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JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT

Joint Venture JV Agreement

JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT | Document Parties: MGS DISTRIBUTION LIMITED | MOVADO GROUP, INC | SWICO LIMITED You are currently viewing:
This Joint Venture JV Agreement involves

MGS DISTRIBUTION LIMITED | MOVADO GROUP, INC | SWICO LIMITED

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Title: JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT
Date: 4/9/2009
Industry: Jewelry and Silverware     Sector: Consumer Cyclical

JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT, Parties: mgs distribution limited , movado group  inc , swico limited
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EXHIBIT 10.47 **

 

Execution Copy

 

DATED                                                                                                                      May 1, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SWICO LIMITED

 

and

 

MOVADO GROUP, INC.

 

and

 

MGS DISTRIBUTION LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

____________________________________________

 

JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT

____________________________________________

 

 

 

** CONFIDENTIAL PORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT HAVE BEEN OMITTED FROM:

(1)  

THE FOLLOWING PAGES OF THE FOUR DISTRIBUTORSHIP AGREEMENTS ANNEXED HERETO COLLECTIVELY AS ANNEX B: TOMMY HILFIGER AGREEMENT - PAGES 6 AND 18; JUICY COUTURE AGREEMENT – PAGES 6, 7 AND 19; HUGO BOSS AGREEMENT – PAGES 6 AND 18; LACOSTE AGREEMENT – PAGES 38 AND 39 AND SCHEDULE VIII;

(2)  

ANNEX B TO (WHICH IS THE LAST PAGE OF) THE SERVICE AGREEMENT ANNEXED HERETO AS ANNEX C;

 

(3)  

ALL OF ANNEX D

AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (“SEC”) PUSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED (“1934 ACT”)

 

 

 


 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

1.             INTERPRETATION   [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]

 

 

2.             ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMPANY   [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]

 

 

3.             BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY AND INITIAL OPERATIONS   [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]

 

 

4.             CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT   [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]

 

 

5.             REPORTING AND INFORMATION RIGHTS   [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]

 

 

6.             RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF SHARES   [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]

 

 

7.             SWICO CHANGE OF CONTROL   [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]

 

 

8.             FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE   [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]

 

 

9.             BUY OUT RIGHT   [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]

 

 

10.             COVENANTS   [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]

 

 

11.             REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES   [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]

 

 

12.             FEES AND EXPENSES   [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]

 

 

13.             CONFIDENTIALITY   [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]

 

 

14.             PUBLICITY   [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]

 

 

15.             TERMINATION AND BREACH   [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]

 

 

16.             NOTICES   [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]

 

 

17.             MISCELLANEOUS   [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]

 

 

18.             GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION   [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]

 

 

 

List of Annexes

 

Annex A:  The Company governing documents

 

Annex B:  Distribution Agreements

 

Annex C:  Service Agreement

 

Annex D:  5-year business plan

 

 

 

 


 

 

THIS JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT is made on the 1st day of  May, 2007

 

BETWEEN:

 

SWICO LIMITED a company incorporated under the laws of England, having its registered office at Meadway House, Meadway, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 1NN, England, registered number 469666 (“ Swico ”) ;

 

and

 

MOVADO GROUP, INC. a company incorporated under the laws of New York, having its principle office at 650 From Road, Paramus, NJ 07652, U.S.A.  (“ MGI ”);

 

and

 

MGS  DISTRIBUTION LIMITED a corporation incorporated under the laws of England, having its registered office c/o Swico, Meadway, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 1NN, England, registered number                      (“ Company ”).

 

 

WHEREAS :

(A)

MGI wishes to develop its activities in the United Kingdom through, among other actions, the development of licensed brands and direct access to the market.

 

(B)

Swico is a watch distributor in the United Kingdom and is currently the distributor there of Hugo Boss watches under an agreement with MGI’s Affiliate, MGI Luxury Group, S.A., dated May 1, 2005 (“Swico HB Distributorship”).  In order to grow and secure the current business of its domestic markets, Swico is searching for new brands for distribution and a strong partner to develop for the long term.

 

(C)

In view of their satisfactory relationship and common objectives, Swico and MGI (collectively, the “ Shareholders ”) wish to create a joint venture relationship through ownership in the Company of, respectively, a 51% interest by MGI (or an entity that is owned 100% by MGI) and a 49% interest by Swico.

 

(D)

The Shareholders wish to set forth herein certain matters relating to the establishment of the Company, the management and operations thereof, as well as the transfers by the Shareholders of their interests in the Company.

 

NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants set forth herein, the Shareholders agree as follows:

 

 

1.  

INTERPRETATION

 

1.1  

Definitions :  Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following meanings for purposes of this Agreement.

 

" Affiliate " means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, either directly or indirectly through one or more intermediate Persons, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such first Person.

 

" Control " of a Person means (i) ownership of more than 50% of the equity share capital or voting rights of such Person or (ii) the power to direct the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of more than 50% of the voting power of such Person, through the power to appoint at least half of the members of the board of directors or similar governing body of such Person, through contractual arrangements or otherwise.

 

" Person " means any natural person, firm, company, governmental authority, joint venture, partnership, association or other entity (whether or not having separate legal personality).

 

" Related Party " means (i) any shareholder, director or officer of the Company, (ii) any Relative of a shareholder, director or officer of the Company and (iii) any Person in which any shareholder, director or any officer of the Company or any Relative thereof has any interest, other than a passive shareholding of less than 5% in a company whose shares are listed on a recognized investment exchange or dealt in on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange.

 

" Relative " of a natural Person means any spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild or sibling of such Person and any offspring of any of the foregoing.

 

" Shares " means the ordinary shares [of £1 each] in the capital of the Company.

 

1.2  

The following terms are defined in the indicated Clause:

 

“Board”

4.4.1

"Business"

3.1

“Business Plan”

8.1

“Buy-Out Date”

9.1

“Buy-Out Price”

9.2

“Cash Flow Value”

9.2

“Chairman”

4.4.2

"Company"

Recitals

"Confidential Information"

13.1

“Director”

4.4.1

“Distribution Agreements”

3.2

"First Refusal Right"

6.5.2

“Lock-up Expiration Date”

6.4

“Non-Compete Covenant”

10.2.2

"Offer Period"

6.5.2

"Offer Price"

6.5.1

“Offer Price Per Share”

6.5.1

"Offered Shares"

6.5.1

"Offeree"

6.5.1

"Permitted Transferee"

6.3

"Representatives"

13.1

"Rules"

18.2

“Service Agreement”

3.3

"Shareholders"

Recitals

“Shareholders’ Meeting”

4.1

"Tag-Along Right"

6.5.2

"Transfer"

6.1

"Transfer Notice"

6.5.1

"Transferee"

6.5.1

"Transferring Shareholder"

6.5.1

“Swico Change of Control”

7.2

“Swico HB Distributorship”

Recitals

 

 

2.  

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

2.1  

Contributions .    MGI shall subscribe for 51 Shares at a subscription price of £408,000, representing 51% of the total Shares to be in issue.  Swico shall subscribe for 49 Shares at a subscription price of £392,000, of which £372,000 shall be satisfied by Swico procuring the transfer to the Company of its inventory of Hugo Boss watches in saleable condition and related display material and spare parts for such watches, the aggregate fair market value of which is £372,000, and the balance of the subscription price of £20,000 shall be paid by Swico in cash so that the shareholding of Swico shall represent 49% of the total Shares to be in issue.  The Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company are attached hereto as Annex A.

 

 

 

 

3.  

BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY AND INITIAL OPERATIONS

 

3.1  

Principal Business .  The business of the Company shall be to sell, market and distribute in the United Kingdom certain watch brands pursuant to the Distribution Agreements (as defined below) (the " Business ") in accordance with the Business Plan (as defined in Clause  8.1 below) and to engage in such other businesses or activities or make such other investments as may be approved by the Shareholders from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

 

3.2  

Distribution Agreements .  MGI shall, or shall cause its appropriate Affiliate to, enter into exclusive distribution agreements, substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex B, except as the parties may otherwise agree (the “ Distribution Agreements ”), with the Company, and the Company will enter into the Distribution Agreements, pursuant to which MGI or its appropriate Affiliate shall grant to the Company the exclusive right to distribute HUGO BOSS, TOMMY HILFIGER, LACOSTE and JUICY COUTURE watches in the United Kingdom. Swico and MGI agree that, upon the effective date of the Distribution Agreement relating to the distribution of HUGO BOSS watches, they will take all action or cause their Affiliates, as the case may be, to take all action, to terminate the Swico HB Distributorship.  In addition, subject to Clause 10.2.2, MGI will, or will cause its appropriate Affiliate to, offer to the Company substantially similar watch distribution agreements in the United Kingdom for any other brands which may hereafter be licensed to MGI or any of its Affiliates, subject, in each case, to the terms, conditions and limitations set forth in each licence, and the Company shall enter into, and the Shareholders will take all action to cause the Company to enter into, such distribution agreements. All references in this Agreement to “Distribution Agreements” shall include all such additional distribution agreements as may be entered into from time to time by the Company and MGI or any of its Affiliates. Any failure by MGI or its Affiliates to offer or execute such additional distribution agreements shall be deemed to be a material breach by MGI of this Agreement, and any failure by either Shareholder to take all action to cause the Company to enter into such additional distribution agreements shall be deemed to be a material breach by such Shareholder of this Agreement

 

3.3  

Service Agreement .  Swico shall enter into a service agreement, substantially in the form attached as Annex C, with the Company (the “Service Agreement”), and the Company shall enter into the Service Agreement with Swico pursuant to which Swico shall provide to the Company certain services relating to the day-to-day operations of the Business.

 

 

 

3.4  

Employees .

 

(a)  

Swico shall arrange in consultation with MGI the hiring of adequate staff, including sales staff, by the Company. Such staff shall include sales staff derived from employees of Swico currently dedicated to the HUGO BOSS brand. Swico shall assume the costs of transferring the employment of such employees to the Company.

 

(b)  

All employees shall be employed by the Company at market-standard rates of compensation with market-standard benefits. Employees transferred from Swico will benefit from the terms and conditions applicable to their employment on the date of transfer ; provided however that the Company shall in no event assume any liability or obligation (including, without limitation, pension liabilities or other accrued liabilities) owed by Swico to any such employees which arose prior to the date of their transfer. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be deemed to have assumed any such liability or obligation, then Swico will indemnify, defend and hold the Company harmless against and in respect of all such liabilities and obligations.  Swico shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company from and against any losses and expenses arising from any claim by any employee of Swico relating to such transfers or the transactions contemplated hereby, including without limitation any tax liability or any claim by any such employee that such employee’s employment should have been transferred to the Company.

 

(c)  

All agreements with employees (including those relating to compensation, commissions, benefits other agreements) shall be set forth in writing and made available for review by, and, if required pursuant to Clause 4.3.1, the approval of, the Chairman (as defined below).

 

3.5  

Insurance .  Swico shall cause the Company to be covered by Swico’s group umbrella insurance policies as part of the services provided pursuant to the Services Agreement, with the exception of marine insurance for goods in transit which coverage shall be provided by MGI as part of its umbrella coverage for Affiliates .  The Company shall reimburse to MGI MGI’s incremental costs incurred relating to such insurance coverage promptly upon receipt from MGI of an invoice therefor.

 

3.6  

Systems .  At any time after the combined sales of the Company for any fiscal year exceed £10 million, upon the request of MGI, the Company shall implement and the Shareholders shall take all action to cause the Company to implement, and Swico shall (in connection with the services provided by it under the Service Agreement) implement, MGI’s information technology systems for accounting/financial reporting.

 

 

 

 

4.  

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

 

4.1  

General .  The Shareholders shall use their respective voting powers at general meetings of the Company (each a " Shareholders Meeting "), and shall take all other actions necessary, including action that may be taken through its shareholding in the Company, to give effect to all of the provisions of this Agreement, the Distribution Agreements and the Service Agreement.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement, on the one hand, and the terms of the governing documents of the Company on the other hand, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.

 

4.2  

Managing Director.

 

4.2.1  

Appointment .  The Company shall be managed by a Managing Director. The Shareholders expect that Swico, based on its knowledge of the watch market in the United Kingdom, will furnish a recommendation for Managing Director to the Company for consideration. The Shareholders shall cause the Company to appoint as Managing Director the person recommended by Swico, following the prior approval of MGI, which shall not be withheld without good reason.  For the purposes of the preceding sentence, “good reason” shall include, without limitation, failure of the candidate to have satisfactory relations with retailers and failure of the candidate to have achieved satisfactory financial results (as compared to forecasted results) .  The Shareholders will cause the Company to remove the Managing Director upon request by Swico for any or no reason, or upon request by MGI, for good cause.  For the purposes of the preceding sentence, “good cause” shall include, without limitation, the failure of the Managing Director to properly manage the day-to-day activities of the Company, including without limitation the failure of the Managing Director to comply with the requirements set forth in Clause 4.2.3(b) below. The Managing Director shall devote all of his or her professional time to the business and operations of the Company; provided that if Mr. Keith Sheppard becomes the Managing Director, he shall devote such of his professional time to the business and operations of the Company as reasonably necessary.

 

4.2.2  

Remuneration .  The remuneration of the Managing Director shall be determined and paid by the Company, subject to approval by the Chairman.  The Managing Director shall not have a separate employment contract, except as required by law and in no event shall the Managing Director be entitled to any severance payment of any kind whatsoever in the event of the termination of his employment by or resignation from the Company.

 

4.2.3  

Duties and Powers of the Managing Director .

 

 

(a)

Subject to the rights of the Chairman, the Board or of the Shareholders to approve certain specific decisions and actions as set forth in Clauses 4.3.1, 4.3.2, 4.4.5 or  4.5.1 or as provided by applicable law, the Managing Director shall conduct the day-to-day activities of the Company.

 

 

(b)

The Managing Director shall:

 

 

(i)

promote the development of the Business;

 

 

(ii)

ensure the continuity of the sales team management;

 

 

(iii)

promote the continuity and development of customer relationships;

 

 

(iv)

liaise with Swico to ensure the continuity of the Swico personnel providing services to the Company pursuant to the Service Agreement;

 

 

(v)

prepare for review and approval by the Chairman a draft annual strategic plan, business plan and budget consistent with the Business Plan, and implement the approved annual strategic plan, business plan and budget;

 

 

(vi)

communicate regularly with the Chairman regarding the operations of the Company including meeting not less than quarterly with the Advisory Committee to discuss and review any material financial, commercial or strategic developments or issues, including, without limitation, any action taken by the Managing Director under Clause 4.2.3(c);

 

 

(vii)

cause the Company to adhere to the MGI group ethics and control policies as communicated by MGI from time to time and to comply with all procedures relating to MGI internal control over financial reporting;

 

 

(viii)

manage the employees of the Company;  and

 

 

(xi)

comply with the requirements of this Agreement.

 

 

(c)

Without limiting the provisions of sub-clause (a) above, the Managing Director may take the following actions without the prior approval of the Chairman or of the Board:

 

 

(i)

hire or terminate the employment of personnel having annual compensation of less than £50,000;

 

 

(ii)

grant individual salary increases up to 10% higher than the increase based on the general cost of living index, or equivalent index in the United Kingdom, so long as total salary increases for such annual period do not exceed the budgeted salary increases;

 

 

(iii)

negotiate and execute on behalf of the Company any commercial agreements in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, if any, involving annual expenditures not to exceed the applicable budgeted amount for such expense category, or, absent a specific budgeted amount, the amount set forth in the Business Plan, or, absent any specific amount in the Business Plan, £50,000; and

 

 

(iv)

make payments from and deposits into the bank accounts of the Company in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, if any, and to the extent not otherwise inconsistent with any other provision of this Agreement.

 

4.3  

Chairman.

 

 

4.3.1

Duties and Powers. The Chairman, who shall be appointed in accordance with Clause 4.4.2, shall have a role in the management of the business of the Company, as provided herein.  Without limiting the foregoing, the prior approval of the Chairman is required for any of the following decisions and actions to be taken, it being understood that the failure of the Managing Director to obtain the prior approval of the Chairman, or, failing approval by the Chairman, the approval of the Board,  with respect to any of the following shall be deemed to be a material breach by Swico of this Agreement referred to under Clause  15.2 of this Agreement; provided, that, in the event any annual budget has not been duly approved on or before December 31 st of any year, then the Business Plan (during the first 5 years of this Agreement) or the budget of the previous year (after the fifth year of this Agreement) shall continue to apply on a temporary basis pending such approval:

 

 

(a)

hiring or termination of the employment of personnel with annual compensation in excess of £50,000 or of any Person who is a Relative of any Board member appointed by Swico or of the Managing Director;

 

 

(b)

any action or decision that would represent a deviation of more than 5% with respect to any individual budget or Business Plan line item;

 

 

(c)

acquisition of fixed assets exceeding £50,000 individually or in the aggregate during any year, except to the extent specifically provided in the approved budget;

 

 

(d)

any material change to the marketing, sales or technology policies established by the Board;

 

 

(e)

incurrence of any liability in excess of £15,000 individually or collectively in any month, except to the extent specifically provided in the approved budget;

 

 

(f)

initiation or settlement of any litigation or claim exceeding £35,000;

 

 

(g)

entering into any contract not in the ordinary course of the business of the Company;

 

 

(h)

entering into any commercial agreements involving an annual amount exceeding £50,000, except to the extent specifically provided in the approved budget;

 

 

(i)

any decision or approval required in connection with the Service Agreement; and

 

 

(j)

making payments from the bank accounts of the Company other than in the ordinary course of business, except as otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement.

 

 

4.3.2

With respect to the foregoing decisions and actions, the Managing Director shall notify the Chairman of the Managing Director’s recommendation for such decision or action.  The Chairman shall use reasonable efforts to inform the Managing Director of his decision thereon within five business days after such notification.  In the event the Chairman has not notified its decision to the Managing Director within such five business day period, the Managing Director may consider that the Chairman disagrees with the recommendation of the Managing Director and may submit such proposed decision or action to the Board for decision in accordance with Clause 4.3.3.  If the Chairman repeatedly fails to notify the Managing Director within such five business day period of its decision on any recommendation from the Managing Director, then Swico shall have the right to request that MGI replace the Chairman, which request MGI will consider in good faith.

 

 

4.3.3

Disagreement of Managing Director and the Chairman .  Should the Managing Director and the Chairman disagree with respect to any of the decisions or actions set forth in Clause 4.3.1, either the Managing Director or the Chairman may submit such proposed decision or action to the Board for decision in accordance with this Agreement.

 

 

4.3.4

Service Agreement.   The Managing Director shall consult the Chairman with respect to all decisions relating to the Service Agreement.  The Chairman shall have the opportunity to be present (including by telephone) or represented at all material discussions or reporting in connection with the Service Agreement, and the Managing Director shall provide the Chairman with copies of all material written communications and summaries of all material oral communications with Swico relating to the Service Agreement.  It is the intention of the Shareholders that the Chairman shall have the right in its sole discretion to make any decision to terminate the Service Agreement on behalf of the Company in accordance with Clause 5(b) thereof.  [Therefore, in the event the Chairman instructs the Managing Director to terminate the Service Agreement, the Managing Director shall so terminate the Service Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof.]  Any failure of the Managing Director to so follow the instructions of the Chairman expressed in compliance with the Service Agreement shall be deemed to be a material breach of this Agreement by Swico.

 

4.4  

Board of Directors.

 

4.4.1  

Number and Composition .  The board of directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) shall at all times shall be comprised of four members (each, a “ Director ”), two of whom shall be designated by MGI and two of whom shall be designated by Swico.

 

4.4.2  

Chairman .  The Board shall be presided by a Chairman (the “ Chairman ”).  He shall be designated (and may be removed at any time) by MGI from among the members of the Board appointed by MGI in accordance with Clause  4.4.1 , provided , that MGI shall consult in good faith with Swico prior to so appointing the Chairman.  The Chairman shall not have a second or casting vote at any meeting of the Board or at any committee thereof.

 

 

4.4.3

Removal and Replacement of Directors.

 

Each Shareholder shall be entitled to remove and replace any Director appointed by it as provided by Clause 4.4.1.. Each such Shareholder shall indemnify the Company and keep the Company fully indemnified against any loss or damage or liability (including without limitation all reasonable legal costs and expenses incurred) suffered by the Company resulting from the removal or substitution of any representative Director, or arising from any negligent act or omission of such representative Director.

 

 

4.4.4

Board Meetings.

 

 

(a)

Meetings of the Board shall take place at least once every six-month period.

 

 

(b)

A meeting of the Board may be called by the Chairman or by any Director by giving notice in writing to the Company and the other Directors specifying the date, time and agenda for such meeting.   Not less than seven (7) days' notice shall be given to all Directors; provided , however , that such notice period (i) shall not apply in the case of an adjourned meeting and (ii) may be reduced with the written consent of all of the Directors.

 

 

(c)

All meetings of the Board shall require the presence in person, of both Directors appointed by MGI and both Directors appointed by Swico.  Any Director may, by written notice to all Directors transmitted by mail, electronic mail or facsimile, appoint his fellow representative Director as his alternate to attend and vote for such Director at any Board meeting and in which case such Director shall have two votes.

 

 

(d)

The adoption of any resolution of the Board shall require the unanimous approval of all Directors present or represented at a duly constituted meeting of the Board.  In the event the required affirmative vote is not obtained as to any proposed resolution, then the proposed resolution will not be adopted and, if it would have resulted in a modification of the Business Plan or this Agreement, the modification will not be adopted.  The Board shall not at any meeting adopt any resolution covering any matter that is not specified on the agenda for such meeting unless all Directors are present at such meeting.

 

 

(e)

Meetings of the Board, subject to applicable law, may be conducted via telephone or videoconference, with such participation constituting presence for purposes of the quorum requirement.  Meetings of the Board shall take place in England.

 

 

(f)

The costs of attendance of Directors at meetings of the Board shall, to the extent permitted by law, be borne by the Company.

 

 

(g)

Any action that may be taken by the Directors at a meeting of any Board may be taken by a written resolution signed by all of the Directors in lieu of a meeting.

 

 

4.4.5

Authority of Board .  The Board shall make all major decisions of the Company and all decisions outside the day- to-day business of the Company, except for (i) those decisions and actions that may be taken without such prior approval by the Managing Director alone or with the approval of the Chairman, in accordance with Clauses 4.2.3(c) or 4.3.1 and (ii) those decisions and actions that require the approval of the Shareholders in accordance with Clause 4.5.2.  In addition, the Board shall decide on any matter submitted to it by the Managing Director or the Chairman in case of disagreement between the Managing Director and the Chairman. Without limiting the foregoing, the following decisions and actions shall require the prior approval of the Board:

 

 

(a)

any acquisition or disposition of assets exceeding £15,000 individually or in any calendar month, other than as specifically approved by the Chairman or provided in the approved budget;

 

 

(b)

entry into any lease or sublease arrangement of real property;

 

 

(c)

any change to the agreed dividend policy set forth in Clause  10.1 ;

 

 

(d)

incurrence of indebtedness for borrowed money;

 

 

(e)

acquisition of the equity of another Person;

 

 

(f)

any participation in any joint venture or partnership; and

 

 

(g)

any material modification to the Business Plan (other than merely adopting annual budgets), including, without limitation, any such modification that results in: (i) a decrease in profitability by more than two percent (2.0%); (ii) an increase of expenses by more than five percent (5.0%) of the budgeted amount for such category of expenses; or (iii) an increase in working capital of more than five percent (5.0%);

 

 

(h)

approval of the annual budget and strategic plans and business plans proposed by the Managing Director and approved by the Chairman.

 

 

4.5  

Shareholder Meetings and Approval.

 

4.5.1  

Meetings of the Shareholders .  Shareholder meetings shall be promptly convened by the Chairman upon delivery to the Chairman of a written request therefor by any two Directors.  Shareholder Meetings may otherwise be convened as permitted or required by law.  

 

4.5.2  

Shareholder Approval .  The following actions and decisions relating shall require the approval of the Shareholders by a vote of at least 75% of all voting rights:

 

 

(a)

increase, amortization or reduction of capital;

 

 

(b)

merger, spin-off, consolidation or transfer of any portion of the business or assets of any Company;

 

 

(c)

nomination of the statutory auditor;

 

 

(d)

approval of the annual accounts and affectation of the profit;

 

 

(e)

approval of agreements with any Related Party;

 

 

(f)

transformation of the corporate form of the Company;

 

 

(g)

dissolution, liquidation or reorganization or restructuring of the Company; and

 

 

(h)

all other matters for which shareholder approval is required in accordance with applicable law.

 

 

 

5.  

REPORTING AND INFORMATION RIGHTS

 

5.1  

Information Rights .  Each Shareholder and its authorized representatives, the Chairman, and each Director shall have the right, upon reasonable prior notice, during normal business hours to inspect from time to time the books and accounting records of the Company, to make extracts and copies therefrom at its own expense and to have full access to all of the Company's employees, property and assets.  The Managing Director shall ensure that the foregoing rights and access are provided.

 

5.2  

Books and Records .  The Company shall, and in particular the Managing Director shall cause the Company to, maintain proper, complete and accurate books of account in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as applied by MGI and its Affiliates.  The Company shall have its accounts audited annually in accordance with such standards by a reputable firm of international accountants appointed by the Shareholders.  The Shareholders agree to take all action to cause the Company to appoint as statutory auditor the firm designated by MGI, with the initial firm serving as auditor to be PricewaterhouseCoopers.

 

5.3  

Reports .  The Company shall have or shall arrange to have furnished to it under the Service Agreement, or otherwise, sufficient accounting, technological and administrative personnel and infrastructure to satisfy the normal reporting requirements of the MGI group, as communicated by MGI to the Board and to the Managing Director from time to time, as well as the requirements of applicable law.   Without limiting the foregoing, the Company shall, and in particular the Managing Director shall cause the Company to, provide to the Board (i) unaudited financial data for the period just ended within  3 weeks after the end of each fiscal year and within 2 weeks after the end of each quarter (ii) within 2 months after the end of each fiscal year, the annual audited financial statements of the Company for such fiscal years, (iii) within  two weeks after the end of each quarter, quarterly unaudited financial statements of the Company for such quarter, (iv) within 20 days after the end of each month, a management report including without limitation key operating metrics (e.g. sales and return statistics), a comparison of operating results with the relevant operating budget and an  explanation of material differences between actual results and the budgeted amounts, if any and (v) such other reports as the Board may determine.  The failure of the Managing Director to comply with the foregoing reporting requirements within one week after notice of non-delivery of the report shall be deemed to be a material breach of this Agreement by Swico.

 

5.4  

Budgets and Business Plans .  The Managing Director shall prepare proposed annual operating and capital budgets and business plans for the Company, which shall be submitted to the Chairman and to the Board  for approval.

 

 

6.  

RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF SHARES

 

6.1  

Limitation on Transfers .  No Shareholder shall sell, give, assign, pledge, encumber, grant a security interest in or otherwise dispose of any Shares (each, a " Transfer "), except as expressly permitted by this Clause  6 .  Any attempt to Transfer any Shares in violation of the preceding sentence shall be null and void, and the Company shall not register any such Transfer.

 

6.2  

Transfers .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no Transfer may be made unless (a) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and (b) the Transfer complies in all respects with the other applicable provisions of this Agreement and the governing documents of the Company.  The non-transferring Shareholder shall cooperate with the transferring Shareholder in respect of all transfers permitted hereunder.

 

6.3  

Transfers to Affiliates .  Any Transfer by a Shareholder to an Affiliate thereof (a “ Permitted Transferee ”) may be made on the condition that the Permitted Transferee shall be bound by and agrees to all of the provisions of this Agreement and; provided , that the transferring Shareholder shall obtain the written consent to such Transfer from the other Shareholder, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.  Any Transfer made in accordance with the previous sentence may be made without compliance with the provisions of Clause  6.4 or  6.5 .  If a Permitted Transferee after any such Transfer ceases to be an Affiliate of the transferring Shareholder, such Permitted Transferee shall transfer such Shares back to such transferring Shareholder.

 

6.4  

Prohibited Transfers .  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no Transfers, other than Transfers permitted pursuant to Clause  6.3 , shall be made prior to July 1, 2012 (the “ Lock-up Expiration Date ”).

 

6.5  

Transfers to Third Parties.

 

6.5.1  

Transfer Notice .  If a Shareholder (the " Transferring Shareholder ") receives a bona fide offer to acquire Shares and the Transferring Shareholder proposes to accept such offer, the Transferring Shareholder shall send written notice (the " Transfer Notice ") to the Company and the other Shareholder (the " Offeree "), which notice shall state (i) the name of the Transferring Shareholder, (ii) the name and address of the proposed transferee (the " Transferee "), (iii) the number of Shares to be Transferred (the " Offered Shares "), (iv) the amount and form of the proposed consideration for the Transfer, (v) the other terms and conditions of the proposed Transfer and (vi) confirmation that the Transferee is willing to purchase the Shares held by the Offeree on the same terms and conditions.  In the event that the proposed consideration for the Transfer includes consideration other than cash, the Transfer Notice shall include a calculation of the fair market value of such consideration and an explanation of the basis for such calculation.  The total value of the consideration for the proposed Transfer is referred to herein as the " Offer Price ", and the “ Offer Price Per Share ” shall equal the Offer Price divided by the number of Offered Shares.

 

6.5.2  

Rights of Offeree .  For a period of 30 days after delivery of a Transfer Notice (the " Offer Period "), the Offeree shall have the right by delivering written notice to the Transferring Shareholder to such effect (the “ First Refusal Right ”) to (i) purchase in aggregate all, but not less than all, of the Offered Shares at a purchase price equal to the Offer Price, (ii) purchase 100% of the Shares held by the Transferring Shareholder and any Permitted Transferees to which the Transferring Shareholder shall have transferred Shares at a price equal to the Buyout Price, (iii) sell all of the Shares owned by it to the Transferee at a price equal to the Offer Price Per Share multiplied by the number of shares held by the Offeree and otherwise pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Transfer Notice (the “ Tag Along Right ”) or (iv) withhold its consent to the sale by the Transferring Shareholder to the Transferee in its absolute discretion, in which event the Transferring Shareholder shall not consummate such Transfer. The notice delivered by the Offeree to the Transferring Shareholder shall state which of the foregoing alternatives (i-iv) the Offeree has elected.

 

6.5.3  

Sale to Third-Party Purchaser .  Unless the Offeree shall have elected during the Offer Period in accordance with Clause  6.5.1 to exercise its First Refusal Right, its Tag Along Right, to be bought out or to withhold its consent to the sale by the Transferring Shareholder to the Transferee, the Transferring Shareholder may Transfer all of the Offered Shares to the Transferee identified in the Transfer Notice on the terms and conditions set forth in the Transfer Notice; provided , that the Transfer shall be completed within three months after the giving of the Transfer Notice.

 

 

 

 

7.  

SWICO CHANGE OF CONTROL

 

7.1  

Change of Control of Swico .  Swico shall provide to MGI at least forty five (45) days prior notice of any Swico Change of Control.  MGI shall have the right to purchase all of the Shares held by Swico and all Permitted Transferees to which Swico shall have transferred Shares at the Buyout Price, by sending notice to such effect to Swico within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice.

 

7.2  

Definition of Swico Change of Control .  A “ Swico Change of Control ” shall be deemed to occur if (i) any competitor of MGI acquires more than 5% of the shares or voting rights of Swico or any Affiliate thereof (or, in the event the shares of Swico become publicly traded on a recognized investment exchange, such competitor acquires more than 10% of the shares or voting rights of Swico or any Affiliate thereof) or (ii) Mr. Keith Sheppard ceases to spend at least 50% of his time in the active day-to-day management of Swico or its Affiliates for any reason other than death or permanent disability.  For the purposes of this Clause  7.2 , Fossil, Swatch Group, Callanan International, Egana, Binda, Vestal and Advance, and any of their successors in interest, shall be deemed to be competitors of MGI, and, whether any other Person shall be considered to be a competitor of MGI shall be determined using reasonable judgment after taking into consideration the price, market position and placement at point of sale of the products of such Person.

 

 

 

 

8.  

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

 

8.1  

Business Plan .  Attached hereto as Annex D is the agreed business plan for the Company setting out specific financial performance measures annually for the period ending January 31, 2012 and containing the underlying principles and assumptions on the basis of which the Shareholders agree that the Business will be run for the duration of this Agreement (such business plan, as expressly duly modified by the Shareholders in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the “ Business Plan ”).

 

8.2  

Poor Financial Performance Year 5 .  In the event that, (i) based on the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the years ended January 31, 2008 through January 31, 2012, the Company has a cumulative loss or (ii) based on the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the years ended January 31, 2011 and January 31, 2012, the Company has failed to attain an average annual return on sales of at least 3%, then either Shareholder may elect by notice to the other Shareholder on or before April 30, 2012 to dissolve the Company, and both Shareholders shall vote in favour of such dissolution at the Shareholder Meeting duly convened for such purpose and shall otherwise co-operate in respect thereof.

 

8.3  

Poor Financial Performance Year 10 .  In the event that, based on the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the years ended January 31, 2015 to January 31, 2017, the Company has failed to attain an average annual return on sales of at least 5%, then either Shareholder may elect by notice to the other Shareholder on or before April 30, 2017 to dissolve the Company, and both Shareholders shall vote in favour of such dissolution at the Shareholder Meeting duly convened for such purpose and shall otherwise co-operate in respect thereof.

 

 

 

 

9.  

BUY OUT RIGHT

 

9.1  

Buy-Out Right .  MGI shall have the right to purchase the Shares of Swico and all Permitted Transferees to which Swico shall have transferred Shares hereunder on July 1, 2017 and each fifth anniversary thereof (each such date or, if such date is not a business day, the next following business day, a “ Buy-Out Date ”), by notice to Swico at least eighteen (18) months prior to any Buy-Out Date, at the Buy-Out Price (as defined below).  Upon receipt of such notice, Swico and any such Permitted Transferees shall be required to so transfer their Shares to MGI on the Buy-Out Date.

 

9.2  

Buy-Out Price .  The “ Buy-Out Price ” shall equal the product of (i) the percentage of total Shares held by the transferring party(ies) and (ii) 5 multiplied by the “ Cash Flow Value ” (which is hereby defined as the average annual operating cash flow (EBIT) for the three fiscal years prior to the Buy-Out Date based on the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company), plus the net asset value of the Company (on a consolidated basis) on the Buy-Out Date (or minus the net liability value of Company (on a consolidated basis) on the Buy-Out Date, as the case may be).

 

 

 

 

10.  

COVENANTS

 

10.1  

Dividend Policy.   The Parties agree that a dividend equal to 75% of the distributable profits of the Company on a consolidated basis in any year shall be declared as a dividend to the Shareholders on or before the 15 th month after the end of such year, to the extent permitted by applicable law; provided , that such policy may be modified or waived pursuant to decision of the Board.

 

10.2  

Non-Competition.

 

10.2.1  

During the term of this Agreement, neither Swico nor its Affiliates shall without the prior consent of MGI, within any country where the Company regularly conducts business and distributes products, directly or indirectly distribute, sell or market any fashion watch brand that is competitive with any licensed brand distributed by or on behalf of MGI or any of its Affiliates in such country. Whether any fashion watch brand is competitive with any of MGI’s or its Affiliates’ licensed brands will be determined where applicable by reference to the applicable licence agreement itself; provided however that brands marketed by or on behalf of any of the following companies or their Affiliates shall be deemed to be competitive with the MGI licensed brands: Fossil, Swatch Group, Callanan International, Egana, Binda, Vestal and Advance.  Whether any other fashion brand shall be considered to be competitive with any MGI licensed brand shall be determined using reasonable judgment after taking into consideration brand message, price, market position, final consumer profile and placement at point of sale.  The Shareholders will consider appropriate exemptions from this provision in the event the Company commences to distribute products in any country other than the United Kingdom, where Swico or any of its Affiliates have pre-existing business.

 

10.2.2  

If Swico breaches any of the provisions of Clause  10.2.1 (the “ Non-Compete Covenant ”), MGI shall be released from its obligation to appoint the Company as distributor for any new MGI licensed brands.

 

10.2.3  

Swico agrees that the Non-Compete Covenant is reasonable in geographical and temporal scope and in all other respects.  If any court determines that the Non-Compete Covenant, or any part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder thereof shall not thereby be affected and shall be given full effect without regard to the invalid portions.

 

10.2.4  

If any court determines that the Non-Compete Covenant is unenforceable because of the duration or geographic scope of such provision, such court shall have the power to reduce the duration or scope of such provision, as the case may be, and, in its reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable.

 

10.3  

Non-Solicitation .  During the term of this Agreement and until the second anniversary of the valid termination or expiration thereof, neither MGI and its Affiliates, on the one hand, nor Swico and its Affiliates, on the other hand, shall recruit any employee, officer or director of the other for employment or as a consultant.

 

 

11.  

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

11.1  

Each Shareholder represents to the other Shareholder that:

 

 

11.1.1

such Shareholder has the full power and authority to enter into, execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform the transactions contemplated hereby and, if such Shareholder is not a natural Person, such Shareholder is duly incorporated or organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization;

 

 

11.1.2

the execution and delivery by such Shareholder of this Agreement and the performance by such Shareholder of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action of such Shareholder;

 

 

11.1.3

assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the other Shareholder, this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Shareholder, enforceable against such Shareholder in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally; and

 

 

11.1.4

the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Shareholder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (a) violate any provision of the organizational or governance documents of such Shareholder; (b) require such Shareholder to obtain any consent, approval or action of, or make any filing with or give any notice to, any governmental authority in such Shareholder's country of organization or any other Shareholder pursuant to any instrument, contract or other agreement to which such Shareholder is a party or by which such Shareholder is bound, or (c) conflict with or result in any breach of or default under any of the terms and conditions of any instrument, contract or other agreement by which such Shareholder is bound.

 

 

 

12.  

FEES AND EXPENSES

 

12.1  

Each Shareholder shall bear its own fees and expenses in connection with the preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the other documents contemplated hereby.

 

 

 

 

13.  

CONFIDENTIALITY

 

13.1  

General Obligation .  Each Shareholder undertakes that it shall not reveal, and shall use its reasonable efforts to ensure that its directors, officers, managers, partners, members, employees, legal, financial and professional advisors and bankers (collectively, " Representatives ") do not reveal, to any third party any Confidential Information without the prior written consent of the Company or the Shareholder concerned, as the case may be.  The term " Confidential Information " as used in this Agreement means (a) any information concerning the organization, business, technology, finance, transactions or affairs of the Company and each Shareholder or any of their respective directors, officers or employees (whether conveyed in written, oral or in any other form and whether such information is furnished before, on or after the date of this Agreement) and (b) any information or materials prepared by a Shareholder or its Representatives that contains or otherwise reflects, or is generated from, Confidential Information.

 

13.2  

Exceptions .  The provisions of Clause  13.1 shall not apply to:

 

 

13.2.1

disclosure of Confidential Information that is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of disclosure by or at the direction of a Shareholder or any of its Representatives in violation of this Agreement;

 

 

13.2.2

disclosure by a Shareholder to its Representatives;

 

 

13.2.3

disclosure, after giving prior notice to the other Parties to the extent practicable under the circumstances and subject to any practicable arrangements to protect confidentiality, to the extent required under the rules of any stock exchange or by applicable laws or governmental regulations or judicial or regulatory process or in connection with any judicial process regarding any legal action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement; or

 

 

13.2.4

disclosure by any Shareholder of Confidential Information concerning the Company that is reasonably necessary in the ordinary course of business or otherwise in connection with transactions or proposed transactions of the Company.

 

13.3  

Disclosure to Third Parties .  Upon any Shareholder entering into negotiations with any Person with a view to Transferring any Shares to such Person, information in respect of the Company that is reasonably necessary to permit such Person to evaluate the business of the Company may be provided to such Person, provided that such Person has executed a confidentiality agreement in such form as may be reasonably required by the Board; and provided further that if such Person is involved in a business in competition with that of the Company, the Board may prohibit the disclosure of any such Confidential Information as the Board may determine.

 

 

 

 

14.  

PUBLICITY

 

14.1  

Except as required by law or regulations of any stock exchange or by any governmental authority, no publicity release or public announcement concerning the relationship or involvement of the Parties shall be made by any Shareholder without advance approval thereof by the other Shareholder, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

 

 

 

15.  

TERMINATION AND BREACH

 

15.1  

Term .  This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution hereof by the Shareholders and the Company and shall continue in effect until the earlier to occur of (a) the date on which the Company goes into liquidation or dissolution, any property or assets of the Company are placed in the hands of a receiver, trust custodian or liquidator or a winding up order in respect of the Company is issued, or (b) the date on which this Agreement is validly terminated in accordance with Clause  15.2 or (c) any date agreed upon in writing by the Shareholders or (e) where all the Shares are held by one Person.

 

 

 

15.2  

Breach.

 

 

15.2.1

Upon the material breach of this Agreement by any Shareholder, the non-breaching Shareholder may provide to the breaching Shareholder notification of such material breach, setting forth in reasonable detail therein the nature of such material breach.  The breaching Shareholder and the non-breaching Shareholder shall meet to discuss in good faith the material breach and the cure thereof. Following such discussion, formal notification (the “ Notification ”) may be given by the non-breaching Shareholder to the breaching Shareholder of the breach and requesting that the breaching Shareholder cure the breach.

 

 

15.2.2

If the breaching Shareholder shall not have cured such breach within 30 days after delivery of the Notification, the non-breaching Shareholder may, without prejudice to any other legal remedies it may have, within 60 days after expiration of such 30-day period, [(i) elect to terminate this Agreement and the Distribution Agreements], and dissolve and liquidate the Company (and the breaching Shareholder shall take all actions to co-operate in respect of the implementation of such dissolution and liquidation (including voting in favour thereof at the shareholder meeting duly convened for such purpose)) or (ii  elect to purchase the interests held by the breaching Shareholder and any Permitted Transferees thereof in the Company at a price equal to the product of (a) the percentage of total Shares held by the breaching Shareholder (and any Permitted Transferees thereof) and (b) 90% of 5 multiplied by the Cash Flow Value, plus the net asset value of the Company (on a consolidated basis) on the Buy-Out Date (or minus the net liability value of  the Company (on a consolidated basis) on the Buy-Out Date, as the case may be).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Breach occurs during the 5 first years of activity (to January 31, 2012), such price will be equal to the multiple of (a) the percentage of total Shares held by the breaching Shareholder (and any Permitted Transferees thereof) and (b) 5 multiplied by the annual operating cash flow for the last fiscal year prior to the Buy-Out Date based on the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company, plus the net asset value of the Company (on a consolidated basis) on the Buy-Out Date (or minus the net liability value of the Company (on a consolidated basis) on the Buy-Out Date, as the case may be).  Alternatively the non-breaching Shareholder may offer to purchase the Shares held by the breaching Shareholder and any Permitted Transferees thereof in the Company at any other price to be negotiated by the Parties.

 

 

15.2.3

A “material breach” for purposes of this Clause  15.2 shall include the breach by a Shareholder of the provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation of the management rules, the decision-making process or the non-compete or non-solicitation undertakings) or a breach of the provisions of the Distribution Agreements or the Service Agreement (with any beach thereof by any Affiliate of MGI being attributed to MGI and any breach thereof by any Affiliate of Swico being attributed to Swico) resulting, in any of the foregoing events in damages to the Company in excess of £35,000.  Any material breach of, or actions inconsistent with, the terms of this Agreement (i) by the Managing Director or any Director designated by Swico shall be attributed to Swico, and (ii) by the Chairman or any Director designated by MGI shall be attributed to MGI.

 

15.3  

Damages .  In no event shall any Shareholder be required to pay indirect or consequential damages in respect of any breach by such Shareholder of any provision of this Agreement, except in the event of fraud.

 

 

 

 

16.  

NOTICES

 

16.1  

Each notice or other communication hereunder shall be in writing and delivered or sent to the relevant Shareholder at its address or fax number set out in Schedule 1 (or such other address or fax number as the addressee may specify to the other Parties).  Any notice or other communication  shall be deemed to have been delivered (a) if given or made by letter, when actually delivered to the relevant address; and (b) if given or made by fax, upon dispatch and the receipt of a transmission report confirming dispatch.

 

 

17.  

MISCELLANEOUS

 

17.1  

No Partnership .  The Shareholders expressly do not intend hereby to form a partnership, either general or limited, under any jurisdiction's partnership law.  The Shareholders do not intend to be partners one to another, or partners as to any third party, or create any fiduciary relationship among themselves, solely by virtue of their status as Shareholders.

 

17.2  

Discrepancies .  If there is any discrepancy between any provision of this Agreement and any provision of the governing documents of the Company, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail, and the Parties shall procure that such governing documents are promptly amended, to the extent permitted by applicable law, in order to conform with this Agreement.

 

17.3  

Amendment .  This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented except by a written instrument executed by each of the Parties.

 

17.4  

Waiver .  No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument signed by the Shareholder waiving such provision. No failure or delay by a Shareholder in exercising any right, power or remedy under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of the same preclude any further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.  Without limiting the foregoing, no waiver by a Shareholder of any breach by the other Shareholder of any provision hereof shall be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach of that or any other provision hereof.

 

17.5  

Entire Agreement .  This Agreement (together with the agreements attached as Annexes hereto) constitutes the whole agreement between the Parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior agreements or understandings relating to such subject matter.

 

17.6  

Severability .  Each and every obligation under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate obligation and shall be severally enforceable as such and in the event of any obligation or obligations being or becoming unenforceable in whole or in part.  To the extent that any provision or provisions of this Agreement are unenforceable they shall be deemed to be deleted from this Agreement, and any such deletion shall not affect the enforceability of this Agreement as remain not so deleted.

 

17.7  

Assignment; Binding on Transferee .  The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and Permitted Transferees and transferees under Clause  6.5 from and after the effective date hereof.  Neither Party may transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, of the other Party.

 

 

18.  

GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

 

18.1  

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England.

 

18.2  

Disputes.

 

 

18.2.1

Any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with or relating to this Agreement, or the breach, termination or invalidity hereof, including any claim for injunctive relief, shall be finally settled by arbitration under the Rules of Conciliation and Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (the " Rules ") as are in force at the time of any such arbitration.  For the purpose of such arbitration, there shall be three arbitrators appointed in accordance with the Rules.  The place of arbitration shall be in London.  All arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in the English language.   Judgment upon any arbitral award rendered hereunder may be entered in any court having jurisdiction, or application may be made to such court for a judicial acceptance of the award and an order of enforcement, as the case may be.

 

 

18.2.2

Each Shareholder shall co-operate in good faith to expedite (to the maximum extent practicable) the conduct of any arbitral proceedings commenced under this Agreement.

 

 

18.2.3

The costs and expenses of the arbitration, including, without limitation, the fees of the arbitrators shall be borne equally by each party to the dispute or claim, and each party shall pay its own fees, disbursements and other charges of its counsel.

 

 

18.2.4

Any award made by the arbitrators shall be final and binding on each of the Parties that were parties to the dispute.  The Shareholders expressly agree to waive the applicability of any laws and regulations that would otherwise give the right to appeal the decisions of the arbitrators or to seek specific performance in another forum so that there shall be no appeal to any court of law for the award of the arbitrators, and a Shareholder shall not challenge or resist the enforcement action taken by any other the other Shareholder in whose favour an award of the Arbitration Panel was given.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned have executed this Agreement on the date first above written.

 

 

 

SWICO LIMITED                                                                           MOVADO GROUP, INC.

 

By: /s/ Keith R. Sheppard                                                                                            By: /s/ Timothy F. Michno

 

Name: K.R. Sheppard                                                                                     Name: T.F. Michno

 

Title: C.E.O.                                                                           Title: General Counsel

 

 

 

MGS DISTRIBUTION LIMITED

 

By: /s/ Keith R. Sheppard

 

Name: K.R. Sheppard

 

Title: Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C:\Documents and Settings\Debra\My Documents­Smithsons\MGI-Swico JV Agmt (draft 220207).doc

 

 


 

 

Schedule 1

 

SHAREHOLDERS

 

A.

Movado Group, Inc.

 

Principle Office: 650 From Road, Paramus, NJ 07652

 

 

Address for notification: same, to the attention of Jon Step, with a copy to:General Counsel, Movado Group, Inc., 650 From Road, Paramus, NJ 07652, U.S.A.

 

 

 

B.           SWICO LIMITED

Registered Office: Meadway House, Meadway, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 1NN England

 

Address for Notification: same as Registered Office                                                                     , to theattention of Keith Sheppard

 

 

 

 

SERVICE AGREEMENT

 

BETWEEN

 

SWICO LIMITED

 

MOVADO GROUP, INC

 

and

 

MGS DISTRIBUTION LIMITED

 

——————————————————

 

Dated as of May 11, 2007

 

——————————————————

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

SERVICE AGREEMENT

 

SERVICE AGREEMENT, dated as of May 11, 2007 (this “ Agreement ”), between SWICO LIMITED a corporation incorporated under the laws of England, having its registered office at Meadway, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 1NN, England, registered number 469666  (“Swico”), MOVADO GROUP, INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws of New York, having its principle office at 650 From Road, Paramus, NJ 07652 (“MGI”) and  MGS DISTRIBUTION LIMITED,  a corporation incorporated under the laws of England, having its registered office at  c/o Swico, Meadway, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 1NN, England,   registered number  6183896 (“Company”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, Swico has entered into a Joint Venture Agreement, dated as of May 11, 2007 with the Company and MGI (the “JV Agreement”), pursuant to which Swico and MGI have taken, respectively, a 51% and 49% interest in the Company and have established a joint venture relationship relating to the sale, marketing and distribution of certain watch brands in the United Kingdom; and

 

WHEREAS, it is contemplated in the JV Agreement that Swico will provide certain services to the Company pursuant to a services agreement to be entered into between Swico and the Company; and

 

WHEREAS, set forth in this Agreement are the terms and conditions of the services to be provided by Swico to the Company as contemplated by the JV Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

19.   SERVICES GENERALLY .

 

19.1   Services Provided by Swico

 

.  During the term of this Agreement, Swico shall provide to the Company the services described on Annex “A” hereto and otherwise as set forth in this Agreement (the “Services”), in each case as requested by the Company.

 

(b)         Exclusivity

 

.  The Company shall obtain the Services exclusively from Swico during the term of this Agreement.

 

Section 2.   Logistics Services

 

(a) Warehouse.   Swico will maintain a warehouse facility and fulfillment center at the address first set forth above or at such other location as may be reasonably acceptable to the Company (the “Facility”) and within such Facility will maintain a secure, contiguous dedicated area in such location as the Company shall reasonably request exclusively for the storage of watches owned, consigned to and/or to be sold by the Company (“Merchandise) sufficient for all the Merchandise on hand at any one time in the Facility to be stored in such area (“Secure Area”).  Swico will employ such measures to ensure that the Secure Area is reasonably secure and that the Merchandise kept therein is reasonably protected from loss and damage.  Such measures shall include (a) keeping the Facility protected by alarms at all times; (b) providing full time (twenty-four (24) hour/seven (7) day) video cameras; (c) utilizing secured rolling cages for shipping and receiving and (d) using other measures as the Company shall reasonably request.  Swico at all times will keep all Merchandise on hand in the Facility in the Secure Area except those individual items in receiving (as provided in section 2(b)) and in shipping (as provided in section 2(c)).

 

(b) Receiving.   Swico will receive all Merchandise and all related materials, including, without limitation, boxes, warranty cards, operating manuals, advertising material and the like, and all other materials shipped to it, either by MGI, any of its Affiliates or from retailers or other customers (“Accounts”) returning Merchandise directly to the Facility, and, upon receipt of such Merchandise, Swico will verify that the correct quantity, stock keeping unit (“SKU”) and technical reference numbers are received and will visually check each item received for defects, damage or other observable non-conforming variances. In addition to the Merchandise to be received from MGI, its Affiliates and Accounts as described above, Swico acknowledges that as of the date hereof, it is holding certain additional Merchandise of the Company consisting of TOMMY HILFIGER, LACOSTE and HUGO BOSS watches which are part of the Merchandise to be used for the fulfillment of Customer Orders as provided hereunder. Swico shall make appropriate records of and will store all Merchandise so verified and checked in the Secure Area.  All non-conforming Merchandise will be segregated from conforming Merchandise and stored in a separate location within the Secure Area pending disposition in accordance with such instructions as the Company shall advise, and a record will be made thereof by the employee performing the check, identifying each non-conforming item by shipment or bill of lading number, order number, date of receipt, SKU and technical reference number, and such other information as the Company shall require. Swico will send the Company weekly “Discrepancy and Defective Reports” setting out in detail all non-conforming Merchandise and all shortages in shipments received in the prior week.

 

            (c) Shipping .  Swico will pick, pack and ship all Merchandise ordered by Accounts (“Customer Orders”) in accordance with such procedures and instructions as the Company shall advise from time to time.   All Merchandise shipped to Accounts will be packaged with box, operating manual, warranty card, invoices, packing slips and such other documents, packaging material, if any, as the Company shall instruct; provided that MGI or its Affiliate shall have furnished such material to Swico (except the invoices and packing slips which Swico shall print itself). Swico will ship all Merchandise in fulfillment of Customer Orders by seventy two (72) hours courier delivery, or otherwise as the Company shall instruct, at the Company’s expense, within twenty-four (24) hours after Swico’s receipt of each such order. The Company will obtain insurance coverage for any and all such Merchandise in transit from the Facility to any Account.

 

            (d) Records    All  bills of lading for all such shipments will be retained by Swico for at least twelve (12) months after which time, unless sooner requested, such documents shall be sent to the Company.

 

            (e) Information Systems . Swico at all times will maintain an information system with full functionality, and adequate, as reasonably determined by MGI, for the accurate and timely reporting of all information pertaining to the Merchandise, including inventory on hand, Merchandise available to ship, open orders, sales and shipments made and such other information as required by MGI and the Company (“Information System”).  Swico will perform periodic cycle counts of the Merchandise and, once yearly, will conduct a  physical inventory of Merchandise on hand and furnish the Company and MGI with a written report detailing by SKU all such Merchandise and reconciling the inventory of Merchandise on hand with Customer Orders received and all shipments made in fulfillment thereof (respectively), each item of Merchandise so shipped identified by SKU and technical reference number and such other information as MGI or the Company shall require from time to time .  Swico will notify MGI and the Company in advance of any annual physical inventory and each of them shall each have the right to have a representative present during such inventory.

 

            (f)   Risk of Loss .   Except for any loss or damage not covered by the insurance procured pursuant to Section 2(g) hereof and resulting from Swico’s breach of this Agreement or gross negligence or willful misconduct, the Company shall at all times bear all risk of loss of or damage to the Merchandise in the Facility, and, subject to Section 2(h) hereof, until delivery thereof is made to the appropriate Account in fulfillment of a Customer Order.


 

                       (g)   Insurance .    Swico shall procure on behalf of the Company and shall maintain in effect at all times adequate insurance coverage for the Merchandise in the Facility against all expected risks, including theft and destruction.  The Company, on behalf of itself and all parties claiming by, through or under it, releases and discharges Swico from all claims and liabilities arising from or caused by any casualty or hazard covered in whole or in part by such insurance on the Merchandise and waives any right of subrogation which might otherwise exist in or accrue to any person on account thereof.

 

            (h)   Indemnity .  Except as provided in Sections 2(f) or 2(g), Swico shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold the Company harmless against, any loss or damage arising out of any act or omission on the part of Swico or its officers, employees, agents, contractors and representatives in respect of or relating to any of the Merchandise.

 

            (i)   Physical Inventory .  Each of MGI and the Company in its sole discretion, at its sole expense and upon reasonable notice to Swico, reserves the right to conduct, from time to time subsequent to the date hereof, physical inventories of Merchandise held by Swico and to audit Swico's applicable inventory and sales records and all other books and records pertaining to this Agreement.  Swico agrees to fully cooperate and assist in conducting any such inventory and/or audit.  Swico shall have the right to observe and participate in the conduct of the inventory by MGI or the Company.  Swico shall be solely responsible for shrinkage  exceeding 0.20% annually ( i.e. , difference between book and physical inventory) evidenced by either a physical inventory conducted by Swico or as a result of a physical inventory conducted by MGI or the Company.  Swico shall prepare and submit to the Company, within ten (10) days after the completion of any physical inventory performed by or for Swico, a report reconciling the Company’s outstanding Merchandise to physical inventory on hand (the "Reconciliation Report").  The Reconciliation Report shall list each item of Merchandise by SKU and by technical reference number.  In the event of a discrepancy between the Reconciliation Report prepared by Swico and the results of any inventory conducted by MGI or the Company, the parties hereto shall attempt in good faith to mutually agree on the resolution of such discrepancies failing which resolution within thirty (30) days, the discrepancy will be reconciled by PricewaterhouseCoopers whose determination shall be binding. The costs for such independent accountants shall be borne equally by the parties.

 

(j)    Title . Title to the Merchandise shall remain and be vested at all times solely in the Company, and Swico will not, and will not permit any other person to, encumber the Merchandise or assert any interest, claim, lien, or right in or in respect of the Merchandise.  Swico hereby waives any security interest it may have or that it may be entitled to assert as a matter of law in the Merchandise, including, without limitation, any warehouseman’s lien.  Swico will not issue any warehouse receipt or any other document or instrument, negotiable or non-negotiable, in respect of any of the Merchandise to any person or entity other than the Company.

 

 

SECTION 3. REPORTING AND PLANNING.

 

(a)           SWICO shall provide to the Company before the 10th day of each month a full written quality report regarding all Services provided by Swico for the preceding month.  Such report shall include relevant details regarding all such Services in order to permit the Company to monitor the quality and volume of the Services provided, including (i) shipment indicators, (ii) repairs indicators, (iii) returns indicators, (iv) bookkeeping indicators and (v) other information as reasonably requested by the Company.

 

(b)           At least once per Quarter, the Managing Director of Swico and/or the Chairman of Swico, and the Managing Director of the Company and the Chairman of the the Company shall discuss the scope of the Services provided hereunder, the expectations of the Company for the following month with respect to Services anticipated to be required for such following month and generally any issues related to the Services provided hereunder .  

 

Section 4.   Prices and Billing .

 

Prices for Services

 

.  The prices for the Services shall be as set forth on Annex B and shall consist of the Base Fee and the Commission (as such terms are defined on Annex B).  Any modification to such prices for any reason whatsoever shall require the approval in writing of the Chairman and the Managing Director of the Company, on the one hand, and Swico, on the other hand.

 

19.2   Procedure

 

.  Swico shall submit to the Company on or after the 15th day of each month an invoice in the amount of the monthly Base Fee due for Services rendered hereunder by Swico during the preceding month.  Such invoice shall include all reasonable detail regarding the Services provided and shall be payable by the Company within 30 days after the date of delivery thereof to the Company. In addition, and together with payment of the Base Fee, the Company shall pay Swico the Commission as set forth on Annex B together with a statement of net sales on the basis of which the Commission was calculated.

 

 

SECTION 5. TERM AND TERMINATION.

 

(a)         Term

 

.  Unless otherwise terminated pursuant to Section 5(b), this Agreement will terminate upon termination of the JV Agreement.  Section 7 shall survive any such termination.

 

(b)         Early Termination

 

.  (a)  In the event the Company shall have obtained a good-faith written proposal of a third party to provide all of the Services hereunder for a price equal to 85% (or less) of the actual amounts invoiced for such Services by Swico (based on the average of such actual amounts over the preceding six-month period), the Company may provide notice to Swico (including a copy of such proposal) of the Company’s  intention to terminate this Agreement with respect to all of the Services; provided, that Swico shall have the right to continue to provide the Services upon the terms and conditions set forth in such third-party proposal by notice to such effect to the Company within 60 days following delivery by the Company of its notification to Swico.   Should Swico fail to so accept to provide the Services upon the terms and conditions set forth in such third-party proposal within such time period, the Company may terminate this Agreement by notice to Swico, such termination to be effective on the tenth business day after such notification of termination.

 

In the event of a material breach by Swico of its obligations hereunder, which shall include without limitation continuing provision of substandard Services, the Company may provide notice of such material breach of Swico.  Such notification shall include reasonable details regarding the nature of the material breach, and Swico and the Chairman and Managing Director of the Company shall meet to discuss the circumstances of such material breach and possibilities for the cure thereof.  If Swico shall not have cured such material breach within 60 days after such notification, the Company may terminate this Agreement by delivery of written notice to Swico, such termination to be effective immediately upon delivery of such notification.

 

 

SECTION 6.   FORCE MAJEURE

 

.  No party shall be responsible for failure or delay in the performance of any Services, nor shall any party be responsible for failure or delay in receiving such Service, if caused by an act of God or public enemy, war, terrorism, government acts or regulations, fire, flood, embargo, quarantine, epidemic, labor stoppages beyond its reasonable control, accident, unusually severe weather or other cause similar to the foregoing beyond their control (herein called “Force Majeure”); provided, that the party affected by Force Majeure shall have exercised all reasonable efforts to avoid or minimize the effects of such event or condition.

 

 

SECTION 7.   CONFIDENTIALITY .

 

(a)   Confidential Information

 

.  Each party recognizes that in the performance of this Agreement confidential and/or proprietary information belonging to any other party regarding the Services may be disclosed or become known to any other party or its respective affiliates (“Confidential Information”).  Unless otherwise expressed in writing to the other party, information that is exchanged between the parties shall be presumed to be confidential and/or proprietary.  Each party agrees to take, and to cause its affiliates to take, such precautions as such party normally takes with its confidential and/or proprietary information to hold in confidence all confidential and/or proprietary information with respect to the Services that belong to the other party.

 

(b)   Exceptions

 

.  This Section 7 shall not apply to:

 

information which, at the time of disclosure, is in the public domain;

 

information which, after its disclosure, becomes part of the public domain by publication or otherwise, except in breach of this Agreement;

 

information which Swico or the Company shall receive from a third party; provided , however , that the third party has the right to disclose the Confidential Information to Swico or the Company, as the case may be; or

 

information which is required by law, rule or regulation (including the rules of any stock exchange on which such party’s securities are listed) to be disclosed; provided that the disclosing party provides prompt notice of such disclosure (and to the extent practicable, shall provide such notice prior to such disclosure).

 

 

SECTION 8.   MISCELLANEOUS .

 

(a)   Notices

 

.  All communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be given when delivered in person or by overnight courier with receipt, when telefaxed and received, or 5 days after being deposited with the postal service, first-class, registered or certified, return receipt requested, with postage paid and,

 

 

if to Swico:

 

 

 

 

            Meadway, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 1NN, England

 

 

                        Attention : Keith Sheppard

 

 

            Facsimile:

 

 

if to the Company

 

 

                        c/o Swico at the address above:

 

 

                        Attention:  Chairman

 

 

                        Facsimile:

 

And a copy to MGI by email at: tmichno@movadogroup.com

 

or to such other address as any such party shall designate by written notice to the other party hereto.

 

(b)     Standard of Care      Swico shall provide the Services in all material respects using substantially the same diligence and care as it uses in performing similar services in respect of its own businesses.

 

(c)    Non-Assignability

 

.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding on the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.  This Agreement shall not be assigned by any party hereto without the express prior written consent of the other parties, and any attempted assignment, without such consent, shall be null and void. This agreement could be assigned by Swico to any of its Affiliates (as defined in the JV Agreement).

 

(d)    Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified only by a written instrument executed by each of the parties hereto.  No waiver by any party of any of the provisions hereof shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and executed by the party so waiving.  Except as provided in the preceding sentence, no action taken pursuant to this Agreement, including any investigation by or on behalf of any party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party taking such action of compliance with any representations, warranties, covenants, or agreements contained herein, and in any documents delivered or to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement.  The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.

 

(e)    Third Parties

 

.  This Agreement does not create any rights, claims or benefits inuring to any Person that is not a party hereto (except, where specifically so provided, for affiliates of the parties who are entitled to receive Services) nor create or establish any third party beneficiary hereto.

 

(f)      Governing Law

 

.  This Agreement and the rights and duties of the parties hereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of England.

 

(g)     Dispute Resolution

 

.  Any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with or relating to this Agreement, or the breach, termination or invalidity hereof, including any claim for injunctive relief, shall be finally settled by arbitration under the Rules of Conciliation and Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (the "Rules") as are in force at the time of any such arbitration.  For the purpose of such arbitration, there shall be three arbitrators appointed in accordance with the Rules.  The place of arbitration shall be in London.  All arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in the English language.   Judgment upon any arbitral award rendered hereunder may be entered in any court having jurisdiction, or application may be made to such court for a judicial acceptance of the award and an order of enforcement, as the case may be. Each of Swico and the Company shall cooperate in good faith to expedite (to the maximum extent practicable) the conduct of any arbitral proceedings commenced under this Agreement. The costs and expenses of the arbitration, including, without limitation, the fees of the arbitrators, shall be borne equally by each party to the dispute or claim, and each party shall pay its own fees, disbursements and other charges of its counsel. Any award made by the arbitrators shall be final and binding on each of the Parties that were parties to the dispute.  The Parties expressly agree to waive the applicability of any laws and regulations that would otherwise give the right to appeal the decisions of the arbitrators or to seek specific performance in another forum so that there shall be no appeal to any court of law for the award of the arbitrators, and a Shareholder shall not challenge or resist the enforcement action taken by the other Shareholder in whose favor an award of the Arbitration Board was given.

 

(h)    Entire Agreement

 

.  This Agreement and the Joint Venture Agreement contain the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings relating to such subject matter; provided that in the event any provision of this Agreement and the JV Agreement are in conflict in relation to the matters addressed by this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.  Any capitalized term used but not defined herein shall have the meaning given such term in the Joint Venture Agreement. Neither party shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any representations, warranties or covenants relating to such subject matter except as specifically set forth herein or in the JV Agreement.

 

(i)     Severability

 

.  If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, all other provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect.

 

                        (j)     Employees    Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement, (i) the individuals employed by Swico who provide Services pursuant to this Agreement shall in no respect be considered employees of  the Company for purposes of this Agreement; (ii) Swico shall act as the sole employer of the individuals it employs and shall not delegate any employment functions to the Company; (iii) Swico shall have the sole responsibility for the day-to-day control and supervision of the individuals whom it employs in connection with this Agreement and (iv) Swico retain any and all liability with respect to the actions, activities and conduct of such individuals in full (including any employment-related claims, litigation or other assertions of liability or responsibility).

 

(k)     Scope of Relationship .  The parties acknowledge and agree that the relationship between them under this Agreement is that of independent contractors and nothing contained in this Agreement or otherwise shall be construed to constitute or create a partnership, agency relationship or joint venture between such parties.  No party has the power or authority to act on behalf of any other party, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or as authorized in writing by the other party.

 

(l)     Further Assurances

 

.  From time to time after the date hereof, as and when requested by a party hereto and at such party’s expense, the other party shall, and shall cause its affiliates to, execute and deliver all documents and instruments and take all other actions as the requesting party may reasonably deem necessary or desirable to evidence or effectuate any of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

 

 

 


 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Services Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

 

 

SWICO LIMITED

 

 

By:

________________________________

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

MOVADO GROUP,INC.

 

 

By:

________________________________

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

MGS DISTRIBUTION LIMITED.

 

 

By:________________________________

 

      Name:

 

 

      Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNEX  A

 

 

Finance:

 

Cost / Profit centers management,

Processing sales and purchase invoices into the accounting system;

Matching of accounting system and bank accounts;

Invoice check and approval follow-up,

Preparing bank disbursements for signature and approval;

Preparation of quarterly management accounts (monthly P&L, quarterly balance-sheet);

Preparation of monthly sales analysis;

Preparation of monthly management reports;

Preparation of Forecasts,

Preparation of Treasury reporting,

Preparation of statutory and US GAAP financial statements

Maintenance of credit control management, processing of customer payments,

Preparation of payroll journals for processing by outsourced payroll bureau;

Accounting closing process;

      Maintaining cashbook records and reconciling to the accounting system and bank accounts;

Reconciliation of accounting records to supporting schedules

Preparation of statutory and US GAAP financial statements

 

Tax :

 

Tax declaration with external auditors,

Tax control organization,

Tax reporting,

 

Insurance :

 

 

       Arrange for inclusion of the Company under Swico’s umbrella coverage (except for marine insurance for goods in transit)

Check of insurance coverage and premium follow-up,

Management of all insurance claims,

Contact with corporate insurance and medical care,

 

IS:

 

Follow-up of outsourced IS maintenance provider for network, PC and printers,

Follow-up of upgrades or purchase for both Soft and Hardware;

      Provide basic service for Helpdesk (include trouble shooting/PC setup);

      Support various inquiries/troubles about core business application;

Maintain the network

 

Purchase :

 

Negotiation with suppliers,

Management of general purchases : phones, cars, office supplies, copiers and faxes, logistic costs,

Follow-up of free-lancers contracts,

Savings plan management,

 

Human Resources:

 

Administration of outsourced payroll bureau, income taxes and national insurance declaration;

Follow-up and update of HR files, contracts update,

Reporting to authorities regarding HR data,

Trainings management,

Part-time agency management,

 

Sales Customer Service:

 

Support for forecasts, and monthly reporting,

Margin analysis,

      Processing sales orders provided by Sub.;

      Taking telephone sales orders from retail customer and seeking approval from Sub;

      Dealing with retail consumer queries regarding product availability and pricing;

      Providing back order information to Sub on request;

      Maintaining product descriptions and pricing as approved by Sub;

Invoicing (post shipment) sales

 

After-sales Customer Service:

 

Invoicing retail customers and end consumers for spare parts, after-sales services and repairs;

Customer receivables follow-up,

Support for forecasts, reporting.

 

Logistics:

 

       Arrangement of import and export of the goods and POS materials;

      QC work for imported products and returns from the trade based on the QC standard;

      Physical stock taking on quarterly basis;

Storage of goods for resale, i.e. watches, straps and bracelets (incl. branded packaging);

Storage of marketing and promotional materials,

Maintenance of perpetual inventory records for the above;

Shipment of goods & invoices to retail customers in accordance with sales orders;

Shipment of after-sales serviced watches to retail customers and end consumers;

Shipment of after-sales spare parts to retail customers and end consumers;

Shipment of branded displays and visuals to retail customers;

Shipment of branded catalogues and price list to retail customers and end consumers;

Participation to mailing actions,

 

012200-0075-02839-NY02.2382231.11

 

 


 

-  -

 

 

 

 

ANNEX B

 

                                                                Prices for the Services

 

 

Swico’s total compensation for the duration of this Agreement for all Services rendered shall consist of an annual base fee, in the amount set forth below (“Base Fee”), and a commission (“Commission”) equal to * by any distributor (other than the Company) appointed as the exclusive distributor of such Products in that country (“Distributor”). For purposes of this Agreement, “Products” means watches sold under any brand (other than TOMMY HILFIGER) which is licensed to MGI or any Affiliate of MGI; provided such watches are also sold by the Company. The term “net sales” means the price for the Products invoiced by the Distributor, net of taxes, freight, duties, insurance and any discounts.

 

 

Annual Base Fee (£)

 

 

Year 1 :     *

 

 

Year 2 :     *

 

 

Year 3 :     *

 

 

Year 4 :     *

 

 

Year 5 :     *

 

 

Year 6 :     *

 

 

Each year after year 6 the annual Base Fee shall be three percent (3.0%) more than the Base Fee in the immediately preceding year.

 

 

 

 

*CONFIDENTIAL PORTION OF THIS EXHIBIT OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SEC PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE 1934 ACT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JUICY COUTURE

DISTRIBUTORSHIP AGREEMENT

 

 

 

THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of May 11, 2007 (the “Effective Date”) by and between SWISSAM PRODUCTS LTD. a corporation duly incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong having its principal office at 1406 World Finance Centre, North Tower, Harbour City, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong (hereinafter referred to as “Supplier”) and MGS DISTRIBUTION LIMITED, a corporation incorporated under the laws of England having its principle office at c/o Swico, Meadway, Surrey GU 27 1NN, England (hereinafter referred to as the “Distributor”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Swico Limited (“Swico”), Movado Group, Inc. (“MGI”) and Distributor  have entered into a Joint Venture Agreement, dated  May 11, 2007 (the “JV Agreement”), pursuant to which Swico and MGI have established a joint venture relationship relating to the sale, marketing and distribution of certain watch brands in the United Kingdom.

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is one of the Distribution Agreements as defined in the JV Agreement.

 

                                WHEREAS Supplier is an Affiliate (as defined in the JV Agreement) of MGI and is engaged in the development, design, manufacture, distribution and sale of the Products (as hereinafter defined) and Supplier desires to appoint Distributor and Distributor desires to be appointed, as the exclusive distributor of the Products in the Territory (as hereinafter defined), in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth hereinafter;

 

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

 

1.           DEFINITIONS

 

1.1

In this Agreement, except where the context otherwise requires, the capitalized terms listed below shall have the respective meanings assigned to them as follows:

 

 

“Affiliate”

 

means as to either party, a person or entity which controls, is under common control with, or is controlled by such party.

 

“Corporate Accounts”

means premium and incentive accounts and other corporate accounts which have been approved in writing by Licensor under the JC License for the purchase of Products solely for the use of the employees of such accounts.

 

 

“Products”

     means watches manufactured by or for Supplier and bearing one or     more of the Trademarks

 

 

“Territory”

means the United Kingdom (excluding Travel Retail Accounts).

 

 

“Licensor”

means the licensor under the JC License, including any successors and assigns.

 

 

“JC”

means Juicy Couture.

 

 

“JC License”

means the license agreement between SWISSAM PRODUCTS LIMITED, MOVADO GROUP, INC. and L.C. LICENSING, INC., as the same may be amended from time to time, pursuant to which Supplier has the right to use the Trademarks in connection with the manufacture, marketing, advertising, sale and distribution of the Products.

 

 

“JC Stores”

means retail and outlet stores, including flagship stores, owned or operated by  Licensor or by any of its Affiliates.

 

 

“Trademarks”

means all trademarks licensed to Supplier by Licensor under the JC License and used on or in connection with the Products, including, without limitation, JUICY, JUICY COUTURE or any other product that contains the name JUICY.

 

 

 

“Travel Retail Accounts”        means any account whose retail business consists of  in-flight duty free retail sales operations.

 

 

1.2  

Unless otherwise defined herein, each capitalized term used herein shall have the meaning as set forth in the JC License.

 

 

2.

APPOINTMENT

 

2.1  

Subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, for the term of this Agreement, Supplier hereby appoints Distributor as the exclusive wholesale distributor for marketing, distribution and sales of the Products in the Territory (with the exception of sales to Corporate Accounts), and Distributor hereby accepts such appointment.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Supplier may permit Distributor to sell  Products to certain Corporate Accounts located within the Territory on a case by case basis subject to the approval by Licensor as provided in theJC License and as Supplier may, in its sole and absolute discretion designate in writing from time to time.

 

 

2.2       Distributor shall purchase all Products directly from Supplier, or from one or more other sources nominated in writing by Supplier, subject to Distributor’s right to purchase Products (a) from other distributors with which Supplier has contracted for the distribution of the Products (“Approved Distributors”) that are located in Switzerland, the European Union, the European Economic Area or any other country with which the European Union has concluded a free trade agreement (in the aggregate, the “European Area”) and (b) from approved retailers that satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 8.2 hereof (“Approved Retailers”) located in the European Area (provided that prior to exercising such right Distributor receives written confirmation from Supplier that each such other distributor is an Approved Distributor and that each such retailer is an Approved Retailer). Such Approved Distributors and Approved Retailers, only, are included within and comprise the JC selective distribution network.

 

 

2.3      Distributor shall sell the Products only to Approved Retailers in the Territory and, within the European Area, only within the JC selective distribution network.  Distributor shall refrain, outside the Territory and in relation to the Products, from actively soliciting orders, establishing any branch or maintaining any distribution depots.  In no event will Distributor sell or continue selling Products to any retailer that does not satisfy the conditions in Section 8.2 of this Agreement.

 

2.4

Distributor shall use reasonable commercial efforts to advertise, promote, market, distribute and sell the Products in the Territory.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Distributor shall at all times maintain adequate stocks of Products to meet demand for the Products in the Territory by those retailers, if any, not being direct shipped by Supplier and Distributor will use reasonable efforts to avoid accumulating excess inventory not in line with its forecasts. Distributor shall maintain an adequate sales force for the effective distribution and sale of the Products in the Territory including at least one (1) full time watch division manager to supervise/manage a dedicated sales manager and sales executive for the Products, experienced in managing a watch distribution business and one (1) full time marketing manager working on the advertising and promotion of the Products.

 

2.5  

During the term of this Agreement Distributor shall not directly or indirectly distribute any other watch brands which, in the determination of Supplier, compete with the Products in the Territory.  No other brand licensed to MGI or any Affiliate of MGI shall be deemed to compete with the Products.

 

2.6  

The parties acknowledge that under the Joint Venture Agreement each of Swico and MGI, as the only shareholders of Distributor, has the right under section 15.2 of the JV Agreement, to dissolve, or to purchase the other’s interest in, Distributor. Accordingly, if either Swico or MGI (the “Non-breaching Party”) elects under the foregoing provision of the JV Agreement to  purchase the other party’s interest in, Distributor and (a) written notice from Swico and MGI confirming such election has been provided to Supplier and Distributor and (b) the Non-breaching Party also notifies Supplier that it wishes this Agreement to be assigned, then effective upon the date specified in such notice from the Non-breaching Party (or, absent the specification of any date, then as soon as reasonably practicable) Supplier shall assign all of Distributor’s right, title and interest in and under this Agreement to such Non-breaching Party or to any Affiliate of such Non-Breaching Party as specified in such notice. Distributor hereby grants Supplier a power of attorney for purposes of Supplier executing and delivering on behalf of Distributor any and all documents or other instruments necessary to effect such assignment.

 

3.  

ORDERING, SHIPMENT AND PRICES

 

3.1  

From time to time Distributor shall submit purchase orders for the Products to Supplier.  All purchase orders shall be subject to acceptance by Supplier, which acceptance may, at Supplier’s option, be evidenced by the issuance of written confirmations or acknowledgments. Supplier hereby reserves the absolute right to reject the whole or any part of any purchase order for any commercially valid reason, including, without limitation, Distributor’s credit condition or its accumulation of excess or non-current inventory or its failure otherwise to adhere to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, notwithstanding that any such rejection may prevent Distributor from achieving its Minimum Purchase Requirements. Subject to Sections 3.2 and 11.1, all purchase orders shall be irrevocable after acceptance by Supplier; provided, however, that Distributor may reschedule or cancel that portion of any purchase order pertaining to Products which Supplier fails to deliver as confirmed within thirty (30) days after the later of the advised delivery date or shipping date. Distributor will provide Supplier with a four (4) month rolling forecast of its anticipated order volume monthly by SKU, for the four (4) month period.  Supplier will use reasonable efforts to deliver the Products ordered in accordance with the forecast within three (3) months after acceptance of the purchase order by Supplier and to deliver all other Product orders within three (3) to five (5) months after acceptance of the purchase order.  As soon as is reasonably practicable after acceptance of each purchase order, Supplier shall advise Distributor of the shipping dates applicable to such order.  All shipping dates so advised are estimates only and Supplier shall not have any liability for failure to actually ship by such dates or to deliver by Distributor’s requested delivery dates.  Supplier shall notify Distributor in the event of any anticipated delay in shipping dates of thirty (30) days or more. Each order submitted by Distributor will specify a “ship to” address which shall be Distributor’s address or the address for one of Distributor’s customers.

 

3.2  

The purchase prices for all Products purchased by Distributor shall be in Euros and based on Supplier’s suggested retail price in effect in the European Union as of the date of shipment. Such prices shall be calculated based on the discount structure as set forth on Schedule A annexed hereto. Supplier will provide current price lists for the Products to Distributor from time to time and shall have the right to modify such prices at any time; provided, however, that no price increase shall become effective sooner than sixty (60) days after written notice thereof to Distributor.  Supplier will give Distributor prior notice of all such price changes. For all orders shipped before the effective date of any price increase, the applicable price shall be the price in effect on the date of shipment.  With respect to orders for the Products that have been accepted by Supplier but which have not been shipped as of the effective date of a price increase, the applicable price shall be the price in effect on the date of shipment; provided that if the price increase is more than ten percent (10%) of the last applicable price, Distributor shall have the right within ten (10) days from the effective date of the price increase to cancel all or any part of the order for the Products subject to such price increase upon notice to Supplier. All prices are ex-works Supplier’s distribution facility.

 

3.3                 Unless otherwise agreed in writing by Distributor and Supplier, all Products shall be deemed delivered to Distributor when delivered by Supplier or Supplier’s freight forwarder or distribution center into the possession of a carrier designated by Supplier.  Distributor shall bear all risk of loss, damage or shortage pertaining to the Products after delivery to carrier for shipment to the designated “ship to” address on the corresponding purchase order.  All costs of delivery, including, without limitation, all costs for freight, import licenses, customs duties or other duties or imposts, insurance and special handling shall be paid by Distributor. All payments are to be made in Euros in accordance with Supplier’s standard terms of sale which are incorporated herein by reference (except to the extent inconsistent with any of the express terms contained herein) net ninety (90) days after invoice date.  A discount of two percent (2%) is granted for cash payment in advance.

 

 

 

3.4                 No provisions contained in Distributor’s orders which are different from or additional to the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be binding on the parties hereto or applicable to the sale of the Products unless signed by a duly authorized representative of each of the parties as provided by Section 13.9 hereof.    Distributor shall have sole responsibility for invoicing its customers and for the collection of all amounts due from them for Product shipped to them either by Distributor or by Supplier in accordance with the “ship to” designation made on the applicable purchase orders. In no event shall non-payment by any such customer or any claim or allegation any customer may have against Distributor constitute grounds for any off set, deduction, claim or defense on the part of Distributor against Supplier or in respect of any obligation due to Supplier and Distributor shall pay Supplier all amounts due to Supplier in accordance with the terms of this Agreement without off set or deduction for any amounts claimed to be due to Distributor by Supplier.

 

 

 

4.  

MINIMUM TURNOVER REQUIREMENTS

 

 

4.1

Each contract year for the duration of this Agreement, Distributor will make minimum sales of Products in the Territory (“Minimum Turnover Requirement”) equal to at least sixty percent (60%) of the amount of Product sales as budgeted in the Business Plan annexed to the JV Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing there shall be no Minimum Turnover Requirement for the first contract year.

 

4.2  

Sales in excess of the Minimum Turnover Requirement in any contract year shall be neither carried over nor credited toward the Minimum Turnover Requirement of a subsequent contract year.

 

5.

ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION

 

5.1

As used herein “advertising” means only the publication in print or broadcast media of advertisements approved by Supplier and “promotion” means all other forms of Product promotion, other than advertising, approved by Supplier including, without limitation, point of sale material, co-op advertising, marketing, public relations, special events and the like.  All advertising and promotions (including, without limitation, the methods, media selection, layouts, venue and timing thereof) shall be subject to the prior written approval of Supplier.  Distributor shall submit all proposed and promotion materials for approval at least four (4) weeks prior to the first anticipated use thereof and shall not engage in any advertising or promotion or use any such materials without Supplier’s prior written approval. Unless otherwise expressly approved in writing by Supplier, Distributor will use only such materials including, without limitation, point of sale material, packaging, advertising and ancillary material furnished by Supplier.

 

 

5.2        Distributor shall conduct all advertising and promotion of the Products in the Territory at its own expense, subject to matching a portion of such expenditures by Supplier as hereinafter provided.  At a minimum, Distributor shall expend each contract year for approved advertising and promotion an amount equal to  *  of Distributor’s budgeted sales of Products for such contract year. Distributor’s budgeted sales of Products for the first through the fifth contract years are set forth in Annex D to the JV Agreement and Distributor’s budgeted sales each contract year thereafter shall be as contained in the annual business plan and budget as adopted in accordance with the provisions of the JV Agreement at or before the beginning of each contract year, or, at such time, if any, that the JV Agreement is no longer in effect, then as approved by Distributor in good faith consultation with Supplier, and may be adjusted in the same manner quarterly. So long as Distributor satisfies its advertising and promotion commitment as set forth in this Section 5.2,

*CONFIDENTIAL PORTION OF THIS EXHIBIT OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SEC PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE 1934 ACT

 

             then Supplier will match such expenditures each contract year by spending an amount on advertising and/or promotion equal to  *  of the Net Invoiced Cost of Distributor’s Product purchases in such year (“Supplier’s Advertising Amount”). “Net Invoiced Cost” means the invoiced price actually paid by Distributor to Supplier net of all discounts, all costs referred to in Section 3.3 hereof, all credits for returns and all uncollected amounts. There shall be deemed included as part of Supplier’s Advertising Amount each year an amount equal to up to  * of the Net Invoiced Cost of Distributor’s Product purchases in such year that is spent by Supplier in connection with JC’s advertising and promotion campaign (“Image Program”), which final amount shall be determined in accordance with the requirements of the JC License.  Distributor acknowledges that the way the funds allocated to the Image Fund will be spent by Supplier is that Supplier will pay such amount directly to Licensor or its Affiliates under the JC License. Supplier’s obligation hereunder to spend Supplier’s Advertising Amount in any contract year is contingent on Supplier receiving from Distributor within thirty (30) days after the end of each quarter in such contract year, a statement  setting out and showing Distributor’s advertising expenditures and promotion expenditures incurred during such prior quarterly period (supported by invoices and other documents reasonably acceptable to Supplier, substantiating the expenditures for Distributor’s approved advertising and promotion); and provided further that such costs are no less, on a proportionate basis, than the minimum required expenditures set forth in this Section 5.2.  In the event Distributor’s actual Product sales for any contract year (other than the final contract year of this Agreement) exceed the total budged sales for such year on which its advertising and promotion expenditures for the year were based, then Distributor shall spend an amount equal to *  of such excess in the following contract year.

 

5.3        Distributor will use only such materials for fixturing at the point of sale as are approved by Supplier in writing.

 

6.

REPORTING

6.1

Quarterly (beginning with the quarter ending July 31, 2007 and from time to time at the reasonable request of Supplier, Distributor shall furnish Supplier with a comprehensive written report in reasonable detail regarding (i) the advertising, promotions, distribution and sales of the Products for the immediately proceeding quarter or such other relevant period as Supplier may reasonably request; (ii) Distributor’s market analysis; and (iii) such other matters as Supplier shall request.

 

6.2

Distributor will consult with Supplier, as Supplier shall reasonably request for purposes of determining a marketing plan for distribution of the Products in the Territory each year.  Such plan shall be followed by Distributor.

*CONFIDENTIAL PORTION OF THIS EXHIBIT OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SEC PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE 1934 ACT

 

6.3

Distributor shall promptly notify Supplier of any significant changes in Distributor’s sales forecasts and shall furnish Supplier such information related to sales, sales forecasts, warranty claims and inventories of Products as may be reasonably requested from time to time by Supplier.

 

7.

SERVICE AND REPAIR

 

7.1

Distributor shall establish and maintain, at its expense, such number of authorized service facilities for the service and repair of the Products in the Territory (the “Service Center(s)”) as Supplier may reasonably request, it being understood that initially there shall be one (1) such Service Center.  Distributor shall accept all Products for service, returned by any consumer or retailer in the Territory for service whether covered by the applicable consumer warranty (“warranty repairs”) or not covered by said warranty (“out-of-warranty repairs”).  All costs related to out-of-warranty service, including, without limitation, costs of all Products and Product parts used in the performance thereof, shall be borne by Distributor.  Distributor shall purchase such Products and parts from Supplier or from one or more parts distributors designated in writing by Supplier and maintain an adequate stock of Products, parts and materials as necessary to perform such service in a timely manner.

 

7.2

Within thirty (30) days after the Effective Date, Distributor will furnish Supplier with Distributor’s initial price list for all out of warranty repairs.  Distributor will give Supplier no less than ninety (90) days prior written notice of any change to any such prices. Distributor shall submit to Supplier each month, a statement summarizing all out of warranty repairs performed in the immediately preceding month indicating for each watch repaired the corresponding style number and the work performed.  Distributor will use only those parts (excluding batteries) for out of warranty service on the Products which are supplied directly by or otherwise approved in writing by Supplier as original equipment for the Products.

 

 

7.3                 On or before the fifteenth day of each month, Distributor shall send to the Supplier (Attn.:  Service Department) a cumulative statement for all warranty repairs completed by Distributor in the immediately preceding calendar month.  This statement must be accompanied by a copy of each repair receipt complete with:

 

 

 

(a)       Correct watch style

 

(b)

Dates repair received, completed and returned to customer. and

 

(c)

Complete description of work performed

 

7.4

Supplier shall offer a range of parts that it determines appropriate in its sole discretion.  Supplier shall also establish the cost of such parts in its sole discretion.  In no event shall Distributor use any parts for warranty repairs except parts furnished by Supplier.  Supplier shall supply Distributor at no charge with an initial inventory of such parts to be used solely for performing warranty repairs as Supplier determines reasonable and necessary and thereafter with replenishment parts equivalent to up to one percent (1%) of the Net Invoiced Cost of the Products purchased by Distributor in the prior contract year.  This allotment of such parts to be used for warranty repairs must be used in the year provided.  No portion of any such allotment may be carried forward into a subsequent contract year.  All shipping charges, including any duty, or Customs brokerage fees, for parts shall be paid by Supplier.  Supplier shall have the right to furnish such parts to Distributor in the form of finished watches in its sole discretion.

 

 

 

7.5                 Distributor will issue estimates for repair work within five (5) working days after receipt of a Product for repair on ninety percent (90%) of the Products submitted to Distributor for repair.  Working days are defined as all days of the year except Saturdays and Sundays and legal holidays.  Warranty repairs will be completed within fifteen (15) working days after receipt of a Product for repair on ninety percent (90%) of the in-warranty work performed by Distributor, unless detained because of delays in receiving necessary parts from the Supplier.  Out of warranty repairs will be completed within twenty (20) working days after receipt of the customer's written authorization to proceed with repair of a Product on ninety percent (90%) of the out of warranty work performed by Distributor.  On the same day any repairs are completed, the Product repaired or serviced will be returned to the customer via express mail or such other method as Supplier may reasonably request. Increases in the postage or other ground delivery rates may require requisite increases in charges to the customer by the Distributor for shipping.

 

 

8.

TRADE PRACTICES

 

8.1

Distributor shall sell the Products at competitive levels, at wholesale in accordance with generally accepted customs in the trade and shall refrain from using selling methods or practices which shall be harmful to the reputation of the Products, Supplier or the Trademarks.  Distributor’s right to determine the prices of reselling and to employ conditions of trade at its exclusive discretion remains unaffected, provided however that Distributor shall sell the Products to JC Stores at a price which is not greater than eighty percent (80%) of the prevailing wholesale price for the same Products in the Territory.

 

8.2  

Distributor may sell Products only to those specialty shops, department stores and retail outlets (including those that sell directly to the consumer) that satisfy Supplier’s objective criteria for approved retailer status as set forth in Schedule B annexed. The satisfaction of such requirements shall be evidenced by written approval to Distributor from Supplier as provided in this Section 8.2. Upon execution of this Agreement, and prior to the opening of each selling season (and whenever Distributor wishes to sell Products to retail customers not previously approved by Supplier), Distributor must submit a list of such proposed retail customers (not including previously approved retail customers) for Supplier’s written approval.  Supplier has the right to withdraw any such approval on written notice to Distributor, provided, however, that Supplier will not withdraw approval of a retail customer that is then authorized to carry and is carrying JC products, unless Supplier is reasonably dissatisfied with the display, delivery or inventory model of Products of such retail customer.  After such notice, Distributor may not accept additional orders for Products from such retail customer, but may fill any existing order.  Once each quarter, Distributor shall provide Supplier with a list of the  retailers in the Territory that purchased Products in the immediately preceding quarter containing the addresses of their sales outlets, it being understood that such list is of a confidential nature and shall be for the sole use of Supplier and, if requested, Licensor, and shall be kept confidential by Supplier and shall not be disclosed by Supplier to any person whatsoever, other than employees of Supplier and Licensor whose performance of their duties require the disclosure of such list to them.

 

8.3

Except as expressly permitted by Supplier in writing, Distributor may not (a) sell Products directly to the public in retail stores; (b) use Products as giveaways, prizes or premiums, except for promotional programs which have received the prior written approval of Supplier; or (c) sell Products to any Affiliate of Distributor or any of its directors, officers, employees or any person having an equity participation in or any other affiliation to Distributor, other than to Distributor’s employees or other representatives for their personal use, without the prior written approval of Supplier. Supplier may, at Distributor’s expense, purchase any Products found in the marketplace that Distributor has sold to unapproved customers in violation of this Section 8.3 or Section 2.3. Distributor shall include and enforce the following on all invoices to its retail customers: “Limitations on Sale by Buyer: Seller expressly reserves the right to limit the amount of merchandise delivered to only such quantities as are necessary to meet the reasonably expected demand at Buyer’s store locations. This Merchandise is sold to Buyer for resale to the ultimate consumer and/or within the JC selective distribution network and only and only from such store locations as have been approved in writing by Seller. Buyer shall be expressly prohibited from selling the merchandise purchased hereunder to a retailer or other dealer in like merchandise, or to any party who Buyer knows, or has reason to know, intends to resell the merchandise and is not a member of the JC selective distribution network. The merchandise purchased hereunder may not be sold by Buyer from any store locations which Seller has advised Buyer do not qualify as an acceptable location”.

 

9.

PROTECTION OF INTERESTS; TRADEMARKS

 

9.1  

Distributor shall protect and at all times seek to promote Supplier’s best interests in the Territory and shall immediately notify Supplier of any fact or situation which may be or may be reasonably presumed to become detrimental to Supplier or to its good will, copyrights, patents, or to the Trademarks or other intellectual property rights of Supplier or Licensor.  Distributor shall have the exclusive right to use the Trademarks in connection with distribution of the Products in the Territory for the term hereof and solely for the limited purpose of and only to the extent necessary for performing its obligations hereunder and for no other purpose.  Distributor agrees that it shall have no rights with respect to the Trademarks in connection with the Products except only as expressly and specifically set forth herein and that its every use shall inure exclusively to the benefit of Licensor and that Distributor shall not, at any time, acquire any rights therein or challenge the validity thereof.  Distributor further agrees at no time to use any of the Trademarks or other intellectual property rights owned by or licensed to Supplier in a manner not authorized by Supplier. Distributor shall not apply to register, nor shall Distributor use or permit the use of, any name, logo, mark or tradedress which is confusingly similar to any of the Trademarks or do any act or thing, or permit any act or thing to be done, which may in any way impair, dilute, reduce the value of the Trademarks or damage the goodwill relating to the Trademarks

 

9.2  

If requested by Supplier, in writing, the Distributor shall assist and cooperate with Supplier, its counsel and agents as so requested, in connection with any matters involving any of Supplier’s intellectual property rights in the Territory including without limitation, in any legal proceedings and any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Distributor in connection with litigation in which the Distributor participates at the request of Supplier shall be reimbursable to the Distributor and any recoveries form any such litigation or the settlement thereof shall belong exclusively to Supplier; provided, however, that Supplier shall have the exclusive right (but not the obligation) to take such action against third parties in the respect of the Trademarks and all other intellectual property rights of Supplier.

 

9.3

In the event that Distributor sells any Products outside the Territory in violation of Section 2.3 hereof, then Supplier may, in addition to all other rights and remedies available to it, repurchase all or any portion of such Products.  Within ten (10) days after receipt of a statement from the Supplier listing all such Products purchased, together with a list of the model numbers, and setting forth Supplier’s out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with such purchase, Distributor shall reimburse Supplier such out-of-pocket costs.   Distributor acknowledges that such payment is not a penalty but fair compensation to Supplier’s for breach of this Agreement and damage to Supplier goodwill and tradename.

 

10.

TERM AND TERMINATION

 

10.1  

This Agreement shall take effect upon the Effective Date and shall, unless otherwise earlier terminated as provided herein continue for the duration of the JV   Agreement. It shall be automatically terminated upon the termination or expiration of the JV Agreement.

 

10.2  

In the event (a) this Agreement is assigned to Swico, MGI or to an Affiliate of Swico or MGI in accordance with Section 2.6 hereof, or (b) either Swico or MGI purchases all of the other’s interest in Distributor under Section 15.2.2 of the JV Agreement or (c) Swico, its Affiliates or Permitted Transferees (as such term is defined in the JV Agreement) otherwise acquire control of Distributor, then this Agreement shall continue from the date of such assignment, purchase and/or acquisition, as the case may be, until the third anniversary of such date at which time this Agreement shall expire and neither party shall have any further obligation to the other hereunder except as to those obligations which by their express terms survive beyond the expiration or termination of this Agreement. Following any assignment, purchase or acquisition referred to in Section 10.1, this Agreement may be terminated by either party hereto upon prior written notice to the other party:

 

 

 

(i)

in the event such other party shall have breached any of the terms and conditions hereof and, if remediable shall have failed to remedy such breach within sixty  (60 ) days after the notification of the breach by the non-breaching party; or

 

(ii)      in the event that such other party becomes  insolvent,  has an insolvency proceeding of any kind  filed  by  or  against  it,  including  bankruptcy  or  reorganization,  liquidates                                                          its  business or is liquidated, has a receiver appointed for its assets, or makes an  assignment for the benefit of its creditors.

 

 

10.3  

In addition to any other rights of termination provided hereunder, Supplier may terminate this Agreement immediately by notice to Distributor if Distributor (i) fails to satisfy the Minimum Turnover Requirement for any contract year; or (ii) fails to satisfy the minimum advertising expenditures in Section 5.2 in any contract year or (iii) fails to comply with the payment terms in Section 3.3 or (iv) breaches any of the covenants contained in Article 8 or Article 9 hereof; or (v) transfers or attempts to transfer a substantial part of its business to a third party or attempts to assign this Agreement to a third party (or relinquishes control of any previously approved assignee under Section 13.5) or has its business merged or consolidated with a third party without the prior written consent of Supplier.

 

10.4      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, this Agreement will automatically expire and be of no further effect in the event the JC License expires or is terminated for any reason. Upon such expiration or termination, neither party will have any further obligation hereunder to the other except any obligation or liability which accrued prior to the date of such expiration or termination.

 

 

 

11.

EFFECTS OF TERMINATION

 

 

11.1

Upon the expiration of this Agreement or its termination by Supplier, Supplier may, at its sole discretion, reject all or part of any outstanding orders received or accepted by Supplier.

 

 

11.2

Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason:

 

 

(i)

Any sums due and owing by either party to the other shall become immediately due and payable, and such sums shall be paid forthwith.

 

 

(ii)

Supplier may immediately appoint a successor to Distributor in the Territory and announce the change of its distributorship to the public.

 

 

(iii)

Distributor shall take a physical inventory of all Products in stock and submit a report of such inventory to Supplier.  Supplier shall have the right to have a representative present to verify such inventory.  Supplier shall be entitled but not obliged to take over any portion of the Products remaining in stock from Distributor at the price in currency originally paid by Distributor to Supplier, plus the cost of shipping and insurance.  Upon notice to Distributor of Supplier’s election to buy back any or all such inventory, Distributor shall cooperate as requested by Supplier for the packing and shipping of such inventory.  Distributor may sell any Products not taken over by Supplier for six (6) months after the termination of this Agreement or such shorter period as notified by Supplier subject to all the provisions hereof, including, without limitation, Article 8.

 

 

(iv)

Distributor shall immediately cease all use of the Trademarks; provided, however, that Distributor may continue to use the Trademarks solely in connection with the sale of the Products pursuant to Section 11.2 (iii) above and in such a way as not to impair, dilute, reduce the value of or damage the goodwill relating to the Trademarks.

 

 

(v)

Any advertising must be at the discretion of Supplier and must be approved by Supplier.

 

(vi)  

Distributor, at its expense, will return to Supplier all materials belonging to Supplier and all proprietary data or confidential information furnished to Distributor by Supplier during the term hereof.

 

11.3    The rights of termination granted herein are absolute and each party acknowledges that it has considered and assumed as its own exclusive risk the possibility of making expenditures of money and time in preparing for the performance of this Agreement and possible loss or damage on account of the loss of prospective profits or anticipated sales or on account of expenditures, investments, leases, property improvements or commitments in connection with the good will or business of the parties or otherwise resulting from the proper termination hereof and that it is the express intent and agreement of the parties that neither party properly terminating this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof (the “Terminating Party”) shall be liable to the other for any claim, cost or damages solely by reason of such termination.  In the event of such termination or expiration of this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof, the Terminating Party shall have no obligation or liability to pay to the other, and such other party hereby expressly waives, any statutory termination fee, any other right to compensation provided by law arising solely as a consequence of such termination, and consequential damages and lost profits arising solely on account of such termination or expiration.

 

 

12.  

INDEMNIFICATION

 

 

Distributor hereby agrees to indemnify and hold the Supplier, and its Affiliates and/or agents and each of their officers, directors and employees harmless from and against any and all liabilities, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) which arise out of or in connection with any act or omission related to this Agreement by Distributor, its successors, assigns, parents, subsidiaries, Affiliates, agents, and contractors, or the officers, directors or employees of any of them. Supplier reserves the right, without being required to do so, at its own expense and without waiver of any indemnity hereunder, to defend any claim, action or lawsuit coming within the purview of this Section 12.  This section shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

 

 

13.

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

 

13.1

Supplier reserves the right to designate in writing from time to time any other Affiliate of  Supplier to exercise any of the rights or perform any of the obligations of Supplier hereunder

 

 

13.2

Neither party shall have the power to represent the other party.  For purposes of this Agreement, Distributor is an independent contractor and neither the agent nor the representative of Supplier or any of its affiliated companies.  Distributor, its employees, contractors and Affiliates shall not act or represent themselves as agents or representatives of, or as having the right, power or authority, express or implied to assume or create any obligation or liability on behalf of Supplier or any of its affiliated companies.

 

 

13.3

Neither party hereto shall be liable for any delay or failure in fulfilling the obligations hereunder (except for the payment of money) when such delay or failure is caused by riots, war (declared or not), or hostilities between any nations; acts of God, fire, storm, flood or earthquake; strikes, labor disputes, shortage or delay of carriers, or shortage of raw materials, labor power or other utility services; any governmental restrictions; or any other unforeseeable contingencies beyond the control of the party.

 

13.4  

Any notice to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be written in English and shall be deemed duly given when sent by reputable overnight international courier including FedEx, UPS or DHL to the respective address first set forth above or by facsimile to the respective facsimile number set forth below confirmed by letter as aforesaid, or to such other address and/or facsimile number as a party hereto may designate by like notice.

 

 

To Supplier:

 

Copy to:

 

 

 

To Distributor:

 

Copy to:

 

 

Supplier’s designated Affiliate under Section 13.1 shall be designated by notice to Distributor, which notice shall include the address and facsimile number of such Affiliate for purposes of giving notice hereunder.  Notice to Supplier’s designated Affiliate shall be made and deemed duly given in the same manner as for notice to Supplier.

 

13.5  

In view of the fact that this Agreement has been entered into because of the confidence that Supplier has in Distributor, it is understood that the terms and conditions hereof shall be performed by Distributor only and that, except as expressly permitted in Section 2.6 hereof, this Agreement may not be assigned, whether by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written approval of Supplier which Supplier may withhold or grant in its sole and absolute discretion and any such purported assignment by Distributor without such approval by Supplier shall be void and of no effect. Following any such assignment, Distributor shall remain obligated as a guarantor for all the payment obligations of the approved assignee hereunder and any change in control of the approved assignee without the approval of Supplier shall constitute a breach of this Section 13.5 and shall entitle Supplier to terminate this Agreement as provided under Section 10.3

 

13.6

The captions of this Agreement are inserted solely for ease of reference and are not deemed to form a part of or to modify the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

   13.7

This Agreement shall be governed exclusively by the law of Hong Kong without reference to its conflict of laws rules.  Any dispute, controversy or difference which may arise out of, in relation to, or in connection with this Agreement shall be finally settled by arbitration in Hong Kong in accordance with the under the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce by three (3) Arbitrators appointed in accordance with said rules.  Each party hereto shall be bound by any arbitration award so rendered and any judgment upon such award may be entered as a non-appealable final, foreign judgment in any court having jurisdiction thereon.  The language of the proceedings shall be English.

 

 

13.8

When interpreting the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the English language shall be applied exclusively.

 

13.9  

This Agreement, including the terms and conditions incorporated by reference in Section 3.3 hereof, constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and prevails over and supersedes all prior agreements, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter hereof and may not be altered, waived, modified, or discharged except by an express writing referring to this Agreement signed on behalf of the parties hereto by their duly authorized representatives. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between this Agreement and the JV Agreement, the latter shall control.

 

13.10

The failure of either party hereto to enforce at any time any of the provisions or terms of this Agreement, or any rights in respect thereof, or the exercise of or failure to exercise by either party any rights or any of its elections herein provided, shall in no way be considered to be a waiver of such provisions, terms, rights or elections or in any way to affect the validity of this Agreement.

 

13.11

In connection with this Agreement, the parties may from time to time exchange proprietary data or confidential information.  The parties agree to keep in confidence all such proprietary data or confidential information received in accordance with this Agreement and to use the same only in connection with the performance of this Agreement.  This provision shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

13.12

Should any provision of this contract held invalid, incomplete or unenforceable, this will not affect the validity of the remaining provisions.  Supplier and Distributor undertake to replace the invalid incomplete or unenforceable provision by provision which comes closest to the commercial goal that the parties intended to achieve on the conclusion of this agreement by the invalid, uncompleted and unenforceable provision. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event of any conflict or inconsistency between any term or provision of this Agreement and the JC License, the latter shall control.

 

13.13

Supplier shall have the right to injunctive relief to enforce the covenants, agreements and obligations of Distributor hereunder in addition to any other relief to which Supplier may be entitled at law or in equity.

 

13.14  

Each order deliverable under this Agreement shall be deemed sold under a separate contract.  Non-delivery or default by Supplier as to any order shall not be deemed a breach of the entire

Agreement and shall not relieve Distributor of its obligation to accept and pay for any prior or subsequent delivery, even though such non-delivery or default substantially impairs the value of this Agreement to Distributor.

 

13.15

Distributor shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in the Territory, including, without limitation, the provisions of Directive 2002/96/EC , which governs waste electrical and electronic equipment, including all related amendments and all laws, rules and regulations in the Territory related thereto  Distributor shall provide Supplier with evidence of any such compliance upon request.

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in multiple duplicates by their authorized representatives as of the day and year first above written.

 

 MGS DISTRIBUTION LIMITED                                              SWISSAM PRODUCTS LIMTED

 

By:   ________________________                                                                                                                 By:    ____________________________

 

Title:  _______________________                                        Title:   ___________________________

 

Name: _______________________                                       Name:  ___________________________

 

 

 


 

-  -

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTOR DISCOUNT SCHEDULE

 

 

Distributor pricing shall be * of Supplier’s recommended Euro retail price (inclusive of VAT); provided, however, that if this Agreement is assigned as provided under Section 2.6, then the pricing to the assignee shall be based on the same discount off of Supplier’s recommended Euro retail price as generally offered by Supplier to its other independent distributors of the Products in the European Union.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*CONFIDENTIAL PORTION OF THIS EXHIBIT OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SEC PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE 1934 ACT

 

 

 

 

 


 

-  -

 

 

 

                                                                       SCHEDULE  B

 

 

                                    OBJECTIVE CRITERIA FOR APPROVED RETAILER STATUS

 

 

1.  

EXTERNAL ELEMENTS

 

A.  

Location/Street

 

(i)         Animated and attractive environment

(ii)         Centrally located neighborhood

(iii)              Shopping district with fashion and prestige branded shops

 

 

B.  

Appearance

 

(i)              Attractive, well-maintained, high-quality façade

(ii)              Clean, visible and prominent shop sign

(iii)              Visible and easily accessed entrance

 

 

C.  

Shop Windows

 

(i)              Well lit, clean and made from good quality materials

(ii)              Suitable number and size show windows

(iii)  

Windows provide sufficient space to display a representative selection of JC brand products

(iv)  

Professionally maintained and attractive window decoration

 

 

2.  

INTERNAL ELEMENTS

 

A.  

General Outfitting

 

(i)              Clean and well-maintained walls, floors, ceilings and furnishings

(ii)              Sufficient and sophisticated lighting

(iii)              Equipped with adequate security devices

 

 

B.  

Presentation Showcases

 

(i)              Made of high-quality materials with adequate lighting

(ii)              JC products displayed on official brand POS materials

(iii)              Clearly visible and strong brand identification

 

(iv)

JC products are grouped together and displayed separately from other brands

 

 

3.  

OTHER PRODUCTS

 

A.  

Premises used solely for the retail sale of quality watches, jewelry, fashion accessories and/or fashion apparel.

 

B.  

 products displayed to prevent confusion with any other brands products.

 

C.  

Retailer also sells at least two (2) Swiss watch brands or any three (3) of the following fashion/designer/prestige watch brands:  Emporio Armani, Diesel, DKNY, Kenneth Cole, Versace, Puma, D&G, CK, Sector, Briel, Guess, Lacoste

 

 

4.  

PRESENTATION/PROMOTION

 

A.  

Visual/Collateral

 

(i)  

Brand visuals properly presented and changed out seasonally or whenever requested by brand

 

B.  

Advertising

 

(i)  

Dealer’s advertising is consistent with the quality requirements of the brand

(ii)  

Dealer agrees to conduct co-op advertising on the basis of an agreed and shared budget and media plan

 

C.  

Personnel/Customer Service

 

(i)  

Sales staff with good knowledge of JC brand and products

(ii)  

Available for regular training on brand and new products

 

(iii)  

Well dressed, groomed and polite

(iv)  

Capacity to advise customer on how to operate products correctly

 

(v)  

Able to carry out simple adjustments (e.g. sizing metal bracelets)

 

 

5.  

REPORTING

 

A.  

Provides clear and comprehensive information

 

B.  

Provides information on sales and stock situation

 

C.  

Provides monthly sales reports by SKU

 

D.  

Provides immediate information on problems with products

 

 

6.  

FINANCES

 

A.  

Good payment record

 

B.  

Creditworthy

 

C.  

Sound finances

 

 

 

                                                              TOMMY HILFIGER

                                                   DISTRIBUTORSHIP AGREEMENT

 

 

 

THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of May 11, 2007  (the “Effective Date”) by and between MOVADO WATCH COMPANY, S.A. a corporation duly incorporated under the laws of Switzerland having its principal office at Bettlachstrasse 8, CH-2540, Grenchen, Switzerland (hereinafter referred to as “Supplier”) and MGS DISTRIBUTION LIMITED a corporation incorporated under the laws of England having its principle office at  c/o Swico, Meadway, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 1NN, England (hereinafter referred to as the “Distributor”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Swico Limited (“Swico”), Movado Group, Inc. (“MGI”) and Distributor  have entered into a Joint Venture Agreement, dated May 11, 2007 (the “JV Agreement”), pursuant to which Swico and MGI have established a joint venture relationship relating to the sale, marketing and distribution of certain watch brands in the United Kingdom.

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is one of the Distribution Agreements as defined in the JV Agreement.

 

                                WHEREAS Supplier is an Affiliate (as defined in the JV Agreement) of MGI and is engaged in the development, design, manufacture, distribution and sale of the Products (as hereinafter defined) and Supplier desires to appoint Distributor and Distributor desires to be appointed, as the exclusive distributor of the Products in the Territory (as hereinafter defined), in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth hereinafter;

 

 

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

 

1.           DEFINITIONS

 

1.1

In this Agreement, except where the context otherwise requires, the capitalized terms listed below shall have the respective meanings assigned to them as follows:

 

 

“Affiliate”

 

means as to either party, a person or entity which controls, is under common control with, or is controlled by such party.

 

“Corporate Accounts”

means premium and incentive accounts and other corporate accounts which have been approved in writing by THLI under the THLI License for the purchase of Products solely for the use of the employees of such accounts.

 

 

“Products”

     means watches manufactured by or for Supplier and bearing one or     more of the Trademarks

 

 

“Territory”

means the United Kingdom.

 

 

“THLI”

means Tommy Hilfiger Licensing, Inc., a Delaware corporation, including any successors and assigns.

 

 

“THLI License”

means the license agreement between Supplier and THLI, as the same may be amended from time to time, pursuant to which Supplier has the right to use the Trademarks in connection with the manufacture, marketing, advertising, sale and distribution of the Products.

 

“Tommy Hilfiger Stores”

means retail and outlet stores, including flagship stores, owned by or affiliated with THLI that bear the name “Tommy Hilfiger” or “Hilfiger”.

 

 

“Trademarks”

means all trademarks licensed to Supplier by THLI under the THLI License and used on or in connection with the Products, including, without limitation, TOMMY, HILFIGER, TOMMY HILFIGER, Flag Design and Crest Design.

 

 

 

“Travel Retail Accounts”        means any account whose retail business consists of  in-flight duty free retail sales operations.

 

 

1.3  

Unless otherwise defined herein, each capitalized term used herein shall have the meaning as set

 

 

         forth in the THLI License.

 

 

2.

APPOINTMENT

 

2.2  

Subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, for the term of this Agreement, Supplier hereby appoints Distributor as the exclusive wholesale distributor for marketing, distribution and sales of the Products in the Territory (with the exception of sales to Tommy Hilfiger Stores, Corporate Accounts and Travel Retail Accounts), and Distributor hereby accepts such appointment.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Supplier may permit Distributor to sell to certain Tommy Hilfiger Stores and Corporate Accounts on a case by case basis as Supplier may, in its sole and absolute discretion, designate in writing from time to time.

 

2.2

Distributor shall purchase all Products directly from Supplier, or from one or more other sources nominated in writing by Supplier, subject to Distributor’s right to purchase Products (a) from other distributors with which Supplier has contracted for the distribution of the Products (“Approved Distributors”) that are located in Switzerland, the European Union, the European Economic Area or any other country with which the European Union has concluded a free trade agreement (in the aggregate, the “European Area”) and (b) from approved retailers that satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 8.2 hereof (“Approved Retailers”) located in the European Area (provided that prior to exercising such right Distributor receives written confirmation from Supplier that each such other distributor is an Approved Distributor and that each such retailer is an Approved Retailer). Such Approved Distributors and Approved Retailers, only, are included within and comprise the Tommy Hilfiger selective distribution network.

 

 

2.3      Distributor shall sell the Products only to Approved Retailers in the Territory and, within the European Area, only within the Tommy Hilfiger selective distribution network.  Distributor shall refrain, outside the Territory and in relation to the Products, from actively soliciting orders, establishing any branch or maintaining any distribution depots. In no event will Distributor sell or continue selling Products to any retailer that does not satisfy the conditions in Section 8.2 of this Agreement.

 

2.4

Distributor shall use its best efforts to advertise, promote, market, distribute and sell the Products in the Territory.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Distributor shall at all times maintain adequate stocks of Products to meet demand for the Products in the Territory by those retailers, if any, not being direct shipped by Supplier and Distributor will use reasonable efforts to avoid accumulating excess inventory not in line with its forecasts.  Distributor shall maintain an adequate sales force for the effective distribution and sale of the Products in the Territory, including at least one (1) full time, dedicated brand manager for the Products, experienced in managing a watch distribution business.

 

2.7  

During the term of this Agreement, Distributor shall not directly or indirectly manufacture or distribute any goods, including other watch brands, which, in the determination of Supplier, compete with the Products in the Territory.  No other brand licensed to MGI or any Affiliate of MGI shall be deemed to compete with the Products.

 

2.6

The parties acknowledge that under the Joint Venture Agreement each of Swico and MGI, as the only shareholders of Distributor, has the right under section 15.2 of the JV Agreement, to dissolve, or to purchase the other’s interest in, Distributor. Accordingly, if either Swico or MGI (the “Non-breaching Party”) elects under the foregoing provision of the JV Agreement to  purchase the other party’s interest in, Distributor and (a) written notice from Swico and MGI confirming such election has been provided to Supplier and Distributor and (b) the Non-breaching Party also notifies Supplier that it wishes this Agreement to be assigned, then effective upon the date specified in such notice from the Non-breaching Party (or, absent the specification of any date, then as soon as reasonably practicable) Supplier shall assign all of Distributor’s right, title and interest in and under this Agreement to such Non-breaching Party or to any Affiliate of such Non-Breaching Party as specified in such notice. Distributor hereby grants Supplier a power of attorney for purposes of Supplier executing and delivering on behalf of Distributor any and all documents or other instruments necessary to effect such assignment.

 

3.

ORDERING, SHIPMENT AND PRICES

 

3.2  

From time to time Distributor shall submit purchase orders for the Products to Supplier.  All purchase orders shall be subject to acceptance by Supplier, which acceptance may, at Supplier’s option, be evidenced by the issuance of written confirmations or acknowledgments.  Supplier hereby reserves the absolute right to reject the whole or any part of any purchase order for any commercially valid reason, including, without limitation, Distributor’s credit condition or its accumulation of excess or non-current inventory or its failure otherwise to adhere to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, notwithstanding that any such rejection may prevent Distributor from achieving its Minimum Purchase Requirements.  Subject to Sections 3.2 and  11.1, all purchase orders shall be irrevocable after acceptance by Supplier; provided, however, that Distributor may reschedule or cancel that portion of any purchase order pertaining to Products which Supplier fails to deliver as confirmed within thirty (30) days after the later of the advised delivery date or shipping date..  Distributor will provide Supplier with a four (4) month rolling forecast of its anticipated order volume monthly by SKU, for the four (4) month period.  Supplier will use reasonable efforts to deliver the Products ordered in accordance with the forecast within three (3) months after acceptance of the purchase order by Supplier and to deliver all other Product orders within three (3) to five (5) months after acceptance of the purchase order.  As soon as is reasonably practicable after acceptance of each purchase order, Supplier shall advise Distributor of the shipping dates applicable to such order.  All shipping dates so advised are estimates only and Supplier shall not have any liability for failure to actually ship by such dates or to deliver by Distributor’s requested delivery dates.  Supplier shall notify Distributor in the event of any anticipated delay in shipping dates of thirty (30) days or more. Each order submitted by Distributor will specify a “ship to” address which shall be the address of Distributor’s warehouseman or the address for one of Distributor’s customers

 

3.3  

The prices for all Products purchased by Distributor shall be in Euros and based on Supplier’s recommended Euro retail price in effect in the European Union as of the date of shipment. Such prices are ex-works and shall be calculated based on the discount structure as set forth on Schedule A annexed hereto. Supplier will provide current price lists for the Products to Distributor from time to time and shall have the right to modify such prices at any time; provided, however, that no price increase shall become effective sooner than sixty (60) days after written notice thereof to Distributor.  Supplier will give Distributor prior notice of all such price changes.  For all orders shipped before the effective date of any price increase, the applicable price shall be the price in effect on the date of shipment.  With respect to orders for the Products that have been accepted by Supplier but which have not been shipped as of the effective date of a price increase, the applicable price shall be the price in effect on the date of shipment; provided that if the price increase is more than ten percent (10%) of the last applicable price, Distributor shall have the right within ten (10) days from the effective date of the price increase to cancel all or any part of the order for the Products subject to such price increase upon notice to Supplier. All prices are ex-works Supplier’s distribution facility in Hong Kong.

 

3.3                 Unless otherwise agreed in writing by Distributor and Supplier, all Products shall be deemed delivered to Distributor when delivered by Supplier or Supplier’s freight forwarder or distribution center into the possession of a carrier designated by Supplier.  Distributor shall bear all risk of loss, damage or shortage pertaining to the Products after delivery to carrier for shipment to the designated “ship to” address on the corresponding purchase order.  All costs of delivery, including, without limitation, all costs for freight, import licenses, customs duties or other duties or imposts, insurance and special handling shall be paid by Distributor.  All payments are to be made in Euros in accordance with Supplier’s standard terms of sale, which are incorporated herein by reference (except to the extent inconsistent with the terms contained herein) net ninety (90) days after the invoice date. A discount of two percent (2%) is granted for cash payment in advance.  .

 


 

 

3.4  

No provisions contained in Distributor’s orders which are different from or additional to the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be binding on the parties hereto or applicable to the sale of the Products unless signed by a duly authorized representative of each of the parties as provided by Section 13.9 hereof.  Distributor shall have sole responsibility for invoicing its customers and for the collection of all amounts due from them for Product shipped to them either by Distributor or by Supplier in accordance with the “ship to” designation made on the applicable purchase orders. In no event shall non-payment by any such customer or any claim or allegation any customer may have against Distributor constitute grounds for any off set, deduction, claim or defense on the part of Distributor against Supplier or in respect of any obligation due to Supplier and Distributor shall pay Supplier all amounts due to Supplier in accordance with the terms of this Agreement without off set or deduction for any amounts claimed to be due to Distributor by Supplier.

 

 

 

 

5.  

MINIMUM TURNOVER REQUIREMENTS

4.1

Each contract year for the duration of this Agreement, Distributor will make minimum sales of Products in the Territory (“Minimum Turnover Requirement”) equal to at least sixty percent (60%) of the amount of Product sales as budgeted in the Business Plan annexed to the JV Agreement. Sales in excess of the Minimum Turnover Requirement in any contract year shall be neither carried over nor credited toward the Minimum Turnover Requirement of a subsequent contract year. Notwithstanding the foregoing there shall be no Minimum Turnover Requirement for the first contract year.

 

 

5.

ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION

5.1

As used herein “advertising” means only the publication in print or broadcast media of advertisements approved by Supplier and “promotion” means all other forms of Product promotion, other than advertising, approved by Supplier including, without limitation, point of sale material, co-op advertising, marketing, public relations, special events and the like.  All promotions (including, without limitation, the methods, media selection, layouts and timing thereof) shall be subject to the prior written approval of Supplier.  Distributor shall submit all proposed promotion materials for approval at least four (4) weeks prior to the first anticipated use thereof and shall not engage in any promotion or use any such materials without Supplier’s prior written approval. Unless otherwise expressly approved in writing by Supplier, Distributor will use only such materials including, without limitation, point of sale material, packaging, advertising and ancillary material furnished by Supplier.

 

5.2  

Distributor shall conduct all advertising and promotion of the Products in the Territory at its own expense, subject to matching of a portion of such expenditures by Supplier as hereinafter provided.  At a minimum, Distributor shall expend each contract year for approved advertising and promotion an amount equal to * of Distributor’s budgeted sales of Products for such contract year.  Distributor’s budgeted sales of Products for the first through the fifth contract years are set forth in Annex D to the JV Agreement and Distributor’s budgeted sales each contract year thereafter shall be as contained in the annual business plan and budget as adopted in accordance with the provisions of the JV Agreement at or before the beginning of each contract year, or, at such time, if any, that the JV Agreement is no longer in effect, then as approved by Distributor in good faith consultation with Supplier, and may be adjusted in the same manner quarterly. So long as Distributor satisfies its advertising and promotion commitment as set forth in this Section 5.2, then Supplier will match such expenditures each contract year by an amount equal to * of the Net Invoiced Cost of Distributor’s Product purchases in such year.

*CONFIDENTIAL PORTION OF THIS EXHIBIT OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SEC PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE 1934 ACT

(“Supplier’s Advertising Amount”). For purposes of this Agreement, “Net Invoiced Cost” means the invoiced price actually paid by Distributor to Supplier net of all discounts, all costs referred


 
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