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Exhibit 3.1
NORCRAFT HOLDINGS,
L.P.
Second Amended and
Restated
Agreement of Limited
Partnership
Dated as of October 4,
2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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| ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS |
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1 |
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| 1.1. |
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Cross Reference Table
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1 |
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| 1.2. |
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Certain Definitions
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| 1.3. |
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Construction
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| ARTICLE II FORMATION, ETC |
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| 2.1. |
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Formation
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| 2.2. |
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Name
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| 2.3. |
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Term
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| 2.4. |
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Purpose and Powers
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| 2.5. |
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Limited Liability
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| 2.6. |
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Agreement
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| ARTICLE III PARTNERSHIP AND UNITS |
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11 |
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| 3.1. |
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Classes of Units
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11 |
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| 3.2. |
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Conversion of Units
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| 3.3. |
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Admission
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11 |
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| 3.4. |
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Capital Contributions
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| 3.5. |
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Additional Limited Partners and
Interests
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12 |
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| 3.6. |
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Admission of Permitted Transferees as
Limited Partners
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12 |
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| 3.7. |
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Specific Limitations
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| 3.8. |
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General Partner
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12 |
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| ARTICLE IV MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY |
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13 |
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| 4.1. |
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General Partner
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| 4.2. |
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Authority of General Partner
Exclusive
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13 |
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| 4.3. |
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Officers; Agents
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13 |
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| ARTICLE V DISTRIBUTIONS |
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15 |
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| 5.1. |
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Tax Distributions
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| 5.2. |
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Distributions
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16 |
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| 5.3. |
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No Violation
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17 |
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| 5.4. |
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Withholdings
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-i-
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| 5.5. |
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Property Distributions and
Installment Sales
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| 5.6. |
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Return of Distributions of
Capital
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| ARTICLE VI PRE-EMPTIVE AND PARTICIPATION RIGHTS |
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| 6.1. |
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Pre-Emptive and Participation
Rights
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| 6.2. |
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Participation Notice
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| 6.3. |
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Election to
Participate
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18 |
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| 6.4. |
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Expiration of
Commitment
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19 |
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| 6.5. |
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Cooperation
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| 6.6. |
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Closing
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| 6.7. |
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Retroactive Compliance
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| 6.8. |
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Exceptions
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| ARTICLE VII TRANSFER RIGHTS |
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20 |
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| 7.1. |
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Transfers by Management Limited
Partners
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| 7.2. |
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Transfers by Buller Limited
Partners
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| 7.3. |
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Transfers by SKM Limited Partners and
TCP Limited Partners
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| 7.4. |
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Conditions to Transfer
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21 |
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| 7.5. |
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Effect of Prohibited
Transfers
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21 |
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| 7.6. |
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Withdrawal of Limited Partner; No
Dissolution
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| 7.7. |
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Restrictions on Voting
Agreements
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21 |
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| ARTICLE VIII RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER |
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22 |
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| 8.1. |
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Right of First Offer
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| 8.2. |
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Election to
Participate
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| 8.3. |
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Closing
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| ARTICLE IX TAG ALONG AND DRAG ALONG RIGHTS |
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| 9.1. |
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Tag Along
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| 9.2. |
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Drag Along
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| 9.3. |
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Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to
Sales under Sections 9.1and 9.2
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| ARTICLE X CALL AND PUT RIGHTS |
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28 |
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| 10.1. |
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Call Option on Management Limited
Partner Units
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28 |
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| 10.2. |
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Call Option on Buller Limited Partner
Units
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| 10.3. |
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Payment of Purchase
Price
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-ii-
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| 10.4. |
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Limited Partners Call
Option
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| 10.5. |
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Put Request
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| 10.6. |
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Restrictions
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| ARTICLE XI PROPOSED SALE OF THE PARTNERSHIP |
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| 11.1. |
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Notification
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| 11.2. |
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Consideration of Prospective
Buyers
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| 11.3. |
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Right of First Offer
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| 11.4. |
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Expiration
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| ARTICLE XII BOOKS, RECORDS AND ACCOUNTING;
INSPECTION |
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30 |
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| 12.1. |
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Financial Statements
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| 12.2. |
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Confidentiality and
Non-Disclosure
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| 12.3. |
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Inspection; Access
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32 |
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| ARTICLE XIII REGISTRATION RIGHTS |
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| 13.1. |
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Demand Registrations
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33 |
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| 13.2. |
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Piggyback Rights
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33 |
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| 13.3. |
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Selection of
Underwriter
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34 |
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| 13.4. |
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Allocation of Shares
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34 |
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| 13.5. |
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Registration and Offering
Procedures
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34 |
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| 13.6. |
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Amended Prospectus
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35 |
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| 13.7. |
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Allocation of Expenses
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35 |
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| 13.8. |
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Indemnification, Etc.
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36 |
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| 13.9. |
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Information by Holder
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38 |
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| 13.10. |
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“Lock-Up”
Agreement
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38 |
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| ARTICLE XIV RIGHT TO CONVERT TO CORPORATE FORM |
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38 |
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| 14.1. |
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General Partner’s Right to
Convert
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38 |
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| 14.2. |
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Effect of Conversion
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| 14.3. |
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Investment Decision
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| ARTICLE XV AMENDMENTS TO AGREEMENT |
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39 |
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| 15.1. |
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Amendments
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| ARTICLE XVI DISSOLUTION OF COMPANY |
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40 |
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| 16.1. |
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Termination of Limited
Partnership
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-iii-
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| 16.2. |
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Events of Dissolution or
Liquidation
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| 16.3. |
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Liquidation
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| 16.4. |
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No Further Claim
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| ARTICLE XVII CAPITAL ACCOUNTS; ALLOCATIONS |
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41 |
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| 17.1. |
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Capital Accounts
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| 17.2. |
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Revaluations of Assets and Capital
Account Adjustments
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| 17.3. |
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Additional Capital Account
Adjustment
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| 17.4. |
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Additional Capital Account
Provisions
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42 |
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| 17.5. |
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Net Profit or Net
Loss.
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42 |
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| 17.6. |
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Regulatory Allocations
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44 |
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| 17.7. |
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Tax Allocations: Code Section 704(c)
and Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation
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44 |
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| 17.8. |
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Changes in Limited Partners
Interest
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| 17.9. |
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Credits
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44 |
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| 17.10. |
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Tax Matters Partner
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| 17.11. |
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Tax Returns
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46 |
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| ARTICLE XVIII REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS BY THE
PARTNERS |
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46 |
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| 18.1. |
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Investment Intent
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| 18.2. |
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Securities Regulation
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46 |
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| 18.3. |
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Knowledge and
Experience
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46 |
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| 18.4. |
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Economic Risk
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46 |
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| 18.5. |
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Binding Agreement
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| 18.6. |
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Tax Position
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| 18.7. |
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Information
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| 18.8. |
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No Pledges, Proxies,
etc.
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| 18.9. |
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Business of Blockers
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| ARTICLE XIX PARTNERSHIP REPRESENTATIONS |
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47 |
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| 19.1. |
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Organization, etc.
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| 19.2. |
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Interests
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| ARTICLE XX INDEMNIFICATION |
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48 |
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| 20.1. |
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General
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| 20.2. |
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Exculpation
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-iv-
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| 20.3. |
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Amendment
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| 20.4. |
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Survival
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| ARTICLE XXI GOVERNING LAW, ETC. |
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48 |
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| 21.1. |
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Governing Law
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| 21.2. |
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Consent to
Jurisdiction
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| 21.3. |
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WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
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49 |
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| 21.4. |
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Exercise of Rights and
Remedies
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49 |
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| ARTICLE XXII MISCELLANEOUS |
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49 |
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| 22.1. |
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Reimbursement for Transaction
Expenses
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| 22.2. |
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Further Assurances
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50 |
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| 22.3. |
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General
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50 |
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| 22.4. |
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Notices, etc.
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50 |
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| 22.5. |
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Gender and Number
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50 |
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| 22.6. |
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Severability
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51 |
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| 22.7. |
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Headings
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51 |
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| 22.8. |
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No Third Party Rights
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51 |
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| 22.9. |
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Counterparts
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| 22.10. |
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Registered
Office/Agent
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51 |
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| 22.11. |
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Authorized Person
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-v-
NORCRAFT HOLDINGS,
L.P.
SECOND AMENDED AND
RESTATED
AGREEMENT OF LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP
THIS SECOND AMENDED AND
RESTATED AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) of limited
partnership of Norcraft Holdings, L.P., (the
“Partnership”), dated as of October 4, 2006, is
among Norcraft GP, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, as
the general partner (the “General Partner”) and each of
the Persons (as hereinafter defined) from time to time party hereto
as Limited Partners (as hereinafter defined) (together with the
General Partner, the “Partners”).
WHEREAS, the Partnership was
formed as a limited liability company pursuant to the Delaware
Limited Liability Company Act by the filing of a Certificate of
Formation of a limited liability company with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware on August 21, 2003.
WHEREAS, the Partnership was
converted into a limited partnership pursuant to the Delaware
Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act by the filing of a
Certificate of Conversion with the Secretary of State of the State
of Delaware on October 10, 2003, and certain partners entered
into an limited partnership agreement (the “Original
Agreement”) and filed a Certificate of Limited Partnership
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on
October 10, 2003.
WHEREAS, the Original
Agreement was amended and restated on October 21, 2003 and
then further amended by the First Amendment (the Original Agreement
as so amended, the “Existing Agreement”).
WHEREAS, the undersigned
Partners, consisting of the General Partner, the SKM Limited
Partners, the TCP Limited Partners, the Buller Limited Partners and
the Management Limited Partners that hold a majority of the
outstanding Class B Units and Class D Units, now desire to execute
this Agreement to amend and restate the respective rights and
obligations of the Partners to one another and to the
Partnership.
NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the mutual covenants expressed herein, the parties
hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
1.1. Cross Reference
Table . The following terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement
in the Sections set forth below will have the respective meanings
therein defined.
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Terms
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Definition |
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Agreement
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Preamble |
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Blocker Stock
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Section 7.2. |
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Buller Offer
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Section 11.2. |
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Call Notice
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Section
10.1. |
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Terms
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Definition |
| Capital
Account |
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Section 17.1. |
| Capital
Partner |
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Section 6.2. |
| Class A
Consideration |
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Section 9.3.5. |
| Class A
Units |
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Section 3.1.1. |
| Class B
Units |
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Section 3.1.2. |
| Class C
Units |
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Section 3.1.3. |
| Class D
Units |
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Section 3.1.4. |
| Conversion
Price |
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Section 3.1.4. |
| Drag Along
Notice |
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Section 9.3.1. |
| Drag Along
Percentage |
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Section 9.3. |
| Drag Along
Sellers |
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Section 9.3.2. |
| Existing
Agreement |
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Recitals |
| General
Partner |
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Preamble |
| Indemnified
Party |
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Section 13.6.3. |
| Indemnifying
Party |
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Section 13.6.3. |
| Net
Loss |
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Section 17.5.1. |
| Net
Profit |
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Section 17.5.1. |
| Notice of
Purchase |
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Section 8.2. |
| Notice of
Sale |
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Section 8.1. |
| Offer
Notice |
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Section 11.1. |
| Offered
Units |
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Section 8.1. |
| Original
Agreement |
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Recitals |
| Partners |
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Preamble |
| Participating Buyer |
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Section 6.3. |
| Participating Seller |
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Section 9.1.2. |
| Participation Commitment |
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Section 6.3. |
| Participation Notice |
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Section 6.2. |
| Participation Portion |
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Section 6.2.1. |
| Partnership |
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Preamble |
| Pre-Emptive
Issuance |
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Section 6.1. |
| Pre-Emptive
Transferee |
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Section 6.2.1. |
| Prospective
Buyer |
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Section 9.1. |
| Regulatory
Allocations |
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Section 17.6. |
| Sale |
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Section 8.1. |
| Secretary |
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Section 17.10.3. |
| Securities |
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Section 6.1. |
| Selling
Limited Partner |
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Section 8.1. |
| Series A-1
Units |
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Section 3.1.1. |
| Series A-2
Units |
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Section 3.1.1. |
| Tag-Along
Election |
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Section 8.1.2. |
| Tag Along
Notice |
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Section 8.1.1. |
| Tag Along
Percentage |
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Section 8.1.1. |
| Tag Along
Sellers |
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Section 8.1.2. |
| Tax
Distribution |
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Section 5.1. |
| Tax Matters
Partner |
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Section 17.10. |
1.2. Certain
Definitions . The following terms, as used herein, have the
following meanings:
“Accredited
Investor ” has the meaning assigned to such term under
Regulation D.
“Act”
shall mean the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (6
Del . C. §17-101, et seq .) as amended and in
effect from time to time.
“Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any
specified Person, (i) any Person that directly or through one
or more intermediaries controls or is controlled by or is under
common control with the specified Person (as used in this
definition, the term “control” means the possession,
directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether
through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise);
provided, however that the Partnership shall be deemed not
be an Affiliate of any Limited Partner, (ii) any Person who is
a general partner, member, managing director, manager, or principal
of such Person and (iii) any Member of the Immediate Family of
such Person or any Person referred to in clauses (i) and
(ii) above.
“Asset
Value” of any tangible or intangible property of the
Partnership (including, without limitation, goodwill) shall mean
its adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes
unless:
(a) the property was accepted
by the Partnership as a contribution to capital at a value
different then its adjusted basis, in which event the initial Asset
Value for such property shall mean the gross fair market value of
the property agreed to by the Partnership and the contributing
Limited Partner; or
(b) the property of the
Partnership is revalued in accordance with Section 17.2, as a
result of the issuance of additional Interests or the redemption of
all or part of the Interest of a Limited Partner in which event the
Asset Value of the property of the Partnership on the date of the
revaluation shall mean its gross fair market value as of such date
as determined under Section 17.2.
With respect to clauses
(a) and (b) above, references to the “then
prevailing Asset Value” of any property as of any date shall
mean the Asset Value last determined for such property less the
depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions taken into
account in computing Net Profit or Net Loss in fiscal periods
subsequent to such prior determination date.
“Buller Limited
Partners” shall mean Buller LLC, and each Person to whom
the Interests originally held by such Person is validly Transferred
in accordance with this Agreement.
“Buller
LLC” shall mean Buller Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C., a
Delaware limited liability company.
“Capital
Units” shall mean Class A Units and Class B
Units.
“Cause”
shall mean (a) the commission of a felony or any other crime
involving dishonesty or moral turpitude, (b) the willful or
persistent failure to follow the direction of the
-3-
General Partner, management to whom such
Person reports or the Partnership, or (c) the material breach
by such Person or his Affiliates of his employment agreement, if
any, with the Partnership or its Subsidiaries, this Agreement or
the limited liability company agreement of the General Partner, if
party thereto; provided, that in the circumstances described
in clauses (b) and (c) such Person shall have thirty
(30) days to cure the default after notice by the
Partnership.
“Certificate” shall mean the Certificate of
Limited Partnership of the Partnership and any and all amendments
thereto and restatements thereof filed pursuant to the
Act.
“Change of
Control” shall mean any sale or other disposition of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership (including
without limitation by way of a merger or consolidation or through
the sale of all or substantially all of the equity interests of the
Partnership or its Subsidiaries (including shares of Blocker Stock)
or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Partnership and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole) to another
Person (the “Change of Control Transferee” ) if,
immediately after giving effect thereto, any Person (or group of
Persons acting in concert) other than the SKM Limited Partners, TCP
Limited Partners and their respective Affiliates will have the
power to elect a majority of the board of directors (or other
similar governing body) of the Change of Control
Transferee.
“Class”
when used with reference to a Unit, shall mean the class of Units
of which such Unit is a part as set forth in
Section 3.3.
“Class A Unit
Catchup Amount” shall mean an amount equal to $0.2712 per
Class A Unit.
“Closing”
shall mean the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
Purchase Agreement.
“Code”
shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time
to time, and the corresponding provisions of any future federal tax
law.
“Corporate Tax
Rate” shall mean the highest combined federal, state and
local income tax rate applicable to a corporation in any state in
which the Partnership is engaged in business.
“ Cost ”
shall mean, with respect to each (i) Class A Unit, the
original issue price for such Unit (whether in cash or value of
in-kind contributions, including contributions made at or after the
Closing and amounts paid upon conversion of a Class D Unit),
(ii) Class B Unit and Class D Unit, $0 and (iii) Class C
Unit, $1.00; provided, however , that such amount, with
respect to Class A Unit or Class C Unit, shall be reduced by
an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all distributions made
with respect to such Unit pursuant to this Agreement and any
special payments made with respect to such Unit, including without
limitation pursuant to a Deferred Compensation
Agreement.
“Credit
Agreement” shall mean that certain Credit Agreement dated
as of October 21, 2003, amended and restated as of May 2,
2006 among Opco, Norcraft Intermediate Holdings, L.P., the
Subsidiary Guarantors (as therein defined), the Lenders (as therein
defined), UBS Securities LLC, as bookmanager and lead arranger,
Wachovia Bank, National Association, as syndication agent, Wachovia
Capital Markets, LLC, as co-arranger, CIT Lending
Services
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Corporation, as documentation agent, UBS
Loan Finance LLC, as swingline lender, and UBS AG, Stamford Branch,
as Issuing Bank (as defined therein), administrative agent for the
Lenders and collateral agent for the Secured Parties (as defined
therein), as amended, supplemented, restated, refinanced or
otherwise modified from time to time.
“Deemed Liquidity
Event” shall mean (x) a Change of Control (other
than from the Transfer of shares of Blocker Stock) or (y) a
revaluation of assets pursuant to Section 17.2 immediately
preceding the liquidation of the Partnership.
“Deemed Liquidation
Amount” shall mean, as of any date, the sum of the amount
distributable to all Limited Partners under
Section 16.3.
“Deemed Tax
Rate” shall mean (i) with respect to a Class A
or Class B Unit held by a Limited Partner during a fiscal year, the
highest combined federal, state (or provincial) and local statutory
tax rate (after taking into account the deductibility of state (or
provincial) and local income tax for federal income tax purposes)
applicable to any Limited Partner in such fiscal year, and
(ii) with respect to a Class D Unit held by a Limited Partner
during a fiscal year, the highest combined federal, state (or
provincial) and local statutory tax rate (after taking into account
the deductibility of state (or provincial) and local income tax for
federal income tax purposes) applicable to such Limited Partner (or
its direct or indirect owner who is taxable by reason of the
Partnership being a partnership) for such fiscal year assuming that
such Limited Partner’s only taxable income for such fiscal
year consists of the Limited Partner’s allocable share of
taxable income from the Partnership plus any guaranteed payments
allocable to the Limited Partner (or was received from the
Partnership or its Subsidiaries by the Limited Partner or a direct
or indirect owner of the Limited Partner) in such fiscal year. In
no event, however, shall the Deemed Tax Rate with respect to a Unit
for a fiscal year exceed the highest combined tax rate applicable
to a Limited Partner residing in the United States for tax purposes
in such fiscal year.
“Deferred
Compensation Agreements” shall mean the Deferred Equity
Incentive Compensation Agreements, to be entered into on or after
the Closing Date with certain managers of the Partnership or its
Subsidiaries in consideration for the foregoing of cash bonuses by
such managers.
“Distribution” shall mean cash or property
(net of liabilities assumed or to which the property is subject)
distributed to a Limited Partner in respect of the Limited
Partner’s Interest in the Partnership.
“ Distribution
Threshold ” shall mean, with respect to each Class D
Unit, an amount specified by the General Partner at the time of its
issuance; provided , that such amount shall under no
circumstances be less than the amount of Distributions to which
such Unit would be entitled (if its Distribution Threshold were
zero) immediately after its issuance if, at such time, the
Partnership were liquidated pursuant to Section 16.3. The
intent of the “Distribution Threshold” concept is to
ensure that all Class D Units issued qualify as “profits
interests” under Revenue Procedure 93-27, I.R.B.
1993-24, June 9, 1993 and Revenue Procedure 2001-43,
I.R.B. 2001-34, August 2, 2001 and the Agreement shall be
interpreted and applied consistently therewith.
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“Exchange
Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
“Fair Market
Value” shall mean, with respect to Interests or any
portion thereof or any consideration payable as contemplated by
this Agreement, the fair market value thereof as determined as of
the applicable reference date in good faith by the General Partner,
using commercially reasonable valuation methods, taking into
consideration all factors it deems relevant.
“First
Amendment” shall mean the First Amendment to the
Agreement dated as of the First Distribution Date.
“ First
Distribution ” means the aggregate $75,692,400.28
Distribution made to Partners on the First Distribution
Date.
“ First
Distribution Date ” means August 17,
2004.
“First Distribution
Per Unit Amount” means $0.5585.
“GAAP”
shall mean United States generally accepted accounting principles
in effect from time to time consistently applied throughout the
period involved.
“Good
Reason” shall have the meaning, if any, set forth in such
Person’s employment agreement then in effect, if any, or
otherwise shall mean (a) any diminution of such Person’s
duties, (b) a material breach by the Partnership or any of its
Subsidiaries of such Person’s employment agreement, if any,
or this Agreement or (c) change in such Person’s title;
provided, that in each circumstance described above the
Partnership and its Subsidiaries shall have thirty (30) days
to cure the default after notice by such Person.
“GP
Agreement” shall mean the Amended and Restated Limited
Liability Agreement of the General Partner, dated as of
October 21, 2003, among SKM Norcraft Corp., Trimaran Cabinet
Corp. and HMB Norcraft Corp., each as a member thereof, as amended
from time to time.
“Interest”
shall mean with respect to any Limited Partner as of any time, such
Limited Partner’s limited partnership interest in the
Partnership, which includes the number of Units such Limited
Partner holds and such Limited Partner’s Capital Account
balance.
“Laws”
shall mean, collectively, all federal, state and local statutes,
treaties, rules, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative
or judicial precedents.
“Limited
Partners” shall mean those Persons admitted as Limited
Partners of the Partnership pursuant to Sections 3.3, 3.5 or 3.6 in
each such Person’s capacity as a Limited Partner of the
Partnership.
“Liquidating Target
Capital Account” shall mean, with respect to each Limited
Partner, the Limited Partner’s share of the Deemed
Liquidation Amount so that, for each Member, the ratio of
(a) a Limited Partner’s share of the Deemed Liquidation
Amount, as reduced by the Limited Partner’s Tax Reduction
Amount, to (b) the total Deemed Liquidation Amount, as reduced
by the Tax Reduction Amounts for all Members, is equal to the ratio
of (x) such Limited
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Partner’s Capital Account balance,
computed as if the Deemed Liquidation Amount were allocated
pursuant to Section 17.5.2 (treating amounts distributable
under Section 5.1 and 5.2 as representing items of expense or
loss and, if necessary, guaranteed payments to the extent necessary
to cause the Capital Account balances to equal the amounts
specified in Section 17.5.2) to (y) the total value of
all Capital Accounts after allocations made pursuant to a Deemed
Liquidity Event.
“Management
Incentive Plan” shall mean that certain Management
Incentive Plan approved by the General Partner as amended from time
to time.
“Management Limited
Partners” shall mean the Limited Partners designated as
such as set forth on Schedule 3.3 hereof and each of their
Permitted Transferees.
“Maximum Offering
Size” shall mean the largest aggregate number of shares
which can be sold without having a material adverse effect on such
offering, as determined by the managing underwriter.
“Members of the
Immediate Family” shall mean, with respect to any
individual, (i) each spouse, or natural or adopted child or
grandchild of such individual or natural or adopted child or
grandchild of such individual’s spouse, (ii) each trust
created solely for the benefit of one or more of such individual
and the Persons listed in clause (i) above, and solely for
estate planning purposes, (iii) each custodian or guardian of
any property of one or more of the Persons listed in clause
(i) above, in his capacity as such custodian or guardian and
(iv) each corporation, limited partnership or limited
liability company controlled by such individual or one or more of
the Persons listed in clause (i) above for the benefit of one
or more of such Persons.
“Norcraft
Canada” shall mean Norcraft Canada Corp., a Nova Scotia
unlimited liability company.
“Opco”
shall mean Norcraft Companies, L.P. (formerly known as Norcraft
Companies, L.L.C.), a Delaware limited partnership.
“Permitted
Transfer” shall mean a transfer: (a) with respect to
each holder which is not a natural person, to any Affiliate or to a
Person for whom such holder (or an Affiliate of such holder) acts
as investment advisor or investment manager and (x) with
respect to an SKM Limited Partner only, any limited partner of SKM
Equity Fund III, L.P. and (y) with respect to a TCP Limited
Partner only, any direct or indirect investor in the Trimaran Fund
II, LLC investment program; (b) with respect to each holder
who is a natural person: (i) to a Member of the Immediate
Family of such holder; or (ii) and upon the death of a holder,
pursuant to the will or other instrument of such holder or by
applicable laws of descent and distribution to such holder’s
estate, executors, administrators and personal representatives, and
then to such holder’s heirs, legatees or distributees,
whether or not such recipients are Members of the Immediate Family
of such holder; provided, however no part of an Interest may
be transferred to a minor or an incompetent except in trust or
pursuant to the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act.
“Permitted
Transferee” shall mean a Person that has validly acquired
an Interest in the Partnership from a Limited Partner pursuant to a
Permitted Transfer and which, pursuant to such Transfer, becomes a
Limited Partner of the Partnership.
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“Person”
shall mean an individual, partnership, joint venture, association,
corporation, trust, estate, limited liability company, limited
liability partnership, unincorporated entity of any kind,
governmental entity or any other legal entity.
“Public
Offering” shall mean a public offering and sale of the
common equity of the Partnership for cash registered under the
Securities Act.
“Purchase
Agreement” shall mean the Unit Purchase Agreement dated
as of August 29, 2003 by and between the Partnership (formerly
known as Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C.), Opco, Goense,
Bounds & Limited Partners B, L.P., the Sellers (as defined
therein) and the Sellers’ Representatives (as defined
therein).
“Qualified Public
Offering” shall mean a Public Offering with an aggregate
public offering price of at least $50,000,000 and a public offering
price equivalent to at least $2.50 per Class A
Unit.
“Registrable
Shares” shall mean the common stock issued or issuable
upon conversion of the Units in accordance with Article XIV;
provided, however , that shares of common stock which are
Registrable Shares shall cease to be Registrable Shares
(i) upon any sale pursuant to a Registration Statement,
Section 4(1) of the Securities Act or Rule 144 under the
Securities Act or any successor rule under the Securities Act or
(ii) at such time as such securities may be distributed
without volume limitation or other restrictions on transfer under
Rule 144 (including without application of paragraphs (c),
(e) (f) and (h) of Rule 144).
“Registration
Statement” means a registration statement filed by the
Partnership with the Commission for a public offering and sale of
securities of the Partnership.
“Regulation
D” shall mean Regulation D under the Securities
Act.
“Regulations” shall mean the Treasury
regulations, including temporary regulations, promulgated under the
Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time
(including the corresponding provisions of any future
regulations).
“ Second
Distribution ” shall mean the distribution of the Second
Distribution Per Unit Amount, in respect of each Class A Unit
pursuant to Section 5.2.1 hereof.
“ Second
Distribution Date ” shall mean the date on which the
Partnership had completed the Second Distribution in respect of
each Class A Unit.
“Second Distribution
Per Unit Amount” shall mean $0.27114236.
“Securities
Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
“SKM Limited
Partners” shall mean SKM Norcraft Corp, a Delaware
corporation, and each Person to whom the Interests originally held
by such Person are validly Transferred in accordance with this
Agreement.
“Subsidiary” shall mean any Person that is
controlled, either directly or indirectly, by the Partnership or
the General Partner (or other specified Person).
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“Tax Reduction
Amount” shall mean (a) with respect to a holder of
Series A-2 Units, the amount of federal, state and local taxes
actually payable by the Limited Partner in respect of the Limited
Partner’s Interest in the Partnership (other than taxes due
on income allocated to the Limited Partner in respect of which the
Limited Partner received a Tax Distribution) for the taxable period
which includes a Deemed Liquidity Event assuming that the Limited
Partner redeems its interest in the Partnership immediately after
such Deemed Liquidity Event for cash equal to the Limited
Partner’s Liquidating Target Capital Account or (b) with
respect to each other Limited Partner, zero.
“Transfer”
shall mean a sale, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, abandonment,
disposition or other transfer.
“TCP Limited
Partners” shall mean Trimaran Cabinet Corp., a Delaware
corporation, and each Person to whom the Interests originally held
by such Person are validly Transferred in accordance with this
Agreement.
“Unit”
shall mean each of the Class A Units, Class B Units, Class C
Units, Class D Units and any other Unit of any Class of Units,
which represents an Interest in the Partnership and which may from
time to time be outstanding. Reference to any Unit shall include a
portion of such Unit.
“Vested Class D
Unit” shall mean a Class D Unit with respect to which all
vesting and forfeiture provisions shall have lapsed.
1.3. Construction .
The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to (a) the
singular and plural forms thereof, (b) all parts of speech
thereof and (c) all tenses thereof.
ARTICLE II
FORMATION,
ETC
2.1. Formation. The
Partnership was formed as a limited liability company by the filing
of a Certificate of Formation of a limited liability company with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 21,
2003. The Partnership was converted into a limited partnership by
the filing of a Certificate of Conversion and the Certificate with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 10,
2003. The rights and liabilities of the Partners shall be
determined pursuant to the Act and this Agreement. To the extent
that the rights or obligations of any Partner are different by
reason of any provision of this Agreement than they would be in the
absence of such provision, this Agreement shall, to the extent
permitted by the Act, control.
2.2. Name . The name
of the Partnership is Norcraft Holdings, L.P. The business of the
Partnership may be conducted under that name or any other name that
the General Partner deems appropriate or advisable. The General
Partner shall file, or shall cause to be filed, any fictitious name
certificates and similar filings, and any amendments thereto, that
the General Partner considers appropriate or advisable.
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2.3. Term . The term
of the Partnership shall continue until the Partnership is
dissolved as hereinafter provided. The existence of the Partnership
as a separate legal entity shall continue until cancellation of the
Certificate as provided in the Act.
2.4. Purpose and
Powers . Subject to the limitations contained elsewhere in this
Agreement, the Partnership is formed for the object and purpose of,
and the nature of the business to be conducted and promoted by the
Partnership is, engaging in any lawful act or activity for which
limited partnerships may be formed under the Act and engaging in
any and all activities necessary, advisable, convenient or
incidental thereto. The Partnership shall have all powers permitted
under applicable laws to do any and all things deemed by the
General Partner to be necessary or desirable in furtherance of the
purposes of the Partnership.
2.5. Limited Liability
. Except as otherwise required by the Act, the debts, obligations
and liabilities of the Partnership, whether arising in contract,
tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and
liabilities of the Partnership, and no Limited Partner shall be
obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of
the Partnership solely by reason of being Limited Partner. All
Persons dealing with the Partnership shall look solely to the
assets of the Partnership for the payment of the debts, obligations
or liabilities of the Partnership.
2.6. Agreement . This
Agreement shall become effective upon the execution of this
Agreement or a counterpart to this Agreement by each of the General
Partner, SKM Limited Partners, TCP Limited Partners and Buller
Limited Partners listed on Schedule 3.3 hereto as of the date
hereof and upon such effectiveness the Existing Agreement shall be
superseded in its entirety hereby.
ARTICLE III
PARTNERSHIP AND
UNITS
3.1. Classes of Units
. The Interests of the Limited Partners in the Partnership shall be
represented by Units of different Classes, as follows:
3.1.1. Class A
Units . Each “Series A-1 Unit” and
“Series A-2 Unit” shall represent an Interest in
the Partnership, shall be designated as a Series A-1 Unit or Series
A-2 Unit of the Partnership and shall be entitled to the
Distributions provided for in Article V. The Series A-1 Units and
Series A-2 Units shall be collectively referred to as “Class
A Units.”
3.1.2. Class B Units .
Each “Class B Unit” shall represent an Interest
in the Partnership, shall be designated as a Class B Unit of the
Partnership and shall be entitled to the Distributions provided for
in Article V. The Class B Units are intended to qualify as
“profits interests” under Revenue Procedure 93-27,
I.R.B. 1993-24, June 9, 1993 and Revenue Procedure
2001-43, I.R.B. 2001-34, August 2, 2001 and the Agreement
shall be interpreted and applied consistently therewith.
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3.1.3. Class C Units.
Each “Class C Unit” shall represent an Interest
in the Partnership, shall be designated as a Class C Unit of the
Partnership and shall be entitled to the Distributions provided for
in Article V.
3.1.4. Class D Units .
Each “ Class D Unit ” shall represent an
Interest in the Partnership, shall be designated as a Class D Unit
of the Partnership, may only be issued pursuant to the Management
Incentive Plan, shall have a “Distribution Threshold”
and shall be entitled to the Distributions provided for in Article
V. The Class D Units are intended to qualify as “profits
interests” under Revenue Procedure 93-27, I.R.B. 1993-24,
June 9, 1993 and Revenue Procedure 2001-43, I.R.B. 2001-34, August
2, 2001 and the Agreement shall be interpreted and applied
consistently therewith. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
the Management Incentive Plan or in a grant certificate issued
pursuant to the Management Incentive Plan with respect to a Class D
Unit, each Class D Unit issued prior to the First Distribution Date
shall have a conversion price (“ Conversion Price
”) equal to (a) the Fair Market Value of a Class A Unit at
the time of issuance of such Class D Unit minus (b) the First
Distribution Per Unit Amount and minus (c) the Second Distribution
Per Unit Amount. Each Class D Unit issued on or after the First
Distribution Date but prior to the Second Distribution Date shall
have a Conversion Price equal to the Fair Market Value of a Class A
Unit (after giving effect to the First Distribution ) at the time
of issuance of such Class D Unit minus the Second Distribution Per
Unit Amount. Each Class D Unit issued on or after the Second
Distribution Date shall have a Conversion Price equal to the Fair
Market Value of a Class A Unit (after giving effect to the First
Distribution and the Second Distribution) at the time of the
issuance of such Class D Unit.
3.2. Conversion of
Units . A Vested Class D Unit may be converted into a
Class A Unit at any time, and from time to time, by a holder
thereof by delivery of a notice to the Partnership requesting such
conversion and payment in full to the Partnership of the Conversion
Price with respect to each Class D Unit to be converted, which such
payment shall be made in cash or in another manner approved by the
General Partner. Upon the occurrence of a Deemed Liquidity Event, a
Vested Class D Unit shall be entitled to the Distributions provided
for in Section 5.2.3.
3.3. Admission . Each
Person whose name appears on Schedule 3.3 has been admitted as a
Limited Partner of the Partnership. Schedule 3.3 shall indicate the
total numbers of outstanding Units of each Class (and series
thereof) and the designation of each Limited Partner (SKM Limited
Partner, TCP Limited Partner, Buller Limited Partner or Management
Limited Partner). Schedule 3.3A shall indicate the total amount of
outstanding Units of each Class (and series thereof) held by each
Limited Partner and former Limited Partner. Each Limited Partner
shall be entitled to receive that portion of Schedule 3.3A that
sets forth the number and Class of Units held by such Limited
Partner, the amount and form of consideration paid therefor and the
total capital contribution made with respect thereto. Each SKM
Limited Partner, each TCP Limited Partner and each Buller Limited
Partner shall be entitled to receive all portions of Schedule
3.3A.
3.4. Capital
Contributions. Immediately following the admission of each
Person as a Limited Partner of the Partnership in accordance with
Section 3.3, each Limited Partner shall make the capital
contributions set forth on such Limited Partner’s signature
page hereto, and shall receive in exchange therefor Interests in
the Partnership, as set forth on such signature page.
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3.5. Additional Limited
Partners and Interests . Subject to the limitations contained
elsewhere in this Agreement, the Partnership may issue additional
Interests (which may consist of Units of existing Classes or new
Classes of Units or fractions of a Unit, and which may have rights
materially different from, and senior or junior to the outstanding
Interests) and admit Persons as Limited Partners in exchange for
such contributions to capital or such other consideration
(including past or future services) and on such terms and
conditions as the General Partner deems appropriate. As a condition
to the issuance of such additional Interests and the Person’s
admission as a Limited Partner, such Person shall execute and
deliver to the Partnership a counterpart signature page to this
Agreement, which shall set forth the capital contribution of such
Person and the resulting number of Units issued in respect of such
capital contribution. Promptly following the issuance of additional
Interests, the Partnership’s books and records and this
Agreement, including Schedule 3.3, shall be amended to reflect the
revised list of Limited Partners and the total number of Units of
each Class outstanding.
3.6. Admission of
Permitted Transferees as Limited Partners. Upon the
consummation of a valid Transfer of an Interest in accordance with
this Agreement and the delivery of a counterpart signature page to
this Agreement, the person to whom the Interest is Transferred
shall be automatically admitted to the Partnership as a Limited
Partner of the same type (e.g., SKM Limited Partner, TCP Limited
Partner, Buller Limited Partner or Management Limited Partner).
Promptly following such Transfer, the Partnership’s books and
records and this Agreement, including Schedule 3.3 shall be
appropriately amended.
3.7. Specific
Limitations . No Limited Partner shall have the right or power
to: (a) withdraw or reduce its capital contribution except as
a result of the dissolution of the Partnership or as otherwise
provided by the Act or in this Agreement, (b) make voluntary
capital contributions or contribute any property to the Partnership
other than cash (except for (i) the contribution by the Buller
Limited Partners of the outstanding equity securities of Norcraft
Canada as of the Closing, (ii) the contribution by the
Management Limited Partners of equity interests in Opco on or about
the Closing or (iii) as otherwise approved by the General
Partner), (c) bring an action for partition against the
Partnership or any Partnership assets, (d) cause the
dissolution of the Partnership, except as set forth in this
Agreement or as required by the Act, or (e) require that
property other than cash be distributed upon any Distribution,
including any liquidating Distribution.
3.8. General Partner .
The General Partner shall not own any partnership interest in the
Partnership and, except to the extent required by the Act, the
Partnership shall not maintain a Capital Account for the General
Partner. The General Partner shall not be obligated to make any
contributions of capital to the Partnership and shall not be
entitled to receive any Distributions; provided, however, that the
Partnership shall pay all expenses associated with the
administration and operation of the General Partner.
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ARTICLE IV
MANAGEMENT OF THE
COMPANY
4.1. General Partner .
The General Partner shall direct, manage and control the
Partnership. Except as required by this Agreement or by
non-waivable provisions of applicable law, the General Partner
shall have full and complete authority, power and discretion to
manage and control the properties of the Partnership, to make all
decisions regarding those matters and to perform any and all other
acts or activities customary or incident to the management of the
Partnership in fulfillment of the purposes of the Partnership as
contemplated by this Agreement. The General Partner shall be under
a fiduciary duty to conduct and manage the affairs of the
Partnership in a prudent, businesslike and lawful manner and shall
devote such part of its time to the affairs of the Partnership as
shall be deemed necessary and appropriate to pursue the business
and carry out the purposes of the Partnership as contemplated in
this Agreement.
4.2. Authority of General
Partner Exclusive. Unless authorized to do so by this Agreement
or the General Partner, no attorney-in-fact, employee or other
agent of the Partnership shall have any power or authority to bind
the Partnership in any way, to pledge its credit or to render it
liable pecuniarily for any purpose. No Limited Partner shall have
any power or authority to bind the Partnership unless the Limited
Partner has been authorized by the General Partner to act as an
agent of the Partnership in accordance with this
Agreement.
4.3. Officers; Agents
. The General Partner shall have the power to appoint agents (who
may be referred to as officers) to act for the Partnership with
such titles, if any, as the General Partner deems appropriate and
to delegate to such officers or agents such of the powers of the
General Partner, including the power to execute documents on behalf
of the Partnership, as the General Partner may in its sole
discretion determine. The officers or agents so appointed may
include persons holding titles such as Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer, President, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer, Secretary or Controller. Unless the authority of the
agent designated as the officer in question is limited in the
document appointing such officer or is otherwise specified by the
General Partner, any officer so appointed shall have the same
authority to act for the Partnership as a corresponding officer of
a Delaware corporation would have to act for a Delaware corporation
in the absence of a specific delegation of authority; provided,
however, that without specific delegation for a specific
transaction or generally, no officer shall have the power to
acquire real property, to borrow money, to issue notes, debentures,
securities, equity or other interests of or in the Partnership, to
make investments in (other than the investment of surplus cash in
the ordinary course of business) or to acquire securities of any
Person, to give guarantees, to merge, liquidate or dissolve the
Partnership, or to sell or lease all or any substantial portion of
the assets of the Partnership. The General Partner, in its sole
discretion, may ratify any act previously taken.
4.3.1.
Appointment/Election . Officers and agents of the
Partnership, if any, shall be appointed by the General Partner from
time to time in its discretion. Any two or more offices may be held
by the same person. The General Partner may delegate to any officer
the power to elect or appoint any other officer or any agents. Each
officer shall hold office until such officer’s respective
successor is chosen, unless a shorter period shall have been
specified by the terms of such officer’s election or
appointment, or in each case until such officer sooner dies,
resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified.
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Each agent shall retain its
authority at the pleasure of the General Partner, or the officer by
whom such agent was appointed or by the officer who then holds
agent appointive power. Any officer or agent may resign by
delivering a written letter of resignation to the General Partner,
which resignation shall, unless otherwise specified in the letter
of resignation, be effective upon receipt. The General Partner or
the officer appointing the officer or agent may remove any officer
or agent at any time without giving any reason for such removal
(except as provided in a written agreement between the Partnership
or one of its Subsidiaries and such officer or agent) and no
officer or agent shall be entitled to any damages by virtue of such
removal from office or position as agent (except as provided in a
written agreement between the Partnership or one of its
Subsidiaries and such officer or agent). Effective immediately
after the Closing, the initial officers of the Partnership
were:
Chief Executive Officer and
President – Mark Buller
Treasurer and Secretary
– Leigh Ginter
4.3.2. Chairman, Vice
Chairman, President and Vice President . The Chairman, if any,
shall have such duties and powers as shall be designated from time
to time by the General Partner. Unless the General Partner
otherwise specifies, the Chairman, or if there is none, the
President, shall preside, or designate the person who shall
preside, at all meetings of the Partners. Unless the General
Partner otherwise specifies, the President shall be the chief
executive officer and shall have direct charge of all business
operations of the Partnership and, subject to the control of the
General Partner, shall have general charge and supervision of the
business of the Partnership. Any vice presidents shall have duties
as shall be designated from time to time by the General Partner,
the Chairman or the President.
4.3.3. Treasurer and
Assistant Treasurers. Unless the General Partner otherwise
specifies, the Treasurer, if any, shall be the chief financial
officer of the Partnership and shall be in charge of its funds and
valuable papers, and shall have such other duties and powers as may
be designated from time to time by the General Partner, the
Chairman or the President. If no Controller is elected, the
Treasurer shall, unless the General Partner otherwise specifies,
also have the duties and powers of the Controller. Any Assistant
Treasurers shall have such duties and powers as shall be designated
from time to time by the General Partner, the Chairman, the
President or the Treasurer.
4.3.4. Controller and
Assistant Controllers . If a Controller is elected, the
Controller shall, unless the General Partner otherwise specifies,
be the chief accounting officer of the Partnership and be in charge
of its books of account and accounting records, and of its
accounting procedures. The Controller shall have such other duties
and powers as may be designated from time to time by the General
Partner, the Chairman, the President or the Treasurer. Any
Assistant Controller shall have such duties and powers as shall be
designed from time to time by the General Partner, the Chairman,
the President, the Treasurer or the Controller.
4.3.5. Secretary and
Assistant Secretaries. The Secretary shall record all
proceedings of the Partners in a book or series of books to be kept
therefor. In the absence of the Secretary from any meeting, an
Assistant Secretary, or if there be none or
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no Assistant Secretary is
present, a temporary secretary chosen at the meeting, shall record
the proceedings thereof. The Secretary shall keep or cause to be
kept records, which shall contain the names and record addresses of
the Partners. The Secretary shall have such other duties and powers
as may from time to time be designated by the General Partner, the
Chairman or the President. Any Assistant Secretaries shall have
such duties and powers as shall be designated from time to time by
the General Partner, the Chairman, the President or the
Secretary.
4.3.6. Execution of
Papers. Except as the General Partner may generally or in
particular cases authorize the execution thereof in some other
manner, and subject to the limitations set forth in this
Section 4.3, all deeds, leases, transfers, contracts, bonds,
notes, checks, drafts or other obligations made, accepted or
endorsed by the Partnership shall be signed by the Chairman, the
President, a Vice President, the Secretary or the
Treasurer.
ARTICLE V
DISTRIBUTIONS
5.1. Tax Distributions
. Subject to this Article V, the Partnership shall distribute to
each Limited Partner with respect to each Unit held by such Limited
Partner, by no later than April 10 of each fiscal year an
amount (the “Tax Distribution” ) in cash equal
to (A) the excess, if any, of (i) the product of
(x) the Deemed Tax Rate with respect to such Unit multiplied
by (y) the taxable income of the Partnership allocated to a
Limited Partner by reason of the Partner’s holding such Unit
pursuant to Sections 17.5, 17.6 and 17.7 for the preceding fiscal
year, over (ii) the amounts previously distributed in respect
of such Unit for such fiscal year pursuant to this Section 5.1
in such preceding fiscal year or prior to the date of the Tax
Distribution in the current fiscal year, plus (B) in the case
of a holder of Series A-2 Units, an amount equal to the accounting
and other administrative costs attributable to the Limited
Partner’s holding its Interest in the Partnership and
maintaining its existence (including, without limitation, any doing
business fees or taxes or franchise taxes or capital net worth and
similar taxes relating to maintaining its existence). For the
avoidance of doubt, such Tax Distributions may be made prior to
April 10 (including in the preceding fiscal year) in order to
permit the Limited Partners to satisfy estimated tax or other tax
payment requirements, and any such Tax Distributions with respect
to estimated tax payments shall be made not later than the tenth
day after the completion of each fiscal quarter or as soon as
practicable thereafter. If the income allocated to a Limited
Partner in respect of a Unit is adjusted on audit and there is a
final determination that the Limited Partner’s share of the
Partnership’s taxable income for a particular year is greater
than the amount initially allocated to such Limited Partner by the
Partnership, the Partnership shall distribute to such Limited
Partner an amount equal to the Deemed Tax Rate with respect to such
Unit times the increase in taxable income allocated to such Limited
Partner in respect of such Unit. If the income allocated to a
Limited Partner is adjusted on audit and there is a final
determination that the Limited Partner’s share of the
Partnership’s taxable income with respect to a Unit for a
particular year is less than the amount initially allocated to such
Limited Partner by the Partnership with respect to such Unit, the
Partnership shall deduct from such Limited Partner’s Tax
Distribution for the following fiscal year an amount equal to the
Deemed Tax Rate with respect to such Unit times the decrease in
taxable income allocated to the Limited Partner with respect to
such Unit. Because no taxable income in excess of taxable loss will
be allocated in respect of a Class C Unit, no Tax Distribution
shall be made with respect to a Class C Unit.
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5.1.1. Unless the General
Partner determines in good faith that a possible Tax Distribution
referred to in Section 5.1 would be prohibited under the Act,
under any law, statute, rule, regulation or contractual obligation
applicable to or binding on the Partnership or any of its
Subsidiaries, the Partnership shall make a Tax Distribution to the
Limited Partners entitled thereto not later than the date specified
in Section 5.1, and in the event that a contractual obligation
prohibits the Partnership from making a Tax Distribution, the
Partnership shall make a good faith effort to have the prohibition
imposed by such contractual obligation removed and shall cause a
Distribution of such portion, if any, of such Tax Distribution that
is not so prohibited to be made pro rata to Limited Partners
based on the portions of the Tax Distribution otherwise payable
that such Limited Partners would receive.
5.1.2. Any determination of
the amount of a Tax Distribution made by the General Partner
pursuant to this Section 5.1 shall be conclusive and binding
on all Partners.
5.2. Distributions .
Except for Tax Distributions and distributions made in connection
with a liquidation of the Partnership pursuant to
Section 16.3, the General Partner shall have the sole
discretion to make any Distributions and any Distributions so made
from and after the First Distribution Date shall be
made:
5.2.1. first, to the holders
of Class A Units, Class B Units and Class C Units pro
rata in proportion to the number of Class A Units, Class B
Units and Class C Units held thereby until such time as the holders
of the Class A Units outstanding as of the Closing shall have
received aggregate Distributions since the First Distribution Date
(excluding Tax Distributions and the First Distribution) equal to
the Second Distribution Per Unit Amount, in respect of each such
Class A Unit so held;
5.2.2. second, to the holders
of Class A Units and Class C Units pro rata in
proportion to the number of Class A Units and Class C Units
held thereby until such time as the holders of the Class A
Units outstanding as of the Closing shall have received aggregate
Distributions since the Second Distribution Date (excluding Tax
Distributions, the First Distribution and the Second Distribution)
equal to (a) $1.00 minus (b) the sum of the First
Distribution Per Unit Amount and the Second Distribution Per Unit
Amount, in respect of each such Class A Unit so held;
and
5.2.3. thereafter, any
Distributions made by the Partnership shall be made to the holders
of Class A Units and Class B Units pro rata in
proportion to the number of Class A Units and Class B Units
held thereby; provided, however , that solely for purposes
of the pro rata allocation determined by Section 9.3.5 and
upon a Deemed Liquidity Event, such Distributions made by the
Partnership shall be made to the holders of Class A Units,
Class B Units and Vested Class D Units pro rata in
proportion to the number of Class A Units, Class B Units and
Vested Class D Units held thereby; and, provided, further,
that :
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(i) no Class B Unit shall be
entitled to any Distributions under this Section 5.2.3 unless
and until there shall have been distributed on each Class A
Unit pursuant to this Section 5.2.3, an aggregate amount of
Distributions equal to the Class A Unit Catchup Amount;
and
(ii) each Distribution that
would otherwise be made in respect of any Vested Class D Unit
(including Distributions made pursuant to the following sentence)
shall be reduced up to the amount of such Distribution until the
aggregate amount of all such reductions made with respect to such
Vested Class D Unit equals the Distribution Threshold with respect
to such Vested Class D Unit; such amounts shall instead be
distributed to the holders of Class A Units, the holders of
Class B Units and holders of other Vested Class D Units (pro rata
in accordance with the number of such Units held by each such
Person), subject to and to the extent otherwise permitted by the
provisions of this Section 5.2.3 (including, for the avoidance
of doubt, clause (i)).
5.3. No Violation.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, the Partnership shall not make a Distribution to any
Limited Partner on account of such Limited Partner’s Interest
if such Distribution would violate Section 17-607 of the Act
or other applicable law.
5.4. Withholdings. The
Partnership is authorized to withhold from Distributions, or with
respect to allocations, to the Limited Partners and to pay over to
the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign government any
amounts required under any applicable law to be so withheld. The
Partnership shall allocate any such amounts to the Limited Partners
in respect of whose Distribution or allocation the tax was withheld
and paid over and shall treat such amounts as actually distributed
(either under Section 5.1 or 5.2, as determined by the General
Partner) to such Limited Partners.
5.5. Property
Distributions and Installment Sales. If any assets of the
Partnership shall be distributed in kind pursuant to this Article
V, to the extent practicable, such assets shall be distributed to
the Limited Partners entitled thereto in the same proportions as
the Limited Partners would have been entitled to cash
Distributions.
5.6. Return of
Distributions of Capital . Except as required by the Act, no
Limited Partner shall be obligated by this Agreement to return any
Distribution to the Partnership or pay the amount of any
Distribution for the account of the Partnership or to any creditor
of the Partnership; provided, however , if any court of
competent jurisdiction holds that, notwithstanding the provisions
of this Agreement, any Limited Partner is obligated to return or
pay any part of any Distribution, the obligation shall be that of
such Limited Partner alone and not of the General Partner or any
other Limited Partner.
ARTICLE VI
PRE-EMPTIVE AND
PARTICIPATION RIGHTS
6.1. Pre-Emptive and
Participation Rights. Until the consummation of a Qualified
Public Offering, the Partnership shall not, and shall not permit
its Subsidiaries to, issue or sell
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Interests (or any options, warrants or
other rights to acquire any Interests, or any debt or equity
securities convertible into or exchangeable for, directly or
indirectly, any Interests) or issue any debt (each a
“Pre-Emptive Issuance” of
“Securities” ) to any Person, except in
compliance with the provisions of this Article VI.
6.2. Participation
Notice. Not fewer than 10 business days prior to the
consummation of the Pre-Emptive Issuance, the Partnership shall
provide a written notice (the “Participation
Notice” ) to each holder of Capital Units (a
“Capital Partner” ). The Participation Notice
shall include, to the extent known:
6.2.1. The material terms of
the proposed Pre-Emptive Issuance, including (i) the amount
and kind of Securities to be included in the Pre-Emptive Issuance,
(ii) the price per share of the Securities (or, if such
consideration is not cash, the Fair Market Value thereof),
(iii) the portion of the Pre-Emptive Issuance equal to the
aggregate number of Capital Units held by such Capital Partner
immediately prior to such Pre-Emptive Issuance divided by the
aggregate number of Capital Units outstanding immediately prior to
the Pre-Emptive Issuance (with respect to each Capital Partner, its
“Participation Portion” ) and (iv) the name
and address of each Person to whom the Securities are proposed to
be issued (each a “Pre-Emptive Transferee” );
and
6.2.2. An offer by the
Partnership to issue to each Capital Partner such portion of the
Securities to be included in the Pre-Emptive Issuance as may be
requested by such Capital Partner (not to exceed its Participation
Portion of the total amount of Securities to be included in the
Pre-Emptive Issuance), on the same terms and conditions as the
issuance to each of the Pre-Emptive Transferees, including, without
limitation, the same relative proportions of Securities (e.g. debt
and equity) as are being offered in the Pre-Emptive
Issuance.
6.3. Election to
Participate. Within 15 business days after delivery of the
Participation Notice, each Capital Partner desiring to accept the
offer pursuant to Section 6.2.2 shall send an irrevocable
commitment (each a “Participation Commitment” )
to the Partnership specifying the amount or proportion of
Securities which such Capital Partner desires to be issued (each a
“Participating Buyer” ). The acceptance of each
Participating Buyer shall be irrevocable except as hereinafter
provided and so long as the terms and conditions applicable to the
Pre-Emptive Issuance remain as stated in the Participation Notice,
each such Participating Buyer shall be obligated to acquire in the
Pre-Emptive Issuance on the same terms and conditions, with respect
to each Security issued, as the Pre-Emptive Transferees such amount
or proportion of Securities as such Participating Buyer shall have
specified in such Participating Buyer’s Participation
Commitment. Each Capital Partner that does not accept such offer
shall be deemed to have waived all of such holder’s rights
under this Article VI with respect to the Pre-Emptive Issuance
specified in the Participation Notice, and the Partnership shall
thereafter be free to issue Securities in such Pre-Emptive Issuance
to the Pre-Emptive Transferees and any Participating Buyers, at a
price not less than the price set forth in the Participation Notice
and on other terms not materially more favorable in the aggregate,
to the Pre-Emptive Transferees and any Participating Buyers than
those set forth in the Participation Notice. If the principal terms
of such proposed Pre-Emptive Issuance change such that they are
more materially favorable in the aggregate to the Participating
Buyers than those set forth in the Participation Notice, it shall
be necessary for a separate Participation Notice to be furnished,
and the terms and provisions of this
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Article VI separately complied with, in
order to consummate such Pre-Emptive Issuance. In the event a
Capital Partner breaches its obligation to purchase such Securities
after delivering a Participating Commitment, such Capital Partner
shall be deemed to have waived all of such holder’s rights
under this Article VI with respect to such Pre-Emptive Issuance and
all future Pre-Emptive Issuances.
6.4. Expiration of
Commitment . If at the end of the 120th day following the date
of the effectiveness of the Participation Notice the Partnership
has not completed the Pre-Emptive Issuance on the terms and
conditions specified in such Participation Notice, each
Participating Buyer shall be released from its obligations under
such Participating Buyer’s Participation Commitment, the
Participation Notice shall be null and void, and it shall be
necessary for a separate Participation Notice to be furnished, and
the terms and provisions of this Article VI separately complied
with, in order to consummate such Pre-Emptive Issuance.
6.5. Cooperation .
Each Participating Buyer shall take or cause to be taken all such
reasonable actions, consistent with the provisions of this
Agreement, as may be necessary or appropriate in order
expeditiously to consummate each Pre-Emptive Issuance to such
Participating Buyer pursuant to this Article VI and any related
transactions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
each Participating Buyer agrees to execute and deliver such
subscription and other agreements specified by the General Partner
to which the Pre-Emptive Transferee will be party.
6.6. Closing . The
closing of a Pre-Emptive Issuance pursuant to this Article VI shall
take place at such time and place as the General Partner shall
specify by notice to each Participating Buyer, which such notice
shall be delivered at least 5 business days prior to the proposed
closing date. At the closing, the Partnership shall deliver to each
Participating Buyer the certificates or other instruments, if any,
evidencing the Securities to be issued to such Participating Buyer,
registered in the name of such Participating Buyer or his
designated nominee, free and clear of any liens or encumbrances,
with any transfer tax stamps affixed, against delivery by such
Participating Buyer of the applicable consideration.
6.7. Retroactive
Compliance. Notwithstanding the notice requirements of
Section 6.2, the Partnership may proceed with any Pre-Emptive
Issuance prior to having complied with the provisions of Article
VI; provided that:
6.7.1. the General Partner
shall have determined that the Pre-Emptive Issuance will not
adversely affect any Capital Partner so long as such Capital
Partners are given retroactive opportunity to participate in
accordance with Section 6.7.2; and
6.7.2. the Partnership shall,
within 10 business days of the consummation of such Pre-Emptive
Issuance (and in any event prior to making any distribution in
respect of Securities purchased in connection
therewith):
(a) prov
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