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Exhibit 2.1
EXECUTION COPY
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
by and among
KAR HOLDINGS II, LLC
("Buyer")
KAR HOLDINGS, INC.,
a wholly owned subsidiary of Buyer
("Holdings")
KAR ACQUISITION, INC.,
a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings
("Merger Sub")
and
ADESA, INC.
Dated as of
December 22, 2006
Table of
Contents
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Page
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ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND TERMS
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2
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Definitions
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2
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Other Terms
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19
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Other Definitional Provisions
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19
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ARTICLE II THE MERGER
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20
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The Merger
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20
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The Closing
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20
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Effective Time
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21
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Effect of Merger
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21
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Procedure for Payment
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25
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No Further Transfers of Company Common
Stock
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27
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Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates
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27
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Further Action
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28
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ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE
COMPANY
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28
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Due Organization of Company
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28
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Capitalization
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29
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Due Authorization of Transaction; Binding
Obligation
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30
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Non-Contravention
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31
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Government Approvals, Consents and
Filings
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31
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Litigation
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32
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Brokers’ Fees
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32
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Reports and Financial Information; No Unknown
Liabilities
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32
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Absence of Certain Changes or Events
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33
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Taxes
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34
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Employee Matters
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35
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Material Contracts
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37
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Customer Contracts.
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39
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Regulatory Compliance
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40
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Title to Properties; Etc.
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41
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Intellectual Property
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42
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Environmental Matters
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43
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Labor Matters
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44
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Opinion of Financial Advisor
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44
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State Takeover Statutes
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45
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Insurance
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45
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Interested Party Transactions
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45
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Allete Spin-off
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45
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Proxy Statement
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46
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i
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No Other Representations or Warranties
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46
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ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
BUYER PARTIES
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47
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Due Incorporation
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47
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Due Authorization of Transaction; Binding
Obligation
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47
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Non-Contravention
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48
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Government Approvals, Consents, and
Filings
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48
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Litigation
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49
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Performance
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49
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Financing
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49
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Capitalization of Buyer, Holdings and Merger
Sub
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50
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Finder’s Fees; Brokers
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50
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Information Supplied
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50
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Other Agreements
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51
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No Other Representations or Warranties
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51
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ARTICLE V CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE
MERGER
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51
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Conduct of Business of the Company Pending the
Merger
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51
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Compensation Plans
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55
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No Solicitation
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56
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Conduct of Business by Buyer Parties Pending the
Merger
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58
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ARTICLE VI ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
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58
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Stockholder Approvals
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58
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Proxy Statement
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59
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Access to Information; Confidentiality
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60
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Consents; Approvals
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61
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Notification of Certain Matters
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62
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Further Assurances
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63
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Public Announcements
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63
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Taxes
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63
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Director and Officer Liability
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64
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Action by Buyer and Company’s
Boards
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66
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Employee Benefits
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67
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No Solicitation of Employees Prior to
Close
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69
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Financing
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69
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No Acquisition of Shares
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72
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Merger Sub and Holdings
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73
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Third Party Consents
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73
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Stockholder Litigation
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73
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Existing Indebtedness
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73
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Repayment and Termination of Existing Credit
Facility
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73
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Spin-Off Related Notice
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74
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ARTICLE VII CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
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75
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Conditions to Obligations of Each Party to Effect
the Merger
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75
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ii
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Additional Conditions to Obligations of Buyer,
Holdings and Merger Sub
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75
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Additional Conditions to Obligation of the
Company
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76
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ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION
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77
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Termination
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77
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Effect of Termination
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79
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Fees and Expenses
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80
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ARTICLE IX GENERAL PROVISIONS
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84
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Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties;
Disclosure Letter
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84
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Notices
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84
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Amendment
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85
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Waiver
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85
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Headings
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85
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Severability
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85
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Entire Agreement; Incorporation of Schedules and
Exhibits
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86
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Assignment, Merger Sub
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86
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Parties in Interest
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86
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Governing Law; Jurisdiction
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86
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Counterparts; Facsimile Delivery
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87
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Enforcement of Agreement
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87
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Attorneys’ Fees
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87
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Waiver of Jury Trial
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87
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iii
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF
MERGER
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of December 22,
2006, (this " Agreement "), by and among ADESA, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the " Company "), KAR
Holdings II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("
Buyer "), KAR Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and
wholly owned subsidiary of Buyer (" Holdings "), and KAR
Acquisition, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned
subsidiary of Holdings (" Merger Sub ").
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the parties wish to effect a business combination
through a merger of the Merger Sub with and into the Company upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of the Company, Holdings and
Merger Sub, and the Board of Managers of Buyer, have each approved
this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and declared that the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are advisable and in
the best interests of their stockholders on the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and as a condition to the Company’s willingness to
enter into this Agreement, the Company is entering into a limited
guarantee with the parties named in the exhibits attached hereto
collectively as Exhibit A (collectively, the "
Limited Guarantee "), with respect to certain matters on the
terms specified therein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
covenants and agreements contained herein, and intending to be
legally bound hereby, Buyer, Holdings, Merger Sub and the Company
hereby agree as follows:
1
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND TERMS
(a)
The following terms, as used herein, have the
following meanings:
" 2004 Equity Plan " means the ADESA, Inc. 2004 Equity
and Incentive Plan.
" AFC Business Unit " has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.13(c) .
" Affiliate " shall have the meaning set forth in
Rule 12b-2 of the regulations promulgated under the Exchange
Act.
" Agreement " has the meaning set forth in the
Preamble.
" Allete " has the meaning set forth in Section
3.23 .
" Alternative Transaction " means any of the
following: (i) a transaction or series of transactions
pursuant to which any Third Party (or group of Third Parties)
acquires or seeks to acquire, directly or indirectly, beneficial
ownership of more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the outstanding
shares of Company Common Stock or any other class or series of
securities of the Company or any Material Subsidiary, whether from
the Company (or such Material Subsidiary) or pursuant to a tender
offer or exchange offer or otherwise; (ii) a merger or other
business combination (x) in which any Third Party acquires
more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the outstanding equity
securities or voting power of the Company or any Material
Subsidiary, or (y) immediately after which the Persons who
were the stockholders of the Company prior to such merger or
business combination cease to own, directly or indirectly, more
than seventy-five percent (75%) of the outstanding equity
securities or voting power of the Person surviving such merger or
other business combination (or if such Person is a wholly-owned
Subsidiary of another Person, of such other Person); (iii) a
consolidation, recapitalization, share exchange, or similar
extraordinary transaction involving the Company or any of its
Material Subsidiaries (other than the recapitalization of any
Material Subsidiary by the Company, or a merger, consolidation,
share exchange or amalgamation involving any Material Subsidiary
with the Company or any other Subsidiary); (iv) any other
transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which any Third
Party acquires or would acquire, directly or indirectly, assets of
the Company and its Subsidiaries representing, in the aggregate,
more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the assets of the Company
and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; or (v) a
transaction or series of transactions which is similar in form,
substance or purpose to any of the foregoing transactions, or any
combination of the foregoing; provided , however ,
that the term Alternative Transaction shall not include any
2
acquisition of securities by a broker dealer in
connection with a bona fide public offering of such
securities.
" Anticipated Prepayment Date " has the meaning set forth
in Section 6.19 .
" Applicable Law " means, with respect to any Person, any
domestic, foreign, federal, state, provincial, municipal, or local
statute, law, by-law, ordinance, rule, administrative
interpretation, regulation, order, writ, injunction, directive,
judgment, decree or other requirement of any Governmental Authority
applicable to such Person or any of its Affiliates or any of their
respective properties, assets, officers, directors, employees,
consultants or agents (in connection with such officer’s,
director’s, employee’s, consultant’s or
agent’s activities on behalf of such Person or any of its
Affiliates).
" Balance Sheet Date " has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.8(b)(i) .
" Bank of America Hedge Agreement " means the ISDA Master
Agreement, dated as of June 21, 2004, between the Company and Bank
of America, National Association, and all agreements and documents
executed in favor of Bank of America, National Association in
connection therewith.
" Business Day " means any day on which the principal
offices of the SEC in Washington, D.C. are open to accept filings,
or, in the case of determining a date when any payment is due, a
day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which
commercial banks in New York City, New York are
authorized or required by law to close.
" Buyer " has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
" Buyer Material Adverse Effect " means any effect,
change, condition, occurrence, development, event, or series of
events or circumstances that, individually or in the aggregate with
other effects, changes, conditions, occurrences, developments,
events or circumstances, would prevent or materially impede,
interfere, hinder or delay Buyer, Holdings or Merger Sub from
consummating the Merger or any of the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation,
materially adversely delay the Financing or materially amend or
expand the conditions to the drawdown of the Financing in any
respect that would make such conditions less likely to be
satisfied.
" Buyer Parties " means, collectively, Buyer, Holdings
and Merger Sub.
" Buyer Termination Fee " has the meaning set forth in
Section 8.3(d)(i) .
3
" Buyer Transaction Expenses " means the
reasonable and reasonably documented out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by Buyer, Holdings, Merger Sub, Equity Sponsors and their
respective Affiliates (which shall include, without limitation,
fees and expenses of financial advisors, financial sources, outside
legal counsel and accountants and other Representatives) in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby, including fees and expenses incurred by IAAI, the Equity
Sponsors and their respective Representatives in preparing for and
conducting, as applicable, a due diligence investigation relating
to the Company and its Subsidiaries in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby (and a due diligence investigation
relating to IAAI and its subsidiaries by any Equity Sponsor and its
Representatives other than Kelso and its Representatives), but
specifically excluding any fees and expenses to the extent
attributable to the refinancing of IAAI prior to the Closing or
otherwise exclusively related to matters related to the financial
statements of IAAI or other fees and expenses related to IAAI that
would be incurred even in the absence of this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby.
" Buyer Units " has the meaning set forth in Section
4.8 .
" Buyer’s Disclosure Letter " means the written
disclosure schedule delivered by Buyer to the Company concurrently
with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and, subject to
the qualifications set forth in Section 6.5 , as the same
may be amended or supplemented from time to time after the date
hereof as permitted herein.
" Canadian Employee Plans " means all bonus, stock
option, stock purchase, incentive, deferred compensation,
post-employment or retirement, supplemental retirement,
unemployment, severance, vacation, insurance or hospitalization
program and any other fringe or employee benefit plans, programs or
arrangements maintained, administered or contributed to by the
Company or its Canadian Subsidiaries for any current or former
employee, director, and any current or former employment or
executive compensation or severance agreements, for the benefit of,
or relating to, any employee of the Company and its Canadian
Subsidiaries employed or previously employed in locations in
Canada, but excluding (i) any agreements with former employees
under which neither the Company nor any of its Canadian
Subsidiaries has any remaining monetary obligations; (ii) any
Company Employee Plans; and (iii) any statutory or
governmental plan, program or arrangement to which the Company or a
Canadian Subsidiary is required by Canadian Law to contribute.
" Canadian Subsidiary " means a Subsidiary of the Company
incorporated under the laws of Canada or a province thereof.
" Capitalization Date " has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.2(b) .
" Cashed-Out ESPP Purchase Right " has the meaning set
forth in Section 2.4(f)(iii) .
4
" Cashed-Out Restricted Stock Unit Award "
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(f)(ii) .
" Cashed-Out Stock Option " has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.4(f)(i) .
" Certificate of Merger " has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.3 .
" Change in Recommendation " has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.3(f) .
" Claim " has the meaning set forth in Section
6.9(a)(ii)(x) .
" Cleanup " means all actions required to cleanup,
remove, treat, remediate, monitor, mitigate or prevent the further
migration of Hazardous Substances in the indoor or outdoor
environment, including, without limitation, performance of
environmental studies and investigations in preparation for any
remediation activities required by any Person pursuant to
Environmental Law.
" Closing " has the meaning set forth in Section
2.2 .
" Closing Date " has the meaning set forth in Section
2.2 .
" Code " means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
" Commitment Letters " has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.7 .
" Company " has the meaning set forth in the
Preamble.
" Company Board Recommendation " has the meaning set
forth in Section 6.1 .
" Company Common Stock " means the Common Stock, $0.01
par value, of the Company.
" Company Employee Plans " means all "employee benefit
plans" as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, bonus, stock
option, stock purchase, incentive, deferred compensation,
post-employment or retirement, supplemental retirement,
unemployment, severance, vacation, insurance or hospitalization
program and any other fringe or employee benefit plans, programs or
arrangements maintained, administered or contributed to by the
Company or its U.S. Subsidiaries
5
for any current or former employee, director,
consultant or agent, and any current or former employment or
executive compensation or severance agreements, written or
otherwise, for the benefit of, or relating to, any employee of the
Company and its U.S. Subsidiaries, but excluding (i) any
agreements with former employees under which neither the Company
nor any of its Subsidiaries has any remaining monetary obligations;
and (ii) any statutory or governmental plan, program or
arrangement to which the Company or a Subsidiary is required by Law
to contribute.
" Company ESPP " means the ADESA, Inc. Employee Stock
Purchase Plan.
" Company Financing Fees and Expenses " means (A) the
reasonable and reasonably documented out of-pocket expenses
incurred by the Company and its Subsidiaries and their respective
Affiliates in connection with (i) the voiding, termination
and/or destruction of all documents executed by the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries in connection with their cooperation in the
Financing as contemplated by Section 6.13(b) hereof and
(ii) providing to Buyer the cooperation in connection with the
arrangement of the Financing as contemplated by Section 6.13(b)
hereof; and (B) the losses, damages, costs, expenses and penalties
incurred by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection
with the arrangement of the Financing and any information utilized
in connection therewith (other than information provided by the
Company or its Subsidiaries), except to the extent that such
losses, damages, costs, expenses and penalties, directly or
indirectly, resulted solely from or arose solely out of the willful
misconduct of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and their
respective Representatives.
" Company Material Adverse Effect " means any effect,
change, condition, occurrence, development, event, or series of
events or circumstances that, individually or in the aggregate with
other effects, changes, conditions, occurrences, developments,
events or circumstances, has or have a material adverse effect on,
or a material adverse change in, (A) the condition (financial
or otherwise), properties, business or results of operations of the
Company and the Subsidiaries of the Company as presently conducted,
taken as a whole; other than any effect, change, condition,
occurrence, development, event or series of events or circumstances
arising out of or resulting from: (i) any decrease in the
market price or trading volume of the Company’s securities or
any effect resulting from any such change ( provided that
the underlying causes of such decrease shall be considered in
determining whether there is a Company Material Adverse Effect);
(ii) any change in Law, GAAP or interpretation or enforcement
thereof that applies to the Company and the Subsidiaries of the
Company, including the proposal or adoption of any new Law or GAAP;
(iii) any change, occurrence, development, event, or series of
events or circumstances affecting the general economic or business
conditions in the United States or any other country in which the
Company and the Subsidiaries of the Company operate, provide or
sell their products and services or otherwise do business;
(iv) any change, occurrence, development, event, or series of
events or circumstances affecting companies operating in the
industries or markets in which the Company and the Subsidiaries of
the Company operate, provide or sell their products or services or
otherwise do business; (v) any change, occurrence,
development, event, or series of events or circumstances affecting
national or international political conditions, including
engagement by the United States in hostilities, whether or not
6
pursuant to the declaration of a national
emergency or war, or the occurrence of any military or terrorist
attack upon the United States; (vi) any action taken by the Company
at the written request of Buyer, Holdings, Merger Sub, the Lenders
or the Equity Sponsors; or (vii) any change, occurrence,
development, event, or series of events or circumstances
principally resulting from the execution of this Agreement or the
consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or principally due to the public announcement of the
execution of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, including, without limitation, the loss of existing
customers or employees, a reduction in business by, or revenue
from, existing customers, disruption in suppliers, distributors,
partners or similar relationships, and any litigation brought by
stockholders of the Company in connection with the Merger;
provided, that clause (vii) shall not apply with respect to the
matters described in Section 3.4 and Section 3.5
hereof (including for purposes of Section 7.2(a) hereof
insofar as Section 3.4 and Section 3.5 are
concerned); provided , further , that, in the case of
the foregoing clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) above,
such changes, conditions, occurrences, developments, events or
circumstances do not disproportionately affect the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole relative to the other participants in
the industry or geographic market in which the Company and its
Subsidiaries conduct their respective businesses), or (B) the
ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this
Agreement or to consummate the Merger or the other transactions
contemplated hereby. For purposes of determining whether
changes, conditions, occurrences, developments, events or
circumstances relating to earthquakes, hurricanes or other natural
disasters constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect, insurance
proceeds received in respect of such earthquakes, hurricanes or
other natural disasters and repairs made to the damages caused by
such earthquakes, hurricanes or other natural disasters, in each
case, on or prior to the applicable date of determination, shall be
taken in to account in determining whether a Company Material
Adverse Effect has occurred. References in this Agreement to
dollar amount thresholds shall not be deemed to be evidence of
materiality or of a Company Material Adverse Effect.
" Company Notes " means the Company’s outstanding 7
5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012 issued under the Company
Notes Indenture.
" Company Notes Indenture " means the Indenture, dated
June 21, 2004, between the Company and LaSalle Bank National
Association, as trustee.
" Company Permits " has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.14(b) .
" Company Preferred Stock " means the Preferred Stock,
$0.01 par value, of the Company.
" Company Property " has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.15(a) .
" Company SEC Reports " has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.8(a) .
7
" Company Stock Certificate " has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.4(e)(i) .
" Company Stock Options " means all options to purchase
shares of Company Common Stock under the 2004 Equity Plan.
" Company Stock Plans " mean the 2004 Equity Plan and the
Director Compensation Plan.
" Company Termination Fee " has the meaning set forth in
Section 8.3(b) .
" Company Transaction Expenses " means collectively,
without duplication, (i) the Company Financing Fees and
Expenses; (ii) the Credit Facility Fees and Expenses; and
(iii) the reasonable and reasonably documented out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company,
and their respective Affiliates (which shall include, without
limitation, fees and expenses of financial advisors, financial
sources, outside legal counsel and accountants and other
Representatives) in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby.
" Company’s Disclosure Letter " means the written
disclosure schedule delivered by the Company to Buyer concurrently
with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and, subject to
the qualifications set forth in Section 6.5 , as the same
may be amended or supplemented from time to time after the date
hereof as permitted herein.
" Competition Act " means the Competition Act (Canada),
as amended.
" Confidentiality Agreement " has the meaning set forth
in Section 6.3 .
" Continuing Employees " has the meaning set forth in
Section 6.11(b) .
" Contract " means any contract, agreement, undertaking,
indenture, note, bond, guarantee, loan, instrument, lease, license,
mortgage, commitment or other binding agreement, in each case
whether written or oral.
" Convertible Securities " has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.2(d) .
" Credit Facility " means the Indebtedness and credit
commitments of the Credit Facility Agent, the Credit Facility
Lenders and any letter of credit issuer under the Credit Agreement
and the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Credit Facility
Agreement).
8
" Credit Facility Agent " means Bank of
America, N.A., as Administrative Agent under the Credit Facility
Agreement.
" Credit Facility Agreement " means that certain
$500,000,000 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of
July 25, 2005, among the Company, Bank of America, N.A., as Credit
Facility Agent, Swing Line Lender, L/C Issuer, and Collateral
Agent, the Credit Facility Lenders, and certain other parties
identified as Subsidiary Guarantors, Documentation Agent,
Syndication Agent and Managing Agents thereunder.
" Credit Facility Fees and Expenses " has the meaning set
forth in Section 6.19 .
" Credit Facility Lenders " means the parties identified
as Lenders from time to time under the Credit Facility
Agreement.
" Credit Suisse " has the meaning set forth in Section
3.7 .
" Debt Commitment Letters " has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.7 .
" Debt Financing " has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.7 .
" DGCL " means the Delaware General Corporation Law and
all amendments and additions thereto.
" Director Compensation Plan " means the ADESA, Inc.
Director Compensation Plan.
" Dissenting Shares " has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.4(g)(i) .
" Effective Time " has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.3 .
" Environmental Claim " means any claim, action, cause of
action, investigation, notice, writs, injunctions, orders and
decrees by any Person alleging potential liability (including
potential liability for investigatory costs, Cleanup costs,
governmental response costs, natural resources damages, property
damages, personal injuries, or penalties) arising out of, based on
or resulting from (i) the presence, or Release of any
Hazardous Substances at any location, whether or not owned or
operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or
(ii) circumstances forming the basis of any violation, or
alleged violation, of any Environmental Law.
9
" Environmental Laws " means any Law in
existence on the date hereof pertaining to (i) treatment, storage,
disposal, generation and transportation of Hazardous Substances;
(ii) air, water and noise pollution; (iii) groundwater and soil
contamination; (iv) the Release or threatened Release of Hazardous
Substances, or solid or hazardous waste, including, without
limitation, emissions, discharges, injections, spills, escapes or
dumping of pollutants, contaminants, or chemicals; (v) the
protection of wildlife, marine life and wetlands, including,
without limitation, all endangered and threatened species; (vi)
health and safety of employees and other persons to the extent that
such health and safety matters pertain to the handling of, or
exposure to Hazardous Substances; and (v) manufacturing,
processing, using, distributing, treating, storing, disposing,
transporting or handling of materials regulated under any
Environmental Law as a Hazardous Substance.
" Equity Commitment Letters " has the meaning set forth
in Section 4.7 .
" Equity Financing " has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.7 .
" Equity Sponsors " means, collectively, Kelso, Goldman,
ValueAct and Parthenon (and together with other equity sponsors in
substitution therefor or addition thereto in accordance with
Section 6.13 ).
" ERISA " means the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended.
" ERISA Affiliate " means any business or entity which is
a member of the same "controlled group of corporations," under
"common control" or an "affiliated service group" with an entity
within the meanings of Sections 414(b), (c) or
(m) of the Code, or required to be aggregated with the entity
under Section 414(o) of the Code, or is under "common control"
with the entity, within the meaning of Section 400l(a)(14) of
ERISA, or any regulations promulgated or proposed under any of the
foregoing Sections of ERISA and the Code.
" ESPP Cash-Out Payment " has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.4(f)(iii) .
" Exchange Act " means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
" Expenses " has the meaning set forth in Section
6.9(a)(ii)(y) .
" Final Date " has the meaning set forth in Section
8.1(b) .
10
" Financing " has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.7 .
" First Quarter 2007 Financials " means the consolidated
financial statements of the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries that would be included in the Company’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31,
2007.
" Fiscal 2006 Financials " means the consolidated
financial statements of the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries that would be included in the Company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2006.
" GAAP " means United States generally accepted
accounting principles.
" Goldman " means GS Capital Partners VI, L.P. and its
related GSCP VI co-investment funds.
" Governmental Authority " means any territorial,
federal, state, provincial, municipal or local, whether domestic,
foreign or supranational governmental or quasi-governmental
authority, instrumentality, court, commission, tribunal or
organization; any regulatory, administrative or other agency; any
self-regulatory organization; any national stock exchange; or any
political or other subdivision, department or branch of any of the
foregoing.
" Hazardous Substance " means any substance, material, or
waste listed, defined, designated or classified as hazardous,
dangerous, toxic or radioactive, or as a pollutant or contaminant
under any applicable Environmental Law, including petroleum and any
derivative or by-products thereof, and friable asbestos.
" Hedge Agreement Counterparties " means each of LaSalle
Bank National Association, as counterparty under the LaSalle Hedge
Agreement, and Bank of America, National Association, as
counterparty under the Bank of America Hedge Agreement.
" Hedge Agreements " means each of the Bank of America
Hedge Agreement and the LaSalle Hedge Agreement.
" HSR Act " means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.
" IAAI " means Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc.
11
" Indebtedness " means, with respect to
any Person, (i) indebtedness, notes payable, bonds,
debentures, accrued interest payable or other obligations of such
Person for borrowed money, whether current, short-term or
long-term, secured or unsecured; (ii) lease obligations under
leases which are classified as capital leases of such Person under
GAAP (excluding any operating leases of such Person under GAAP);
(iii) indebtedness created or arising under any conditional
sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property
acquired by such Person; (iv) obligations of such Person for
the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than
trade payables and obligations of such Person to creditors for raw
materials, inventory, services and supplies incurred in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practices);
(v) obligations of such Person pursuant to or evidenced by
hedging, swap, factoring, interest rate, currency or commodity
derivatives arrangements, Contracts or other similar instruments;
(vi) off-balance sheet financing of such Person including
synthetic leases and project financing; (vii) Indebtedness of
another Person referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) above
guaranteed, directly or indirectly, jointly or severally, in any
manner by such Person; (viii) Indebtedness referred to in
clauses (i) through (vii) above secured by (or for which the
holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or
otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property or assets owned
by such Person; and (ix) reimbursement obligations of such
Person with respect to letters of credit (other than
(A) letters of credit issued for the benefit of suppliers to
support accounts payable to suppliers incurred in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practices, (B) standby
letters of credit relating to workers’ compensation insurance
and surety bonds, and (C) surety bonds and customs bonds),
bankers’ acceptance or similar facilities issued for the
account of such Person.
" Indemnified Parties " has the meaning set forth in
Section 6.9(a) .
" Insurance Policies " has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.21 .
" Intellectual Property Rights " means all U.S. and
foreign (i) patents and patent applications (" Patents
"); (ii) trademarks, service marks, and trade names and
registrations and applications for registration thereof ("
Trademarks "); (iii) copyrights and registrations and
applications for registration thereof (" Copyrights ");
(iv) Internet domain name registrations; and (v) trade
secret rights and other proprietary rights in confidential
information, or know-how (" Trade Secrets ").
" International Continuing Employees " has the meaning
set forth in Section 6.11(b) .
" Investment Canada Act " means the Investment Canada Act
(Canada), as amended.
" IRS " means the United States Internal Revenue
Service.
12
" Kelso " means Kelso Investment
Associates VII, L.P.
" Knowledge of the Buyer Parties " means the actual
knowledge of the individuals set forth in Section 1.1(a) of
the Buyer’s Disclosure Letter.
" Knowledge of the Company " means the actual knowledge
of the executive officers of the Company set forth in Section
1.1(a) of the Company’s Disclosure Letter.
" LaSalle Hedge Agreement " means the ISDA Master
Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2005, between the Company and
LaSalle Bank National Association, and all agreements and documents
executed in favor of LaSalle Bank National Association in
connection therewith.
" Law " means any federal, state, provincial, municipal,
foreign or local law (including common law), by-law, statute,
ordinance, rule, regulation, order, injunction (preliminary or
permanent), judgment or decree.
" Lease Agreements " has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.15(c) .
" Lenders " means, collectively, Bear Stearns Corporate
Lending Inc., UBS Loan Finance LLC, UBS Securities LLC,
Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P., Deutsche Bank AG
New York Branch, Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch
and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
" Liens " means with respect to any asset (including any
security) or property, any mortgage, claim, license, lien, pledge,
charge, easement, covenant, reservation, option, right of first
offer or refusal, rights-of-way, transfer restriction, security
interest or other encumbrance or title imperfection or defect of
any kind or nature in respect to such asset, security or
property.
" Limited Guarantee " has the meaning set forth in the
Preamble.
" Major AFC Customers " has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.13(c) .
" Major Auction Customers " has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.13(a) .
" Major Customers " has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.13(c) .
" Major Salvage Customers " has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.13(b) .
13
" Marketing Period " means the first
period of thirty (30) consecutive days after the date hereof
throughout which, and at the end of which, (A) Buyer shall have the
Required Financial Information, (B) the conditions set forth in
Section 7.1 shall be satisfied and nothing has occurred and no
condition exists that would cause any of the conditions set forth
in Section 7.2 (other than the actual delivery of the certificates
described in Section 7.2 and the obligations of the Company
described in Section 6.18 and Section 6.19 that are only required
to be satisfied at the Effective Time) to fail to be satisfied
assuming the Closing were to be scheduled for any time during such
thirty (30) consecutive day period, and (C) the financial
statements contained in the Required Financial Information and the
Company SEC Reports shall have included an unqualified audit
opinion of the applicable auditor for such financial statements
(and such opinion shall not have been withdrawn); provided ,
however , that the Marketing Period shall in no event
commence on or prior to March 30, 2007; and provided ,
further , that if, prior to the completion of any such
thirty (30) consecutive days, the financial statements included in
the Required Financial Information that is available to Buyer on
the first day of such thirty (30) consecutive days would be
"stale," within the meaning of Rule 3-12 of Regulation S-X on any
day during such thirty (30) consecutive day period if a
registration statement using such financial statements were to be
filed with the SEC on any such date (it being understood that such
financial statements shall not be deemed "stale" for these purposes
if the underwriter(s) of the high yield financing indicate that
marketing the high yield financing with such financial statements
included in such Required Financial Information would not have a
material adverse impact on the price or marketability of such high
yield financing), then the Marketing Period shall be extended for
an additional period of time (not to exceed thirty (30) consecutive
days) as reasonably requested by the underwriter(s) of the high
yield financing (it being understood that the intent of the
foregoing extension is to provide Buyer with updated financial
information of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries such
that Buyer would have financial statements and data (of the type
contemplated by the Required Financial Information, but updated
with respect thereto) of the Company necessary, in the reasonable
and customary judgment of the underwriter(s), to effectively market
the high-yield financing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Marketing Period shall not be deemed to have ended for any purposes
of this Agreement if the conditions set forth in Section 7.1 do not
continue to be satisfied during any thirty (30) consecutive day
period, or any condition exists that causes any of the conditions
set forth in Section 7.2 (other than the actual delivery of the
certificates described in Section 7.2 and the obligations of the
Company described in Section 6.18 and Section 6.19 that are only
required to be satisfied at the Effective Time) to fail to continue
to be satisfied (assuming the Closing were to be scheduled on the
last day of such thirty (30) consecutive day period), at the
conclusion of such thirty (30) consecutive day period. For
the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the start of any
Marketing Period be delayed by, or any Marketing Period be extended
as a result of, any matter associated with IAAI, including, without
limitation, matters associated with the financial statements of
IAAI.
" Material Contracts " has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.12(a)(xii) .
" Material Subsidiaries " means the Subsidiaries of the
Company set forth on Section 1.1(b) of the Company’s
Disclosure Letter.
14
" Merger " has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.1 .
" Merger Consideration " has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.4(e)(i) .
" Merger Sub " has the meaning set forth in the
Preamble.
" New Commitment Letters " has the meaning set forth in
Section 6.13(d) .
" NYSE " means the New York Stock Exchange.
" Other Securities " has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.2(d) .
" Parthenon " means Parthenon Investors II, L.P.
" Paying Agent " has the meaning set forth in Section
2.5(a) .
" Payment Fund " has the meaning set forth in Section
2.5(a) .
" Permitted Liens " means (i) Liens securing
Indebtedness and liabilities disclosed on the Company’s
consolidated balance sheets as of the Balance Sheet Date;
(ii) Liens for Taxes and utilities not yet due or delinquent
and Liens for Taxes being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and for which there are adequate reserves on the
financial statements of the Company (if such reserves are required
pursuant to GAAP); (iii) construction, mechanics’,
materialmen’s or other similar Liens for construction in
progress; (iv) workmen’s, repairmen’s,
warehousemen’s, carriers’, storers’ or other
similar Liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of
business of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company;
(v) with respect to Company Properties, any zoning and other
land use restrictions, survey exceptions, utility easements, rights
of way and similar agreements, easements, covenants, reservations,
restrictions and Liens that are imposed by any Governmental
Authority having jurisdiction thereon or by Applicable Law or
otherwise disclosed on any title insurance policy, title report, or
survey made available to Buyer prior to the date hereof;
(vi) with respect to any real property, including, without
limitation, Company Property, any and all title exceptions (whether
material or immaterial) disclosed on a survey made available to
Buyer prior to the date hereof, Liens and obligations arising under
the Material Contracts or the Lease Agreements, and any other Lien
that does not materially adversely affect the current use, value or
marketability of such property; (vii) easement agreements and
all other matters disclosed on any title report or survey made
available to Buyer prior to the date hereof or, in the case of real
property located in Canada, otherwise disclosed by registered title
to such property as of the date hereof; (viii) matters that
are disclosed on current title reports or surveys made available to
Buyer prior to the date hereof; (ix) other Liens being
contested in good faith in the ordinary course of business and
which would
15
not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably
be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect; and/or
(x) as to any leased real property, any Lien affecting the
interest of the landlord thereof.
" Person " means an individual, a corporation, a
partnership, a limited liability company, an association, a trust,
a joint venture or other entity or organization, including a
government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality
thereof.
" Property Restrictions " has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.15(a) .
" Proxy Statement " means the proxy statement to be used
by the Company to obtain the approval and adoption of this
Agreement and the Merger by the stockholders of the Company.
" Registered Intellectual Property Rights " shall mean
all U.S. and foreign registrations and applications for Patents,
Copyrights, Trademarks and Internet domain names.
" Release " means any release, spill, emission,
discharge, leaking, pumping, injection, deposit, disposal,
dispersal, leaching or migration into the indoor or outdoor
environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater and
surface or subsurface strata) or into or out of any property,
including the movement of Hazardous Substances through or in the
air, soil, surface water, groundwater or property.
" Representative " means with respect to a particular
Person, any director, officer, employee, agent, consultant,
advisor, legal counsel, accountant, bank, Affiliate or other
representative of that Person.
" Required Financial Information " means (i) the
Fiscal 2006 Financials; and (ii) (A) any "pro forma"
financial statements of the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries with respect to the Fiscal 2006 Financials and
(B) such other financial data and other information, including
such information that would be necessary in order to receive
customary "comfort" (including "negative assurance" comfort) from
independent accountants, regarding the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as are of the type and form customarily included in
the offering(s) of debt securities contemplated by the Debt
Commitment Letters that the underwriter(s) of the high yield
financing may reasonably request prior to the commencement of the
Marketing Period, and that in the case of (A) and (B) is of the
type required by Regulation S-X and Regulation S-K under
the Securities Act and of the type and form customarily included in
a registration statement on Form S-1 (or any applicable
successor form) under the Securities Act for a public offering to
consummate the offering(s) of debt securities contemplated by the
Debt Commitment Letters; provided , however , the
underwriter(s) of the high yield financing must make such request
with respect to financial information set forth in
16
subsection (ii) above within ten (10) Business
Days after delivery of the Fiscal 2006 Financials by the Company to
Buyer and/or such underwriter(s) and the commencement of the
Marketing Period shall not be delayed due to the failure of the
Company to provide the Required Financial Information if the
failure of such underwriters to make the request within the ten
(10) Business Day period was the principal cause of or reasonably
resulted in the delay of the Company in providing the Required
Financial Information to Buyer and/or such underwriter(s);
provided , further , if the Fiscal 2006 Financials
would be "stale," within the meaning of Rule 3-12 of Regulation S-X
on any day during the Marketing Period if a registration statement
using the Fiscal 2006 Financials were to be filed with the SEC on
any such day during such Marketing Period (it being understood that
such Fiscal 2006 Financials shall not be deemed "stale" for these
purposes if the underwriter(s) of the high yield financing indicate
that marketing the high yield financing with such Fiscal 2006
Financials included in such Required Financial Information would
not have a material adverse impact on the price or marketability of
such high yield financing), then the term "Fiscal 2006 Financials"
in clause (i) and (ii) above shall be replaced, in each case, with
the term "First Quarter 2007 Financials". For the avoidance
of doubt, Required Financial Information shall in no event include
information related to IAAI, the Equity Sponsors, Buyer, Holdings
or Merger Sub and the audit opinion (and any qualification or
withdrawal thereof) of IAAI’s independent auditor shall have
no impact on the Marketing Period or the Required Financial
Information.
" Requisite Stockholder Vote " has the meaning set forth
in Section 3.3 .
" Restricted Stock Unit " has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.4(f)(ii) .
" Restricted Stock Unit Award " has the meaning set forth
in Section 2.4(f)(ii) .
" Restricted Stock Unit Cash-Out Payment " has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.4(f)(ii) .
" Sarbanes-Oxley Act " has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.8(c) .
" SEC " means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
" Securities Act " means the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
" Separation Tax Treatment " has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.23 .
" Spin-Off Date " has the meaning set forth in Section
3.23 .
17
" Stock Option Cash-Out Payment " has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.4(f)(i) .
" Stockholder Meeting " has the meaning set forth in
Section 6.1 .
" Subsidiary " means, with respect to any Person, any
other Person of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the
securities or other ownership interests having by their terms
ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of
directors, or of other Persons performing similar functions, of
such other Person is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by
such Person or by one or more of such Person’s Subsidiaries
(as defined in the preceding clause).
" Superior Offer " means a bona fide written offer, which
if accepted would constitute a legally binding agreement, made by
Buyer relating to amending or otherwise modifying this Agreement on
terms that the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good
faith and after consultation with its outside legal counsel and
financial advisor would be at least as favorable to the
Company’s stockholders, from a financial point of view, as
the transactions contemplated by the Superior Proposal identified
to Buyer in the notice described in Section 5.3(g)
hereof.
" Superior Proposal " means a bona fide written proposal
made by a Third Party relating to an Alternative Transaction (
provided that, for purposes of the definition of "Superior
Proposal," the term "Alternative Transaction" shall have the
meaning assigned above, except that (a) references to "more
than twenty-five percent (25%)" shall be deemed to be references to
"more than fifty percent (50%)," (b) references to "more than
seventy-five percent (75%)" shall be deemed to be references to
"more than fifty percent (50%)" and (c) clause (iii) of
the definition of "Alternative Transaction" shall not be given
effect except to the extent of "a merger or other business
combination" described therein) on terms that the Board of
Directors of the Company determines in good faith and after
consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial adviser
would be, or is reasonably likely to be, more favorable to the
Company’s stockholders, from a financial point of view, than
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (taking into
account any proposals by Buyer to amend the terms of this Agreement
in response thereto pursuant to Section 5.3(g) hereof).
" Superior Proposal Agreement " has the meaning set forth
in Section 5.3(g) .
" Surviving Corporation " has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.1 .
" Tax " or " Taxes " means taxes, assessments,
fees, levies, duties, tariffs, imposts and governmental impositions
or charges of any kind in the nature of (or similar to) taxes,
payable to any federal, state, provincial, municipal, local or
foreign taxing authority, including (without limitation)
(i) income, franchise, profits, gross receipts, ad valorem,
net worth, goods
18
and services, fringe benefits, sales, use,
service, real or personal property, special assessments, license,
payroll, withholding, employer health, employment, social security,
Canada Pension Plan, accident compensation, workers’
compensation, unemployment compensation, utility, severance,
production, excise, stamp, occupation, premiums, windfall profits,
transfer and gains taxes and (ii) interest, penalties,
additional taxes and additions to tax imposed with respect
thereto.
" Tax Returns " means returns, reports and information
statements with respect to Taxes required to be filed with the IRS,
the Canada Revenue Agency or any other taxing authority, domestic
or foreign, including, without limitation, consolidated, combined
and unitary tax returns.
" Third Party " means any Person (or group of Persons)
other than a party to this Agreement or an Affiliate of such a
party.
" U.S. Continuing Employees " has the meaning set forth
in Section 6.11(a) .
" UBS " has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7
.
" ValueAct " means ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P.
" Voting Debt " has the meaning set forth in Section
3.2(d) .
Section 1.2
Other Terms . Other terms may be
defined elsewhere in the text of this Agreement and, unless
otherwise indicated, shall have such meanings throughout this
Agreement.
Section 1.3
Other Definitional Provisions . In
this Agreement, except to the extent otherwise provided or that the
context otherwise requires:
(a)
when a reference is made in this Agreement to an
Article, Section, Exhibit or Schedule, such reference is to an
Article or Section of, or an Exhibit or Schedule to, this
Agreement unless otherwise indicated;
(b)
whenever the words "include," "includes" or
"including" are used in this Agreement, they are deemed to be
followed by the words "without limitation";
(c)
the words "hereof," "herein" and "hereunder" and
words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, refer to this
Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this
Agreement;
19
(d)
unless there is a specific reference to "Business
Day" or "Business Days," which is defined herein, the words "day"
and "days" when used in this Agreement refer to a calendar day or
calendar days.
(e)
references to any statute, rule or regulation are to
the statute, rule or regulation as amended, modified, supplemented
or replaced from time to time (and, in the case of statutes,
include any rules and regulations promulgated under the statute)
and to any section of any statute, rule or regulation include any
successor to the section;
(f)
all terms defined in this Agreement have the defined
meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or
delivered pursuant hereto, unless otherwise defined
therein;
(g)
the definitions contained in this Agreement are
applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such
terms;
(h)
references to a Person are also to its successors
and permitted assigns; and
(i)
the use of "or" is not intended to be exclusive
unless expressly indicated otherwise.
ARTICLE II
THE MERGER
Section 2.1
The Merger . Subject to and in
accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Merger
Sub will merge with and into the Company (the " Merger ") at
the Effective Time. The Company shall be the corporation
surviving the Merger (the " Surviving Corporation ") and, at
the Effective Time, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub
shall cease.
Section 2.2
The Closing . Unless this Agreement
shall have been terminated in accordance with Section 8.1 , and
subject to the provisions of ARTICLE VII , the closing of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the "
Closing ") shall take place at the offices of
Morrison & Foerster LLP, at 425 Market Street,
San Francisco, California 94105, commencing at 10:00 a.m.
local time as soon as practicable but in no event later than
two (2) Business Days following the satisfaction or waiver of
all conditions to the obligations of the parties to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby (other than conditions with
respect to actions the respective parties will take at the Closing
itself, including the receipt of the Financing, but subject to the
satisfaction or waiver of such conditions), or such other place or
date as the parties may mutually determine; provided ,
however , that notwithstanding the satisfaction or waiver
of
20
the conditions set forth in ARTICLE VII
hereof, the Buyer Parties shall not be required to effect the
Closing until the earlier of (a) a date during the Marketing
Period specified by Buyer on no less than two (2) Business Days
written notice to the Company and (b) the final day of the
Marketing Period (the date and time of the Closing is referred to
herein as, the " Closing Date ").
Section 2.3
Effective Time . On the Closing
Date, the parties hereto shall cause the Merger to be consummated
by filing all necessary documentation, including a Certificate of
Merger in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "
Certificate of Merger "), with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware, and Buyer will deliver, or cause to be
delivered, the Payment Fund to the Paying Agent in the manner
provided in Section 2.5 . The Merger shall be
effective upon filing of the Certificate of Merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, or on such later date
as may be specified therein (the time of such effectiveness being
the " Effective Time ").
(a)
General . The Merger will have the
effects set forth in the DGCL. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective
Time, all of the property, rights, privileges, 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. The Surviving
Corporation may, at any time after the Effective Time, take any
action (including executing and delivering any document) in the
name and on behalf of either the Company or Merger Sub in order to
carry out and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. The Surviving Corporation shall thereafter be
responsible and liable for all the liabilities and obligations of
the Company and Merger Sub.
(b)
Certificate of Incorporation . The
Certificate of Incorporation of Merger Sub in effect immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall be the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, except that the name of
the Surviving Corporation shall be changed to "ADESA, Inc."
(c)
Bylaws . The Bylaws of Merger Sub,
as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the
Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as
provided by Law and such Bylaws and the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation.
(d)
Directors and Officers . The
directors of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation, each to hold
office in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation. The officers of Merger
Sub at and after the Effective Time shall be the officers of the
Surviving Corporation, each to hold office in accordance with the
Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.
21
(e)
Conversion of Company Shares .
-
-
(i)
At and as of the Effective Time, each outstanding
share of Company Common Stock (other than Dissenting Shares and
shares of Company Common Stock held by Buyer, Holdings, the Company
or Merger Sub, or any direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of
Buyer, Holdings, the Company or Merger Sub) shall be converted into
the right to receive an amount (the " Merger Consideration
") equal to $27.85 in cash (without interest), upon surrender of
the certificate representing such outstanding share of Company
Common Stock (the " Company Stock Certificate ") in the
manner set forth in Section 2.5 , and as of the Effective
Time, each outstanding share of Company Common Stock shall no
longer be issued and outstanding and shall automatically be
cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and each holder of
a Company Stock Certificate shall cease to have any rights with
respect thereto, except the right to receive the Merger
Consideration (or, if applicable, to be treated as a Dissenting
Share as described in Section 2.4(g) ); provided ,
however , that the Merger Consideration shall be subject to
equitable adjustment in the event of any stock split, stock
dividend, reverse stock split or other change in the number of
Company Common Stock prior to the Effective Time, it being
understood that (i) the intent of such equitable adjustment is
to provide the holders of Company Common Stock, Company Stock
Options and Restricted Stock Units the same economic effect as
contemplated by this Agreement prior to any such change and
(ii) nothing herein shall be construed to permit the Company
to take any action with respect to its securities that is
prohibited by the terms of this Agreement.
(ii)
At and as of the Effective Time, each Dissenting
Share shall be treated as described in Section 2.4(g)
.
(iii)
At and as of the Effective Time, each share of
Company Common Stock held by Buyer, Holdings, the Company or Merger
Sub, or any direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of Buyer,
Holdings, the Company or Merger Sub shall be cancelled and
extinguished without the payment of any consideration
therefor.
(f)
Company Stock Options; Restricted Stock Unit
Awards; Stock Purchase Plan; Deferred Compensation Plans
.
-
-
(i)
By virtue of the Merger and without any action on
the part of the Company, Buyer, Holdings, Merger Sub or the holders
of Company Stock Options, each Company Stock Option outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall accelerate and fully
vest as of the Effective Time (each, a " Cashed-Out Stock
Option "). Each holder of a Cashed-Out Stock Option shall
be eligible to receive an amount in cash (without interest) equal
to (A) the excess, if
22
-
-
any, of the Merger Consideration over the
exercise price pursuant to such Cashed-Out Stock Option
multiplied by (B) the number of shares of Company
Common Stock subject to such Cashed-Out Stock Option, less all
applicable deductions and withholdings required by Law to be
withheld in respect of such payment. Buyer shall transfer, or
cause to be transferred, the necessary funds (the " Stock Option
Cash-Out Payment ") to the Surviving Corporation and Buyer
shall cause the Surviving Corporation to pay to each holder of a
Cashed-Out Stock Option the amounts contemplated by this Section
2.4(f)(i) , as soon as practicable after the Effective Time and
in any case within two (2) Business Days thereafter.
Buyer shall cause the Surviving Corporation to pay any amounts
withheld for withholding Taxes promptly to the appropriate
Governmental Authority on behalf of such holder of a Cashed-Out
Stock Option.
(ii)
By virtue of the Merger and without any action on
the part of the Company, Buyer, Holdings, Merger Sub or the holders
of awards (a " Restricted Stock Unit Award ") of restricted
stock units (each, a " Restricted Stock Unit ") issued
pursuant to the 2004 Equity Plan, each Restricted Stock Unit Award
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall
accelerate and shall be cancelled at the Effective Time (each, a "
Cashed-Out Restricted Stock Unit Award "). Each holder
of a Cashed-Out Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be eligible to
receive at the Effective Time an amount in cash (without interest)
equal to (A) the Merger Consideration multiplied by
(B) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to
each Cashed-Out Restricted Stock Unit, less all applicable
deductions and withholdings required by Law to be withheld in
respect of such payment. Buyer shall transfer, or cause to be
transferred, the necessary funds (the " Restricted Stock Unit
Cash-Out Payment ") to the Surviving Corporation and Buyer
shall cause the Surviving Corporation to pay to each holder of a
Cashed-Out Restricted Stock Unit Award the amounts contemplated by
this Section 2.4(f)(ii) , as soon as practicable after the
Effective Time and in any case within two (2) Business Days
thereafter. Buyer shall cause the Surviving Corporation to
pay any amounts withheld for withholding Taxes promptly to the
appropriate Governmental Authority on behalf of such holder of a
Cashed-Out Restricted Stock Unit Award.
(iii)
Promptly after the date hereof, the Company shall
suspend the Company ESPP so that no new purchase periods (as
defined in the Company ESPP) shall commence and no new participants
shall enroll in the Company ESPP after the date hereof. The
current purchase period in progress under the Company ESPP shall
terminate pursuant to its terms and any purchase rights existing
immediately prior to the Effective Time under the Company ESPP to
acquire a share of Company Common Stock shall be cancelled at the
Effective Time (each, a " Cashed-Out ESPP Purchase Right
"). Each holder of a Cashed-Out ESPP Purchase Right shall be
eligible to receive at the Effective Time an amount in cash
(without interest) equal to (A) the excess, if any, of the
Merger Consideration over the purchase price payable by the holder
to acquire such share
23
-
-
of Company Common Stock pursuant to the terms of
the Company ESPP, multiplied by (B) the number of shares of
Company Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the purchase rights,
less all applicable deductions and withholdings required by Law to
be withheld in respect of such payment. Buyer shall transfer
the necessary funds (the " ESPP Cash-Out Payment ") to the
Surviving Corporation and Buyer shall cause the Surviving
Corporation to pay to each holder of a Cashed-Out ESPP Purchase
Right the amounts contemplated by this Section 2.4(f)(iii) ,
as soon as practicable after the Effective Time and in any case
within two (2) Business Days thereafter. Buyer shall
cause the Surviving Corporation to pay any amounts withheld for
withholding Taxes promptly to the appropriate Governmental
Authority on behalf of such holder of a Cashed-Out ESPP Purchase
Right. In addition, as soon as practicable after the
Effective Time and in any case within two (2) Business Days
thereafter, Buyer shall cause the Surviving Corporation to return
to participants their respective accumulated payroll contributions
and optional cash payments not applied to the purchase of Company
Common Stock under the Company ESPP, if any.
(iv)
Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall
provide notice to each holder of Company Stock Options and
Restricted Stock Units and to participants in the Company ESPP
describing the treatment of such Company Stock Options, Restricted
Stock Units and the purchase periods then in effect under the
Company ESPP under this Section 2.4(f) . At the
Effective Time the Company shall terminate the Company Stock Plans
and the Company ESPP.
(v)
Following and subject to the payment of all accrued
account balances under each of the ADESA, Inc. Director
Compensation Deferral Plan and ADESA, Inc. 2005 Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan in accordance with their terms, the
Company shall take all actions necessary so that each such plan
shall terminate at the Effective Time.
(vi)
Prior to the Effective Time, the Company, in
consultation with Buyer, shall use its reasonable best efforts to
take such action as Buyer shall reasonably request in connection
with obtaining any necessary consents to give effect to the
treatment of Company Stock Options, Restricted Stock Units and
participants in the Company ESPP as contemplated by this Section
2.4(f) , to the extent that such treatment is not expressly
provided for by the terms of the applicable Company Stock Option
Plans, Company ESPP or related award agreements; provided ,
that the failure to obtain any such consents shall not be
considered a breach for purposes of Section 7.2(a) solely
with respect to Section 3.3 and Section 3.4 ,
Section 7.2(b) or Section 8.1(g) hereof.
24
(g)
Dissenting Shares .
-
-
(i)
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to
the contrary, any shares of Company Common Stock held by a holder
who has demanded and validly perfected appraisal rights for such
shares in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL and who, as
of the Effective Time, has not effectively withdrawn or lost such
appraisal rights (the " Dissenting Shares ") shall not be
converted into or represent a right to receive the Merger
Consideration pursuant to this Section 2.4 , but the holder
thereof shall only be entitled to such rights as are granted by
Section 262 of the DGCL.
(ii)
Notwithstanding the provisions of
subsection (i) above, if any holder of shares of
Company Common Stock who demands purchase of such shares under
Section 262 of the DGCL shall effectively withdraw or lose
(through failure to perfect or otherwise) such holder’s
appraisal rights, then, as of the later of (A) the Effective
Time or (B) the occurrence of such event, such holder’s
shares of Company Common Stock shall automatically be converted
into and represent only the right to receive the Merger
Consideration as provided in this Section 2.4 , without
interest thereon, upon surrender to the Surviving Corporation or
the Paying Agent, as applicable, of the Company Stock
Certificate.
(iii)
The Company shall give Buyer (A) prompt notice
of its receipt of any written demands for appraisal rights and any
withdrawals of such demands, and (B) the opportunity to
participate in all negotiations and proceedings with respect to
demands for appraisal rights under Section 262 of the
DGCL. The Company shall not, except with the prior written
consent of Buyer, make any payment with respect to any demands for
purchase of Company Common Stock pursuant to appraisal rights or
offer to settle or settle or approve any withdrawal or other
treatment of any such demands.
(h)
Conversion of Capital Stock of Merger Sub
. At and as of the Effective Time, each share of common
stock, $.01 par value per share, of Merger Sub shall be converted
into one share of common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the
Surviving Corporation.
(a)
Deposit of Funds . Immediately
following the Effective Time, Buyer shall or shall cause the
Surviving Corporation to deposit with Bank of New York or a bank or
trust company mutually acceptable to Buyer and the Company (the "
Paying Agent ") cash (the " Payment Fund ")
sufficient in the aggregate for the Paying Agent to make full
payment of the Merger Consideration to the holders of all of the
outstanding Company Common Stock (other
25
than any Dissenting Shares and shares of Company
Common Stock held by Buyer, Holdings, the Company or Merger Sub, or
any Subsidiary of Buyer, Holdings, the Company or Merger Sub) which
such holders are entitled to receive pursuant to this ARTICLE
II . The Payment Fund shall not be used for any other
purpose. On or simultaneously with the Closing Date, the
Company (solely in its capacity as the Surviving Corporation),
Buyer, Holdings, Merger Sub and the Paying Agent shall enter into a
paying agent agreement, on terms and conditions that are reasonably
satisfactory to the parties hereto.
(b)
Procedures . Promptly (and in any
event within two (2) Business Days) after the Effective Time,
the Surviving Corporation shall cause the Paying Agent to mail a
letter of transmittal in customary form and containing such
customary provisions as Buyer and the Company may reasonably
specify (including a provision confirming that delivery of Company
Stock Certificates shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to
Company Stock Certificates shall pass, only upon delivery of such
Company Stock Certificates to the Paying Agent and provisions
regarding those Company Stock Certificates held in book-entry form)
to each record holder of Company Common Stock outstanding at the
Effective Time for the holder to use in surrendering the Company
Stock Certificate against payment of the Merger
Consideration. No interest will accrue or be paid to the
holder of any outstanding shares of Company Common Stock.
Upon surrender of a Company Stock Certificate for cancellation to
the Paying Agent, together with a letter of transmittal duly
completed and validly executed in accordance with the instructions
thereto, and such other documents as may be reasonably required
pursuant to such instructions, the Paying Agent shall make full
payment of the Merger Consideration (less applicable withholding
Taxes) to each holder of Company Common Stock (other than any
Dissenting Shares and shares of Company Common Stock held by Buyer,
Holdings, the Company or Merger Sub or any Subsidiary of Buyer,
Holdings, the Company or Merger Sub) within three (3) Business
Days after such stockholder surrenders such stockholder’s
Company Stock Certificates to the Paying Agent (or an affidavit to
the effect that their Company Stock Certificates shall have been
lost, stolen or destroyed in accordance with Section 2.7 to
the Paying Agent) and the Company Stock Certificate so surrendered
shall forthwith be cancelled. In the event of a transfer of
ownership of the Company Common Stock that is not registered in the
transfer records of the Company, the Merger Consideration may be
paid to a Person other than the Person in whose name the Company
Stock Certificate surrendered is registered, if such certificate
shall be properly endorsed or otherwise be in proper form for
transfer and the Person requesting such issuance establishes to the
satisfaction of the Paying Agent that the prior transfer was valid;
provided that it shall be a condition of payment that the
Person who surrenders such Company Stock Certificate must provide
funds for payment of any transfer or other Taxes required by reason
of the payment to a Person other than the registered holder of the
surrendered Company Stock Certificate or establish to the
satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation that the Tax has been
paid or is not applicable.
(c)
Investment of Payment Fund . Buyer
may cause the Paying Agent to invest the cash included in the
Payment Fund as directed by Buyer; provided , however
, that no such investment or loss thereon shall affect the amounts
payable or the timing of payments of the aggregate Merger
Consideration, and that the terms and conditions of the investments
shall be such as to permit the Paying Agent to make prompt payment
of the aggregate Merger
26
Consideration, as necessary. Buyer may
cause the Paying Agent to pay over to the Surviving Corporation any
net earnings with respect to the investments, and Buyer shall cause
the Surviving Corporation to replace promptly any portion of the
Payment Fund which the Paying Agent loses through
investments.
(d)
Termination of Payment Fund . Buyer
may cause the Paying Agent to pay over to the Surviving Corporation
any portion of the Payment Fund (including any earnings thereon)
remaining twelve (12) months after the Effective Time, and
thereafter all former stockholders of the Company shall be entitled
to look to the Surviving Corporation (subject to abandoned
property, escheat and other similar Laws) as general creditors
thereof with respect to the cash payable upon surrender of their
Company Stock Certificates. Any portion of the Payment Fund
remaining unclaimed by former stockholders of the Company as of a
date which is immediately prior to such time as such amounts would
otherwise escheat to or become property of any Governmental
Authority shall, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, become
the property of the Surviving Corporation free and clear of any
claims or interest of any person previously entitled
thereto.
(e)
Paying Agent Expenses . Buyer shall
cause the Surviving Corporation to pay all charges and expenses of
the Paying Agent.
(f)
Withholding Taxes . Buyer, the
Paying Agent and the Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to
deduct and withhold from payments otherwise payable pursuant to
this Agreement to any holder of Company Common Stock, Company Stock
Options and Restricted Stock Units, as applicable, such amounts as
they are respectively required to deduct and withhold with respect
to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of
state, local or foreign Tax Law. To the extent that amounts
are so withheld, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all
purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of
Company Common Stock, Company Stock Options and Restricted Stock
Units, as applicable, in respect of which such deduction and
withholding was made.
Section 2.6
No Further Transfers of Company Common
Stock . Following the Effective Time, there shall be
no further registration of transfers on the records of the Company
of shares of Company Common Stock which were outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the
Effective Time, Company Stock Certificates are presented to the
Surviving Corporation for any reason, they shall be canceled and
exchanged as provided in this ARTICLE II .
Section 2.7
Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates
. In the event any Company Stock Certificates shall have been
lost, stolen or destroyed, the Paying Agent shall pay the Merger
Consideration in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed
Company Stock Certificates, upon the making of an affidavit of that
fact by the holder thereof; provided that the Surviving
Corporation may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to
the payment thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or
destroyed Company Stock Certificates to provide an indemnity or
deliver a bond in such sum as it may reasonably direct as indemnity
against any claim that
27
may be made against the Surviving Corporation
with respect to the Company Stock Certificates alleged to have been
lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 2.8
Further Action . If, at any time
after the Effective Time, any further action is reasonably
necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement
or to vest the Surviving Corporation with full right, title and
possession to all assets, property, rights, privileges, powers and
franchises of either the Company or Merger Sub, the officers and
directors of the Surviving Corporation are fully authorized to
take, and will take, all such lawful and reasonably necessary
action.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE
COMPANY
The Company hereby represents and warrants to Buyer and Merger
Sub, except as set forth in (A) the Company’s Disclosure
Letter (after giving effect to the principles set forth in
Section 9.1(b) ) or (B) the Company SEC Reports filed
prior to the date hereof, including the notes to the financial
statements accompanying the financial statements set forth in the
Company SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof, but excluding
the risk factors, forward-looking statements and financial
statements set forth in such Company SEC Reports filed prior to the
date hereof (provided that (i) clause (B) above shall not
apply to Sections 3.2 through 3.5 , 3.7 ,
3.8(a) , the first sentence of 3.9 , 3.12 ,
3.13 , 3.19 , 3.20 and 3.22 (other than
as provided therein) through 3.25 of this Agreement and
(ii) clause (B) above shall only apply to
Sections 3.1 , 3.6 , 3.8(b) ,
3.8(c) , the second sentence of 3.9 , 3.10 ,
3.11 , 3.14 through 3.18 and 3.21 if,
and only if, the nature and content of the applicable disclosure in
any Company SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof to Sections
identified in this clause (ii), as applicable, is reasonably
specific as to matters and items such that the subject matter of
such disclosure is reasonably apparent on the face of the text of
such disclosure to be applicable to the representation set forth in
the applicable Section identified in this clause (ii)),
as follows:
(a)
The Company and each of the Material Subsidiaries
are duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
Laws of the jurisdiction of their organization. The Company
and each of the Material Subsidiaries have the corporate power and
authority to carry on their business as they are now being
conducted and to own all of their properties and assets, except
where the failure to have such corporate power has not had, and
would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. True and
complete copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of
the Company and the charter, bylaws, partnership agreement, limited
liability company agreement and other organizational documents of
the Material Subsidiaries in effect on the date hereof have been
made available to Buyer prior to the date hereof. The Company
and each of the Material Subsidiaries are duly qualified as foreign
corporations to do business, and are in good standing (to the
extent the concept of good standing exists), in each jurisdiction
where the character of their properties owned or held under lease
or the nature of their activities makes such
28
qualification necessary, except where the failure
to be so qualified has not had, and would not reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company
Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each of the Material
Subsidiaries have all business licenses, permits and approvals
necessary to conduct their business as presently conducted, except
where the failure to have such permit or approval has not had, and
would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. Neither the
Company nor any of the Material Subsidiaries is in material
violation of any of the provisions of its organizational
documents.
(b)
Section 3.1(b) of the Company’s
Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and complete list of all of the
Subsidiaries of the Company, including the jurisdiction of
organization of each Subsidiary. Except for its interests in
its Subsidiaries, the Company does not own, directly or indirectly,
any capital stock of, or other equity interests in, any other
Person. Other than the Material Subsidiaries, each of the
other Subsidiaries of the Company is not a "significant subsidiary"
as defined by Regulation S-X of the Securities Act.
(a)
The authorized capital stock of the Company consists
of five hundred million (500,000,000) shares of Company Common
Stock and fifty million (50,000,000) shares of Company Preferred
Stock. As of December 20, 2006, (i) eight million
five hundred thousand (8,500,000) shares of Company Common Stock
are reserved for issuance under the 2004 Equity Plan; (ii) two
hundred thousand (200,000) shares of Company Common Stock are
reserved for issuance under the Director Compensation Plan; and
(iii) five hundred thousand (500,000) shares of Company Common
Stock are reserved for issuance under the Company ESPP.
(b)
As of the close of business on December 20,
2006 (the " Capitalization Date "), (i) Eighty Nine
Million Nine Hundred Ninety Six Thousand Three Hundred Forty Nine
and Two Hundred Forty Nine Thousandths (89,996,349.249) shares of
Company Common Stock were issued and outstanding; (ii) no
shares of Company Preferred Stock were issued or outstanding;
(iii) Company Stock Options to acquire Four Million Two
Hundred Thousand One Hundred Twenty One (4,200,121) shares of
Company Common Stock were outstanding; and (iv) Two Hundred
Eighty Six Thousand Ninety Seven and Three Hundred Sixty Two
Thousandths (286,097.362) Restricted Stock Units were
outstanding.
(c)
Since the Capitalization Date to the date of this
Agreement, except in connection with the issuance of Company Common
Stock pursuant to the exercise of Company Stock Options outstanding
as of the Capitalization Date, no shares of Company Common Stock,
Company Preferred Stock, Restricted Stock Units or other equity
securities of the Company have been issued and no Company Stock
Options have been granted. All outstanding shares of Company
Common Stock are, and all shares of Company Common Stock subject to
issuance, upon issuance on the terms and conditions specified in
the instruments pursuant to which they are issuable will be, duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
29
nonassessable and free of any preemptive or
similar rights and issued in compliance with all applicable
securities Laws. Section 3.2(c) of the Company’s
Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct and complete list, as
of the Capitalization Date, of each Company Stock Option,
Restricted Stock Unit or other equity-based award outstanding, the
number of shares of Company Common Stock issuable thereunder,
expiration date and exercise price related thereto and the Company
Stock Option Plan pursuant to which each such Company Stock Option,
Restricted Stock Unit or other equity-based award was
granted.
(d)
Except for the Company Stock Options and the
Restricted Stock Units, there are no (i) existing options,
warrants, calls, subscription rights, Contracts, convertible
securities or other rights, agreements or commitments (contingent
or otherwise) that obligate the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
to issue, transfer or sell any Company Common Stock or any other
equity interest in, or debt security of, the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or any investment or security that is convertible
into or exercisable or exchangeable for any such shares or
interests (collectively, " Convertible Securities "),
(ii) equity equivalents, stock appreciation rights, phantom
stock or ownership interests in the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or similar rights (collectively, " Other
Securities "), or (iii) outstanding bonds, debentures,
notes or other obligations the holders of which have the right to
vote (or which are convertible, exchangeable or exercisable for or
into securities having the right to vote) with the stockholders of
the Company on any matter (collectively, " Voting Debt ",
and together with Convertible Securities, Other Securities, Company
Common Stock, Company Preferred Stock, Company Stock Options and
Restricted Stock Units, the " Company Interests
").
(e)
There are no Contracts to which the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries is a party or bound (i) with respect to
the voting or disposing of any shares of the Company Common Stock
or any capital stock of any Subsidiary of the Company, nor to the
Knowledge of the Company, as of the date of this Agreement, are
there any third party agreements or understandings with respect to
the voting of any such shares, (ii) requiring the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire
any outstanding securities of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or (iii) requiring the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries to make any investment (in the form of a loan, capital
contribution or otherwise) in any other Person, except in the case
of Subsidiaries of the Company that comprise the AFC Business Unit,
for loans made in the ordinary course of business of the AFC
Business Unit.
(f)
Each outstanding share of capital stock of each
Material Subsidiary is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid
and non-assessable and was issued in compliance in all material
respects with applicable securities Laws, and each such share is
owned by the Company free and clear of all Liens.
Section 3.3
Due Authorization of Transaction; Binding
Obligation . The Company has full corporate power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and, subject to
obtaining the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the
Merger by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
then-outstanding shares of Company Common Stock entitled to vote
thereon (the " Requisite Stockholder Vote "), to perform
its
30
obligations hereunder and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby, and the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation
by the Company of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of the Company (other than
obtaining the Requisite Stockholder Vote). Except for the
adoption of this Agreement and the Merger by the Requisite
Stockholder Vote, no other corporate proceedings on the part of the
Company are required to approve this Agreement or to consummate the
Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby. This
Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the
Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of
this Agreement by Buyer, Holdings and Merger Sub, this Agreement is
the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the
qualification, however, that enforcement of the rights and remedies
created hereby is subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent
transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general
application relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to
general principles of equity affecting the availability of specific
performance and other equitable remedies. The Board of
Directors of the Company, at a meeting duly called and held, has
duly (i) approved and adopted this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, and
(ii) determined that the terms of this Agreement are fair to
and in the best interests of the Company’s
stockholders.
Section 3.4
Non-Contravention . Assuming
compliance with the HSR Act, the Competition Act, any other foreign
antitrust or combination Laws, the Exchange Act, the rules and
regulations of the NYSE, any applicable state securities or "blue
sky" Laws, the Requisite Stockholder Vote and the filing of the
Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
by the Company and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby by the Company do not and will not
(i) contravene the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of
the Company, or the charter, bylaws, partnership agreement, limited
liability company agreement or other organizational documents of
any Material Subsidiary, (ii) violate any Applicable Law, or
(iii) require any consent or approval under, conflict with or
result in a breach or termination of or constitute (with or without
notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give to others any
right of termination, vesting, amendment, modification,
acceleration or cancellation) under, or result in the triggering of
any payments or result in the creation of a Lien on any property or
asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, pursuant to, any
Company Permit or Contract to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets may be
bound, or (iv) conflict with or result in a breach of or
default under any judgment, decree, order or ruling to which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of
their assets or properties may be bound, except, with respect to
clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) for any such contraventions,
violations, conflicts, consents, approvals, breaches or defaults
which would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.5
Government Approvals, Consents and Filings
. Except for such filings as required by the HSR Act, the
Competition Act, any other foreign antitrust or combination Laws,
the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations of the NYSE, any
applicable state securities or "blue sky" Laws, the Requisite
Stockholder Vote and the filing of the Certificate of Merger with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, no
approval,
31
authorization, consent, order, filing,
registration or notification is required to be obtained by the
Company from, or made or given by the Company to, any Governmental
Authority in connection with the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement by the Company or the consummation by
the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
except for such approvals, authorizations, consents, orders,
filings, registrations or notifications of which the failure to
obtain would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.6
Litigation . Neither the Company nor
any of its Subsidiaries (and none of their respective officers or
directors) is engaged in, or a party to, and none of their assets
or properties are subject to, or to the Knowledge of the Company,
threatened with, any legal action, formal investigation or other
proceeding before any Governmental Authority, which, individually
or in the aggregate (i) seeks to restrain, or modify or
invalidate, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or
(ii) would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material
Adverse Effect. There is no judgment, decree, injunction,
rule, writ or order of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator
outstanding against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any
of their respective assets or properties which, individually or in
the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.7
Brokers’ Fees . Except for
fees payable to UBS Securities LLC (" UBS "), Credit Suisse
Securities (USA) LLC (" Credit Suisse ") and the Bank
of Montreal, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
any liability or obligation to pay any fees or commissions to any
broker, finder, investment banker, financial advisor or agent with
respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for
which Buyer or the Surviving Corporation could become liable or
obligated.
(a)
The Company has filed all reports, forms, statements
and other documents required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to
the Exchange Act since the completion of its initial public
offering on June 16, 2004 (all such reports and amendments and
supplements thereto, collectively, the " Company SEC Reports
"). The Company SEC Reports (i) complied in all material
respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and
the Exchange Act, at such time of filing; and (ii) did not, as
of their respective dates (or, if amended or superseded by a filing
prior to the date of this Agreement, then on the date of such
amendment or superseding filing), contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading; provided , however , that no
representation is made as to the accuracy of any financial
projections or forward-looking statements, or the completeness of
any information, furnished by the Company to the SEC solely for the
purposes of complying with Regulation FD promulgated by the SEC
under the Exchange Act. None of the Subsidiaries of the
Company is, or has at any time been, subject to the reporting
requirements of Sections 13(a) or 15(d) under the Exchange
Act. The financial statements of the Company included in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2005 (including the related notes thereto)
and the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the
periods ended March 31, 2006, June 30, 2006
and
32
September 30, 2006 fairly present the
consolidated financial position, the results of operations, the
changes in cash flows and the changes in stockholders’ equity
of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the respective
periods set forth therein, in each case, in conformity with GAAP
consistently applied during the periods involved, except as
otherwise noted therein and subject, in the case of the unaudited
interim financial statements, to (x) normal year-end
adjustments; and (y) the permitted exclusion of all footnotes
that would otherwise be required by GAAP.
(b)
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
any material liability or obligation (whether accrued, absolute,
known or unknown, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to
become due and whether or not required to be reflected, reserved
for or disclosed in a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and
its consolidated Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto,
prepared in accordance with GAAP) except (i) as reflected,
reserved for or disclosed in the consolidated balance sheet of the
Company as at December 31, 2005 (the " Balance Sheet
Date "), including the notes thereto, included in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2005; (ii) as incurred since the
Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice and as would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material
Adverse Effect; or (iii) as incurred or to be incurred by the
Company or any Material Subsidiary pursuant to, in connection with,
or as a result of, the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(c)
Subject to any applicable grace periods, the Company
has been and is in compliance in all material respects with
(A) the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 (the " Sarbanes-Oxley Act ") and (B) the
applicable listing and corporate governance rules and regulations
of the NYSE. The Company SEC Reports included all
certificates required to be included therein pursuant to
Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the
internal control report and attestation of the Company’s
outside auditors required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act. The Company has established and maintains disclosure
controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the
Exchange Act) as required under Rule 13a—15 of the
Exchange Act, to ensure that material information relating to the
Company is made known to the management of the Company by others
within the Company. The Company has disclosed, based on its
most recent evaluation prior to the date hereof, to the
Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company (i) any significant deficiencies and
material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls
over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the
Exchange Act) which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the
Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report
financial information and (ii) any fraud or allegation of
fraud, whether or not material, known to management that involves
management or other employees who have a significant role in the
Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.
As of the date hereof, the Company has not identified any material
weaknesses in its internal controls over financial
reporting.
Section 3.9
Absence of Certain Changes or Events
. Since the Balance Sheet Date, the Company has not suffered
any change in its business, properties, condition (financial or
otherwise) or results of operation which has had, or would
reasonably be expected to have,
33
individually or in the aggregate, a Company
Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the
Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods
ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2006, and Current Reports
on Form 8-K filed prior to the date hereof, since the Balance Sheet
Date and prior to the date hereof, neither the Company nor any of
its Subsidiaries has taken any action that would require the
approval of Buyer if taken after the date hereof pursuant to
clauses (a) (other than any amendment of the
Certification of Incorporation or Bylaws or similar organizational
documents or agreements of any of the Company’s wholly owned
Subsidiaries), (b) (other than regular quarterly cash
dividends in Company Common Stock which have been publicly
disclosed), (g) , (i) and (l) of Section
5.1 .
(a)
Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries
(i) has timely filed (or had filed on their behalf) all
material Tax Returns required to be filed by any of them (after
giving effect to any filing extension granted by a Governmental
Authority); and (ii) has paid (or had paid on their behalf)
all material Taxes (whether or not shown on such Tax Returns) that
are required to be paid by it, other than such payments as are
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings. The
most recent financial statements contained in the Company SEC
Reports reflect an adequate reserve (excluding any reserve for
deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between
book and Tax income) for all material Taxes payable by the Company
and the Subsidiaries for all taxable periods and portions thereof
through the date of such financial statements. Copies of all
federal Tax Returns for the Company and the Subsidiaries with
respect to the taxable years commencing on or after
January 2003 have been made available to representatives of
Buyer. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has
executed or filed with the IRS, the Canada Revenue Agency or any
other taxing authority any agreement, waiver or other document or
arrangement extending the period for assessment, reassessment or
collection of material Taxes (including, without limitation, any
applicable statute of limitation), and no power of attorney with
respect to any material Tax matter is currently in force with
respect to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries.
(b)
For taxable years beginning after December 31,
2004, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has
been a member of an "affiliated group" (within the meaning of
Section 1504 of the Code) filing a consolidated federal income
Tax Return, or included or required to be included in any other
group of entities filing, other than a group of which the Company
is the common parent, which would cause the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries to be liable for Taxes under Treasury Regulation
Section 1.1502-6; or (ii) is liable for Taxes of another
Person (other than another Subsidiary of the Company) either by
Contract or by reason of being a transferee or successor of such
Person.
(c)
All material deficiencies asserted or assessments or
reassessments made with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary as
a result of any audits or examinations by the IRS, the Canada
Revenue Agency or any other taxing authority of the Tax Returns
covering or including the Company or any Subsidiary have been paid,
and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no other audits,
examinations or other proceedings relating to any
material
34
Taxes of the Company or any Subsidiary by any
taxing authority in progress. Neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary has received any written notice from any taxing
authority that it intends to conduct such an audit, examination or
other proceeding in respect to any material Taxes or make any
material assessment for Taxes where such matter is still
pending. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to
any material litigation or pending litigation or administrative
proceeding relating to any material Taxes.
(d)
No claim has been made in writing by a taxing
authority in a jurisdiction where the Company or any Subsidiary
does not file Tax Returns that the Company or any such Subsidiary
is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.
(e)
Neither the Company nor any other Person on behalf
of the Company or any Subsidiary has requested any extension of
time within which to file any material Tax Return, which material
Tax Return has not yet been filed.
(f)
There are no material Liens for Taxes (other than
Permitted Liens) upon any of the assets of the Company or any
Subsidiary.
(g)
Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has engaged
in a "listed transaction" as defined in Treasury Regulation
Section 1.6011-4(b)(2).
(h)
The Company has not been a United States real
property holding corporation (as defined in Section 897(c)(2)
of the Code) during the applicable period specified in
Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.
(a)
Section 3.11(a) of the Company’s
Disclosure Letter lists the name of each Company Employee Plan that
is material to the Company and its U.S. Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole. The Company has made available to Buyer prior to the
date hereof copies of the following: (i) the most recent
Company Employee Plan document and all amendments thereto;
(ii) the most recent annual report on Form 5500 filed
with respect to each Company Employee Plan (if any such report was
required by Applicable Law); (iii) the most recent summary
plan description for each Company Employee Plan for which such a
summary plan description is required by Applicable Law and all
related summaries of material modifications; (iv) the most
recent Internal Revenue Service determination, notification, or
opinion letter, if any, received with respect to each applicable
Company Employee Plan; and (v) each trust agreement, insurance
contract, annuity contract, or other funding arrangement in effect
as of the date hereof and relating to any Company Employee
Plan.
35
(b)
Each of the Company Employee Plans has been
administered in accordance with their terms and all Applicable Laws
and regulations except for any instances of non-compliance that
have not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse
Effect. No claim, action, suit or other proceeding is pending
or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened with respect to any
Company Employee Plan (other than claims for benefits in the
ordinary course) that would reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse
Effect.
(c)
Each of the Company Employee Plans that is intended
to be a "qualified plan" within the meaning of Section 401(a)
of the Code is the subject of a favorable determination or opinion
letter issued by the Internal Revenue Service (" IRS ")
issued after January 1, 1997, and to the Knowledge of the
Company no fact or event has occurred since the date of such
determination letter or letters from the IRS to adversely affect
the qualified status of any such Company Employee Plan or the
exempt status of any such trust that would reasonably be expected
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material
Adverse Effect.
(d)
None of the Company Employee Plans is (i) a
single employer plan or other pension plan subject to Title IV
or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code;
(ii) a "multi-employer plan" (within the meaning of
Section 3(37) of ERISA); or (iii) a "multiple employer
plan" (within the meaning of Section 413(c) of the
Code). Since September 20, 2004, neither the Company nor
any ERISA Affiliate has sponsored, maintained, contributed to or
otherwise incurred any liability with respect to any
(i) single employer plan or other pension plan subject to
Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the
Code; (ii) "multi-employer plan" (within the meaning of
Section 3(37) of ERISA); or (iii) "multiple employer plan"
(within the meaning of Section 413(c) of the Code).
(e)
No Company Employee Plan provides benefits,
including death or medical benefits (whether or not insured), with
respect to employees or former employees of the Company beyond
retirement or other termination of service benefits, except for
coverage required by Section 4980B of the Code and
Sections 601 through 608 of ERISA (and, if applicable,
comparable state law) and such promises and provisions of benefits
which have not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse
Effect.
(f)
Section 3.11(f) of the Company’s
Disclosure Letter lists the name of each Canadian Employee Plan
that is material to the Company or its Canadian Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole. The Canadian Employee Plans have been
administered and are in material compliance with their terms and
Applicable Laws. No claim, action, suit or other proceeding
is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened with
respect to the Canadian Employee Plans (other than claims for
benefits in the ordinary course) that would reasonably be expected
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material
Adverse Effect. No Canadian Employee Plan provides benefits,
including death or medical benefits (whether or not insured), but
for greater certainty, excluding pension or other retirement income
benefits, with respect to employees or former employees of the
Company or a Canadian Subsidiary beyond
36
retirement or other termination of service
benefits, except for coverage extended during any notice period
applicable to any such employee or former employee pursuant to
Applicable Law and such promises and provisions of benefits which
have not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse
Effect. The Company has made available to Buyer prior to the
date hereof true, correct and complete copies, summaries or written
descriptions of the Canadian Employee Plans.
(g)
To the Knowledge of the Company, all contributions
to, and payments from, the Company Employee Plans and the Canadian
Employee Plans that were required to be made in accordance with
their terms have been timely made.
(h)
Except as expressly required or expressly permitted
by this Agreement, none of the execution of this Agreement,
stockholder approval of this Agreement or consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement will (i) entitle
any employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any
severance pay or any increase in severance pay upon any termination
of employment after the date hereof; (ii) accelerate the time
of payment or vesting or trigger any payment or funding (through a
grantor trust or otherwise) of any compensation or benefits under,
any Company Employee Plan or Canadian Employee Plan;
(iii) result in any material breach or violation of, or a
default under, any Company Employee Plan or Canadian Employee Plan;
or (iv) result in any payment that would be a "parachute
payment" to a "disqualified individual" as those terms are defined
in Section 280G of the Code, without regard to whether such
payment is reasonable compensation for personal services performed
or to be performed in the future.
(a)
Section 3.12(a) of the Company’s
Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of the following Contracts
(including every amendment, modification or supplement thereto),
other than the Contracts with the Major Customers, to which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective
properties or assets are bound or affected:
-
-
(i)
any Contract which materially limits or restricts or
purports to materially limit or restrict the Company, any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates from engaging in
any line of business operated by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in any jurisdiction or materially limit the freedom of
the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective
Affiliates to compete in any line of business operated by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries in any geographic area or
requiring the Company, any of its Subsidiaries (other than with the
Company) or any of their respective Affiliates to share any profits
derived from the business of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries;
37
-
-
(ii)
any bonds, debentures, notes, loans, credit or loan
agreements or commitments, mortgages, indentures, credit
facilities, or guarantees or other Contracts relating to
Indebtedness involving remaining principal amounts in excess of
Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00) in the aggregate, other than
any Indebtedness in connection with the operation of the AFC
Business Unit;
(iii)
any independent contractor Contracts or leased or
temporary employee Contracts involving in each case current or
currently committed aggregate annual payments of more than Two
Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00);
(iv)
leases of personal property involving current or
currently committed aggregate annual rent of Two Million Dollars
($2,000,000.00) or more;
(v)
Contracts with a supplier or other service partner,
in each case involving current or currently committed aggregate
annual payments made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of
more than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00);
(vi)
any Contract for capital expenditures or the
acquisition of fixed assets involving current or currently
committed monetary obligations in excess of Two Million Dollars
($2,000,000.00);
(vii) any
Contract relating to the acquisition or disposition, directly or
indirectly, of any assets (other than those fixed assets set forth
in subsection (vi) above), real property or capital
stock or other equity interests of another Person involving
continuing obligations or liabilities of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in excess of Two Million Dollars
($2,000,000.00);
(viii)
any Contracts filed or required to be filed with the
SEC pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K under the
Securities Act not otherwise disclosed pursuant to this Section
3.12 ;
(ix) any acquisition Contract pursuant to which the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries has continuing indemnification, "earn out" or
other contingent payment obligations, in each case, that would
reasonably be expected to result in payments in excess of Two
Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00);
(x)
any Contract that (x) contains most favored
customer pricing provisions (other than Contracts entered into in
the ordinary course of
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