of the meeting date was mailed or public disclosure of the meeting date was made. Such stockholder's notice shall set forth (i) with respect to each matter, if any, that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, (ii) with respect to each person, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, all information relating to such person (including such person's written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director) that is required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (iii) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation's records, of the stockholder proposing such business or nominating such persons (as the case may be), and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal or nomination is made, (iv) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder of record and by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal or nomination is made, and (v) any material interest or relationship that such stockholder of record and/or the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal or nomination is made may respectively have in such business or with such nominee. At the request of the board of directors, any person nominated for election as a director shall furnish to the Secretary of the Corporation the information required to be set forth in a stockholder's notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee. (d) Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted, and no person shall be nominated to serve as a director, at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.5 and elsewhere in these Bylaws. The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that business was not properly brought before the meeting, or that a nomination was not made, in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws and, if he shall so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting, and any such business not properly brought 3 before the meeting shall not be transacted and any defective nomination shall be disregarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of these Bylaws, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.5. 2.6 Voting List. At least ten days before each meeting of stockholders, the Secretary or other officer of the Corporation who has charge of the Corporation's stock ledger, either directly or through another officer appointed by him or through a transfer agent appointed by the board of directors, shall prepare a complete list of stockholders entitled to vote thereat, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and number of shares of capital stock registered in the name of each stockholder. For a period of ten days prior to such meeting, such list shall be kept on file at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of meeting or a duly executed waiver of notice of such meeting or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held and shall be open to examination by any stockholder during ordinary business hours. Such list shall be produced at such meeting and kept at the meeting at all times during such meeting and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. 2.7 Quorum. The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote on a matter, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of stockholders, except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these Bylaws. If a quorum shall not be present, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat who are present, in person or by proxy (or, if no stockholder entitled to vote is present, any officer of the Corporation), may adjourn the meeting from time to time without notice other than announcement at the meeting (unless the board of directors, after such adjournment, fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting), until a quorum shall be present, in person or by proxy. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, in person or by proxy, any business may be transacted which may have been transacted at the original meeting had a quorum been present; provided that, if the adjournment is for more than 30 days or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting. 2.8 Required Vote; Withdrawal of Quorum. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote thereat who are present, in person or by proxy, shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one on which, by express provision of law, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these Bylaws, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. The stockholders present at a duly constituted meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. 2.9 Method of Voting; Proxies. Except as otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation or by law, each outstanding share of capital stock, regardless of 4 class, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot. At any meeting of stockholders, every stockholder having the right to vote may vote either in person or by a proxy executed in writing by the stockholder or by his duly authorized attorney-in-fact. Each such proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation before or at the time of the meeting. No proxy shall be valid after three years from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in the proxy. If no date is stated in a proxy, such proxy shall be presumed to have been executed on the date of the meeting at which it is to be voted. Each proxy shall be revocable unless expressly provided therein to be irrevocable and coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power or unless otherwise made irrevocable by law. 2.10 Record Date. For the purpose of determining stockholders entitled (a) to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, (b) to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or (c) to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion, or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors, for any such determination of stockholders, such date in any case to be not more than 60 days and not less than ten days prior to such meeting nor more than 60 days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed: (i) The record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. (ii) The record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution relating thereto. (iii) A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the board of directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting. 2.11 Conduct of Meeting. The Chairman of the Board, if such office has been filled, and, if not or if the Chairman of the Board is absent or otherwise unable to act, the President shall preside at all meetings of stockholders. The Secretary shall keep the records of each meeting of stockholders. In the absence or inability to act of any such officer, such officer's duties shall be performed by the officer given the authority to act for such absent or non-acting officer under these Bylaws or by some person appointed by the meeting. 2.12 Inspectors. The board of directors may, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at such meeting or any adjournment thereof. If any of the inspectors so appointed shall fail to appear or act, the chairman of the meeting shall, or if inspectors 5 shall not have been appointed, the chairman of the meeting may, appoint one or more inspectors. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector at such meeting with strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability. The inspectors shall determine the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation outstanding and the voting power of each, the number of shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the validity and effect of proxies and shall receive votes, ballots, or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count, and tabulate all votes, ballots, or consents, determine the results, and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders. On request of the chairman of the meeting, the inspectors shall make a report in writing of any challenge, request, or matter determined by them and shall execute a certificate of any fact found by them. No director or candidate for the office of director shall act as an inspector of an election of directors. Inspectors need not be stockholders. ARTICLE THREE: DIRECTORS 3.1 Management. The business and property of the Corporation shall be managed by the board of directors. Subject to the restrictions imposed by law, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these Bylaws, the board of directors may exercise all the powers of the Corporation. 3.2 Number; Qualification; Election; Term. The board of directors shall consist of no fewer than five and no more than nine directors (plus such number of directors as may be elected from time to time pursuant to the terms of any series of preferred stock that may be issued and outstanding from time to time). The directors of the Corporation (exclusive of directors who are elected pursuant to the terms of, and serve as representatives of the holders of, any series of preferred stock of the Corporation) shall be referred to herein as "Classified Directors" and shall be divided into three classes, with the first class referred to herein as "Class 1," the second class as "Class 2," and the third class as "Class 3." Each class shall consist as nearly as possible of one-third (l/3) of the total number of directors making up the entire board of directors. The term of office of the initial Class 1 directors shall expire at the 1994 annual meeting of stockholders, the term of office of the initial Class 2 directors shall expire at the 1995 annual meeting of stockholders, and the term of office of the initial Class 3 directors shall expire at the 1996 annual meeting of stockholders, with each director to hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors elected to succeed those directors whose terms then expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election, with each director to hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of any one or more classes or series of preferred stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately by series or by class (excluding holders of common stock), to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies, and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of the certificate of incorporation (including any amendment to the 6 certificate of incorporation that designates a series of preferred stock), and such directors so elected by the holders of preferred stock shall not be divided into classes pursuant to this Section 3.2 unless expressly provided by the terms of the certificate of incorporation. 3.3 Change in Number. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the entire board of directors shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director. 3.4 Removal; Vacancies. (a) Any or all Classified Directors may be removed, with cause, at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, upon the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock then entitled to vote in person or by proxy at an election of such Classified Directors, provided that notice of the intention to act upon such matter shall have been given in the notice calling such meeting. Newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of Classified Directors and any vacancies occurring in the board of directors caused by death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other termination from office of any Classified Directors may be filled by the vote of a majority of the Classified Directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by the affirmative vote, at any annual meeting or any special meeting of the stockholders called for the purpose of filling such directorship, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock then entitled to vote in person or by proxy at an election of such Classified Directors. Each successor Classified Director so chosen shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his respective successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. (b) Unless otherwise provided by the terms of the certificate of incorporation (including any amendment thereto that designates a series of preferred stock), any or all directors other than Classified Directors may be removed, with or without cause, at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, upon the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock then entitled to vote in person or by proxy at an election of such directors, provided that notice of the intention to act upon such matter shall have been given in the notice calling such meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the terms of the certificate of incorporation (including any amendment thereto that designates a series of preferred stock), any vacancies occurring in the board of directors caused by death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other termination from office of any directors other than Classified Directors may be filled by the vote of a majority of the board of directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by the affirmative vote, at any annual meeting or any special meeting of the stockholders called for the purpose of filling such directorship, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock then entitled to vote in person or by proxy at an election of such directors. Each successor director so chosen shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his respective successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. 7 3.5 Meetings of Directors. The directors may hold their meetings and may have an office and keep the records of the Corporation, except as otherwise provided by law, in such place or places within or without the State of Delaware as the board of directors may from time to time determine or as shall be specified in the notice of such meeting or duly executed waiver of notice of such meeting. 3.6 First Meeting. Each newly elected board of directors may hold its first meeting for the purpose of organization and the transaction of business, if a quorum is present, immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders, and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary. 3.7 Election of Officers. At the first meeting of the board of directors after each annual meeting of stockholders at which a quorum shall be present, the board of directors shall elect the officers of the Corporation. 3.8 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held at such times and places as shall be designated from time to time by resolution of the board of directors. Notice of such regular meetings shall not be required. 3.9 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors shall be held whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, the President, or any director. 3.10 Notice. The Secretary shall give notice of each special meeting to each director at least 24 hours before the meeting. Notice of any such meeting need not be given to any director who, either before or after the meeting, submits a signed waiver of notice or who shall attend such meeting without protesting, prior to or at its commencement, the lack of notice to him. The purpose of any special meeting shall be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting. 3.11 Quorum; Majority Vote. At all meetings of the board of directors, a majority of the directors fixed in the manner provided in these Bylaws shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If at any meeting of the board of directors there is less than a quorum present, a majority of those present or any director solely present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. Unless the act of a greater number is required by law, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these Bylaws, the act of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is in attendance shall be the act of the board of directors. At any time that the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation provides that directors elected by the holders of a class or series of stock shall have more or less than one vote per director on any matter, every reference in these Bylaws to a majority or other proportion of directors shall refer to a majority or other proportion of the votes of such directors. 3.12 Procedure. At meetings of the board of directors, business shall be transacted in such order as from time to time the board of directors may determine. The Chairman of the Board, if such office has been filled, and, if not or if the Chairman of the Board is absent or otherwise unable to act, the President shall preside at all meetings of the board of directors. In the absence or inability 8 to act of either such officer, a chairman shall be chosen by the board of directors from among the directors present. The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as the secretary of each meeting of the board of directors unless the board of directors appoints another person to act as secretary of the meeting. The board of directors shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings which shall be placed in the minute book of the Corporation. 3.13 Presumption of Assent. A director of the Corporation who is present at the meeting of the board of directors at which action on any corporate matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action unless his dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he shall file his written dissent to such action with the person acting as secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall forward any dissent by certified or registered mail to the Secretary of the Corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action. 3.14 Compensation. The board of directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation, including fees and reimbursement of expenses, paid to directors for attendance at regular or special meetings of the board of directors or any committee thereof; provided, that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity or receiving compensation therefor. ARTICLE FOUR: COMMITTEES 4.1 Designation. The board of directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire board of directors, designate one or more committees. 4.2 Number; Qualification; Term. Each committee shall consist of one or more directors appointed by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire board of directors. The number of committee members may be increased or decreased from time to time by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire board of directors. Each committee member shall serve as such until the earliest of (i) the expiration of his term as director, (ii) his resignation as a committee member or as a director, or (iii) his removal as a committee member or as a director. 4.3 Authority. Each committee, to the extent expressly provided in the resolution establishing such committee, shall have and may exercise all of the authority of the board of directors in the management of the business and property of the Corporation except to the extent expressly restricted by such resolution or by law, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these Bylaws. 4.4 Committee Changes. The board of directors shall have the power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, and to discharge any committee. 4.5 Alternate Members of Committees. The board of directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee. Any such alternate member may replace any 9 absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. If no alternate committee members have been so appointed to a committee or each such alternate committee member is absent or disqualified, the member or members of such committee present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. 4.6 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of any committee may be held without notice at such time and place as may be designated from time to time by the committee and communicated to all members thereof. 4.7 Special Meetings. Special meetings of any committee may be held whenever called by any committee member. The committee member calling any special meeting shall cause notice of such special meeting, including therein the time and place of such special meeting, to be given to each committee member at least two days before such special meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting of any committee need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of any special meeting. 4.8 Quorum; Majority Vote. At meetings of any committee, a majority of the number of members designated by the board of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present at a meeting of any committee, a majority of the members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. The act of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is in attendance shall be the act of a committee, unless the act of a greater number is required by law, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these Bylaws. 4.9 Minutes. Each committee shall cause minutes of its proceedings to be prepared and shall report the same to the board of directors upon the request of the board of directors. The minutes of the proceedings of each committee shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation for placement in the minute books of the Corporation. 4.10 Compensation. Committee members may, by resolution of the board of directors, be allowed a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, for attending any committee meetings or a stated salary. 4.11 Responsibility. The designation of any committee and the delegation of authority to it shall not operate to relieve the board of directors or any director of any responsibility imposed upon it or such director by law. ARTICLE FIVE: NOTICE 5.1 Method. Whenever by statute, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any committee member, director, or stockholder and 10 no provision is made as to how such notice shall be given, personal notice shall not be required and any such notice may be given (a) in writing, by mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such committee member, director, or stockholder at his address as it appears on the books or (in the case of a stockholder) the stock transfer records of the Corporation, or (b) by any other method permitted by law (including but not limited to overnight courier service, telegram, telex, or telefax). Any notice required or permitted to be given by mail shall be deemed to be delivered and given at the time when the same is deposited in the United States mail as aforesaid. Any notice required or permitted to be given by overnight courier service shall be deemed to be delivered and given at the time delivered to such service with all charges prepaid and addressed as aforesaid. Any notice required or permitted to be given by telegram, telex, or telefax shall be deemed to be delivered and given at the time transmitted with all charges prepaid and addressed as aforesaid. 5.2 Waiver. Whenever any notice is required to be given to any stockholder, director, or committee member of the Corporation by statute, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be equivalent to the giving of such notice. Attendance of a stockholder, director, or committee member at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of, notice of such meeting, except where such person attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. ARTICLE SIX: OFFICERS 6.1 Number; Titles; Term of Office. The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chairman of the Board, a President, a Secretary, and such other officers as the board of directors may from time to time elect or appoint, including one or more Vice Presidents (with each Vice President to have such descriptive title, if any, as the board of directors shall determine) and a Treasurer. Each officer shall hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified, until his death, or until he shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. None of the officers need be a stockholder or a director of the Corporation or a resident of the State of Delaware. 6.2 Removal. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the board of directors may be removed by the board of directors whenever in its judgment the best interest of the Corporation will be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Election or appointment of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights. 6.3 Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation (by death, resignation, removal, or otherwise) may be filled by the board of directors. 6.4 Authority. Officers shall have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the Corporation as are provided in these Bylaws or as may be determined by resolution of the board of directors not inconsistent with these Bylaws. 11 6.5 Compensation. The compensation, if any, of officers and agents shall be fixed from time to time by the board of directors; provided, however, that the board of directors may delegate the power to determine the compensation of any officer and agent (other than the officer to whom such power is delegated) to the Chairman of the Board or the President. 6.6 Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall, subject to the supervision of the board of directors of the Corporation, have the general management and control of the Corporation. Such officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the board of directors and shall have such duties as may from time to time be assigned by the board of directors. Such officer may sign all certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation. 6.7 President. The President shall, subject to the supervision of the board of directors of the Corporation, have general executive charge, management, and control of the properties and operations of the Corporation in the ordinary course of its business, with all such powers with respect to such properties and operations as may be reasonably incident to such responsibilities. In the absence or inability to act of the Chairman of the Board, the President shall exercise all of the powers and discharge all of the duties of the Chairman of the Board. As between the Corporation and third parties, any action taken by the President in the performance of the duties of the Chairman of the Board shall be conclusive evidence that the Chairman of the Board is absent or unable to act. 6.8 Vice Presidents. Each Vice President shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned to him by the board of directors, the Chairman of the Board, or the President, and (in order of their seniority as determined by the board of directors or, in the absence of such determination, as determined by the length of time they have held the office of Vice President) shall exercise the powers of the President during that officer's absence or inability to act. As between the Corporation and third parties, any action taken by a Vice President in the performance of the duties of the President shall be conclusive evidence of the absence or inability to act of the President at the time such action was taken. 6.9 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have custody of the Corporation's funds and securities, shall keep full and accurate account of receipts and disbursements, shall deposit all monies and valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depository or depositories as may be designated by the board of directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors, the Chairman of the Board, or the President. 6.10 Assistant Treasurers. Each Assistant Treasurer shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned to him by the board of directors, the Chairman of the Board, or the President. The Assistant Treasurers (in the order of their seniority as determined by the board of directors or, in the absence of such a determination, as determined by the length of time they have held the office of Assistant Treasurer) shall exercise the powers of the Treasurer during that officer's absence or inability to act. 12 6.11 Secretary. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, the Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the board of directors and of the stockholders in books provided for that purpose, and he shall attend to the giving and service of all notices. He may sign with the Chairman of the Board or the President or any other authorized officer of the Corporation, in the name of the Corporation, all contracts of the Corporation and affix the seal of the Corporation thereto. He may sign with the Chairman of the Board or the President or any Vice President all certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation, and he shall have charge of the certificate books, transfer books, and stock papers as the board of directors may direct, all of which shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any director upon application at the office of the Corporation during business hours. He shall in general perform all duties incident to the office of the Secretary, subject to the control of the board of directors, the Chairman of the Board, and the President. 6.12 Assistant Secretaries. Each Assistant Secretary shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned to him by the board of directors, the Chairman of the Board, or the President. The Assistant Secretaries (in the order of their seniority as determined by the board of directors or, in the absence of such a determination, as determined by the length of time they have held the office of Assistant Secretary) shall exercise the powers of the Secretary during that officer's absence or inability to act. ARTICLE SEVEN: CERTIFICATES AND STOCKHOLDERS 7.1 Certificates for Shares. Certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation shall be in such form as shall be approved by the board of directors. The certificates shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board or the President or a Vice President and also by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer. Any and all signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile and may be sealed with the seal of the Corporation or a facsimile thereof. If any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed, or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon, a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, such certificate may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue. The certificates shall be consecutively numbered and shall be entered in the books of the Corporation as they are issued and shall exhibit the holder's name and the number of shares. 7.2 Replacement of Lost or Destroyed Certificates. The board of directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of a certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation and alleged to have been lost or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate or certificates representing shares to be lost or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates the board of directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond with a surety or sureties satisfactory to the Corporation in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim, or expense resulting from a 13 claim, that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate or certificates alleged to have been lost or destroyed. 7.3 Transfer of Shares. Shares of stock of the Corporation shall be transferable only on the books of the Corporation by the holders thereof in person or by their duly authorized attorneys or legal representatives. Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer agent of the Corporation of a certificate representing shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment, or authority to transfer, the Corporation or its transfer agent shall issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate, and record the transaction upon its books. 7.4 Registered Stockholders. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law. 7.5 Regulations. The board of directors shall have the power and authority to make all such rules and regulations as they may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer, and registration or the replacement of certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation. 7.6 Legends. The board of directors shall have the power and authority to provide that certificates representing shares of stock bear such legends as the board of directors deems appropriate to assure that the Corporation does not become liable for violations of federal or state securities laws or other applicable law. ARTICLE EIGHT: MISCELLANEOUS; PROVISIONS 8.1 Dividends. Subject to provisions of law and the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, dividends may be declared by the board of directors at any regular or special meeting and may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of stock of the Corporation. Such declaration and payment shall be at the discretion of the board of directors. 8.2 Reserves. There may be created by the board of directors out of funds of the Corporation legally available therefor such reserve or reserves as the directors from time to time, in their discretion, consider proper to provide for contingencies, to equalize dividends, or to repair or maintain any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the board of directors shall consider beneficial to the Corporation, and the board of directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created. 8.3 Books and Records. The Corporation shall keep correct and complete books and records of account, shall keep minutes of the proceedings of its stockholders and board of directors and shall keep at its registered office or principal place of business, or at the office of its transfer 14 agent or registrar, a record of its stockholders, giving the names and addresses of all stockholders and the number and class of the shares held by each. 8.4 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by the board of directors. 8.5 Seal. The seal of the Corporation shall be such as from time to time may be approved by the board of directors. 8.6 Resignations. Any director, committee member, or officer may resign by so stating at any meeting of the board of directors or by giving written notice to the board of directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President, or the Secretary. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time is specified therein, immediately upon its receipt. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. 8.7 Securities of Other Corporations. The Chairman of the Board, the President, or any Vice President of the Corporation shall have the power and authority to transfer, endorse for transfer, vote, consent, or take any other action with respect to any securities of another issuer which may be held or owned by the Corporation and to make, execute, and deliver any waiver, proxy, or consent with respect to any such securities. 8.8 Telephone Meetings. Stockholders (acting for themselves or through a proxy), members of the board of directors, and members of a committee of the board of directors may participate in and hold a meeting of such stockholders, board of directors, or committee by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this section shall constitute presence in person at such meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. 8.9 Action Without a Meeting. (a) Except as otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, any action required by the Delaware Corporation Law to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders (acting for themselves or through a proxy) of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which the holders of all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are 15 recorded. Every written consent of stockholders shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty days of the earliest dated consent delivered in the manner required by this Section 8.9(a) to the Corporation, written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take action are delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation's registered office, principal place of business, or such officer or agent shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. (b) Except as otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation or in these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the board of directors, or of any committee of the board of directors, may be taken without a meeting if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all the directors or all the committee members, as the case may be, entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof, and such consent shall have the same force and effect as a vote of such directors or committee members, as the case may be, and may be stated as such in any certificate or document filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or in any certificate delivered to any person. Such consent or consents shall be filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board or committee, as the case may be. 8.10 Invalid Provisions. If any part of these Bylaws shall be held invalid or inoperative for any reason, the remaining parts, so far as it is possible and reasonable, shall remain valid and operative. 8.11 Mortgages, etc. With respect to any deed, deed of trust, mortgage, or other instrument executed by the Corporation through its duly authorized officer or officers, the attestation to such execution by the Secretary of the Corporation shall not be necessary to constitute such deed, deed of trust, mortgage, or other instrument a valid and binding obligation against the Corporation unless the resolutions, if any, of the board of directors authorizing such execution expressly state that such attestation is necessary. 8.12 Headings. The headings used in these Bylaws have been inserted for administrative convenience only and do not constitute matter to be construed in interpretation. 8.13 References. Whenever herein the singular number is used, the same shall include the plural where appropriate, and words of any gender should include each other gender where appropriate. 8.14 Amendments. The board of directors may, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors in accordance with Section 3.11 hereof and of at least two-thirds of the Classified Directors then serving, make, adopt, alter, amend, and repeal from time to time these Bylaws and 16 make from time to time new bylaws of the Corporation (subject to the right of the stockholders entitled to vote thereon to adopt, alter, amend, and repeal bylaws made by the board of directors or to make new bylaws); provided, however, that the stockholders of the Corporation may adopt, alter, amend, or repeal bylaws made by the board of directors or make new bylaws solely upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock then entitled to vote thereon. The undersigned Secretary of the Corporation hereby certifies that the foregoing Amended and Restated Bylaws were adopted by unanimous consent by the directors of the Corporation as of September 15, 1993. /s/ Paul L. Barrett ----------------------------------- Paul L. Barrett, Secretary 17 ================================================================================ BYLAWS OF SAN JOSE ADVANTAGE HOMES, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION ================================================================================ TABLE OF CONTENTS ARTICLE I. OFFICES Section 1.1 PRINCIPAL OFFICES ...................................... 1 Section 1.2 OTHER OFFICE ........................................... 1 ARTICLE II. MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS Section 2.1 PLACE OF MEETING ....................................... 1 Section 2.2 ANNUAL MEETINGS ........................................ 1 Section 2.3 SPECIAL MEETINGS ....................................... 2 Section 2.4 NOTICE OF SHAREHOLDERS' MEETINGS ....................... 2 Section 2.5 MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE .................................... 3 Section 2.6 QUORUM ................................................. 3 Section 2.7 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE .............................. 4 Section 2.8 VOTING ................................................. 4 Section 2.9 VALIDATION OF MEETINGS; WAIVER OF NOTICE; CONSENT .............................. 5 Section 2.10 SHAREHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING .............................. 5 Section 2.11 RECORD DATE FOR SHAREHOLDER NOTICE VOTING, AND GIVING CONSENT ............................. 6 Section 2.12 PROXIES ................................................ 7 Section 2.13 INSPECTORS OF ELECTIONS ................................ 8 i. ARTICLE III. DIRECTORS Section 3.1 POWERS .................................................. 8 Section 3.2 NUMBER AND QUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS ................... 8 Section 3.3 ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS ................ 8 Section 3.4 REMOVAL ................................................. 9 Section 3.5 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES ............................... 9 Section 3.6 PLACE OF MEETINGS AND MEETING BY TELEPHONE .............. 10 Section 3.7 REGULAR MEETINGS ........................................ 11 Section 3.8 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE ................................ 11 Section 3.9 QUORUM .................................................. 11 Section 3.10 WAIVER OF NOTICE ........................................ 11 Section 3.11 ADJOURNMENT ............................................. 12 Section 3.12 NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT ................................... 12 Section 3.13 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING ....... 12 Section 3.14 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS ...................... 12 ARTICLE IV. COMMITTEES Section 4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS ................................. 12 Section 4.2 MEETINGS AND ACTIONS OF COMMITTEES ...................... 13 ARTICLE V. OFFICERS Section 5.1 OFFICERS ................................................ 14 Section 5.2 APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS ................................. 14 Section 5.3 SUBORDINATE OFFICERS .................................... 14 Section 5.4 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS ..................... 14 ii. Section 5.5 VACANCIES IN OFFICES .................................... 14 Section 5.6 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD ................................... 15 Section 5.7 PRESIDENT ............................................... 15 Section 5.8 VICE PRESIDENT(S) ....................................... 15 Section 5.9 SECRETARY ............................................... 15 Section 5.10 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER ................................. 16 Section 5.11 COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS ................................ 16 ARTICLE VI. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND OTHER AGENTS Section 6.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS ............................ 17 Section 6.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS ............................... 17 Section 6.3 PAYMENT OF EXPENSES IN ADVANCE .......................... 17 Section 6.4 INDEMNITY NOT EXCLUSIVE ................................. 18 Section 6.5 INSURANCE INDEMNIFICATION ............................... 18 Section 6.6 CONFLICTS ............................................... 18 Section 6.7 RIGHT TO BRING SUIT ..................................... 18 Section 6.8 INDEMNITY AGREEMENTS .................................... 19 Section 6.9 AMENDMENT, REPEAL OR MODIFICATION ....................... 19 ARTICLE VII. RECORDS AND REPORTS Section 7.1 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF SHARE REGISTER ............ 19 Section 7.2 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF BYLAWS .................... 20 Section 7.3 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF OTHER CORPORATE RECORDS ... 20 Section 7.4 INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS ................................. 21 Section 7.5 ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS; WAIVER ................... 21 Section 7.6 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS .................................... 21 iii. Section 7.7 ANNUAL STATEMENT OF GENERAL INFORMATION ................. 22 ARTICLE VIII. GENERAL CORPORATE MATTERS Section 8.1 RECORD DATE FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN NOTICE AND VOTING ... 22 Section 8.2 CHECKS, DRAFTS, EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS ............... 22 Section 8.3 CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS; HOW EXECUTED ....... 23 Section 8.4 REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS .......... 23 Section 8.5 CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES ................................. 23 Section 8.6 LOST CERTIFICATES ....................................... 23 Section 8.7 CONSTRUCTION AND DEFINITIONS ............................ 23 Section 8.8 MANNER OF CONDUCT OF MEETINGS ........................... 24 ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS Section 9.1 AMENDMENT BY SHAREHOLDERS ............................... 24 Section 9.2 AMENDMENT BY DIRECTORS .................................. 24 Section 9.3 RECORD OF AMENDMENTS .................................... 24 ARTICLE X. INTERPRETATION ................................................... 25 iv. BYLAWS OF SAN JOSE ADVANTAGE HOMES, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION ARTICLE I OFFICES SECTION 1.1 PRINCIPAL OFFICES. The Board of Directors shall fix the location of the principal office of the corporation at any place within or outside the State of California. If the principal executive office is located outside this state, the Board of Directors shall fix and designate a principal business office in the State of California. SECTION 1.2 OTHER OFFICES. The Board of Directors may at any time establish branch or subordinate offices at any place or places, within or outside the State of California. ARTICLE II MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS SECTION 2.1 PLACE OF MEETING. Meeting of shareholders shall be held at any place within or outside the State of California designated by the Board of Directors. In the absence of any such designation, shareholders' meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation or any place consented to in writing by all persons entitled to vote at such meeting, given before or after the meeting and filed with the Secretary of the corporation. SECTION 2.2 ANNUAL MEETING. The Annual meeting of shareholders shall be held each year on a date and at a time designated by the Board of Directors. At each annual meeting, Directors shall be elected and any other proper business may be transacted which is within the powers of shareholders. SECTION 2.3 SPECIAL MEETING. Special meeting(s) of the shareholders may be called at any time, subject to Sections 2.4 and 1. 2.5 of these Bylaws, by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President, or by one or more shareholders holding shares in the aggregate entitled to cast not less the ten percent (10%) of the votes at the meeting. If a special meeting is called by any person or persons other than the Board of Directors, the President or the Chairman of the Board, the request shall be in writing, specifying the time of such meeting and the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted, and shall be delivered personally or sent by registered mail or other written communication to the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President, or the Secretary of the corporation. The officer receiving the request shall cause notice to be promptly given to the shareholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.4 and 2.5 of this Article II, that a meeting will be held at the time requested by the person or persons calling the meeting, not less than thirty-five (35) nor more than sixty (60) days after the receipt of the request. If the notice is not given within twenty (20) days after receipt of the request, then the person or persons requesting the meeting may give the notice. Nothing contained in this paragraph of this Section 2.3. shall be construed as limiting, fixing or affecting the time when a meeting of shareholders called by action of the Board of Directors may be held. Section 2.4 NOTICE OF SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING. All notices of meeting of shareholders shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 2.5 of this Article II not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of meeting to each shareholder entitled to vote thereat. The notice shall specify the place, date and hour of the meeting and (i) in the case of a special meeting, the general nature of the business to be transacted, or (ii) in the case of the annual meeting, those matters which the Board of Directors, at the time of giving the notice, intends to present for action by the shareholders, but, subject to the provisions of the next paragraph of this Section 2.4, any proper matter may be presented at the meeting for such action. The notice of any meeting at which Directors are to be elected shall include the name(s) of any nominee(s) intended, at the time of notice, to be presented by the Board for election. If action is proposed to be taken at any meeting for approval of (i) a contract or transaction in which a Director has a direct or indirect financial interest, pursuant to Section 310 of the Corporations Code of California, (ii) an amendment of Articles of Incorporation, pursuant to Section 902 of that Code, (iii) a reorganization of the corporation, pursuant to Section 1201 of that Code, (iv) a voluntary dissolution of the corporation, pursuant to Section 1900 of that Code, or (v) a distribution in outstanding preferred shares, pursuant to Section 2007 of that Code, the notice shall also state the general nature of that proposal. 2. Section 2.5 MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE. Notice of any meeting of shareholders shall be given either personally or by first-class mail or telegraphic or other written communication, charges prepaid, addressed to the shareholder at the address of that shareholder appearing on the books of the corporation or given by the shareholder to the corporation for the purpose of notice. If no such address appears on the corporation's books or is given, notice shall be deemed to have been given if sent to that shareholder by first-class mail or telegraphic or other written communication to the corporation's principal executive office, or if published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where that office is located. Notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally or deposited in the mail or sent by telegram or other means of written communications. If any notice (or any report referenced in Article VII of these Bylaws) addressed to a shareholder at the address of that shareholder appearing on the books of the corporation is returned to the corporation by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver the notice to the shareholder at that address, all future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been duly given without further mailing if these shall be available to the shareholders on written demand of the shareholders at the principal executive office of the corporation for a period of one (1) year from the date of the giving of the notice. An affidavit of the mailing or other means of giving any notice or report in accordance with this Section 2.5, may be executed by the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, or any transfer agent of the corporation and may be filed and maintained in the minute book of the corporation, and shall be prima facie evidence of the giving of the notice or report. Section 2.6 QUORUM. Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The shareholders present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by at least a majority of the shares required to constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of shareholders may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the shares represented either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided in the last sentence of the preceding paragraph. 3. Section 2.7 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE. Any shareholders' meeting, annual or special, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of the majority of the shares represented at that meeting, either in person or by proxy. When any meeting of shareholders, either annual or special is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place are announced at a meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless a new record date for the adjournment is for more than forty-five (45) days from the date set for the original meeting, in which case the Board of Directors shall set a new record date. Notice of such adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.4 and 2.5 of this Article II. At any adjourned meeting the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. Section 2.8 VOTING. The shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 of this Article II, subject to the provisions of Sections 702 to 704, inclusive, of the Corporations Code of California (relating to voting shares held by a Fiduciary, in the name of a corporation, or in joint ownership). The shareholders' vote may be by voice vote or by ballot; provided, however, that any election for Directors, or any other matter, must be by ballot if demanded by any shareholder before the voting has begun. Except as provided in the last paragraph of this Section 2.8, or as may be otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, each outstanding share, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the shareholders. On any matter other than election of Directors, any shareholder may vote part of the shares in favor of the proposal and refrain from voting the remaining shares, or vote them against the proposal, but, if the shareholder is voting affirmatively, it will be conclusively presumed that the shareholder's approving vote is with respect to all shares that the shareholder is entitled to vote. If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote on any matter (other than the election of Directors) shall be the act of the shareholders, unless the vote of greater number or voting by classes is required by the California General Corporation Law or by the Articles of Incorporation. At a shareholders' meeting at which Directors are to be elected, a shareholder shall be entitled to cumulate votes either (i) by giving one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of Directors to be elected multiplied by the number of votes to which the shareholder's shares are normally entitled or (ii) by distributing the shareholder's votes on the same principle among as many candidates as the shareholder thinks fit, if the candidate or candidates' names have been placed in nomination prior to the 4. voting and the shareholder has given notice prior to the voting of the shareholder's intention to cumulate the shareholder's votes. If any one shareholder has given such a notice, then every shareholder entitled to vote may cumulate votes for candidates in nomination. The candidates receiving the highest number of affirmative votes, up to the number of Directors to be elected, shall be elected; votes against any candidate and votes withheld shall have no legal effect. SECTION 2.9 VALIDATION OF MEETINGS; WAIVER OF NOTICE; CONSENT. The transactions of any meeting of shareholders, either annual or special, however called and noticed, and wherever held, shall be as valid as though had at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum be present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, each person entitled to vote, who was not present in person or by proxy, signs a written waiver of notice or consent to a holding of meeting, or an approval of the minutes. The waiver of notice or consent need not specify either the business to be transacted or the purpose of any annual or special meeting of shareholders, except that if action is taken or proposed to be taken for approval of any of those matters specified in the second paragraph of Section 2.4 of this Article II, the waiver, or all such waivers, consents, or approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made part of the minutes of the meeting. Attendance by a person at a meeting shall also constitute a waiver of notice of that meeting, except when the person objects, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened, and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters required by law to be included in the notice of the meeting but not so included if the objection is expressly made at the meeting. SECTION 2.10 SHAREHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting and without prior notice, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on that action were present and voted. In the case of election of Directors, such a consent shall be effective only if signed by the holders of all outstanding shares entitled to vote for the election of Directors; provided, however, that a Director may be elected at any time to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors that was not created by removal of a Director and that has not been filled by the Directors, by the written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote for the election of Directors. All such consents shall be filed with the Secretary of the corporation and shall be maintained in 5. the corporate records. Any shareholder giving a written consent, or the shareholder's proxy holders, or a transferee of the shares or a personal representative of the shareholder or their respective proxy holders, may revoke the consent by a writing received by the Secretary of the corporation before written consent of the number of shares required to authorize the proposed action have been filed with the Secretary. If the consents of all shareholders entitled to vote have not been solicited in writing, and if the unanimous written consent of all such shareholders shall not have been received, the Secretary shall give prompt notice to those shareholders entitled to vote of the corporation action approved by the shareholders without a meeting. This notice shall be given in the manner specified in Section 2.5 of this Article II. In the case of approval of (i) contracts or financial interest, pursuant to Section 310 of the Corporations Code of California, (ii) indemnification of agents of the corporation, pursuant to Section 317 of that Code, (iii) a reorganization of the corporation, pursuant to Section 1201 of that Code, and (iv) a distribution in dissolution other than in accordance with the rights of the outstanding preferred shares, pursuant to Section 2007 of that Code, the notice shall be given at least ten (10) days before the consummation of any action authorized by that approval, unless the consents of all shareholders entitled to vote have been solicited in writing. SECTION 2.11 RECORD DATE FOR SHAREHOLDER NOTICE, VOTING AND GIVING CONSENT. For purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to notice of any meeting or to vote or entitled to give consent to corporate action without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before any such action without a meeting, and in this event only shareholders of record on the date so fixed are entitled to notice and to vote or to give consents, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the corporation after the record date, except as otherwise provided in the California General Corporation Law or the Articles of Incorporation. A determination of shareholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting, but the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date if the meeting is adjourned for more than forty-five (45) days from the date set for the original meeting. If the Board of Directors does not so fix a record date: (a) the record date of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on 6. which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day which the meeting is held. (b) the record date for determining shareholders entitled to give consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, (i) when no prior action by the Board has been taken, shall be the day on which the first written consent is given, or (ii) when prior action of the Board has been taken, shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating to that action, or the sixtieth (60th) day before the date of such other action, whichever is later. The record date for the other purpose shall be as provided in Section 8.1 of these Bylaws. SECTION 2.12 PROXIES. Every person entitled to vote for Directors or on any other matter shall have the right to do so either in person or by one or more agents authorized by a written proxy signed by the person and filed with the Secretary of the corporation. A proxy shall be deemed signed if the shareholder's name is placed on the proxy (whether by manual signature, typewriting, telegraphic or electronic transmission, or otherwise) by the shareholder or the shareholder's attorney-in-fact. A validly executed proxy which does not state that it is irrevocable shall continue in full force and effect unless (i) revoked by the person executing it, before the vote pursuant to that proxy, by a writing delivered to the corporation stating that the proxy is revoked, or by a subsequent proxy executed by, or attendance at the meeting and voting in person by, the person executing the proxy; or (ii) written notice of the death or incapacity of the maker of that proxy is received by the corporation before the vote pursuant to that proxy is counted; provided, however, that no proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date of the proxy, unless otherwise provided in the proxy. The dates contained on the forms of proxy presumptively determine the order of execution, regardless of the postmark date(s) on the envelope(s) in which they are mailed. The revocability of a proxy that stated on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Sections 705(e) and 705(f) of the Corporations Code of California. SECTION 2.13 INSPECTORS OF ELECTIONS. Before any meeting of shareholders, the Board of Directors may appoint any persons other than nominees for office to act as inspectors of election at the meeting or its adjournment. If no inspectors of election are so appointed the Chairman of the meeting may, and on the request of any shareholder or shareholder's proxy shall, appoint inspectors of election at the meeting. The number of inspectors shall be either one (1) or three (3). If inspectors are appointed at a meeting on the request of one or more shareholders or proxies, the holders of a majority of shares or their proxies present at the meeting shall 7. determine whether one (1) or three (3) inspectors are to be appointed. If any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the Chairman of the meeting may, and upon the request of any shareholder or shareholder's proxy shall, appoint a person to fill that vacancy. The inspectors shall: (a) Determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each; (b) the shares represented at the meeting; (c) the authenticity, validity, and effect of proxies; (d) the existence of a quorum; (e) receive votes, ballots, or consents; (f) hear and determine all challenges and questions, if any, arising in connection with the right to vote; (g) count and tabulate all votes or consents; (h) determine when the polls shall close; (i) determine the results; and, (j) do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders. ARTICLE III DIRECTORS SECTION 3.1 POWERS. Subject to the provisions of the California General Corporation Code and any limitations in the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws relating to action required to be approved by the shareholders or by the outstanding shares, the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed and all corporation powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of Directors (hereinafter "Board"). The Board may delegate the management of the day-to-day operation of the business of the corporation to a management company or other person provided that the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised under the ultimate direction of the Board. SECTION 3.2 NUMBER AND QUALIFICATIONS OF DIRECTORS. The authorized number of directors shall be two (2) until changed by a duly adopted amendment to the Articles of Incorporation or by an amendment to this Bylaw adopted by the vote or written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote. No reduction of the authorized number of Directors shall have the effect of removing any Director before that Director's term of office expires. SECTION 3.3 ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS. Directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of the 8. shareholders to hold office until the next annual meeting. Each Director, including a Director elected to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until a successor has been elected and qualified, except in the event of the death, resignation or removal of such Director. SECTION 3.4 REMOVAL. The entire Board or any individual Director may be removed from office without cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on such removal; provided, however, that unless the entire Board is removed, no individual Director may be removed when the votes cast against such Director's removal, or not consenting in writing to such removal, would be sufficient to elect that Director if voted cumulatively at an election at which the same total number of votes cast were cast (or, if such action is taken by written consent, all shares entitled to vote were voted) and the entire number of Directors authorized at the time of such Director's most recent election were then being elected. SECTION 3.5 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES. Any Director may resign effective upon giving oral or written notice to the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Secretary or the Board of Directors, unless the notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such resignation. If the resignation of a Director is effective at a future time, the board may elect a successor to take office when the resignation becomes effective. Vacancies in the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority of the remaining Directors, or if the number of Directors then in office is less than a quorum by (i) unanimous written consent of the Directors then in office, (ii) affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors then in office at a meeting held pursuant to notice or waivers of notice, or (iii) a sole remaining Director; except that a vacancy created by the removal of a Director by the vote or written consent of the shareholders or by court order may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote represented at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present (which shares voting affirmatively also constitute at least a majority of the required quorum), or by the unanimous written consent of holders of all shares entitled to vote thereon. Each Director so elected shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the shareholders and until a successor has been elected and qualified. A vacancy or vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist (i) in the event of the death, resignation, or removal of any Director, (ii) if the Board of Directors by resolution declares vacant the office of a Director who has been declared of unsound mind by an order of court or convicted of a felony, (iii) if the authorized number of Directors is increased, or (iv) if the shareholders fail, at any meeting of shareholders at 9. which any Directors are elected, to elect the full authorized number of Directors to be elected at that meeting. The shareholders may elect a Director or Directors at any time to fill any vacancy or vacancies not filled by the Directors, but any such election by written consent, other than to fill a vacancy created by removal, shall require the consent of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon. A Director may not be elected by written consent to fill a vacancy created by removal except by unanimous consent of all shares entitled to vote for the election of Directors. SECTION 3.6 PLACE OF MEETING AND MEETING BY TELEPHONE. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any place within or outside the State of California that has been designated from time to time by resolution of the Board. In the absence of such a designation, regular meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation. Special meetings of the Board may be held at any place within or outside the State of California that has been designated in the notice of the meeting, or if not stated in the notice or there is no notice, at the principal executive office of the corporation. Any meeting, regular or special, may be held by conference telephone or similar communication equipment, so long as all Directors participating in such meeting can hear one another. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this paragraph constitutes presence in person at such meeting. SECTION 3.7 REGULAR MEETING. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice if the time and place of such meetings are fixed by the Board of Directors. SECTION 3.8 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE. Subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, special meetings of the Board of Directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President, the Secretary or any two (2) Directors. Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be delivered personally or by telephone to each Director or sent by first-class mail, telegram, telecopier or facsimile transmission, charges prepaid, addressed to each Director at that Director's address as it is shown on the records of the corporation. If the notice is mailed, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four (4) days before the time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is delivered personally or by telephone or by telecopier, facsimile or telegram, it shall be delivered personally or by telephone, facsimile transmission, telecopier or to the telegraph company at least forty-eight (48) hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice given personally or by telephone may be communicated either to the 10. Director or to a person at the office of the Director who the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate it to the Director. The notice need not specify the purpose of the meeting. Section 3.9 QUORUM. A majority of the authorized number of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except to adjourn as provided in Section 3.11 of this Article III. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the Directors present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of Section 310 of the Corporations Code of California (as to approval of contracts or transactions in which a Director has a direct or indirect material financial interest), Section 311 of that Code (as to appointment of committees), and Section 317(e) of that Code (as to indemnification of Directors), the Articles of Incorporation, and other applicable law. A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of Directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting. Section 3.10 WAIVER OF NOTICE. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any Director who signs a waiver of notice or a consent to holding the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof, whether before or after the meeting, or who attends the meeting without protesting, prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice to such Director. The waiver of notice or consent need not specify the purpose of the meeting. All such waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting. Section 3.11 ADJOURNMENT. A majority of the Directors present, whether or not constituting a quorum, may adjourn any meeting to another time and place. Section 3.12 NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT. If the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24) hours, notice of any adjournment to another time and place shall be given prior to the time of the adjourned meeting to the Directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment. Section 3.13 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors may be taken without meeting, if all members of the Board shall individually or collectively consent in writing to that action. Such action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors. Such written consent or consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board. 11. Section 3.14 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS. Directors and members of committees may receive such compensation, if any, for their services, and such reimbursement of expenses, as may be fixed or determined by the Board of Directors. This Section 3.14 shall not be construed to preclude any Director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer, agent, employee, or otherwise, and receiving compensation for those services. ARTICLE IV COMMITTEES Section 4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS. The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the authorized number of Directors, designate one or more committees, each consisting of two (2) or more Directors, to serve at the pleasure of Board. The Board may designate one (1) or more Directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent member at any meeting of the committee. The appointment of members or alternate members of a committee requires the vote of a majority of the authorized number of Directors. Any such committee shall have authority to act in the manner and to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board and may have all the authority of the Board, except with respect to: (a) The approval of any action which, under the Corporation Law of California, also requires shareholders' approval or approval of the outstanding shares; (b) the filling of vacancies on the Board of Directors or in any committee; (c) the fixing of compensation of the Directors for serving on the Board or on any committee; (d) the amendment or repeal of Bylaws or the adoption of new Bylaws; (e) the amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board of Directors which by its express terms is not so amendable or repealable; (f) a distribution to the shareholders of the corporation, except at a rate, in a periodic amount or within a price range set forth in the Articles of Incorporation or determined by the Board of Directors; or (g) the appointment of any other committees of the Board of Directors or the members thereof. 12. Section 4.2 MEETINGS AND ACTIONS OF COMMITTEES. Meeting and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of Article III of these Bylaws, Section 3.5 (place of meetings), 3.7 (regular meeting), 3.8 (special meeting and notice), 3.9 (quorum), 3.10 (waiver of notice), 3.11 (adjournment), 3.12 (notice of adjournment), and 3.13 (action without meeting), with such changes in the context of those Bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Board of Directors and its members, except that the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined either by resolution of the Board of Directors or by resolution of the committee, that special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the Board; and, that notice of special meeting(s) of committees shall also be given to all alternate members, who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The Board of Directors may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these Bylaws. ARTICLE V OFFICERS Section 5.1 OFFICERS. The officers of the corporation shall be a President, a Secretary, and a Chief Financial Officer. The corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Chairman of the Board or the President, a Chairman of the Board, one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Secretaries, one or more Assistant Treasurers, and such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 of this Article V. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Section 5.2 APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS. The officers of the corporation, and such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 or Section 5.5 of this Article V, shall be chosen by the Chairman of the Board or the President, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment. Section 5.3 SUBORDINATE OFFICERS. The Chairman of the Board or the President may appoint, such other officers as the business of the corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority and perform such duties as are provided in these Bylaws or as the Chairman of the Board or the President may from time to time determine. Section 5.4 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS. Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Chairman of the Board or the President. 13. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice; and, unless otherwise specified in that notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party. SECTION 5.5 VACANCIES IN OFFICES. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed in these Bylaws for regular appointment to that office. SECTION 5.6 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Chairman of the Board, if such an officer be elected, shall, if present, preside at meetings of the Board of Directors and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may be from time to time assigned by the Board of Directors or prescribed by these Bylaws. If there is no President, the Chairman of the Board shall also be the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation and shall have the powers and duties prescribed in Section 5.7 of this Article V. SECTION 5.7 PRESIDENT. Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the Board of Directors to the Chairman of the Board, if there be such an officer, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction, and control of the business and the officers of the corporation. The President shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, or if there be none, at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The President shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of President of a corporation, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws. SECTION 5.8 VICE PRESIDENT. In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice Presidents, if any, in order of their rank as fixed by the Board of Directors or, if not ranked, a Vice President designated by the Board of Directors, shall perform all the duties of the President, and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the President. The Vice Presidents shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by the Board of Directors or the Bylaws, and the President, or the Chairman of the Board. SECTION 5.9 SECRETARY. The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the corporation or such other place as the Board of Directors may direct, a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of Directors, committees of 14. Directors, and shareholders. The minutes shall show the time and place of meeting, whether regular or special (and, if special, how authorized and the notice given), the names of those present at Directors' meetings or committee meetings, the number of shares present or represented at shareholders' meetings, and the proceedings thereof. The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the corporation, or at the office of the corporation's transfer agent or registrar, as determined by the resolution of the Board of Directors, a share register or duplicate share register, showing the names of all shareholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number and date of certificates evidencing such shares, and the number and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors required by these Bylaws or the law to be given. The Secretary shall keep the seal of the corporation, if one be adopted, in safe custody, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws. SECTION 5.10 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. The Chief Financial Officer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the corporation, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, retained earnings, and shares. The books of account shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any and all Directors. The Chief Financial Officer shall deposit all monies and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the corporation with such depositaries as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Chief Financial Officer shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, shall render to the President and Directors, whenever they request it, an account of all of his or her transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the corporation, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws. SECTION 5.11 COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS. An officer may, on resolution of the Board of Directors, be compensated for services to the corporation. However, if any of the compensation paid to an officer or expenses paid for an officer, or any reimbursement of expenses paid to an officer shall be determined not to be allowable deductions from the gross income of the corporation, and such determination shall be acceded to by the corporation, or such determinations shall be made final by the appropriate state or 15. federal taxing authority or final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, and no appeal shall be taken therefrom, or the applicable period for filing notice of appeal shall have expired, then, in such event, the officer shall repay to the corporation the amount of such disallowed compensation or expenses, or both. Said repayment may not be waived by the corporation. ARTICLE VI INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND OTHER AGENTS SECTION 6.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS. The corporation shall, to the maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the Corporations Code of California, indemnify each of its Directors against expenses [as defined in section 317(a) of that code], judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding [as defined in Section 317(a) of that Code], arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was a Director of the corporation. For purposes of this Article VI, a "Director" of the corporation includes any person (i) who is or was a Director of the corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a Director of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was a Director of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation. SECTION 6.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS. The corporation shall have the power, to the extent and in the manner permitted by the Corporations Code of California, to indemnify each of its employees, officers, and agents (other than Directors) against expenses [as defined in Section 317(a) of that Code], judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding [as defined in Section 317(a) of that Code], arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an employee, officer, or agent of the corporation. For purposes of this Article VI, an "employee" or "officer" or "agent" of the corporation (other than a Director) includes any person (i) who is or was an employee, officer, or agent of the corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as an employee, officer, or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was an employee, officer, or agent of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation. SECTION 6.3 PAYMENT OF EXPENSES IN ADVANCE. Expenses and attorneys' fees incurred in defending any civil or criminal action 16. or proceeding for which indemnification is required pursuant to Section 6.1, or if otherwise authorized by the Board of Directors, shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnified party to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that the indemnified party is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this Article VI. SECTION 6.4 INDEMNITY NOT EXCLUSIVE. The indemnification provided by this Article VI shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any Bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or Directors or otherwise, both as to action in an official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. The rights to indemnity hereunder shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Director, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of the person. SECTION 6.5 INSURANCE INDEMNIFICATION. The corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against any liability asserted against or incurred by such person in such capacity or arising out of that person's status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify that person against such liability under the provisions of this Article VI. SECTION 6.6 CONFLICTS. No indemnification or advance shall be made under this Article VI, except where such indemnification or advance is mandated by law or the order, judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, and any circumstance where it appears: (a) That it would be inconsistent with a provision of the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, a resolution of the shareholders or an agreement in effect at the time of the accrual of the alleged causes of the action asserted in the proceeding in which the expenses were incurred or other amounts were paid, which prohibits or otherwise limits indemnification; or (b) That it would be inconsistent with any condition expressly imposed by a court in approving a settlement. SECTION 6.7 RIGHT TO BRING SUIT. If a claim under this Article is not paid in full by the corporation within 90 days after a written claim has been received by the corporation (either because the claim is denied or because no determination is made), the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall also be entitled 17 to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. The corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under the Code for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the claim. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its shareholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is permissible in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct, if any, nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its shareholders) that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to such action or create a presumption for the purposes of such action that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct. SECTION 6.8 INDEMNITY AGREEMENTS. The Board of Directors is authorized to enter into a contract with any Director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or any person who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a Director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprises, including employee benefit plans, or any person who was a Director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation, providing for indemnification rights equivalent to or, if the Board of Directors so determines and to the extent permitted by applicable law, greater than, those provided for in this Article VI. SECTION 6.9 AMENDMENT, REPEAL OR MODIFICATION. Any amendment, repeal or modification of any provision of this Article VI shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director or agent of the corporation existing at the time of such amendment, repeal or modification. ARTICLE VII RECORDS AND REPORTS SECTION 7.1 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF SHARE REGISTER. The corporation shall keep at its principal executive office, or at the office of its transfer agent or registrar (if either be appointed), as determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, a record of its shareholders, giving the names and addresses of all shareholders and the number and class of shares held by each shareholder. A shareholder or shareholders of the corporation holding at least five percent (5%) in the aggregate of the outstanding voting 18. shares of the corporation may (i) inspect and copy the records of shareholders' names, addresses and shareholdings during usual business hours with five (5) days prior written demand on the corporation, and/or (ii) obtain from the transfer agent of the corporation, on written demand and on the tender of such transfer agent's usual charges for such list (the amount of which charges shall be stated to the shareholder by the transfer agent upon request), a list of the shareholders' names and addresses, who are entitled to vote for the election of Directors, and their shareholdings, as of the most recent record date for which that list has been compiled or as of a date specified by the shareholder after the date of demand. This list shall be made available to any such shareholder by the transfer agent on or before the later of five (5) days after the demand is received or the date specified in the demand as the date as of which the list is to be compiled. The record of shareholders shall also be open to inspection and copying by any shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate, at any time during usual business hours upon written demand on the corporation, for a purpose reasonably related to the holder's interests as a shareholder or as the holder of a voting trust certificate. Any inspection and copy under this Section 7.1 may be made in person or by an agent or attorney of the shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate making the demand. Section 7.2 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF BYLAWS. The corporation shall keep at its principal executive office, or if it's principal executive office is not in the State of California, at its principal business office in this state, the original or a copy of these Bylaws as amended to date, which shall be open to inspection by the shareholders at all reasonable times during office hours. If the principal executive office of the corporation is outside the State of California and the corporation has no principal business office in this state, the Secretary shall, upon the written request of any shareholder, furnish to that shareholder a copy of these Bylaws as amended to date. Section 7.3 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF OTHER CORPORATE RECORDS. The accounting books and records and the minutes of proceedings of the shareholders and the Board of Directors and any committee of the Board of Directors shall be kept at such place or places designated by the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such designation, at the principal executive office of the corporation. The minutes shall be kept in written form and the accounting books and records shall be kept either in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form. The minutes and accounting books and records shall be open to inspection upon the written demand of any shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate, at any reasonable time during usual business hours, for a purpose reasonably related to the holder's interest as a shareholder or as the holder of a voting trust certificate. The inspection by a shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate may be made in person or by an agent or attorney, 19. and shall include the right to copy and make extracts. These rights of inspection shall extend to the records of each subsidiary corporation of the corporation. SECTION 7.4 INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS. Every Director shall have the absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect all books, records, and documents of every kind and the physical properties of the corporation and each of its subsidiary corporations, domestic or foreign. This inspection by a Director may be made in person or by an agent or attorney and the right of inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts of documents. SECTION 7.5 ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS; WAIVER. The annual report to shareholders referred to in Section 1501 of the Corporations Code of California is expressly dispensed with, but nothing herein shall be interpreted as prohibiting the Board of Directors from issuing annual or other periodic reports to the shareholders of the corporation as they consider appropriate. SECTION 7.6 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. If no annual report for the fiscal year has been sent to shareholders, then the corporation shall, upon the written request of any shareholder made more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the close of such fiscal year, deliver or mail to the person making the request, within thirty (30) days thereafter, a copy of a balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal year and an income statement and statement of changes in financial position for such fiscal year. A shareholder or shareholders holding at least five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of any class of stock of the corporation may make a written request to the corporation for an income statement of the then current fiscal year ended more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the request, and a balance sheet of the corporation as of the end of that period. The statements shall be delivered or mailed to the person making the request within thirty (30) days after the receipt of the request. A copy of the statement shall be kept on file in the principal office of the corporation for twelve (12) months and it shall be exhibited at all reasonable times to any shareholder demanding an examination of the statements or a copy shall be mailed to said shareholder. If the corporation has not sent to the shareholders its annual report for the last fiscal year, the statements referred to in the first paragraph of this Section 7.6 shall likewise be delivered or mailed to the shareholder or shareholders within thirty (30) days after the request. The quarterly income statements and balance sheets referred to in this section shall be accompanied by the report, if any, of any independent accountants engaged by the corporation or the certificate of an authorized officer of the corporation that the 20 financial statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the corporation. SECTION 7.7 ANNUAL STATEMENT OF GENERAL INFORMATION. The corporation shall, in each year, file with the Secretary of State of the State of California, on the prescribed form, a statement setting forth the authorized number of Directors, the names and complete business or residence addresses of all incumbent Directors, the names and complete business or residence addresses of the Chief Executive Officer, Secretary, and Chief Financial Officer, the street address of its principal executive office or principal business office in this state, and the general type of business constituting the principal business activity of the corporation, together with a designation of the agent of the corporation for the purpose of service of process, all in compliance with Section 1502 of the Corporations Code of California. ARTICLE VIII GENERAL CORPORATE MATTERS SECTION 8.1 RECORD DATE FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN NOTICE AND VOTING. For purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful action (other than with respect to notice or voting at a shareholders meeting or action by shareholders by written consent without a meeting), the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days before any such action. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the record date are entitled to receive the dividend, distribution, or allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the corporation after the record date, except as otherwise provided in the California Corporation Law or the Articles of Incorporation. If the Board of Directors does not so fix a record date, then the record date for determining shareholder for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the date on which the Board adopts the applicable resolution or the sixtieth (60th) day prior to the date of that action, whichever is later. SECTION 8.2 CHECKS, DRAFTS, EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS. From time to time, the Board of Directors shall determine by resolution which person or persons may sign or endorse all checks, drafts, other orders for payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness that are issued in the name of or payable to the corporation, and only the persons so authorized shall sign or endorse those instruments. 21. Section 8.3 CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS; HOW EXECUTED. The Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent, or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or any amount. Section 8.4 REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS. The Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of this corporation, or any other person authorized by the Board of Directors, is authorized to vote, represent, and exercise on behalf of this corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of any other corporation or corporations standing in the name of this corporation. The authority herein granted may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority. Section 8.5 CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES. A certificate or certificates for shares of the stock of the corporation shall be issued to each shareholder when any of such shares are fully paid. The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of certificates for shares partly paid provided that these certificates shall state the amount of the consideration to be paid for them and the amount actually paid. All certificates shall be signed in the name of the corporation by the Chairman of the Board or Vice Chairman of the Board or the President or a Vice President and by the Chief Financial Officer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares and the class or series of shares owned by each shareholder. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on a certificate has ceased to be that officer, transfer agent, or registrar before that certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if that person were an officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue. Section 8.6 LOST CERTIFICATES. Except as provided in this Section 8.5, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the corporation or its transfer agent or registrar and cancelled at the same time. The Board of Directors may, in case any share certificate or certificates for any other security is lost, stolen, or destroyed (as evidenced by a written affidavit or affirmation of such fact), authorize the issuance of replacement certificate(s) on such terms and conditions as the Board may 22. require; including provisions for indemnification of the corporation secured by a bond or other adequate security sufficient to protect the corporation against any claim that may be made against it, including any expense or liability, on account of the alleged loss, theft, or destruction of the certificate(s) or the issuance of the replacement certificate(s). SECTION 8.7 CONSTRUCTION AND DEFINITIONS. Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the Corporations Code of California shall govern the construction of these Bylaws. Without limiting the generality of these provisions, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and term "person" includes both a corporation and a natural person. SECTION 8.8 MANNER OF CONDUCT OF MEETINGS. All meetings held by the Board of Directors, Shareholders, or committees designated by the Board from time to time, shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Roberts Rules of Order unless in conflict with these Bylaws. ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS SECTION 9.1 AMENDMENT BY SHAREHOLDERS. New Bylaws may be adopted or the Bylaws may be amended or repealed by the vote or written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote; provided, however, that if the Articles of Incorporation of the corporation set forth the number of authorized Directors of the corporation, the authorized number of Directors may be changed only by an amendment of the Articles of Incorporation. SECTION 9.2 AMENDMENT BY DIRECTORS. Subject to the rights of the shareholders as provided in Section 9.1 of these Bylaws, Bylaws, other than a Bylaw or an amendment of a Bylaws changing the authorized number of Directors (except to fix the authorized number of Directors pursuant to a Bylaw providing for a variable number of Directors), may be adopted, amended, or repealed by the Board of Directors. SECTION 9.3 RECORD OF AMENDMENTS. Whenever an amendment or new Bylaw is adopted, it shall be copied in the book of minutes with the original Bylaws. If any Bylaw is repealed, the fact of repeal, with the date of the meeting at which the repeal was enacted or written consent was filed, shall be stated in said book. 23. ARTICLE X INTERPRETATION Reference in these bylaws to any provision of the Corporations Code of California shall be deemed to include all amendments thereof. CERTIFICATE OF CORPORATE SECRETARY The undersigned hereby declares as follows: (1) that he is the corporate Secretary of SAN JOSE ADVANTAGE HOMES, INC., a California corporation; (2) that the foregoing Bylaws were duly accepted by a Resolution of the Board of Directors of SAN JOSE ADVANTAGE HOMES, INC. I declare under the penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing matters are true and correct. EXECUTED this 12th day of October 1995, in Sunnyvale, California. /s/ Peter M. Sproul ----------------------- PETER M. SPROUL 24. B Y L A W S OF SOUTHERN SHOWCASE HOUSING, INC. *********************************** ARTICLE I. OFFICES Section 1. Registered Office: The registered office of the Corporation shall be 1001 West Fourth Street, Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina 27101. Section 2. Principal Office: The principal office of the corporation shall be located at 624 Guilford College Road, Suite C, Greensboro, North Carolina 27409, or such other place as may be designated by the Board of Directors. Section 3. Other Offices: The corporation may have offices at such other places, either within or without the State of North Carolina, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine, or as the affairs of the corporation may require. ARTICLE II. MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS Section 1. Place of Meetings: All meetings of shareholders shall be held at the registered office of the corporation, or at such other place, either within or without the State of North Carolina, as shall be designated in the notice of the meeting or agreed on by a majority of the shareholders entitled to vote thereat. Section 2. Annual Meetings: The annual meeting of shareholders for the election of Directors and the transaction of other business shall be held in March of each year on any day except a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in that month as determined by the Board of Directors. Section 3. Substitute Annual Meeting: If the annual meeting shall not be held on the day designated by these bylaws, a substitute annual meeting may be called in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of this Article. A meeting so called shall be desig- Section 4. Special Meetings: Special meetings of the shareholders may be called at any time by the President, Secretary or Board of Directors of the corporation, or by any shareholder pursuant to the written request of the holders of not less than one-tenth of all the shares entitled to vote at the meeting. Section 5. Notice of Meetings: Written or printed notice stating the time and place of the meeting shall be delivered not less than ten nor more than fifty days before the date thereof, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the President, the Secretary, or other person calling the meeting, to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. In the case of an annual or substitute annual meeting, the notice of meeting need not specifically state the business to be transacted thereat unless it is a matter, other than election of Directors, on which the vote of shareholders is expressly required by the provisions of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act. In the case of a special meeting, the notice of meeting shall specifically state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. When a meeting is adjourned for thirty days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. When a meeting is adjourned for less than thirty days in any one adjournment, it is not necessary to give any notice of the adjourned meeting other than by announcement at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. Section 6. Voting Lists: At least ten days before each meeting of shareholders, the Secretary of the corporation shall prepare an alphabetical list of the shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting, with the address of and number of shares held by each, which list shall be kept on file at the registered office of the corporation for a period of ten days prior to such meeting, and shall be subject to inspection by any shareholder at any time during the usual business hours. This list shall also be produced and kept open at the time and place of the meeting and shall be subject to inspection by any shareholder during the whole time of the meeting. Section 7. Quorum: The holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote, represented in person or by 2 proxy, shall constitute a quorum at meetings of shareholders. If there is no quorum at the opening of a meeting of shareholders, such meeting may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the shares voting on the motion to adjourn; and, at any adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting. The shareholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum. Section 8. Voting of Shares: Each outstanding share having voting rights shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of shareholders. Except in the election of Directors the vote of a majority of the shares voted on any matter at a meeting of shareholders at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the shareholders on the matter, unless the vote of a greater number is required by law. In the election of Directors those receiving the greatest number of votes shall be deemed elected even though not receiving a majority. Voting on all matters except the election of Directors shall be by voice vote or by a show of hands unless the holders of one-tenth of the shares represented at the meeting shall, prior to the voting on any matter, demand a ballot vote on that particular matter. Section 9. Informal Action by Shareholders: Any action which may be taken at a meeting of the shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the persons who would be entitled to vote upon such action at a meeting, and filed with the Secretary of the corporation to be kept in the Corporate Minute Book. Section 10. Proxies: At all meetings of shareholders, shares may be voted either in person or by one or more agents authorized by a written proxy executed by the shareholder or his duly authorized attorney-in-fact. A telegram, cablegram, wireless message or photogram appearing to have been transmitted by a shareholder, or a photographic, photostatic or 3 equivalent reproduction of a writing appointing one or more agents shall be deemed a written proxy within the meaning of this section. ARTICLE III. DIRECTORS Section 1. GENERAL POWERS: The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by the Board of Directors. Section 2. NUMBER, TERM AND QUALIFICATIONS: The number of Directors constituting the Board of Directors shall not be fewer than three, except that if and so long as all of the shares of the corporation are owned of record by either one or two shareholders, the number of Directors may be fewer than three but not fewer than the number of such shareholders. The authorized number of Directors, within the limits above specified, shall be determined by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board given at a regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors; provided that if the number so determined is to be increased, or decreased, notice of the proposed increase or decrease shall be included in the notice of such meeting or all of the Directors in office at the time shall be present at such meeting or those not present at any time shall waive notice thereof in writing; and provided, further, that the number of Directors which shall constitute the whole Board shall not be less than three nor shall it be reduced to a number less than the number of Directors then in office unless such reduction shall become effective only at and after the next ensuing meeting of shareholders for the election of Directors. Each Director shall hold office for a period of one year or until his death, resignation, retirement, removal, disqualification, and until such successor is elected and installed. Directors need not be residents of the State of North Carolina or shareholders of the corporation. Section 3. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS: Except as provided in Section 5 of this Article, the Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of shareholders; and those persons who receive the highest number of votes shall be deemed to have been elected. If any shareholder so demands, election of Directors shall be by ballot. 4 Section 4. REMOVAL: Directors may be removed from office with or without cause by a vote of shareholders holding a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of Directors. However, unless the entire Board is removed, an individual Director may not be removed if the number of shares voting against the removal would be sufficient to elect a Director if such shares were voted cumulatively at an annual election. If any Directors are so removed, new Directors may be elected at the same meeting. Section 5. VACANCIES: A vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority of the remaining Directors though less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining Director; but a vacancy created by an increase in the authorized number of Directors shall be filled by election at an annual meeting or at a special meeting of shareholders called for that purpose. The shareholders may elect a Director at any time to fill any vacancy not filled by the Directors. Section 6. COMPENSATION: The Board of Directors may compensate Directors for their services as such and may provide for the payment of all expenses incurred by the Directors in attending regular and special meetings of the Board. ARTICLE IV. EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES Section 1. APPOINTMENT: The Board of Directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of the number of Directors then in office, may designate from among its members an Executive Committee or one or more other committees, each consisting of two or more Directors. The designation of any such committee and the delegation thereto of authority shall not operate to relieve the Board of Directors, or any member thereof, of any responsibility or liability imposed upon it or him by law. Section 2. AUTHORITY: Any such committee shall have and exercise all authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the corporation except to the extent, if any, that such authority shall be limited by the resolution appointing such committee and except also to the extent limited by law. Section 3. TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS: Each member of any such committee shall hold office until the next regular 5 annual meeting of the Board of Directors following his designation and until his successor is designated as a member of any such committee and is elected and qualified. Section 4. Meetings: Regular meetings of any such committee may be held without notice at such time and place as such committee may fix from time to time by resolution. Special meetings of any such committee may be called by any member thereof upon not less than one day's notice stating the place, date and hour of such meeting, which notice may be written or oral, and if mailed, shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail addressed to any member of the Executive Committee at his business address. Any member of the Executive Committee may waive notice of any meeting and no notice of any meeting need be given to any member thereof to attend in person. The notice of a meeting of the Executive Committee need not state the business proposed to be transacted at the meeting. Section 5. Quorum: A majority of the members of any such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting thereof, and actions of such committee must be authorized by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present at the meeting at which a quorum is present. Section 6. Informal Action: Action taken by a majority of the members of any such committee without meeting is nevertheless action of such committee if written consent to the action in question is signed by all of the members of such committee and filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the committee, whether done before or after the actions so taken. Section 7. Removal: Any member of any such committee may be removed at any time with or without cause by resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors. Section 8. Vacancies: Any vacancy in any such committee may be filled by resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors. Section 9. Procedure: Any such committee shall elect a presiding officer from among its members and may fix its own rules of procedure which shall not be inconsistent with these bylaws. It shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings and report the same 6 to the Board of Directors for its information at the meeting thereof held next after the proceedings shall have been taken. Section 10. Meeting by Telephone: Any one or more members of any such committee may participate in a meeting of the committee by means of a conference telephone or similar communications device which allows all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other and such participation in a meeting shall be deemed presence in person at such meeting. ARTICLE V. MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS Section 1. Regular Meetings: A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately after, and at the same place as, the annual meeting of the shareholders. In addition, the Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place, either within or without the State of North Carolina, for the holding of additional regular meetings. Section 2. Special Meetings: Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the President or any two Directors. Such meetings may be held within or without the State of North Carolina. Section 3. Notice of Meetings: Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice. The person or persons calling a special meeting of the Board of Directors shall, at least two days before the meeting, give notice thereof by any usual means of communication. Such notice need not specify the purpose for which the meeting is called. Attendance by a Director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a Director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called. Section 4. Quorum: A majority of the Directors fixed by these bylaws shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors. 7 Section 5. Manner of Acting: Except as otherwise provided in this section, the act of the majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. Section 6. Informal Action by Directors: Action taken by the required majority of the Directors without a meeting is nevertheless Board action if written consent to the action in question is signed by all the Directors and filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board, whether done before or after the action so taken. Section 7. Meeting by Telephone: Any one or more Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors by means of a conference telephone or similar communications device which allows all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other and such participation in a meeting shall be deemed presence in person at such meeting. ARTICLE VI. INDEMNIFICATION Section 1. Expenses and Liabilities: The corporation shall have the power to indemnify any present or former Director, officer, employee or agent or any person who has served or is serving in such capacity at the request of the corporation in any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise or as a trustee or administrator under an employee benefit plan, with respect to any liability or litigation expense, including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by any such person to the extent and upon the terms and conditions provided by law. To the extent and upon the terms and conditions provided by law, the corporation shall indemnify any and all of its officers and Directors against liability and litigation expense, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of their status as such or their activities in any of the foregoing capacities (excluding, however, liability or litigation expense which any of the foregoing may incur on account of his activities which were at the time taken known or believed by him to be clearly in conflict with the best interests of the corporation), and said officers and Directors shall be entitled to recover from the corporation, and the corporation shall pay, all reasonable costs, 8 expenses, and attorneys' fees in connection with the enforcement of rights to indemnification granted herein. Any person who at any time after the adoption of this bylaw serves or has served in either of the aforesaid capacities for or on behalf of the corporation shall be deemed to be doing or to have done so in reliance upon and as consideration for the right of indemnification provided herein. Such right shall inure to the benefit of the legal representatives of any such person and shall not be exclusive of any other right to which such person may be entitled apart from the provisions of this bylaw. Section 2. Advance Payment of Expenses: Expenses incurred by a Director, officer, employee, or agent in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding as authorized by the Board of Directors in the specific case or as authorized or required under any charter or bylaw provision or by any applicable resolution or contract upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Director, officer, employee or agent to repay such amount unless it shall ultimately be determined that he is entitled to be indemnified by the corporation against such expenses. Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the corporation shall, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Director or officer involved to repay the expenses described in Article VI, Section 1, Paragraph 2 unless it shall ultimately be determined that he is entitled to be indemnified by the corporation against such expenses, pay expenses incurred by such Director or officer in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding. Section 3. Insurance: The corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a Director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise or as a trustee or administrator under an employee benefit plan against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as 9 such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability. ARTICLE VII. OFFICERS Section 1. Number: The officers of the corporation may consist of a Chairman of the Board, a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and other officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time elect to the extent provided or allowable by the laws of the state of North Carolina. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except the offices of President and Secretary. Section 2. Election and Term: The officers of the corporation shall be selected by the Board of Directors. Such elections may be held at any regular or special meeting of the Board. Each officer shall hold office for a period of one year or until his death, resignation, retirement, removal, disqualification, or his successor is elected and qualifies. Section 3. Removal: Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed by the Board with or without cause; but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Section 4. Chairman of the Board: The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors at which he shall be present, and shall have such other powers and duties as he shall be called upon to perform by the Board of Directors. Section 5. President: The President shall be the principal executive officer of the corporation and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, shall supervise and control the management of the corporation in accordance with these bylaws. He shall, when present, preside at all meetings of shareholders. He shall sign, with any other proper officer, certificates for shares of the corporation and any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which may be lawfully executed on behalf of the corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution 10 thereof shall be delegated by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent; and, in general, he shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time. Section 6. Vice Presidents: The Vice Presidents in the order of their election, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, shall, in the absence or disability of the President, perform the duties and exercise the powers of that office. In addition, they shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors shall prescribe. Section 7. Secretary: The Secretary shall keep a correct record of all the proceedings of the meetings of the shareholders and Directors. He shall attend to the giving of notices, have custody of the corporate seal, and affix it to all instruments required to be executed under seal as authorized by the Board of Directors. He shall perform such other duties as are incident to the office of Secretary, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be conferred upon him by the Board of Directors. Section 8. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall have charge of all the moneys and securities belonging to the corporation. He shall deposit said property with such banks as the Board of Directors shall designate and in the name of the corporation. He shall keep a record of all receipts and disbursements, and shall have charge of all records of the corporation relating to its finances. He shall perform such other duties as are incident to the office of Treasurer, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be conferred upon him by the Board of Directors. Section 9. Assistant Secretaries and Treasurers: The Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers shall, in the absence or disability of the Secretary or the Treasurer, respectively, perform the duties and exercise the powers of those offices, and they shall, in general, perform such other duties as shall be assigned to them by the Secretary or the Treasurer, respectively, or by the President or the Board of Directors. Section 10. Bonds: The Board of Directors may by resolution require any or all officers, agents and employees of the corporation to give bond to the corporation, 11 with sufficient sureties, conditioned on the faithful performance of the duties of their respective offices or positions, and to comply with such other conditions as may from time to time be required by the Board of Directors. Section 11. Vacancies: A vacancy in any office because of the death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or otherwise, may be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term. ARTICLE VIII. CONTRACTS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS Section 1. Contracts: The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument on behalf of the corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Section 2. Checks and Drafts: All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money issued in the name of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents, of the corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors. Section 3. Deposits: All funds of the corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in such depositories as the Board of Directors shall direct. ARTICLE IX. CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES AND TRANSFER THEREOF Section 1. Certificates for Shares: Certificates representing shares of the corporation shall be issued, in such form as the Board of Directors shall determine, to every shareholder for the fully paid shares owned by him. These certificates shall be signed by the President or any Vice President, and the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer. They shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified; and the name and address of the persons to whom they are issued, with the number of shares and date of issue, shall be entered on the stock transfer books of the corporation. 12 Section 2. TRANSFER OF SHARES: Transfer of shares shall be made on the stock transfer books of the corporation only upon surrender of the certificates for the shares sought to be transferred by the record holder thereof or by his duly authorized agent, transferee or legal representative. All certificates surrendered for transfer shall be canceled before new certificates for the transferred shares shall be issued. Section 3. CLOSING TRANSFER BOOKS AND FIXING RECORD DATE: For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose, the Board of Directors may provide that the stock transfer books shall be closed for a stated period but not to exceed, in any case, fifty days. If the stock transfer books shall be closed for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice or to vote at a meeting of shareholders, such books shall be closed for at least ten days immediately preceding such meeting. In lieu of closing the stock transfer books, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of shareholders, such record date in any case to be not more than fifty days and, in case of a meeting of shareholders, not less than ten days immediately preceding the date on which the particular action, requiring such determination of shareholders, is to be taken. If the stock transfer books are not closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders, or shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the date on which notice of the meeting is mailed or the date on which the resolution of the Board of Directors declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such determination of shareholders. Section 4. LOST CERTIFICATES: The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of a new certificate in place of a certificate claimed to have been lost or destroyed, upon receipt of an affidavit of such fact from the person claiming the loss or destruction. When authorizing such issuance of a new certificate, the Board may require the claimant to give the corporation a bond in said sum as it may direct 13 to indemnify the corporation against loss from any claim with respect to the certificate claimed to have been lost or destroyed; or the Board may, by resolution reciting that the circumstances justify such action, authorize the issuance of a new certificate without requiring such a bond. ARTICLE X. GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 1. Dividends: The Board of Directors may from time to time declare, and the corporation may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law and by its charter. Section 2. Seal: The seal shall be in the form of a circle with the name of the corporation and N.C. on the circumference and the word "SEAL" in the center. Such seal may be an impression or stamp and may be used by the officers of the corporation by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced. Section 3. Waiver of Notice: Whenever any notice is required to be given to any shareholder or Director under the provisions of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act or under the provisions of the charter or bylaws of this corporation, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be equivalent to the giving of such notice. Section 4. Fiscal Year: The fiscal year of the corporation shall be a year ending December 31. Section 5. Amendments: Except as otherwise provided herein, these bylaws may be amended or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors then holding office at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have no power to adopt a bylaw: (1) requiring more than a majority of the voting shares for a quorum at a meeting of shareholders or more than a majority of the votes cast to constitute action of the shareholders, except where higher percentages are required by law; and (2) providing for the management of the corporation 14 other than by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof. No bylaw adopted or amended by the shareholders shall be altered or repealed by the Board of Directors. No alteration, amendment or rescission of a bylaw shall be voted upon unless notice thereof has been given in the notice of the meeting or unless all of the Directors of the corporation execute a written waiver of notice stating that action upon the bylaws is to be taken at the meeting, and the original of such waiver shall be recorded in the Corporate Minute Book. 15 BYLAWS OF WHITWORTH MANAGEMENT, INC. ARTICLE I OFFICES Section 1. The principal office shall be in the City of Reno, County of Washoe, State of Nevada. Section 2. The corporation may also have offices at such other places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require. ARTICLE II MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS Section 1. All annual meetings of the stockholders shall be at the call of the Directors. Special meetings of the stockholders may be held at such place as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting, or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof. Section 2. Special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the Articles of Incorporation, may be called by the president, and shall be called by the president or secretary at the request in writing of stockholders owning a majority of the entire stock of the corporation issued and outstanding, and entitled to vote. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. Section 3. Written notice of the annual meeting and of all special meetings of the stockholders, signed by the president or a vice president, or the secretary or an assistant secretary, stating the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called and the time when and the place where it is to be held shall either be delivered personally or shall be mailed to each stockholder of record entitled to vote thereat not less than ten nor more than sixty days prior to the meeting, and if mailed it shall be directed to any such stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the corporation. Section 4. Business transacted at all special meetings shall be confined to the objects stated in the call. Section 5. The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding, and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall be requisite and shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by statute, by the Articles of Incorporation or by these Bylaws. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented by proxy, at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitle to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. Section 6. When a quorum is present or represented at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the statutes or of the Articles of Incorporation or of these Bylaws, a different vote is required in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. Section 7. At each meeting of the stockholders, every stockholder having the right to vote shall be entitled to vote in person, or by proxy appointed by an instrument in writing subscribed by such stockholder or by his duly authorized attorney. Each stockholder shall have one vote for each share of stock having voting power, registered in his name on the books of the corporation on the date of closing the books of the corporation against transfers of stock or on the record date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting or, if the books be not closed or a record date fixed, then on the date of such meeting. All questions shall be decided by a plurality vote. ARTICLE III DIRECTORS Section 1. The number of directors which shall constitute the whole board shall be one. The number of directors may from time to time be increased to not more than nine or decreased to not less than one by amending this section of the Bylaws. Directors need not be stockholders. They shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders, and each director shall be elected to serve until his successor shall be elected and shall qualify. Section 2. The directors may hold their meetings and have one or more offices inside or outside Nevada at such places as they may from time to time determine. The original or duplicate 2 stock ledger or a statement setting out the name and address of the custodian thereof shall be kept at the principal office in Nevada. Section 3. Vacancies in the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum, and each director so elected shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect to which such vacancy occurred or until the next annual election of directors. Section 4. The property and business of the corporation shall be managed by its Board of Directors which may exercise all such powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Articles of Incorporation or by these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockbrokers. MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 5. The first meeting of each newly elected Board shall be held at such time and place either within or without the State of Nevada, as shall be fixed by the vote of the stockholders at the annual meeting and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary to the newly elected directors in order to legally constitute the meeting, provided a quorum shall be present or they may meet at such place and time as shall be fixed by the consent in writing of all the directors. Section 6. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and place either within or without the State of Nevada as shall from time to time be determined by the Board. Section 7. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the president on three days notice to each director, either personally or by mail or by telegram; special meetings shall be called by the president or secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written consent of two directors. Section 8. A majority of the directors at a meeting duly assembled shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the Articles of Incorporation or by these Bylaws. Any action of a majority, although not at a regularly called meeting, and the record thereof, if assented to in writing by all of the other members of the board, shall be as valid and effective in all respects as if 3 passed by the board in regular meeting. The Directors may act in lieu of a meeting by written resolutions. COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS Section 9. The Board of Directors may, by resolution or resolutions passed by a majority of the whole board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of two or more of the directors of the corporation, which, to the extent provided in said resolution or resolutions, shall have and may exercise the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may have power to authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. Section 10. The committees shall keep regular minutes of their proceedings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS Section 11. Directors, as such shall not receive any stated salary for their services, but by resolution of the board, a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, may be allowed for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the board; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Section 12. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings. Section 13. Any director may be removed from office by the vote or written consent of stockholders representing not less than two-thirds of the issued and outstanding capital stock having voting power, and his successor may be elected at the same meeting. No director shall be removed from office except upon the vote or written consent of stockholders owing sufficient shares to have prevented his election to office in the first instance. ARTICLE IV NOTICES Section 1. Whenever under the provisions of the statutes or of the Articles of Incorporation or of these Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any director or stockholder, it shall not 4 be construed to mean personal notice, but such notice may be given in writing, by mail, addressed to such director or stockholder at such address as appears on the books of the corporation, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be thus mailed. Section 2. Whenever all parties entitled to vote at any meeting, whether of directors or stockholders, consent, either by a writing on the records of the meeting or filed with the secretary, or by presence at such meeting and oral consent entered on the minutes, or by taking part in the deliberations at such meeting without objection, the actions taken at such meeting shall be as valid as if had at a meeting regularly called and noticed, and at such meeting any business may be transacted which is not excepted from the written consent or to the consideration of which no objection for want of notice is made at the time, and if any meeting be irregular for want of notice or such consent, provided a quorum was present at such meeting, the proceedings of such meeting may be ratified and approved and rendered valid and the irregularity or defect therein waived by a writing signed by all parties having the right to vote thereat. Such consent or approval, if given by stockholders, may be by proxy or attorney, but all such proxies and powers of attorney must be in writing. Section 3. Whenever any notice whatsoever is required to be given under the provisions of the statute, of the Articles of Incorporation or of these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person entitled to said notice either before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto. ARTICLE V OFFICERS Section 1. The officers of the corporation shall be chosen by the directors and shall be a president, a vice president, a secretary, and a treasurer. Any two offices, except the offices of president and vice president, may be held by the same person. Section 2. The Board of Directors, at its first meeting after each annual meeting of stockholders, shall choose a president from its members, and shall choose a vice president, a secretary and a treasurer, none of whom need be a member of the board. Section 3. The board may appoint additional vice presidents, and assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers and such other officers and agents as it shall deem necessary, who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such 5 powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the board. Section 4. The salaries of all officers and agents of the corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors. Section 5. The officers of the corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualify in their stead. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the Board by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole board of directors. If the office of any officer becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy shall be filled by the Board of Directors. THE PRESIDENT Section 6. The president shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation; he shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and directors, shall be ex officio a member of all standing committees, shall have general and active management of the business of the corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the board are carried into effect. Section 7. He shall, execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent of the corporation. VICE PRESIDENT Section 8. The vice president shall, in the absence or disability of the president, perform the duties and exercise the powers of president, and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors shall prescribe. THE SECRETARY Section 9. The secretary shall attend all sessions of the board and all meetings of the stockholders and record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose, and shall perform like duties for the standing [ILLEGIBLE COPY], notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or president, under whose supervision he shall be. He shall keep in safe custody the 6 seal of the corporation, and when authorized by the Board of Directors, affix the same to any instrument requiring a seal, and when so affixed, it shall be attested by his signature or by the signature of the treasurer or an assistant secretary. THE TREASURER Section 10. The treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. Section 11. He shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the board, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and directors, at the regular meetings of the board, or whenever they may require it, an account of all his transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the corporation. Section 12. If required by the Board of Directors, he shall give the corporation a bond in such sum, and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the board, for the faithful performance of the duties of his office, and for the restoration to the corporation, in case of his death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the corporation. ARTICLE VI CERTIFICATES OF STOCK Section 1. Certificates of stock of the corporation shall be in such form not inconsistent with the Articles of Incorporation as shall be approved by the Board of Directors, shall be issued under the seal of the corporation and shall be numbered and shall be entered in the books of the corporation as they are issued. They shall exhibit the holder's name and the number of shares owned by him and shall be signed by the president or vice president and the secretary or an assistant secretary or the treasurer or an assistant treasurer. If any stock certificate is countersigned or otherwise authenticated by a transfer agent or transfer clerk and a registrar, a facsimile of the signatures of the said officers may be printed or lithographed upon such certificates and the stock certificates shall set forth the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of the various classes 7 of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such rights. TRANSFERS OF STOCK Section 2. Upon surrender to the corporation or the transfer agent of the corporation of a certificate of stock duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the older certificate and record the transaction upon its books. CLOSING OF TRANSFER BOOKS Section 3. The directors may prescribe a period not exceeding forty days prior to any meeting of the stockholders or prior to the day appointed for the payment of dividends during which no transfer of stock on the books of the corporation may be made, or may fix a day not more than forty days prior to the holding of any such meeting or the date for the payment of any such dividend as the day as of which stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting and entitled to receive payment of such dividend shall be determined; and only stockholders of record on such day shall be entitled to notice or to vote at such meeting or to receive payment of such dividend. REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS Section 4. The corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder-in-fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as expressly provided by the laws of Nevada. LOST CERTIFICATES Section 5. The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or certificates of stock to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, 8 require the owner of such lost or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or give the corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost or destroyed. ARTICLE VII GENERAL PROVISIONS DIVIDENDS Section 1. Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, if any relate thereto, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation. Section 2. Before payment of any dividend or making any distribution of profits, there may be set aside out of the funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as the directors shall think conducive to the interests of the corporation, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created. CHECKS Section 3. All checks or demands for money and notes of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate. FISCAL YEAR Section 4. The fiscal year shall begin the first day of July of each year. SEAL Section 5. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation, the date of its incorporation and the words "Corporate Seal, Nevada." 9 INDEMNIFICATION Section 6. The corporation to the full extent of its power to do so shall indemnify all directors, officers, employees and/or agents in accordance with the provisions of Section 78.751 of the Nevada Revised Statutes or any successor supplemented or similar Nevada law. Further, the corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise as a director, officer, employee or agent against any liability asserted against him in any such capacity or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of Nevada law. ARTICLE VIII AMENDMENTS Section 1. These Bylaws may be altered or amended at any regular meeting of the stockholders or at any special meeting of the stockholders at which a quorum is present or represented, if notice of the proposed alteration or amendment be contained in the notice of such meeting, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding entitled to vote at such meeting and present and represented thereat, or by the affirmative vote of a majority of the board or at any special meeting of the board if notice of the proposed alteration or amendment be contained in the notice of such special meeting. I SARAH SMITHSON, the undersigned, being the Secretary of WHITWORTH MANAGEMENT, INC., DO HEREBY CERTIFY the foregoing to be the Bylaws of said corporation, as adopted at a meeting of the directors held on the 8th day of February, 1988. /s/ Sarah Smithson ------------------------------------------ Secretary 10
EX-5.1 5 k69724a1exv5w1.txt OPINION OF DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC [DYKEMA GOSSETT LETTERHEAD] September 26, 2002 EXHIBIT 5.1 Champion Home Builders Co. 2701 University Drive, Suite 300 Auburn Hills, MI 48326 Re: Registration Statement Relating to $150,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of 11 1/4% Senior Notes due 2007 Ladies and Gentlemen: In connection with the registration of $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 11 1/4% Senior Notes due 2007 (the "Exchange Notes") in connection with an exchange offer for $150,000,000 principal amount of outstanding 11 1/4% Senior Notes due 2007 (the "Outstanding Notes") by Champion Home Builders Co., a Michigan corporation (the "Company"), and the guarantees of the Exchange Notes (the "Guarantees") by Champion Enterprises, Inc., a Michigan corporation ("Champion"), and each of the entities listed on Schedule A hereto (each, including Champion, a "Guarantor" and collectively, the "Guarantors"), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on July 9, 2002 and for which Amendment No. 1 was filed on September 26, 2002 (the "Registration Statement"), you have requested our opinion with respect to the matters set forth below. The Exchange Notes and Guarantees will be issued pursuant to an indenture (the "Indenture"), dated as of April 22, 2002, among the Company, the Guarantors and Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the "Trustee"). In our capacity as your counsel in connection with such registration, we are familiar with the proceedings taken by the Company and the Guarantors in connection with the authorization and issuance of the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees, respectively. In addition, we have made such legal and factual examinations and inquiries, including an examination of originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of such documents, corporate records and instruments, as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion. We have examined, along with other documents, the following: (a) the Indenture; (b) form of Exchange Note; and (c) the Form of Guarantee. [DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC LOGO] Champion Home Builders September 26, 2002 Page 2 The documents described in paragraphs (a) through (c) above are referred to herein collectively as the "Transaction Documents." In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies. We are opining herein as to the effect on the subject transaction only of the federal laws of the United States, and the internal laws of the State of Michigan and the State of New York, and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of the laws of any other jurisdiction, or as to any matters of municipal law or the laws of any local agencies within any state. Subject to the foregoing and the other matters set forth herein, it is our opinion that as of the date hereof: 1. The Exchange Notes have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, and when executed, authenticated and executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Company against the due tender and delivery to the Trustee of the Outstanding Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Exchange Notes, will constitute legally valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms. 2. Each of the Guarantees has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or company action of the respective Guarantor, and when executed in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and upon due execution, authentication and delivery of the Exchange Notes against the due tender and delivery to the Trustee of the Outstanding Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Exchange Notes, will be the legally valid and binding obligation of the respective Guarantor, enforceable against such Guarantor in accordance with its terms. The opinions rendered in paragraphs 1 and 2 above relating to the enforceability of the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees are subject to the following exceptions, limitations and qualifications: (i) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and (ii) rights of acceleration and the effect of general principles of equity, whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or law, and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought. We have not been requested to express and, with your knowledge and consent, do not render any opinion with respect to the applicability to the obligations of the Company under the [DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC LOGO] Champion Home Builders September 26, 2002 Page 3 Exchange Notes and the Indenture or of the Guarantors under the Guarantees and the Indenture of Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or applicable state law (including, without limitation, Article 10 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law) relating to fraudulent transfers and obligations. To the extent that the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under the Indenture may be dependent upon such matters, we assume for purposes of this opinion that the Trustee is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that the Trustee is duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by the Indenture; that the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee and constitutes the legally valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Trustee enforceable against the Trustee in accordance with its terms; that the Trustee is in compliance, generally and with respect to acting as a trustee under the Indenture, with all applicable laws and regulations; and that the Trustee has the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under the Indenture. We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm contained under the heading "Legal Matters" in the prospectus contained therein. In giving such consent, we do not concede that we are experts within the meaning of the Act or the rules or regulations thereunder or that this consent is required by Section 7 of the Act. Very truly yours, DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC /S/ Dykema Gossett PLLC [DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC LOGO] Champion Home Builders September 26, 2002 Page 4 SCHEDULE A SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS
--------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Name of Subsidiary Organization --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- A-1 Champion GP, Inc. Michigan --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- A-1 Homes Group, L.P. Texas --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Alpine Homes, Inc. Colorado --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- American Transport, Inc. Nevada --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Art Richter Insurance, Inc. Kentucky --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Auburn Champ, Inc. Michigan --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Builders Credit Corporation Michigan --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- CAC Funding Corporation Michigan --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Care Free Homes, Inc. Michigan --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Central Mississippi Manufactured Housing, Inc. Mississippi --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Champion Financial Corporation Michigan --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Champion GP, Inc. Michigan --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Champion Home Communities, Inc. Michigan --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Champion Motor Coach, Inc. Michigan --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Champion Retail, Inc. Michigan --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Chandeleur Homes, Inc. Michigan --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- CHI, Inc. Kansas --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Cliff Ave. Investments, Inc. South Dakota --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Crest Ridge Homes, Inc. Michigan --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Crestpointe Financial Services, Inc. Delaware --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Dutch Housing, Inc. Michigan --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Factory Homes Outlet, Inc. Idaho --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Fleming County Industries, Inc. Kentucky --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Gateway Acceptance Corp. South Dakota --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Gateway Mobile & Modular Homes, Inc. Nebraska --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Gateway Properties Corp. South Dakota --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Gem Homes, Inc. Delaware --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Genesis Home Centers, Limited Partnership Michigan --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Grand Manor, Inc. Michigan --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Heartland Homes, L.P. Texas --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- HomePride Finance Corp. Michigan --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------
[DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC LOGO] Champion Home Builders September 26, 2002 Page 5 --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Homes America Finance, Inc. Nevada --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Homes America of Arizona, Inc. Arizona --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Homes America of California, Inc. California --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Homes America of Oklahoma, Inc. Oklahoma --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Homes America of Utah, Inc. Utah --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Homes America of Wyoming, Inc. Wyoming --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Homes of Kentuckiana, L.L.C. Kentucky --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Homes of Legend, Inc. Michigan --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Homes of Merit, Inc. Florida --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- I.D.A., Inc. Oklahoma --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Iseman Corp. South Dakota --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Lamplighter Homes, Inc. Washington --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Lamplighter Homes (Oregon), Inc. Oregon --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Moduline International, Inc. Washington --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Northstar Corporation South Dakota --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Prairie Ridge, Inc. Kansas --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Redman Business Trust Delaware --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Redman Homes Management Company, Inc. Delaware --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Redman Homes, Inc. Delaware --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Redman Industries, Inc. Delaware --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Redman Investment, Inc. Delaware --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Redman Management Services Business Trust Delaware --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Redman Retail, Inc. Delaware --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Regency Supply Company, Inc. Delaware --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- San Jose Advantage Homes, Inc. California --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Service Contract Corporation Michigan --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Southern Showcase Finance, Inc. Michigan --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Southern Showcase Housing, Inc. North Carolina --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Star Fleet, Inc. Indiana --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- The Okahumpka Corporation Florida --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Trading Post Mobile Homes, Inc. Kentucky --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- U.S.A. Mobile Homes, Inc. Oregon --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Victory Investment Company Oklahoma --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Western Homes Corporation Delaware --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Whitworth Management, Inc. Nevada --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------
EX-23.2 6 k69724a1exv23w2.txt CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP EXHIBIT 23.2 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our report dated February 8, 2002 relating to the financial statements, which appears in Champion Enterprises, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 27, 2002. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" and "Selected Financial Data" in such Amendment No. 1. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Detroit, Michigan September 26, 2002 GRAPHIC 8 k69724a1champion.gif GRAPHIC begin 644 k69724a1champion.gif M1TE&.#EASP`C`*+_`/___U6PS:K7Y@&)M(#$V4"FQK_A[/___R'Y!`$```<` M+`````#/`",```/_>+K<_C#*2:N]..O->P^!X(U92)X0&*`<.+RPN1$%;`^@ M2*A\L_,RQJYFRS6`QL!M4!`==LOF`LDCJAA(IU"Y?!566!EH,8QI*;3N#7PA MWM(P`J'KB`K=:MP"[\TS^3=.?EV"2PU\3CQ.KL4ML$I\,-9W& M9+2I!J`W"UV=!P9JS@>4J$L$N-69O"_+-MRX`-XVT7;4C1*21`*^3#:N$N!, M#Z38M.+HV@770F@I8Z?@7#][Y&[1L2?*1CE<2PK-"Y@)0BM5`@*UVU9L_Y\V M:*BF.6"H@",_&``]A4)8CH[!<"5M/01@TF2Z<1#LY2$E"X*TCB`I]IM`4B7. MDS`;'MS6,M3*)3-I5@0G,N;1.H-Z=:'WH$O*D5&`*$,%"=#-4T@'^'CZIILZ MM@YGFJ3:P*;0`3JS5O+I$:S>H`>XZ#W[HFK1CTO;YEIR#2Z,J)_H,K!+^*^: MJI/[KGV32(XQ/@6:#K5[>!;(O-8J(WXLUS'>S6CO%EYEXV72NIIEJWV6>-1# M@157WS;=>]"_S,5?0.Y5ZVKSV.)X6AZWJ"MEV##\)D]X"UQEPQY)(JS@>L#R MHY2OIZ)M&;/PUP[RE2:>G3[>A]ZM0B\M_KKU?O^V<:=01>DQA]MT@[AGWSUK ME=)7?^/\%A1I$>GVGH)8V2!1'*V-%IQ^]2&'8!X8]O21@QKIIH-B$$UHX(46 M+HCA@6A1U:$7W]$88F5Q=%;8'$;Y1TT78`B&HG,R#BF3.6:!>-MX::V8FX[P MZ>-;.?DYN1N/D)`8158SVC;76#H]I]R:2$J"!-D#HGFEU0FAM(>T)T*&=Z39-H`1\]0"E7WG6BQR7 M4AC>92-NR<*HI)9J:JEBXA7JJ:RVZNJK$8!:1)\SPFKKK;ABH!-J>>1ZP@\] MY#!-"%0(`.P5QXH!A`+_63"K`Q%2!`;$LUY`LL,3)H@PQA/0NAED'%ZHP%ZM MOEK`$(XE[S)--5CZ;P8&GY5N-"*5K,TR M$:?C\#+.P*O'$S%+/'.E%,EZ"S\+G7/&B2DLK) MU,"1C-QR:`Q'SVH!.0<1+Y-!S`.;?*E.V!ZHG/4Y:=][=4$-UR52#>G.H07& M@9A9[O*]`;O![&7Y,KKM8_]\M=0FWU#2GYOB;O'L`M?+J2<^EPW J0#@75"B@0I1B:?C?T]QH^)2N_Q7YY).1 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----