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JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT

Joint Venture JV Agreement

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This Joint Venture JV Agreement involves

SPAR GROUP INC

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Title: JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT
Date: 4/2/2007
Industry: Business Services     Sector: Services

JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT, Parties: spar group inc
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Exhibit 10.27

JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT

                    This Agreement is made as of this 26 day of September 2005 by and between

UAB Rinkos skatinimo sistemos, a company organized and existing under the law of the Republic of Lithuania, identification code 125374081, and having its headquarters at Aušros al. 66a, 76233 Šiauliai, Lithuania (hereinafter called “ Lithuanian Partner ”);

Spar Group International Inc., a Nevada corporation, with an office at 580 White Plains Road, Tarrytown New York, USA (hereinafter called "SPAR" );

(hereinafter each Lithuanian Partner and SPAR is sometimes individually referred to as “ Party ” and collectively – as “ Parties ”);

and

for the purposes of this clause 31.3. of this Agreement, shareholders of Lithuanian Partner, namely Irena Kairiene, personal code 45903080634, Edvardas Kairys, personal code 35907131197  and Rimantas Paulauskas, personal code 38101221126 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “ Guarantors ”);

WITNESSETH THAT:

WHEREAS, Lithuanian Partner is engaged in the retail solution businesses in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia (hereinafter called “ Territory ”) having a wide range of clients and also having various knowledge and human resources with respect to the retailing businesses in the Territory;

WHEREAS, SPAR is engaged in the retail solution businesses in the USA, having computer software useful for agency, assistance, instruction and reporting of storefront activities and also having operational know-how with respect to such software; and

WHEREAS, Lithuanian Partner and SPAR are desirous of organizing a corporation to jointly conduct retail solution businesses in the Territory;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreement herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:


CHAPTER I: ORGANIZATION OF THE NEW COMPANY

Article 1.

 

Establishment



1.1.     After the effective date of this Agreement, the parties hereto shall cause a new company to be organized under the laws of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter called UAB SPAR RSS Baltic or “ New Company ”). The New Company will be formed in two stages:

1.1.1. Promptly after effective date of this Agreement, SPAR will incorporate the New Company by subscribing for 76,500 (seventy six thousand five hundred) ordinary – registered shares of the New Company of the par value of 1 (one) Lithuanian Litas (“ LTL ”) each. SPAR will subscribe for the shares of the New Company at their par value and will pay them in cash thus forming the authorized capital of the New Company in the amount of 76,500 (seventy six thousand five hundred) LTL;

1.1.2. Promptly after registration of the New Company with the Lithuanian Register of Legal Persons, the authorized capital of the New Company will be increased to 150,000 (one hundred fifty thousand) LTL and Lithuanian partner will subscribe for 73,500 (seventy three thousand five hundred) newly issued ordinary registered shares of the Company of the par value 1 (one) LTL each, thus forming the authorized capital of the New Company in the amount of 150,000 (one hundred fifty thousand) LTL. Lithuanian partner subscribe for these newly issued shares of the New Company by making the contribution to the New Company defined in Article 8.3 of this Agreement, at the total issue price determined under Article 8.5 of this Agreement.

1.2.     Upon formation, New Company shall become a party to this Agreement through approval by the General Meeting of Shareholders of New Company and signature for acknowledgement of all original copies.

Article 2.

 

Business Purposes



The business purposes of the New Company shall consist of the following:

1.

 

provide retail merchandising and product demonstration services;



2.

 

agency, assistance, instruction and report of storefront sales activities;



3.

 

implementation of market research and analysis of results thereof;



4.

 

assembly of setups used for sales promotion;



5.

 

consulting regarding store management;



6.

 

development and sale of management system regarding retailing;



7.

 

designing and sale of database; and



8.

 

any and all businesses incidental or relating to any of the foregoing.




Article 3.

 

Trade Name



The New Company shall be named in Lithuania as UAB SPAR RSS Baltic.

Article 4.

 

Location



The New Company shall have its headquarters at Aušros al. 66a, 76233 Šiauliai, Lithuania. Lithuanian partner will obtain to the New Company all consents and authorizations required for registration of headquarters of the New Company at the address set forth above.

Article 5.

 

Articles of Association



The Articles of Association of the New Company shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Article 6.

 

Capital



6.1.     After completion of actions set forth in clause 1.1.2. of this Agreement, the authorized capital of the New Company will equal to 150,000 (one hundred fifty thousand) LTL and will be divided into 150,000 (one hundred fifty thousand) shares with a par value of 1 (one) LTL each. At the time of completion of actions set forth in clause 1.2. of this Agreement, shares of the New Company shall be issued and fully subscribed by the parties hereto as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPAR

 

:

 

51

%

76,500 shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lithuanian Partner

 

:

 

49

%

73,500 shares.

 

6.2.     All the shares to be issued by the New Company shall be ordinary – registered shares represented by the share certificates.

Article 7.

 

Payment



SPAR and Lithuanian partner, as applicable, will pay for the shares of the Company in the manner set forth in clause 1.1. and clause 8.3. of this Agreement, as applicable.

CHAPTER II: PREPARATION OF ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW COMPANY, AND FIRST INCREASE OF ITS AUTHORIZED CAPITAL

Article 8.

 

Preparation of Establishment of the New Company and First Increase of Its Authorized Capital



8.1.     Each party shall take its role as described in this Agreement for the preparation of the commencement of New Company’s business. Until this Agreement is signed by both Parties, each of the Parties will be responsible for payment of all of its own expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, the setting up of the New Company and the preparation of the commencement of New Company’s business. All such expenses incurred after both


Parties have signed this Agreement, including, without limitation, New Company’s registration fees and legal fees, will be covered by New Company. In case SPAR incorporates the New Company and then Lithuanian Partner refuses to pay for newly issued shares of the New Company as set forth in clause 8.3. below, Lithuanian partner will have to pay all expenses and costs incurred by SPAR in relation to this Agreement.

8.2.          At the moment of payment for the shares of the New Company by Lithuanian partner (as described below), SPAR shall enter into New Company with a license agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “ License Agreement ”). For reference, the License Agreement includes the obligations of SPAR to:

8.2.1.        localize and set up software provided by SPAR to work in Territory; and

8.2.2.        consult on the organization of merchandising services; and

8.2.3.        train the New Company’s personnel in how to operate the merchandising software; and

8.2.4.        give advice on budgeting and development of each business plan.

8.3.          Promptly after registration of the New Company with the Lithuanian Register of Legal Persons, the authorized capital of the New Company will be increased to 150,000 (one hundred fifty thousand) LTL and Lithuanian partner will subscribe for 73,500 (seventy three thousand five hundred) newly issued ordinary registered shares of the Company of the par value 1 (one) LTL each by:

8.3.1.        making cash contribution to the New Company in the amount of 73,500 (seventy three thousand five hundred) LTL in cash; and

8.3.2.        transferring assets to the New Company listed and defined in Exhibit C (the “ Assets ”).

8.4.          Further, Lithuanian Partner shall:

8.4.1.        move certain liabilities of its Merchandising and In-Store Demo Division, as defined in Exhibit D (the “ Liabilities ”), to the New Company, where total amount of the Liabilities shall in no event exceed total amount of the Assets;

8.4.2.        arrange meetings with current clients to promote the New Company’s services;

8.4.3.        make its best endeavors (including any actions within their reasonable control) to cause employees of Lithuanian Partner listed in Exhibit F to be employed at the New Company in accordance with terms and conditions defined in Exhibit F or under item 15 of Article 18 of this Agreement; and

8.4.4.        make its best endeavors (including any actions within their reasonable control) to cause the contracts of Lithuanian partner listed in Exhibit G to be transferred to the New Company in accordance with terms and conditions defined in Exhibit G.


8.5.          Total issue price payable by Lithuanian partner for 73,500 (seventy three thousand five hundred) newly issued ordinary registered shares of the Company shall be calculated as (i) the sum of 73,500 (seventy three thousand five hundred) LTL cash contribution and total value of the Assets established by independent assets valuator licensed in Lithuania (ii) minus total amount of the Liabilities.

CHAPTER III: GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Article 9.

 

Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meeting



The Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders shall be convened by resolution of the Board of Directors and held in Lithuania or any other place that Lithuanian Partner and SPAR may agree within three months from the last day of each accounting period of New Company. An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be convened by a resolution of the Board of Directors whenever deemed necessary.

Article 10.

 

Quorum



A quorum of the General Meeting of Shareholders shall be the shareholders present either in person or by proxy representing more than 50% of all shares of the New Company.

Article 11.

 

Resolution



Except as expressly otherwise provided in the Articles of Association of the New Company or this Agreement, all resolutions of the General Meeting of Shareholders shall be adopted by the affirmative vote of Shareholders holding more than 50% of the shares present or represented at meeting for which there is quorum.

Article 12.

 

Important Matters



In addition to such matters as required by the Articles of Association of New Company or the applicable laws in Lithuania, any resolutions of the following matters by the General Meeting of Shareholders require the affirmative vote of shareholders representing at least two-thirds of the shares present or represented at meeting for which there is quorum:

 

1.

 

 any amendment or modification of the Articles of Association;



 

2.

 

 increase, decrease or change of structure in the authorized capital, but only subject to provisions of Chapter VI;



 

3.

 

issuance of new shares or any other kind of equity securities or instruments convertible into equity securities or the decision to undertake a Public Offering (as defined on Article 30);



 

4.

 

 issuance of debentures;



 

5.

 

 transfer of any part or whole of business;




 

6.

 

 approval, rejection or change of the balance sheet, profit assignment and dividends of New Company;



 

7.

 

 splitting, dissolution or amalgamation;



 

8.

 

dismissal, replacement, change of powers, change in number or length of tenure of Directors, subject to the rights of Lithuanian Partner and SPAR under Article 13.



CHAPTER IV: BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Article 13.

 

Election of Directors



The Board of Directors of the New Company shall consist of four (4) Directors; two (2) of whom shall be elected from among those appointed by Lithuanian Partner and 2 whom shall be elected by those appointed by SPAR. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall be elected from the Directors by the mutual consultation of both parties. In case of any increase or decrease in the number of Directors, the representation stipulated above shall be unchanged and pro-rata at all times.

Article 14.

 

Election of Officers



14.1.          Officers shall be appointed by the Board of Directors and serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

14.2.          The Chief Executive Officer of the New Company shall be elected for the period of 1 (one) year, subject to possible re-election. If requested either by SPAR or Lithuanian partner, SPAR and Lithuanian partner will cause their respective nominees on the Board of Directors to vote for dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer:

14.2.1.        if he/she violates any provision of the employment contract or the Articles of Association of the New Company, or ignores any resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders of the Board or Directors; or

14.2.2.        in case of willful misconduct, gross negligence or criminal offense of the Chief Executive Officer; or

14.2.3.        in case of his/her failure to act for the benefit of the New Company and its shareholders.

Article 15.

 

Office of Director



The term of office of each Director shall expire at the close of each Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders


Article 16.

 

Quorum



Each Director shall have one (1) voting right in the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise required in the Articles of Association of New Company or this Agreement, 2/3 of the Directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of their Board of Directors, and all resolutions shall be adopted by the affirmative vote of at least of 3 (three) Directors.

Article 17.

 

Ordinary Meeting of the Board of Directors



The Ordinary Meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held semiannually, and an Extraordinary Meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held when necessary, both of which shall be convened in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Association. To the extent then permitted, any meeting of the Board of Directors may be held by interactive telephone conference, video conference or other similar electronic or telephonic means, and any action that may be taken by the Board of Directors at a meeting thereof (whether in person or video conference) may be effected in lieu of such meeting by unanimous written consent resolution executed by each member of the Board of Directors. The Parties hereto confirm that the interpretation in Lithuania is that meetings of boards of directors may be held by interactive telephone conference. For any proposed meeting of the Board of Directors for which SPAR requests, the New Company and SPAR shall cooperate to arrange for such meetings to be held by telephone conference. A written record in Lithuanian of all meetings of the Board of Directors and all decisions made by it together with English translation thereof shall be made as promptly as practicable after each meeting of the Board of Directors by one of the Board selected by the Board of Directors at each meeting, kept in the records of the Company and signed or sealed by each of the Directors.

Article 18.

 

Important Matters



In addition to such matter as required by Articles of Association of New Company, the following matters of the Board of Directors meeting shall require the affirmative vote of at least of 3 (three) votes of the Directors:

 

1.

 

any proposal to the General Meeting of Shareholders or action by the Board of Directors for the matters as provided in Article 12 hereof;



 

2.

 

any investment or commitment of New Company in amounts individually in excess of LTL 50,000 or in the aggregate in excess of LTL150,000;



 

3.

 

any loan or credit taken by New Company;



 

4.

 

execution, amendment or termination of agreements or commitments with Lithuanian Partner, SPAR or their subsidiaries or affiliates;



 

5.

 

adoption or amendment of the annual budgets and business plan;



 

6.

 

adoption or any material modification of major regulations or procedures, including any employee rules or handbook;



 

7.

 

initiating or settling any litigation, arbitration or other formal dispute settlement procedures or forgiveness of any obligation owed to the New Company in excess of 150,000;




 

8.

 

approval of annual closing of the books of New Company and the New Company’s annual financial statements, and changing of accounting policies and practices or the New Company’s accounting periods;



 

9.

 

establishment or amendment to the condition of employment of New Company officers, provided that the affirmatives vote of SPAR-nominated Directors shall not be withheld unreasonably;



 

10.

 

sale or disposition of or granting a lien, security interest or similar obligation with respect to, in one or a series of related transactions of New Company or with respect to any major strategic asset of New Company that is crucial to New Company’s business;



 

11.

 

formation of any subsidiary of New Company, entry into (or subsequent termination of) any joint venture, partnership or similar agreements;



 

12.

 

entering into, amending or terminating any contract with/or commitment to any Director or shareholder; and



 

13.

 

entering into any agreement or commitment to provide goods or services outside the Territory;



 

14.

 

giving the consent for viewing, modifying of copying the software subject to the License Agreement. The parties explicitly agree to cause the New Company not to view, modify or copy the software subject to the License Agreement without approval by the Board of Directors even in case when the applicable legal requirements do not require an authorization from the author of other owner of the software subject to the License Agreement;



 

15.

 

approval of the list of positions of the New Company’s Employees and main terms and conditions of their employment.



CHAPTER V: AUDIT

Article 19.

 

Accounting Period



The accounting periods of New Company shall end on the 31st day of December of each year or another date if permitted by applicable law.

Article 20.

 

Inspection of Accounting Records and Books



20.1.     Each year, New Company shall arrange an annual audit of the accounting records and books and shall submit a report of such audit to each of the parties hereto within thirty (30) days from the completion of the audit. Each year, the audit shall commence no later than February 15 and shall be completed no later than March 1.


20.2.     An internationally recognized auditing firm shall be the accounting firm selected by SPAR and appointed by the General Meeting of Shareholders of the New Company. Such accounting firm shall audit the accounting records and books of New Company and any other matters relating, directly or indirectly, to the financial condition of New Company. Any fee for the certified public accountant for inspection and audit mentioned above shall be borne by the New Company. New Company shall keep true and correct accounting records and books with regard to all of its operations in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals consistently applied in Lithuania (“GAAP”). All accounting records and books shall be kept ready for inspection by the Parties hereto or by their authorized representatives. If requested by SPAR, New Company shall cooperate with respect to each financial period to provide such information as required by SPAR to reconcile New Company’s financial statements with U.S. GAAP reporting requirements of SPAR. SPAR and Lithuanian Partner shall each have the right at any time to have an outside auditor inspect all the books and records of New Company and the New Company shall cooperate fully with any such audit.

Article 21.

 

Increase of Capital



In case of capital increase of the New Company after its establishment (other than increase stipulated in Articles 1 and 8 of this Agreement), Lithuanian Partner and SPAR shall have the preemptive right to new shares to be issued for such capital increase in proportion to their respective shareholdings in the New Company.

CHAPTER VI:   TRANSFER OF SHARES

Article 22.

 

Restrictions on Transfer of Shares



Except as provided in Article 23 hereof, no Party hereto shall, without the prior written consent of other Party, assign, sell, transfer, pledge, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of all or any part of its shares (including its right to subscribe to new shares) of the New Company to any third parties.

Article 23.

 

Preemptive Right and Option



23.1.     The Parties agree that (3) years from the effective date of this Agreement no one of the Parties will sell or otherwise transfer its shares in the New Company, and at no time may any Party transfer less than all of its shares. After three (3) years from the effective date of this Agreement, if any Party hereto (hereinafter in items 1 and 2 of this Article called “Selling Party”) wishes to transfer and/or sell all but not less than all of its shares, the Selling Party shall furnish to the other Party (hereinafter in this Article called “Other Party”) a written


notice (hereinafter called “Notice on Sale”) of a proposed purchaser, the offered purchase price and other major terms and conditions of such proposed sale.

23.2.     The Other Party shall have a right to purchase such shares by giving the Selling Party a written notice of their intention to purchase the same within ninety (90) days from the receipt of the Selling Party’s notice, upon the same terms and conditions as described in the Notice on Sale. If the Other Party does not exercise their right to purchase the Selling Party’s shares within ninety (90) days from the receipt of the Notice on Sale, the Selling Party within subsequent ninety (90) days (hereinafter called “Selling Period”) may sell such shares to the purchaser indicated in the Notice on Sale and upon the terms and conditions as described in the Notice on Sale. Unless agreed by the Other Party in writing, any transferee or purchasing party shall be subject to this Agreement.

23.3.     After three (3) years from the effective date of this Agreement, SPAR may at any time make a written offer to buy all of the Lithuanian Partner’s shares in the New Company. The Lithuanian Partner shall then accept the offer and sell all of its shares under the terms and conditions offered, or Lithuanian Partner may purchase all of SPAR’s shares at the same terms and conditions. If the Lithuanian Partner does not respond to the initial offer within one hundred and twenty (120) days, it shall be deemed that the Lithuanian Partner has accepted the offer to sell all of its shares. After three (3) years from the effective date of this Agreement, Lithuanian Partner may at any time make a written offer to buy all of the SPAR’s shares in the New Company. SPAR then may elect to either accept the offer and sell all of its shares under the terms and conditions offered, or purchase all of Lithuanian Partner’s shares at the same terms and conditions. If SPAR does not respond to the initial offer within one hundred and twenty (120) days, it shall be deemed that SPAR has accepted the offer to sell all of its shares. In any case, the Parties shall cooperate to affect the closing of such purchase and sale of all of the shares of the New Company held by the selling Party within 120 days of the decision or deemed decision of the second Party. At such closing, the purchasing Party shall pay to the selling Party the purchase price in cash, and the selling Party shall deliver to the purchasing Party all of the selling Party’s shares held in the New Company, free and clear of any liens.

23.4.     Notwithstanding the general arbitration provisions in Article 37, should there be any deadlock at any meeting of the Board of Directors and/or at any General Meeting of Shareholders of New Company, then in such event the Parties shall attempt to resolve these issues by mediation as soon as possible and failing such resolution within twenty-one (21) business days after having been referred to mediation, any director or shareholder (as the case may be) shall be entitled by written notice to New Company to claim that all or any of the


matters which were under discussion and/or to be discussed at that meeting, be submitted to and decided by arbitration in terms of Article 38.

23.5.     Notwithstanding that a deadlock may have arisen in terms of clause 23.4. such deadlock shall not alone constitute a ground for any shareholder to apply to court for the winding up of the New Company.

Article 24.

 

Cooperation in Financing



24.1.     The New Company may initially borrow up to LTL 150,000 as its operating funds, which shall be guaranteed by Lithuanian Partner in its discretion. Lithuanian Partner shall make its reasonable efforts to enable such borrowing. The terms of the borrowing and any agreement between the New Company and Lithuanian Partner with respect to Lithuanian Partner guarantee shall be matters subject to Article 18 hereof.

24.2.     The New Company may borrow an additional LTL 150,000 when it needs additional funds, if such borrowing is approved in advance by the Board of Directors as an important matter under Article 18 herein.

24.3.     If Lithuanian Partner pays any creditors of the New Company due to a guarantee made by Lithuanian Partner to such creditors in favor of the New Company under clause 24.1., SPAR shall reimburse Lithuanian Partner pro rata with their respective share capital percentage in the New Company as at the date of reimbursement, but only if the New Company’s borrowing of such funds and Lithuanian Partner guaranty of the New Company’s obligations have been expressly agreed to in advance by SPAR in writing or in a Board resolution, for which all SPAR-nominated directors have voted affirmatively.

24.4.     For the first three years of operations subsequent to the effective date of this Agreement (the “ Maximum Loss Period ”), if for any year the net loss of the New Company exceeds LTL 80,000 (the “ Annual Maximum Loss ”), Lithuanian Partner shall make a cash payment to the New Company equal to the amount of the net loss in excess of the Annual Maximum Loss (the “ Annual Maximum Loss Payment ”), which payment shall be in the form of a fully subordinated, non-amortizing, interest free loan with an initial term of the later of one year and the date following the close of any fiscal year where the New Company has sufficient distributable profits, which term shall be automatically extended by successive 12-month periods until such loan shall have been repaid. The Annual Maximum Loss Payment shall be paid within 45 days after the issuance of the annual audit report by the outside auditing firm specified in Article 20.


CHAPTER VII: ROLE OF CONTRACTING PARTIES

Article 25.

 

Certain Expenses



25.1.     SPAR for first three (3) years will provide up to three thousand (3,000) hours of business support annually. This support may be in the form of general business, consultation or programming support to modify or enhance the merchandising software. SPAR will maintain ownership of all software. If support provided by SPAR exceeds three thousand (3,000) hours the additional hours will be billed by SPAR to the New Company at US$ fifty five (55.00) per hour. However a lower price will be charged for programming costs if a less expensive way to hire IT staff is found. The New Company will be able to hire its own IT staff if cost of such hiring are lower than costs that otherwise will be paid by the New Company to SPAR.

25.2.     If after three (3) years from the effective date of this Agreement, SPAR sells its interest to a third party or to Lithuanian Partner, SPAR is committed to supply:

25.2.1.   its name for an additional year at no cost; and

25.2.2.   its Licensed Technology (as defined in the License Agreement) to the New Company for an additional eighteen (18) months at the following cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25.2.2.1. first six (6) months:

 

out of pocket costs; and

 

 

 

 

 

25.2.2.2. next twelve (12)months:

 

US$3,000/month plus out of pocket costs.

 

At the end of such additional eighteen (18) months period, in the case of both clauses 25.2.1. and 25.2.2. the New Company shall immediately cease using the name “SPAR” and the License Agreement shall be terminated.

25.3.     Lithuanian Partner agrees that its operating expenses may not be allocated to the New Company.

Article 26.

 

Training



SPAR and Lithuanian Partner shall provide the appropriate training to the employees for New Company’s operation at its own site. The said training shall be made upon New Company’s request and any necessary expenses for the training shall be borne by New Company, except as otherwise provided in the License Agreement.

Article 27.

 

Non-Competition



For the duration of this Agreement and for two (2) years after the termination of the Agreement, neither SPAR without the consent of Lithuanian Partner, nor Lithuanian Partner without the consent of SPAR, shall engage in, whether directly or indirectly, Merchandising


Services (as defined in the License Agreement) or any other business then competitive with New company in the Territory. However, in the event that SPAR enters into a contract with a customer that covers more than one country and the scope of such agreement includes services in the Territory, SPAR shall not be prohibited from entering into or performing such agreement, provided that SPAR shall make commercially reasonable efforts to enable New Company to participate in and be fairly compensated for providing services to any such customer.

CHAPTER VIII: AMENDMENT FOR PUBLIC OFFERING

Article 28.

 

Public Offering



The Parties acknowledge that the New Company may attempt to become a listed company or over-the-counter company on the Vilnius Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange or public market in Lithuania (Public Offering). The Parties acknowledge that in case of Public Offering the New Company will have to comply with the relevant governmental or regulatory requirements applicable for Public Offering. If SPAR and Lithuanian Partner agree to undertake a Public Offering, all parties shall discuss and reasonably cooperate with each other to rearrange the New Company into the public company (akcine bendrove), amend the Articles of Association, other incorporation documents of the New Company, and/or the License Agreement, as well as cause the New Company to comply with other applicable governmental or regulatory requirements in order to complete the Public Offering of the New Company. Any changes to the License Agreement will be effective upon consummation of the Public Offering (but not before), and subject to the approval of the Boards of Directors of the New Company, Lithuanian Partner and SPAR.

CHAPTER IX: CONFIDENTIALITY

Article 29.

 

Confidential Information



Lithuanian Partner and SPAR shall keep secret and retain in strict confidence any and all confidential information and use it only for the purpose of this Agreement and shall not disclose it to a third party without the prior written consent of the other party unless the receiving party can demonstrate that such information: (i) has become public other than as a result of disclosure by the receiving party, (ii) was available to the receiving party prior to the disclosure by the disclosing party with the right to disclose, or (iii) has been independently acquired or developed by the receiving party. Notwithstanding to the foregoing, SPAR is authorized to disclose or make public available this Agreement, if such disclosure is required by legal requirements or other stock exchange regulations applicable to SPAR in the United States or any other jurisdiction where SPAR is engaged in its business. These confidentiality provisions shall survive termination of this Agreement.


CHAPTER X: REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, INDEMNITY

Article 30.

 

Representations and Warranties



30.1.     Each Party represents and warrants to each other that it is a company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of Lithuania or United States of America, as applicable.

30.2.     Each Party and Guarantors represent and warrant to each other that they have power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, except that the Board of Directors of SPAR has to approve the execution of this Agreement prior its effect. The Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of each Party and Guarantors enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms. Except as provided herein, consummation by each Party and Guarantors of the transactions contemplated hereby does not and will not conflict with any legal requirement or contract applicable to each of them.

30.3.     Lithuanian Partner and Guarantors represent and warrant to SPAR that financial statements of Lithuanian partner attached hereto as Exhibit H fairly represent the financial condition of Lithuanian Partner and, without limitation, all liabilities of Lithuanian partner.

30.4.     Guarantors represents and warrants to SPAR that, as the result of Lithuanian Partner’s contributions to the New Company described in clauses 8.3. and 8.4., the New Company will not become liable to any creditors of Lithuanian Partner and will not directly or indirectly take over any of Lithuanian Partner’s debts, liabilities or obligations (whether existing or contingent), other than those as indicated in Exhibit D.

Article 31.

 

Indemnity



31.1.     Each Party will indemnify other Party for all losses incurred by such Party in connection with any inaccuracy of any representation or warranty made by the Party in this Agreement or any breach by the Party of any obligation hereunder.

31.2.     Without limitation to the foregoing, each of the Party in the event of inaccuracy or breach of any of its representations, warranty of obligation hereunder, will be obliged to pay to the other Party the fine in the amount of LTL 150,000 (one hundred fifty thousand) and compensate the losses incurred by the other Party which are not covered by such fine.


31.3.     If as the result of any transaction contemplated by this Agreement the New Company is recognized liable against any creditors of Lithuanian Partner, or have to pay for any debts, liabilities or obligations (whether existing or contingent) of Lithuanian Partner (other than those as listed in Exhibit D ), the Guarantors will jointly and severally compensate the New Company by paying the amount necessary to put the New Company into the position it would have been in had such liability of the New Company not existed.

CHAPTER XI: GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 32.

 

Effective Date



This Agreement shall become effective at the time of execution hereof.

Article 33.

 

Termination



33.1.     If SPAR transfers its shares in the New Company to Lithuanian Partner, or Lithuanian Partner transfers its respective shares in the New Company to SPAR, in accordance with Article 23 hereof, this Agreement shall terminate. If any Party transfers its shares in the New Company to another Party, unless expressly agreed by the non-transferring parties in writing, this Agreement shall be assigned to and binding upon such third party, provided that the assigning Party shall remain liable for all legal acts with respect to this Agreement or the New Company occurred before the effective date of such assignment.

33.2.     If SPAR is not in breach of this Agreement, it may terminate this Agreement by written notice to Lithuanian Partner if any breach by Lithuanian Partner shall not have been corrected by Lithuanian Partner within thirty (30) days after written notice is given by SPAR. If Lithuanian Partner is not in breach of this Agreement, Lithuanian Partner may terminate this Agreement by written notice to SPAR if any breach by SPAR shall not have been corrected by SPAR within thirty (30) days after written notice is given by Lithuanian Partner. If Lithuanian Partner or SPAR disputes the exercise of any rights under this provision, such disputing party may invoke the arbitration provisions in Article 37.

33.3.     Either Party may terminate this Agreement by giving notice in the event of one or more of the following occurs with respect to the other Party:

(a) appointment of a trustee or receiver for all or any part of its assets;

(b) insolvency or bankruptcy;

(c) assignment for the benefit of any creditor;

(d) attachment of assets;

(e) expropriation of business or assets; and

(f) dissolution or liquidation.


If any Party is involved in any of the events stated above, it shall immediately notify the other parties of the occurrence of such event.

33.4.     In case of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article 33.2. or Article 33.3., the Party terminating in accordance with this Agreement shall have an option to purchase the shares of the other parties at the book value to be decided by an internationally recognized accounting firm that is not the principal accounting firm of either party, if either party so requests, or to have the New Company dissolved.

33.5.     Upon termination of this Agreement or SPAR’s ceasing to hold at least 51% of the shares in New Company, the License Agreement shall terminate immediately. The validity of License Agreement may be extended upon request of the Lithuanian Partner, according to the provisions of Article 25 Paragraph 2 of this Agreement.

Article 34.

 

Force Majeure



No party shall be liable to any other party for failure or delay in the performance of any of its obligations under this Agreement for the time and to the extent such failure or delay is caused by riots, civil commotions, wars, hostilities between nations, governmental laws, orders or regulations, embargoes, actions by the government or any agency thereof, acts of God, storms, fires, accidents, strikes, sabotages, explosions, or other similar contingencies beyond the reasonable control of the respective parties.

Article 35.

 

Notices



All notices, reports and other communications given or made in accordance with or in connection with this Agreement shall be made in writing and may be given either by (i) personal delivery, (ii) overnight delivery or (iii) registered air mail, if properly posted, with postage fully prepaid, in an envelope properly addressed to the respective parties at the address set forth below or to such changed address as may be given by either party to the other by such written notice. Any notice, etc by personal delivery or overnight delivery or facsimile transmission shall be deemed to have been given (7) days after the dispatch. In any event, if any notice, etc. is received other than the regular business hours of the recipient, it shall be deemed to have been given as of the following business day of the recipient.

If to Lithuanian Partner:

 

UAB "Rinkos skatinimo sistemos"

 

 

 

Aušros av. 76233 Siauliai, Lithuania,

 

 

 

ATT Irena Kairiene

 

 

 

fax: + 370 41 595516;

 


 

 

 

 

If to SPAR:

 

Spar Group International Inc.,

 

 

 

580 White Plains Road, Tarrytown New York, USA

 

 

 

ATT Robert G. Brown, Chairman

 

 

 

fax: + 914-332-0741

 

 

 

 

 

If to Guarantors:

 

Aušros av. 76233 Siauliai, Lithuania,

 

 

 

ATT Irena Kairiene

 

 

 

fax: + 370 41 595516.

 

 

Article 36.

 

Assignment



This Agreement and the rights and obligations hereunder are personal to the parties hereto, and shall not be assigned by either of the parties to any third party.

Article 37.

 

Arbitration



All dispute, controversies, or differences which may arise between SPAR, on the one hand, and Lithuanian Partner, on the other hand, out of or in relation to or in connections with this Agreement, shall be finally settled by arbitration in Lithuania in accordance with the Arbitration Rules of Vilnius Court of Commercial Arbitration if initiated by SPAR, or in New York City in accordance with the International Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association if initiated by Lithuanian Partner. The hearings of the arbitral tribunal shall be held in Vilnius, if initiated by SPAR, or in New York City, if initiated by any other party hereto. The arbitration shall be conducted in English, by three (3) arbitrators. The arbitration shall be final and legally binding upon both parties.

Article 38.

 

Implementation



The parties hereby agree, for themselves, their successors, heirs and legal representatives, affiliates or other related persons, respectively, to vote at Shareholders’ meetings, and to make their best endeavors (including any actions within their reasonable control) in causing the Directors they nominate to vote at Board meetings and to carry out their duties, to prepare, execute and deliver or cause to be prepared, executed and delivered such further instruments and documents, to take such other actions and to cause the Articles of Association of New Company, New Company work rules and other rules and Commercial registry and any other document to be amended or adopted, as may be reasonably required to effect the provisions and intent of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.


Article 39.

 

Governing Law



This Agreement and all questions arising out of or under this Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Lithuania.

Article 40.

 

Waiver



Any failure of any party to enforce, at any time or for any period of time, any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of such provisions or of the right of such party thereafter to enforce each and every such provision.

Article 41.

 

Entire Agreement



This Agreement constitutes the entire and only agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes any other commitments, agreements or understandings, written or verbal, that the parties hereto may have had. No modification, change and amendment of this Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto except by mutual express consent in writing of subsequent date signed by authorized officer or representative of each of the parties hereto or of the party against whom enforcement is sought.

Article 42.

 

Headings



The headings of articles and paragraphs used in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of the respective articles and paragraphs of this Agreement.

Article 43.

 

Language



This Agreement has been executed in English language.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in six (6) copies by their respective duly authorized officer or representative as of the day first above written.

Lithuanian Partner:

 

 

Signature:

/s/ Irena Kairiene

Name:

Irena Kairiene

Title:

Director


Spar Group International Inc.:

 

 

Signature:

/s/ Robert G Brown

Name:

Rob


 
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