AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

Exhibit 2.1

EXECUTION COPY

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

Dated as of September 17, 2006

among

SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC.,

KC2 MERGER SUB, INC.

and

PREMIUM STANDARD FARMS, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

     AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “ Agreement ”) dated as of September 17, 2006, among SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC., a Virginia corporation (“ Parent ”), KC2 MERGER SUB, INC., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent (“ Merger Sub ”), and PREMIUM STANDARD FARMS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”).

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of each of Parent, Merger Sub and the Company has approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company (the “ Merger ”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement;

     WHEREAS, the respective Board of Directors of Parent and the Company have determined that it is in the best interests of their respective companies and stockholders to consummate the Merger provided for herein;

     WHEREAS, as a material inducement to Parent to enter into this Agreement, and simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, ContiGroup Companies, Inc. (the “ Stockholder Party ”) is entering into an agreement in the form of Exhibit A hereto (the “ Voting Agreement ”) pursuant to which, subject to the terms thereof, the Stockholder Party has agreed, among other things, to vote its shares of the Company Common Stock in favor of the adoption of this Agreement;

     WHEREAS, simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, Parent, the Company and the Stockholder Party have entered into the Missouri Sale Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, for Federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the Merger shall qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “ Code ”) and that this Agreement shall constitute a “plan of reorganization” for purposes of the Code;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

THE MERGER

     SECTION 1.01. The Merger . Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”), Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company at the Effective Time. As a result of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation of the Merger (the “ Surviving Corporation ”).

     SECTION 1.02. Closing . The closing of the Merger (the “ Closing ”) shall take place at 10:00 a.m., local time, on a date to be specified by the parties, which shall be no later than the second Business Day (as defined in Section 8.03) after satisfaction or (to the extent permitted by

applicable Law) waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VI (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or (to the extent permitted by applicable Law) waiver of those conditions), at the offices of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, 425 Lexington Ave., New York, New York 10017, unless another time, date or place is agreed to in writing by Parent and the Company. The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the “ Closing Date ”.

     SECTION 1.03. Effective Time . Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, at the Closing, the parties shall cause the Merger to be consummated by filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of merger (the “ Certificate of Merger ”), in such form as required by, and executed and acknowledged by the parties in accordance with, the relevant provisions of the DGCL, and shall make all other filings or recordings required under the DGCL in connection with the Merger. The Merger shall become effective upon the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such later time as Parent and the Company shall agree and shall specify in the Certificate of Merger (the time the Merger becomes effective being hereinafter referred to as the “ Effective Time ”).

     SECTION 1.04. Effects of the Merger . The Merger shall have the effects set forth herein and in the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises of the Company and Merger Sub shall vest in the Surviving Corporation and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Company and Merger Sub shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation.

     SECTION 1.05. Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws; Directors . (a) The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the “ Company Certificate ”) shall be amended at the Effective Time so as to read in its entirety as set forth on Exhibit B hereto and, as so amended, such Company Certificate shall be the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein and by applicable Law.

          (b) At the Effective Time, and without any further action on the part of the Company and Merger Sub, the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company shall be amended at the Effective Time so as to read in their entirety as set forth on Exhibit C hereto, and, as so amended, shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by applicable Law.

     SECTION 1.06. Directors of the Surviving Corporation . The directors of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be. The Company shall take such actions (including the delivery of resignations and the making of appointments) at or prior to the Effective Time as are necessary to implement the provisions of this Section 1.06 as of the Effective Time.

     SECTION 1.07. Officers of the Surviving Corporation . The officers of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the initial officers of the Surviving Corporation, each to hold office until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be.

     SECTION 1.08. Directors of Parent . Upon completion of the Closing, Parent shall cause to be appointed to the board of directors of Parent the individual specified in Section 1.08(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule (or if such individual shall have declined to serve, such other individual designated by the Company and reasonably acceptable to Parent). In addition, upon completion of the Closing, Parent shall cause to be appointed as an advisory director of Parent the individual specified in Section 1.08(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.

ARTICLE II

EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES

     SECTION 2.01. Effect on Capital Stock . At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder of any shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“ Company Common Stock ”), or any shares of capital stock of Parent or Merger Sub:

          (a) Capital Stock of Merger Sub . Each issued and outstanding share of capital stock of Merger Sub shall be converted into and become one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation.

          (b) Cancellation of Treasury Stock and Parent-Owned Stock . Each share of Company Common Stock that is directly owned by the Company or Parent immediately prior to the Effective Time shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor; provided for the avoidance of doubt, that no shares of Company Common Stock that are owned by a wholly-owned Subsidiary (as defined in Section 8.03) of the Company shall be cancelled pursuant to this Section 2.01(b).

          (c) Conversion of Company Common Stock . Subject to Section 2.02(e), each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (including any shares of Company Common Stock that are owned by a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company but excluding shares to be canceled in accordance with Section 2.01(b) and any Dissenting Shares) shall be converted into the right to receive (i) 0.6780 (the “ Exchange Ratio ”) of a validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, par value $0.50 per share (“ Parent Common Stock ”), of Parent (the “ Stock Consideration ”) and (ii) $1.25 in cash, without interest (the “ Cash Consideration ” and, together with the Stock Consideration, the “ Merger Consideration ”). If Parent reasonably determines it is necessary in order to satisfy the condition in Section 6.01(b) without the requirement of a vote of Parent’s stockholders, Parent shall, prior to Closing, subject to prior consultation with, and by written notice to, the Company, modify the Merger Consideration by substituting up to $1.00 in additional Cash Consideration in lieu of a portion of, and appropriately reducing, the Stock Consideration (and appropriate adjustment to the Exchange Ratio) using a fixed value per share of Parent Common Stock equal to the Parent Reference Price. At the Effective Time, all shares of Company Common Stock converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration pursuant to this Section 2.01(c) shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a certificate which immediately prior to the

3

Effective Time represented any such shares of Company Common Stock (each, a “ Certificate ”) shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the Merger Consideration, any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e), in each case to be issued or paid in consideration therefor upon surrender of such Certificate in accordance with Section 2.02(b), without interest. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, the outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock shall have been changed into a different number of shares or a different class, by reason of the occurrence or record date of any stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, exchange of shares or similar transaction, then the Exchange Ratio shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect such action. The right of any holder of a Certificate to receive the Merger Consideration, any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e) shall, to the extent provided in Section 2.02(j), be subject to and reduced by the amount of any withholding that is required under applicable Tax Law.

          (d) Dissenting Shares .

               (i) Shares of Company Common Stock that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and which are held by holders who have not voted in favor of or consented to the Merger and who are entitled to demand and have properly demanded their rights to be paid the fair value of such shares of Company Common Stock in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL (the “ Dissenting Shares ”) shall not be canceled and converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration, and the holders thereof shall be entitled to only such rights as are granted by Section 262 of the DGCL; provided, however , that if any such stockholder of the Company shall fail to perfect or shall effectively waive, withdraw or lose such stockholder’s rights under Section 262 of the DGCL, such stockholder’s Dissenting Shares in respect of which the stockholder would otherwise be entitled to receive fair value under Section 262 of the DGCL shall thereupon be deemed to have been canceled, at the Effective Time, and the holder thereof shall be entitled to receive the Merger Consideration (payable without any interest thereon) as compensation for such cancellation.

               (ii) The Company shall give Parent (A) prompt notice of any notice received by the Company of intent to demand the fair value of any shares of Company Common Stock, withdrawals of such notices and any other instruments or notices served pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL and (B) the opportunity to direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect to the exercise of appraisal rights under Section 262 of the DGCL. The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of Parent or as otherwise required by an Order, (x) make any payment or other commitment with respect to any such exercise of appraisal rights, (y) offer to settle or settle any such rights or (z) waive any failure to timely deliver a written demand for appraisal or timely take any other action to perfect appraisal rights in accordance with the DGCL.

     SECTION 2.02. Exchange of Certificates . (a) Exchange Agent . At the Effective Time, Parent shall deposit with a bank or trust company designated by Parent and reasonably satisfactory to the Company (the “ Exchange Agent ”), for the benefit of the holders of

Certificates, certificates representing shares of Parent Common Stock and cause the Surviving Corporation to deposit with the Exchange Agent cash in an amount sufficient to pay the Merger Consideration required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.01(c) in the aggregate amount equal to the number of shares and amount of cash into which shares of Company Common Stock have been converted. In addition, Parent shall deposit with the Exchange Agent, as necessary from time to time after the Effective Time, any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e). All shares of Parent Common Stock, cash, dividends and distributions deposited with the Exchange Agent pursuant to this Section 2.02(a) shall hereinafter be referred to as the “ Exchange Fund ”.

          (b) Exchange Procedures . As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, Parent shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail to each holder of record of a Certificate whose shares of Company Common Stock were converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration, any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e) (i) a form of letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent and which shall be in customary form and contain customary provisions) and (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in exchange for the Merger Consideration, any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e). Each holder of record of one or more Certificates shall, upon surrender to the Exchange Agent of such Certificate or Certificates, together with such letter of transmittal, duly executed, and such other documents as may reasonably be required by the Exchange Agent, be entitled to receive in exchange therefor (i) the amount of cash to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.01(c), (ii) a certificate or certificates representing that number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock (after taking into account all Certificates surrendered by such holder) to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.01(c), (iii) any dividends or distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and (iv) cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e), and the Certificates so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled. In the event of a transfer of ownership of Company Common Stock which is not registered in the transfer records of the Company, payment of the Merger Consideration in accordance with this Section 2.02(b) may be made to a person other than the person in whose name the Certificate so surrendered is registered if such Certificate shall be properly endorsed or otherwise be in proper form for transfer and the person requesting such payment shall pay any transfer or other Taxes required by reason of the transfer or establish to the reasonable satisfaction of Parent that such Taxes have been paid or are not applicable. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.02(b), each Certificate shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender the Merger Consideration, any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e). No interest shall be paid or will accrue on any payment to holders of Certificates pursuant to the provisions of this Article II.

          (c) Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares . No dividends or other distributions with respect to Parent Common Stock with a record date on or after the Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with respect to the shares of Parent Common Stock that the holder thereof has the right to receive upon the surrender thereof,

and no cash payment in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock shall be paid to any such holder pursuant to Section 2.02(e), in each case until the holder of such Certificate shall have surrendered such Certificate in accordance with this Article II. Following the surrender of any Certificate, there shall be paid to the record holder of the certificate representing whole shares of Parent Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without interest, (i) at the time of such surrender, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date on or after the Effective Time theretofore paid with respect to such whole shares of Parent Common Stock and the amount of any cash payable in lieu of a fractional share of Parent Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.02(e) and (ii) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date on or after the Effective Time but prior to such surrender and a payment date subsequent to such surrender payable with respect to such whole shares of Parent Common Stock.

          (d) No Further Ownership Rights in Company Common Stock . The Merger Consideration, any dividends or other distributions as are payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and such cash in lieu of any fractional shares as is payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e) upon the surrender of Certificates in accordance with the terms of this Article II shall be deemed to have been in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the shares of Company Common Stock formerly represented by such Certificates, subject, however, to the Surviving Corporation’s obligation to pay any dividends or make any other distributions with a record date prior to the Effective Time which may have been declared or made by the Company on the shares of Company Common Stock in accordance with the terms of this Agreement prior to the Effective Time. At the close of business on the day on which the Effective Time occurs, the share transfer books of the Company shall be closed, and there shall be no further registration of transfers on the share transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of the shares of Company Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, any Certificate is presented to the Surviving Corporation for transfer, it shall be canceled against delivery of and exchanged as provided in this Article II.

          (e) No Fractional Shares . (i) No certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of Parent Common Stock shall be issued upon the surrender for exchange of Certificates, no dividends or other distributions of Parent shall relate to such fractional share interests and such fractional share interests shall not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a stockholder of Parent.

               (ii) As promptly as practicable following the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent shall determine the excess of (x) the number of full shares of Parent Common Stock delivered to the Exchange Agent by Parent pursuant to Section 2.02(a) over (y) the aggregate number of full shares of Parent Common Stock to be distributed to holders of Company Common Stock pursuant to Section 2.02(c) (such excess being herein called the “ Excess Shares ”). Following the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent, as agent for the holders of Company Common Stock, shall sell the Excess Shares at then prevailing prices on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the “ NYSE ”), all in the manner provided in paragraph (iii) of this Section.

               (iii) The sale of the Excess Shares by the Exchange Agent shall be executed on the NYSE through one or more member firms of the NYSE and shall be

executed in round lots to the extent practicable. The Exchange Agent shall use all reasonable efforts to complete the sale of the Excess Shares as promptly following the Effective Time as, in the Exchange Agent’s reasonable judgment, is practicable consistent with obtaining the best execution of such sales in light of prevailing market conditions. Until the proceeds of such sale or sales have been distributed to the holders of Company Common Stock, the Exchange Agent will hold such proceeds in trust for the holders of Company Common Stock (the “ Common Shares Trust ”). Parent shall pay all commissions, transfer taxes and other out-of-pocket transaction costs, including the expenses and compensation, of the Exchange Agent incurred in connection with such sale of the Excess Shares. The Exchange Agent shall determine the portion of the Common Shares Trust to which each holder of Company Common Stock shall be entitled, if any, by multiplying the amount of the aggregate proceeds comprising the Common Shares Trust by a fraction the numerator of which is the amount of the fractional share interest to which such holder of Company Common Stock is entitled (after taking into account all shares of Company Common Stock held at the Effective Time by such holder) and the denominator of which is the aggregate amount of fractional share interests to which all holders of Company Common Stock are entitled.

               (iv) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, Parent may elect, at its option, to pay to each holder of a Certificate an aggregate amount in cash equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the fractional share interest to which such holder (after taking into account all shares of Company Common Stock formerly represented by all Certificates surrendered by such holder) would otherwise be entitled by (B) the per share closing price of Parent Common Stock on the last trading day immediately prior to the Closing Date, as such price is reported on the NYSE Composite Transaction Tape (as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets or such other source as the parties shall agree in writing).

               (v) Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement to the contrary, no shares of Company Common Stock that are owned by a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company shall be entitled to receive cash pursuant to this Section 2.02(e) and no such shares will be taken into account in determining the amount of cash to which any other holder is entitled pursuant to this Section 2.02(e).

          (f) Termination of the Exchange Fund . Any portion of the Exchange Fund that remains undistributed to the holders of the Certificates for six months after the Effective Time shall be delivered to Parent, upon demand, and any holders of the Certificates who have not theretofore complied with this Article II shall thereafter look only to Parent for, and Parent shall remain liable for, payment of their claim for the Merger Consideration, any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e) in accordance with this Article II.

          (g) No Liability . None of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent shall be liable to any person in respect of any shares of Parent Common Stock, cash, dividends or other distributions from the Exchange Fund properly delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law. If any Certificate shall not have been surrendered prior to four years after the Effective

Time (or immediately prior to such earlier date on which any Merger Consideration (and any dividends or other distributions payable with respect thereto pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable with respect thereto pursuant to Section 2.02(e)) would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any Governmental Entity), any such Merger Consideration (and any dividends or other distributions payable with respect thereto pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable with respect thereto pursuant to Section 2.02(e)) shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, become the property of Parent, free and clear of all claims or interest of any person previously entitled thereto.

          (h) Investment of Exchange Fund . The Exchange Agent shall invest the cash included in the Exchange Fund as directed by Parent. Any interest and other income resulting from such investments shall be paid to and be income of Parent. If for any reason (including losses) the cash in the Exchange Fund shall be insufficient to fully satisfy all of the payment obligations to be made in cash by the Exchange Agent hereunder, Parent shall promptly deposit cash into the Exchange Fund in an amount which is equal to the deficiency in the amount of cash required to fully satisfy such cash payment obligations.

          (i) Lost Certificates . If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Parent, the posting by such person of a bond in such reasonable amount as Parent may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the Exchange Agent shall deliver in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the Merger Consideration, any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e), in each case pursuant to this Article II.

          (j) Withholding Rights . Parent, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as Parent, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent are required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code any provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority by Parent, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of Certificates in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by Parent, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     SECTION 3.01. Representations and Warranties of the Company . Except as set forth in the disclosure schedule delivered by the Company to Parent prior to the execution of this Agreement (the “ Company Disclosure Schedule ”) (with specific reference to the particular Section or subsection of this Agreement to which the information set forth in such disclosure schedule relates (and such items or matters disclosed in other sections of the Company Disclosure Schedule to the extent the relevance of such items or matters to the referenced

Section or subsection of this Agreement is reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure)), the Company represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub as follows:

          (a) Organization, Standing and Corporate Power . The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has been duly organized, and is validly existing and in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize that concept) under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, as the case may be, and has all requisite corporate or similar power and authority to own, lease or otherwise hold and operate its properties and other assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted, except where the failure to be so organized, qualified or in good standing or have such power or authority individually or in the aggregate has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in Section 8.03). The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize that concept) in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership, leasing or operation of its properties makes such qualification, licensing or good standing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified, licensed or in good standing individually or in the aggregate has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has made available to Parent, prior to the date of this Agreement, complete and accurate copies of the Company Certificate and the Company’s Bylaws (the “ Company Bylaws ”), and the comparable organizational documents of each Subsidiary of the Company, in each case as amended to the date hereof.

          (b) Subsidiaries . Section 3.01(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists, as of the date hereof, each Subsidiary of the Company. All of the outstanding capital stock of, or other equity interests in, each Subsidiary of the Company, is directly or indirectly owned by the Company. All the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity interests in, each such Subsidiary owned by the Company have been validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned directly or indirectly by the Company free and clear of all pledges, liens, charges, encumbrances or security interests of any kind or nature whatsoever (other than liens, charges and encumbrances for current Taxes not yet due and payable) (collectively, “ Liens ”), and free of any restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such capital stock or other equity interests (other than restrictions imposed by securities Laws). Except for the Subsidiaries of the Company, the Company does not own, directly or indirectly, as of the date hereof, any capital stock of, or other voting securities or equity interests in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, association or other entity.

          (c) Capital Structure; Indebtedness . The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 100,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (“ Company Preferred Stock ”). At the close of business on September 15, 2006:

               (i) 31,972,252 shares of Company Common Stock were issued and outstanding (which number includes 310,773 shares of Company Common Stock subject to vesting and restrictions on transfer (“ Company Restricted Stock ”));

               (ii) warrants to purchase 143,325 shares of Company Common Stock having an exercise price of $15.21 per share were issued and outstanding (the “ Company Warrants ”);

               (iii) 1,594,226 shares of Company Common Stock were reserved and available for issuance upon the exercise of options to purchase Company Common Stock (“ Company Stock Options ”), or otherwise deliverable in connection with equity based awards, granted pursuant to the Company’s 1999 Equity Incentive Plan and its 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan, in each case as amended to date (such plans, collectively, the “ Company Stock Plans ”), of which 444,433 shares of Company Common Stock were subject to outstanding Company Stock Options or agreements to grant Company Stock Options and no equity based awards were outstanding;

               (iv) no shares of Company Preferred Stock were issued or outstanding or were held by the Company as treasury shares;

               (v) no shares of Company Common Stock were held by the Company in its treasury and no shares of Company Common Stock were held by any Subsidiary of the Company;

               (vi) except as set forth above in this Section 3.01(c), at the close of business on September 15, 2006, no shares of capital stock or other voting securities or equity interests of the Company were issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. At the close of business on September 15, 2006, there were no outstanding stock appreciation rights, “phantom” stock rights, performance units, rights to receive shares of Company Common Stock on a deferred basis or other rights (other than Company Stock Options) issued by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that are linked to the value of Company Common Stock (collectively, “ Company Stock-Based Awards ”). All outstanding Company Stock Options and grants of shares of Company Restricted Stock are evidenced by stock option agreements, restricted stock purchase agreements or other award agreements. All outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are, and all shares which may be issued pursuant to the Company Stock Options or Company Stock-Based Awards will be, when issued in accordance with the terms thereof, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to preemptive rights. There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of the Company having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which stockholders of the Company may vote. Except as set forth above in this Section 3.01(c) and for issuances of shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Company Stock Options and Company Warrants set forth above in this Section 3.01(c) and, with respect to changes following the date of this Agreement, except as permitted by Section 4.01(a), (x) there are not issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding (A) any shares of capital stock or other voting securities or equity interests of the Company, (B) any securities of the Company convertible into or

exchangeable or exercisable for shares of capital stock or other voting securities or equity interests of the Company, (C) any warrants, calls, options or other rights to acquire from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and no obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, any capital stock, voting securities, equity interests or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for capital stock or voting securities of the Company or (D) any Company Stock-Based Awards and (y) there are not any outstanding obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any such securities or to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, any such securities. Except for the Voting Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any voting Contract with respect to the voting of any such securities. Except as set forth above in this Section 3.01(c) and subject to Section 4.01(a), there are no outstanding (1) securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of capital stock or voting securities or equity interests of any Subsidiary of the Company, (2) warrants, calls, options or other rights to acquire from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and no obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, any capital stock, voting securities, equity interests or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for capital stock or voting securities of any Subsidiary of the Company or (3) obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any such outstanding securities or to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, any such securities; and

               (vii) as of the date of this Agreement, the only principal amount of outstanding indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company and its Subsidiaries (not including intercompany amounts or operating leases) is (A) $125,000,000 of term loans and no revolving loans, in each case outstanding under the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 24, 2005 (the “Company Loan Agreement” ), among the Company, two of its Subsidiaries, U.S. Bank National Association and the other lenders named therein and (B) not more than $3,000,000 of other indebtedness for borrowed money, including capital lease obligations. In addition, as of the date of this Agreement, there are undrawn stand-by letters of credit of approximately $13,400,000 issued under the Company Loan Agreement for which the Company has reimbursement obligations.

          (d) Authority; Noncontravention . (i) The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Voting Agreement and, subject to receipt of the Company Stockholder Approval, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Voting Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Voting Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize this Agreement or the Voting Agreement, to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than the obtaining of the Company Stockholder Approval and the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware) or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Voting Agreement. Each of this Agreement and the Voting Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by each of the other parties hereto, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, moratorium, reorganization or similar Laws affecting the rights

of creditors generally and the availability of equitable remedies (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

               (ii) The Board of Directors of the Company has unanimously, by resolutions duly adopted at a meeting duly called and held (A) approved, and declared advisable, this Agreement, (B) determined that the terms of this Agreement are fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and its stockholders, (C) directed that the Company submit the adoption of this Agreement to a vote at a meeting of the stockholders of the Company as promptly as practicable, (D) recommended that the stockholders of the Company adopt this Agreement at the Company Stockholders’ Meeting, and (E) approved this Agreement, the Voting Agreement and the Merger for purposes of Section 203 of the DGCL such that no stockholder approval (other than the Company Stockholder Approval) shall be required to consummate the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Voting Agreement or to permit the Company and the Stockholder Party to perform their respective obligations hereunder and thereunder, which resolutions have not (subject to Section 4.02) been subsequently rescinded, modified or withdrawn in any way.

               (iii) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Voting Agreement by the Company do not, and the consummation by the Company of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Voting Agreement and compliance by the Company with the provisions of this Agreement and the Voting Agreement will not, conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of, or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of, or result in, termination, modification, cancellation or acceleration of any obligation or to the loss of a benefit under, or result in the creation of any Lien in or upon any of the properties or other assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under, (x) the Company Certificate or the Company Bylaws or the comparable organizational documents of any of its Subsidiaries, (y) any loan or credit agreement, bond, debenture, note, mortgage, indenture, lease, supply agreement, license agreement, development agreement or other contract, agreement, obligation, commitment or instrument (each, including all amendments thereto, a “ Contract ”), to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or any of their respective properties or other assets is subject or (z) subject to the obtaining of the Company Stockholder Approval and obtaining or making the governmental filings and other matters referred to in Section 3.01(d)(iv), any (A) statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation (domestic or foreign) issued, promulgated or entered into by or with any Governmental Entity (each, a “ Law ”) applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or other assets or (B) order, writ, injunction, decree, judgment or stipulation issued, promulgated or entered into by or with any Governmental Entity (each, an “ Order ”) applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective properties or other assets, other than, in the case of clauses (y) and (z), any such conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults, rights of termination, modification, cancellation or acceleration, losses or Liens (1) that individually or in the aggregate have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (2) under the Company Loan Agreement.

               (iv) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, action by or in respect of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any Federal, state, local or foreign government, any court, administrative, regulatory or other governmental agency, commission or authority or any organized securities exchange (each, a “ Governmental Entity ”) is required by or with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Voting Agreement by the Company or the consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Voting Agreement, except for (1) (A) the filing of a premerger notification and report form by the Company under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “ HSR Act ”) and the expiration or termination of the waiting period required thereunder, and (B) the receipt, termination or expiration, as applicable, of approvals or waiting periods required under any other applicable Antitrust Law, (2) applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (including all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the “ Securities Act ”), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (including all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the “ Exchange Act ”), and state securities and “blue sky” laws, as may be required in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (3) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, (4) any filings with and approvals of NASDAQ and (5) such other consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, actions, registrations, declarations and filings the failure of which to be obtained or made individually or in the aggregate has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (e) Company SEC Documents . (i) The Company has timely filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents (including exhibits and other information incorporated therein) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) required to be filed by the Company since January 1, 2003 (such documents, together with any documents filed during such period by the Company to the SEC on a voluntary basis on Current Reports on Form 8-K, the “ Company SEC Documents ”). Each of the Company SEC Documents, as amended prior to the date of this Agreement, complied as to form in all material respects with, to the extent in effect at the time of filing, the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act applicable to such Company SEC Documents, and none of the Company SEC Documents when filed or, if amended prior to the date hereof, as of the date of such amendment, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Each of the financial statements (including the related notes) of the Company included in the Company SEC Documents (or incorporated therein by reference) complied at the time it was filed as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto in effect at the time of such filing, had been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“ GAAP ”) (except, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC) applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly presented in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal

recurring year-end audit adjustments). Except as disclosed in Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement (such Company SEC Documents, the “ Filed Company SEC Documents ”)(excluding, in each case, any disclosures set forth in any risk factor section, in any section relating to forward looking statements and any other disclosures included therein, in each case to the extent that they are cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature (such disclosures, collectively, the “ Cautionary Disclosures ”)), neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any material liabilities or material obligations of any nature (whether absolute, accrued, known or unknown, contingent or otherwise) nor, to the Knowledge (as defined in Section 8.03) of the Company, does any basis exist therefor, other than (A) liabilities or obligations incurred since March 25, 2006 in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice which would not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (B) liabilities or obligations incurred pursuant to Contracts entered into after the date hereof not in violation of this Agreement and (C) liabilities or obligations incurred pursuant to this Agreement. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, or has any commitment to become a party to, any joint venture, off-balance sheet partnership or any similar Contract or arrangement (including any Contract or arrangement relating to any transaction or relationship between or among the Company and any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any unconsolidated Affiliate, including any structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity or person, on the other hand, or any “off-balance sheet arrangement” (as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K of the SEC)), where the result, purpose or intended effect of such Contract or arrangement is to avoid disclosure of any material transaction involving, or material liabilities of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the Company’s or such Subsidiary’s published financial statements or other Company SEC Documents. None of the Subsidiaries of the Company are, or have at any time since January 1, 2003 been, subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

               (ii) Each of the principal executive officer of the Company and the principal financial officer of the Company (or each former principal executive officer of the Company and each former principal financial officer of the Company, as applicable) has made all certifications required by Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14 under the Exchange Act and Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, “ SOX ”) with respect to the Company SEC Documents, and the statements contained in each such certification, at the time of filing or submission of such certification, was true and accurate. For purposes of this Agreement, “principal executive officer” and “principal financial officer” shall have the meanings given to such terms in SOX. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has outstanding, or has arranged any outstanding, “extensions of credit” to directors or executive officers in violation of Section 402 of SOX. As of the date hereof, the Company has no reason to believe that its outside auditors and its principal executive officer and principal financial officer will not be able to give, without qualification, the certificates and attestations required pursuant to SOX when next due.

               (iii) The Company has (A) designed disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to its principal executive officer and principal financial officer; (B) designed internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)

under the Exchange Act) to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP; (C) evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and, to the extent required by applicable Law, presented in any applicable Company SEC Document that is a report on Form 10-K or Form 10-Q or any amendment thereto its conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by such report or amendment based on such evaluation; and (D) to the extent required by applicable Law, disclosed in such report or amendment any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by such report or amendment that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

               (iv) The Company has disclosed, based on the most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (A) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information, and (B) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

               (v) Since January 1, 2001, (i) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, employee, auditor, accountant or representative of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has received or otherwise had or obtained Knowledge of any material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim, whether written or oral, regarding the accounting or auditing practices, procedures, methodologies or methods of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective internal accounting controls, including any material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in questionable accounting or auditing practices, and (ii) no attorney representing the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether or not employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, has reported evidence of a material violation of securities laws, breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective officers, directors, employees or agents to the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee thereof or to any director or officer of the Company.

          (f) Information Supplied . None of the information supplied or to be supplied by or on behalf of the Company specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (i) the Form S-4 will, at the time the Form S-4 is filed with the SEC and at the time it becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading or (ii) the Proxy Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to the stockholders of the Company and at the time of the Company Stockholders’ Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, except that no

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representation or warranty is made by the Company with respect to statements made or incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied by or on behalf of Parent or Merger Sub specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Form S-4 or the Proxy Statement. The Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act.

          (g) Absence of Certain Changes or Events . Since March 25, 2006 there has not been any Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the Filed Company SEC Documents (other than in the Cautionary Disclosures) and for liabilities incurred in connection with this Agreement or, with respect to liabilities incurred after the date hereof, as expressly permitted pursuant to Section 4.01(a), since the date of the most recent financial statements included in the Filed Company SEC Documents, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses only in the ordinary course consistent with past practice, and (ii) there has not been any action taken or committed to be taken by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company which, if taken following entry by the Company into this Agreement, would have required the consent of Parent pursuant to Section 4.01(a).

          (h) Litigation . There are no actions, suits, claims, hearings, proceedings, arbitrations, mediations, audits, inquiries or investigations (whether civil, criminal, administrative, for condemnation or otherwise) (“ Actions ”), including Actions under or relating to any Environmental Law, pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets, rights or properties or any of the executive officers or directors of the Company, except, in each case, for those that individually or in the aggregate have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect or for those disclosed in Item 3 (or other item number corresponding to “Legal Proceedings”) of the Filed Company SEC Documents or in the notes to the most recent audited financial statements and most recent financial statements included in the Filed Company SEC Documents. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective properties or assets is or are subject to any Order, settlement or award, except for those that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect or for those disclosed in Item 3 (or other item number corresponding to “Legal Proceedings”) of the Filed Company SEC Documents or in the notes to the most recent audited financial statements and most recent financial statements included in the Filed Company SEC Documents. To the Knowledge of the Company, there are no formal or informal inquiries or investigations by any Governmental Entity or internal investigations, in each case regarding accounting or disclosure practices of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, compliance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with any Law or any malfeasance by any executive officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for those that individually or in the aggregate have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     (i)  Material Contracts .

               (i) For purposes of this Agreement, a “ Material Contract ” shall mean:

               (A) any employment, severance, consulting or other Contract with an employee or former employee, officer or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which will require the payment of amounts by the Company or

any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, after the date hereof in excess of $250,000 per annum;

               (B) any collective bargaining Contract with any labor union;

               (C) any Contract for capital expenditures or the acquisition or construction of fixed assets which requires aggregate future payments in excess of $1,000,000;

               (D) any Contract containing covenants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries not to (or otherwise to restrict or limit the ability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to) compete in any line of business or geographic area;

               (E) any Contract requiring aggregate future payments or expenditures in excess of $1,000,000 and relating to corrective, cleanup, abatement, remediation or similar actions in connection with environmental liabilities or obligations;

               (F) any Contract relating to Intellectual Property which (x) requires payments by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in excess of $1,000,000 per annum or is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or (y) licenses or makes available any Intellectual Property of the Company or its Subsidiaries that is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any other person;

               (G) any Contract pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has entered into a partnership or joint venture with any other person (other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) and for which the Company’s investment, capital commitment or reasonably expected liability is greater than $1,000,000;

               (H) any indenture, mortgage, loan, guarantee or credit Contract under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has outstanding indebtedness for borrowed money or any outstanding note, bond, indenture or other evidence of indebtedness for borrowed money or otherwise or any guaranteed indebtedness for money borrowed by others, in each case, for or guaranteeing an amount in excess of $5,000,000;

               (I) other than as disclosed pursuant to clause (8) above, any pledges, security agreements, sale/leaseback arrangements and equipment or other capitalized leases (other than leases for copy machines, postage machines and fax machines) entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case, relating to a current outstanding or pledged amount in excess of $1,000,000;

               (J) any Contract under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is (1) a lessee of real property, (2) a lessee of, or holds or uses, any machinery, equipment, vehicle or other tangible personal property owned by a

third person, (3) a lessor of real property, or (4) a lessor of any tangible personal property owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case which requires annual payments in excess of $1,000,000;

               (K) any Contract (other than purchase or sale orders in the ordinary course of business that are terminable or cancelable without penalty on 90 days’ notice or less) under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a purchaser or supplier of goods and services which, pursuant to the terms thereof, requires payments by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $1,000,000 per annum;

               (L) any Contract which requires payments by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in excess of $1,000,000 per annum containing “change of control” or similar provisions;

               (M) any Contract entered into on or after January 1, 2001 relating to the acquisition or disposition of any business (whether by merger, sale of stock or assets or otherwise), in an amount in excess of $5,000,000;

               (N) any Contract (other than Contracts of the type described in subclauses (A) through (M) above) that involves aggregate payments by or to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $2,000,000 per annum, other than purchase or sales orders or other Contracts entered into in the ordinary course consistent with past practice that are terminable or cancelable without penalty upon 90 days’ notice or less.

          (ii) Schedule 3.01(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of all Material Contracts as of the date of this Agreement. Each such Material Contract is valid and in full force and effect and enforceable against the Company or one of its Subsidiaries and, to the Knowledge of the Company, the counterparty to such Material Contract in accordance with its respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), except to the extent that (A) they have previously expired in accordance with their terms or (B) the failure to be in full force and effect or be enforceable, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any counterparty to any Material Contract, has violated or is alleged to have violated any provision of, or committed or failed to perform any act which, with or without notice, lapse of time or both, would constitute a default under the provisions of any Material Contract, except in each case for those violations and defaults which, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (j) Compliance with Laws; Environmental Matters . Except for those matters that individually or in the aggregate have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have

a Material Adverse Effect and except as disclosed in the Filed Company SEC Documents (other than the Cautionary Disclosures):

               (i) each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is and has been at all prior times in compliance with all Laws and Orders applicable to it, its properties or other assets or its business or operations,

               (ii) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has in effect all approvals, authorizations, certificates, filings, franchises, licenses, notices and permits of or with all Governmental Entities (collectively, “ Permits ”), including Permits under Environmental Laws, necessary for it to own, lease or operate its properties and other assets and to carry on its business and operations as currently conducted and there has occurred no default under, or violation of, any such Permit;

               (iii) to the Knowledge of the Company, the consummation of the Merger would not cause the revocation, modification or cancellation of any such Permit;

               (iv) during the period of ownership or operation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any of its currently or formerly owned, leased or operated properties or facilities, there have been no Releases of Hazardous Materials in, on, under, from or affecting any properties or facilities which could reasonably be expected to require remediation under any Environmental Law or require any expenditure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries thereunder;

               (v) prior to and after, as applicable, the period of ownership or operation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any of its currently or formerly owned, leased or operated properties or facilities, to the Knowledge of the Company, there were no Releases of Hazardous Materials in, on, under, from or affecting any properties or facilities which could reasonably be expected to require remediation under any Environmental Law or require any expenditure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries thereunder;

               (vi) none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has received any notice or demand alleging that it may be liable for any Release of Hazardous Materials at any other location which could reasonably be expected to require remediation under Environmental Law or require any expenditure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries thereunder;

               (vii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any indemnity obligation or other Contract with any person imposing obligations or liabilities on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under Environmental Laws; and

               (viii) to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no facts, circumstances or conditions or proposed changes in Environmental Laws that would reasonably be expected to form the basis for any Action or liability against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries relating to or arising under Environmental Laws or that would interfere with or increase the cost of complying with all applicable Environmental Laws in the future.

          (k) Labor Relations and Other Employment Matters .

               (i) As of the date of this Agreement, (A) none of the employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are represented by any union with respect to their employment by the Company or such Subsidiary, (B) there is no pending demand for recognition or certification to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by any labor organization or group of employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and (C) to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no representation or certification proceedings or petitions seeking a representation proceeding presently pending or threatened in writing to be brought or filed with the National Labor Relations Board or any other labor relations tribunal or authority (foreign or domestic) with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and (D) there is no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, material labor dispute, work stoppage, slowdown or lockout due to labor disagreements against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

               (ii) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (A) no work stoppage, slowdown, lockout, labor strike, material arbitrations or other labor disputes against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, (B) no unfair labor practice charges, grievances or complaints are pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (C) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is delinquent in payments to any of its employees for any wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses or other direct compensation for any services performed for it or amounts required to be reimbursed to such employees, and (D) the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable Laws, agreements, contracts, policies, plans and programs relating to employment, employment practices, compensation, benefits, hours, terms and conditions of employment and the termination of employment, including any obligations pursuant to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988.

          (l) ERISA Compliance . (i) Section 3.01(l)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of each material “employee benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ ERISA ”), including multiemployer plans within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA) and all employment, employee loan, collective bargaining, bonus, pension, profit sharing, deferred compensation, incentive compensation, stock ownership, stock purchase, stock appreciation, restricted stock, stock option, “phantom” stock, retirement, thrift savings, stock bonus, paid time off, fringe benefit, vacation, severance, retention, change in control, and all other material employee benefit plans, programs, policies or Contracts maintained, contributed to or required to be maintained or contributed to by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any other person or entity that, together with the Company, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code (each, a “ Commonly Controlled Entity ”) (exclusive of any such plan, program, policy or Contract mandated by and maintained solely pursuant to applicable Law), in each case providing benefits to any Company Personnel (collectively, but exclusive of individual option and restricted award agreements issued under the Company Stock Plans, the “ Company Benefit Plans ”). Each Company Benefit Plan that is an “employee pension benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) is sometimes referred to herein as a “ Company Pension Plan ”

and each Company Benefit Plan that is an “employee welfare benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) is sometimes referred to herein as a “ Company Welfare Plan ”.

               (ii) The Company has provided to Parent current, complete and accurate copies of (A) each Company Benefit Plan or, at the Company’s option, in the case of Company Benefit Plans maintained primarily for the benefit of individuals regularly employed outside the United States (“ Foreign Benefit Plans ”), a summary thereof (or, in either case, with respect to any unwritten Company Benefit Plans or Foreign Benefit Plans, accurate descriptions thereof), (B) for the two most recent years (1) annual reports on Form 5500 required to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service (the “ IRS ”) or any other Governmental Entity with respect to each Company Benefit Plan (if any such report was required) and all schedules and attachments thereto, (2) audited financial statements (if any such statements were required), and (3) actuarial valuation reports (if any such reports were required), (C) the most recent summary plan description for each Company Benefit Plan for which such summary plan description is required, (D) each trust Contract and insurance or group annuity Contract relating to any Company Benefit Plan and (E) the most recent favorable IRS determination letter, to the extent applicable.

               (iii) Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (A) each Company Benefit Plan has been administered in accordance with its terms and (B) the Company, its Subsidiaries and all the Company Benefit Plans are in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and all other applicable Laws, including Laws of foreign jurisdictions, and the terms of all collective bargaining Contracts.

               (iv) Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each of the Company Benefit Plans subject to Code Section 409A has been administered in good faith compliance with the applicable requirements of Code Section 409A, IRS Notice 2005-1 and the proposed regulations issued thereunder. Each Company Stock Option was granted with an exercise price per share equal to or greater than the per share fair market value (as such term is used in Code Section 409A and the proposed regulations and other Department of Treasury interpretive guidance issued thereunder) of the Company Common Stock underlying such Company Stock Option on the grant date thereof.

               (v) All Company Pension Plans intended to be qualified within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code have received favorable determination letters from the IRS, to the effect that such Company Pension Plans are so qualified and exempt from Federal income Taxes under Sections 401(a) and 501(a), respectively, of the Code, no such determination letter has been revoked (nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, has revocation been threatened) and no event has occurred since the date of the most recent determination letter relating to any such Company Pension Plan that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the qualification of such Company Pension Plan or materially increase the costs relating thereto or require security under Section 307 of ERISA. The Company has provided to Parent a complete and accurate list of all

amendments to any Company Pension Plan as to which a favorable determination letter has not yet been received.

               (vi) Neither the Company nor any Commonly Controlled Entity has, during the six-year period ending on the date hereof, maintained, contributed to or been required to contribute to any Company Pension Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, or any “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA. Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any Commonly Controlled Entity has any unsatisfied liability under Title IV of ERISA. To the Knowledge of the Company, no condition exists that presents a material risk to the Company or any Commonly Controlled Entity of incurring a material liability under Title IV of ERISA. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has not instituted proceedings under Section 4042 of ERISA to terminate any Company Benefit Plan and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no condition exists that presents a material risk that such proceedings will be instituted. No event has occurred, and to the Knowledge of the Company no condition exists, that would be reasonably expected to subject the Company, any Subsidiary or Commonly Controlled Entity, to any Tax, fine, Lien, penalty or other liability imposed by ERISA, the Code or other applicable Laws with respect to any Company Benefit Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA.

               (vii) Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (A) all reports, returns and similar documents with respect to all Company Benefit Plans required to be filed with any Governmental Entity or distributed to any Company Benefit Plan participant have been duly and timely filed or distributed, (B) none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has received notice of and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no Actions by any Governmental Entity with respect to, termination proceedings or other claims (except claims for benefits payable in the normal operation of the Company Benefit Plans), suits or proceedings against or involving any Company Benefit Plan or asserting any rights or claims to benefits under any Company Benefit Plan that are pending or threatened that could reasonably be expected to give rise to any material liability, (C) to the Knowledge of the Company, there are not any facts that could give rise to any liability in the event of any such Action and (D) no written or oral communication has been received from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation in respect of any Company Benefit Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA in connection with the transactions contemplated herein.

               (viii) Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (A) all contributions, premiums and benefit payments under or in connection with the Company Benefit Plans that are required to have been made as of the date hereof in accordance with the terms of the Company Benefit Plans have been timely made or have been reflected in the most recent financial statements included in the Filed Company SEC Documents and (B) no Company Pension Plan has an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as such term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code), whether or not waived.

               (ix) With respect to each Company Benefit Plan, except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (A) there has not occurred any prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective employees, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any trustee, administrator or other fiduciary of such Company Benefit Plan, or any agent of the foregoing, has engaged that could reasonably be expected to subject the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective employees, or any such trustee, administrator or other fiduciary, to the Tax or penalty on prohibited transactions imposed by Section 4975 of the Code or the sanctions imposed under Title I of ERISA and (B) neither the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective employees nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any trustee, administrator or other fiduciary of any Company Benefit Plan nor any agent of any of the foregoing, has engaged in any transaction or acted in a manner, or failed to act in a manner, that could reasonably be expected to subject the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective employees or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any such trustee, administrator or other fiduciary, to any liability for breach of fiduciary duty under ERISA or any other applicable Law.

               (x) Each Company Welfare Plan may be amended or terminated (including with respect to benefits provided to retirees and other former employees) without liability which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect at any time after the Effective Time. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries complies in all material respects with the applicable requirements of Section 4980B(f) of the Code, Sections 601-609 of ERISA or any similar state or local Law with respect to each Company Benefit Plan that is a group health plan, as such term is defined in Section 5000(b)(1) of the Code or such state Law, except for such non-compliance as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any obligations for health or life insurance benefits following termination of employment under any Company Benefit Plan (other than for continuation coverage required under Section 4980(B)(f) of the Code) that are material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

               (xi) None of the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the obtaining of the Company Stockholder Approval or the consummation of the Merger or any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement (alone or in conjunction with any other event, including as a result of any termination of employment on or following the Effective Time) will (A) entitle any Company Personnel to severance or termination pay, (B) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or trigger any payment or funding (through a grantor trust or otherwise) of, compensation or benefits under, increase the amount payable or trigger any other material obligation pursuant to, any Company Benefit Plan, (C) result in any breach or violation of, or a default under, any Company Benefit Plan or (D) result in payments under any Company Benefit Plan that would not be deductible under Section 280G of the Code.

               (xii) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any material liability or obligations, including under or on account of a Company Benefit Plan, arising out of the hiring of persons to provide services to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries

and treating such persons as consultants or independent contractors and not as employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for such liabilities or obligations that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

               (xiii) No material deduction by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of any “applicable employee remuneration” (within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code) has been disallowed or is subject to disallowance by reason of Section 162(m) of the Code. For each of the Key Personnel of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Company has previously provided to Parent (A) accurate Form W-2 information for the 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 calendar years, (B) annual base salary as of the date hereof, actual bonus earned for the 2004 and 2005 calendar years and target annual bonus for the 2006 calendar year and (C) a list, as of the date hereof, of all outstanding Company Stock Options, Company Restricted Stock and Company Stock-Based Awards granted under the Company Stock Plans or otherwise (together with (as applicable) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject thereto, and the grant dates, expiration dates, exercise or base prices and vesting schedules thereof).

               (xiv) Except as individually or in the aggregate have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, with respect to any Foreign Benefit Plan, (A) all Foreign Benefit Plans have been established, maintained and administered in compliance with their terms and all applicable Laws and Orders of any controlling Governmental Entity, (B) all Foreign Benefit Plans that are required to be funded are fully funded in accordance with applicable Law, past practice and generally accepted accounting principles in the local jurisdiction and, with respect to all other Foreign Benefit Plans, adequate reserves therefor have been established on the accounting statements of the Company or the applicable Subsidiary to the extent so required; and (C) no liability or obligation of the Company or its Subsidiaries exists with respect to such Foreign Benefit Plans that has not been accrued in the consolidated financial statements of the Company included in the Filed Company SEC Documents.

          (m) No Parachute Gross Up . No Company Personnel is entitled to receive any additional payment from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the Surviving Corporation by reason of the excise Tax required by Section 4999(a) of the Code being imposed on such person by reason of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          (n) Taxes . Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

               (i) all Tax Returns required by applicable Law to have been filed with any Taxing Authority by, or on behalf of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been filed in a timely manner (taking into account any valid extension) in accordance with all applicable Laws, and all such Tax Returns are true and complete in all material respects;

               (ii) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has paid (or has had paid on its behalf) all Taxes due and owing;

               (iii) there are no Liens or encumbrances for Taxes on any of the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than for Taxes not yet due and payable;

               (iv) the Company and its Subsidiaries have complied with all applicable Laws relating to the payment and withholding of Taxes;

               (v) no written notification has been received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that any federal, state, local or foreign audit, examination or similar proceeding is pending, proposed or asserted with regard to any Taxes or Tax Returns of the Company or its Subsidiaries;

               (vi) there is no currently effective Contract extending, or having the effect of extending, the period of assessment or collection of any federal, state and foreign Taxes with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries nor has any request been made for any such extension;

               (vii) no written notice of a claim of pending investigation has been received from any state, local or other jurisdiction with which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries currently does not file Tax Returns, alleging that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has a duty to file Tax Returns and pay Taxes or is otherwise subject to the Taxing Authority of such jurisdiction;

               (viii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries joins or has joined in the filing of any affiliated, aggregate, consolidated, combined or unitary federal, state, local and foreign Tax Return other than consolidated Tax Returns for the consolidated group of which the Company is the common parent;

               (ix) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any tax sharing agreement or tax indemnity agreement, arrangement or practice (including any advance pricing agreement, closing agreement or other agreement relating to Taxes with any Taxing Authority) with any person other than the Company and its Subsidiaries;

               (x) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has constituted either a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” in a distribution of stock qualifying for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code in the two years prior to the date of this Agreement;

               (xi) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered into a “listed transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.6011-4(b)(2);

               (xii) no closing agreement pursuant to section 7121 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law) has been entered into by or with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and

               (xiii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken any action or knows of any fact or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

               (xiv) As used in this Agreement (A) “ Tax ” means (i) any tax, duty, governmental fee or other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever (including withholding on amounts paid to or by any person and liabilities with respect to unclaimed funds), together with any related interest, penalty, addition to tax or additional amount, and any liability for any of the foregoing as transferee or successor, (ii) liability for the payment of any amount of the type described in clause (i) as a result of being or having been before the Effective Time a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group, or, (iii) liability for the payment of any amount as a result of being party to any tax sharing agreement; (B) “ Taxing Authority ” means any Federal, state, local or foreign government, any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, or any quasi-governmental body exercising tax regulatory authority; and (C) “ Tax Return ” means any report, return, document, declaration or other information or filing required to be filed with respect to taxes (whether or not a payment is required to be made with respect to such filing), including information returns, any documents with respect to or accompanying payments of estimated taxes, or with respect to or accompanying requests for the extension of time in which to file any such report, return, document, declaration or other information and any amendments thereto.

          (o) Title to Properties .

               (i) Section 3.01(o)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete list of all real property owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries in fee simple that is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (the “ Owned Real Property ”) identifying the owner and address thereof.

               (ii) Section 3.01(o)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete list of all leases or subleases of real property (the “Leases”) under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries leases or subleases any real property or interests in real property other than those that are not material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (the “Leased Real Property”; together with the Owned Real Property the “Real Property” ) identifying the address and use thereof. True, correct and complete copies of the Leases have been delivered or made available to Parent prior to the date hereof.

               (iii) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has good, valid and marketable title to, or valid leasehold or sublease interests or other comparable contract rights in, or relating to, all the Real Property and other tangible assets necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted, except as have been disposed of in the ordinary course of business, free and clear of all Liens, except for defects in title, recorded easements, restrictive covenants and other encumbrances of record that individually or in the aggregate have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has complied with the terms of all Leases, and all Leases are in full force and effect, enforceable in accordance with their terms against the Company or Subsidiary party thereto and, to the

Knowledge of the Company, the counterparties thereto, except for such failure to comply or be in full force and effect that individually or in the aggregate has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received or provided any written notice of any event or occurrence that has resulted or could result (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) in a default with respect to any Lease, which defaults individually or in the aggregate have had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

               (iv) All buildings, structures, fixtures, building systems and equipment included in the Real Property (the “Structures" ) are in reasonably good condition and repair and sufficient for the operation of the business of the Company, subject to reasonable wear and tear and subject to replacements and upgrades of fixed assets, except for such failures to be in such good condition and repair or sufficient as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

               (v) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or obligated under any option, right of first refusal or other contractual right to sell, dispose of or lease any of the Real Property or any portion thereof or interest therein to any person (other than pursuant to this Agreement), in each case, that is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

               (vi) The present use of the land and Structures on the Real Property are in conformity with all applicable Laws, including all applicable zoning Laws and with all registered deeds, restrictions of record or other agreements affecting such Real Property, except for such failures to be in conformity that individually or in the aggregate have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (p) Intellectual Property . (i) Except as has not had and would not reasonably be ex